Asus Zenbook S 16 Review Good or Bad: AMD’s Ryzen AI Chip Keeps Them in the Game

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is here, making waves as one of the first laptops equipped with AMD’s flagship Ryzen AI processor. Touted as a serious contender against Intel and Qualcomm for gaming, content creation, and AI tasks, this sleek machine promises top-tier performance in a thin, lightweight package that rivals even the MacBook Air. But with Qualcomm pushing its powerful Snapdragon chips — known for remarkable battery life — is the Zenbook S 16 a must-have in 2024?

A Surprisingly Portable 16-Inch Powerhouse

The Zenbook S 16’s design is an immediate standout. Weighing just 3.31 pounds and measuring only 0.47 inches at its thickest, it’s hard to believe this is a 16-inch laptop. The ultra-slim profile and lightweight build make it feel more like a compact 14-inch device. The thoughtful keyboard layout, where the keyboard is pushed forward with a spacious palm rest, makes typing comfortable even on a larger chassis. This ergonomic touch is rare among larger laptops and adds to the overall usability.

The 3K, 120Hz OLED touchscreen is equally impressive. Vivid colors, sharp contrasts, and buttery-smooth scrolling are all here, making this display a dream for content consumption and creative work.

Where AMD Shines: Performance

AMD’s Ryzen AI chip is what sets this laptop apart from the sea of Qualcomm-powered Windows machines. While both chips handle everyday tasks like video calls and web browsing with ease, AMD takes the lead in graphics performance. For casual gaming, the Zenbook S 16 handles titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider at higher settings and frame rates that are simply out of reach for Snapdragon competitors. Creative tasks like 3D rendering in Blender also benefit from AMD’s x86 architecture and optimized software support.

While the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip doesn’t outperform Apple’s M3 Pro as promised, it still handles productivity and content creation with ease. The laptop’s ability to allocate up to 75% of its RAM directly to the GPU for demanding tasks is a huge win for creators who need extra headroom when working on complex projects.

The Trade-Off: Battery Life

For all its power, the Zenbook S 16’s battery life is just decent. With a 78Wh battery, it manages about 11 hours on a charge. This falls short of Snapdragon laptops like Samsung’s Galaxy Book4 Edge, which gets around 14 hours despite having a smaller battery. If battery longevity is your priority, this might be a dealbreaker. However, if you’re more focused on raw performance, the Zenbook S 16’s trade-off makes sense.

That said, battery life estimation is inconsistent. The fluctuating time predictions from the taskbar can be frustrating, making it hard to gauge how much juice you have left.

AI Features: Still a Work in Progress

AI capabilities are a major selling point for the Ryzen AI chip, but the execution leaves much to be desired. The flagship StoryCube app — designed to organize your cloud photos and videos using AI — didn’t work during testing. Amuse, an AI image generator, runs slower with AMD’s NPU enabled, counterintuitively doubling processing times.

Moreover, the Zenbook S 16 isn’t part of Microsoft’s Copilot Plus program, so you won’t find AI-powered features like Cocreator and Live Translation at launch. While these features are expected later this year, for now, AI enthusiasts may want to wait before diving in.

The Verdict: A Balanced All-Rounder

If you’re after a powerful yet portable Windows laptop with a solid mix of productivity, light gaming, and content creation, the Zenbook S 16 hits the sweet spot. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon laptops can’t quite match its performance, and Intel alternatives in this range struggle to offer the same blend of power, portability, and design.

However, if battery life is your top priority, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge might be a better fit. And for hardcore gaming or content creation, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 remains the go-to choice, offering superior performance in a similarly slim package.

In the end, the Asus Zenbook S 16 may not deliver on every bold claim AMD made, but it still stands out as one of the most versatile 16-inch laptops you can buy this summer. It’s sleek, powerful, and surprisingly easy to carry, making it an excellent choice for those who want a bit of everything in a Windows laptop.
Competition and Alternatives

When comparing the Zenbook S 16 to other 2024 laptops, it’s clear that Asus has created a compelling device, even if it’s not without stiff competition. For those who prioritize battery life and size above all else, Samsung’s Galaxy Book4 Edge is the main rival. It delivers impressive battery performance while maintaining similar dimensions. On the Apple side, the MacBook Air 15-inch is hard to beat in terms of both battery life and performance, particularly for users already invested in Apple’s ecosystem. Despite AMD’s claims, the M3 Pro chip outpaces the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in tasks like 3D rendering and intensive creative workloads.

