ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405): The Creator’s Ultrabook Reimagined

Key Innovations & Features

Performance: Powering Through Your Day

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) is equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra processor, featuring a hybrid architecture that balances performance and efficiency. This chip, combined with its integrated Intel Arc graphics, delivers impressive multi-core performance for productivity tasks, web Browse, and even light content creation. While it’s not designed for heavy gaming or professional-grade video rendering, it handles everyday workloads with ease and provides a significant boost for AI-accelerated tasks thanks to its integrated NPU.

CPU Performance

In benchmarks like Cinebench R23, the Core Ultra 7 shows strong multi-core scores, competing well with some entry-level dedicated GPUs. Single-core performance is also excellent, ensuring snappy responsiveness for daily applications. However, under prolonged, intensive loads, the thin chassis can lead to some thermal throttling, which is common for ultrabooks designed for portability.

GPU Performance (Intel Arc iGPU)

The integrated Intel Arc graphics are a standout feature. Unlike previous Intel integrated solutions, the Arc iGPU is capable of handling casual gaming at lower settings and significantly accelerates video editing and graphic design tasks. It supports modern codecs and offers a much smoother experience for creative workflows than older integrated GPUs.

Display: A Visual Masterpiece

The star of the show is undoubtedly the 14-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. ASUS’s OLED panels are renowned for their stunning visuals, and this one is no exception. You get true blacks, infinite contrast, and incredibly vibrant, accurate colors that make everything from watching movies to editing photos a joy.

The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and a fluid user experience, while the 0.2ms response time eliminates ghosting, making it great for fast-paced content. It covers 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, making it ideal for creative professionals who require color accuracy. The display is also VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600 certified, providing exceptional brightness and contrast for HDR content.

Touchscreen and Brightness

The touchscreen functionality adds versatility, allowing for intuitive interaction. With a peak brightness of 600 nits for HDR content and around 400 nits for SDR, it’s bright enough for most indoor environments. However, the glossy finish can lead to reflections in brightly lit conditions or outdoors.

Design: Elegance Meets Durability

The Zenbook 14 OLED boasts a premium all-metal chassis that feels incredibly solid yet remains remarkably lightweight at just 1.28kg and a mere 14.9mm thin. The design is sleek and minimalist, with a refined aesthetic that exudes professionalism. The build quality is excellent, with no flex in the keyboard deck or lid.

Portability and Durability

Its compact form factor makes it an ideal travel companion, easily slipping into any bag. Despite its light build, ASUS claims military-grade durability, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of daily use and occasional bumps. The hinge mechanism is smooth and allows for one-handed opening, adding to the premium feel.

Battery Life: Unplug and Go

Equipped with a large 75Wh battery and the power-efficient Intel Core Ultra processor, the Zenbook 14 OLED delivers truly exceptional battery life. In real-world testing, it consistently provides over 14 hours of mixed usage, including web Browse, document editing, and video streaming. This makes it a fantastic choice for users who need to work on the go without constantly searching for a power outlet.

Charging

The laptop supports fast charging via USB-C, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed. A full charge takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, and you can get a significant percentage in just 30 minutes.

Input: Comfortable and Precise

Keyboard

The full-sized backlit keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with good key travel and a satisfying tactile response. The keys are well-spaced, and the backlighting is adjustable, making it easy to type in various lighting conditions. ASUS has included a dedicated row of function keys and a convenient power button integrated into the keyboard layout.

Touchpad

The large glass touchpad is smooth and responsive, supporting Windows Precision drivers for accurate multi-touch gestures. It’s one of the best touchpads you’ll find on a Windows laptop, offering precise cursor control and a satisfying click mechanism.

Ports: Modern Connectivity

The Zenbook 14 OLED offers a good selection of modern ports, ensuring you can connect all your essential peripherals. It includes:

• 2 x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports (with display output and power delivery)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port
• 1 x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) port
• 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack

While the inclusion of two Thunderbolt 4 ports is excellent for high-speed data transfer and external display connectivity, the absence of an SD card reader might be a drawback for photographers and videographers who frequently transfer media from cameras. However, this is becoming a common trend in ultrabooks.

