Skilled’s Ranking
Professionals
- Good efficiency
- Sensible OLED show
- Compact and light-weight
Cons
- Noisy followers
- Comparatively costly
Our Verdict
The Zenbook S 13 OLED has nice efficiency, good battery life and a very good display screen, all inside a tool that weighs simply 1kg. However the price ticket and cooling cease it from being the most effective ultraportable laptop computer you should buy, particularly contemplating how noisy it’s.
Choosing an skinny and lightweight laptop computer normally means making important sacrifices elsewhere.
Efficiency, battery life, ports and show are are among the many commonest compromises, however the 2023 Zenbook S 13 OLED manages to keep away from all of those.
Other than the premium price ticket, are there some other causes to not purchase it? The brief reply is sure, though they won’t be dealbreakers.
Design and construct
- Premium design
- Extraordinarily skinny and lightweight
- Feels very sturdy and sturdy
The ultralight Asus Zenbook fashions we’ve beforehand examined have diversified significantly in weight, and so they’ve not often been among the many lightest. That adjustments with this yr’s prime mannequin, which is without doubt one of the lightest of 2023 to this point at slightly below 1kg.
Even earlier than you turn on the Zenbook S 13 OLED, it’s an eye catching laptop
In line with Asus, it’s “lighter than some other 13.3-inch laptop computer in its class”. However what does that truly imply? There are different 13in laptops that weigh 1kg or much less, so the extra pertinent query is what Asus means by “its class”.
Judging by the best way it seems to be, we’re speaking premium units. Even earlier than you turn on the Zenbook S 13 OLED, it’s an eye catching laptop. Its glossy design and cut-outs within the display screen lid, impressed by Asus’ new emblem, make it unmistakable.
Mattias Inghe
It’s a standard method to a laptop computer of this measurement, with the 13.3in show adopting the traditional widescreen 16:9 facet ratio.
The system is constructed from sturdy items of light-weight steel and holds a inflexible form, though it creaks a bit if you flip it round. You shouldn’t have to fret about long-term sturdiness, although, with military-grade certification for impression resistance.
When open, the again of the display screen cowl goes down behind the keyboard barely. This raises the again of it an additional centimetre or so, resulting in a extra comfy viewing angle and more practical cooling.
Specs and efficiency
- Thirteenth-gen Intel or Ryzen 7000 CPUs
- Spectacular all-round efficiency
- Followers can get annoying
The Zenbook S 13 OLED is without doubt one of the costlier ultralight laptops you should buy, however you continue to get loads of efficiency in your cash.
With a robust Intel Core i7 processor from the newest Thirteenth era, 16GB of RAM, an enormous 1TB SSD and excessive decision OLED show on the mannequin I examined, expectations had been excessive. Fortuitously, Asus actually doesn’t disappoint on the subject of Zenbook S 13 OLED efficiency.
It’s value noting {that a} cheaper AMD Ryzen 7 model can also be obtainable in some international locations, and it provides the identical quantity of RAM and SSD storage. However I can’t touch upon its efficiency or energy effectivity, because the pattern we obtained is the Intel model.
The latter is quick, largely matching an M2 MacBook Air in most assessments. There’s a drop-off in graphical efficiency, which displays the the selection of built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics somewhat than a discrete GPU.
Asus actually doesn’t disappoint on the subject of Zenbook S 13 OLED efficiency
Nevertheless, a learn pace of the 7Gbps means the SSD storage can also be fast. To spice up speeds even additional, there’s the choice to double RAM to 32GB, though you’ll pay a premium.
Some rival laptops provide related specs, however the lack of efficient cooling methods can usually restrict efficiency. On the Zenbook S 13 OLED, the cooling is strong, however not probably the most refined.
In ‘efficiency’ mode, which is meant to have probably the most lively cooling, followers kicked in throughout easy duties similar to watching YouTube or putting in a brand new app. They’ll get annoying throughout extra demanding workloads, however it’s the fixed background whine that proves to be probably the most distracting.
Mattias Inghe
Like many laptops, the Zenbook is susceptible to overheating on its underside. This can be a system for use on a desk – not your lap.
However regardless of the problem of cooling in such a compact chassis, the {hardware} delivers loads of computing energy. You’ll be able to simply edit video and high-resolution images, one thing which may’t at all times be stated for skinny and lightweight laptops.
Show, audio and keyboard
- 13.3in OLED show
- Spectacular color accuracy
- Respectable stereo audio system
ccc. Its an OLED panel, providing all the colourful colors and wonderful distinction we’ve come to anticipate from them.
