What you need to know
- The G14 houses AMD's latest 8-core 4000 series laptop APU
- Additional graphics power comes from an RTX 2060.
- The display choices include high resolution or high refresh rate
- Customizable LED dot-matrix panel on the lid because reasons.
ASUS unveiled one of the stars of CES 2020 alongside AMD under the Las Vegas lights, and not just because it has a customizable LED dot-matrix display on the lid.
Though I'll admit, it brings a smile to my face and I don't entirely know why.
What's more important than what's on the outside is what's lurking beneath. The Zephyrus G14, along with it's stablemate the G15, is powered by AMD's brand new Ryzen 4000 series laptop APUs, all of which sound extremely impressive.
Why? Because this gaming laptop will have at its heart an 8-core, 16-thread processor built on AMD's latest 7nm Zen 2 platform. Previous generation AMD laptop chips have fallen a little flat, in part because they've got half the core count, part because they're still on the older 12nm Zen architecture. Furthermore, ASUS and AMD have collaborated on a customized version, the Ryzen 7 4800HS, that will only be found in the G14 and G15.
| Category | TKTK |
|---|---|
| Display | 14-inches 1080p 60Hz/120hz 1440p 60Hz |
| Processor | Up to AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS 8-cores, 16-threads |
| Graphics | Up to NVIDIA RTX 2060 |
| Memory | Up to 32GB DDR4 3200MHz |
| Storage | Up to 1TB PCIe 3.0 SSD |
| Security | Built in fingerprint scanner |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Ports | 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 PD, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x 3.5mm headset jack |
| Audio | 2x 2.5W speakers with Smart AMP technology Dolby Atmos |
| Weight | 1.6 kg (3.52 lbs) |
It might sound strange, but the Ryzen inside the G14 has actually been dialed back a little, from 45W to 35W and a slightly lower clock speed to make thermal performance in such a thin form factor more manageable.
It's paired with up to 32GB of DDR4 3200MHz memory, the faster clock speed will certainly help squeeze the most from the Ryzen while offering a choice between high resolution at 1440p or high refresh rate 120Hz. Also of note is Wi-Fi 6, despite not using Intel CPUs, ASUS has ensured its latest and greatest have access to the latest wireless technology. The larger G15 is mostly the same but will have an optional 240Hz display.
ASUS is making big claims about the G14, mostly that it's the world's most powerful 14-inch laptop, and on paper at least it has the chops. Paired with that 8-core APU is the NVIDIA RTX 2060, so whether gaming or creating there is some serious horsepower on tap.
Other goodies include an integrated fingerprint scanner, Dolby Atmos audio, USB-C charging and if you're not going to be using the RTX 2060, you can actually power the G14 with a 65W power adapter and not have to lug around the 180W brick when you go out for a day and just want to get some work done.
The G14 and G15 are set to launch across Q1 and Q2, with the first signs set for March. AMD made some big claims about its new laptop chips at CES and if the marketing spiel is accurate, the red team brought the fight once again.
