If you're budget-conscious and value a high-quality display, the ASUS ZenBook 14X OLED is a cost-effective choice that offers a vivid screen and solid performance for everyday use. However, the Framework Laptop 16 is designed for easy upgrades and repairs, providing longevity and potentially higher performance suited for demanding tasks like 3D work, machine learning, and gaming. It typically commands a higher price, but consider it an investment in customizability and future-proofing. The Framework is also larger, which may affect portability. Choose based on whether you prioritize upfront savings and a great screen or long-term flexibility and high-performance capabilities.
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Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED
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
7.5/10
8.0/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
376.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for general use, while the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED is good.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED offers a high-quality screen and solid general performance due to its capable CPU and RAM, but the Framework Laptop 16 stands out with a larger, user-upgradable memory and storage, superior modularity, and a more sizable, higher-resolution screen that enhances multitasking and media consumption experiences. While both laptops are quite portable, the Framework's larger size might impact its ease of transport compared to the more compact ASUS, though the Framework may compensate with its potentially longer battery life and its focus on easy repairs and upgrades.
Content Creation
7.6/10
8.1/10
8.5/10
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 14X OLED 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.
Screen Quality
8.6/10
8.4/10
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
376.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has a better screen than the Framework Laptop 16 for general use, and engineering and design, while the Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen for gaming and AI, content creation, and software development.
If you mainly use your laptop for browsing, watching videos, or document work, both the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED and the Framework Laptop 16 offer crisp and bright displays with high resolution that will serve these needs excellently. For engineering and design tasks, the vibrant and accurate colors these laptops provide are critical, which makes them suitable due to their coverage of color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, ensuring your designs look true to intention. However, for gaming or working with 3D applications where fluid motion is key, the lower refresh rates on these laptops may not deliver the smoothest experience, making them less ideal for these particular uses.
Battery
6.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has 6 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3.4 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has very good portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$575
$1,699
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED has a price of $575 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED, with its high-quality screen and solid GPU, can handle gaming and 3D tasks decently but may not perform as well in high-refresh-rate scenarios. The Framework Laptop 16, while it offers a good CPU and screen quality, also provides adequate GPU capabilities for gaming, but like the ASUS, it isn't optimized for the most demanding games that require the highest refresh rates.
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
8.1/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED is good.
The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED offers a high-quality screen, powerful CPU, and dedicated GPU, which makes it ideal for demanding tasks such as 3D rendering and complex calculations essential in engineering and design work. In contrast, the Framework Laptop 16 provides good performance with its CPU and RAM options, and although it has a quality screen, it prioritizes repairability and customization options, appealing to users who value long-term use and the ability to upgrade components easily.
Software Development
7.5/10
8.0/10
8.5/10
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
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED 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.
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 14X OLED 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 14X OLED and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
"While one of the more budget-friendly configurations of the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED may make a compelling case as a top value pick, it’s difficult to be disappointed with the more expensive model we reviewed here. At its core, for all models, it’s a luxury-built laptop with extreme portability and a gorgeous OLED display. Our unit rocks with a snappy Core i9 processor for getting real work done, and the discrete GPU—even if it has a clear power ceiling—is a bonus for creative pros."
"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 14X OLED 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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