At a look
Professional’s Score
Execs
- Good efficiency
- Good 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 one of the best ultraportable laptop computer you should purchase, particularly contemplating how noisy it’s.
Worth When Reviewed
$1,399.99
Greatest Costs At present: Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304)
$1399.99
Choosing an skinny and lightweight laptop computer normally means making vital 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.
Apart from the premium price ticket, are there every other causes to not purchase it? The brief reply is sure, though they may not 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 drastically in weight, and so they’ve not often been among the many lightest. That modifications with this yr’s prime mannequin, which is among the lightest of 2023 up to now at just 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 every other 13.3-inch laptop computer in its class”. However what does that really 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 way in which it appears to be like, we’re speaking premium units. Even earlier than you turn on the Zenbook S 13 OLED, it’s an eye catching laptop. Its smooth design and cut-outs within the display screen lid, impressed by Asus’ new brand, make it unmistakable.
Mattias Inghe
It’s a standard strategy to a laptop computer of this dimension, with the 13.3in show adopting the traditional widescreen 16:9 facet ratio.
The system is constructed from sturdy items of light-weight metallic 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 influence 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 snug viewing angle and simpler 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 among the costlier ultralight laptops you should purchase, however you continue to get loads of efficiency to your cash.
With a robust Intel Core i7 processor from the most recent Thirteenth era, 16GB of RAM, an enormous 1TB SSD and excessive decision OLED show on the mannequin I examined, expectations have been excessive. Fortuitously, Asus actually doesn’t disappoint in terms of Zenbook S 13 OLED efficiency.
It’s price noting {that a} cheaper AMD Ryzen 7 model can be obtainable in some nations, and it gives 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 exams. There’s a drop-off in graphical efficiency, which displays the the selection of built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics quite than a discrete GPU.
Asus actually doesn’t disappoint in terms of Zenbook S 13 OLED efficiency
Nevertheless, a learn pace of the 7Gbps means the SSD storage can 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 programs can typically restrict efficiency. On the Zenbook S 13 OLED, the cooling is strong, however not essentially the most refined.
In ‘efficiency’ mode, which is meant to have essentially the most energetic cooling, followers kicked in throughout easy duties comparable to watching YouTube or putting in a brand new app. They will get annoying throughout extra demanding workloads, however it’s the fixed background whine that proves to be essentially the most distracting.
Mattias Inghe
Like many laptops, the Zenbook is vulnerable 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 possibly can simply edit video and high-resolution images, one thing which may’t all the time be stated for skinny and lightweight laptops.
Show, audio and keyboard
- 13.3in OLED show
- Spectacular color accuracy
- First rate stereo audio system
ccc. Its an OLED panel, providing all the colourful colors and wonderful distinction we’ve come to count on from them.
A most brightness of round 350 nits is pretty typical for a contemporary laptop computer, bit it makes outside visibility a little bit of a problem. You might be able to get greater 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 can too count on 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 meant 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. Consequently, you’ll be able to count on 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.
Under the show is a full-size keyboard, though Asus has nonetheless left huge 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 be spectacular, permitting for a degree of precision that you just don’t all the time 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 powerful 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.
Units 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 by way of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are strong, too.
Regardless of being so skinny, the Zenbook S 13 OLED has a powerful vary of ports
Above the display screen, you’ll discover a strong Full HD (1080p) webcam. It handles publicity effectively and gives respectable colors, though you’ll want good ambient lighting for one of the best outcomes.
Asus additionally has an AI-assisted mode, which may blur the background, keep eye contact with the digital camera, or maintain your face in body always. It really works effectively, 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 additional software program. In truth, alongside Realtek and Dolby audio tuners and Intel chipset software program, the one different additional pre-installed app is MyASUS. It contains varied additional customisation choices, comparable 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 worth displays that.
Within the US, you’ll be able to choose 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 website, however it’s not that can be purchased but. We additionally don’t but understand how a lot it’ll value there.
Nonetheless, that US worth places it in direct competitors with a few of the finest laptops you should purchase. 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 certainly price 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 so much to love right here.
Nevertheless, it’s on no account good. 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 instantaneous advice for everybody. But it surely 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 Dwelling
- 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.