The Asus Zenbook 14 offers a balance of performance and portability at a lower price, suitable for everyday tasks and some light creative work, with the benefit of being easy to carry around. In contrast, the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) caters to users who need a larger screen, more powerful hardware for engineering, 3D work, or gaming, and prioritize repairability and upgradeability, albeit at a higher cost and with reduced portability due to its size and possibly weight. Consider how important performance and screen size are to you compared to cost and ease of transport. 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 14
Very good portability
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.2/10
8.0/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
339.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for general use, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook 14, with its powerful CPU, ample RAM, and high-quality screen, ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and is lightweight for easy portability, but the Framework Laptop 16 offers a larger, sharper display and potentially longer battery life, making it more suitable for extended, diverse use, though it may be slightly less portable due to its size. While both laptops have sufficient storage and decent keyboards and speakers, the Framework's innovative design allows for easier upgrades and repairs, which could be a decisive factor for tech-savvy users who prioritize longevity and customization.
Gaming and AI
6.1/10
6.8/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and ASUS Zenbook 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook 14, with its capable GPU, handles games and 3D tasks effectively, although it may not match the top-tier gaming laptops, especially with a standard screen refresh rate. Meanwhile, the Framework Laptop 16, boasting a similar GPU performance and a satisfactory refresh rate, offers a good experience in gaming and 3D applications but may also fall short of specialized high-end gaming devices.
Engineering and Design
7.2/10
8.1/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook 14, with its powerful CPU, ample RAM, and dedicated GPU, excels in demanding tasks such as engineering simulations and graphic design, while boasting a high-quality screen for precision work; however, it's less portable and might be noisier under load. The Framework Laptop 16 balances robust performance with a solid CPU, sufficient RAM, and a high-quality screen, while offering greater portability and a quieter operation, but may fall slightly behind in GPU-intensive tasks.
Content Creation
7.3/10
8.1/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is good.
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
7.2/10
8.0/10
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 is good.
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
8.3/10
8.4/10
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
339.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 16 for engineering and design, while the Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
When considering general use, both the ASUS Zenbook 14 and the Framework Laptop 16 have panels with high resolution and brightness, making for crisp, vivid displays that enhance everyday activities like browsing, watching videos, and document editing. For engineering and design, these laptops are equipped with screens that can display a wide range of colors covering significant portions of DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color spaces, which is essential for tasks requiring color accuracy. However, both are less ideal for gaming and 3D applications since they lack high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth visuals and quick response times in fast-paced games and interactive 3D environments.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has very good portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$300
$1,699
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has a price of $300 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has 8 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 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.
Build Quality
7.8/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to have very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS Zenbook 14 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
"Users who travel frequently and are looking for a portable laptop are in the right place with the Asus ZenBook 14. The sleek case is extremely light (1.2 kg) and surprisingly thin (1.5 cm). Outdoor use is also enjoyable thanks to the bright Full HD display, which is something that can rarely be said about laptops with TN or IPS panels. The excellent battery life complements this as well. Longer trips are no problem with the ZenBook 14. Another plus point is the high-performance Ryzen 7 5700U, which often leaves the Intel competition in the dust thanks to its large number of cores."
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook 14 or the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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.
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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.
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