The Zenbook S 16 OLED is designed to captivate gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. This state-of-the-art laptop boasts an OLED display that promises vibrant, lifelike visuals, cutting-edge AI capabilities, and a robust Ryzen processor that ensures seamless performance. Its sleek design and advanced features make it a standout choice for those who demand excellence in both aesthetics and functionality.
The integration of OLED technology marks a significant milestone in the evolution of gaming laptops. OLED displays are renowned for their superior contrast ratios, deeper blacks, and vibrant colors, providing an immersive visual experience that is crucial for gaming. The Zenbook S 16 OLED is available in two sophisticated color variants that cater to diverse aesthetic preferences: Zumaia Gray and Scandinavian White.
Key Features for Gamers
The Zenbook S 16 OLED offers a visual experience that is nothing short of breathtaking, making it a perfect choice for gamers:
- Size and Resolution: 16.0-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED with a 16:10 aspect ratio.
- Performance: 0.2ms response time and a 120Hz refresh rate ensure smooth, lag-free gameplay.
- Brightness and Color: 400 nits typical brightness, 500 nits HDR peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Certified with VESA Display HDR True Black 500.
- Color Accuracy: Supports 1.07 billion colors and is PANTONE Validated.
- Eye Care: Glossy display with 70% less harmful blue light, TĂśV Rheinland-certified, and SGS Eye Care Display.
- Screen-to-Body Ratio: Boasts a 90% screen-to-body ratio for an expansive viewing experience.
- Touch Option: Available with a touchscreen option that includes stylus support.
The Zenbook S 16 OLED is built to handle the most demanding games and applications with ease:
- Processor Options: Choose between the AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 365 Processor (10 cores, 20 threads) or the more powerful AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 Processor (12 cores, 24 threads).
- Graphics Options: Equipped with either AMD Radeon™ 880M or AMD Radeon™ 890M for exceptional graphics performance.
- Neural Processor: Features an XDNA neural processor capable of up to 50 TOPs, enhancing AI-driven tasks.
- Memory: Available in configurations of 24GB or 32GB LPDDR5X, providing ample memory for multitasking and gaming.
- Storage: Options include 1TB or 2TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4.0 SSD, ensuring fast load times and plenty of storage space for games and applications.
The advanced cooling system in the Zenbook S 16 OLED ensures that the laptop stays cool under pressure, maintaining performance during intense gaming sessions:
- Strategically Placed Vents: Designed to optimize airflow and heat dissipation.
The audio system of the Zenbook S 16 OLED is tailored to deliver an immersive sound experience:
- Speakers: Built-in 4-way stereo speakers.
- Technology: Smart Amp Technology and Harman/Kardon certification.
- Audio Quality: Delivers clear vocals, strong mids, and decent bass, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Comparisons and Alternatives
Here’s a comparison of the Zenbook S 16 OLED with other laptops that feature the AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 365 Processor and the AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 Processor:
| Feature | Zenbook S 16 OLED | Dell XPS 15 | HP Spectre x360 16 | Lenovo Legion 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 365 / HX 370 | AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 365 | AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 | AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 |
| Display | 16.0″ 3K OLED, 120Hz | 15.6″ 4K UHD, 60Hz | 16.0″ 3K OLED, 60Hz | 16.0″ QHD, 165Hz |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon™ 880M / 890M | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 |
| Memory | 24GB / 32GB LPDDR5X | 16GB / 32GB DDR4 | 16GB / 32GB DDR4 | 32GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 1TB / 2TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD | 512GB / 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD | 512GB / 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD | 1TB / 2TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD |
| Display Features | HDR, 1.07 billion colors, PANTONE Validated | Anti-Reflective, 100% Adobe RGB | 100% DCI-P3, touch option | 100% sRGB, Dolby Vision |
| Cooling System | Advanced cooling system | Dual-fan cooling | Advanced cooling system | Vapor chamber cooling |
| Audio | 4-way stereo, Smart Amp, Harman/Kardon | Stereo speakers, Waves MaxxAudio | Bang & Olufsen speakers | Nahimic 3D Audio for Gamers |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 8 hours | Up to 9 hours | Up to 7 hours |
| Weight | 1.9 kg | 2.05 kg | 2.1 kg | 2.25 kg |
| Price Range | $1,799 – $2,499 | $1,699 – $2,399 | $1,799 – $2,399 | $2,199 – $2,799 |
Gaming Performance with Most Anticipated Games
Benchmarking Performance
Let’s look at the Zenbook S 16 OLED’s performance with some of 2024’s most anticipated games:
- Cyberpunk 2077:
- Settings: High
- Resolution: 2880 x 1800
- Average FPS: 45-55 FPS
- Optimized Settings: Lower shadows and reflections to maintain above 50 FPS.
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage:
- Settings: Medium to High
- Resolution: 2880 x 1800
- Average FPS: 50-60 FPS
- Optimized Settings: Adjust environmental detail and crowd density for smoother gameplay.
