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Asus ExpertBook Ultra B9406CAA

Asus ExpertBook Ultra B9406CAA
ⓘ Asus
The Asus ExpertBook Ultra B9406CAA pairs Intel’s Core Ultra X7 358H (Panther Lake) with Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics in a 14-inch, business-focused chassis. Reviews highlight exceptional performance-per-watt, a high-end 2.8K 120 Hz OLED display, and premium portability, albeit at an expected premium price.

Pros

+ Exceptional performance-per-watt
+ Powerful Arc integrated graphics
+ 2.8K 120Hz OLED
+ Very light 1.11 kg
+ Strong port selection

Cons

- Likely expensive pricing
- Soldered RAM only
- Glossy OLED reflections
- Business focus limits options
- Integrated GPU still iGPU

The Asus ExpertBook Ultra B9406CAA is a 14-inch business ultrabook built around Intel’s Core Ultra X7 358H Panther Lake platform with Arc B390 integrated graphics. It combines 32 GB LPDDR5X-8533 memory, a 2 TB Samsung PM9E1 SSD, and a 2880×1800 OLED display running at 120 Hz with HDR and adaptive sync. Review averages place it in the high-80s overall, with critics emphasizing unusually strong graphics and efficiency for this thin-and-light class. Connectivity is a highlight, featuring USB4/Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and dual DisplayPort support alongside Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. The laptop targets mobile professionals with a 70 Wh battery, Windows 11 Pro, IR webcam with shutter, fingerprint reader, and Dolby Atmos six-speaker setup. The main trade-offs noted are premium positioning and non-upgradable soldered memory.

Specifications

Asus ExpertBook Ultra B9406CAA
Processor
Intel Core Ultra X7 358H 16c/16t, 4 x 4.8 GHz Intel Cougar Cove P-Core, 8 x 3.7 GHz Intel Darkmont E-Core, 4 x 3.3 GHz Intel Darkmont E-Core, 63 W PL2 / Short Burst, 41 W PL1 / Sustained, Panther Lake
Graphics adapter
Intel Arc B390 12 Xe3 Panther Lake iGPU, Core: 2500 MHz, LPDDR5X, 32.0.101.8356
Memory
32 GB 
, LPDDR5X-8533, Soldered, Dual-Channel
Display
14.00 inch 16:10, 2880 x 1800 pixel 243 PPI, 10-point capacitive, Samsung ATNA40LE01-0, OLED, glossy: no, HDR, 120 Hz, Adaptive Sync
Mainboard
Intel Panther Lake-H PCH
Storage
Soundcard
Intel Panther Lake-H PCH - High Definition Audio - AVS (Audio, Voice, Speech)
Connections
2 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps, 2 USB4 40 Gbps, 2 Thunderbolt 4, USB-C Power Delivery (PD), 1 HDMI, 2 DisplayPort, Audio Connections: 3.5 mm combo, 1 Fingerprint Reader, Brightness Sensor
Networking
Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE211 320MHz (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/ax = Wi-Fi 6/ Wi-Fi 6E 6 GHz be = Wi-Fi 7), Bluetooth 6.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 15.9 x 310.9 x 212.8 ( = 0.63 x 12.24 x 8.38 in)
Battery
70 Wh Lithium-Polymer
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
Camera
Webcam: 1080p IR and Physical shutter
Primary Camera: 2 MPix
Additional features
Speakers: 6 speakers, Dolby Atmos, Keyboard: Chiclet, Keyboard Light: yes, MyAsus, 12 Months Warranty
Weight
1.111 kg ( = 39.19 oz / 2.45 pounds), Power Supply: 346 g ( = 12.2 oz / 0.76 pounds)

 

Price comparison

Average Score: 88.4% - very good
Average of 4 scores (from 5 reviews)
price: 90%, performance: 78%, features: 73%, display: 95% mobility: 84%, workmanship: 89%, ergonomy: 82%, emissions: 89%

