Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP5401ZA). This sleek 2-in-1 laptop has been turning heads with its vibrant display and versatile design. If you're on the hunt for a laptop that can handle both work and play, keep reading – we’re going to break down everything you need to know.

Design and Build Quality

First impressions matter, and the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED definitely makes a good one. The laptop sports a premium, minimalist design that’s both stylish and professional. ASUS has opted for a clean aesthetic, with a subtle logo on the lid and smooth, rounded edges. The chassis is made from high-quality aluminum alloy, giving it a sturdy and robust feel. This isn’t some flimsy plastic machine; it feels like it can handle the daily grind.

Portability is key with this device. Weighing in at just around 3.09 pounds (1.4 kg) and measuring 0.63 inches (15.9 mm) thick, it’s incredibly easy to slip into a bag and carry around all day. Whether you're commuting to work, heading to a coffee shop, or traveling, you won't feel weighed down. The compact size doesn't compromise on screen real estate either, thanks to the slim bezels around the display.

The hinge is another standout feature. It’s a 360-degree ErgoLift hinge, which means you can smoothly transition between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes. The hinge feels solid and durable, and it holds the display firmly in place, no matter which mode you’re using. This flexibility is perfect for everything from giving presentations to watching movies in bed.

ASUS has also paid attention to the details. The keyboard deck is rigid, with minimal flex, providing a comfortable typing experience. The touchpad is smooth and responsive, with integrated NumberPad 2.0 for those who crunch numbers regularly. Overall, the design and build quality of the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED are top-notch, making it a pleasure to use and a stylish accessory to carry around.

Display: A Visual Feast

The display is where the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED truly shines. It boasts a 14-inch OLED panel with a 2.8K resolution (2880 x 1800 pixels). The OLED technology delivers incredibly vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a stunning contrast ratio. Watching movies, editing photos, or simply browsing the web is a visual treat. The colors pop, and the details are incredibly sharp.

One of the key highlights is the color accuracy. The display covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, which is essential for creative professionals who need accurate color representation for their work. Whether you’re a photographer, video editor, or graphic designer, you can trust that the colors you see on the screen are true to life.

The display also supports HDR, which further enhances the viewing experience by providing a wider range of brightness and contrast. HDR content looks absolutely stunning, with brighter highlights and deeper shadows. This makes for a more immersive and engaging experience, whether you’re watching movies or playing games.

Another notable feature is the 16:10 aspect ratio. This taller aspect ratio provides more vertical screen space, which is great for productivity. You can see more of a document or webpage without having to scroll as much. It’s a subtle but significant improvement that makes a big difference in everyday use.

The touch screen is responsive and accurate, making it easy to interact with the laptop in tablet mode. The display also supports a stylus, allowing you to take notes, sketch, or annotate documents with precision. The ASUS Pen 2.0 is a great accessory to have, especially if you’re a creative professional or student.

Performance: Power When You Need It

Under the hood, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED packs a punch. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7-12700H processor, which is a high-performance CPU that can handle demanding tasks with ease. Whether you’re editing videos, running simulations, or multitasking with multiple applications, this laptop can keep up.

The Intel Iris Xe Graphics provide decent graphics performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. While it’s not a dedicated gaming GPU, it can handle casual games and older titles without any issues. For more demanding games, you may need to lower the settings to achieve playable frame rates.

The laptop comes with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, which is plenty for most users. You can run multiple applications simultaneously without experiencing any slowdowns. The fast RAM also helps to improve overall system performance, making everything feel snappy and responsive.

For storage, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED features a 512GB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. This fast storage ensures quick boot times and snappy application loading. You’ll also appreciate the fast file transfer speeds, which can save you a lot of time when working with large files.

In terms of real-world performance, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED excels at productivity tasks. It can handle large spreadsheets, complex presentations, and heavy web browsing without breaking a sweat. It’s also a capable machine for creative tasks like photo and video editing. While it’s not a workstation replacement, it can certainly handle most creative workloads with ease.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is comfortable to type on, with decent key travel and a tactile feel. The keys are well-spaced, and the layout is standard, so you should be able to adapt to it quickly. The keyboard is also backlit, which makes it easy to type in dimly lit environments.

The touchpad is smooth and responsive, with excellent tracking. It supports multi-finger gestures, which makes it easy to navigate and perform common tasks like scrolling, zooming, and switching between applications. The integrated NumberPad 2.0 is a nice touch, especially if you work with numbers frequently. It’s a virtual numpad that appears on the touchpad when you need it, and it can be toggled on and off with a simple touch.

Audio and Webcam

The audio quality on the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is surprisingly good for a laptop of its size. It features stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon, which deliver clear and balanced sound. The speakers are loud enough to fill a small room, and they don’t distort at high volumes. While they don’t have the deep bass of a dedicated subwoofer, they’re certainly adequate for watching movies, listening to music, and video conferencing.

The webcam is a standard 720p camera, which is decent for video calls. The image quality is clear enough for most purposes, but it’s not the sharpest or most detailed. The webcam also supports Windows Hello facial recognition, which allows you to unlock the laptop with your face. This is a convenient and secure way to log in.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The Zenbook 14 Flip OLED offers decent battery life, thanks to its 63Wh battery. You can expect to get around 8-10 hours of battery life with moderate use, such as browsing the web, working on documents, and streaming videos. Battery life will vary depending on your usage patterns and screen brightness.

The laptop comes with a good selection of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, one HDMI 2.0 port, and a microSD card reader. The Thunderbolt 4 ports support DisplayPort and Power Delivery, which allows you to connect external displays, charge the laptop, and transfer data at high speeds. The inclusion of a microSD card reader is also a nice touch, especially for photographers and videographers who need to transfer files from their cameras.

Final Verdict

The ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP5401ZA) is a fantastic 2-in-1 laptop that offers a compelling combination of style, performance, and versatility. The vibrant OLED display is a standout feature, and the powerful Intel Core i7 processor ensures smooth and responsive performance. The flexible design allows you to use it in a variety of modes, and the comfortable keyboard and touchpad make it a pleasure to use. While the battery life could be better, it’s still good enough for most users. Overall, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is a great choice for anyone who wants a premium and versatile laptop that can handle both work and play.