Key Takeaways
1. Asus will offer the Zenbook S14 in the UK with the Core Ultra 9 386H, aligning with Canadian models instead of the more powerful Core Ultra X versions.
2. The new 14-inch laptop is priced at £1,599 (approximately $1,799) and features 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage.
3. The Zenbook S14 has a 2.8K OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,100 nits in HDR mode.
4. Battery capacity has increased from 72 Wh to 77 Wh, suggesting improved battery life for the new model.
5. The switch to the Core Ultra 9 386H may result in lower graphics performance compared to previous models equipped with Arc 140V.
Initially, Asus suggested that the Core Ultra X Series would have 3 versions available in Europe to align with US models. However, it appears that the UK will instead align with Canadian models, offering the less powerful non-X versions. Specifically, both Asus and Currys have listed the new Zenbook S14 equipped with the Core Ultra 9 386H, instead of the more robust Core Ultra X7 368H or Core Ultra X9 388H.
Pricing Details
At the moment, both retailers have set the price for the new 14-inch laptop at £1,599, which is approximately $1,799 when excluding the 20% VAT applied in the UK. This configuration comes with 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, but it is only offered in a grey color. The laptop boasts a 2.8K OLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, reaching a peak brightness of 500 nits in SDR mode and 1,100 nits in specific areas when HDR is enabled.
Battery Improvements
The battery capacity has increased by 6.9%, moving from 72 Wh to 77 Wh across generations. Consequently, the battery life should continue to be one of the Zenbook S14’s strong points. However, the choice of the Core Ultra 9 386H in place of the X variants might lead to lower graphics performance compared to its Arc 140V-based predecessors.
Currys UK has been involved in the promotion of this new model, showing their commitment to providing the latest tech to consumers.
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