ASUS Vivobook S 15 + Snapdragon X Elite: Is It Good?

Summary

The Asus VivoBook S15 is the first Snapdragon X Elite laptop reviewed, showcasing impressive performance with 16 GB RAM, a 2.8K display, and a 1 TB SSD. It delivers nearly full performance on battery, losing only 5%, making it suitable for tasks like Photoshop and web browsing. However, gaming performance suffers due to reliance on x86 apps, with significant performance drops in popular titles. Despite its sleek design and excellent display, users should be cautious of software compatibility. Overall, this laptop is ideal for productivity, but gamers may need to reconsider their options as ARM software development continues.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Asus VivoBook S15 features the Snapdragon X Elite processor, marking a significant entry into ARM-based laptops.
• ⚡ Performance on battery is impressive, maintaining about 95% of full performance with only a 5% drop.
• 🔇 Fan noise is present but quieter than typical Windows laptops during regular use.
• 🌐 Browsing experience is exceptionally fast, outperforming both Intel and AMD laptops.
• 🎮 Gaming performance varies: ARM-optimized games run well, but most x86 games suffer significant performance losses.
• 🖥️ The laptop includes a vibrant 2.8K OLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, ideal for content consumption.
• 🛠️ Build quality is robust, with a lightweight metal chassis and a variety of ports including HDMI 2.1 and USB 4.0.
• ⌨️ The typing experience is comfortable, featuring a clicky keyboard and a numeric keypad.
• 🔋 Battery life exceeds 12 hours, making it suitable for all-day use without charging.
• 🔄 Future software development for ARM is crucial for maximizing the laptop's potential and performance.

Q & A

What is the primary feature of the Asus VivoBook S15?

The Asus VivoBook S15 is notable for being the first laptop equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite processor.

How does the performance of the VivoBook S15 compare when running on battery versus being plugged in?

The VivoBook S15 maintains almost full performance on battery, with only about a 5% decrease compared to when it is plugged in.

What kind of tasks can the VivoBook S15 handle effectively?

It performs well with applications optimized for ARM, such as Microsoft Office and Photoshop, providing around 96% performance in Photoshop.

What challenges does the VivoBook S15 face with gaming?

The laptop struggles with gaming because most games are compiled for x86 architecture, resulting in significant performance drops when using the translation layer.

What is the battery life of the VivoBook S15 like?

The VivoBook S15 features a 70Wh battery that can last over 12 hours on a single charge under regular usage.

How does the display of the VivoBook S15 perform?

It has a beautiful 3K OLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, offering excellent brightness and color accuracy for various tasks.

What are the limitations regarding software compatibility on the VivoBook S15?

While it works well with ARM-optimized applications, it may not support all x86 applications effectively, which could lead to performance issues.

What is the build quality of the Asus VivoBook S15?

The laptop features a metal chassis that is both thin and lightweight, weighing only 3.13 lbs, making it portable and durable.

Are there any notable thermal performance considerations for the VivoBook S15?

The device does not overheat during use, thanks to efficient cooling solutions, and the keyboard deck remains relatively cool even under load.

What kind of ports does the VivoBook S15 offer?

It includes HDMI 2.1, two USB 4.0 ports, a Micro SD card slot, audio jack, and two USB-A ports, providing good connectivity options.