When I think of the ASUS ZenBook line, the first word that comes to mind is “consistency.” It’s a machine that promises good quality and all-around good performance. Much of the same is true with the ASUS ZenBook 14 UX425EA.
Been around for a while now and I’ve seen the ZenBook become the favorite companion for people at different points in my life. I knew someone who got through most of University with a ZenBook. I also know a few people who have spent happy years with their ZenBook.
Suffice to say, it’s a line that has stood the test of time. And for good reason. The general build quality of ZenBooks is fantastic. With the ZenBook 14 UX425EA, that sturdy, reliable build lives on.
Undeniably ASUS
It has its signature look, too. Taking center stage on the lid is the concentric-circle ZenBook finish. It’s a look that’s been around for years and one that easily and quickly distinguishes itself from other laptops.
A few other ASUS staples that are present on the ZenBook 14 UX425EA are the Ergolift hinge and NanoEdge bezels. Both provide different levels of satisfaction. One in the opening and raising the laptop department, the other in providing a sleek look and more screen.
As a daily companion, it’s easy to lug around weighing only 1.17kg. Whether you have to be out and about despite the pandemic or you’re just finding the optimal work position at home, it’s easy to move around with this laptop.
A reliable workhorse
When it comes to getting actual work done, there are zero compromises. The ZenBook 14 UX425EA is powered by the 11th Gen Intel Core i5 with 16GB LPDDR4X and 512GB PCIe 3.0 x2 NVMe SSD storage.
That is a more-than-decent combo for most kinds of officework. Whether you’re dealing with a pile of Word documents, flipping through Excel sheets, or slaving away at a PowerPoint presentation, the laptop can handle that and more.
It also won’t leave you wanting in the ports department. Here’s a list of what you’re getting:
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C
- (Up to 40Gbps with 5V-20V Easy Charge )
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 1 x standard HDMI 2.0
- 1 x MicroSD card reader
These are welcome additions in a slim and light laptop in a sea of slim and light laptops that only give you half of what you’re getting here.
What surprised us the most is the Number Pad 2.0 — the trackpad that doubles as a numpad. Trackpads on windows have generally been average at best compared to their mac counterparts. But every now and then, a laptop or two emerges that comes a little close.
Using the ZenBook 14 UX425EA’s trackpad has been quite a treat. And that’s not something I can say about most other Windows laptops. The typing experience feels even better. In fact, parts of this review were typed on the laptop itself.
Battery life is also right around as promised (around 15 hours). You definitely won’t feel the need to look for a power outlet halfway through your day. There’s enough juice here to keep you moving during workday so you can plug and relax at night.
Media consumption and creation
If you deal more with multimedia work – whether that’s some photo editing or some light video editing, you’ll be pleased to know that the ZenBook 14 UX425EA handles these tasks well.
A key factor is the display. It’s a 2.8K QHD NanoEdge Display with 100 percent DCI-P3 with a 90 percent screen-to-body ratio. It’s color accurate and has various modes that cater to eye protection. So, whether you’re working or relaxing with your favorite show at the end of the day, your mind will be at ease knowing the laptop is still subtly catering to your needs.
You can easily switch between Normal and Vivid modes depending on what you’re doing.
The laptop is also equipped with capable dual speakers. But the true great audio feature is AI noise-canceling. Video calls are now the norm and it helps that no matter what headphones or earphones you use, the laptop itself will aid in canceling background noise for a better experience.
In relation to this, the webcam is also placed in a sensible area so you need not worry about unflattering angles. You just gotta make sure you’re in a well-lit area if you really wanna show off your lovely face.
Is the ZenBook 14 UX425EA GadgetMatch?
The ZenBook 14 UX425EA is boring in the best way possible. This is a laptop with no fuss and no gimmicks. Just a solid daily companion that you’re sure will be with you for years.
Like I mentioned at the onset of this article, the ZenBook line is synonymous with “consistency.” In a world that’s ever changing, something as sure and as reliable as this laptop is precisely just what we need.
The ASUS ZenBook 14 UX425EA retails for PhP 64,995 and is available in ASUS Concept Stores and ASUS Official Lazada the Store. It comes pre-installed with genuine Windows and Office Home Student 2019, a ZenBook sleeve, USB-A to RJ45 gigabit ethernet adapter, and USB-C to audio jack adapter.
