In the ever-evolving landscape of personal computing, finding a laptop that strikes the perfect balance between performance, aesthetics, and affordability can feel like a daunting task. However, the Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED is emerging as a compelling contender, a device that deserves a closer look for anyone seeking a versatile and feature-rich experience without breaking the bank. This laptop manages to pack a surprising amount of high-end technology into a sleek and portable design, making it an attractive option for students, professionals, and everyday users alike.
Design and Build: Style Meets Durability
The first impression of the Vivobook S 14 OLED is its thin and light profile. Crafted with a premium all-metal design, it exudes a sense of quality that belies its price point. This commitment to a robust build extends to its durability, with some models even boasting a military-grade 810H rating, suggesting it can withstand the rigours of daily use and travel. The unibody design contributes to a reassuringly solid feel in hand, weighing in at a comfortable 1.317 kg (2 lb 14.5 oz) for the unit alone. The lid can be easily opened with one hand, revealing a well-thought-out interior.
However, the sleek black finish, while undeniably stylish, does come with a caveat: it is a significant fingerprint magnet. Be prepared to keep a cleaning cloth handy to maintain its pristine appearance. While lighter colour options may mitigate this issue, the black model requires extra attention to keep it looking its best.
Display: A Visual Feast
One of the standout features of the Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED is its vibrant OLED display. This technology delivers really deep blacks, super vibrant colours, and high contrast, making everything from streaming videos to browsing photos a visually rich experience. The display typically features a Full HD+ resolution of 1920 x 1200, offering a sharp and detailed picture on its 14-inch panel. Some configurations might even offer a higher 3K resolution (2880 x 1800) with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for an even more fluid visual experience. However, the base model often comes with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which, while perfectly adequate for most tasks, may not be as smooth as higher refresh rate displays, especially when scrolling or gaming.
The OLED panel also boasts excellent colour gamut coverage and good colour accuracy, making it suitable for tasks like graphic design and photo editing. With a peak brightness of 600 nits when viewing HDR content and around 430 nits in standard dynamic range, the display is generally bright enough for indoor use. However, it is a glossy display, which means glare and reflections might be noticeable in certain lighting conditions.
It's worth noting that OLED displays can exhibit PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) flickering below 50% brightness, which might be a concern for users sensitive to screen flicker. Additionally, while modern laptops have made strides in mitigating screen burn-in, it's still a potential long-term consideration with OLED technology. Asus includes software like Asus OLED Care with features like pixel refresh to help minimize this risk. Unlike some of its Zenbook counterparts, the Vivobook S 14 OLED does not typically feature a touch display or pen support.
Performance: Power When You Need It
Under the hood, the Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED offers a range of powerful processor options. Notably, some configurations feature the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (Meteor Lake) processor, a step up from the Core Ultra 7 155H commonly found in ultralight laptops. This provides stepped-up CPU performance, delivering excellent responsiveness for everyday productivity tasks. In benchmark tests, the Core Ultra 9 shows better single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Ultra 7. However, in real-world usage, the difference might not always be dramatically noticeable. Some models also offer the Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processor or even an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, providing further choices to suit different needs and budgets.
The integrated Intel Arc Graphics provide a definite improvement over the previous generation's Iris Xe Graphics. While not a dedicated gaming GPU, the Arc Graphics offer playable frame rates on some popular titles at lower settings. They also handle video editing tasks reasonably well, showing a step up from older integrated graphics solutions. Some models featuring the AMD Ryzen processor will come with Radeon 780M graphics, which also offer capable integrated graphics performance.
The laptop typically comes equipped with 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM running at high speeds. While this soldered RAM contributes to faster performance, it is not user-upgradeable, so it's crucial to choose a configuration that meets your long-term needs. For storage, the Vivobook S 14 OLED includes a fast M.2 NVMe SSD, often with a capacity of 1 TB. This SSD is slotted in and can be potentially upgraded or replaced by the user if more storage is required down the line.
Despite the powerful internals in a thin and light chassis, the Vivobook S 14 OLED generally manages thermal performance well, with stress tests indicating virtually no thermal throttling under load in some instances. However, the underside of the laptop can get quite warm under heavy performance demands, so it's advisable to avoid using it directly on your lap during intensive tasks. Fan noise is generally minimal during light use, but the fans can become noticeably loud under significant load, reaching up to 59 dB in some tests.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Comfortable Input
The Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED features an ErgoSense keyboard with 1.7 mm of key travel, providing a comfortable and tactile typing experience suitable for long documents and emails. The keys are often in a chicklet style, similar to those found on Asus's premium Zenbook line. A welcome addition is the one-zone RGB backlit keyboard, allowing users to customize the lighting through Windows Dynamic Lighting. While the backlighting adds a touch of flair, it might not always provide the strongest illumination through the key characters themselves. The keyboard layout is generally standard, with a notable inclusion of a dedicated Windows Co-pilot key for quick access to AI-powered assistance.
The Precision touchpad is generously sized, offering ample space for scrolling and multi-touch gestures. It is generally responsive and accurate. While it is not a haptic touchpad, the click provides satisfying tactile feedback. The larger size compared to some other models is a definite plus for ease of use.
