Is the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402NU Worth Your Money? A Data-Backed Review

May 1, 2024 Tags: Laptops

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402NU is a compact gaming laptop with serious power, but does it justify its price? Let’s break it down using benchmarks, real-world testing, and comparisons with competitors.

Who is the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402NU for?

Gamers looking for a powerful yet portable laptop.
Content creators who need a high-quality display and strong performance.
Students or professionals wanting a balance between performance and portability.

Performance: Can It Handle Modern Games?

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS (8-core, 16-thread, up to 4.7 GHz) – Strong multi-core performance, but slightly behind Intel’s 13th-gen chips in single-core speed.
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4050 with ROG Boost (120W) – Good for 1080p gaming, but struggles in some QHD titles compared to an RTX 4060.
Memory: 16GB DDR5 (expandable to 32GB) – Fast, but competitors like the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro offer 32GB at similar prices.
Storage: 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD – Speedy, but limited capacity for large game libraries.

Benchmark Results:

Cinebench R23: ~13,500 Multi-Core | ~1,600 Single-Core (Comparable to Intel i7-12700H)
3DMark Time Spy: ~8,500 (RTX 4050 performance range)
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, High): ~85 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, High, DLSS On): ~70 FPS

Verdict: The G14 can handle most AAA games at high settings, but at this price, an RTX 4060 laptop may offer better longevity.

Display: Is It Good for Gaming and Content Creation?

14-inch QHD+ (2560x1600) 165Hz display – Sharp and smooth.
100% DCI-P3 color accuracy, Pantone Validated – Great for creative work.
G-Sync, MUX Switch, NVIDIA Advanced Optimus – Reduces screen tearing and optimizes battery life.

Competitor Check: The Razer Blade 14 offers a similar display but at a significantly higher price, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 7 has a lower refresh rate (165Hz vs. 240Hz) but slightly better color accuracy.

Verdict: One of the best screens in its class, but if you prioritize higher refresh rates, other options exist.

Portability: Is It Easy to Carry?

Weight: 1.65 kg (3.64 lbs) – Lighter than most gaming laptops.
Size: 31.2 x 22.7 x 1.85-1.95 cm – Compact and easy to carry.
Battery: 76Wh – Lasts ~4-6 hours on mixed usage, but gaming drains it quickly.

Competitor Check: The Razer Blade 14 is slightly heavier but offers a larger battery.

Verdict: Great for portability, but battery life isn’t outstanding.

Connectivity: Does It Have Enough Ports?

USB: 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C (10Gbps), 1x USB 4 (40Gbps, DisplayPort, Power Delivery).
HDMI 2.1 – Supports 4K external displays.
MicroSD card reader (UHS-II) – Good for creators.
Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3 – Future-proof wireless connectivity.

Downside: No Ethernet port, which can be a dealbreaker for competitive gamers.

Verdict: Well-equipped, but if you need wired networking, consider the Legion 5 Pro.

Build Quality & Extras: Does It Feel Premium?

Metal chassis – Sturdy and premium feel.
Backlit keyboard – Comfortable, but lacks RGB customization.
Dolby Atmos audio with 4 speakers – Above-average sound quality.
1080p IR camera – Supports Windows Hello facial recognition.

Competitor Check: The Razer Blade 14 has a more premium feel, but the G14 is better than plastic-heavy alternatives like the Acer Predator Helios 300.

Verdict: Solid build, but lacks the flashy aesthetics some gamers might want.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

Buy it if:

You want a premium, portable gaming laptop with strong performance.
You need a high-quality display for gaming and creative work.
You prefer a sleek design without flashy RGB.

Skip it if:

You need an Ethernet port for low-latency gaming.
You require more than 512GB storage out of the box.
You want the absolute best gaming performance in this price range.

Final Score: 8.5/10

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402NU is a great balance of power and portability, but some competitors offer better raw gaming performance at the same price. If you value a premium build and display, it's a strong contender.