Asus Zenbook S 16 evaluation: a stable Home windows laptop computer

I’m not going to mince phrases right here — I like the Asus Zenbook S 16. Inside an hour of utilizing it, I used to be shocked not solely by its design but additionally by its efficiency capabilities. My emotions are the identical even after utilizing it for just a few weeks. Its AMD Ryzen AI chipset packs a punch, and I’m impressed by what Asus has achieved with this laptop computer. It is light-weight and skinny construct makes this a compelling 16-inch on-the-go laptop computer, particularly if you happen to discover it on sale from its beginning worth of $1,400.

The Asus Zenbook S 16 has been nothing wanting loopy. Intel and AMD are pushing new AI-powered chips with neural processing models (NPUs), and Snapdragon-powered Home windows 11 laptops are making a splash. Plus, Apple is predicted to announce new M4 MacBooks earlier than the tip of the yr. For those who’re on the lookout for a brand new laptop computer, the market has by no means been so various. For those who’re particularly on the lookout for a robust skinny 16-inch Home windows 11 laptop computer, the Asus Zenbook S 16 could also be what you’re on the lookout for.

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Asus Zenbook S 16

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is an ultrathin 16-inch 3K 120Hz laptop computer. With an AMD Ryzen AI processor, it delivers highly effective efficiency and visuals for on a regular basis use.

Professionals

• Distinctive and distinct design
• Highly effective AMD AI processor
• 120Hz OLED display screen

Cons

• Battery life is not nearly as good as rivals
• Built-in graphics might be higher

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Value, availability, and specs

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is a 16-inch laptop computer with a 2880 x 1800 pixel decision show with a 120Hz refresh charge. Its show has 400 nits of brightness and as much as 500 nits of HDR peak brightness. The show is touchscreen and has pen assist.

The laptop computer weighs 3.3lbs (1.5kg) and its dimensions are available at 13.92 x 9.57 x 0.47~ 0.51-inches (35.36 x 24.30 x 1.19 ~ 1.29 cm). Because of its wedge-shaped design, the laptop computer is thinner in direction of the entrance and barely thicker on the again. It has a 78Wh battery.

The Asus Zenbook S 16 begins at $1,400 and is on the market now in two configurations and coloration choices.

The dearer configuration comes with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 12-core processor that enhances as much as a 5.1GHz clock velocity. It additionally has an built-in AMD Radeon 890M GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD.

The cheaper configuration comes with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 10-core processor that enhances as much as a 4.7GHz clock velocity. It additionally has an built-in AMD Radeon 880M GPU, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. I will probably be reviewing this mannequin.

Each configurations even have an AMD XDNA neural processing unit (NPU) able to as much as 50 trillion operations per second (TOPS).

Wanting on the port choice, the left facet of the Zenbook S 16 sports activities one HDMI 2.1 port, two USB 4.0 Gen 3 Kind-C with show and energy supply capabilities and one 3.5mm audio jack. The proper facet sports activities an SD card reader, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-A port, and a charging LED.

Home windows Whats up is supported by the Asus Zenbook S 16 because of its entrance 1080p webcam with IR perform.

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is on the market in two coloration choices: zumaia grey or scandinavian white. This evaluation options the zumaia grey coloration.

What I preferred concerning the Asus Zenbook S 16

A novel Ceraluminum lid design and a ravishing show

Instantly upon opening the field, I used to be shocked by the Zenbook’s Ceraluminum lid design. Asus says its new “high-tech ceramic” Ceraluminum materials boasts “unparalleled power” and elevated sturdiness. I used to be fairly impressed with this new materials, and I like the way it’s distinctively totally different from Apple’s MacBook lineup or different Home windows laptops. The Ceraluminum lid on the Zenbook S 16 is clean and feels nice to carry in hand, because of its gentle weight of three.31 lbs. Additionally, as somebody who prefers a brilliant minimal look on a laptop computer, I believe Asus has performed a fantastic job creating a definite, clear design.

Talking of the lid, the Asus Zenbook S 16 passes the important take a look at of having the ability to open the lid with one hand or one finger. Behind the lid is a beautiful 3K OLED show. This display screen has all the things you might need from a 16-inch show, because of its stunning brilliant colours, 120Hz refresh charge, and skinny bezels. The 16:10 side ratio is ideal, and I like the additional vertical display screen actual property area right here. I watched the finale of Rings of Energy on this laptop computer, and wow, I used to be blown away by how incredible it appeared. Whether or not looking the net, enjoying a recreation, or scripting this evaluation, the show by no means did not impress me. After utilizing this laptop computer for just a few weeks, I’m extra persuaded than ever to get an OLED monitor for my gaming PC.

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor carried out nicely in my testing. Productiveness duties aren’t any problem for this laptop computer, and it stored up with all of the each day duties I threw at, akin to picture enhancing, researching, and writing. For reference, the Asus Zenbook S 16 achieved a Geekbench 6 rating of two,802 in single-core and 12,799 in multi-core. That is designed to be a lightweight on-the-go laptop computer, so for on a regular basis productiveness duties the efficiency is greater than sufficient, however if you happen to’re seeking to do heavy video enhancing or gaming, chances are you’ll need to take a look at different laptops. I additionally discovered the laptop computer to be silent throughout primary duties, with the followers solely spinning up when opening up a recreation.

The laptop computer additionally contains a devoted AI chip, an AMD XNDA NPU that Asus says processes as much as 50 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of efficiency for the native processing of AI duties, akin to Copilot and Asus’ AI. The MyAsus app has an AI Noise-cancelling microphone and AI Noise-Cancelling speaker setting. The NPU may also be used for Home windows Studio results, which applies AI-powered results to your digicam, akin to a background blur and automated eye contact. Whereas testing these options, I may see the NPU being engaged in process supervisor, and it was doing its job of taking some load off the CPU. Copilot+ options aren’t obtainable on the Asus Zenbook S 16 but, however extra on that later.

