Up to now, I’ve stayed away from Asus TUF laptops, because it was the bottom-tier when it comes to design. That meant chunky chassis, poor shows, and thick bezels. The fashions from 2025 appeared extra trendy, however the costs weren’t aggressive with a few of my favourite low cost gaming laptops just like the Lenovo LOQ 15 and Acer Nitro V 16.
However once more, the TUF A14 is one thing new, and the design is spectacular. It’s proper across the similar thickness and weight because the 14-inch MacBook Professional, and the bezels across the sides of the display screen are actually trim. The underside bezel is thick, primarily as a result of the A14 makes use of a 16:9 side ratio display screen. I received’t belabor that time, nevertheless it means much less display screen and extra bezel in the identical footprint. Total, it’s very refined. The gaming aesthetic is closely downplayed, with just a few parts left, such because the typeface on the keycaps and the form of the vents under the hinge. There’s not even per-key backlighting on the keyboard.
{Photograph}: Luke Larsen
{Photograph}: Luke Larsen
You’d by no means know this was a gaming laptop computer based mostly on the usability of the keyboard and touchpad; on gaming laptops versus work ones, these can typically be afterthoughts. Right here, they’re each wonderful. The touchpad, specifically, is outsized and surprisingly exact. Though the laptop computer is made from plastic, it dealt with the strain I used to be placing on it across the lid, keyboard, and palm rests with out an excessive amount of give.
The TUF A14 has a useful assortment of ports. On the left aspect, you get a USB-A 3.2 port, USB-C port, HDMI 2.1, headphone jack, and proprietary energy jack. You get a further USB-A and USB-C (USB4) port on the proper aspect, alongside a micro SD card slot. I actually like the choice to place the USB4 port on the proper aspect, because it means you’ll be able to each cost the laptop computer or hook up with an exterior show from the proper aspect too. Solely with the ability to cost from one aspect is one in all my pet peeves, so good job, TUF A14.
Extra Than Gaming
{Photograph}: Luke Larsen
As soon as I noticed the decision of the show, I knew the TUF A14 was now not an actual “finances” system. It’s 2560 x 1600, an enormous step up from the everyday low cost gaming laptop computer. It additionally has a 165 Hz refresh charge, which is helpful for when taking part in in 1200p—and let’s be trustworthy, that’s the go-to the overwhelming majority of the time. The upper decision, although, performs into why the A14 is a strong hybrid system that may work as nicely for gaming because it does for varsity or work.
