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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Verdict: The 2024 Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an unusually successful compact gaming laptop. It is light enough for daily commuting, discreet enough for an office or classroom, fast enough for excellent 1080p and respectable 1600p gaming, and capable of unusually good battery life away from the wall. It is not genuinely perfect: its RAM is soldered, the speakers are weak, the charger reduces its travel advantage, and the RTX 4060 is aging hardware by August 2026.
Buy it when a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370/RTX 4060 configuration—preferably with 32GB RAM—is substantially cheaper than a current RTX 5060- or RTX 5070-class compact laptop. If the prices are close, choose the newer machine.
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Which Asus TUF Gaming A14 is this?
“The 2024 TUF Gaming A14” describes several configurations, so the model number matters. The FA401UV generally combines a Ryzen 7 8845HS, RTX 4060, 16GB of soldered memory and a 1TB SSD. The more desirable FA401WV uses the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and may be sold with either 16GB or 32GB of onboard memory.
Regional versions can differ in memory, storage, operating system, keyboard, panel calibration and warranty. Check the retailer listing and the system information screen for the exact model before buying. The performance and battery results below come from different review units and should not be treated as interchangeable.
#1 Best Overall
- READY FOR ANYTHING – Power through your day with Windows 11 and the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 Processor, delivering up to 50 TOPs of AI performance. Take your gaming to the next level with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus.
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- FAST MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask quickly with 16GB of LPDDR5X memory and speed up loading times with 1TB of PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD. Upgrading the storage is a breeze with the additional SSD slot.
- NEVER MISS A MOMENT – Keep up with the pros thanks to its WQXGA 165Hz display. With G-SYNC the display synchronizes with the GPU’s output to reduce lag, minimize stuttering, and eliminate visual tearing for ultra-smooth gameplay.
- BLOW AWAY THE COMPETITION – High core count CPUs create more heat when at full load. The TUF Gaming A14 is equipped to handle its high-power CPU with an upgraded pair of 89-blade dual fans.
ASUS’s specifications identify a 14-inch 2560×1600 display, RTX 4060 graphics up to 100W, a 73Wh battery, dual M.2 SSD slots, USB4, Wi-Fi 6E and MIL-STD-810H testing.
Key specifications
| Feature | 2024 TUF Gaming A14 |
|---|---|
| Reviewed CPUs | Ryzen 7 8845HS or Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |
| Graphics | GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, up to 100W |
| Display | 14-inch, 2560×1600, 16:10, 165Hz IPS-level panel |
| Memory | Usually 16GB soldered; some FA401WV versions offer 32GB |
| Storage | PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, with a second M.2 slot |
| Battery | 73Wh |
| Weight | About 1.35–1.46kg, depending on configuration |
| Ports | USB4-C, USB-C 10Gbps, USB-A, HDMI 2.1, microSD and headset jack |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Webcam | 1080p with IR on the reviewed configuration |
| Charger | 200W adapter in the Tom’s Hardware test unit |
A genuinely stealthy gaming laptop
The A14 looks more like a restrained productivity notebook than a conventional TUF machine. Its dark-gray metal lid, matte-black deck and bezel, white keyboard backlight and lack of RGB lighting or aggressive graphics make it comfortable in a classroom, office or meeting.
The understated design is not completely maintenance-free. The plastic deck readily shows fingerprints and skin oils, particularly around the palm rests. The 180-degree hinge is useful for collaborative viewing and awkward desk setups. ASUS also positions the chassis as durable, although durability testing is not the same as immunity to drops or careless handling.
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Portability: excellent laptop, less excellent travel bundle
Tom’s Hardware measured its Ryzen 7 review unit at approximately 3.22lb/1.35kg, with dimensions of 12.24×8.94×0.78 inches. ASUS lists the broader FA401 family at roughly 1.46kg and 1.69cm thick, so the precise weight depends on the configuration.
That makes the A14 genuinely easy to carry. The qualification is the 200W power adapter. It is much larger than an ultrabook charger and reduces the practical advantage when travelling. USB-C charging is useful for web work, video and other light workloads, but the full adapter remains the right choice for gaming and sustained performance.
Display: sharp, fast and sensible for the RTX 4060
The 14-inch 2560×1600, 16:10, 165Hz IPS-level panel is one of the A14’s best features. The extra vertical space helps with documents, timelines and code, while 165Hz makes supported games feel smooth. ASUS lists 100% sRGB coverage, a 3ms response-time claim and NVIDIA G-SYNC support on relevant configurations.
It is a sensible resolution for the RTX 4060, but not an effortless one. Newer demanding games may require DLSS, reduced ray tracing or a move to 1920×1200/1080. The panel also cannot match a good OLED for black levels, contrast or HDR impact. “IPS-level” is not equivalent to OLED, and panel specifications can vary by region, so verify the exact SKU.
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- READY FOR ANYTHING – Power through your day with Windows 11 Home, an AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 392 Processor with Radeon 8060S integrated graphics.
- FAST MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask quickly with unified 32GB of LPDDR5X 8000 quad-channel memory, and enjoy faster load times with a 1TB PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD.
