This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:23:34
The video evaluates nine top-tier 14-inch laptops: MacBook Pro 14, Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, Asus Zenbook Pro 14, Razer Blade 14, MSI Stealth 14 Studio, Dell Alienware x14 R2, Gigabyte Aero 14, and Shanker Vision 14, focusing on various performance aspects. Key categories assessed include build quality, portability, display quality, keyboard and trackpad performance, sound quality, port selection, overall performance, cooling, upgradability, and battery life.
The MacBook Pro 14 emerges as the overall winner, praised for its build quality, display, trackpad, cooling efficiency, and exceptional battery life. The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is recommended for a balance of power, portability, and premium design, while the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 stands out in graphics performance. For gamers, the Asus G14 receives high marks but is suggested to be paired with external peripherals for optimum performance. The Alienware x14 and Razer Blade 14 are noted for better heat management during gaming but have lower overall scores due to various issues like port placement and build quality.
Most laptops have commendable displays and top-tier keyboards, with notable exceptions like the Razer Blade 14 for its uncomfortable keyboard and low travel. Port configurations vary, with Blade 14 and MacBook Pro 14 leading. In cooling and noise under stress, the MacBook Pro 14 excels, whereas others like the Blade 14 and Zenbook Pro 14 struggle with loud fans.
The video concludes by emphasizing the MacBook Pro 14's superiority unless Windows-specific software is necessary. For Windows, the Slim Pro 9i is best for portability, and the Zenbook Pro 14 for higher graphics demand. Despite some setbacks, laptops like the Aero 14 and Shanker Vision 14 are still recognized as decent machines.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the presenter introduces an epic battle between nine top-tier laptops: the MacBook Pro 14 from Apple, Lenovo’s Slim Pro 9i, Asus’s Zenbook Pro 14, Razer’s Blade 14, MSI’s Stealth 14 Studio, Dell’s Alienware x14 R2, Gigabyte’s Aero 14, and Shanker’s Vision 14. Each laptop will be scored out of five in major categories, with the results tabulated to declare a winner. The presenter highlights the build quality, appearance, and unique features of several models:
– The MacBook Pro 14 excels in build quality and is not a fingerprint magnet, though it appears dated next to the Blade 14 and Zenbook Pro 14, which share five points in this category.
– The Zenbook Pro 14 is noted for its well-integrated design components and sturdy construction.
– The G14 scores 4 out of 5 for its sturdy plastic chassis and attractive design.
– The Slim Pro 9i, Aero 14, and Alienware x14 all score 3 out of 5, with the Pro 9i praised for comfort and the Aero 14 for its form factor, though they don’t match the build excellence of the top contenders.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on evaluating various laptops based on build quality, portability, display quality, and keyboard performance.
– **Build Quality**: The Vision 14 and Stealth 14 are criticized for poor construction, with noticeable flex and noises from the display and loose hinges. The Stealth 14 feels outdated and cheap, despite having a distinctive RGB logo. Both are rated 2/5.
– **Portability**: The Vision 14, being the lightest, scores a 5/5 despite its large power brick. The MacBook Pro 14 and Aero 14 score 4/5, while the Zenbook Pro 14, Slim Pro 9i, and G14 score 3/5 due to their slightly heavier weight and larger screens. The Alienware x14, Stealth 14, and Blade 14 score 2/5 due to their larger size and heavier weight.
– **Display Quality**: All laptops have high-resolution, fast-refresh-rate screens with good color reproduction. The Slim Pro 9i and MacBook Pro 14 score 5/5 for their mini LED panels. The G14 and Stealth 14 score 4/5, the Zenbook scores 3/5, and the Blade, Alienware, and Vision score 2/5. The Aero 14 also scores 2/5 because of severe PWM flickering at lower brightness levels.
– **Keyboard**: The segment concludes with the Slim Pro 9i receiving top marks (5/5) for its keyboard performance.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on evaluating the keyboards and trackpads of various laptops. The MacBook Pro 14, Asus G14, Aero14, and Zenbook Pro 14 keyboards are highly praised, with the MacBook Pro 14 noted for high quality despite low travel, and the G14 highlighted for its luxurious feel. The Alienware’s keyboard is comfortable but positioned awkwardly, while the Blade 14’s keyboard is criticized for being uncomfortable and low travel. The Vision 14 and Stealth 14 receive the lowest scores for their spongy and low travel keyboards.
When discussing trackpads, the MacBook Pro 14 and G14 receive perfect scores for their smoothness and accurate clicks, while the Blade 14 follows with slightly higher force required to click. The Zenbook Pro 14, Alienware x14, and Slim Pro 9i have good tracking but their clicks require too much force, with the Alienware being particularly noted for its small trackpad. The Aero 14, Vision 14, and Stealth 14 have the lowest-rated trackpads due to issues with slipperiness, smoothness, and click accuracy.
