ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The $1,200 Asus Vivobook S14 boasts a putting, metallic design that homes a high-performing and cozy keyboard.
- Along with the keyboard, this laptop computer sports activities nice efficiency and an OLED show that may output a stunning array of colours.
- The Vivobook S14 can run a little bit sizzling, regardless of Asus’ greatest efforts.
I all the time recognize laptop computer producers that attempt one thing totally different. In any case, it may be robust for computer systems to face out in a sea of different nice machines. The market has been flooded with high-end, 14-inch laptops. Asus’ Vivobook S14 stands out by choosing a extra aesthetically daring design than you may count on. And the laptop computer’s modern design is backed up by strong {hardware} efficiency and a improbable keyboard.
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The Vivobook S14 OLED has a really angular kind issue. The ports on the facet are flush with the laptop computer’s edge, and there’s a noticeable dip separating the inputs. The keys have a blocky form, with corners which are sharper than the chiclet-style keys you may see on different Chromebooks. Over within the nook of the keyboard, the brilliant orange ESC key stands out, contrasting with the matte black coloring of the physique. The Asus Vivobook title juts out on a small ridge in the back of the show.
Put all the things collectively and you’ve got a laptop computer with a strikingly sharp design. I personally like this look so much, though I can see some folks not being a fan of all of the angles.
ZDNET RECOMMENDS
Asus Vivobook S14 OLED
The Asus Vivobook S14 OLED is a improbable work laptop computer for writers, because of its gorgeous show, lengthy battery life, and, most significantly, a snug keyboard.
Pretty much as good as first impressions have been, it is not sufficient for a laptop computer to stroll the stroll. It additionally wants to speak the speak, which implies having the efficiency to again all the things up — and I can say with confidence that this machine definitely delivers.
Asus has carried out an ErgoSense keyboard for the Vivobook S14, which supplies a number of advantages. Every key cap has an indentation of 0.2mm, which guides your fingers on to the contact level within the center. The keys themselves have a journey distance of 1.4mm — you do not have to press the keys with a lot pressure for the enter to be learn; a slight contact is all you want. Lastly, the gap between the center level of 1 key to the following is nineteen.05mm, which is identical as a full-sized keyboard.
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Consider me once I say {that a} good keyboard makes a giant distinction. In the long term, you may discover that your fingers aren’t sore from typing for hours. Plus, the backlighting illuminates the keyboard effectively and comes with a number of ranges of brightness.
Trying up, you’ve got a stunning OLED display that gives a 2880 x 1800 pixel decision show. This high-quality display is pushed additional, because of the Vivobook S14’s help of your complete DCI-P3 gamut, which leads to pretty saturated colours. I watched a few animated strikes on Disney Plus throughout testing and it was a feast for the eyes — Coco had by no means appeared so vibrant.
Moreover, I actually favored the truth that the bezels surrounding the display have been tremendous skinny, even on the high. This small function could make a show appear bigger than it’s. And regardless of the small quantity of room on the high, the webcam doesn’t endure — it shoots video in 1080p decision, so you may all the time look your greatest in calls.
Beneath the hood, my evaluation unit got here outfitted with a thirteenth Gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor and 16GB RAM for an ideal all-round efficiency. I by no means skilled a big slowdown throughout my time with the Vivobook S14, not even once I had over 50 tabs open and a number of movies taking part in without delay.
To take care of efficiency and cut back warmth, Asus has outfitted the Vivobook S14 with its IceCool thermal expertise, which consists of two warmth pipes and an 87-blade fan. Vents are on the facet and backside of the laptop computer. The gadget additionally sits on a pair of rubber stands to make sure correct airflow. This setup works effectively, for probably the most half. The keyboard does get heat, particularly on the backside, since that is the place two of the larger vents are situated. Having this gadget in your lap can really feel fairly uncomfortable as your legs get blasted by the warmth.
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One other factor to notice is that the machine’s battery life is simply satisfactory. I examined the laptop computer by working a continuous YouTube video at 720p and 50% brightness till it died. The Vivobook S14 lasted about six hours earlier than it went utterly darkish. So do not count on the laptop computer to final you thru a full day of duties while not having to cost it in between. I ought to point out that this check befell with out Battery Saver. Having that function turned on will lengthen the battery life, even when it is solely by a little bit.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
I extremely advocate the Asus Vivobook S14 OLED in case you’re searching for a brand new work laptop computer and typing consolation is a precedence. The gadget delivers on a number of fronts, together with its gorgeous OLED show, strong efficiency, and a keyboard that is straightforward on the fingers. There is not a lot in the way in which of configuration. You solely get one processor and one shade possibility — midnight black. This shade seems good, however I might like to see different colours to additional personalize the system.
You should buy the Vivobook S14 off Finest Purchase for $1,200. You even have the choice to purchase the Vivobook S15which is nearly similar to the S14 mannequin however has an even bigger 15.6-inch show.