A most brightness of round 350 nits is pretty typical for a contemporary laptop computer, bit it makes out of doors visibility a little bit of a problem. You might be able to get increased by enabling HDR mode, with the latter delivering a really spectacular HDR expertise.
Mattias Inghe
In comparison with the OLED show on Acer’s Swift Go 14, you may as well anticipate higher color accuracy. There are 4 presets obtainable: Native, sRGB, DCI-P3 and Show P3. All 4 look nice, whereas AdobeRGB protection is equally spectacular – you’re round 96%.
The show on the Zenbook S 13 OLED is completely suited to its supposed function
The Zenbook S 13 OLED has stereo audio system constructed into the underside of the pc, plus Dolby Atmos help on the software program aspect. Because of this, you may anticipate wealthy and full-bodied sound. Music has a particular sound and loads of bass, whereas there’s nice depth to the audio whereas watching movies or TV exhibits.
Beneath the show is a full-size keyboard, though Asus has nonetheless left large margins on all sides. Being such a compact system means there’s comparatively little key journey, one thing which is much more pronounced on Shift and Tab keys.
Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a snug keyboard to sort on. It feels clicky and responsive, whereas the backlighting is suitable for all ambient lighting circumstances. The massive touchpad can also be spectacular, permitting for a degree of precision that you simply don’t at all times get on laptops.
Ports, webcam and software program
- Loads of ports
- Spectacular 1080p webcam
- Clear model of Home windows 11
Regardless of being so skinny, the Zenbook S 13 OLED has a formidable vary of ports. Each USB-C ports help Thunderbolt 4 (on Intel fashions) and can be utilized for charging, whilst you additionally get one USB-A and an HDMI port.
Gadgets such because the Dell XPS 13 Plus make massive sacrifices on this space, providing solely USB-C. Fortunately, Asus has opted for one thing extra sensible. Wi-fi connections through Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are strong, too.
Regardless of being so skinny, the Zenbook S 13 OLED has a formidable vary of ports
Above the display screen, you’ll discover a strong Full HD (1080p) webcam. It handles publicity nicely and provides respectable colors, though you’ll want good ambient lighting for the most effective outcomes.
Asus additionally has an AI-assisted mode, which may blur the background, preserve eye contact with the digital camera, or hold your face in body always. It really works nicely, however places a pressure on the processor and produces intense fan noise.
Mattias Inghe
The Zenbook S 13 OLED runs Home windows 11, and there’s comparatively little further software program. In actual fact, alongside Realtek and Dolby audio tuners and Intel chipset software program, the one different further pre-installed app is MyASUS. It contains numerous further customisation choices, similar to these for the show, cooling and webcam. It’s a worthwhile addition.
Worth and availability
The Zenbook S 13 OLED is a premium laptop computer, and its value displays that.
Within the US, you may decide up the Intel Core i7 mannequin examined for $1,399.99, each from Asus and Greatest Purchase.
The product web page is dwell on the Asus UK web site, however it’s not that can be purchased but. We additionally don’t but understand how a lot it’ll price there.
Nonetheless, that US value places it in direct competitors with a few of the finest laptops you should buy. Amongst 13in units, it’s arguably extra well-rounded than the Dell XPS 13 Plus or Microsoft Floor Laptop computer 5.
Verdict
In case you want a premium laptop computer however portability is your prime precedence, the Zenbook S 13 OLED is unquestionably value contemplating.
Regardless of being simply 1.2cm thick and 1kg in weight, not one of the typical compromises are obvious right here. Efficiency is spectacular, battery life is strong and there are even loads of ports. With a slick design and OLED show that rivals a few of the finest round, there’s quite a bit to love right here.
Nevertheless, it’s on no account excellent. The followers repeatedly kick in and may get annoying, whereas the keyboard lacks true depth.
It’s additionally comparatively costly, so which means the Zenbook S 13 OLED isn’t an prompt advice for everybody. Nevertheless it is a wonderful laptop computer.
Specs
- Show: 13.3in, 16:19 OLED, 2880×1800, 60Hz
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1355U
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- Reminiscence: 16GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Ports: 2x USB-C (each Thunderbolt 4), 1x USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio jack
- Digicam: 1080p front-facing
- Wi-fi: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Battery: 63Wh
- Charging: 65W USB-C (included)
- Working system: Home windows 11 Residence
- Colors: Basalt Gray
- Weight: 1kg
- Dimensions: 29.6 x 21.6 x 1.2 cm
This text has been translated from an authentic posted on PC för Alla.