- Elden Ring:
- Settings: High
- Resolution: 2880 x 1800
- Average FPS: 55-65 FPS
- Optimized Settings: Lower post-processing effects for consistent frame rates.
Actionable Recommendations for Gamers
Best Settings for Gaming on the Zenbook S 16 OLED
To optimize your gaming experience on the Zenbook S 16 OLED, consider these settings for a balance between performance and visual quality:
- Resolution and Refresh Rate:
- Set the resolution to 2880 x 1800 (native 3K).
- Enable 120Hz refresh rate for smoother gameplay.
- Graphics Settings:
- Texture Quality: Medium to High.
- Shadows: Medium.
- Anti-Aliasing: TAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing).
- V-Sync: Off (unless screen tearing is noticeable).
- Ray Tracing: Off or Low (for better performance).
- Power Settings:
- Switch to the High-Performance power plan in Windows 11.
- Ensure the laptop is plugged in for optimal performance.
Recommended Accessories
To enhance your gaming setup, consider these accessories:
- External Mouse: Logitech G502 HERO – offers customizable DPI settings and programmable buttons.
- Gaming Headset: SteelSeries Arctis 7 – provides high-quality audio and a comfortable fit for long gaming sessions.
- Cooling Pad: Cooler Master NotePal X3 – helps maintain optimal temperatures during intense gaming sessions.
Creative Workflows on Zenbook S 16 OLED
Suitability for Content Creation
The Zenbook S 16 OLED is exceptionally suited for content creation tasks such as video editing and graphic design due to its high-resolution, color-accurate OLED display. The PANTONE Validation and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut ensure that creatives can trust the colors they see on screen. The high brightness and contrast ratios further enhance the visual quality, making it ideal for detailed work.
Performance in Creative Software
Adobe Creative Suite
- Photoshop & Illustrator: The high color accuracy and fast performance of the Zenbook S 16 OLED make it perfect for photo editing and vector graphics.
- Premiere Pro: The powerful Ryzen processors and fast SSDs ensure smooth video editing and rendering.
- After Effects: The ample RAM (up to 32GB) supports complex animations and effects.
Blender
- 3D Modeling: The powerful AMD Ryzen processors handle complex 3D modeling tasks efficiently.
- Rendering: While the AMD Radeon graphics are competent, they might not match the rendering speeds of NVIDIA RTX series GPUs found in some competitors.
Integration with Windows 11
The Zenbook S 16 OLED leverages Windows 11 to enhance productivity through features like:
- Snap Layouts: Improved window management for multitasking.
- Virtual Desktops: Easier organization of different workflows.
- DirectStorage: Faster load times for large files, benefiting content creators who work with massive media files.
- Enhanced Touch Support: For the touchscreen model, Windows 11 provides a smooth and intuitive touch experience, making it easier for creators who use stylus support for precise work.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Display Quality: The 16.0-inch 3K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 0.2ms response time offers superior visuals with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast, ideal for gaming and content creation.
- Color Accuracy: 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, PANTONE Validated, and VESA Display HDR True Black 500 certification make it perfect for tasks requiring precise color accuracy.
- Eye Care: TĂśV Rheinland-certified for reduced blue light, making it easier on the eyes during long hours of use.
- Performance: The choice between AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 365 and HX 370 processors, combined with up to 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, ensures robust performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Storage: High-speed 1TB or 2TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD provides fast load times and ample space.
- Audio: 4-way stereo speakers with Smart Amp Technology and Harman/Kardon certification deliver immersive sound.
- Portability: Weighs only 1.9 kg, making it lightweight and easy to carry.
- Graphics: Limited to AMD Radeon™ 880M / 890M, which might not match the performance of higher-end NVIDIA GPUs found in competitors.
- Non-Touch Display: Although a touch option is available, the base model lacks touch capabilities, which might be a drawback for some creative professionals.
Verdict and Final Thoughts
Summary of Key Strengths
The Zenbook S 16 OLED stands out with its:
- Stunning Display: 3K OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and excellent color accuracy.
- Powerful Performance: Equipped with AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 processors and up to 32GB of RAM.
- Portability: Lightweight design at 1.9 kg, making it ideal for on-the-go gaming.
- Audio Quality: 4-way stereo speakers with Harman/Kardon certification for immersive sound.
Final Recommendation
For gamers seeking a combination of power, portability, and visual excellence, the Zenbook S 16 OLED is an outstanding choice. Its advanced display, robust performance, and sleek design make it suitable for both gaming and creative work. While it may not match the raw graphics power of some higher-end gaming laptops, its overall package offers great value and versatility.
Call to Action: Explore the Zenbook S 16 OLED and experience its powerful features firsthand. To learn more and make a purchase, visit ASUS Global. Don’t miss out on this remarkable gaming laptop – elevate your gaming experience today!
