Asus has unveiled two new laptops, the Zenbook S14 and Vivobook S14, powered by Intel’s latest Core Ultra Series 2 processors. These laptops mark the arrival of Intel’s Lunar Lake-powered devices, offering a significant performance upgrade and innovative design features.
The Zenbook S14 is a standout in the lineup, boasting a remarkably slim design. At just 1.1 centimeters thick and weighing 1.2 kilograms, it’s the slimmest 14-inch laptop Asus has ever produced, ideal for users who prioritize portability without sacrificing performance. While visually similar to its predecessor, the new Zenbook S14 stands out with its unique Ceraluminum lid. This innovative material combines the feel of ceramic, almost like sandstone, with the durability of aluminum. Available in Scandinavian White and Zumaia Grey, the lid offers a distinctive aesthetic and a robust feel.
Beyond the aesthetics, the Zenbook S14 is engineered for cooling efficiency. A geometric grille design above the keyboard features 2,715 CNC-machined cooling vents, enhancing airflow by up to 50%. This, coupled with an improved ultra-slim vapor chamber, a bi-layer graphite sheet, and a dual-fan solution, ensures efficient heat dissipation even at the laptop’s peak 28W TDP.
The Zenbook S14 is equipped with a powerful audio system featuring four high-quality speakers, and a 1080p webcam with integrated AI effects for clear video conferencing. Windows Hello face recognition and noise cancellation further enhance the webcam’s capabilities. Despite its slim design, the Zenbook S14 packs a 72-watt-hour battery, offering up to 27 hours of offline video playback. The display remains unchanged from early 2024 models, featuring a 14-inch 16:10 2.8K 120Hz OLED panel with touch support. It delivers 500 nits brightness with HDR enabled, 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, and Pantone validation for stunning visuals.
Under the hood, the Zenbook S14 is powered by Intel’s latest Core Ultra Series 2 chipsets, configurable with the top-tier Core Ultra 9 288V processor. These new chips deliver impressive performance, with the NPU (neural processing unit) achieving up to 48 tera operations per second (TOPS) and a combined performance of 120 TOPS. Memory options include 16GB or 32GB of onboard LPDDR5x-8533MHz RAM, and up to a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD. For connectivity, the Zenbook S14 offers two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports, a full-size HDMI 2.1 port, a USB Type-A Gen 3.2 Gen 2, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Wireless connectivity is handled by an integrated module supporting Wi-Fi 7 (tri-band) and Bluetooth 5.4. The Zenbook S14 is priced starting at $1,400 and is available for preorder starting September 6th.
The Vivobook S 14, a more affordable alternative to the Zenbook S14, offers a slightly thicker and heavier design at 1.3 kilograms and 1.39 centimeters at its thinnest point. Priced from $1,000, it still boasts a sleek profile and robust specifications. It’s powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, paired with an Intel Arc 140V GPU, 32GB LPDDR5x RAM, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. The 14-inch OLED display features a 1920 by 1200 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. The Vivobook S 14 also includes modern connectivity options like Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a 75Whr battery, potentially offering longer battery life than the Zenbook S14.
Asus has also introduced convertible versions of the Vivobook, available in 14- and 16-inch models. These models feature 360-degree hinges for versatile use in tent, stand, and tablet modes, making them ideal for users seeking flexibility. Both models boast touch displays with inking support, up to Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPUs, Intel Arc 140V GPUs, and 75Whr batteries. The 14-inch model strikes a balance between size and functionality, while the 16-inch model provides more screen real estate for those who need it. Asus’s latest Zenbook and Vivobook laptops offer a compelling range of options for users seeking performance, portability, and versatility, powered by Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 2 processors.