- QUAD-CHANNEL UNIFIED MEMORY DESIGN - The A14’s unified memory design dynamically allocates its quad-channel memory between system RAM and VRAM. This lets you boost graphics performance when gaming or prioritize memory for demanding creative and productivity workloads.
- NEVER MISS A MOMENT – Keep up with the pros thanks to its 2.5K 165Hz display with 3ms response time
- BLOW AWAY THE COMPETITION – High core count CPUs create more heat when at full load. The TUF Gaming A14 is equipped with a redesigned keyboard to increase airflow and reduce surface temperatures with an upgraded pair of 97-blade fans.
Gaming performance: strong 1080p, credible 1600p
The A14 does not turn an RTX 4060 into an RTX 4070. Its achievement is fitting a useful, relatively high-power RTX 4060 into a chassis that weighs close to an ultraportable.
In Notebookcheck’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370/RTX 4060 FA401WV-WB94 test, the laptop recorded:
- Baldur’s Gate 3: 90.1fps at 1920×1080 Ultra and 61.1fps at 2560×1440 Ultra.
- Far Cry 5: 114fps at 1920×1080 Ultra.
- Cyberpunk 2077: 61.1fps at 2560×1440 Ultra without FSR.
These are reviewer measurements, not guarantees. Drivers, firmware, memory configuration, graphics mode, ambient temperature, power profile and game updates all affect results. For the newest AAA games, start at 1600p with a high rather than maximum preset, enable DLSS where appropriate, and reduce ray tracing before sacrificing every other setting.
The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is a 12-core/24-thread processor and makes the FA401WV particularly attractive for compiling, code workloads, photo work and CPU-heavy productivity. Notebookcheck recorded 9,925 in PCMark 10 Productivity and 13,395 in Digital Content Creation. The practical benefit is CPU capability and efficiency behavior—not simply the presence of an NPU or “AI PC” branding.
Battery life depends heavily on the CPU and test
Battery claims for the A14 need careful qualification. Tom’s Hardware measured 10 hours 14 minutes from the Ryzen 7/RTX 4060 model in a 150-nit mixed web, video and OpenGL test. Its 73Wh battery, IPS panel and Advanced Optimus helped the RTX 4060 shut down during ordinary use.
Notebookcheck’s Ryzen AI 9/RTX 4060 unit produced approximately 7 hours 1 minute of Wi-Fi browsing, 11 hours 2 minutes at idle and 1 hour 52 minutes under maximum-brightness load. It took just over an hour to recharge fully in that test and supported slower USB-C charging.
These results are not contradictory: they involve different processors, brightness levels and methodologies. The Ryzen AI 9 version is not guaranteed to match the Ryzen 7 unit’s 10-hour result. Gaming on battery is a separate use case and sharply reduces runtime. Brightness, discrete-GPU mode, external displays, USB devices, browser extensions and Windows power settings all matter.
Rank #3
- READY FOR ANYTHING – Dive headfirst into gaming on Windows 11 powered by the Intel Core 5 210H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPU with a Max TGP of 115W and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus.
- SUBTLE STYLING – The TUF Gaming F16 maintains its classic design, boasting a subtle embossed TUF logo on its sleek cover.
- IMMERSIVE VISUALS – The TUF Gaming F16’s FHD 144Hz display with 100% sRGB color draws you into the action. Adaptive-Sync technology reduces lag, minimizes stuttering, and eliminates visual tearing for ultra-smooth gameplay.
- MILITARY GRADE DURABILITY – As a TUF gaming machine, the F16 has been rigorously tested to meet Military Grade testing standard, MIL-STD-810H. Rest easy knowing this laptop will operate at peak performance in harsh conditions.
- EFFICIENT COOLING – Equipped with Arc Flow Fans, 4 exhaust vents, 5 dedicated heat pipes, and an anti-dust filter, the TUF Gaming F16 optimizes cooling performance without extra noise.
Thermals, fans and sustained load
A compact chassis dissipating both a high-performance CPU and RTX 4060 has a real cooling challenge. Notebookcheck measured approximately 128.6W under Prime95, 133.4W under FurMark and 141.7W while running Cyberpunk 2077 at FHD Ultra without FSR on the Ryzen AI 9 model. Those figures demonstrate the load placed on the system; they are not direct measurements of surface temperature or fan noise.
Expect the laptop to work hardest in Performance or Turbo mode and to become more intrusive during sustained gaming or rendering. Keep the underside clear, avoid beds and soft furniture, and use a stand if possible. A stand can improve airflow, but there is no evidence here to promise that the A14 is universally cool or quiet.
Ports and daily usability
The selection is strong for a 14-inch laptop: USB4 Type-C, another USB-C port, USB-A, HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm headset jack and a microSD reader. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 cover modern wireless needs.
There are two reasonable interpretations of the layout. Tom’s Hardware considered it unusually good for a compact gaming laptop; Tom’s Guide found it constricting for users with several peripherals. Both can be true. The microSD slot is helpful for cameras and handheld gaming devices, but it is not a full-size SD slot, and a dock may be necessary for a desk with multiple accessories.
