- Features, Ergonomics & Design
- General Computing & CPU Performance
- Graphics & Gaming Performance
- Portability & Battery Life
- Value For Money
We recently ran our November 2024 Best Laptop Group Test and the impressive Core Ultra (Series 2)-based Asus Zenbook S 14 retained its Number 1 position. That’s extraordinary in a market that includes powerful gaming beasts, low-cost budget models, convertible tablets and laptops that do everything.
What’s more, before it left our presence, we got the opportunity to play Call of Duty on it and were seeing framerates of 60 to 80fps in competitive, online matches. That’s seriously impressive for a 1.19KG ultraportable with integrated graphics and almost 24 hours of battery life. And, it’s a testament to Intel’s new (Lunar Lake architecture) multi-core Xe2 GPU.
Let’s not forget, either, that this slight laptop has enough Ai TOPS chops to run the CoPilot+ Ai assistant; it has a fast (120Hz), ultra-high resolution (2,880 x 1,800), HDR, OLED display; it’s got one of the very best webcams we’ve ever seen on a laptop; a speaker that doesn’t seem possible, owing to its volume, fidelity and bass response; it’s got Wi-Fi 7 and plenty of latest-and-greatest ports built-in, including HDMI; and, to top everything else, it’s a touch-screen model and Asus bundles it’s Pen 2.0 stylus with the laptop. Oh, and its Ceraluminum chassis is as solid as it is ecofriendly. Ultimately, for many laptop buyers, it’s all they’ll ever need.
We spoke to Asus Australia’s Bradley Howe – Head of Consumer Laptops – to find out what he thought of the diminutive marvel and how it was faring in the market
Where does this Zenbook S 14 sit in terms of business versus consumer use?
The Zenbook S 14 is primarily a consumer laptop, engineered to deliver an exceptional computing experience for daily use. However, it also offers robust capabilities that make it equally suitable for business needs. The latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (Series 2) delivers extreme speed, enhanced graphics, longer battery life, and comprehensive AI capabilities — meeting the demands of both personal and professional environments.
Additionally, the Zenbook S 14 is equipped with innovative features like Asus StoryCube, which leverages assistive AI to help users organise and edit photos and videos. This feature empowers consumers to sort, group and enhance content without needing complex software. For business users, StoryCube can be a valuable tool for visual content management and project organisation. Overall, we feel the Zenbook S 14 sets a new standard for productivity and creativity, catering to a diverse range of users who value both performance and ease of use.
For people who are nervous about the CoPilot+ features and their security implications, what can be said to reassure them?
The CoPilot+ features on Asus devices are developed in collaboration with trusted tech partners, including Microsoft, who are dedicated to delivering the most secure experiences for users. By leveraging industry-leading security measures from these partners, we ensure that customer data is protected at every level. We also encourage users to take an active role in learning about this new computing category. Our goal as a brand is to help consumers understand how AI-powered features, like CoPilot+, can enhance their productivity while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security.
Do you expect Lunar Lake to impact ARM-based CoPilot+ laptops?
The introduction of Intel’s Lunar Lake architecture brings new advancements in power efficiency, Ai capabilities and graphics performance that could influence the broader laptop market, including ARM-based CoPilot+ devices. While Lunar Lake offers its own set of benefits, ARM-based CoPilot+ laptops still have their strengths, particularly in lightweight design and energy efficiency.
The evolution of both architectures presents an exciting opportunity for innovation and enhanced user experiences across different platforms. Ultimately, the impact will depend on how each technology continues to develop and how these advancements are leveraged by manufacturers to cater to diverse consumer needs.
What does Lunar Lake mean to Asus?
Our collaboration with Intel, through Lunar Lake, represents Asus’ ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality laptops that balance performance and efficiency for all users. With improved support for Ai capabilities, increased graphical performance and improved battery life, Lunar Lake enables Asus to elevate the overall computing experience. This milestone aligns with Asus’ vision of continually pushing the boundaries of innovation to provide consumers with the best technologies and products to enhance their Content Creation, Productivity & Learning experiences.
What other ranges can we expect to see Lunar Lake appear in and which models won’t use it and why?
We continue to work closely with our partners at Intel to bring consumers the latest technologies, like Lunar Lake, that will support their needs in content creation, productivity, and learning. While we can’t comment on future product specifics, our focus remains on delivering devices that harness cutting-edge innovations to enhance the user experience across various categories.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
The Zenbook S 14 is one of Asus’ final AI PC product announcement for 2024 and continues the brand’s pursuit to make premium technology available to every Australian. The company is continuing to drive the Ai revolution in the PC industry forward by bringing the industry’s most comprehensive AI PC lineup to market. With this latest range of Ai PCs, Asus continues to focus on bringing top-tier performance, technologies and features to allow Australians to create, work and learn smarter than before.
The Zenbook S 14’s versatile capabilities make it an ideal choice for a wide range of uses, whether for work, play, or creative pursuits. Its powerful graphical performance and extended battery life, a 3K OLED screen, while the enhanced speakers and microphone offer immersive sound quality for music and video calls.
Thoughtfully designed features — such as the lightweight and durable Ceraluminum chassis, along with a more intuitive keyboard and touchpad — provide exceptional comfort and ease of use for personal tasks. These combined attributes make the Zenbook S 14 a well-rounded device for users seeking both versatility and performance.
Last Updated on 7 November 2024 by Nick Ross
