If you prioritize performance for intensive tasks like engineering or gaming, the ASUS Zenbook 14X with a stronger processor, better graphics, and high-resolution OLED screen would be a better choice despite the higher price. Its portability is reasonably good, but it's less portable compared to lighter laptops. On the other hand, the Gateway 15.6" is more budget-friendly but comes with less powerful hardware, making it suitable for general use. It has a larger screen, though with lower resolution, and the traditional IPS panel. It's also heavier, which can be a downside if you need to carry it around frequently. Both offer similar storage and memory. 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 14X
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Very good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Very good portability
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Gateway 15.6"
Good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.6/10
7.0/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
339.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
8.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Gateway 15.6" are both good for general use, though the ASUS Zenbook 14X is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X offers a robust CPU and high screen quality which is great for demanding tasks and multimedia enjoyment, though its battery life is lower, impacting mobility. The Gateway 15.6" provides ample storage and decent performance suitable for everyday tasks with its reliable battery life enhancing portability, but it compromises on screen realism and speaker quality.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.0/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Gateway 15.6" are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the ASUS Zenbook 14X is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X is equipped with a Nvidia MX550 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 90, which provides better gaming and 3D experiences compared to the Gateway 15.6", which comes with an Intel Iris Xe GPU and a lower screen refresh rate of 60. The central processing unit and screen quality are also important, with the ASUS featuring a stronger Intel i7 processor and the Gateway packing a somewhat less powerful Intel i5, which could impact some gaming and high-definition content scenarios.
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
6.2/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook 14X is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X is better suited for engineering and design due to its higher-end CPU (the Intel i7 compared to the Gateway's Intel i5), dedicated Nvidia MX550 GPU, and superior OLED screen with higher resolution, which offers more precise visuals and color accuracy. In contrast, the Gateway 15.6" has an integrated GPU, lower screen quality with an IPS panel, and lower resolution, making it less optimal for tasks that require extensive graphics processing or color fidelity.
Content Creation
7.6/10
7.0/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Gateway 15.6" are both good for content creation, though the ASUS Zenbook 14X is somewhat better.
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
7.4/10
6.7/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X is good for software development, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
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
6.1/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
339.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has a better screen than the Gateway 15.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X boasts a high-resolution display with vivid colors and ample brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks and providing visual clarity for detailed engineering and design work. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fluid motion is key, it lacks a high refresh rate, which could hinder the smoothness of fast-paced visuals. Meanwhile, the Gateway 15.6" provides a decent level of brightness and resolution suitable for general tasks and some professional use, but it does not offer the wide color gamut needed for precision in engineering/design, nor the quick refresh rate gamers seek for an immersive experience.
Battery
5.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Gateway 15.6" has 8 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
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.8 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has very good portability, while the Gateway 15.6" has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
5.1/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has good build quality, while the Gateway 15.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$777
$380
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has a price of $777 and the Gateway 15.6" costs $380.
"With the Zenbook 14X, Asus has a 14-incher in its range that is - mostly - a joy to use. First, there is the colorful OLED panel with 3K resolution that displays the sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces. The Zenbook is also at the forefront in terms of workmanship, input devices and connections with 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports and a generous keyboard layout. A pleasure to use, the Zenbook 14X is a solid, very well-built subnotebook that sits well on the table. A runtime of five hours, however, is below average for a high-end subnotebook nowadays. The OLED screensaver causes increased power consumption when in idle mode."
"Some concessions have to be made when shopping for a budget laptop. Walmart's Gateway Ultra Slim laptops succeeds on the affordability front and delivers serviceable specs and good battery life, though it's hard to claim it's the best (or even particularly good) at any particular aspect. Its build quality, especially the touchpad, is mediocre, and its performance is decent but doesn't lead the way. The Gateway does undercut the cost of some competitors and offers ample storage with good connectivity, so it's not to be ignored."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook 14X or the Gateway 15.6"
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 Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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
98,295
Recommendations made
21,298
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.