Lastly, the MacBook Pro 14 is noted to have the best speakers, receiving the highest score in that aspect.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the reviewer evaluates the sound quality and port selection of various laptops. The top performer in sound quality is highlighted with a score of 5 points, featuring high-quality speakers with strong bass that can get very loud. Laptops scoring 4 points include the Slim Pro 9i and Zenbook Pro 14, where the former has slight distortion at full volume and the latter lacks bass but remains clear at maximum volume. The G14 earns 3 points for decent volume but inferior sound quality compared to higher-ranked models. Laptops with a score of 2 points, such as the Razer, Alienware, Stealth, and Vision models, face issues with quietness, tinny sound, and distortion. The Aero 14 scores the lowest with poorly balanced sound.
For ports, the Blade 14 and MacBook Pro 14 score highest with fast, well-placed ports, though differing in offering legacy USB-A and SD card readers. Following closely with 4 points, the Zenbook Pro 14 and Slim Pro 9i present good port selections but have minor placement inconveniences.
00:12:00
In this segment, the video discusses the port configurations, performance, and graphics capabilities of various laptops. It highlights usability issues with ports for models like G14, Stealth, Vision 14, and Alienware x14 R2, noting their placements and functionalities. The Aero 14 is also critiqued for impractical port placements. Performance testing using Geekbench and Cinebench ranks MacBook Pro, G14, Zenbook Pro 14, Stealth 14, and Blade 14 highly, though each has specific strengths and weaknesses. The Alienware x14, Aero 14, and Pro9i score average, while Vision 14 underperforms. In graphics, the G14 and MacBook Pro receive top scores, with the Mac excelling in video editing despite its gaming limitations. Other laptops like Blade 14, Zenbook Pro 14, and Stealth 14 have commendable configurations but varied ratings.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the reviewer scores various laptops based on their cooling performance and fan noise during light and heavy use. They explain that the RTX 4070 shows no additional benefit above 110 Watts and warn against Razer’s marketing. The Alienware x14 with an RTX 4060 receives a score of 3, while the Slim Pro 9i and Aero 14, both with RTX 4050s, score 2. Notably, the Slim Pro 9i’s performance surpasses the Aero 14. The Vision 14, with last year’s RTX 3050, gets a score of 1.
For light use, the Slim Pro 9i and MacBook Pro are praised for their quiet and cool operation. In contrast, the G14 feels uncomfortably warm despite having low fan noise this year. During intensive tasks, the MacBook Pro excels with efficient and quiet performance, scoring a 5. The Slim Pro 9i scores 4, while the Blade 14 and Zemba Pro 14 score 2 due to loud fan noise during gaming. Other laptops score 1 due to significant issues such as excessive heat or high-pitched fan noise. The Framework Laptop is noted for its upgradability but isn’t included in this comparison due to lacking powerful graphics.
00:18:00
In this segment of the video, the presenter provides an evaluation of various 14-inch laptops focusing on their upgradability and battery life. Laptops like the Blade 14, Vision 14, and still 14 receive a top score of 4 for their upgradable memory and storage components. The G14 and Zenbook Pro 14 also score 4 as they allow partial upgrades. Alienware x14 R2 scores 3 due to its limited upgradability but respectable memory configuration, while Aero 14 and MacBook Pro 14 score 2 because of significant constraints on memory upgrades. In battery life tests, the MacBook Pro 14 leads with 16 hours of use and consistent performance, earning a score of 5. The Vision 14 scores 4 for its large battery and decent performance drop, followed by G14, Zenbook Pro 14, and slim Pro 9i with scores of 3. Stealth 14 scores 2 for limited battery duration and significant performance drop, while Blade 14 and Alienware x14 score 1 as they couldn’t complete the four-hour test. Additional adjustments include a penalty for the Stealth 14’s subpar 720p webcam and the Blade 14’s screen artifact issues and poor customer support, resulting in another penalty for the Blade 14.
00:21:00
In this part of the video, the final scores are revealed, with the MacBook Pro 14 winning with a score of 53 out of 60 due to its efficient M2 processor, low fan noise, less heat, and superior battery life. The presenter highlights that while the MacBook Pro 14 is the best option if not restricted to Windows software, the Slim Pro 9i is recommended for a powerful, portable, and premium Windows laptop. For more graphics power, the Zenbook Pro 14 is suggested. For gaming, despite small screen size and heat issues, the recommendation is to use an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse, with the G14 being a top option. If one must game on the laptop itself, the Alienware or Razer are recommended due to better heat management. The Aero 14 and Shanker Vision 14 were not competitive but are still decent machines. The video concludes by inviting viewers to comment on their favorite 14-inch laptop.