I’ve heard AI computing compared to the laptop as the next big leap forward. I’m skeptical, for sure, but in the past year I’ve seen what Copilot+PC’s neural processing units (NPUs) can do for a Windows laptop’s speed and battery life. It’s mighty impressive, even if it’s not life-changing yet.
Now, with Intel’s Core Ultra 200V Series processors (code-named Lunar Lake) launching across several devices this past September, we are seeing another small, but significant, step forward in the Windows notebook space. These computers are fast and lightweight, and they have gorgeous touch displays. That’s right: You truly can have it all.
The Asus Zenbook S 14 is one of the few laptops powered by a Lunar Lake chip. With an advanced processor, an AI-powered NPU, and a 3K OLED touch screen, it’s a member of an elite group. In terms of productive and portable Windows 11 devices for work or school, it doesn’t get much higher-quality—or more lightweight—than the Zenbook S 14.
ASUS Zenbook S 14 Copilot+ PC
Cons
- No upgradeable memory
- Mechanical touchpad is clunky
- Limited buying options in North America
| Display | 14-inch 2880x1800p OLED, 120hz |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |
| Memory | 32GB |
| Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Dimensions | 12.22″x 8.45″x 0.47″ |
| Weight | 2.65 pounds |
| Colors | Scandinavian White, Zumaia Gray |
The review unit Asus sent me is the gorgeous “Scandinavian White” edition. The matte Ceraluminium top panel is scratch resistant, so you can throw it in a backpack case-free. And it snaps up to reveal a stark-white trackpad and keyboard. It’s got a bit of a unique design, with a Copilot button added to the keyboard, a feature of Copilot+PCs, and a keyboard-length heat grille on top. It makes smart use of the space, feeling compact but not crowded, and the grille helps prevent a whirring fan from drowning out the excellent Harman Kardon speakers.
I will try not to spend too much time comparing this laptop with the 2024 Surface Copilot+PC I adore so much. But here’s the thing: In my time since that review, the Surface laptop has become my go-to Windows machine. I can boot it up whenever, knowing it will likely have a charge. If I’m feeling lazy or too hungover, I can use the touch screen. The Zenbook S 14 shares many of its best qualities and even boasts some enhancements.
First, and most noticeably, is the screen. The Zenbook S 14’s touch screen is not quite as high resolution as the Surface laptop, but it is sharper and brighter. It’s an OLED—that’s why—and one that spits out a competitive 120Hz refresh rate. Even with a decently sized bezel, the screen manages to feel bigger than you’d expect from such a compact and lightweight laptop.
The computer supports fast charging via Thunderbolt, using the included 65-watt brick. It also has a bigger, and better, port selection than the other Copilot+PC laptops I’ve used. It’s a pretty ideal setup, actually, with two USB-C Thunderbolt ports, one USB-A, one headphone jack, and, crucially, an HDMI port. It does all this and somehow weighs less than a MacBook Air.
Where does it not stack up? The keyboard on the S 14 is satisfying enough (although I still prefer the Surface’s by a hair); it’s the track pad I can’t quite get used to. It’s a large mechanical touchpad, and it’s got split inputs, so if you touch on the right side, it right-clicks. Due to this design choice and the size, I find myself right-clicking when I mean to be regular clicking quite a bit. If you’re used to a mouse, this could be a pro, but I do enough work on laptops with haptic touchpads for it to feel pretty clunky.
The Intel Ultra 7 processor is a powerful laptop CPU that is built for battery efficiency. My device can last for an hour of work while draining barely more than 10 percent of its battery. And if the laptop needs a fan or cooling system, I haven’t needed it yet. This thing is as silent as the holiest of silent nights and runs as cool as anything I’ve used.
In terms of performance, it’s not quite holding a candle to the Snapdragon X chip found in the best Surface laptops, but the S 14 is ahead of the average MacBook Air. The biggest downside of Lunar Lake is that it has integrated RAM. That means you’re stuck with the 32 gigabytes of memory you get with the laptop and no options for upgrading down the line. This is not a deal-breaker, but it is a one-off for this line of laptops. Intel’s president has gone on record saying it was a mistake that won’t be repeated. It’s also worth mentioning because this laptop is an investment.
Seriously, at $1,500 this is entering the premium tier for anything that’s not a gaming laptop. Is it too expensive? Certainly not, but the specific CPU choices Intel made with this generation place some limits on the number of buying options. For me, the lack of options is the real detractor here. An equivalent laptop from HP, Microsoft, or Lenovo will run you a similar price, but the cost can be brought down by swapping out a Snapdragon Elite for a Snapdragon Plus chip or opting for a smaller SSD. In the North American market, the version of the Zenbook S 14 I reviewed is the only one of two being sold by Asus. Best Buy is currently offering a 16 GB RAM model, but that’s the only other Zenbook S 14 I could find. For something closer to $1,000, Asus still offers the regular Zenbook 14 OLED.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a Windows laptop that feels modern and pushes the limits of power efficiency, the Zenbook S 14 is a smart purchase. It’s got a battery that will let you work all day without needing a charge. The OLED touch screen is a nice touch, too.
That said, for the money, you could find something with a little more graphics oomph for gaming or video editing, but they certainly wouldn’t have all the bells and whistles of this beauty from Asus.
ASUS Zenbook S 14 Copilot+ PC
Cons
- No upgradeable memory
- Mechanical touchpad is clunky
- Limited buying options in North America
| Display | 14-inch 2880x1800p OLED, 120hz |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |
| Memory | 32GB |
| Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Dimensions | 12.22″x 8.45″x 0.47″ |
| Weight | 2.65 pounds |
| Colors | Scandinavian White, Zumaia Gray |
Why Trust Esquire?
Here at Esquire, we compile our guides by performing heavy research and testing, and the gadgets we choose to award are what we’d spend our own money on. We choose the best tech for you based the hands-on experience of our writers, editors, and extended staff across the globe. In the case of this Asus Zenbook, I spent about a month using it as my personal Windows laptop. I also tried to do as much of my writing and other work on it as I possibly could within that time frame. For the sake of this review, I tested the computer for pure productivity and longevity—not to push its graphics card or run hardcore benchmarks.
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