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Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Asus Zenbook S16's flagship credentials give AMD footing in an AI PC juggernaut
There is a clear direction the PC market is taking, and if you're spending top money now on something that isn't truly artificial intelligence (AI) capable, you'll be making a mistake. We have the AI PC decoded, illustrating fine differences that dictate the specifics of a Copilot+ PC, Copilot PC, Next-Gen AI PC, and AI Enabled PC. The focus, and it is safe to say this is still stage one of the process, seems to be on setting the top-line. The theoretical performance benchmark, a flex of what PC makers can do with chips from AMD, Intel as well as Qualcomm, as well as AI solutions built into Microsoft Windows 11 and indeed the one's they develop on their own. The Asus Zenbook S16 (2025), with the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, is one more premium AI laptop that has a very distinct undercurrent — AMD's comeback, as it turns out, with quite some style. The 2025 edition of the Zenbook S16 is priced at ₹149,990 and the headline specs make for impressive reading. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 has a 50 TOPS (or trillion operations per second; that makes this a Copilot+ PC) neural processing unit (or NPU) for AI compute, 24GB of memory, and a 16-inch 3K resolution OLED display that belies the compact form factor. The specs are exactly as you'd expect at this price, but then again, there is an urgent need to widen portfolios of the four AI PC classifications, at lower price points too. The Zenbook S16, may well be another impressive example of what's possible. Also Read: HP EliteBook X G1a review: AI in PCs finally gets definitive meaning and purpose Asus has the design elements spot on, and that's another way of saying there is continuity with a few things. That's to be expected, as the portfolio and options widen to include similarly spec-ed (and priced) machines with Intel, Qualcomm and now AMD chips. The Ceraluminum material on the lid has been around since last year, as has the broader aesthetic of the pattern. This is a slim machine, and yet isn't falling short on connectivity, including an HDMI port. Whatever choice you make between Scandinavian White and Zumaia Gray, this laptop is certainly a looker. Tipping the scales at 1.5kg for a 16-inch display, credit is due for the teams that pieced this combination. The 16-inch 2,880 x 1,800 OLED touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, is one of the finest displays in laptops, at this point in time. It can be very bright and equally subdued, and delivers very balanced as well as accurate colours at default settings — there is of course a 'vivid' option, if you prefer over-saturated colours, but even then, separation is still handled fairly well. Deep blacks do make everything look better, be it documents, webpages or media. Asus' display management smarts, such as the automatic refresh to keep an OLED display in good health, have successfully withstood the test of time. Also Read: PC market finds its edge driven by AI push With the sort of specs that form the core of this Asus Zenbook S16, performance is never a doubt. Our experience, as a primary work laptop, testifies to an ability to not just hold performance well even under the sort of multitasking load we could send its way, bit also fairly robust battery life of close to 12 hours for most usage, and around 14.5 hours if you're careful with elements such as display brightness and memory usage. One could argue that Qualcomm chips get close to 20 hours and upwards with similar workloads, and that does hold weight. There is some fan noise that becomes apparent as the machine heats up on the underside when stressed with multi-tasking (it is very cool, rest of the time), and that is something which can perhaps be improved with a firmware update — the question then will be, will it compromise raw performance? Anyone buying the Zenbook S16 that is priced at ₹149,990 is undoubtedly paying top money for a laptop that should have longevity and promise — and the Zenbook S16 is well equipped on both fronts. It delivers what one would expect, and a bit more, with performance, battery stamina as well as that gorgeous display. It is therefore perplexing why Asus have left a few things to chance, such as a fairly middling webcam experience (though that's layered with AI too). On a Zoom call, it is unlikely the other side of the table would get a whiff of the premium laptop you may have just parted with a lot of money for. That is perhaps the only real niggle, in an otherwise well thought through package.