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Home windows Whats up is a welcome characteristic on the Zenbook S 16, because of the 1080p entrance webcam with IR assist. I like how Home windows Whats up means that you can arrange a further recognition scan to enhance its accuracy. I used to be in a position to do a scan with and with out my glasses, which helped recognition. This laptop computer additionally helps Home windows Presence Sensing, which turns your display screen mechanically on and off primarily based on whether or not you’re in entrance of the laptop computer. I like this characteristic, and it’s handy that the show mechanically turns off after I stroll away and turns again on after I return to my desk.

For those who kind typically, the keyboard on the Zenbook S 16 won’t disappoint. I discovered the typing expertise nice and cozy with a 1.1mm key-travel distance, and I had no points working and typing on this laptop computer for lengthy hours. There’s additionally a devoted Copilot key for fast entry to any AI inquiries. The touchpad is good and huge and helps gestures, akin to altering the system brightness by swiping the underside or adjusting the system quantity by sliding up and down the left facet of the trackpad. A haptic touchpad would’ve been good, nevertheless it isn’t a dealbreaker for me.

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What I did not like concerning the Asus Zenbook S 16

Battery life is not dangerous, however might be higher, and the built-in graphics go away extra to be desired

The battery life on the Asus Zenbook S 16 provides me combined emotions. Is it dangerous? No. On common, I obtained 8-10 hours of use earlier than I needed to plug it in. This concerned looking the net, utilizing Google Docs, and watching YouTube movies and TV exhibits. So, for my use case, I may get all-day battery life out of it, however simply barely. When gaming, I stored the laptop computer plugged in. For an x86 structure laptop computer, the battery life is first rate. However it’s tough not to think about the Snapdragon X Home windows 11 laptops and Apple’s M3 MacBooks, which have higher battery life than this. For those who primarily use your laptop computer for productiveness duties, that further couple of hours may make fairly a distinction.

Copilot+ options are additionally unavailable to check on the time of writing. At the moment, Copilot+ options are solely obtainable on Snapdragon X Home windows 11 laptops. Nevertheless, they’re presupposed to be obtainable on choose Home windows 11 AMD and Intel AI chipsets in November by a Home windows replace.

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Additionally, to take full benefit of the 120Hz show, I needed to disable the dynamic refresh charge setting within the MyAsus app. The dynamic refresh charge made it so the show would solely be 120Hz when plugged in. When the laptop computer was unplugged, it might be at 60Hz. I wished the show to be 120Hz on a regular basis, so I disabled this setting. 120Hz must be enabled proper out of the field; it makes a world of distinction.

The Asus Zenbook S 16 additionally suffers from the identical drawback the Asus Zenbook S 14 has: each USB Kind-C ports are on the identical facet of the laptop computer. I seen this virtually instantly as I went to cost the laptop computer by plugging it on the suitable facet, solely to appreciate the port was solely on the left facet. The even funnier factor to me is that the battery charging LED isn’t beside the charging port; as an alternative, it’s on the suitable facet of the laptop computer. So, you cost the laptop computer from the left and verify to make sure it is charging on the suitable. I’m not sure why this design alternative was made, nevertheless it’s odd.

The Asus Zenbook S 16 does have an built-in GPU, an AMD Radeon 880M or 890M, relying on the configuration chosen. I examined the 880M configuration, and the built-in GPU was okay, however don’t anticipate to play something on excessive graphics. I examined Cyberpunk 2077 and Murderer’s Creed Mirage and obtained a playable body charge (40-60 fps) in each video games by reducing the decision. In Cyberpunk 2077, I used the Steam Deck possibility within the graphics setting, which labored nice. However throughout each play exams, this laptop computer heated as much as the purpose the place it was uncomfortable to the touch. This laptop computer could be very skinny, so it is rather simple for this factor to get sizzling quick. In all equity, the Asus Zenbook S 16 isn’t a gaming laptop computer, so if you happen to’re not pushing this factor to the max on a regular basis, this won’t be a dealbreaker for you. For those who’re on the lookout for one thing to primarily play video games on, you desire a laptop computer with a devoted GPU, and at $1,700 for the highest Zenbook S 16 configuration, it feels prefer it ought to have one.

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Must you purchase the Asus Zenbook S 16?

For those who’re on the lookout for a 16-inch Home windows 11 PC that’s skinny, moveable, and highly effective, the Zenbook S 16 is worthy of consideration

After utilizing a M1 MacBook Professional as my each day driver for over three years, the Zenbook S 16 makes me suppose it might be time to return to a Home windows laptop computer quickly. Its AMD AI CPU is highly effective sufficient to deal with on a regular basis productiveness duties with out breaking a sweat. Its 3K 120Hz show is gorgeous and appears nice for working through the day and watching media. Its Ceralumium design is exclusive, light-weight, and appears as nice because it feels. And all these options assist enhance the Home windows 11 consumer expertise. It virtually felt unusual to return to my Macbook Professional after utilizing it for therefore lengthy, particularly since I additionally use a Home windows 11 desktop at dwelling.

The battery life isn’t nearly as good as that of the Snapdragon X Home windows 11 laptops. Nevertheless, its x86 structure AMD CPU does imply it avoids any compatibility points that ARM architecture-based Snapdragon X processors at the moment face with some purposes. The $1400 mannequin looks like the most suitable choice to me (even higher if on sale), particularly if you happen to’re simply utilizing the laptop computer for primary duties. For those who’re out there for a skinny and light-weight 16-inch Home windows laptop computer for on a regular basis use, the Asus Zenbook S 16 gained’t disappoint.

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Asus Zenbook S 16