Razer has officially unveiled the 2026 version of its Blade 16, doubling down on what it does best: squeezing high-end performance into an ultra-slim chassis.
This year’s refresh focuses on meaningful internal upgrades. That includes a new Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, faster LPDDR5X memory, and NVIDIA’s latest RTX 50 Series laptop GPUs — all while keeping the Blade 16 as the thinnest gaming laptop in Razer’s lineup.
Performance gets a serious bump
At the core of the new Blade 16 is the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, featuring 16 cores and up to 4.9GHz boost clock. Razer claims a 33% increase in core count versus the previous generation, translating to stronger performance across gaming, content creation, and AI workloads.
There’s also an integrated NPU capable of up to 50 TOPS, enabling faster on-device AI tasks like image generation and live translation.
Memory gets a notable upgrade too. The Blade 16 now supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5X-9600MHz RAM, which Razer positions as the fastest available in a laptop today. The result: quicker responsiveness for heavy multitasking, creative apps, and AI-assisted workflows.
On the graphics side, NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 Series (Blackwell architecture) brings DLSS 4 and enhanced AI capabilities for both gaming and creator use cases.
Display and design stay premium
Razer isn’t fixing what isn’t broken. The Blade 16 retains its signature CNC-milled aluminum chassis, measuring just 14.9mm thick and weighing around 2.14kg.
The display remains a highlight. You get a 16-inch QHD+ OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, now brighter and certified for VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 1000. It supports full DCI-P3 coverage, Calman calibration, and NVIDIA G-SYNC, making it just as suited for creators as it is for competitive gaming.
Battery life and efficiency improve
Despite the performance gains, Razer is also pushing efficiency. Thanks to Intel’s newer architecture and system-level optimizations, the Blade 16 can hit up to 13 hours of productivity use and up to 15 hours of video playback under ideal conditions.
That’s a notable improvement for a machine in this class, especially given its slim form factor.
Connectivity and audio step up
The 2026 Blade 16 gets a future-ready connectivity suite, including Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0. There’s also a full set of ports, from USB-A to HDMI 2.1 and an SD card reader.
Audio gets an upgrade too. The six-speaker system now supports THX Spatial Audio+ with virtual 7.1.4 surround, aiming to deliver more immersive sound both on speakers and headphones.
Price and availability
The Razer Blade 16 configured with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB VRAM) and 32GB LPDDR5X-9600MHz RAM is priced at US$3,499.99 / €3,599.99 MSRP.
It is available now, exclusively via Razer.com and select RazerStores worldwide.
Still the Blade, just sharper
At a glance, the 2026 Blade 16 doesn’t reinvent the formula. But under the hood, it pushes performance, memory speed, and efficiency forward in ways that matter.
It’s still the same idea: a no-compromise gaming laptop that looks like it belongs in a minimalist workspace — just faster, smarter, and a bit more future-proof this time around.
At CES 2026, ASUS unveiled an exciting lineup of notebooks headed for launch throughout the year. Earlier this month, the brand finally launched the latest Zenbooks built for maximum portability. Now, ASUS has released the new Zenbook S16 and S14, plus the new Zenbook DUO, in the Philippines.
Zenbook S16, S14
Much like its predecessor, the latest Zenbook S16 is designed for ultra portability. In terms of thinness, the notebook measures only 1.1 centimeters. Plus, it weighs only 1.5 kilograms, making it a perfect addition to your daily kit. The Zenbook S14, on the other hand, weighs only 1.1 kilograms.
As is always expected from the Zenbook S lineup, both laptops will have a tactile Ceraluminum lid, bolstered by an EasyLift hinge for ease of use. It will also have an ErgoSense keyboard with dished keycaps.
The 16- and 14-inch 3K ASUS Lumina OLED screen has touchscreen capabilities and a refresh rate of 120Hz. For audio, the S16 has a six-speaker Dolby Atmos system, including four front-firing tweeters and dual woofers. The S14 has four speakers.
Under the hood, the Zenbook S16 will sport an AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 chipset, while the Zenbook S14 has an Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 3 processor.
For battery, the S16 will have an 83 Wh battery, which can reportedly last over 21 hours, and the S14 has a 77 Wh battery.
