The Asus Vivobook S 15 is an interesting addition to the world of Copilot+ PCs. It’s one of the few 15-inch laptops with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chipset and an OLED display, making it a unique offering for users who desire a larger screen size.
The Vivobook S 15 comes in two configurations, starting at $1,100 for the Snapdragon X Plus with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, and $1,300 for the Snapdragon X Elite with a 1TB SSD. It’s priced competitively with other Copilot+ laptops, offering a fair value for its features.
While the Vivobook S 15 is classified as a midrange laptop, it doesn’t quite feel as premium as some of Asus’s higher-end Zenbook models. The lid is a bit bendable, and the chassis and keyboard deck have some give, which isn’t ideal for a premium feel. However, it’s on par with other Copilot+ laptops in terms of overall design.
The Vivobook S 15’s most notable feature is its 16:9 aspect ratio display, a departure from the more common 16:10 or 3:2 aspect ratios in modern laptops. This wider display makes the Vivobook feel more like a classic laptop, but it may not be the best option for productivity work. On the plus side, the OLED display is fantastic, offering vivid colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast.
The keyboard has large keycaps and a comfortable layout, but the switches feel a bit loose and mushy. The touchpad is large and responsive, but it lacks the haptic feedback found on some other Copilot+ laptops.
Connectivity is good, with USB4, a microSD card reader, and Wi-Fi 7. The webcam is a 1080p model with an IR camera for facial recognition. The Vivobook S 15 also features a powerful NPU that exceeds the Copilot+ specification, enabling features like Microsoft Studio Effects, Live Captions, and Cocreator.
The Vivobook S 15’s performance is surprisingly good, given its slower Snapdragon X Plus chipset. It’s nearly as fast as some laptops with the faster Snapdragon X Elite chipsets, making it suitable for productivity tasks. However, its slower Adreno GPU may not be ideal for gaming or creative tasks.
Battery life is excellent, with the Vivobook S 15 delivering good endurance in web browsing and even better performance in video looping. It doesn’t quite match the efficiency of the Apple MacBook Air M3, but it’s still impressive for a Copilot+ laptop.
Overall, the Asus Vivobook S 15 is a solid option for users who want a larger Copilot+ PC with a stunning OLED display. However, its wider 16:9 aspect ratio and some design compromises may not appeal to everyone. If you prioritize productivity, a laptop with a taller display might be a better choice. But if you enjoy media consumption and value excellent battery life, the Vivobook S 15 is worth considering.
