Asus has once again raised the bar with the launch of the TUF Gaming A14, a compact gaming laptop that combines cutting-edge technology with a sleek design.
Featuring the latest AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, this laptop promises exceptional performance and power efficiency, making it an attractive option for gamers and professionals alike. Priced at ₹1,69,990, the TUF Gaming A14 is packed with features that make it stand out in a crowded market. Let’s dive into the details to see if it lives up to the hype.
Table of Contents
ASUS TUF Gaming A14 Detailed Review: All You Need to Know
Specifications
- AI-Enabled Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Processor 2.0GHz (36MB Cache, up to 5.1GHz, 12 cores, 24 Threads) AMD XDNA NPU up to 50TOPS
- Display: 14-inch, 2.5K (2560 x 1600, WQXGA), 16:10 aspect ratio, 165Hz Refresh Rate, 400nits Brightness
- Keyboard: Backlit Chiclet Keyboard Single Light with Copilot key
- Graphics: 8GB GDDR6, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (233 AI TOPs), 2225Mhz* at 100W (2175MHz Boost Clock+50MHz O.C., 75W+25W Dynamic Boost)
- Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X RAM| Storage: 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
- Battery: 73WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion, Fast Charging: Recharge from 0-50% in 30 minutes
- I/O Ports: 1x Type-C USB 4 support DisplayPort / power delivery, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x card reader (microSD) (UHS-II)
- Web Cam: 1080P FHD IR Camera for Windows Hello| Mic: Built-in array microphone
Design: Tough Yet Minimalist
The Asus TUF Gaming A14 sports a minimalist design that belies its gaming capabilities. Measuring 311 x 227 x 16.9 mm and weighing just 1.46 kg, it’s one of the lighter options in its class, making it highly portable. The laptop features a sturdy metal lid with a matte finish and the TUF logo, giving it a professional look that can easily blend into any environment.
The bottom panel is also metal, adorned with diamond-shaped intake grilles for optimal airflow. The hinges are robust, allowing the lid to open a full 180 degrees. With MIL-STD-810H certification, the TUF Gaming A14 is built to withstand rough use and harsh conditions, ensuring durability for gamers on the go.
Connectivity
The laptop offers a solid selection of ports, including:
- 1x Type-C USB 4 (supports DisplayPort and power delivery)
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (supports DisplayPort)
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1x HDMI 2.1
- 1x microSD card reader
- 1x 3.5mm audio jack
This variety ensures that you can connect all your peripherals without hassle.
Display: A Gamer’s Delight
The 14-inch IPS display of the TUF Gaming A14 is a highlight, boasting a 2.5K resolution (2560 x 1600) and a 165Hz refresh rate. The anti-glare coating helps reduce reflections, making it suitable for gaming in various lighting conditions. With a 3ms response time and 100% sRGB color support, the display delivers vibrant colors and smooth visuals, enhancing your gaming experience.
While the colors may appear slightly muted due to the anti-glare finish, the overall performance is impressive, especially for mobile gaming. The 16:10 aspect ratio and slim bezels provide an immersive viewing experience, and features like Nvidia G-Sync support and a MUX switch further enhance gaming performance.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Comfortable and Functional
Asus has equipped the TUF Gaming A14 with a backlit chiclet keyboard that offers 1.7mm of travel and excellent key spacing. The keyboard is comfortable for both gaming and typing, and the inclusion of a Copilot key allows for quick access to AI features. The single white backlighting is bright, although it lacks RGB customization.
The large glass touchpad is responsive and features a 16:10 aspect ratio, mirroring the display. It performed well during the review, with no ghosting issues during gaming sessions.
Performance: Power Meets Efficiency
At the heart of the TUF Gaming A14 is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, which boasts 12 cores and 24 threads. This powerful CPU, combined with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, delivers exceptional performance across a range of applications.
In synthetic benchmarks, the TUF Gaming A14 outperformed many competitors, including flagship models from Intel and Apple. Here are some notable scores:
| Benchmark | Score |
|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,789 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 15,321 |
| 3DMark Time Spy (GPU) | 10,788 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 21,986 |
In terms of SSD speeds, the 2TB Gen4 storage gives decent speeds of up to 5276MB/s read and up to 4787MB/s write speeds in the CrystalDiskMark test. Overall, from fast boot speeds to faster game loads, the experience has been very smooth on this laptop, thanks to the massive 32GB DDR5 RAM.
During gaming tests, the laptop easily handled demanding titles like God of War and GTA V, achieving frame rates between 60 to 120 FPS at 1200p resolution. While the laptop does get warm during intense gaming sessions, the performance remains impressive for such a compact device. Here are all the gaming benchmarks:
| Game | Settings | FPS |
|---|---|---|
| World War Z | QHD Ultra | 112 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | QHD Highest | 110 |
| Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy | QHD Ultra | 87 |
| Red Dead Redemption PC | QHD High | 127 |
| Stray | QHD High | 110 |
| God of War | QHD Ultra | 67 |
| Marvel’s Spiderman | QHD Very High | 76 |
| CS 2 | QHD Very High | 110 |
| PUBG | QHD Very High | 87 |
| GTA V | QHD High | 117 |
| Valorant | QHD High | 400 |
Though you might think this 14-inch gaming laptop might not be sufficient for the most demanding titles, that is not the case here. As you see in the gaming benchmarks, the numbers are quite good. Now, add DLSS to this, and you can comfortably get 100+ FPS in almost all the modern games you want to throw at.
Battery Life: A Surprising Advantage
One of the standout features of the TUF Gaming A14 is its 73Wh battery, which offers excellent longevity. In the Silent profile, the laptop lasted around 6-7 hours during regular use, making it suitable for a full workday. The fast charging capability is also a plus, allowing the battery to recharge from 0-50% in just 30 minutes.
Software: User-Friendly Experience
The TUF Gaming A14 runs on Windows 11 Home and comes pre-installed with useful applications like Armoury Crate, which allows users to customize performance profiles and manage system settings easily. The inclusion of McAfee antivirus is less desirable, but overall, the software experience is smooth and user-friendly.
Verdict: A Compact Gaming Champion
In conclusion, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is a remarkable gaming laptop that combines power, portability, and durability. With its impressive display, robust performance, and excellent battery life, it’s an ideal choice for gamers who need a reliable machine for both gaming and productivity. While it may not be the most affordable option in the TUF lineup, the features and performance justify the price tag.
If you’re in the market for a compact, lightweight gaming laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is tough to beat.
Buy from Amazon India: https://amzn.to/4hScjKO
