Tag: ASUS Vivobook 16

  • Asus Zenbook S16 & Vivobook 16 Launch in India with Ryzen AI

    Asus Zenbook S16 & Vivobook 16 Launch in India with Ryzen AI

    Key Takeaways

    1. Asus has launched two new AI-powered laptops in India: the Zenbook S16 and the Vivobook 16, both featuring AMD’s Ryzen AI 7 350 processor.

    2. The Zenbook S16 offers a premium 16-inch 3K OLED touchscreen, a sleek design, and advanced features like Dolby Vision and AI acceleration capabilities.

    3. The Vivobook 16 is a budget-friendly option with a 16-inch IPS display, maintaining essential features of the Ryzen AI 7 350 processor and Copilot+ support.

    4. Both laptops include a variety of connectivity options, with the Zenbook S16 offering more advanced ports and a dedicated Copilot key for AI functions.

    5. Pricing for the Zenbook S16 is ₹1,49,990, while the Vivobook 16 is available for ₹75,990, with availability through various online and offline retailers.

    Asus has broadened its AI PC offerings in India by introducing two fresh laptops—the Zenbook S16 and the Vivobook 16. Both models are equipped with AMD’s latest Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, aiming to provide AI-enhanced productivity along with next-generation Copilot+ PC features. Let’s dive into the specifics.

    Asus Zenbook S16

    The Zenbook S16 (UM5606KA) stands as the higher-end model of the two. It comes with a 16-inch 3K OLED touchscreen that has a 16:10 aspect ratio, a refresh rate of 120Hz, a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and Dolby Vision support, delivering 500 nits of HDR brightness. Even with its sizeable display, the laptop keeps a sleek profile of just 1.1cm and weighs only 1.5kg, crafted from CNC-machined C-part and a Ceraluminum lid.

    Internally, the laptop operates on the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor that boasts 8 cores and 16 threads, along with a 50 TOPS-capable XDNA 2 NPU for tasks accelerated by AI. The Ryzen 7 350 integrates an AMD Radeon 860M iGPU, and memory options include 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.

    Connectivity and Features

    The S16 provides a variety of connectivity options, including two USB4 Type-C ports, one HDMI 2.1 port, a USB 3.2 Type-A port, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It is powered by a 78Wh battery that supports fast Type-C charging. Additional features comprise Dolby Atmos-enabled six-speaker audio, as well as IR facial recognition facilitated by Microsoft Pluton hardware security. As an AI-centric laptop, it also features a dedicated Copilot key located beneath a spacious ErgoSense touchpad.

    Vivobook 16

    On the other hand, the Vivobook 16 (M1607KA) presents a more budget-friendly option, yet it still contains the same Ryzen AI 7 350 processor and supports Copilot+ features. This model is paired with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD.

    The cost-effectiveness of this model is noticeable in its other specifications. It features a 16-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, a 16:10 aspect ratio, and 300 nits of peak brightness, complete with an anti-glare coating. While it lacks the OLED flair of the Zenbook, it covers the essential needs adequately.

    Design and Audio

    The design emphasizes military-grade durability, and the weight is 1.88 kg with a thickness of 1.79 cm. An extra perk is the hinge that opens flat to 180 degrees, providing added flexibility for usage. Asus has also included ample ports: two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports (which support Power Delivery and display output), an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

    For sound, it comes with a stereo speaker setup enhanced with Dirac sound and SonicMaster tuning. Powering all of this is a 42Wh battery that supports 65W fast charging.

    Price and Availability

    The ASUS Zenbook S16 is priced at ₹1,49,990 in India, whereas the Vivobook 16 is available for ₹75,990. Both laptops can be purchased through Asus Exclusive Stores, Amazon, Flipkart, and select offline retailers.

    Asus Zenbook S16 & Vivobook 16 Launch in India with Ryzen AIAsus Zenbook S16 & Vivobook 16 Launch in India with Ryzen AI
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  • Radeon 860M Outperformed by Radeon 760M in Initial Benchmarks

    Radeon 860M Outperformed by Radeon 760M in Initial Benchmarks

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Radeon 890M GPU is AMD’s top-tier integrated graphics option, known for its high performance.
    2. The Radeon 860M GPU underperformed significantly, lagging 40-45% behind the Radeon 780M and 25-30% behind the Radeon 760M.
    3. The 860M is essentially a rebranded version of the 760M but does not perform as expected.
    4. The Asus Vivobook 16 M1606K, which features the 860M, may have performance issues due to being a low-cost model that could be underclocked.
    5. More testing is needed to fully understand the performance of the Radeon 860M, and casual gamers should be cautious when considering it.

