In the ever-evolving world of laptops, where new models and innovations are introduced almost every year, the Asus VivoBook S15 stands out as a fascinating blend of cutting-edge technology and sleek design. Over the years, Asus has made a name for itself with the VivoBook series, consistently offering reliable performance, vibrant displays, and an appealing design language at competitive prices. With the S15, Asus takes things a step further by embracing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite ARM-based processor—positioning itself against not only Intel and AMD-powered laptops but also attempting to challenge Apple’s dominance in the ARM-based laptop market.
The move to ARM architecture, popularized by Apple’s M1 and M2 chipsets, represents a major shift for Windows laptops, with manufacturers seeking to offer comparable levels of power efficiency, performance, and seamless integration between hardware and software. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite SoC in the VivoBook S15 promises to do just that, with enhanced battery life, superior multitasking capabilities, and an impressive display that caters to both content creators and professionals.
In this review, we will delve into the different aspects of the Asus VivoBook S15, from its design and build quality to its performance and AI-powered features. Whether you’re looking for a dependable laptop for work, study, or even light creative tasks, the VivoBook S15 might just be the right choice. But does it truly live up to the hype, especially in a world where Apple Silicon is leading the ARM-based laptop market? Let’s find out.
Design & Build Quality
The VivoBook series has always been known for colorful and vibrant designs, but with the S15, Asus has opted for a more minimalistic look. The design almost resembles the ZenBook series, giving it a more elegant and professional feel. The branding is subtle, targeting business professionals or students who prefer a more sleek aesthetic.The build quality is impressive, with a full metal chassis, making the laptop durable and lightweight at under 1.5 kg. The slim profile (around 14mm thickness) and sturdy build ensure it is easy to carry. The hinge is smooth enough to open with one finger, adding to its overall premium feel.
Display
One of the standout features of the VivoBook S15 is its display. It sports a 15.6-inch 3K OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. Asus is known for its high-quality displays, and this one is no exception. The vibrant and color-accurate screen supports 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, making it ideal for content creators and media consumption.Although it’s not a touch display, which could have added to its functionality, the panel does offer an immersive experience due to its narrow bezels and 16:9 aspect ratio. A 16:10 aspect ratio might have been more suitable for productivity-focused users, but the overall display experience remains exceptional.
Performance
Under the hood, the VivoBook S15 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite SoC, which boasts ARM architecture. This chipset promises significant power efficiency while offering performance that can compete with Apple’s latest M-series processors. The integrated Adreno GPU ensures smooth graphics performance, and the laptop comes with 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, ensuring fast boot times and smooth multitasking.In everyday use, the VivoBook S15 excels at handling tasks like browsing, media editing, and light gaming. The ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite SoC consumes less power, ensuring long battery life, which is a key benefit for those who need a portable device for work or study.