If you’re looking for alternatives within the Windows ecosystem, the 2024 MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo offers better battery life but sacrifices design and typing comfort. The Dell XPS 14 is another option, though it demands a higher price for only slightly better endurance. Both lack the display quality and overall portability of the Zenbook S 16, making them less attractive unless battery life is your main concern.

For users interested in a laptop that can double as a gaming or content creation device, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 remains the benchmark. It significantly outperforms the Zenbook S 16 in gaming without upscaling and handles creative work faster, all while offering decent battery life in a similarly portable form factor.

The Bottom Line: Is the Asus Zenbook S 16 Worth It?

The Zenbook S 16 may not fully deliver on every performance promise, but it offers a blend of power, portability, and design that makes it one of the top contenders for a do-it-all Windows laptop in 2024. The strengths of this machine lie in its ability to juggle productivity, creative work, and even some light gaming in a package that’s easy to carry and work on all day.

If you need a laptop for tasks like writing, photo editing, or light gaming and value sleek design and usability, the Zenbook S 16 is a fantastic choice. The OLED display, spacious keyboard, and excellent build quality make it a joy to use. Just be prepared for a few compromises, especially in battery life and the still-maturing AI features.

For users who are on the fence about embracing AMD’s Ryzen AI chips, the Zenbook S 16 represents a significant step forward. It might not dethrone Apple’s MacBooks in every metric, but it offers a versatile, well-rounded experience for anyone looking for a high-performance Windows machine that doesn’t break the bank.

In summary, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is one of the best 16-inch laptops you can get right now if you’re looking for a premium Windows experience. It strikes a great balance between power and portability, with a stunning display and a comfortable design. However, it’s wise to keep in mind that its battery life isn’t the best out there, and its AI capabilities are still a work in progress. Despite these minor drawbacks, it’s an excellent all-rounder that’s bound to satisfy most users looking for a versatile productivity machine this summer.

Final Thoughts: The Zenbook S 16’s Role in AMD’s Comeback

The Asus Zenbook S 16 represents a significant leap forward for AMD in the premium laptop market. With its Ryzen AI chip, Asus has positioned this laptop as a contender against both Intel’s latest processors and Qualcomm’s energy-efficient designs. While it doesn’t dominate in every area — particularly when compared to Apple’s latest MacBooks — it’s clear that AMD is very much still in the game and, in some aspects, leading the charge.

For those who need a versatile Windows laptop that excels in a wide range of tasks, the Zenbook S 16 is a strong candidate. Its slim, portable design, high-resolution OLED display, and excellent keyboard make it an ideal choice for both productivity and creative work. The fact that it can also handle casual gaming is a bonus, especially for users who want a single device that can do it all.

That said, prospective buyers should consider what they prioritize most in a laptop. If you need the absolute best battery life, a Qualcomm-powered machine like the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge might be a better fit. For those who demand top-tier performance in creative tasks, Apple’s MacBook lineup remains tough to beat. But if you’re looking for a Windows laptop that offers a balanced mix of performance, portability, and features at a reasonable price, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is a compelling choice.

Who Should Buy the Asus Zenbook S 16?

• Content Creators: If your work involves light to moderate content creation — from photo editing to 3D modeling — the Zenbook S 16 is more than capable. The OLED display provides vivid colors and deep blacks, making it ideal for visual work, while AMD’s upscaling technology ensures smooth performance in creative applications.
• Productivity Users: Writers, students, and professionals who need a laptop for daily tasks like document editing, web browsing, and multitasking will appreciate the ergonomic keyboard, smooth trackpad, and lightweight design. The Zenbook S 16’s premium build and attractive design also make it a stylish choice for those who want to make a statement.
• Casual Gamers: While this isn’t a gaming laptop, it does well with less demanding titles, thanks to its decent GPU performance and AMD’s upscaling tech. It’s perfect for those who want to game on the side without compromising portability.
• Tech Enthusiasts: If you’re intrigued by AMD’s new AI capabilities and want to be at the forefront of this technology as it evolves, the Zenbook S 16 gives you early access to a platform that’s likely to see significant updates in the coming months.

What’s Next for AMD and Windows Laptops?

The Asus Zenbook S 16 is a promising indicator of what’s to come as AMD continues to push boundaries in both performance and AI integration. As more software and applications begin to leverage AI capabilities, Ryzen AI-powered laptops like this one are likely to become even more relevant. Future updates could unlock additional functionality, making this device more powerful and versatile over time.

For now, the Zenbook S 16 stands as a well-rounded, high-performing laptop that ticks most of the boxes for a wide range of users. If you’re in the market for a capable Windows laptop that doesn’t require sacrificing either design or performance, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is certainly worth considering.