Whereas the time period “Home windows for ARM” has been round for over a decade, it by no means gained a lot traction, particularly with x86 chips performing so properly. Nevertheless, issues modified when the primary M-series MacBooks hit the market, exhibiting everybody how succesful they had been. This put Home windows laptop computer makers on the again foot, who had been miles behind when it comes to effectivity. Now, it looks as if ASUS lastly has a solution with it’s new Vivobook S15, which is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip.
Now, after testing the laptop computer for over per week, the large query is: How does it examine to the brand new MacBook Air M3? And might it run all Home windows apps? For the solutions, let’s get proper into the overview of the brand new ASUS Vivobook S15.
ASUS Vivobook S15 Assessment
Abstract
The ASUS Vivobook S15 is an incredible laptop computer. It provides a stellar show, a superb keyboard and trackpad expertise, and distinctive efficiency, all whereas delivering 12+ hours of battery life.
ASUS Vivobook S15 Assessment: Design & {Hardware}
When you’ve got used a Vivobook earlier than, the S15’s design will really feel proper at residence. The machine is smooth and minimalistic, and its metallic chassis offers it a premium really feel. Whereas some would possibly say the design is a bit utilitarian, it’s completely suited to its audience—office-goers like me. The hinge can be strong, permitting the machine to open a full 180 levels.
One other beauty of the design is the burden. Regardless of being a 15-inch laptop computer, it solely weighs round 1.4 kg, which is spectacular for individuals who are all the time on the transfer and wish to keep away from again pressure. Its 14.7mm thickness additionally makes it straightforward to suit into virtually any backpack simply.
Shifting to ports, ASUS has left no stone unturned. On the left facet, you’ll discover an HDMI 2.1 TMDS port, a Micro-SD card reader, a headphone jack, and two USB4 USB-C ports supporting 4K show output, 40 GB/s information switch and charging.
The laptop computer homes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Kind-A ports on the appropriate. This provides the Vivobook a big benefit over the MacBook, as many individuals don’t like fidgeting with dongles to attach numerous equipment.
Keyboard & Trackpad
Coming from a MacBook, I discovered the typing expertise on the Vivobook S15 to be glorious. The keys have first rate journey, they usually really feel snappy and tactile. Whereas the keyboard itself isn’t a problem, the format is a bit awkward. It’s because ASUS determined to incorporate a quantity pad on the appropriate, which shifts the complete keyboard to the left. This takes some getting used to. Personally, I’d have most well-liked a extra conventional format with audio system on prime as a substitute.
One other annoying pattern with these Copilot+ laptops is the Copilot key. Since manufacturers can’t simply add a brand new key, they exchange the appropriate CTRL key to create space for it. This was irritating as I usually use the important thing for numerous capabilities. Fortunately, I used to be capable of remap the Copilot key again to CTRL utilizing PowerToys.
On the brilliant facet, the massive trackpad was improbable. Its floor is easy with minimal friction, and the monitoring is correct. Surprisingly, even the clicks had been snappy.
ASUS Vivobook S15 Assessment: Show
If there’s one factor that ASUS has nailed with the Vivobook, it’s the show. The laptop computer homes a 15.6-inch 3K 120Hz OLED show, and it’s nothing wanting improbable. There’s no different method to put it—the Vivobook’s show is among the finest I’ve seen on a laptop computer.
The colours are vibrant, the blacks are inky-deep, and ASUS has achieved a superb job calibrating the show. I measured 100% protection of the DCI-P3 coloration gamut, making it best for picture and video enhancing.
Concerning the brightness, I measured round 600 nits of peak brightness when watching HDR content material, which is greater than enough for working indoors and even outside. Nevertheless, notice that the show is sort of reflective, so glare might be intense in case you’re working in shiny outside settings.
ASUS Vivobook S15 Assessment: Efficiency
The ASUS Vivobook S15 is powered by the Snapdragon X Elite-X1E78100 chipset, which options 12 Oryon CPU cores working at 3.4 GHz paired with the Adreno X1-85 iGPU. My overview unit additionally got here with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM working at 8448 MT/s and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD.
Now that now we have the specs out of the best way, let’s begin with the day-to-day efficiency. I switched to the Vivobook S15 as my important laptop computer, and it breezed previous every little thing. There have been no lags or stutters, whether or not I used to be writing articles, sending emails, or multitasking with 20 Chrome tabs open.
