A lot rides on this laptop computer .
The Asus Zenbook S 14 is the flagship gimmick that will showcase Intel ’s new Core Ultra Series 2 mainframe ( akaLunar Lake ) , which are attempting to stand against attack from all sides . For deterrent example , Qualcomm ’s Snapdragon X Elite has upped the ante for barrage fire life-time on Windows laptops and Apple ’s M4 Macs are right around the recess .
On the other hand , the Zenbook S 14 itself is also gunning for a top spot amongthe sound laptop computer you may buy . The twist features a really premium , thin and light establish . Despite some distrust about the operation of the Core Ultra Series 2 chips , I ’m happy to report that this is a stellar laptop computer on its own , largely thanks to the great design , improved integrate graphics , and pot of barrage fire life .
Specs and configuration
My inspection unit of the Asus Zenbook S 14 sport the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V , the Arc 140V integrated graphics , 32 GB of RAM , 512 GB of storage , and a 2880 x 1800 OLED display .
I ’m told that this accurate configuration is n’t going to be trade in North America , and therefore I do n’t have an exact price for it . That ’s understandable , as it ’s an odd mating of RAM and remembering capacity . The closest mannikin that is being sold part at $ 1,500 , which is identical to my contour except that it come with 1 TB of storage . There ’s also a similar versionthat has 16 GB of RAM and sells for $ 100 less . While memory is soldered down , repositing can be upgraded using the M.2 PCIe 4 slot .
The lack of a punk configuration means that the Zenbook S 14 is meant to represent a higher echelon of product . Zenbooks used to representa morebudget - well-disposed agiotage laptop computer , but not the Zenbook S 14 . This is a laptop that ’s designed to vie with the likes of the good sparse - and - clean 14 - column inch laptops on the grocery store . Namely , you may put this in the same camp as laptops like the MicrosoftSurface Laptop 7th Edition , MacBook Pro 14 - inch ( M3 ) , andDell XPS 14 .
In comparability , the Zenbook S 14 is still $ 150 tatty than the XPS 14 , even when it ’s on sale at Dell.com . The Best Buy good example matches the price of a similarly configured Surface Laptop 7th Edition , though the 32 GB modelling is quite a mo cheaper than Microsoft ’s gimmick . do it to say that it ’s also far cheaper than the 14 - inch MacBook Pro when trying to stuff it with 32 GB of RAM . In that sense , you’re able to think of it as one of the loud choice in the most premium laptops category .
Still , I wish Asus was extend a 16 GB role model with 512 GB of storage as a starting form to really showcase the time value of the offer .
Design
Ceraluminum . It ’s a made - up Holy Writ , yes . Asus says it took four twelvemonth to produce an aluminum that ’s been transformed into “ high - technical school ceramic . ” But the mind is existent . The Zenbook S 14 is remarkably easy laptop computer at 2.65 pounds , but it still has first-class physique quality . More than that , the palpebra has an interesting textured finish that find keen under your fingers . Unlike some other very swooning laptops , the lid of the Zenbook S 14 feels fixed against flex . With a maximum height of 0.51 column inch , it ’s not quite as tenuous as the MacBook Air , but it for certain doesfeelthin . It opens with one finger’s breadth effortlessly , of course ,
It also features the new Asus logo ( which , yes , see a band like a Star Trek insignia ) both on the hat and on the keyboard deck . It ’s always been a skillful bit of stigmatisation , contend to be both subtle and classy . Meanwhile , the Zenbook S 14 get in either grey or white , and I ’m a small thwarted I did n’t get the white variation . It has a really clean look , whereas the Robert Gray is a turn drab . I would have wish tohave seen a darker grey-headed coloration alternative rather than the very businesslike tincture that ’s offered .
All this shares a lot in common with the largerZenbook S 16 , which launch sooner and was powered by the new AMD Ryzen AI 300 serial .
As laptops like theMacBook Air and Surface Laptopare adopt rounded corners and softer edges , the Zenbook S 14 remains penetrating and angulate . That ’s in everything from the keycaps to the shape itself . I have to say I choose displays with rounded corner , as many laptops are using this twelvemonth , though I can apprise just how slender these bezels are .
One of the concerns with this type of aim is comfort — the last thing you want is your palm tree press up against sharp edges . The Zenbook S 14 gets close in that regard , specifically because of the locating of the vents at the top of the keyboard deck . These vent do a nice job of keep warmth away from the keyboard , but it shrinks the available space for your palm tree . I have evenhandedly big deal , though , and it was n’t a job . If you have particularly big hands though , it could get uncomfortable .
Unlike some other Zenbooks , this fashion model does n’t apply an ErgoLift flexible joint to prop up the laptop computer off the table when unfastened . I like this choice , and Asus gets around the design alteration by sum some tall arctic feet on the bottom of the gadget for improved thermal .
Keyboard and trackpad
I like both the keyboard and trackpad on the Zenbook S 14 , even if it ’s not my favourite object lesson of either . Asus has been using this keyboard for a while now , and it ’s plenty spruce , though it always take me a solar day or so to really find comfortable on it . The 1.1 mm of primal locomotion is fairly shallow , but Asus attempts to balance it with a sharp bottoming - out military action . The keycaps have a subtle texture to them , as do the thenar repose and rest of the keyboard deck of cards . It ’s not my favorite grain — but again , I come up myself getting used to it in a daytime or two .
The trackpad is quite large , taking a cue from theAsus ROG Zephyrus G14 . actuate across the trackpad is smooth , and I never felt like it was imprecise . However , the click is a bit too chunky for my taste . It takes too much sweat to depress the detent , which can get dull . It ’s especially obtrusive fare from so many laptop that practice a haptic feedback trackpad . At this cost , I ’d choose Asus to switch to one , as is the face with the Surface Laptop 7th Edition .
The trackpad does have a few unequalled feature film , though . By default , swiping up or down on the right-hand side of the trackpad mechanically line up display luminance , while swipe across the left side control volume . When I remembered them , I found both of these to be pretty handy . I never accidentally triggered the actions , and I found them to be quicker than hunt around the keyboard for the correct social occasion key .
There ’s no fingerprint reader , so you ’ll postulate to swear solely on facial recognition for Windows Hello .
Ports
The Zenbook S 14 has a outstanding selection of ports . It has HDMI 2.1 , two USB - C Thunderbolt 4 larboard , one USB - A 3.2 Gen 2 interface , and a phone labourer . One of those USB - C ports will require to be used for tycoon , of track . Unlike the MacBook Air , the Zenbook S 14 can support tie in up to two 4 K 60Hz monitor .
The addition of USB - A is utilitarian too . If only Asus had also included an SD card slot , I ’d be completely felicitous with these ports for my day - to - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. tasks .
Iamhappy about the wireless connectivity , though . The Zenbook S 14 has the a la mode speeds with both Wi - Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 .
Display
This is a 14 - inch laptop display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels . More importantly , it ’s an OLED showing with a 120Hz refresh pace . It ’s a very pretty screen , as most of these OLED panels are . In the MyAsus app , you ’ll find a variety of different colour way available . Interestingly , the nonremittal mode is Vivid , which propose a nearly perfect semblance gamut , collide with 100 % sRGB , 100 % P3 , and 96 % AdobeRGB .
I should mention that this is n’t the vivid exhibit in the world . Asus markets its 500 - nit “ peak brightness , ” which , of course , means it ’s not what you ’ll be seeing when commonly using the laptop computer . In SDR , it maxes out at just 313 nits , which is bright enough in most example , but just ca n’t contend with something like theSurface Pro 11orM4 iPad Prowith its tandem OLED panel . Of course , OLED displays are n’t known for being bright , even when the pure blacks help make up for that .
One queerness in my reassessment sampling ’s display was around colour accuracy . Asus claim the twist is mill - graduate and has a Delta - E of under 1.0 . But all my tests , regardless of the different colouring material modes I used , all put out Delta - E score of over 4.0 , which I usurp is some kind of bug . I ’m in contact with Asus about what the job might be , but it ’s safe to strike that something about the psychometric test or panel is showing up incorrectly .
Overall , though , I was very proud of with the panel . I ’m worked up for these OLED displays to get brighter in the time to come , but in terms of clarity of motion , dividing line , view angles , and semblance gamut , OLED make a huge difference .
Performance
The Core Ultra 7 258V is Intel ’s new processor for thin - and - light laptops , mean the emphasis here is on efficiency rather than brute force play . In other words , it ’s all about putting out as much performance as possible while consuming as little superpower as potential .
Here are some things to note properly out of the logic gate : this chip is not a braggart step up from the former generation . In fact , in some subject , it sits at performance parity or even footprint back . Intel will say the lack of performance gain is worth the patronage - off for the immense start up in battery life — and maybe it ’s right . As laptop buyer , we all want a twist that is ultra - muscular and long lasting , but there will always be compromises that need to be made . The sacrifice here is decidedly around multi - core performance .
heaps in both Geekbench 6 and Cinebench R24 secern the same story : a decent step ahead in single - core performance and a footfall back in multi - core performance . The comparability against theHP Spectre x360 14with the last - gen Core Ultra 7 155H is a dependable example . This is a alike - sized gimmick that is by no means a performance leader in the category . And still , the previous Core Ultra 7 155H is 8 % faster than the Core Ultra 7 258V in multi - core test .
You might say this is an unjust comparing , as Intel ’s H - serial chips are still add up and the V - Series are just 17 - watt chip , make up a new form of processor . Intel ’s perplexing and discrepant naming has obscure comparisons , but for now , these V - series chips seem to sit down right in between the carrying into action of previous - gen U and H - series fries . disregarding of how you slit it , Series 2 does n’t represent a significant jump in multi - core CPU performance over its predecessor , peculiarly since laptop maker were putting H - series chips in laptops as small as theDell XPS 13just sooner this year .
The Handbrake grievance are perhaps the most telling of the state of affairs . The Zenbook S 14 encodes video 46 % slow in Handbrake than a laptop computer like theAcer Swift Go 14 , a midrange equipment with a Core Ultra 7 155H in it . That ’s not a honorable look .
unmarried - essence is where thing are more on Intel ’s side . Intel ’s chips have been pretty moribund there , but the Core Ultra 7 258V takes a decided whole step forward , testify most notably in its Cinebench R24 score , where it has a lead over the Snapdragon X Elite .
