a pleasant Home windows laptop computer that packs a punch

Asus’ Zenbook laptop computer lineup has a storied historical past with its selection of thin-and-light Windows 11 PCs. Now, the Asus Zenbook S 14, the most recent member of the product household, has hit the cabinets.

Windows 11 performed a task in reinvigorating the considerably stagnant PC market, and in 2024, competition from the likes of Dell, HP, Surface, and others is fierce. The query right here is whether or not Asus’ new 14-inch pocket book, mixed with a brand-new Intel chip, is worthy of standing alongside one of the best of one of the best. I took the Zenbook S 14 out for a spin to seek out out.

Your adjustments have been saved

Editor’s Selection

Asus Zenbook S 14

A skinny-and-light Home windows 11 laptop computer that ships with the most recent Intel Core Extremely 7 (Collection 2) processor and a 14-inch 3K OLED show.

Execs

• Bodily properly constructed
• One-handed lid operation
• Contains Home windows Hiya and Presence Sensing

Cons

• No haptic trackpad
• The USB-C ports are each on the one aspect
• AI-ready processor, however not a lot AI to talk of

See our course of

How we test and review products at Pocket-lint

We do not do arm-chair analysis. We purchase and take a look at our personal merchandise, and we solely publish purchaser’s guides with merchandise we have really reviewed.

Worth, availability, and specs

The Asus Zenbook S 14 is a 14-inch laptop computer, however its footprint would have you ever imagine it is packing a 13-inch panel. The machine is available in at 12.26 x 8.42 x 0.47 ~ 0.51-inches (31.15 x 21.39 x 1.19 ~ 1.29cm) dimensions throughout the board. The wedge-shaped design makes it such that the laptop computer tapers down barely, from 0.51-inches at its thickest, to 0.47-inches at its thinnest. This, together with its 2.65lbs (1.20kg) weight, makes the pocket book svelte and simple to maneuver.

The star of any trendy laptop computer is its show, and the Zenbook S 14 does not disappoint — Asus has outfitted the machine with a 14-inch 2880 x 1800 pixel decision OLED panel, full with a handy guide a rough 120Hz refresh fee, 500nits of peak HDR brightness, and a contact display screen configuration with assist for each pen and inking.

Below the hood you may discover certainly one of Intel’s newest chips, upwardly configurable to the Intel Core Extremely 7 (Collection 2). That is an x86 processor, which suggests it gives full compatibility with the breadth of Home windows functions and legacy applications. That is in distinction to the ARM architecture-based Snapdragon X processor present in choices like Asus’ personal ProArt PZ13 hybrid PC.

Associated

Asus’ ProArt PZ13 makes me excited for the future of ARM PCs

The ProArt PZ13 2-in-1 PC reaps the advantages of the ARM-based Snapdragon X Plus chip, and does so with a rugged design.

In the case of port choice, the Zenbook gives an honest assortment of choices. The twin Thunderbolt 4 USB Sort-C sockets are naturally welcome, as is the extra USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A port for interfacing with legacy peripherals. An HDMI 2.1 port is right here for straightforward exterior show connectivity, and there is a 3.5mm headphone jack on board as properly.

With an MSRP of $1,500, the Zenbook S 14 is offered in Zumaia grey and Scandinavian white colorways, and ships with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

What I preferred concerning the Asus Zenbook S 14

The laptop computer’s ‘Ceraluminum’ lid materials lives as much as the hype

From an exterior perspective, the Zenbook S 14 is a stunner. The clear traces, metallic chassis, and design language minimalism are all proper up my alley, and I admire that Asus has tried to craft one thing visually distinct from Apple’s MacBook and Microsoft’s Floor. The highest lid is product of a ceramic materials that Asus affectionately refers to as ‘Ceraluminum,’ and it feels each bit as nice because it appears.

The corporate describes the hybrid materials as providing each the resilience of ceramic and the lightness of metallic, and the delicate geometric sample provides a splash of character into the combination with out coming throughout as gaudy. I examined the Zumaia grey model, which I discovered collected fingerprints fairly simply. Should you’re trying to keep away from the necessity to wipe down the machine with a microfiber material to maintain it trying pristine, the Scandinavian white mannequin may fare higher.

