Not so long ago, a review was published on our website equipped with two displays at once. The main, 15-inch matrix in it is supplemented by another screen - a 14-inch touch panel with a resolution of 3840 × 1100 pixels. Such a decision (and the additional display really significantly increased the functionality of the device) seemed justified to us for a certain type of user, but at the same time, one cannot but take into account that the ZenBook Pro Duo UX581GV is a curiosity that is not available to everyone. In this regard, the ZenBook 14 UX434FL model looks simpler. If only because the laptop is equipped with a small second ScreenPad 2.0 screen with a diagonal of only 5,65 inches.
At the same time, the ASUS ultrabook interested us not only with its displays: the device uses the latest Comet Lake Core i7-10510U central processor (10th generation Core) and GeForce MX250 mobile graphics - we have not yet tested an ultrabook with such hardware.
Specifications, equipment and software
At the time of writing, there were several versions of the ZenBook 14 UX434FL on sale. Models with Intel Comet Lake chips are new, but ultrabooks with Whiskey Lake processors have been sold in retail for a long time. All the main characteristics of the ZenBook 14 UX434FL are presented in the table below.
| ASUS ZenBook 14 UX434FL | |
| Display | 14", 1920 × 1080, IPS, matte 14", 1920 × 1080, IPS, glossy, touch 14", 3840 × 2160, IPS, glossy, touch |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8565U, 4/8 cores/threads, 1,8 (4,6) GHz, 15W |
| Intel Core i5-8265U, 4/8 cores/threads, 1,6 (3,9) GHz, 15W | |
| Intel Core i7-10510U, 4/8 cores/threads, 1,8 (4,9) GHz, 15W | |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 620 NVIDIA GeForce MX250 2 GB |
| RAM | 8 or 16 GB DDR3-2400 built-in |
| SSD | 256 or 512 GB, PCI Express x2 3.0 1 TB PCI Express x4 3.0 |
| Interfaces | 1 x HDMI 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A 1 × 3,5mm mini-jack speaker / microphone 1 x microSD |
| Built-in battery | 50 W·h |
| External power supply | 65 W |
| dimensions | 319 × 199 × 17 mm |
| Weight | 1,26 kg |
| Operating system | Windows 10 x64 Home Windows 10 x64 Pro |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Price in Russia | From 86 000 rubles |
A very interesting version of the ZenBook 14 UX434FL has arrived in our lab. In addition to an Intel Core i7-10510U processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics, the laptop has 16GB of DDR3-2400 RAM and a 512GB Intel Optane SSD. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, a laptop with this configuration was not sold.
The wireless network in the device is implemented using the Intel 9560 controller, which supports Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b / g / n / ac standards with a frequency of 2,4 and 5 GHz and a maximum bandwidth of up to 1734 Mbps, as well as Bluetooth 5.0.
Included with the laptop was a small power supply with a capacity of 65 W and weighing only 200 grams.
Appearance and input devices
As one pop song says, you'll recognize him out of a thousand. Indeed, outwardly, the ZenBook 14 UX434FL is clearly recognizable as a “zenbook” - it has all the characteristic features of modern ASUS ultrabooks. For example, the lid has a recognizable circular pattern - as if a drop has stirred up a smooth surface of water. The hero of the review is assembled in a fully metal case. The material used is quite practical (painted aluminum), so that fingerprints and dust from its surface are removed in no time.
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If you do not take into account the presence of ScreenPad 14 in ZenBook 434 UX2.0FL, then outwardly the model is a complete copy of the previously tested ultrabook .
As a person who needs a computer always and everywhere, I am most attracted to the ZenBook 14 UX434FL by its dimensions and weight. The thickness of the laptop is only 17 mm, and the device weighs no more than 1,3 kg. There is no need to draw any parallels and comparisons: the ZenBook 14 UX434FL is very convenient to carry around.
The lid of the laptop opens to about 135 degrees - without much effort, it can be lifted with one hand. At the same time, the ErgoLift hinges position the screen well - it does not dangle even during active and fast typing.
I have no complaints about the build quality of the test model. The laptop, by the way, has successfully passed the tests for compliance with the military reliability standard MIL-STD 810G. Testing included checking in the harshest conditions: at altitude, in extreme temperatures and humidity. In addition, we have subjected this Ultrabook to a series of internal tests that far exceed industry standards.
