The Asus Zenbook S 14 is an eye-catching new release that showcases the capabilities of Intel’s Lunar Lake architecture in a portable, high-performing laptop. Known for its lightweight, rugged design, and powerful processing, the Zenbook S 14 is an appealing choice for professionals and casual users alike. With its unique ceralumium build, a stunning OLED display, and competitive battery life, Asus delivers a laptop that promises versatility, elegance, and strength. Here’s a deep dive into each element that makes the Zenbook S 14 worth considering.
Design and Build Quality: A Modern, Sustainable Touch
The design of the Asus Zenbook S 14 truly stands out. Weighing in at just 1.2kg (2.7 lbs) and only 1.2cm thick, this laptop is incredibly lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around all day without hassle. It’s designed for professionals who need power without the weight, and this combination of lightness and durability is made possible by Asus’ choice of ceralumium, a material that merges the resilience of ceramic with the weightlessness of aluminum. Not only does it provide a modern, sleek aesthetic, but it’s also environmentally friendly, as Asus states the material is entirely recyclable.
The ceralumium casing also resists fingerprint smudges better than typical metal surfaces, which is ideal for anyone who dislikes the constant need for cleaning. Its sleek edges and smooth finish give the laptop a refined look, reminiscent of an ancient tablet with a tech-savvy twist. However, the slim build also results in a limitation of ports—a trade-off for its slim profile. The laptop includes two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. While these ports suffice for standard usage, professionals with extensive peripheral needs may require an additional USB hub.
Display Quality: Vivid and Fluid 3K OLED
The Zenbook S 14 comes with a stunning 14-inch 3K OLED display that offers a resolution perfect for productivity and entertainment. With a refresh rate of 120Hz, the display delivers a fluid experience, whether you’re scrolling through web pages or watching videos. The OLED technology is particularly beneficial for movie lovers or those working on graphics-intensive projects, as it offers deep contrasts and vibrant colors, giving life to every image. This display is an excellent choice for creatives who value accurate colors and sharpness.
However, the 14-inch size, while practical for portability, can feel slightly cramped when multitasking with multiple windows side-by-side. A larger display might provide a more comfortable experience in such cases, but the 3K resolution compensates by keeping text and images crisp, allowing users to appreciate finer details. Additionally, the display is a touchscreen, adding a layer of convenience for those who enjoy a more hands-on approach to navigation.
Performance: Robust for Productivity, Modest for Gaming
Under the hood, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake chipset, making it among the first laptops to showcase the potential of this technology. The model tested here features the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB SSD, which enables smooth performance even under heavy usage. Benchmark scores reveal that this machine is a productivity powerhouse, handling demanding applications and multitasking without faltering. The high-capacity RAM is particularly helpful for users who rely on multiple applications simultaneously, offering a seamless experience for web browsing, document editing, and light media work.
When it comes to gaming, however, the Zenbook S 14 has its limitations. While Intel’s Lunar Lake chip does allow basic gaming, this laptop isn’t designed to handle graphic-heavy titles at higher settings. Games such as Cyberpunk 2077 can run, but only at the lowest graphical settings. The laptop also tends to run hot during these activities, and while playable, the experience falls short of what gaming enthusiasts might hope for. This laptop isn’t marketed as a gaming machine, so for users who prioritize high-quality gaming, a dedicated gaming laptop would be a better choice.
AI and Future-Readiness with Copilot+
One of the exciting aspects of the Zenbook S 14 is its integration of Intel’s NPU, which enables compatibility with Microsoft’s upcoming Copilot+ AI features. The NPU is capable of 48 trillion operations per second, providing a 173% boost in AI efficiency over previous generations. This makes the Zenbook S 14 a forward-thinking device for those interested in experimenting with or relying on AI-driven workflows. While Copilot+ hasn’t launched at the time of this review, Asus claims the Zenbook S 14 will be ready to handle these new features, adding long-term value and future-proofing to its list of strengths.
Once Copilot+ becomes available, users should be able to enjoy enhanced productivity, task automation, and a more interactive experience with their device. It’s especially beneficial for professionals who require AI tools for research, data organization, or content creation. With the dedicated button to access Copilot, users can expect quick and convenient interaction with this feature.
Battery Life: Built to Last
Battery life is one of the Zenbook S 14’s strong points. Asus claims the laptop can last up to 27 hours in ideal conditions, such as watching offline movies. In practical testing, it performed impressively, lasting over 20 hours during mixed usage, which included web browsing, video streaming, and document work. For users who spend a full day working away from outlets, this is a major advantage, as the Zenbook S 14 can easily handle a day of travel or back-to-back meetings without needing a charge.
In real-world testing, the laptop remained functional without charge from morning through the following afternoon, meeting most professional demands on a single charge. For users who prioritize battery longevity in their laptops, the Zenbook S 14’s endurance will prove advantageous, especially compared to similar laptops with shorter battery spans.
Pricing and Configurations: Premium Cost for Premium Featur
The Asus Zenbook S 14 is priced at $1,499.99 in the U.S., with similar price points in other regions. The base model includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, but higher-end configurations are also available, featuring Intel’s Ultra 9 chipset and more powerful specifications. In the UK, a top-tier version costs around £1,749, while a more budget-friendly model with reduced storage and RAM is available for £1,299.
Considering its sleek design, premium materials, and impressive performance, the Zenbook S 14’s price reflects its high-end positioning. While the price may deter some budget-conscious buyers, the combination of advanced features, reliable performance, and future-ready AI support positions the Zenbook S 14 as a worthy investment for users willing to pay for quality.
Verdict: Who is the Asus Zenbook S 14 For?
In the competitive world of laptops, the Asus Zenbook S 14 distinguishes itself with a blend of elegance, portability, and performance. Its innovative use of ceralumium gives it a unique, fingerprint-resistant design that appeals to users seeking a durable yet sophisticated laptop. While it lacks some connectivity options, this trade-off is acceptable for those focused on maintaining a lightweight device.
For productivity-focused users, the Zenbook S 14 excels, thanks to its 3K OLED display, substantial battery life, and seamless multitasking capability. However, gaming enthusiasts may find the performance a bit lacking, as the laptop struggles with graphic-intensive titles. The integration of AI capabilities and readiness for Copilot+ makes it particularly appealing to forward-looking professionals interested in exploring AI-driven workflows.
In summary, the Asus Zenbook S 14 is a premium laptop best suited for users who need a high-performance machine for everyday tasks, light creative work, and prolonged usage without sacrificing battery life. Its price is justified by its innovative design and robust feature set, making it an excellent choice for those willing to invest in quality and future-ready technology.
