Pros
- Exceptional battery life
- Very lightweight
- Feels comfortably cool under load
- Extra 10 Watts GPU power in 2025 version
Cons
- CPU downgraded from Ryzen 9 to Ryzen 7
- Plastic build
- Speakers aren’t great
- More expensive this year
ASUS has downgraded the TUF A14 from a Ryzen 9 to a Ryzen 7 this year. In practice, this means single-core performance is fine, but multi-core performance drops nearly 20% in Cinebench. The result is weaker performance in CPU-heavy games and creative workloads compared to competitors like HP’s Omen Transcend 14 or ASUS’s own Zephyrus G14.
On the bright side, the GPU side of the story is better. The higher-wattage RTX 5060 ties or even beats the Omen’s RTX 5070 in some benchmarks. Real-world gaming performance is solid, though gains over last year are modest at around 10%.
Pros
- Premium feeling laptop
- Runs cooler and quieter than most 14inch gaming laptops
- Excellent keyboard
- Charges with just USB-C power
- Good OLED display
- Fantastic battery life
Cons
- GPU underperforms (its fed less wattage)
- Gets a little warm to the touch in extended performance use
- Trackpad feels a little cheap for a laptop this premium
Thermals, Noise & Comfort
Where the A14 truly shines is comfort. Despite packing decent power, it stays cooler to the touch than both the Zephyrus G14 and the Omen Transcend. Fan noise is noticeable but on par with other gaming laptops. For those who want a powerful yet portable machine that doesn’t double as a hand-warmer, the A14 stands out.
Pros
- Extremely well built
- Very light and portable for a gaming laptop
- Offers excellent performance for its size
- Speakers sound great
Cons
- GPU is fed low wattage during gaming and underperforms
- Screen should be brighter in 2025
- Always feels warm, even in light use
Battery Life
The lower-powered CPU also brings better efficiency. In office tasks, the A14 leads its class, and it performs admirably in video playback tests as well. ASUS’s iGPU-only mode is a useful setting, extending longevity further for lighter workloads.
Build & Display
This year’s A14 keeps the same chassis as last year. At 3.5 lbs, it’s one of the lightest in its class, though its plastic keyboard deck feels cheaper than the metal builds of rivals. The 2560x1600 IPS panel is sharp and bright with a 165Hz refresh rate, but at this price point, the lack of OLED is disappointing.
Other Notes
- Keyboard & Trackpad: Comfortable and accurate, though not standout.
- Speakers: Weak and tinny.
- Ports: Solid selection, including dual USB-C with DisplayPort 2.1, though power delivery is limited to the left port.
- Upgradeability: Dual SSD slots are available, but RAM is soldered—buyers should choose their configuration carefully.
Conclusion
The ASUS TUF A14 is still one of the most comfortable 14-inch gaming laptops thanks to its excellent thermals and battery life. However, with a weaker CPU and a higher $1,700 starting price, its value is harder to justify compared to last year—or against competitors that offer OLED screens and more premium builds at similar prices.
Verdict: Great for comfort-focused gamers, but not the best bang for your buck in 2025.
Pros
- Doesn't get warm to the touch while gaming
- Light & portable
- Quiet in light use
- Strong performance with AMD's excellent Zen 5 processor
Cons
- Feels cheaply made
- Small screen for gaming