Additionally, if in case you have switched from a MacBook to Home windows, you will have observed that Home windows apps usually take a second to open, whatever the processor. Surprisingly, I didn’t see this downside on the S15, which felt simply as quick as my MacBook, if not quicker, when opening heavy purposes.
As it is a overview, I ran just a few checks on the Vivobook S15. In Geekbench 6, the laptop computer scored 2434 in single-core and 14048 in multi-core efficiency. In Cinebench 2024, it scored 110 for single-core and 1067 for multi-core. For comparability, I just lately reviewed the HP Omnibook X, which makes use of the identical processor, and it scored 106 and 810 in Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core checks, respectively. These numbers put the Vivobook S15 in direct competitors with the MacBook Air M3.
Nevertheless, the Snapdragon chip lags a bit on the GPU facet. In Geekbench 6’s GPU benchmark, the Vivobook S15 scored 20909, which is barely behind the M3 chip.
Productiveness & Recreation Assist
The one facet that’s going to make or break the Vivobook for anybody is the app assist. These apps, like these on macOS, might be categorized into three classes. The primary class contains apps like Chrome that have already got Home windows for ARM variations and run easily.
The second class contains apps that don’t have official ARM assist however work by way of a translation layer. This limits the utmost efficiency however means that you can full your duties. The final class contains apps that neither have an ARM model nor work by way of the interpretation layer. Sadly, this contains virtually all capturing/battle royale video games with an anti-cheating mechanism.
Nevertheless, the video games that do assist ARM chipsets carried out properly. I acquired over 150 FPS in Rocket League on excessive settings, and Overwatch 2 delivered a strong 120 FPS on medium settings.
| Good Efficiency | Okayish Efficiency | Unplayable |
|---|---|---|
| Rocket League | DOTA 2 | F1 2024 |
| Overwatch 2 | Counters Strike 2 | PUBG |
| Hitman | Shadow of the Tomb Raider | COD Warzone |
| RS6 Seige | Fortnite |
Shifting on to productiveness, Adobe claims its artistic suite is supported on ARM chipset units. Nevertheless, issues aren’t this easy. Whereas Photoshop and Lightroom have ARM assist, Premiere Professional is proscribed to the 2023 model and assist for After Results continues to be in improvement.
ASUS Vivobook S15 Assessment: Battery Life & Charging
Maybe the most important promoting level of an ARM laptop computer is the battery life, and the Vivobook S15 didn’t disappoint. Whereas ASUS claims over 18 hours of utilization, I persistently acquired 12-13 hours on a single cost. This was throughout a typical workday of watching YouTube movies, writing articles, looking the net, and doing mild picture enhancing. One other nice benefit of the S15 is that ARM laptops don’t lose any efficiency when working on battery.
Lastly, the laptop computer additionally helps quick charging, which took it from 20% to 80% in simply over an hour. Nevertheless, I’d like to say that the laptop computer heats up considerably within the underbelly when charging.
ASUS Vivobook S15 Assessment: Webcam & Audio system
Webcams on Home windows laptops have largely been trash, with poor dynamic vary and sharpness. Nevertheless, with the brand new Qualcomm chip, the FHD webcam on the Vivobook S15 is miles higher. The video high quality is detailed, and the sensor handles harsh lighting impressively properly. Moreover, you get a number of AI-enhanced options to enhance video calls, together with Eye Contact Enhanced, Portrait Gentle, and Artistic Filters.
Once I first noticed downward-firing audio system on the S15, I used to be fairly skeptical as the position all the time limits a speaker’s skill. Whereas it’s true that comfortable surfaces can muffle the sound, the standard, alternatively, is phenomenal. The highs, mids, and lows are well-balanced, and even the treble is managed properly.
Is the ASUS Vivobook S15 value it?
Beginning at Rs 1,24,990, the ASUS Vivobook S15 is among the first Snapdragon-powered laptops in its section. It provides an incredible show, glorious keyboard and trackpad expertise, and distinctive efficiency, all whereas delivering 12+ hours of battery life. If these options attraction to you, there’s no different x86 Home windows laptop computer that may match these numbers.
Nevertheless, as you will have anticipated, not every little thing is sunshine and rainbows. If you happen to purchase this laptop computer now, you’d be an early adopter, and there can be some challenges. Sure apps may not be suitable, and even these which might be might have bugs or glitches. But when most of your work revolves round web-based duties or supported apps, the ASUS Vivobook S15 is certainly value contemplating. Try the ASUS Vivobook S15 on Flipkart and ASUS’s website.
