Atti Abderrahim
Table of Contents
ASUS has made a significant leap in the race for thin and light laptops. At the IFA 2024 in Berlin, the company introduced the new Zenbook S14, the thinnest laptop ever launched by ASUS. Boasting a thickness of just 1.1 cm and weighing only 1.2 kg, this ultraportable features the latest Intel Lunar Lake processors, which are powered by AI technology.
Scheduled for release in France in mid-September, starting at €1,599, the Zenbook S14 is the ultraportable version of the impressive Zenbook S16. The Zenbook S16, launched in June at Computex with an AMD version that received positive reviews, now has an Intel Lunar Lake counterpart. The Zenbook S14 features a 14-inch chassis that mirrors the sleek design of its larger sibling and comes with an innovative “Ceraluminium” lid — an alloy combining the tactile feel of ceramic with the strength and lightness of aluminum.
Elegant and Ultra-Compact Design
Like the Zenbook S16, the Zenbook S14 incorporates a wide, geometrically designed band above the keyboard, featuring 2,715 perforations to improve airflow within the chassis. This design not only enhances the cooling efficiency but also adds a unique aesthetic to the laptop.
Although ASUS has not yet released the complete technical specifications for the Zenbook S14, we know that it will feature a Lumina OLED display with a 3K resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. This is expected to deliver exceptional image quality, similar to what is offered by the Zenbook S16, which also features a 3K OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate.
Powered by Intel Lunar Lake
Under the hood, the Zenbook S14 is equipped with the latest Intel Lunar Lake processors. It is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 series, possibly the powerful Core Ultra 9 288V, which features a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of delivering up to 48 TOPS for AI tasks. This makes it a strong competitor against AMD’s Strix Point and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processors, allowing for local AI processing capabilities.
The Zenbook S14 supports the Windows 11 Copilot features and enhances certain functionalities developed by ASUS. For instance, ASUS has implemented AI-powered noise cancellation for its 1080p webcam, significantly improving the quality of video calls.
A Promising Battery Life
ASUS has announced that the Zenbook S14 will feature a substantial 72 Wh battery, which is impressive for a 14-inch ultraportable. However, the company has not yet disclosed the expected battery life. Based on performance figures from other Lunar Lake-based devices from competitors, the Zenbook S14 could potentially offer up to 20 hours of video playback. More concrete details will be available in the coming weeks, once the device has been tested by NextDigitalOcean.
Conclusion
The new Zenbook S14 stands out as a cutting-edge ultraportable with its combination of design innovation, powerful AI-enabled processing, and high-resolution OLED display. As it prepares to hit the market, ASUS aims to set a new standard in the ultraportable laptop category, offering a blend of style, performance, and functionality that is sure to appeal to both tech enthusiasts and professional users alike.
If you are looking for a premium laptop that combines state-of-the-art technology with a lightweight design, the Zenbook S14 is a promising contender. Stay tuned for more detailed reviews and insights once the laptop is officially available.
