For a long time, the top panel of a notebook PC has been considered a place for self-expression, and the question of what kind of stickers to put on the limited space has been a problem for all users.
However! ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 doesn't need to worry about that. It glows!
ASUS Japan kindly lent us a pre-release "ROG ZEPHYRUS G14," and we would like to review its unique features and how it feels to use!
Opening the package!
The outer box is full of atmosphere.
Let's open it right away!
Accessories
What's inside the box?
- Main unit
- AC adapter for power supply
- Explanation document
and a simple instruction manual.
ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 supports 100W USB Power Delivery, which allows up to 50% fast charging in 30 minutes.
Check out the ports!
Check out the ports as usual!
On the left side...
- Power supply
- HDMI 2.0
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery
- 3.5mm audio jack
On the right side...
- Micro SD card reader
- USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4
- USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A x2
The following is the lineup.
Type-C ports are located on both sides, but note that only the left side supports USB Power Delivery.
The standard inclusion of a UHS-II compatible micro SD card reader is very creatively pleasing!
Also included is WiFi 6 support and virtual 5.1.2-channel surround sound with Dolby Atmos support!
Two upward-facing speakers and two downward-facing speakers deliver surround sound with such a core that anyone can hear the difference.
Open!
The ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 lifts up when the display is opened more than 90 degrees!
This lift-up is an excellent design that makes it easier to type on the keyboard and also increases heat dissipation efficiency.
The display also has an ergo-lift design that opens up to 180 degrees, making it perfect for collaborative work with other users!
The keyboard is the most interesting part of the device.
When we actually touched it, we got the impression that each key stroke is short since it is a notebook computer, but the keys are comfortable to press.
The bottom key is about 30% longer than the other keys, making it easy to press while gaming!
The four hotkeys are located a short distance away from the keyboard.
From left to right, they are volume down, volume up, microphone mute on/off, and "Armoury Crate" activation, which can be customized freely from the "Armoury Crate"!
The top of the display is equipped with an infrared camera!
It also supports Windows Hello, which is an essential security measure for laptops.
Power on!
When powered on, the super cool ROG logo appears!
The display has a WQXGA resolution of 2,560x1,600, providing an impressive amount of work space for a 14-inch display.
With a refresh rate of 120Hz and a response time of 3ms, it will not lag behind its competitors in any way when it comes to game play!
Armoury Crate" Launch!
Now, let's launch Armoury Crate, the well-known configuration software for ASUS products!
By default, you can press the rightmost hotkey.
Let's make the top panel glow!
Thank you for your patience.
Let's start the most interesting feature of the ROG ZEPHYRUS G14, the glowing top panel " AniMe Matrix "!
The tutorial started when the "AniMe Matrix" setting screen was displayed from the "Armoury Crate" menu.
We will set up the animation of the top panel using the preset images or your favorite images.
I applied the ROG logo as a test...
It glows!
You can prepare a gif file or place multiple images on the timeline at the bottom of the screen to create an animation.
Import the Saiga NAK logo as an image and type in the text from the "Text Effects" field.
It looks great!
Although optimization is performed to some extent even with high-resolution images, if you want to specify the rendering in detail, it might be better to prepare dot pictures.
Virtual pet "OMNI
What a surprise! "ROG ZEPHYRUS G14" allows you to have a virtual pet " OMNI " on your desktop!
Right-click on "OMNI" as it roams around the desktop to play mini-games, check system status, and more.
The animation of the top panel changes with the movement of the virtual pet "OMNI"!
Play the slot mini-games...
Slots are also reflected on the top panel.
The mini-games include "Slots," "Shooting," and "Whack-a-Mole," with high scores unlocking achievements and new "OMNI" animations!
More updates are planned for the future.
Change of operation mode
All ROG gaming laptops can control their operating modes, and of course the ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 is no exception.
From "Armoury Crate" to...
- Windows
- Silent
- Performance
- Turbo
- Manual
The power and fan speed settings can be freely configured by selecting a preset from the list below.
You can also set up profiles to change the operating mode according to the software running, so you can save power by using Performance when playing games, and Silent when using the browser for research or teleworking.
Evolved "ROG ZEPHYRUS G14
How was it?
In addition to specifications sufficient for playing PC games, the " ROG ZEPHYRUS G14" allows you to create your own expression with the "AniMe Matrix" on the top panel.
The author had so much fun setting up the animation that he wanted to create dots.
The 14-inch display size with a resolution of 2,560x1,600 is a great attraction for creators.
Weighing only about 1.7 kg, it is quite lightweight, making it easy to carry around.
This review was of the top-of-the-line ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 model, but a lower-end model with lower GPU and SSD specifications and a model without the glowing AniMe Matrix top panel will also be released at the same time!
The release date is scheduled for the end of May 2022!
Please check the ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 product page and ROG JAPAN's official Twitter account for more details and the latest information on specifications.