Zenbook DUO
If portability isn’t your main focus, the new Zenbook DUO packs in two screens in one device. Though it packs a bit more punch the Zenbook S series, the dual-screen notebook still weighs only 1.65 kilograms.
The Zenbook DUO features the newest Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 3 processor, up to 32GB of memory, and up to 1TB of internal storage. This time, both screens have anti-reflective coating for a better viewing experience.
As with the previous generations of the DUO, this iteration comes with a detachable keyboard and a four different use cases including dual screen, laptop, desktop, and sharing modes.
Powering the beast is a huge 99Wh battery. ASUS says that this is the most they can pack inside without getting users in trouble at the airport.
Zenbook 14
To be clear, this is different from the Zenbook S14, but it bears a striking resemblance to that previous notebook, both in terms of design and hardware. For one, the new Zenbook 14 is 14.9mm thin and only 1.2kg light.
The 14-inch screen carries a WUXGA ASUS Lumina OLED display, putting out images in a 16:10 aspect ratio. The notebook also has an Ergosense keyboard and touchpad for more comfortable typing and more precise controls.
Under the hood, the Zenbook 14 trades the S14’s Intel chip for an AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 processor, capable of up to 50 TOPS. It will also have 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
For battery, the notebook will have a 75 Wh battery, reportedly capable of lasting over 15 hours of unplugged use.
Zenbook A16
Embodying the spirit of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the brand is also introducing a modest upgrade to the Zenbook A series.
The new Zenbook A16 is only 1.2 kilograms in weight. Plus, with a 70Wh battery, the notebook can remain unplugged and outside for an entire day. The A16 comes with a 16-inch 3K 120Hz OLED screen and the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme.
Price, availability in the Philippines
The Zenbook S16 comes in Scandinavian White and starts at PhP 134,995. Meanwhile, the Zenbook S14 comes in Antrim Gray and sells for PhP 129,995.
The Zenbook DUO comes in Moher Gray and starts at PhP 179,995.
Meanwhile, the Zenbook 14 comes in Jade Black and sells for PhP 79,995.
Finally, the Zenbook A16 is coming soon.
Laptops
Alienware celebrates 30th anniversary with new Area-51 laptops
The series features Alienware 30, an all-new design language.
Despite the rise of more gaming brands, Alienware is still one of the most recognizable names for gamers who want dedicated hardware. This year, the brand is celebrating its 30th anniversary. To commemorate the milestone, Alienware has launched the new Area-51 and Aurora notebooks.
Alienware Area-51
Alienware’s Area-51 lineup is the brand’s flagship line of notebooks, packing in the best of the best from the industry. This time is no different.
First of all, the new series will rock Alienware 30, a new design philosophy made especially for the 30th anniversary. On the outside, the laptops have fluid contours, emphasizing curves opposed to the industry’s more angular contemporaries. It also has a Zero Hinge, which hides the laptop’s hinge from view. Finally, it has pillowed palm rests to make usage easy for long gaming sessions.
The 16-inch model can rock up to a WQXGA Anti-Glare OLED screen, featuring 240Hz refresh rate and 620 peak HDR nits. It will also have an LCD option. Alternatively, the 18-inch model has a WQXGA screen, featuring 300Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness.
Inside, the Alienware Area-51 boasts up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 24GB GPU. For memory, gamers can enjoy up to 64GB Dual-Channel DDR5. Finally, for storage, the series can rock up to 2TB SSD natively but can support up to 3 slots, allowing for up to 12TB of internal storage.
The series will have a sizable 96Whr battery. This is complemented by a 280W adapter and the brand’s largest fans by volume to keep things cool.
Alienware 16X Aurora
For those who portability over raw power, the new Alienware 16X Aurora fits inside any day-to-day kit. For example, it ditches the thermal shelf typical of most gaming notebooks today to increase portability. It has rounded edges to make it easier to grasp and to create a slightly pillowed palm rest, similar to its flagship counterpart.
The 16-inch WQXGA OLED panel touts 240Hz refresh rate, 0.2ms response time, and 620 nits HDR peak brightness.
Inside, the notebook has up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU. These specs are paired with up to 64GB Dual-Channel DDR5 memory and up to 2TB SSD.
Finally, the Alienware 16X Aurora will have a 90Whr battery. This is supported by up to a 280W charger (for the RTX 5070 variant).
Price, availability
Both series are available starting today, March 17.
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