ASUS has significantly increased prices for several Zenbook models sold through Best Buy, just one day after launch and following initial reviews, adding $100 to $350 depending on the configuration. This move affects models like the Zenbook 14, which jumped from $1,000 to $1,350, representing a one-third price hike. The price surge impacts reviewers' assessments, as the Zenbook 14 was previously positioned in the budget-to-mid-range segment.

TechPowerUp notes that while a smaller increase might be acceptable for high-end workstation models, pushing a $1,000 laptop into a different category raises concerns about value perception. The price adjustments apply across platforms, affecting both Intel and AMD-based Zenbooks, though the Snapdragon X2 Elite-powered models saw smaller increases ($100-250). The price changes are detailed below: Zenbook A16 ($1,600 > $1,700), Zenbook A14 ($1,150 > $1,350), Zenbook S16 ($1,600 > $1,900), Zenbook S14 ($1,900 > $2,000), and Zenbook 14 ($1,000 > $1,350).