The 1080p webcam is better detailed than many gaming-laptop cameras and the reviewed configuration includes IR for Windows Hello. It struggles with bright backlighting, however. The speakers are a more obvious weakness: they are limited in volume and dialogue can be hard to hear over ambient noise. A headset is advisable for gaming, while external speakers suit desk use.
Upgradeability: choose the memory carefully
The RAM is soldered on the reviewed FA401UV and cannot be upgraded later. Some FA401WV versions ship with 32GB, but buyers must confirm that at purchase. The chassis does provide a second M.2 slot for additional storage, and ASUS lists dual 2280 NVMe slots across the family. The Wi-Fi module is replaceable in the reviewed unit.
Sixteen gigabytes remains adequate for gaming and ordinary productivity, but it is a poor long-term choice for virtual machines, heavy creative work, large codebases or demanding multitasking. Prefer 32GB for a three-to-five-year ownership plan, even if that means choosing a different retailer or paying a modest premium.
Rank #4
- READY FOR ANYTHING – Dive headfirst into gaming on Windows 11 powered by the Intel Core i5 Processor 13450HX and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU with a Max TGP of 115W and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus.
- SUBTLE STYLING – The TUF Gaming F16 maintains its classic design, boasting a subtle embossed TUF logo on its sleek cover.
- IMMERSIVE VISUALS – The TUF Gaming F16’s FHD+ 165Hz display with 100% sRGB color draws you into the action. Adaptive-Sync technology reduces lag, minimizes stuttering, and eliminates visual tearing for ultra-smooth gameplay.
- MILITARY GRADE DURABILITY – As a TUF gaming machine, the F16 has been rigorously tested to meet Military Grade testing standards, MIL-STD-810H. Rest easy knowing this laptop will operate at peak performance in harsh conditions.
- EFFICIENT COOLING – Equipped with 2nd Gen Arc Flow Fans, full-width heatsink, and full-width vent, the TUF Gaming F16 optimizes cooling performance without extra noise.
Which configuration should you buy?
Best overall: FA401WV
Choose the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, RTX 4060 and 32GB configuration with a 1TB or 2TB SSD. It offers the strongest productivity performance and avoids the A14’s most important upgrade limitation.
Best value: FA401UV
The Ryzen 7 8845HS/RTX 4060 model is a good buy only at a substantial discount. Sixteen gigabytes is acceptable for gaming, but it should not command a premium.
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A 16GB unit at a price close to a newer laptop is difficult to justify. You cannot add RAM later, and a newer platform may deliver better long-term GPU performance, support and warranty coverage.
What should it cost in August 2026?
Tom’s Hardware reviewed the Ryzen 7/RTX 4060/16GB/1TB version at $1,399 in 2024 and noted that RTX 4060 laptops could sometimes approach $1,000. That launch-era price is not a current market quote.
As editorial buying guidance:
- Excellent deal: roughly $1,000–$1,200 for Ryzen AI 9/RTX 4060, especially with 32GB.
- Reasonable: roughly $1,200–$1,350 for 32GB and 1TB or 2TB.
- Questionable: $1,400–$1,500 unless the low weight and discreet design are priorities.
- Poor value: any price close to a current RTX 5060/5070 compact laptop.
By August 2026, ASUS’s store prominently lists newer TUF A14 and ROG Zephyrus generations rather than clearly presenting the 2024 FA401 as a mainstream current product. Check whether a listing is new, clearance or refurbished, and compare warranty, return terms and battery condition. A refurbished FA401WV listing may be attractive, but the seller, warranty and battery health matter as much as the headline specification.
Alternatives
- Newer Asus TUF Gaming A14: Prefer it when the price difference is modest. It should offer a better long-term platform, although CPU, GPU, memory and battery trade-offs must be checked by generation.
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G14: A stronger premium choice with OLED and newer, faster GPU configurations in some generations. It usually costs more.
- Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14: Worth considering for buyers who prioritize gaming performance or upgradeability, but confirm the exact generation, memory design, panel and current availability.
- Larger 15- or 16-inch RTX laptops: Usually better for cooling and performance per dollar, but substantially less portable and less discreet.
Who should buy the 2024 A14?
Buy it if you need one machine for commuting, study, office work, content creation and gaming; value a professional appearance; want strong non-gaming battery life; and can find the 32GB Ryzen AI 9 version well below newer compact laptops.
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Skip it if you need upgradeable RAM, OLED contrast, excellent built-in audio, a full-size SD reader or maximum AAA performance at 1600p. Also skip it if the price is close to a current-generation RTX 5060/5070 model.
Final verdict
The 2024 Asus TUF Gaming A14 deserves the “near-perfect” label only as a buyer-specific thesis. For the right owner, its combination of 1.35–1.46kg portability, professional styling, 165Hz 1600p display, capable RTX 4060 gaming and unusually good office battery life remains compelling.
But the soldered RAM, weak speakers, sizeable charger and aging RTX 4060 make the recommendation conditional in 2026. Buy the exact FA401WV configuration with 32GB when discounted substantially. If ASUS’s newer A14 models or competing compact RTX laptops cost about the same, the 2024 model is no longer the smart default.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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