As a tech enthusiast and a digital nomad, I’ve had my fair share of laptops over the years, from sleek MacBooks to bulky gaming rigs. The ASUS Zenbook S16 has definitely caught my eye with its striking design and impressive specs.
Contemporary laptops are progressively becoming more potent, resourceful, and notably compact. This is significantly noticeable as they utilize advanced chips, optimized designs, and counteract competition from an established tablet market. Remarkably, some of these models show a significant leap forward compared to their predecessors not just because of aesthetics and power, but also due to an appealing price range.
The Zenbook S16 could be one of its best versions so far, boasting a premium design, compatibility with advanced AI applications thanks to a powerful NPU (with up to 50 TOPs for applications), and a swift, though somewhat novel, APU. These qualities and others help position the S16 more firmly within the high-performance segment.
ASUS’s Zenbook S16: 2 Powerful Choices
The Zenbook S16 is available in two versions:
On both options, you’ll find a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD drive for standard storage. However, unlike the built-in RAM, this storage is user-upgradable. This means that if you need more space, third-party sellers on platforms like Newegg and Amazon offer larger SSD configurations. You can purchase these without having to open your device yourself.
As a fan, I’m excited to share that the S16 model comes with two unique color options – Zumaia Gray and Scandinavian White. The high-performance HX370 unit sports a sleek grey trim, while the more affordable Ryzen AI 9 365-based unit is available in a crisp white finish. Notably, the former includes Windows 11 Pro, while the latter offers Windows 11 Home to potential buyers.
The ASUS Zenbook S16: Looks And First Impressions
For this article, I was generously provided with a Zenbook S16 model featuring the Ryzen AI 365 processor (courtesy of ASUS) for review purposes. Although the premium version may provide additional performance, the key insights gained from my initial assessment should apply to both SKU versions offered by ASUS.
The ASUS Zenbook S16 boasts a forward-thinking design, making it stand out with its incredibly slim profile (0.43″) and minimal weight (3.31 lbs). This Windows laptop isn’t just competing with Apple’s current MacBook lineup, but also challenging Microsoft’s new generation of laptops powered by Qualcomm, which they’ve been promoting as the future of everyday use laptops.
The Ryzen AI 9 APU options available on the Zenbook S16 deliver ample computing power, supplemented by a built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Uses for this NPU are expected to be announced as late as November of this year. Despite being power-restricted, they provide sufficient performance for everyday tasks and even light editing requirements.
As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the Zenbook S16 is a game-changer! With its 24GB of lightning-fast LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB of blazing-speed SSD storage, and an impressive deca-core AMD APU under the hood, it’s like they’ve packed a powerhouse into a featherweight frame. And let’s not forget about that incredible integrated graphics unit! It’s hard to believe such high-end specs are tucked away in a chassis this sleek and light. Impressive indeed, ASUS!
The ASUS Zenbook S16’s biggest highlight is inarguably its gorgeous 3K OLED display
Opening up the ASUS Zenbook S16 is quite straightforward, and one of the first things you’ll notice is its luxurious appearance, accentuated by its sleek design. The OLED screen truly makes an impression, offering stunning visuals that look impressive from any perspective.
The ASUS Zenbook S16’s CPU and GPU config as shown by CPU-Z.
As a gamer, I’ve been blown away by the Zenbook S16 right off the bat. Despite its compact size and thermal constraints, it delivers an impressive performance. The LPDDR5X RAM running at a higher clock speed, along with AMD’s latest laptop processor, really makes a noticeable difference. This laptop feels not just powerful, but premium as well – a testament to ASUS’s craftsmanship.
Being someone who strongly prefers keyboards with a number pad and typically opts for laptops that include one, I found myself appreciating its overall feel. Despite it seeming somewhat delicate, this could be due to the compact design of my gaming laptop, which serves as my primary daily device.
The Zenbook S16: Performance With Thermal Limitations
As a gamer, I’m always on the lookout for machines with top-notch performance, and the Zenbook S16 certainly doesn’t disappoint in that department. The storage and RAM are more than enough for most users, but what truly sets it apart is the deca-core AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 Processor. This bad boy is definitely something I’d be eager to put through its paces!
The performance is impressive on standard testing and comparison, however, it shows its boundaries under intense testing with basic benchmarks. For example, the CPU-Z benchmark reveals a noticeable drop in efficiency after a few seconds, as indicated by the graph below.
The Zenbook S16’s CPU performance, as measured by CPU-Z, initially shows a high CPU score. However, it quickly reduces its performance under continuous heavy load.
As a dedicated Zenbook S16 user, I’ve noticed that it’s not an unusual scenario, but rather a matter of how swiftly this laptop throttles thermally under heavy CPU and GPU tasks, like gaming. Many users have expressed concerns that it heats up noticeably quicker than most comparable devices, making it inconvenient for on-the-go use due to the potential for both an uncomfortably warm body and a warmer keyboard. Fortunately, the noise levels stay within acceptable limits, even when the fans ramp up to their maximum during testing.
It’s reasonable to anticipate this, considering the unique shape (S16) it possesses. Emphasis has been placed on a compact, movable design and addressing the heat requirements of one of the market’s most potent laptop APUs, which may deter some users. However, the raw power it delivers for brief bursts of activity could be appealing to others.
To put it another way, although the Zenbook S16 isn’t the speediest laptop on the market, it still manages to offer satisfactory performance, which is quite remarkable given its size. In terms of processing power, gamers can handle light gaming sessions comfortably, while the graphics card holds its own compared to integrated options.
The Verdict On ASUS’s Zenbook S16
The ASUS Zenbook S16 stands as one of the top contenders among Windows laptops, offering a strong challenge to the current MacBook collection. It boasts an attractive design and features a stunning screen, while excelling at various office duties.
This device boasts an integrated Radeon 880M graphics processor, allowing it to run most games at acceptable levels when set to low or medium settings. Moreover, the S16 model comes equipped with a minimum of 24GB VRAM, a spacious 1TB SSD that is becoming common in laptops priced over $1000, and offers various ports suitable for power users and workstation requirements.
For approximately $1400 each, this work laptop isn’t the most affordable on the market, but considering its top-notch construction and competition, it doesn’t have to be. It consistently exceeds expectations for most users. Although it does have drawbacks, such as running warmer and having a battery life that is below average compared to competitors, some of this can be attributed to the power requirements of its OLED screen. In truth, many users would consider this trade-off worthwhile.
Related Products
Consider these laptops instead, as they might be more suitable for your needs, especially if the current Asus Zenbook model doesn’t seem to fulfill your work or gaming requirements.
| Alternate Laptop Option | Name Of Product | Price |
| Macbook Alternative | Apple Macbook Air 15-inch M3 16/512G | $1300 on Amazon |
| The Zenbook S16 With A Faster CPU and More RAM | Zenbook S16 Ryzen 9 AI 370X SKU | $1700 on Best Buy |
| A Snapdragon Elite-based Alternative | Microsoft Surface Pro (Snapdragon X Elite) | $1400 on Amazon |
FAQ
Q: How Much RAM Does The ASUS Zenbook S16 Come With?
For the premium version of the ASUS Zenbook S16, you can find up to 32GB of RAM. On the other hand, there’s a more affordable option that offers 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM.
Q: How Many CPU Cores Does The ASUS Zenbook S16 Offer?
The Zenbook S16 comes in a 10-core or a 12-core configuration depending on the model users opt for.
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2024-11-19 20:05