Ports and Connectivity: Staying Connected
The Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED offers a good selection of ports for its size. On the left side, you'll typically find an HDMI 2.1 TMDS port, two USB Type-C Thunderbolt full-function ports, a Micro SD card reader, and a 3.5 mm microphone/headphone combo jack. The right side usually houses two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, providing compatibility with legacy devices. This versatile port selection negates the need for extra adapters for many common peripherals. While some users, particularly content creators, might prefer a full-size SD card reader and a more spread-out placement of the USB-C ports, the inclusion of a Micro SD card reader is still a valuable addition.
For wireless connectivity, the laptop features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 (or 5.2). While Wi-Fi 6E offers fast and reliable wireless performance, some might be slightly disappointed by the absence of the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard for future-proofing. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card is soldered onto the motherboard and not user-upgradeable.
Webcam and Audio: Communication Clarity
The Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED is equipped with an FHD IR camera. The IR capability enables face recognition for quick and secure login via Windows Hello. Being a Meteor Lake platform (for Intel configurations), it often includes Studio Effects with AI features like auto-framing, eye contact correction, and background effects (standard blur, portrait blur). The camera generally offers clear video quality for calls, even in low-light conditions. A physical privacy shutter above the webcam provides an added layer of security and peace of mind. The laptop also features dual microphones with AI noise cancellation to enhance voice clarity during video conferences. However, some reviews note that the webcam quality can be perceived as "bad" or like an "AI-generated image".
The audio system features bottom-firing speakers tuned by Harman Kardon with Dolby Atmos support for spatial audio. The overall audio volume is generally good, with decent bass and mids. While the sound quality might not reach the level of high-end laptops, it is considered good for an ultrathin and light device in its price range.
Battery Life and Charging: Power That Lasts
Battery life is a significant strength of the Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED. With a 75Wh battery, it can deliver impressive all-day battery life for typical productivity tasks, often achieving 10 to 15 hours or more on a single charge, depending on usage. Even during video playback, it can last for a considerable amount of time. When it's time to recharge, the included 90W power adapter with a USB-C connection supports fast charging, allowing you to reach around 60% charge in under an hour. This makes it convenient for quick top-ups when you're on the go. Asus also includes a battery care mode within the MyAsus app to help preserve and extend the long-term health of the battery.
Value Proposition and Comparisons: Finding the Right Fit
The Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED typically retails around $900 USD, positioning it in a competitive mid-range category. Its combination of an OLED display, powerful processor options, ample RAM and storage, and solid battery life offers excellent value for the money. It stands out, particularly when considering configurations with the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, which is relatively uncommon in laptops of this size and price.
However, the market segment around this price point is crowded, and Asus themselves offer several compelling alternatives, including their Zenbook line.
- The lower-end Zenbook 14 (2024) might offer a slightly more premium feel and potentially better fingerprint resistance but could come with a less powerful processor in the base configuration.
- Older Zenbook 14 and 14X (2023) models might be available at similar prices and could offer higher resolution or faster refresh rate displays, but potentially with older processors and varying keyboard comfort.
- The Zenbook 14 with an AMD processor is highlighted for potentially offering the best battery life and least fan noise during light tasks.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual priorities. The Vivobook S 14 OLED shines in offering strong performance (especially CPU and integrated GPU), a vibrant OLED display, and a comprehensive set of features at a competitive price.
Pros:
- Vibrant OLED Display: Offers deep blacks, vibrant colours, and excellent contrast.
- Powerful Performance Options: Including Intel Core Ultra 9 processors for excellent responsiveness.
- Thin and Light Design: Highly portable and easy to carry.
- Solid Build Quality: Premium all-metal construction with potential military-grade durability.
- Excellent Battery Life: Can last for a full day of typical use.
- Good Port Selection: Includes Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, and HDMI.
- Comfortable Keyboard with RGB Backlighting: Provides a pleasant typing experience with customizable lighting.
- Large and Responsive Touchpad: Offers ample space for gestures and accurate tracking.
- Fast Charging: Allows for quick battery top-ups.
- Upgradeable SSD: Offers potential for storage expansion.
Cons:
- Major Fingerprint Magnet: The black finish attracts fingerprints very easily.
- Glossy Display: Can suffer from glare and reflections in bright environments.
- Standard 60Hz Refresh Rate (on some models): May not be as smooth as higher refresh rate displays.
- Soldered RAM: Not user-upgradeable, requiring careful consideration of initial configuration.
- Noticeable Fan Noise Under Load: Fans can become quite loud during intensive tasks.
- Can Get Warm Under Load: The underside can become noticeably hot during demanding use.
- Webcam Quality May Vary: Some reviews indicate subpar webcam quality.
- No Touchscreen or Pen Support (typically): Lacks the versatility of touch-enabled devices.
Conclusion: A Well-Rounded Contender
The Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED emerges as a compelling laptop that offers a fantastic blend of features and performance at a reasonable price. Its stunning OLED display, capable processor options, comfortable keyboard, and long battery life make it a strong contender for anyone seeking a versatile and portable machine for everyday tasks, productivity, and even light creative work or gaming. While the fingerprint-prone design and potentially noticeable fan noise under load are worth considering, the overall package delivers significant value and makes the Asus Vivobook S 14 OLED a laptop you shouldn't overlook.