The laptop screen is equipped with thin bezels: 8 mm on the top and 2,9 mm on the sides. As a result, the matrix occupies 92% of the top cover area. In more simple terms, these characteristics mean the following: the 14-inch model is very compact, it is close in size to some 13,3-inch laptops.
When the lid is opened, the base rises three degrees above the tabletop, another feature of the ErgoLift hinges. This focus, according to the manufacturer, provides greater comfort for the user, creates additional space for air circulation around the bottom panel of the case and contributes to even cleaner sound with improved bass.
On the left side of the laptop there is an HDMI output and USB 3.1 Gen2 A-type. There is also an input for connecting an external power supply and a USB 3.1 Gen2 C-type port. On the right side of the ASUS laptop, there is a microSD card slot, a USB 2.0 A-type connector, and a 3,5mm headphone jack.
The keyboard on the ZenBook 14 UX434FL is comfortable. A fairly common scissor mechanism is used, the key travel is 1,4 mm. It will take some getting used to (albeit not for long) except for the location of the Home, End, PgUp and PgDn buttons, which are combined with F9-F12. But the keyboard has comfortable Enter, Shift, Tab and Backspace. Typing text is pleasant - for an ultrabook this is the main thing.
Of the features, I also note that the F1-F12 series by default works in combination with the Fn button, while priority is given to their multimedia functions. The keyboard has a three-level white backlighting: characters are clearly visible on the dark blue buttons, making it convenient to use the laptop both day and night.
As already mentioned, the main feature of the test model is the 5,65-inch ScreenPad 2.0 screen. Remember we talked about presented at Computex 2018? This laptop used the first generation IPS panel, it had a diagonal of 5,5 inches and had a resolution of Full HD. The ScreenPad 2.0 resolution has been increased to 2160 × 1080 pixels. The same Super IPS matrix is used. To save battery power, the screen resolution can be reduced to 1000 × 500 pixels, and the frequency can be reduced from 60 to 50 Hz.
As a screen, the ScreenPad 2.0 comes in handy. By default, both laptop displays work in extended mode, that is, the small screen is a continuation of the large one. When you turn on the device, the ScreenXpert shell is immediately activated. You can display the active messenger window or media player on an additional screen. I used ScreenPad 2.0 to watch YouTube videos and work at the same time.
The Quick Key program allows you to quickly enter long keyboard shortcuts. The Handwriting app is for handwriting, and Number Key is for quickly typing numbers. By default, special programs were installed on the laptop that increase the functionality of the main Microsoft office suites: Office, Excel and PowerPoint. Here - on ScreenPad 2.0 - you can display the tools of Adobe programs. Interestingly, the NumPad digital block on the touchpad turns out to be very convenient.
The role of the touchpad touchpad plays just fine. The glass surface turned out to be very pleasant to the touch and perfectly perceives finger touches - of course, the multitouch mode is supported.
Switching between modes is quite convenient, there are corresponding buttons at the bottom of the panel. Also, a separate function button is responsible for switching the “touchpad / screen” modes. The only thing I didn't like was that ScreenPad 2.0 kept turning on in screen mode after every restart of the laptop.
Internal arrangement and upgrade options
To remove the bottom panel of the ZenBook 14 UX434FL, you need to unscrew not only the visible screws, but also get to the two hidden ones. To do this, you will need to literally tear off the rubber legs of the device. We did not disassemble the ultrabook so as not to spoil its appearance.
Moreover, there is no need to do this especially - you can only replace a solid-state drive in a laptop. By default, a fairly productive Intel Optane HBRPEKNX0202A H10 series SSD is used here - this device combines 32 GB of cache memory and 512 GB of QLC standard flash memory. The RAM in the laptop is soldered, in our case we are talking about 16 GB, operating in dual-channel mode. Micron MT52L1G32D4PG-093 chips are used - this is the LPDDR3-2400 standard, although Comet Lake processors, as we know, also support DDR4-2993 RAM. The cooling system of the test model is a very simple design, consisting of one heat pipe and one fan.
Source: 3dnews.ru