During CES 2025, the experience of lugging around a MacBook Pro in a backpack has proven to be quite exhausting, even after just one day. In light of this, Asus is making a strong play to challenge Apple’s dominance with an innovative new device that not only surpasses the Pro in weight but also outshines the lightest MacBook Air on the market.

Introducing the Zenbook A14—its designation hints at its hallmark attributes. Weighing in at a mere 2.18 pounds at its lightest and a maximum of 2.4 pounds, this laptop is an impressive contender in the ultra-portable category. While there may be other “ultra-lightweight” alternatives, the compelling feature of the A14 lies in its remarkable weight-to-performance balance.

Unlike most laptops outfitted with comparable chipsets that average around 2.6 pounds, the Zenbook A14 successfully integrates the noteworthy Snapdragon X and Snapdragon X Plus mid-tier chipsets into perhaps the most compact design encountered to date. Remarkably, it seems my (somewhat outdated yet significantly less powerful) iPad may even weigh more.

This astonishing weight is achieved through the laptop’s unique “ceraluminum” structure—a term that combines ceramic and aluminum and adds a touch of Asus’s proprietary innovation. Setting aside marketing jargon, their method is evidently effective, as it not only feels incredibly light—reminiscent of needing to lift multiple devices simultaneously to feel any strain—but also boasts an attractive aesthetic.

Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Instead of conventional painting methods, the ceraluminum undergoes a unique coloring process involving immersion in electrolytic water and minerals during production. This technique results in a subtle texture and visual intricacies without overwhelming the senses, leading to an upscale appearance. Although ceraluminum is not entirely new, the A14 is notable as the very first from Asus to feature this material across the entire chassis, rather than merely on its lid.

Currently, the laptop is offered in two distinct hues: gray and beige, each associated with varying prices and configurations. The beige model, priced at $899, features the advanced Snapdragon X Plus chipset but is slightly limited with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. In contrast, the gray version, which retails for $1,099, provides a more robust experience with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage while weighing in at 2.18 pounds—making it the lighter choice.

For those interested in specifications, the A14 boasts impressive thinness, measuring 12.23 x 8.42 x 0.53-0.63 inches, with thickness varying by configuration. Regardless of the chosen model, Asus confidently asserts that this device represents the lightest Copilot+ PC available. While opinions on the usefulness of the AI capabilities offered by Copilot+ may vary, the inclusion of Snapdragon chips at this price range is certainly appealing. However, if the $899 price tag poses a challenge, the latest line of plastic Vivobooks presents an enticing alternative, launching with the Snapdragon X at a $200 discount.