Associated

The Asus Zenbook Duo offers a dual-screened glimpse into the PC’s future

The Asus Zenbook Duo is a promising twin display screen PC, however its novel type issue introduces some rising pains alongside the way in which.

The laptop computer passes the lid-opening take a look at with flying colours, as properly. Time and time once more, I used to be capable of carry open the lid with a single finger, with out the remainder of the pocket book shifting or stopping straightforward hinge motion. The military-grade US MIL-STD 810H normal certification implies that that is additionally a reasonably ruggedly designed PC, having undergone stress checks below excessive and low temperatures, extra humidity, vibration and shock, in addition to excessive perspective circumstances.

As soon as I satisfyingly swung open the lid, I used to be greeted by a vivid and exquisite OLED show panel. The display screen might be my favourite side of the Zenbook S 14 — colours pop, brightness is passable even in brightly lit environments, and the 120Hz refresh fee makes Home windows 11 feel and appear fluid. I am joyful to report that Asus opted for a 16:10 side ratio right here, versus a extra normal (and cheaper) 16:9 widescreen panel. The added vertical actual property is indispensable with regards to workplace work, which I do numerous in my day by day life.

Asus has matched the engaging OLED show panel with a fairly first rate speaker setup, incorporating 2 tweeters and a pair of woofers for immersion, in addition to each Harman Kardon and Dolby Atmos certifications. The previous is a stamp of approval from audio specialists to make sure the standard of audio loudness and depth, whereas the latter is meant to develop the digital encompass sound expertise. I discovered the audio output to be fairly loud and clear by thin-and-light laptop computer requirements, through which house constraints are inclined to make it difficult to embed a high-quality speaker system in.

Associated

This HP EliteBook laptop brings the AI and speed I want to my work setup

The HP EliteBook 1040 G11 is a dependable and highly effective 14-inch enterprise laptop computer that gives sturdy efficiency and helpful AI options.

I am an enormous fan of Windows Hello facial security recognition, which the Zenbook S 14 manages to squeeze into its small high show bezel. The inclusion of Presence Sensing {hardware} is one other optimistic, which permits for the display screen to dynamically activate and off primarily based on whether or not I am sitting at my desk. Home windows 11 gives native assist for the function, and I hope to see it develop into normal throughout the PC {industry} sooner quite than later.

The brand new Intel Core Extremely 9 (Collection 2) processor carried out properly in my testing, maintaining with all of the duties I usually threw at it. For reference, the machine achieved a Geekbench 6 rating of 1,384 in single-core and seven,536 in multi-core. As is the case with different skinny consumer laptops, the Zenbook S 14 is not finest fitted to graphically intensive gaming periods or hardcore video enhancing. It will carry out simply nice for lighter video games and enhancing wants, however actually, it isn’t constructed with these duties in thoughts.

The laptop computer runs quietly below normal workloads — Asus quotes below 25dB throughout gentle workloads. There is a vapor chamber below the hood, in addition to a novel geometric fan grill design donning the house instantly above the keyboard deck. In addition to trying visually distinct, the cooling vent design guarantees enhanced air move effectivity. Even throughout extra average workloads, with loads of Google Chrome tabs open and media streaming within the background, the twin followers remained barely audible to me.

For workplace work, together with phrase and spreadsheet processing, the Zenbook S 14’s keyboard gives a nice typing expertise. The 1.1mm journey distance of the keys was snug for longer typing periods, and I discovered the stability between clickiness and springiness to be one.

Associated

8 best Windows laptops: Top models from Asus, Lenovo, MSI and more

Home windows laptops bridge work, leisure, and creativity on highly effective machines with spectacular shows for quite a lot of budgets.

What I did not like concerning the Asus Zenbook S 14

The trackpad is okay, nevertheless it considerably lets down the in any other case premium person expertise

Whereas the keyboard could also be fairly nice total, the Zenbook S 14’s trackpad is extra of a blended bag. It is good and huge, and completely correct with regards to gesture efficiency, however I can not assist however want it was powered by haptics as an alternative of a bodily diving board mechanism. Haptic suggestions really elevates the laptop computer expertise in my eyes, and I really feel it will have been well-suited on a tool of this caliber. The present click on sensation is kind of good by conventional trackpad requirements, however it could possibly’t maintain a candle to what ships on a post-2015 Macbook or on a Floor Laptop computer 7, for instance.