Mint
23-04-2025
- Mint
I switched to the Asus Vivobook 16 M1607K as my daily laptop, and this is how it performed: A review
Let me start with a confession: I've been on a quest for the perfect laptop. One that can handle my chaotic workload (20+ Chrome tabs, video calls, and photo edits), deliver a full day of battery life, and let me unwind with a few games in my free time. But every model I tried had a catch: either the battery died by lunch, the screen was too small, or gaming performance was a disappointment. Then the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1607K landed on my desk. At first glance, its 16-inch chassis felt bulky, way bigger than my go-to compact laptops. I'll admit, I was sceptical. But after a week of using it, I not only got used to its size, but also started wondering: Why didn't someone make this sooner? The screen? It's big enough for productivity but portable enough for daily commutes. The battery? It lasted through my entire workday without a charge. And yes, I even managed to squeeze in some Forza Horizon 5 sessions at medium settings. But the real kicker? That 16-inch size wasn't just a gimmick. There was a sense to it. One that made multitasking, creativity, and even gaming feel effortless. What was the sense? That's what I talk about in the review. The Vivobook 16 isn't just another laptop with a solid processor, it's a Windows 11 Copilot+ PC that's been juiced up with AMD Ryzen AI 7 350's 50-TOPS NPU (that's trillion operations per second for the uninitiated). Think of it as having a tiny genius in your bag: Copilot Key : The dedicated Copilot button is like a "magic button" for productivity. Need to turn a rough sketch into a masterpiece? Cocreator in Paint lets you doodle and refine in real-time using AI prompts. : The dedicated Copilot button is like a "magic button" for productivity. Need to turn a rough sketch into a masterpiece? Cocreator in Paint lets you doodle and refine in real-time using AI prompts. Cocreator and generative tools : Turn a scribble into a Renaissance painting with Cocreator. Generative Fill lets you add a sunset to your photo with a prompt like 'add mountains,' while Generative Erase removes unwanted objects (like that ugly lamp in your selfie) without leaving a trace. : Turn a scribble into a Renaissance painting with Cocreator. Generative Fill lets you add a sunset to your photo with a prompt like 'add mountains,' while Generative Erase removes unwanted objects (like that ugly lamp in your selfie) without leaving a trace. StoryCube : ASUS StoryCube auto-categorizes photos by location, timeline, or faces. It even creates highlight reels and edits videos with a single click, no Adobe required. : ASUS StoryCube auto-categorizes photos by location, timeline, or faces. It even creates highlight reels and edits videos with a single click, no Adobe required. Live captions and translation: Real-time captions and multilingual translations (powered by NPU) make webinars or foreign-language videos accessible. It's like having a simultaneous interpreter in your laptop. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor (8 cores/16 threads, 4nm TSMC fabrication) is a multitasking powerhouse. With DDR5-5600 RAM and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD, it handles 20–30 Chrome tabs, Lightroom edits, and Forza Horizon 5 at 40+ FPS (1080p medium settings) with ease. Benchmarks speak volumes: PCMark 10 Extended : 5,584 (tops its class for productivity). : 5,584 (tops its class for productivity). Cinebench R23 nT : 14,006 (no slouch for light video editing). : 14,006 (no slouch for light video editing). Radeon 860M GPU : Decent for 1080p gaming and 4K video streaming, but not for heavy rendering. The Vivobook 16's 16-inch FHD+ (1920x1200) IPS panel delivers crisp visuals for spreadsheets and movies, though its 45% NTSC colour gamut isn't pro-grade. The 180-degree hinge lets you flip the screen flat to share with a team, while its MIL-STD-810H durability (surviving 18 drops from 100mm, extreme temps, and vibrations) makes it a rugged companion for travellers. Weighing just 1.88 kg, it's portable enough for daily commutes but bulkier than 14-inch laptops. The ErgoSense keyboard feels like a desktop keyboard: 19.05 mm key pitch, 1.7 mm travel, and dish-shaped keys reduce fatigue. Backlit keys and a dedicated Copilot key add flair. The 129.7x84.8 mm touchpad supports smart gestures, like adjusting audio or screen brightness with a swipe. The Dirac-tuned audio and SonicMaster system deliver crisp highs and deep bass that is ideal for movies. But downfiring speakers underwhelm for music. Pair it with Bluetooth headphones for clarity. ASUS AI Noise Cancellation (four modes: Off, Basic, Single/Multi Presenter) makes Zoom calls crystal-clear, even in a coffee shop. More Asus 16-inch laptops With two USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C ports (supporting DisplayPort and PD charging), two Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, and a combo audio jack, the Vivobook 16 connects to dual monitors, external drives, and gaming peripherals effortlessly. Link to MyASUS lets you turn your phone into a second screen (via Shared Cam for calls) or sync files with a tap. The 42Wh battery lasts 6–7 hours on heavy use. Fast charging delivered 60% in 49 minutes during my usage with the proprietary charger, and Battery Health Charging offers three modes: Full Capacity : 100% charge for all-day trips. : 100% charge for all-day trips. Balanced : 80% for daily use. : 80% for daily use. Maximum Lifespan : 60% to extend battery longevity (great for frequent travellers). The MyASUS suite includes ScreenXpert 3.0 (split screens, app navigation, and a floating control centre), Fan Profile modes (Whisper/Standard/Performance), and WiFi SmartConnect (auto-connects to the strongest Wi-Fi). The FHD IR camera with Windows Hello lets you log in with a glance, even in the dark. The Pluton security chip encrypts sensitive data, making it ideal for work or finance. User Type Key Features Content Creators StoryCube + Cocreator = free AI art studio Students/Remote Workers 16-inch screen, Copilot for essays, and noise-canceling mics Casual Gamers 40+ FPS in modern games at medium settings Tech Nomads MIL-STD-810H durability + 1.88 kg weight = rugged yet portable Asus laptops with AMD processors: The Vivobook 16 M1607K is the jack-of-all-trades of laptops. It's not perfect for sure, but its AI features, rugged build, and Windows Copilot integration make it a standout. Whether you're editing photos, gaming, or just need a laptop that listens, this ASUS machine delivers. Disclaimer: Mint has an affiliate marketing partnership, which means we may get some commission on purchases you make through the retailer sites links provided. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, which is free from any bias or marketing pitch. We strive to provide accurate and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. We recommend verifying details with the retailer before making a purchase. First Published: 23 Apr 2025, 11:35 AM IST
