Asus Zenbook S 16 Review: Aesthetic Appeal and Performance Trade-offs
Windows laptops have often been criticized for having to choose between performance and portability, unlike MacBooks. The Asus Zenbook S 16, powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, aims to challenge this notion. Equipped with 32GB of RAM and a Radeon 880M integrated graphics card, this laptop boasts an attractive design but falls short in several areas.
Heating Concerns: The Elephant in the Room
One major drawback of the Asus Zenbook S 16 is its tendency to reach uncomfortably high temperatures during use. External temperatures peaked at a staggering 130.6 degrees Fahrenheit, particularly during CPU-intensive tasks. While the laptop remained cool during light usage, activities such as syncing large files on OneDrive could cause it to heat up significantly. This issue has been noted by consumers as well, highlighting a crucial flaw in an otherwise appealing device.
Asus has acknowledged the heating problem and is working on adjusting the thermal policy to address it. However, the fact that the laptop is already on sale necessitates caution for potential buyers. While the device may perform well in certain scenarios, the issue of overheating cannot be ignored.
Specifications and Features
The Asus Zenbook S 16 is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, featuring a 10-core CPU with a mix of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, an AMD Radeon 880M integrated GPU, and an AI neural processing unit capable of impressive operations per second. With a 16-inch OLED touchscreen display, 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, and 1TB of solid-state storage, this laptop offers a host of features for its price point.
Design and Build Quality
Sporting a unique “ceraluminum” finish, the Asus Zenbook S 16 stands out with its attractive matte texture. While the ceramic-aluminum coating only applies to the display lid, the laptop’s thin and lightweight design makes it a portable option for users on the go. However, concerns have been raised about the durability of the finish, as some wear and tear was observed despite gentle handling.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The Zenbook S 16 features a spacious, center-aligned keyboard without a numpad, providing a comfortable typing experience. The large touchpad enhances usability, offering responsive navigation without unintended inputs. While the keyboard’s key feel is adequate, some users may prefer a more tactile feedback for improved typing precision.
Display and Audio
Equipped with a stunning OLED touchscreen display, the Zenbook S 16 delivers vibrant colors and excellent contrast for an immersive viewing experience. However, the glossy display may pose visibility challenges in bright environments. The upward-firing speaker system provides clear audio at lower volumes but lacks depth and clarity at higher levels, impacting the overall audio quality.
Webcam, Microphone, and Biometrics
The inclusion of a 1080p webcam and microphone array ensures crisp video quality and clear audio during video calls. Windows Hello facial recognition adds a convenient biometric login option, enhancing security and ease of access for users. The laptop’s presence detection feature helps conserve battery life by automatically locking the device when not in use.
Connectivity and Performance
With USB-C 4.0 ports supporting DisplayPort alternate mode and power delivery, the Zenbook S 16 offers versatile connectivity options. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensures future-proof wireless connectivity for seamless device pairing. However, the laptop’s performance, powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, falls short in synthetic benchmarks compared to competitors in its price range.
Battery Life and Conclusion
Despite its modest 78 watt-hour battery, the Zenbook S 16 delivers impressive battery life, lasting up to 13 and a half hours in standard usage scenarios. While the laptop excels in endurance, its underwhelming performance in multi-core tasks and high external temperatures under load raise concerns for potential buyers. The Asus Zenbook S 16 offers a blend of aesthetic appeal and performance trade-offs, making it a mixed bag for users seeking a balance between style and functionality.