    AMD often promotes its top-tier Radeon 890M GPU, and for good reason—it’s among the fastest integrated graphics options on the market. However, the Radeon 860M, a lesser model, doesn’t get much attention in their marketing efforts. It’s easy to understand why AMD might want to downplay this particular GPU after testing our first laptop equipped with the 860M.

    Performance Comparison

    During our experience with the Asus Vivobook 16 M1606K, which features the integrated Radeon 860M, we found the GPU to be underperforming compared to the Radeon 780M, lagging behind by about 40 to 45 percent. Moreover, it was roughly 25 to 30 percent slower than the Radeon 760M, which it is meant to replace, as per our benchmark findings detailed below. While this is just a single instance of the 760M, this initial performance is quite disappointing for what should be a midrange iGPU from AMD’s new Ryzen AI CPU series.

    Concerns About Specs

    It’s puzzling that the 860M underperforms compared to many 760M laptops, especially since it is basically a rebranded iGPU that shares the same number of unified pipelines and RT cores as the 760M. Our specific model of the Vivobook 16 could potentially have been underclocked, given that it is a low-cost budget option. More testing with additional samples is certainly necessary for a clearer understanding. Until more data is available, casual gamers looking for solid performance from the Radeon 760M should proceed with caution.

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  • ASUS Launches Zenbook A14 & Vivobook 16 with Snapdragon X in India

    ASUS Launches Zenbook A14 & Vivobook 16 with Snapdragon X in India

    Key Takeaways

    1. ASUS launched the Zenbook A14 and Vivobook 16 laptops powered by Snapdragon X processors, available for pre-order in India starting March 2025.
    2. The Zenbook A14 features 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, an NPU for AI tasks, and a lightweight design made from Ceraluminum.
    3. The Vivobook 16 offers a 16:10 FHD display, up to 12-hour battery life, and various connectivity options including USB 4 and HDMI 2.1.
    4. Both laptops are MIL-STD 810H certified for durability and have advanced features like smart touchpads and improved webcam quality.
    5. Pricing starts at INR 99,990 for the Zenbook A14 and INR 65,990 for the Vivobook 16, with pre-orders available for INR 1 and benefits worth up to INR 15,998.

    At the Snapdragon X India event, ASUS launched the Zenbook A14 and Vivobook 16 laptops, both powered by Snapdragon X processors. These laptops operate on Windows 11 Home and are now open for pre-orders in India, with shipping set to commence in early March 2025.

    Zenbook A14 Features

    The Zenbook A14 can be purchased with either the Snapdragon X or Snapdragon X Elite processor. It has 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD, and features an NPU that can reach up to 45 TOPS for AI tasks. ASUS promises great battery life and quick charging with its 70Wh battery. The weight of the Zenbook A14 starts at just 980 grams, and it is made from Ceraluminum, which ASUS asserts is 30% lighter and three times as strong as standard aluminum alloys. The laptop is available in two colors: Iceland Grey and Zabriskie Beige.

    Design and Connectivity

    In terms of design, the Zenbook A14 comes with a larger touchpad that supports smart gestures. It features multiple ports, such as one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, an HDMI 2.1 port, a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, and a combined audio jack. The device is MIL-STD 810H certified, which means it has successfully passed tests for extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, and altitude.

    Vivobook 16 Specs

    The Vivobook 16 is equipped with a Snapdragon X processor, a 16:10 FHD IPS display with a refresh rate of 60Hz, and can last up to 12 hours on a single charge. It has a thickness of up to 1.79cm and weighs 1.88kg. For connectivity, it includes two USB 4 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 TMDS port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Additional features of the Vivobook 16 consist of an ErgoSense keyboard, ASUS 3DNR for better webcam quality, and it also meets MIL-STD 810H standards.

    Pricing & Availability

    The starting price for the Zenbook A14 is INR 99,990, while the Vivobook 16 starts at INR 65,990. Customers can place pre-orders for just INR 1, which come with benefits valued at up to INR 15,998. Both laptops will be available for purchase through the ASUS exclusive store, the ASUS eShop, Flipkart, Amazon, Croma, Vijay Sales, and Reliance in March 2025.

    ASUS Launches Zenbook A14 & Vivobook 16 with Snapdragon X in IndiaASUS Launches Zenbook A14 & Vivobook 16 with Snapdragon X in IndiaASUS Launches Zenbook A14 & Vivobook 16 with Snapdragon X in India
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