Asus Zenbook S 16 – Specification
Asus Zenbook S 16 is a well -known and respected series of notebooks that combines high quality and small physical sizes. The tested copy was equipped with AMD processor – Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 based on the Strix Point architecture (Zen 5), which changes a lot in terms of configuration and processor capabilities. First of all, we have two types of Zen 5 – 4 cores somehow full and 8 with lower clocking (Zen 5C). In total, this system has up to 12 cores and supports 24 threads, and in addition it can work with a maximum clock of 5.15 GHz. All this on a computer with a thickness of only 13 mm (!).
The test model is also equipped with 32 GB (soldered) RAM LPDDR5X, 1 TB SSD and OLED 120 Hz screen with a diagonal of 16 inches (2880 x 1800 pixels). For this we have a 78 Wh battery, a solid housing made of aluminum alloy and a set of nice speakers. A set of ports also looks good, we have 1x USB-A, 2x USB-C in the USB 4.0 standard with power Delivery and Display Port and HDMI port. On the plus side, you also need to record an illuminated keyboard and IR camera compatible with Windows Hello technology. However, a fingerprint reader is missing. The price is unfortunately not low, currently about PLN 8,500.
| Asus zenbook s 16 | |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 12 cores/24 threads, 5.15 GHz |
| Frame | 32 GB LPDDR5X-7500, QUAD-channel |
| GPU | AMD Radeon 890M, 2500 MHz |
| SSD | 1 TB SSD |
| Other | 1080p camera with IR Illuminated keyboard SDXC card reader |
| Screen | 16 inches, 2880 x 1800 pixels, OLED, 120 Hz |
| Wlan | MediaTek MT7925 (WiFi 7), BT 5.4 |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home 64bit |
| Battery | 78 Wh |
| Ports | 1x USB-A 3.1 GEN 2 1x HDMI 2.1 2x USB-C 4.0 (PD, Display Port) 1x audio port |
| Dimensions | 353.6 x 243 x 13 mm |
| Libra | 1.51 kg |
| Price | ~ 8499PLN (February 2024) |
Asus Zenbook S 16 – Design
The ZenBook S 16 computers are models that have been very good among users for years. The material is impressive primarily by the housing made. Every year, in each subsequent generation ASUS surprises us with new ideas and makes computers look even better. The top cover has only a small model designation and a few seemingly random lines. Instead, it provides adequate screen stiffness and adheres perfectly to the bottom of the housing. The flap hinge is very solid and makes a positive impression.
From below, ZenBook S 16 looks ordinary. A large belt of ventilation gaps allows you to maintain the right temperature, in which two fans help efficiently. However, the speakers were hidden in the side indentation and are almost invisible. However, I have to admit that they do great, generating a very good quality sound, especially considering the size of the computer itself. The sound that comes out of this baby can impress and the fact that this is not a isolated case has recently been. More and more companies are paying attention to this aspect, to the satisfaction of users.
Despite the large housing, Asus was not tempted to place a numerical block here. Instead, we have a large aluminum slope that is simply wasted. Competition can install, for example, additional speakers in such a place. These were also not in the upper part of the housing, because this perforated surface helps to wareworth excess heat. Despite the small thickness of the housing, the keyboard mounted in this computer has not only the backlight but also a very pleasant key jump. In addition, its layout is very convenient. An unusually placed on the switching button, which was between the PRTSCR and Delete keys. Until he is asked to transfer it to the “ZenBook” logo slightly higher. I also liked the touchpad, it has a large surface, good tenderness and a very pleasant click, which is not so obvious in other devices than a MacBook.
The number of expansion ports for such a narrow housing is satisfactory. On the left we have HDMI, 2 USB-C ports in the 4.0 standard and a headphone jack. On the right there was a place for a USB type A port and an SDXC memory card reader. USB-C sockets are also used for charging the computer, and the charger included in the set offers a power of 65 W. On the plus side you have to include the fact that we put it straight into the socket, so we do not have to carry an additional cable with us.
The video call camera is mounted on a frame above the screen, which, despite this, remains very narrow. The image quality from the camera is very good (1080p), and thanks to IR technology it also allows you to log in to the system by recognizing the face. It works like a face ID in Apple products, it is fast and effective, so we are not so bad for a fingerprint reader.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – screen
OLED display with a 120 Hz refreshment and a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels makes a great impression. The backlight is practically evenly even with an error of 1%, but reaches only 400 rivets. This can cause some problems in sunny rooms, because unfortunately the matrix is covered with a shiny layer. I repeat myself again, but I think it is time for other manufacturers to use the nanostructural technology that appeared in MacBooks Pro.
