AMD Zen 5 in the Asus Zenbook S16: A Game Changer for Laptops
AMD recently launched its Zen 5 architecture for laptops, and the Asus Zenbook S16 is among the first batch of laptops to feature this new technlogy. The Zen 5 is already being praised for its impressive efficiency—a crucial factor for laptops today, where balancing performance and battery life is key. I’ve put this laptop to the test, and I’ll go over my findings here. I also plan to conduct more processor performance-related tests, comparing this specific chip to Apple Silicon and Snapdragon in a future review, so stay tuned for that. For now, let’s focus on the complete package: the laptop itself and how well it works with the Zen 5 chip. As with the Snapdragon X Elite machines I’ve tested, the interaction between the chasdis and the chip can significantly impact a laptop’s reputation. Sometimes a powerful chip can be let down by subpar design and build quality, as I’ve seen in past tests.
Design and Build Quality:
From the first look, it’s clear that this is a different caliber of laptop from Asus. The Zenbook S16 features a unique, high-quality aluminum design. The screen is quaite nice, with a reflective surface that doesn’t suffer from the warping issues I have seen in other machines like the VivoBook. This is my first experience with a Zenbook, and it’s apparent that this is a step up from other Asus models I have used. However, there are still area that need improvement. The middle of the body has some give, likely due to the plastic bottom, which can bend. While the top is sturdy, the plastic base may not be as durable.
Another design aspect I’m not a fan of is the laptop’s rubber legs. These pieces protruide and are prone to wear over time, especially when repeatedly taken in and out of a bag. Although these legs tilt the laptop toward you for a better typing position, their durability is also questionable.
Port Selection and Durability Concerns:
The laptop is equipped with an AMD Ryzen AI9 365 processor. On one side, it has HDMI, two USB-C ports, and a headphone jack, while the other side featires a USB-A port and an SD card reader. The Zenbook S16 has a unique look and makes a strong first impression straight out of the box. However, there are concerns about how it will hold up over time. The laser-cut notches and groves in the design could potentially collect dirt, and the new ‘Ser Aluminum’ material’s resistance to stains like coffee spills is something that only a long-term review can confirm. Given how new this design is, these are valid considerations for potential buyers, especially those who might not be the tidiest.
One positive note is that the Zenbook S16 is one of the most fingerprint-resistant laptops I’ve ever seen virtually no smudges, which is quite impressive.
Display Quality:
I tested the monitor’s brightness, and while it’s not the brighter enough, it’s sufficient and looks great. This is an OLED panel, which means deep blacks and bright whites, provuding excellent contrast. Despite the tests showing otherwise, I found the display to be bright enough for everyday use, and the colors are vavid. This screen also supports touch functionality, which I don’t use often but is a nice feature to have.
Keyboard and Touchpad Experience:
Using the Zenbook S16 for a few days, I found the keyvoard to be decent. It’s a bit too stiff for my liking, but its clicky and responsive. My main issue is with the touchpad. It uses a diving board design, which means it doesn’t work at all at the top and is only responsive at the bottom. This design choice is puzzling, espesially given the touchpad’s size. If you can’t use the whole thing, why to make it so large? This led me to avoid the touchpad when possible, opting instead to use an external mouse something I occasionally do with my MacBook as well, although the MacBook’s trackpad is excellent in comparison.
Initial Benchmarks and Battery Life:
I ran some initial benchmarks to gauge the Zenbook S16’s performance, which I’ll display below. I’ll be conducting more detailed comparisons in a future review. Despite the laptop’s relatively compact size, it houses a substantial 78 watt hour battery. Interestingly, on a full charge, it reaches 79,218 mAh;
Testing Efficiency:
My main question was how efficient this new machine is. Sure, it has a great design, and the screen is imprassive better than any other Asus machine I’ve tried. For my tests, I used a setup that includes Chrome (my preferred browser for its excellent developer tools), with 15 tabs open. I know, that’s not many compared to what some of you manage—30, 40, or even 70 tabs. I recently tested over 7,000 tabs, but that’s a story for another time. Along with Chrome, I had my terminal, Notion, Todoist, VS Code, and Visual Studio open. The Visual Studio project I’m currently working on wasn’t part of the battery test, as I wanted to use cross-platform tools for consistency across different machines, whether they use Intel, Apple Silicon, Snapdragon, or AMD processors.
My battery test simulates my daily workflow in half-hour increments, fully scripted and automated. This includes playing music, copying files, using Todoist, coding, running Python scripts (including the Mandelbrot test, known for being processor-intensive), browsing, and watching YouTube videos. The idea is to see how long the bartery lasts under a realistic workload until it’s fully drained.
High-Performance vs Balanced Power Plan
I typically run my laptops on a high-performance power plan. If you’re not familiar, this is different from the “Best Performance” setting in the new Windows UI. Comparing the Zenbook S16 with other recent machines like my daily driver MacBook Pro M2 Max, Snapdragon X Elite models, and various Intel machines, the Zenbook S16 comes out in the middle. It lasted about 210 minutes on a high performanse plan. The power consumption was steady, with no significant fluctuations, which is a good sign. However, it doesn’t last as long as the MacBook Pro 16 M2 Max, which reaches 240 minutes, or several Snapdragon models.
Battery Efficiency Comparisons:
When considering battery size and work performed, efficiency is key. The Zenbook S16 performs better than Intel models but falls short compared to Apple Silicon and Snapdragon X Elite models. Efficiency is calculated based on power consumed relative to work done, taking into account the battery size. While the Zenbook S16 has a large battery, this doesn’t necessarily translate to longer battery life. For instance, smaller batteries in Dell and Surface laptops may last longer if they are more efficient in energy use.
A Word on Power Plans:
I prefer the high-performance plan, but many users might not bother changing the default settings, especially with mid-range machines like the Zenbook S16. To cator to this, I also tested the Zenbook S16 on the balanced power plan. On this setting, it lasted over nine hours, significantly longer than the three and a half hours it lasted on high performance. This highlights the importance of choosing the right power plan based on your needs if you’re plugged in and need maximum performance, go for high performance. If battery life is a priority, consider using the balanced setting.
In conclusion, the Asus Zenbook S16 with AMD’s Zen 5 is a solid performer with a few quirks. It holds its own against the competition, especially in terms of design and efficiency. As always, the choice comes down to personal preferences and specific use cases. If you’re in the market for a new laptop, the Zenbook S16 is worth considering, especially for those who prioritize efficiency without compromising on performance.