Reviews for the Asus ExpertBook Ultra B9406CAA

87.6% Asus ExpertBook Ultra review: One helluva debut for Intel Panther Lake X7 | Notebookcheck
Asus and Intel are starting off the year strong with the debut of the Core Ultra X7 358H. Although technically a business-oriented laptop, both graphics performance and performance-per-watt are insane for a 14-inch form factor.
95% ASUS ExpertBook Ultra Laptop Review
Source: CG Mag Online English
The PC landscape is changing fast, and users will have to adjust their expectations. That doesn’t mean lowering them. The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra proves that. We’ve reached a point where an ultra-lightweight business machine can go toe-to-toe with mid-range gaming rigs. The ExpertBook Ultra won’t be cheap, but even at a premium, it will still be a compelling business solution and likely a more affordable, durable alternative to a dedicated gaming laptop. The ExpertBook Ultra is only 14 inches, but it’s going to be huge. ASUS has put together something special and done the unthinkable: made a Copilot+ Device that can finally compete with a MacBook. The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra is one of the most exciting flagship ultrabooks in years. Beautiful, durable, and high-performance, it’s equally capable of handling professional workflows or facilitating covert gaming sessions at the office.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/27/2026
Rating: Total score: 95%
Asus ExpertBook Ultra (2026): Putting Laptops on NOTICE...
Source: Andrew Marc David English
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/10/2026
80% Asus comes to CES 2026 with an 'Ultra' ExpertBook built for the modern worker
Source: It Pro English
When it comes to naming devices, hardware vendors generally use either 'Pro' or 'Ultra' to indicate the most premium model. And it's the latter for Asus and its all-new ExpertBook Ultra, unveiled at CES 2026. As part of a wider refresh of its main brands (Zenbook, VivoBook, ProArt, and ROG), the ExpertBook Ultra replaces the B9 as the top commercial offering from Asus. And as the name suggests, it's a laptop with all the best specs the hardware giant can offer; it's ultra durable, ultra fast, ultra cool, and ultra reliable (according to Asus, that is). Toughness is one of the main selling points here. The Ultra is made for modern work and the wear and tear of doing your job in different places.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/10/2026
Rating: Total score: 80%

Foreign Reviews

ASUS ExpertBook Ultra Review con Intel Core Ultra X7 358H
Source: Geeknetic Spanish ES→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/27/2026
91% J’ai testé l’Asus Expertbook Ultra pendant deux semaines et c’est le meilleur ultra-portable du marché
Source: Presse Citron French FR→EN
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/27/2026
Rating: Total score: 91% price: 90% display: 95% mobility: 85% workmanship: 97%

Comment

Intel Arc B390 Panther Lake iGPU: Most powerful iGPU in the Intel Panther Lake SoC series with 12 Xe3 cores.

With these GPUs you are able to play modern and demanding games fluently at medium detail settings and HD resolution.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


Ultra X7 358H: High-end 16-core SoC from the Panther Lake family for notebooks with 12 Xe3 GPU cores. As with Lunar Lake, the built-in NPU 5 offers 50 TOPS and now offers support for FP8. » Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


 

Devices with the same GPU

Acer Swift 16 AI SF16-71T
Arc B390 Panther Lake iGPU, Panther Lake Ultra X9 388H, 16.00", 1.55 kg

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UHD Graphics 32EUs, Alder Lake-N Core 3 N355, 14.00", 1.44 kg
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Asus Vivobook S14 M5406KA
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Devices from the same Manufacturer

Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo GX651
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Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 GU405
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Asus ROG Strix G16 G615JHR
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Asus ProArt P16 H7606WW
GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop, Strix / Gorgon Point Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 16.00", 1.85 kg
Asus ROG Strix G16 G615LR, Core 7 255HX
GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop, Arrow Lake Ultra 7 255HX, 16.00", 2.65 kg
Asus TUF Gaming A16 FA608UM
GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop, Hawk Point (Zen 4/4c) R7 260, 16.00", 2.2 kg
Asus ProArt P16 H7606WX
GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop, Strix / Gorgon Point Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 16.00", 1.85 kg
Asus TUF Gaming A18 FA808UM
GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop, Hawk Point (Zen 4/4c) R7 260, 18.00", 2.6 kg
Asus Zephyrus G16 GA605KM
GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop, Strix / Gorgon Point Ryzen AI 7 350, 16.00", 1.85 kg
Asus TUF Gaming A16 FA608UH
GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop, Hawk Point (Zen 4/4c) R7 260, 16.00", 2.2 kg
Asus ROG Strix G16 G615LW
GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop, Arrow Lake Ultra 9 275HX, 16.00", 2.5 kg
Asus ROG Xbox Ally
Radeon Radeon Steam Deck 8CU, Renoir (Ryzen 4000 APU) Z2, 7.00", 0.67 kg
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DeepL / Ninh Duy, 2026-03- 3 (Update: 2026-03- 3)