Key Takeaways
1. Sleek and Durable Design: The Asus Zenbook S16 features a slim design (1.1-1.3 cm thick, 1.5 kg) with a durable metal-ceramic chassis available in dark grey and white.
2. Enhanced Performance: Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465, the laptop provides improved performance, but fan noise can be an issue when using full power.
3. Upgraded OLED Display: The new touch-capable OLED display offers bright visuals (up to 1100 nits in HDR) and precise color profiles, suitable for photo editing.
4. Battery Life: The laptop has an enlarged battery, providing impressive runtimes of around 13 hours, although competitors may offer longer battery life.
5. Pricing: Priced at €1799, the Zenbook S16 is a premium option that delivers high quality for daily tasks, though it may not be the most affordable choice.
If you value the aesthetics of your new laptop, the latest Asus Zenbook S16 is worth considering. This 16-inch laptop features a sleek design, measuring just 1.1-1.3 cm in thickness and weighing 1.5 kg, making it comparable to the slightly smaller Apple MacBook Air 15. You won’t have to sacrifice quality, as the durability of the metal-ceramic chassis is remarkable and pleasing to the touch. Our review model comes in a dark grey hue, which looks fantastic, but there is also a white option available. Even with a key travel of only 1.1 mm, the keyboard provides a surprisingly comfortable typing experience.
Enhanced Performance
This laptop is powered by the new AMD Ryzen AI 9 465, which is only a minor upgrade from last year’s version. However, with faster memory and increased power limits, the performance is marginally improved. If you need full power, be aware that the fans can get quite noisy. For everyday use, we suggest opting for one of the quieter power profiles, where the fan noise is significantly reduced.
Improved Visuals
Asus has also upgraded the OLED display, which now supports touch capabilities. While bright surfaces may appear slightly grainy when viewed closely, this shouldn’t be a major concern at a typical viewing distance. The brightness has been enhanced, reaching about 1100 nits in HDR mode, more than doubling the previous level. As usual, Asus provides precise color profiles for sRGB and P3, making it suitable for photo editing. However, we would appreciate a quick SD-Express card reader.
In terms of other features, it’s tough to find significant drawbacks. The memory remains soldered, and only one SSD can be installed, a limitation due to the slim design. On the plus side, the battery has been slightly enlarged, offering impressive runtimes (13 hours in our Wi-Fi test). While there are competitors with Intel’s Lunar Lake platform that boast even longer battery life, the performance should meet the needs of most users.
Pricing and Value
With a price tag of €1799, the Zenbook S16 isn’t the most affordable option, but it delivers an excellent, high-quality device for all your daily activities. For more in-depth details, check out our full review of the new Asus Zenbook S16.
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