This Asus laptop computer has probably the most snug keyboard I’ve ever typed on

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The $1,200 Asus Vivobook S14 boasts a hanging, metallic design that homes a high-performing and comfy 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 bit sizzling, regardless of Asus’ greatest efforts.

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I at all times respect laptop computer producers that strive one thing totally different. In spite of everything, it may be powerful 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 glossy design is backed up by strong {hardware} efficiency and a unbelievable keyboard.

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The Vivobook S14 OLED has a really angular type 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 can be sharper than the chiclet-style keys you may see on different Chromebooks. Over within the nook of the keyboard, the intense orange ESC key stands out, contrasting with the matte black coloring of the physique. The Asus Vivobook title juts out on a small ridge behind the show.

Put every part collectively and you’ve got a laptop computer with a strikingly sharp design. I personally like this look loads, though I can see some folks not being a fan of all of the angles.

Pretty much as good as first impressions had been, it is not sufficient for a laptop computer to stroll the stroll. It additionally wants to speak the discuss, which suggests having the efficiency to again every part up — and I can say with confidence that this machine actually delivers.

Asus has applied an ErgoSense keyboard for the Vivobook S14, which offers 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 space between the center level of 1 key to the following is nineteen.05mm, which is similar as a full-sized keyboard.

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Imagine me once I say {that a} good keyboard makes an enormous distinction. In the long term, you may discover that your fingers aren’t sore from typing for hours. Plus, the backlighting illuminates the keyboard properly and comes with a number of ranges of brightness.

Wanting up, you’ve gotten a stunning OLED display screen that gives a 2880 x 1800 pixel decision show. This high-quality display screen is pushed additional, due to the Vivobook S14’s assist of all the DCI-P3 gamut, which ends up in 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 seemed so vibrant.

Moreover, I actually preferred the truth that the bezels surrounding the display screen had been tremendous skinny, even on the high. This small function could make a show appear larger 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 at all times look your greatest in calls.

Beneath the hood, my evaluate unit got here outfitted with a thirteenth Gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor and 16GB RAM for an awesome 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 enjoying directly.

To take care of efficiency and scale back warmth, Asus has outfitted the Vivobook S14 with its IceCool thermal know-how, 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 properly, 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 operating 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 with no need to cost it in between. I ought to point out that this check befell with out Battery Saver. Having that function turned on will prolong the battery life, even when it is solely by a bit.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

I extremely suggest the Asus Vivobook S14 OLED in the event you’re in search of a brand new work laptop computer and typing consolation is a precedence. The gadget delivers on a number of fronts, together with its beautiful OLED show, strong efficiency, and a keyboard that is straightforward on the fingers. There is not a lot in the best way of configuration. You solely get one processor and one shade possibility — midnight black. This shade appears to be like good, however I would like to see different colours to additional personalize the system.

You should purchase the Vivobook S14 off Finest Purchase for $1,200. You even have the choice to purchase the Vivobook S15which is nearly an identical to the S14 mannequin however has a much bigger 15.6-inch show.