The measured static contrast is practically infinite, because we are dealing with an OLED matrix. After calibration, we also have a great color reproduction and 100% covering the SRGB and DCI-P3 color palette. You still need to add a 120 Hz refreshment to the list of advantages that improve the smoothness of the animation. At the moment, it is difficult to find a better display in the notebook, not counting its brightness, which could be slightly higher, although it must be remembered that in HDR mode it can exceed 500 rivets.
ASUS ZenBook S 16 – performance
The latest AMD processor – Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 was a big puzzle. It has two types of Zen 5 cores that have similar possibilities in terms of construction, but work with completely different clocks. 4 Full -fledged cores can reach a clock speed of 5150 MHz, while smaller Zen 5C cores stop at 3275 MHz. At a heavy load, the clock of all cores is more oscillating within less than 3 GHz due to energy limits. Despite this, we must remember that we have as many as 12 cores supporting 24 threads at the same time, which in such a neat computer seems almost unbelievable. In addition, there is also the AMD Radeon 890M graphics system using the quick memory of LPDDR5X, which also promises to be promising.
The performance results look very good. The possibilities of one core may not be as good as in the latest Intel or Apple processors, but when all of them go to work, it is something to boast about. On some charts you will also find the results of Apple processors, which I probably give a better context. For example, at Cinebench 2024 or Geekbench 6, the advantage of the Apple M4 processor in a single -core test is huge, but in multi -core tests it turns out to be better. Generally, in everyday use, you do not feel deficiencies, and you have to remember that this computer downloads a maximum of 65 W, while MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo with Intel Core Ultra 9 285H releases to 100 W.
Game performance
The AMD system is also very positive in games. Radeon 890m has certainly nothing to be ashamed of and records very good results. Without major problems, even games such as Cyberpunk 2077 will start, although you need to limit yourself to a resolution of 1080p and medium details to keep these 30 frames per second. You can also always support yourself with FSR technology. In other games it should be even a bit better, so if you like to play something from time to time, you don’t have to worry.
Asus ZenBook S 16 – SSD disk
The 1 TB SSD used is compatible with PCIe 4.0 and was produced by micron. His performance cannot be complained, about 5 Gb/s during reading and 3.5 Gb/s when recording data is a result more than sufficient for such a notebook, although competition sometimes assembles more efficient models.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – battery
The 78 WH battery is a large link and one of the large advantages of this computer. Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 can be economical when we do not demand too much from it and this is due to the Zen 5C cores. In the browsing mode of the network with a screen brightness of about 160 rivets, it will easily allow over 10 hours of operation. If you run a movie, working time will increase to about 13 hours (local playback). We have less than 2 hours of work under the load in games, which is also a good result. It is also very good when it comes to charging speed, from 0 to 100% it lasts about 2 hours, but after an hour we will have over 60% battery capacity.
Reader test (screen brightness for 160 rivets, wifi enabled) – 10h 9 minutes
Movie test (screen brightness for 160 rivets, wifi enabled) – 13h 16 minutes
Game test (screen brightness for 160 rivets, 3DMark) – 1h 49 minutes
Asus ZenBook S 16 – Energy consumption, temperature, noise
The energy consumption of the tested notebook can be surprisingly low. With the brightness of the screen around 160 rivets at rest, the computer needs approximately 10 W. The maximum processor load is an increase in energy consumption to a maximum of 40 W and, interestingly, it can stay at this level all the time. The most energy is absorbed in games, with active GPU energy consumption increases to about 52 W, and after some time is shot at about 47 W.
The processor and the whole computer temperatures are quite pleasant. The housing does not heat up significantly, it is mainly done in the upper-center part, where we have a special mesh. The processor temperatures can temporarily reach a maximum of 92 degrees Celsius, which must be considered an acceptable result. However, they quickly get around 86 degrees Celsius, which is a very safe value. It is also worth noting that the cooling even at maximum load is not so bad. It is audible, but it stands out rather positively from the competition. With typical online and office work, it is very quiet and this is a big advantage of this laptop.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – Summary
Asus Zenbook S 16 is a very interesting computer. On the one hand, it is equipped with a large screen with a diagonal of 16 inches, and the other is light, well made, has a great cooling system and excellent specification. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor stands out positively and gives no reason to complain. The integrated graphics system is also quite sensibly, which should allow many, even newer games. In addition, when supplying from the battery, the processor performance does not fall significantly. When we add a long time of battery life to this, it is basically difficult to accuse him of some disadvantages. If I were to complain about something, it was probably on the shiny matrix coating in which everything reflects and the lack of expansion (soldered frames). The power supply could also be a bit stronger, but it is at least small so it can easily fit into a bag/backpack. ZenBook S 16 is a very solid proposition in the segment and certainly a notebook worth considering.
Asus zenbook s 16
Approximate price: ~ 8499 PLN
