Get the most out of your CPU
Not all laptops are designed for gaming out of the box. And that's okay! Sometimes you want a slimmer, more portable model that meets all your work needs. But sometimes you end up with a machine like the Asus Zenbook S14 2024. It has such a robust and top-notch CPU that it should be enough for gaming. Good? A bit! I spent a little time with this nifty machine and I have to say: that Intel Core Ultra 7 chip goes a long way toward meeting your gaming needs. Even in a book like this, it works pretty well on its own.
AAA stress tests
My first test was Forza Horizon 5. It was a partial success. It takes a while to load and several pop-ups appear asking if you have already installed a graphics card. Once the game is up and running, it moves pretty fluidly. If you lower the settings below ultra, you can even get a stable frame rate. To be clear, this computer has an integrated graphics card. But the Ultra 7 is doing a lot more heavy lifting than usual.
Next up was Flintlock: Siege of Dawn. It charged fine, but ran like hot garbage. No configuration changes gave me a stable or pleasant experience. The audio became crunchy at random times and visual effects leaked through the bottom of the screen. It was downright unpleasant. Maybe that's the difference between a 2021 and 2024 release? Overwatch 2 worked well, but Blizzard games are pretty flexible in that regard. Interestingly, the Crash Bandicoot collection had no beginning at all. The game crashed four times before I could get to the main menu screen.
Easy standalone integration
I also began trying out indie titles with significant success. Dungeons of Hinterburg looked great, although I think it has a lower frame rate built in. UFO 50 is a mock NES library, so it works perfectly. Vampire Survivors works amazing. I could have “tested” it a few more times than was strictly necessary. Neon White looked and felt fantastic. Same with Wargroove 2 and Hades. Generally, if a game didn't work, I found out right away. The Crash Bandicoot collection didn't even start, for example.
On the other hand, some programs worked well after having difficulty activating. DaVinci Resolve is my other gold standard trading test. If your machine can run that software in any capacity, it's worth noting. The Ultra 7 finally found its place with DaVinci Resolve, but there was a fierce fight. If you have a few hundred gigabytes of free hard drive space, you can do some editing on the video.
Struggles in video editing
Another thing you will need is a USB hub. The Zenbook S14 has a single standard USB port and a pair of USB-C ones. I know everything is Bluetooth now, but games often require faster inputs than Bluetooth can provide. Plus, the coolest peripherals are still analog most of the time. Fortunately, it's a pretty easy fix, but it's something to keep in mind.
This was a fascinating experiment. I've long associated dedicated graphics cards with PC gaming. I assumed the two were inextricable. It turns out that you can still play many indie and older games without a dedicated card, as long as your CPU is up to the task. On the other hand, serious PC gaming cannot be done on a laptop at all. I say this as someone who has been testing laptops in various forms for over a year. If the PC is your only gaming platform, a truly rugged desktop computer can't be beat. Alternatively, if your life only demands a laptop for whatever reason, it's good to know you have options.
***A commercial version of the hardware was provided by the manufacturer***