Webcam & Audio: Clear Communication

Webcam

The laptop features a Full HD (1080p) webcam, which provides clear and detailed video for video calls and online meetings. It’s a significant improvement over the 720p cameras often found in ultrabooks. ASUS has also included AI-powered features like background blur and eye-tracking through its software to enhance video conferencing.

Audio

The Harman Kardon-tuned stereo speakers deliver surprisingly good audio quality for a laptop of this size. They offer clear highs and decent bass, making them suitable for casual music listening and video consumption. The audio system also supports Dolby Atmos for an immersive sound experience.

AI & Software: Smart and Streamlined

With Intel’s Core Ultra processor, the Zenbook 14 OLED is designed for the AI era. The integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) offloads AI workloads, improving efficiency for tasks like noise cancellation during video calls, real-time language translation, and various creative AI applications. This ensures that AI features run smoothly without significantly impacting CPU or GPU performance.

ASUS Software

ASUS includes its MyASUS software suite, which provides useful utilities for system diagnostics, updates, battery health management, and custom performance profiles. While some users might prefer a cleaner Windows installation, MyASUS offers valuable tools to optimize your laptop experience.

Software Experience and Bloatware

The Zenbook 14 OLED comes with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, offering a familiar and modern operating system experience. ASUS also pre-loads its own suite of utilities, primarily MyASUS. This application is genuinely useful for managing system settings, performing diagnostics, updating drivers, and optimizing performance profiles. It allows users to control fan modes, display color profiles, and battery charging limits, enhancing the overall user experience.

Beyond MyASUS, there is minimal bloatware, which is a welcome change compared to some other manufacturers. The system largely feels clean and responsive out of the box, allowing users to quickly get to work or play without needing to uninstall numerous unwanted applications.

Creative Work: A Capable Companion

For creative professionals, the Zenbook 14 OLED offers a compelling package. The stunning OLED display with its color accuracy and high resolution is perfect for photo editing, graphic design, and light video editing. The Intel Core Ultra processor provides ample CPU power for these tasks, and the improved Intel Arc iGPU significantly boosts performance in applications that can leverage it.

While it won’t replace a workstation with a dedicated GPU for heavy 3D rendering or complex video projects, it’s an excellent choice for mobile creators who need a lightweight, powerful, and visually stunning machine for their everyday creative workflows.

Who Should Buy This Laptop?

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) is an excellent choice for a specific demographic of users who prioritize a blend of portability, premium features, and capable performance without needing a dedicated high-end graphics card. Here’s who should consider buying this laptop:

• Creative Professionals on the Go: If you’re a photographer, graphic designer, or light video editor who needs a highly portable machine with an exceptional display for color-critical work, the Zenbook 14 OLED is ideal. Its stunning OLED panel and capable Intel Arc iGPU make it perfect for visual tasks while traveling or working remotely.
• Students and Academics: For students who require a lightweight, long-lasting laptop for note-taking, research, presentations, and occasional multimedia projects, this Zenbook offers a premium experience. Its robust battery life ensures it will last through a full day of classes and studying.
• Business Professionals and Remote Workers: Professionals who frequently travel or work from various locations will appreciate its feather-light design, military-grade durability, and all-day battery life. The strong CPU performance and excellent webcam make it suitable for productivity tasks and video conferencing.
• Users Seeking a Premium Everyday Laptop: If you desire a high-quality laptop with a gorgeous display, fast performance for daily tasks, and a premium build, but don’t need a discrete GPU for heavy gaming or intensive 3D work, the Zenbook 14 OLED is a fantastic all-rounder.
• Early Adopters of AI Features: With its Intel Core Ultra processor and dedicated NPU, this laptop is well-positioned for users interested in leveraging AI-accelerated features in their workflows, from enhanced video calls to future AI applications.

In essence, if you value a top-tier visual experience, exceptional battery life, and a sleek, portable design for productivity and light to moderate creative tasks, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) is a highly recommended choice.

ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) Specifications

Here’s a detailed look at the key specifications of the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) series: