Pros:
– Strong efficiency
– Massive improve graphic efficiency
– Gorgeous OLED show
– Excellent battery life
– Solid port choice
– Premium design
– Strong constructed high quality, regardless of thin-and-light type issue
– Solid Harman Kardon audio system
Cons:
– Slightly costlier that it must be
– Web cam could be disappointing at occasions
– Trackpad lacks haptic suggestions, and could be very tight
Price: Starts at Rs 149,990/-
Rating: 4.5/5
The Asus Zenbook S14 is among the first ultrabooks to pack Intel’s new Lunar Lake processors, also called the Core Ultra 7 200 sequence chips. These are the successors to final 12 months’s Meteor Lake processors and convey some huge enhancements, particularly round effectivity. Intel has made these new chips extra battery-friendly, with higher CPU efficiency, a giant graphics increase by means of the built-in Arc GPU, and a slight improve in AI efficiency because of the NPU.
Intel has a reasonably intelligent technique right here, particularly when you think about Qualcomm’s deal with battery life. Intel has been making processors for ages, and x86 has confirmed itself over time. Nearly all software program is constructed round x86, so it’s a strong selection for many individuals. ARM, however, affords distinctive battery life and portability, nevertheless it nonetheless struggles with compatibility for sure video games and productiveness apps — particularly in company settings. While the state of affairs’s bettering, ARM isn’t fairly there but for everybody.
Intel is positioning itself as the higher selection for individuals who want these apps to work properly, promising that its newest Core Ultra 200 chips provide comparable effectivity and performance-per-watt to ARM. In some circumstances, the x86 route is solely the smarter selection.
That brings us to the Zenbook S14. This laptop computer is tremendous slim — simply half an inch thick — and weighs round 1.2 kg, making it extremely transportable. And that 3K OLED show? Gorgeous.
But does the Zenbook S14 stay as much as the hype? Is x86 actually nonetheless the most suitable choice, or is ARM the best way ahead? Let’s discover out.
Asus ZenBook S14 OLED Review: Design and construct high quality
The Asus Zenbook S14 OLED stands out with its smooth portability, because of Intel’s new Lunar Lake processors. This ultrabook combines a 14-inch show with an impressively slim profile, making it an excellent companion for anybody who wants a strong but light-weight laptop computer.
Weighing simply over 1.2kg, it’s simple to slide right into a bag, so carrying it round doesn’t really feel like a chore. Whether you’re engaged on the go or just want a compact machine for on a regular basis duties, the Zenbook S14 delivers with out weighing you down.
When it involves design, the Zenbook S14 retains issues attention-grabbing with its daring, angular strains. Asus has gone for a extra distinctive look in comparison with the extra minimalist designs from opponents like Apple and Microsoft.
The keyboard options sharp, squared-off keys, and the warmth grille above the keyboard provides a pleasant contact of character. The total impact is a contemporary, utilitarian look that’s not afraid to face out.
A spotlight of the Zenbook S14 is its hinge. It’s strong, easy, and really easy to open that you are able to do it with only one finger. Plus, it stays regular even when bumped, making certain that the display doesn’t wobble uncontrollably.
Another notable function is the Ceraluminium end on the lid, combining ceramic and aluminium to create a smooth, geometric design that feels premium to the contact. The floor has a delicate, virtually paper-like texture, including a tactile layer to the laptop computer’s elegant look. It is available in Scandinavian White and Zumaia Grey, although the matte end can present fingerprints, particularly within the darker colors.
We additionally just like the geometric grille design of the vents on the high of the laptop computer, simply above the keyboard. Asus tells us that it’s made utilizing CNC machining, and significantly helps with the thermals. The cherry on high of the improved thermal administration can be how aesthetic it appears to be like.
Despite its slim body, the Zenbook S14 is constructed to final. It’s MIL-STD-810H military-grade licensed, so it may possibly deal with a number of knocks throughout journey with out worrying about harm. The laptop computer’s building feels strong, and whereas there’s a tiny quantity of flex when making use of strain to the centre of the keyboard, the display stays largely inflexible, a testomony to its sturdiness.
Connectivity-wise, the Zenbook S14 covers all of the necessities with one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, HDMI 2.1 for exterior shows, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It would’ve been good to see an SD card slot for many who depend on it for images or video modifying, however in any other case, the port choice is spectacular for such a slim design.
On the wi-fi entrance, you get dual-band WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, making certain easy, high-speed web and gadget connections. We additionally don’t get any LTE choices.
Asus ZenBook S14 OLED Review: Keyboard and trackpad
The Asus Zenbook S14 OLED incorporates a keyboard and touchpad that really feel premium but sensible. The keys have a smooth, barely textured end that’s satisfying to kind on, providing simply the correct amount of suggestions.
The keyboard’s low-profile design doesn’t really feel hole, because of the strong decrease casing that enhances the typing expertise. The keystrokes are quick however deep sufficient to make typing comfy. Plus, the keyboard has an extremely brilliant backlight, making it simple to see in numerous lighting circumstances.
Surprisingly, the journey is respectable, particularly given the Zenbook’s slim construct. In phrases of typing consolation, I’d say this is among the higher ultrabooks round.
However, the trackpad is a little bit of a letdown. While it’s an excellent dimension, glass, and easy to the contact, it feels a bit gradual and stiff in motion. On the plus aspect, it handles gestures properly, and Asus has added a number of further options, like quantity and brightness management, in addition to video scrubbing, utilizing edge gestures. While the trackpad works, it’s not as fluid or responsive as I’d like, particularly in comparison with the remainder of the laptop computer’s smooth design.
Asus ZenBook S14 OLED Review: Webcam and Speakers
The Asus ZenBook S14 OLED comes outfitted with the ASUS AiSense Camera, a full HD digicam with an IR sensor that helps Windows Hello. Positioned on the skinny high bezel, this digicam affords easy 1080p decision for digital conferences, making certain clear video high quality. It additionally options auto-reframing, which mechanically adjusts the sphere of view, an important addition for many who have a tendency to maneuver round throughout calls.
Thanks to the highly effective NPU, the laptop computer totally helps Windows’ AI-powered Studio Effects, a part of Copilot+, bringing enhanced video high quality and real-time changes.
While the Windows Hello-compatible webcam affords handy logins, the 1080p digicam doesn’t present the sharpest element. It appears to be like considerably grainy, particularly in low mild, which could be a draw back for those who’re used to high-end cameras.
As for audio, the ZenBook S14 OLED doesn’t disappoint. Equipped with Harman Kardon-branded audio system and Smart Amp Technology, it affords surprisingly good sound high quality for a skinny ultrabook.
The 4 drivers produce strong quantity, with respectable bass and minimal distortion, even when a number of audio tracks are enjoying. By default, the audio system have dynamic loudness, however you may fine-tune them for a extra refined sound. Whether you’re on a name, listening to music, or watching a video, the sound is evident and full, making it one of many better-sounding Windows laptops on this class.
Asus ZenBook S14 OLED Review: Display
The Asus Zenbook S14 OLED’s 14-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED touch-enabled show is actually spectacular, providing sharp, vibrant visuals that make it stand out within the ultrabook class. With a 16:10 facet ratio and a 120Hz refresh fee, the display offers a easy expertise, whether or not you’re searching, engaged on paperwork, or streaming films.
Its 500 nits peak brightness makes it brilliant sufficient for many indoor environments, although it struggles a bit in direct daylight. While it won’t be the only option for outside work on sunny days, it’s definitely not a dealbreaker for many customers.
The standout function of this show is its color accuracy. The Zenbook S14 OLED is Pantone-validated, that means the colors are true-to-life, making it excellent for many who want exact color copy for duties like picture modifying. The show can be TUV Rheinland-certified
With a 100 per cent P3 color gamut and VESA HDR True Black certification, the show covers a large coloration vary, making certain vibrant photographs, deep blacks, and crisp whites. Watching movies or engaged on spreadsheets feels extra immersive with such wealthy and detailed visuals. Plus, with its sRGB 100 per cent color house protection, the Zenbook S14 OLED is a superb selection for anybody who enjoys media consumption or wants color accuracy for skilled work.
Thanks to extensive viewing angles of the show, you gained’t lose color consistency even when viewing from the aspect. However, the shiny touchscreen floor can typically choose up reflections from surrounding mild, which can be a bit distracting in some settings. The touchscreen itself is easy and responsive, making navigation simple and intuitive, whether or not you’re scrolling by means of paperwork or utilizing gestures to swipe between apps.
The 16:10 facet ratio additionally provides helpful vertical house, which is particularly useful for productiveness duties. Whether you’re engaged on a big spreadsheet or going by means of a prolonged PDF, the additional display actual property is extremely helpful.
Asus ZenBook S14 OLED Review: Performance
The Asus ZenBook S14 OLED is provided with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V chip, a strong mid-tier processor from the brand new Core Ultra 200 sequence. Though it’s not the top-of-the-line chip, it affords an important steadiness of efficiency, effectivity, and energy financial savings. The chip is constructed utilizing TSMC’s N3B lithography and packs 4 Performance-cores and 4 Efficiency-cores, providing a complete of 8 cores and eight threads.
This setup doesn’t embody hyper-threading, which limits multitasking barely, however the chip makes up for it with glorious single-core efficiency. The base clock is 2.2GHz for each P-cores and E-cores, with the P-cores turbo-boosting to 4.8GHz and the E-cores reaching 3.7GHz. This makes the ZenBook S14 quick and environment friendly for on a regular basis duties.
In phrases of RAM, the ZenBook S14 comes with 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM clocked at 8533 MT/s in our take a look at unit. For storage, we get 512TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD, though you will have an possibility for 1TB SSD as properly. Because the Intel Core Ultra 200 processors are an SoC, the RAM, iGPU NPU and controllers are all designed into the Chip. That is why, we’ll solely see a restricted variation in reminiscence configurations obtainable to the consumer. Our recommendation can be to all the time go for the best RAM variants that you would be able to accommodate in your funds.
This is greater than sufficient for many workplace functions, mild inventive work, and even gaming, because the laptop computer runs easily with no noticeable slowdowns. The Intel Smart Cache, with a capability of 12MB, additionally helps pace up duties by preserving regularly used knowledge available.
When it involves AI efficiency, Intel’s onboard Intel Arc 140V iGPU delivers 64 TOPs, whereas the NPU provides one other 45 TOPs, giving the ZenBook S14 a complete of 115 TOPs. While not the perfect measurement for total efficiency, this setup makes the laptop computer a powerful contender in AI-related duties, particularly for machine studying and processing.
In phrases of real-world efficiency, the ZenBook S14 handles typical enterprise duties with ease. Intel has prioritized single-core efficiency and built-in graphics, leading to higher effectivity and battery life than earlier generations. The chip performs persistently whether or not the laptop computer is plugged in or operating on battery energy, making it nice for customers on the go.
For gaming, the Intel Arc GPU proves its price. Games like F1 23 and Cyberpunk 2077 run easily at Full HD decision with Intel’s XeSS upscaling bettering the visible high quality. While it’s not a substitute for a devoted gaming laptop computer, the ZenBook S14 can deal with informal gaming properly sufficient, with environment friendly energy utilization in addition.
Even throughout gaming classes, the laptop computer maintains an inexpensive 28W energy draw, making certain higher efficiency with out sacrificing battery life. During video games, it might go as much as 35W however for should of the day, throughout irregular use, it might keep round 18W.
And all this whereas, the laptop computer stays cool, because of Asus’ intelligent thermal resolution that makes use of a mix of bi-layer graphite sheet, and vapour chambers.
Although we did run a number of benchmarks, we’ve got to say that at this time limit, they’re fairly pointless for one easy motive — Intel’s principal goal with the Core Ultra 200 sequence is Qualcomm and ARM processors. In some benchmarks, Intel outscored Qualcomm, and in some Qualcomm got here out on high.
We additionally get a number of nifty AI options from Asus. For instance, StoryCube is a good media organising instrument that makes use of AI & ML to kind, tag and discover your media from throughout units and functions into one neat window.
What exacerbates this sentiment extra is the truth that ARM nonetheless can’t among the mostly used software program with out main glitches goes to be a sore level for some. The Intel Core Ultra 7 200V processors, in that case, grow to be a no-nonsense engine for a laptop computer that can simply work — all the time.
Asus ZenBook S14 OLED Review: Battery
Intel clearly designed the brand new Core Ultra 200 sequence of processors with effectivity in thoughts, and it actually exhibits in our battery exams. The ZenBook S14 OLED packs a strong 72WHr, 4-cell Li-ion battery, which performs admirably throughout our typical use. In reality, the ZenBook S14 lasted practically 15 hours — 14 hours and 50 minutes to be actual — whereas we had been dealing with emails, writing, and leaping between video calls.
While it could not fully outpace the MacBooks or Qualcomm-powered units that boast 18+ hours, the ZenBook remains to be remarkably shut and delivers unbelievable outcomes for a Windows laptop computer.
In phrases of charging, this laptop computer doesn’t disappoint. It comes with a 65W quick charger within the field, and the pace at which it juices up is spectacular. In nearly half-hour, the battery expenses to 50 per cent, and inside an hour, it’s totally topped up. This means you gained’t need to waste a lot time ready for a cost while you’re in a rush.
One of the very best options right here is the minimal battery drain in sleep mode. Close the lid with out totally powering down, and also you’ll barely discover any drop in battery proportion. This is a major improve in comparison with older Windows laptops that used to empty plenty of battery whereas in sleep. With the ZenBook S14 OLED, you may relaxation assured that your battery will last more and cost rapidly, making it a dependable companion for lengthy hours of labor and play.
Asus ZenBook S14 OLED Review: Verdict
The Asus ZenBook S14 is an actual standout, providing an important mixture of efficiency and magnificence. Powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V processor, this ultrabook is all about delivering strong efficiency whereas preserving issues environment friendly. Even although it’s not the top-of-the-line chip from Intel’s Core Ultra 200 sequence, it’s greater than able to dealing with on a regular basis duties with ease. Thanks to 32GB of RAM and the built-in Arc GPU, the ZenBook S14 doesn’t break a sweat with e-mail, net searching, video calls, and light-weight productiveness work.
While the laptop computer won’t crush multicore-heavy benchmarks, it excels in single-core efficiency, making it fast and responsive for many makes use of. It’s additionally not designed to be a gaming machine, however for informal gaming, it does simply nice, dealing with video games like F1 23 and even Cyberpunk 2077 with a number of tweaks. And with the onboard NPU, you get entry to some neat AI options that improve your total expertise, even when they’re nonetheless a piece in progress.
The 3K OLED show is beautiful, providing crisp visuals and vibrant colors. Whether you’re working, watching content material, or simply searching, the display is a pleasure to make use of. The keyboard is comfy, and the Ceraluminum chassis provides the entire laptop computer a premium, sturdy really feel.
The trackpad may use a little bit extra responsiveness, and the digicam isn’t the very best, however these are minor complaints. Overall, the ZenBook S14 is a unbelievable ultrabook that checks all of the bins for efficiency, design, and usefulness. It’s an important selection for anybody searching for a well-rounded, environment friendly laptop computer.