Intel has stiff rival , though . The Apple M3 is still the more sinewy chip , remaining as the single - burden superstar , and while the Snapdragon X Elite ’s carrying into action variegate depending on the equipment , it ’s still the more brawny chip . Meanwhile , the Ryzen AI 300 series makes an impressive exclusive - core showing with its HX 370 chip . That might not fathom like a bonnie comparison to make — but remember , AMD gormandise that into a 13 - inch laptop , the ProArt PX13 .
The other important look of this chip is the performance of its integrated graphics . That ’s not usually the case with a laptop computer of this sort — it ’s not like people are buying this for hard-core gaming . But Intel has made some liberal claims about the Arc graphics that could potentially speed up task like TV editing — and yes , even gaming .
The Core Ultra 7 258V does allow for some comely gen - over - gen GPU operation gains , especially compared to its Snapdragon X Elite counterpart . In some specific comparisons , Intel ’s part arrest well-nigh double the score in 3DMark Time Spy . And it fare better in some more thought-provoking games too . I nearly averaged 60 systema skeletale per 2d ( fps ) inCyberpunk 2077 , so long as nontextual matter were set to Low , resolve was lower to 1200p , and FSR 3 with Frame Generation was turned on . Still , it feel kind of magical to act as on a laptop like this .
Just do n’t carry to smoothly act the latest diagrammatically intense titles , such asBlack Myth : Wukong . I ran the benchmar a few time at different context and could n’t average over 35 fps . And , yes , laptop with a distinct GPU still symbolise a massive saltation in GPU performance , so if you could benefit from it , it ’s worth consider a more powerful laptop likeAsus ProArt PX13or even the Dell XPS 14 .
But if you ’re looking to play someFortnite , the Zenbook S 14 performs admirably for a laptop computer this thin thanks to the Intel Arc 140V graphics .
Webcam and speakers
The webcam is 1080p and is decent in entrance video for work calls . It can get awfully grainy in lower lighting , but does a secure task of prioritise skin flavour to brighten up icon . It ’s not great , but it ’s certainly serviceable if your day-after-day work requires the occasional video call .
Battery life
There ’s no more authoritative run for this laptop than electric battery life . The laptop computer has a bombastic 72 James Watt - time of day battery , which results in some very impressive battery life . Of course , it ’s the extreme efficiency of the the Core Ultra Series 2 chip that adds this much battery life , as the previous - gen model had the same size of it of stamp battery .
Justhowgood is it ? Well , I run three separate battery tests on the laptop . The most telling was in reality the Cinebench multi - core rundown to test how long the laptop computer live on the heavy loading . A multi - core Cinebench psychometric test is an utmost labor , and the Zenbook S 14 managed to last over three and a half hours . That make it the longest - lasting laptop computer I ’ve tested on Cinebench , beat even our previous title-holder , the M3 MacBook Air .
The Zenbook S 14 also did very well in our web - browsing test , which cycles through a series of heavy internet site until the battery dies . It lasted for 16 hours and 47 minutes , beat only by the MacBook Air , which remains untouchable on this test , as it won by a few hours . There were a Brobdingnagian variety of battery resultant from Intel ’s premature - gen Meteor Lake laptop , but this one lasted a twosome hours more than even the longest - endure Meteor Lake machines .
Most importantly , it ’s beat Snapdragon X Elite laptops by 2 to 3 hours depending on the model . That ’s a vast profits for the Zenbook S 14 and for Core Ultra Series 2 .
Hanging in the balance
As a recap of a unexampled Intel processor , I have to allow in I ’m slightly have down . The battery life is there , and that ’s no small exploit . But the CPU public presentation represents more of a sidelong move , which is never what you want to see in a new generation .
On the other hand , electric battery biography is potential the metric that you ’ll care more about in this type of laptop computer . A more or less degenerate CPU wo n’t make your entanglement browsing , YouTube observation , and Slack chats go any faster . You may , however , notice a few superfluous 60 minutes of battery life story . From the Windows side of things , it ’s the official assault and battery life whiz , and considering how much pressure the Snapdragon X Elite equipment put on Intel , I ’m exhaustively impressed .
But we have to remember — a gimmick like the Zenbook S 14 is the ideal case for Intel ’s new micro chip . The battery life-time gains are a positive first sign for this generation of Intel - power laptops , but I have concerns about how these chips will playact out in laptop computer that require more performance . Still , none of that takes aside from what the Zenbook S 14 accomplish on its own .
The larger interrogation remains : Does this gadget stand up against a Snapdragon X elect laptop computer like the Surface Laptop 7th Edition ? I ’d say yes . That ’s despite the fact that cheaper configurations are n’t being offered at the minute , and I have a few gripes with the design , such as the size of the palm respite or the excessively loud mechanical trackpad . The Surface Laptop 7th Edition has a better balance of premium characteristic to make it a higher-ranking MacBook alternative , but the OLED screen and fantastic battery life of the Zenbook S 14 more than make up for the difference .
