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日本ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402 (2023) review – vapor chamber cooling combined with metal build and high performance
Verdict
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402 (2023) is an impressive device. We purchased a modest configuration with a 1600p IPS panel, a Ryzen 7 7735HS, and a GeForce RTX 4050. Even with this hardware, the notebook performs excellently. The machine can be dead silent for daily usage if you select the “Silent” preset in the Armoury Crate app, and it transforms into a true gaming laptop with the application of the other two power modes. Note that the fans create a lot of noise in Turbo mode.
The 1600p IPS display (TL140ADXP02-0 (TMX1401)) fully covers the sRGB gamut, and we achieved 98% DCP-P3 coverage. The unit is also PWM-free, has wide viewing angles, high maximum brightness, and a good contrast ratio. It becomes very color-accurate with our “Gaming and Web design” profile, reaching an average dE score of just 1.0, a great improvement compared to the out-of-the-box value of 2.5.
The optional AniMe Matrix is a unique feature that is highly customizable. We recommend turning it off when away from the charger to conserve battery. Speaking of which, the battery life is surprisingly long—20 hours of web browsing or 10 hours of video playback. This performance is based on a configuration with an efficient Zen 3+ CPU and IPS display. Devices with a Zen 4 chip and a Mini LED display may have shorter battery lives. To maximize battery life, it’s advisable to use the “Eco” GPU mode, which utilizes the integrated GPU only.
The notebook’s performance, given the tested hardware, is satisfactory. The 120W version of the GeForce RTX 4050 is potent, displaying over 60 FPS on Ultra details in many games. For FPS to match the display’s refresh rate, a more powerful GPU is necessary, which would be a pricier option. The Ryzen 7 7735HS is sufficiently fast for almost all tasks. It may not be as powerful as the optional Ryzen 9 7940HS, but it is less expensive and more efficient.
The vapor chamber cooling effectively manages heat, allowing the CPU to maintain 3.84 GHz under prolonged loads, and the GPU sustains a 2565 MHz core clock and 104W TGP after thirty minutes of gaming. However, a processor temperature of 95°C under prolonged and heavy stress in Turbo mode is quite high. Using the “Performance” preset can reduce the temperature to 72°C, maintaining a CPU frequency of 3.28 GHz.
We have zero complaints regarding the input devices. The keyboard is comfortable for both work and gaming, and the touchpad is smooth and fast. However, the upgrade options are one of the few downsides of this laptop. Part of the memory is soldered but operates in dual-channel. The maximum amount of memory available is 32GB of DDR5-4800MHz, which should suffice for most users. For storage, there is only one Gen 4 M.2 slot, somewhat unusual considering the laptop’s high price.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402 (2023) is a proficient 14″ gaming notebook. It boasts various GPU options, an optional fast and color-accurate 1600P PWM-free display, extended battery life, and a metal build. The optional G-Sync and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus are significant extras for many gamers, with the MUX switch included in the package.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/asus-rog-zephyrus-g14-ga402-2023/
Pros
- Exceptional battery life
- The ErgoLift hinge enhances the laptop’s cooling capabilities
- Equipped with a vapor chamber cooling system
- Covers 100% of the sRGB and 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamuts, and has accurate color representation with our “Gaming and Web design” profile (TL140ADXP02-0 (TMX1401))
- Features a fast panel with quick response times (TL140ADXP02-0 (TMX1401))
- PWM-free (TL140ADXP02-0 (TMX1401))
- Offers wide viewing angles and high maximum brightness (TL140ADXP02-0 (TMX1401))
- Optional AniMe Matrix available
- Excellent input devices
- Equipped with a 1080p IR camera
- The keyboard remains cool during extended gaming sessions
- Robust build quality
- Fans remain silent during light loads in “Silent” mode
Cons
- Fans can be noisy in “Turbo” mode
- Priced on the higher end
- Part of the memory is soldered, and there’s only one M.2 slot available
- CPU temperatures can be high under heavy stress in “Turbo” mode
- Excessive hot air may reach the display during heavy loads
you are lieing. 10 hours battery life watching videos
We do the battery test at 120 nits brightness (rather low) and only VLC running, so if you are using the laptop with other programs and at higher brightness, you should expect less battery life.