The port choice is fairly nice on the Zenbook S 14, and the Thunderbolt 4 ports are able to a formidable 40Gbps of information bandwidth. In actual phrases, this implies the laptop computer will be hooked as much as 2 exterior 4k screens on the identical time with out placing up a fuss. A minor quibble, however one value noting regardless: as with many different PCs, each USB-C ports are positioned on the identical aspect of the machine. In the case of handy charging and peripheral enlargement, having one port on both aspect is solely much more ultimate.

Associated

How to enable Copilot on Windows 11 — even if you don’t have access

Copilot retains getting higher, however some Home windows customers are struggling to allow it. Here is how — plus how you can force-enable if you do not have entry but.

The laptop computer ships with a 65W USB-C charging adapter, and the unit is powered by a 72Wh energy pack. Asus says the machine gives all-day battery life, and I discovered that for my private work move, this was typically the case. Intel’s newest chips are considerably extra power-efficient than earlier generations, however they nonetheless aren’t fairly on the identical stage as ARM-based processors. Battery life and top-up speeds had been each good, however definitely not industry-leading.

After which there’s synthetic intelligence — the Intel chip inside the pocket book touts a neural processing unit (NPU) able to as much as 47 trillion operations per second (TOPS), which is in the identical ballpark because the 45 TOPS output of the competing Snapdragon X processor platform. That being stated, Home windows 11 does not leverage this newfound AI energy in lots of significant methods, even when accounting for Microsoft’s latest Copilot+ AI PC initiatives.

The Zenbook S 14 will ultimately be receiving the upcoming Windows Timeline feature for AI-based snapshot indexing, and at launch it gives some fundamental Windows Studio camera tools for blurring out backgrounds and the like. The NPU does future-proof the machine to a level, and it is good to know that the {hardware} is able to domestically accelerated AI efficiency for functions and new options down the street.

Outdoors of AI, the pocket book gives a reasonably normal Home windows 11 expertise. Asus ships the product with a variety of its built-in apps, together with StoryCube (a photograph and video gallery app), GlideX (a subscription-based display screen sharing app), in addition to the PC-management MyASUS and ScreenXpert utility applications. Relying in your mindset, chances are you’ll discover these inclusions helpful, or chances are you’ll really feel that they merely add muddle to the person expertise. Fortunately, it is simple sufficient to easily delete these apps for those who’re like me, and don’t need them taking on any house.

Associated

I improve my Windows 11 performance with these 7 easy tricks

Home windows 11 feeling sluggish? 7 of one of the best methods to troubleshoot and increase efficiency with step-by-step directions.

Must you purchase the Asus Zenbook S 14?

In order for you a thin-and-light Home windows 11 PC that is constructed properly and natively helps Intel x86 apps, then the Zenbook S 14 is worthy of consideration

General, Asus’ new Zenbook S 14 is a extremely strong 14-inch thin-and-light Home windows 11 laptop computer. The construct high quality and aesthetic design is arguably top-notch, the port choice is pretty beneficiant, and it gives further quality-of-life additions like Home windows Hiya and Presense Sensing know-how.

The OLED show is engaging, and it is bordered by skinny bezels that make the machine really feel up to date and high-end. Whereas the keyboard was a pleasure to sort away on, I discovered myself eager for a haptic trackpad all through my whole time with the pocket book.

New Intel-based PCs together with the Zenbook S 14 take an enormous step-up by way of energy effectivity, and I by no means discovered myself sad with battery life throughout common use. Nonetheless, by way of sheer effectivity, ARM-based Snapdragon X-based choices have Intel barely crushed.

Associated

Asus’ Zenbook S 16 makes me want to go back to using a Windows laptop

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is a transportable powerhouse because of its lovely display screen and highly effective AMD Ryzen AI processor.

Should you’re available in the market for a premium Home windows laptop computer, and do not thoughts (or also have a desire for) Intel x86-based computing structure and its associated app compatibilities, then the Asus Zenbook S 14 is completely worthy of consideration.

This machine was supplied to Pocket-lint by Asus.

Your adjustments have been saved

Editor’s Selection

Asus Zenbook S 14