The ASUS Zenbook 13 is the more costly option, but with that extra investment, you get a faster processor, better graphics capabilities, and more storage which means it performs significantly better across most tasks, especially if you're into intensive processes like video editing or gaming. It also features an OLED screen, providing vibrant colors and sharper contrast. Plus, it's lighter and more compact, making it easier to carry around. However, if you're looking for a device for general web browsing or document editing and want to save money, the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" could be sufficient. It is slightly heavier and has a slower processor, lesser storage, and its display is not as advanced as the ASUS but may suffice for light use, especially with its lower price point. Keep in mind that the battery life varies, and the Zenbook has a better battery which means it would last longer on a single charge, convenient for on-the-go use without frequent recharging. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook 13
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Excellent portability
Good speakers
Good keyboard
Advantages of the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14"
The Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has no clear advantages over the ASUS Zenbook 13.
Key differences
General Use
7.4/10
5.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
378.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
4.6/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 is good for general use, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
The ASUS Zenbook 13 offers superior performance for general use with a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and an OLED screen for better visual quality, while also being slightly lighter and boasting a longer battery life, all of which contribute to its overall high portability and suitability for everyday tasks. In contrast, the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has lower specs including a less capable CPU, half the RAM, and a less impressive IPS screen, which along with a shorter battery life and a lower portability rating, make it less ideal for such purposes.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
5.5/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.3/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
The ASUS Zenbook 13 offers fair performance for gaming and 3D due to its AMD Ryzen 7 5700U integrated Vega 8 graphics, which are more capable than basic graphics solutions, along with an OLED screen that provides high color accuracy and contrast.
Engineering and Design
7.1/10
5.5/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook 13 is good for engineering and design, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
The ASUS Zenbook 13 is equipped with a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a superior GPU for engineering and design tasks compared to the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14", which has a less capable processor, half the RAM, and a weaker GPU, impacting its performance in such tasks. Additionally, the Zenbook's OLED screen provides higher image quality with better color accuracy and contrast, making it better suited for design work, whereas the Cloudbook's IPS screen falls short in color coverage and brightness, which are critical for detailed engineering and visual tasks.
Content Creation
7.6/10
5.9/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook 13 is good for content creation, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.3/10
5.9/10
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
4.6/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 is good for software development, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.8/10
5.8/10
13.3in
SIZE
14.1in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
378.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a better screen than the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When selecting a laptop like the ASUS Zenbook 13 for general use, the superior panel type, higher resolution, and greater brightness contribute to a very clear and vivid display, enhancing activities like browsing and watching videos. For engineering and design tasks, the Zenbook’s ability to represent a wider range of colors accurately is crucial for precision in visual projects. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the ASUS Zenbook 13 falls short due to a lower refresh rate, leading to less fluid motion, despite decent resolution and panel type, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" lacks in all these aspects, offering a less satisfying visual experience across the board.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has 9 hours of battery life. The Packard Bell Cloudbook 14 has 7 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.1in
2.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has excellent portability, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
5.1/10
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has good build quality, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$890
$350
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has a price of $890 and the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" costs $350.
"The Asus ZenBook 13 is a compact 13-inch laptop with a fast Ryzen 7 5800U and OLED display. The subnotebook is also light and the modern design is convincing. The selection of high-quality materials make the device not only light, but also very stable. In addition, the visuals and haptics of the device offers a high-quality impression. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U is a very good fit for the ZenBook 13, ensuring a high performance in the test. However, in terms of the 3D performance, we also notice that the Vega architecture is beginning to hit its limits."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook 13 or the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14"
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
98,595
Recommendations made
21,363
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.