The Asus Vivobook S 15 marks an interesting shift in the laptop market given its positioning as one of the first “Copilot+ PCs” with a focus on AI capabilities. The Asus Vivobook S 15 is a significant shift in the market, as it’s one of the ‘Copilot+ PCs’ with a strong focus on AI capabilities. The laptop is designed with a sleek look and the Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor to provide both style and AI enhanced performance.
Let’s look at the details and see how it balances its ambitions with actual usability.
Build
Asus has made a concerted effort to make the Vivobook 15 both attractive and functional. All-metal construction gives the Vivobook S 15 a premium look and feel, with a minimalistic aesthetic that will appeal to both professionals and students. It’s a portable 15-inch laptop that weighs just 1.42kg and measures 14.7mm wide.
The laptop has a tapered, unibody design which not only looks stylish but also offers structural integrity. The CNC-engraved logo adds sophistication and a nice touch. The ErgoLift 180-degree hinge allows for flexible viewing angles as well as improved airflow.
The port selection is generous for such a lightweight laptop. On the left, you will find an HDMI 2.0 port, two USB4 (supporting external monitors and high-speed data transfers), a MicroSD reader, and an Audio jack. On the right, you’ll find two USB 3.2 Type-A Gen 1 ports. This combination will cover the needs of most users without needing too many dongles. However, some may miss having a full-size SD slot.
Display
ASUS calls the display “Lumina OLED”, a 15.6-inch OLED panel with a 3K resolution (2880 x1620). This screen is designed to provide smooth visuals, both for work and entertainment. It has a 120Hz rate of refreshment. Although the 16:9 aspect is a little dated in comparison to 16:10 displays that are becoming more popular, it still remains a great choice for media consumption.
OLED technology is a winner in terms of picture quality. The display boasts a peak brightness of 600 nits, and is certified by VESA DisplayHDR True Black. It also offers vibrant colors and excellent contrast. Pantone validation and 100% DCI P3 gamut coverage suggest high colour accuracy. This could appeal to content creators.
Keypad and Touchpad
Asus equipped the Vivobook 15 with their ErgoSense keyboard. A number pad on a 15″ laptop is an excellent feature, especially for those who work with numerical data frequently. The single-zone RGB backlighting is a nice addition, as it allows for customization. The laptop is fast and smooth, and the sound level was minimal.
This laptop is AI-centric, and the Copilot key is a standout feature. It could be useful to quickly access AI assistance. However, its long-term worth will depend on the way Microsoft integrates Copilot with Windows and how users adjust to it.
The generous size of the touchpad at 129.7×84.8mm allows for plenty of space to perform gestures and navigate. Asus also includes Smart Gesture Technology for adjusting audio or optimizing screen brightness.
Camera
The Vivobook S 15 is equipped with a Full HD 1080p webcam. This is an upgrade over the 720p cameras that are still on many laptops. 3DNR (3D Noise Reduction), a technology that reduces noise, may improve low-light performance. However, real-world tests are needed to confirm this.
Windows Hello face authentication is also supported, which adds an additional security feature. The privacy shutter addresses the privacy concerns of many users. The clarity of the video during meetings and calls was excellent.
Processor and Performance
Vivobook S 15, which runs Windows 11 Home is at the forefront of Microsoft’s AI push for consumers. It is compatible with features such as Copilot, and will soon be receiving upcoming capabilities (such as Recall) from Microsoft. This tight integration of Windows 11 AI features with the laptop could set it apart by offering a more intelligent and cohesive computing experience.
The laptop is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Processor, which marks a major departure from the Intel or AMD processors found in the majority of Windows laptops. This ARM-based processor promises to deliver high performance while also improving energy efficiency. It could be the perfect combination of both. Adreno GPU is integrated into the chip. It’s not going to be able to compete with the high-end discrete GPUs but it can handle everyday graphics and gaming.
The Qualcomm AI Engine is a standout feature, with 45 TOPS in AI performance. The combination of 16GB LPDDR5X RAM at 8448 MHz and a PCIe 4.0 SSD with 1TB capacity delivers smooth performance in most situations. Asus’ IceCool thermal system features two 97 blade fans, two heatpipes, and two exhaust ventilations. The cooling system and dust filters are designed to keep noise levels low while maintaining performance.
Software compatibility is a concern, especially for older Windows applications. Windows’ x86 emulation has improved but users who have specific software requirements should check compatibility first before committing.
This laptop’s AI capabilities are its biggest selling point. ASUS boasts features such as AI-powered categorisation of multimedia libraries, noise cancellation technology for audio and adaptive screen dimming for privacy and energy saving.
Battery
Asus claims a battery life of 18 hours with the 70Wh, but we didn’t test it in one go. The laptop was able to last comfortably for 10+ hours during our office hours. This laptop is compatible with USB-C charging up to 90W, which makes it convenient for quick top-ups. The Snapdragon processor’s efficiency is a major factor in ensuring a long battery life.
Verdict
The new Asus Vivobook S 15 is priced at Rs 1,24,990 and represents a fascinating step into the world AI-focused Windows laptops powered by ARM. The sleek design and vibrant OLED screen, along with the promise of high performance and long battery life, make this an attractive laptop. Its focus on AI capabilities makes it stand out in a crowded marketplace, and could offer unique productivity enhancements. The Vivobook S 15 is a great choice for users who are interested in AI-enhanced computers and want to be among the first adopters of ARM based Windows laptops.
