The ASUS Zenbook S 16 emerges as a premium ultrabook blending sophisticated design with robust performance, targeting professionals seeking a compact yet powerful computing companion. This review explores its capabilities, strengths, and potential limitations in the competitive laptop market.

Design and Build Quality

The Zenbook S 16 showcases a premium Ceraluminum chassis, merging aluminum and ceramic for durability while maintaining a lightweight profile at 1.5kg. Measuring 353.6 x 243 x 11.9 mm, it is among the slimmest laptops available. The Zumaia Gray color exudes professional elegance, though the absence of a dedicated number pad might disappoint productivity-focused users.

Display

Featuring a 16-inch 3K OLED display with 2880 x 1800 pixels resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, the laptop delivers vibrant visuals and deep blacks. HDR10 support and wide viewing angles enhance the viewing experience. Compared to competitors like Dell XPS 15, the display offers exceptional color reproduction, though the glossy finish may challenge outdoor use.

Software

Windows 11 provides an intuitive interface with enhanced multitasking capabilities. ASUS’s MyASUS utility offers system optimization and battery management. While the pre-installed software proves generally useful, some users might find it slightly cluttered.

Performance

Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, the Zenbook S 16 excels in everyday computing tasks. With up to 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD, it handles web browsing, document editing, and light content creation seamlessly. The integrated AMD Radeon graphics provide decent performance for casual gaming and video editing. However, it falls short compared to the Dell XPS 15 or MacBook Pro with dedicated graphics, making it less suitable for intensive tasks like 3D rendering or high-end gaming. Despite this limitation, the laptop compensates with remarkable efficiency and speed for daily professional workflows.

Battery Life

The 78Wh battery delivers up to 10 hours of mixed-use, with fast charging enabling a 50% recharge in approximately one hour. Performance varies with workload intensity but generally offers reliable mobile computing endurance.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard offers 1.1mm key travel, providing a comfortable and quiet typing experience. Backlighting enhances low-light usability. The large, responsive trackpad supports multi-touch gestures, featuring touch-sensitive sliders for volume and brightness adjustments.

Ports and Connectivity

Comprehensive connectivity includes two USB-C ports (one Thunderbolt 4), two USB-A ports, HDMI output, and an SD card reader. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure stable and fast wireless connections.

Audio and Webcam

Built-in speakers deliver adequate but unremarkable audio. The microphone performs well during video calls, while the webcam provides basic functionality for casual conferencing.

Thermal Performance

A dual-fan cooling system effectively manages heat during intensive tasks, maintaining reasonable temperatures with minimal noise generation.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Sleek, durable Ceraluminum design
• Stunning OLED display
• Powerful AMD Ryzen AI processor
• Comprehensive port selection
• Comfortable keyboard
• Decent battery life

Cons

• Average webcam quality
• Integrated graphics limitations
• Underwhelming speaker performance
• Slight thermal warmth during heavy use

Market Buzz

Online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart showcase mixed user reactions, praising the laptop’s lightweight design and display while criticizing graphics performance for intensive creative work.

Pricing

• AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 variant: ₹1,49,990

Value for Money

The Zenbook S 16 offers compelling value within its segment, balancing premium design, performance, and display quality against its graphics limitations.

Final Verdict

The ASUS Zenbook S 16 delivers an impressive ultrabook experience, combining style and functionality. While not meeting all power users’ demands, it remains an attractive option for professionals seeking portability and performance.