Workhorse or Hype? We Put the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED Through the Wringer

Estimated read time 5 min read

Let’s cut the fluff. In a market flooded with sleek slabs promising powerhouse performance, jaw-dropping visuals, and “all-day” battery life (whatever that means), it’s easy to lose track of what really matters. You want a laptop that delivers — not just on paper, but in the trenches of daily life. Whether you’re grinding through a full day of editing, switching between spreadsheets and Zoom calls, or doomscrolling in bed at 2 a.m., your gear needs to keep up.

Enter the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED (UX3405MA). Spoiler alert: This is not just another ultrabook. It’s a machine that wants to work — and look good doing it. But is it all sheen and no substance?

⚙️ Spec Rundown — But Make It Practical

You’ve probably already seen the numbers:

Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Meteor Lake)

16GB LPDDR5 RAM

1TB Gen4 SSD

14” 3K (2880×1800) 120Hz OLED display

1.2kg chassis

75Wh battery

It’s a stat sheet that sounds almost too good to be true for an ultraportable under $2,000 — which is why we checked pricing at Kogan first. Spoiler: They had the best deal, period.

What matters more is how this machine handles itself in the real world. Forget benchmarks. How does it feel? Is it hot? Loud? Laggy? Let’s get into it.

🖥️ Display: OLED That Means It

If you’ve never used a laptop with a true OLED screen, the ZenBook 14 will ruin you. Blacks are deep enough to make your phone screen look dusty, and colors are so rich it’s like your Netflix subscription just leveled up. Even under direct light, this panel holds its ground — 550 nits of peak brightness helps a lot.

Whether you’re binging 4K HDR content, doing color grading, or just browsing Reddit, the OLED here is more than a flex. It’s a functional upgrade. And yes, we scored ours on Kogan, where ASUS’s OLED models are often discounted with flash deals — keep an eye out.

⌨️ Keyboard & Trackpad: Clean, Confident, Clicky

Typing on the ZenBook 14 is…surprisingly satisfying. The keys are shallow, sure, but snappy — think MacBook Air vibes, but a touch firmer. The glass touchpad is buttery and precise, doubling as a virtual number pad when needed (a feature that’s more useful than it sounds, especially if you deal with spreadsheets).

Needless to say, we always recommend getting a laptop from a platform that offers flexible returns and warranty options. Kogan delivers here with solid customer service and regular extended warranty promos — a safety net worth having.

🚀 Performance: Meteor Lake Is No Joke

Intel’s new Ultra 7 chip is more than just a generational bump — it’s a rethink. With a hybrid core setup and integrated Arc graphics, the ZenBook punches above its class.

Real use? Chrome with 25 tabs open, Photoshop, and Spotify all running while on battery. Zero stutter. Even video editing on Premiere Pro was manageable. No, it’s not a gaming rig — but light 1080p gaming? Totally doable.

We did notice a fan ramp under heavy load, but it was more whoosh than whine. And thermals? Excellent. Credit goes to ASUS’s clever airflow design, which we’d dare call understated engineering brilliance.

Quick note: if you want to jump on this configuration without overpaying, Kogan often lists models before mainstream retailers catch up — and with bonus vouchers, too.

🔋 Battery Life: Quietly Dominant

ASUS claims up to 15 hours. We got around 11 with mixed use — streaming, editing, docs, and occasional YouTube spirals. Still impressive, and a win for anyone tired of babysitting their charger.

USB-C fast charging is on board, with a compact 65W brick included. One hour of charge got us back to 75%. And in case you’re wondering, yes — Kogan stocks the charger separately too, just in case you want an extra for your travel bag.

🔐 Connectivity & Build: No Corners Cut

Ports are here, and thank goodness. You get:

2x Thunderbolt 4

1x USB-A

HDMI 2.1

microSD card slot

Audio jack

The chassis feels premium — aluminum, not plastic — and the hinge is tight, yet smooth. Lifting the lid with one hand is possible, and the webcam? 1080p with Windows Hello support. The whole package feels like ASUS is gunning for Apple-level polish without the “locked ecosystem” tax.

Looking to outfit your home setup or upgrade from a student laptop? Kogan often bundles this model with accessories — stands, sleeves, even monitor deals — making it a one-stop upgrade shop.

🎯 Should You Buy the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED?

Let’s keep it real. If you want:

A lightweight machine with top-tier visuals

Legit performance that handles creative work and multitasking

Long battery life and fast charging

A premium chassis that doesn’t scream “corporate”

…then yes, this laptop earns its price tag. But here’s the clincher: value. And value lives where deals do. For this ZenBook — and honestly, for most laptop purchases right now — our go-to has been Kogan.

Why?
✔️ Aggressive pricing
✔️ Bonus codes & flash sales
✔️ Local warranty options
✔️ Honest listings (no misleading “clearance” gimmicks)
✔️ Regular stock of high-demand models — like this one
✔️ Bundled accessory deals
✔️ Customer service that actually responds
✔️ Fast shipping, especially if you’re in metro AU/NZ

We know tech, and we know shopping smart. That’s why the ZenBook 14 OLED + Kogan combo is our current recommendation for anyone hunting a powerful, portable, and premium-feeling laptop without playing the retail markup game.

Laptops are personal. They’re the tools we build with, escape with, and often — let’s face it — live on. Choosing one isn’t just about specs. It’s about trust, reliability, and long-term satisfaction.

The ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED delivers across the board. And when you pair that with the smarter pricing, local support, and curated offerings from Kogan, you’re not just buying a laptop — you’re investing in peace of mind.

You want gear that works as hard as you do? Start there.

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