The Asus Zenbook S 16, equipped with AMD’s latest Ryzen AI processor, promises to rival both Intel and Qualcomm in gaming, content creation, and AI processing, all while being thinner and lighter than the MacBook Air. But does it live up to the hype?
Asus faces stiff competition, particularly from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon laptops, which boast exceptional battery life. To stand out, the Zenbook S 16 needs to excel not just in speed but also in battery life, build quality, user comfort, features, and price. It’s a tall order, but Asus is making a strong case with this model.
Design and Build Quality
One of the standout features of the Zenbook S 16 is its ultra-slim profile. Despite being a 16-inch laptop, it’s incredibly thin at just 0.47 inches and weighs a mere 3.31 pounds. The keyboard is ergonomically placed closer to the front, making typing more comfortable, even on such a large device. The exterior is equally impressive, featuring a hard, ceramic oxide layer over the aluminum chassis, giving it a unique texture and sleek appearance.
Display and Performance
The Zenbook S 16 sports a 16-inch OLED display with a 3K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for both work and play. When it comes to performance, the AMD Ryzen AI chip delivers, especially in graphics-intensive tasks. It outperforms Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors in gaming and content creation, making it a versatile option for those who need a portable yet powerful machine.
Battery Life and AI Features
However, the Zenbook S 16 does come with some trade-offs, particularly in battery life. Despite having a large 78Wh battery, it only manages about 11 hours of use, which is short compared to its competitors. Additionally, the AI features, such as the StoryCube app, were disappointing, with some not functioning as expected.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is a strong contender in the laptop market, offering a great balance between portability, performance, and design. While it doesn’t fully deliver on all its promises, especially in terms of AI functionality and battery life, it still stands out as one of the best 16-inch Windows laptops available this summer. If you’re looking for a laptop that can handle both productivity and light gaming without being cumbersome, the Zenbook S 16 is worth considering.
