Asus TUF Gaming A14 (2026) Evaluate: GPU-Much less Gaming Laptop

In the previous, I’ve stayed away from Asus TUF laptops, because it was the bottom-tier when it comes to design. That meant chunky chassis, poor shows, and thick bezels. The fashions from 2025 seemed extra fashionable, however the costs weren’t aggressive with a few of my favourite low cost gaming laptops just like the Lenovo LOQ 15 and Acer Nitro V 16.

But once more, the TUF A14 is one thing new, and the design is spectacular. It’s proper across the identical thickness and weight because the 14-inch MacBook Pro, and the bezels across the sides of the display screen are actually trim. The backside bezel is thick, primarily as a result of the A14 makes use of a 16:9 facet ratio display screen. I received’t belabor that time, nevertheless it means much less display screen and extra bezel in the identical footprint. Overall, it’s very refined. The gaming aesthetic is closely downplayed, with just a few parts left, such because the typeface on the keycaps and the form of the vents beneath the hinge. There’s not even per-key backlighting on the keyboard.

You’d by no means know this was a gaming laptop computer primarily based on the usability of the keyboard and touchpad; on gaming laptops versus work ones, these can typically be afterthoughts. Here, they’re each wonderful. The touchpad, specifically, is outsized and surprisingly exact. Although the laptop computer is made from plastic, it dealt with the stress I used to be placing on it across the lid, keyboard, and palm rests with out an excessive amount of give.

The TUF A14 has a useful assortment of ports. On the left facet, you get a USB-A 3.2 port, USB-C port, HDMI 2.1, headphone jack, and proprietary energy jack. You get an extra USB-A and USB-C (USB4) port on the precise facet, alongside a micro SD card slot. I actually like the choice to place the USB4 port on the precise facet, because it means you’ll be able to each cost the laptop computer or connect with an exterior show from the precise facet too. Only having the ability to cost from one facet is one among my pet peeves, so good job, TUF A14.

More Than Gaming

Photograph: Luke Larsen

Once I noticed the decision of the show, I knew the TUF A14 was now not an actual “budget” machine. It’s 2560 x 1600, a giant step up from the everyday low cost gaming laptop computer. It additionally has a 165 Hz refresh charge, which is helpful for when taking part in in 1200p—and let’s be sincere, that’s the go-to the overwhelming majority of the time. The increased decision, although, performs into why the A14 is a stable hybrid machine that may work as effectively for gaming because it does for college or work.