Asus’ Zenbook range has always been overshadowed by brands like HP and Dell on the list of the best laptops, offering great quality and unique features, but usually with a catch, be it inconsistent performance, poor battery life, or strange configuration options. The Zenbook S 13 OLED could break that pattern, especially in the way that it compares to the MacBook Air.
Related In the previous generation, Asus offered 12th-gen Intel processors, but only inside its 2-in-1 model. The standard clamshell design was locked to AMD’s Ryzen 6000 processors. It’s not clear if Asus will also offer Ryzen 7000 CPUs in its new design once they hit shelves, but switching back to Intel is an interesting move. You’re also getting double the RAM as the previous generation, but the same amount of storage.
This configuration, the UX5304, is the only one we have right now. Asus will likely sell at least one other configuration, but I’m not sure what its specs will be. Asus is asking $1,400 for this configuration, placing it somewhere in the range of a Macbook Pro 13 or Dell XPS 13 Plus. It’s hard to argue with extra durability, but Asus managed to elevate the look of the laptop in the process. The lid of the Zenbook S 13 OLED has a soft micro texture that’s much more appealing than an anodized top, and due to unique process of creating the lid, every laptop is a little different. That’s not to mention the cleaner process for manufacturing — unlike an anodized top, Asus’ process doesn’t require any acids or heavy metals.
The Zenbook range has always looked good — just read our Asus Zenbook 14X OLED review — but the redesign of the Zenbook S 13 OLED makes it feel unique. In a wide sea of 13-inch laptops, the Zenbook S 13 OLED feels like it stands out, and all while helping with durability and sustainability. If Asus’ previous OLED models are a hint, the Zenbook S 13 OLED will hold up. Even in my brief time with the display, colors popped off the screen. And due to the OLED panels being able to control the brightness of individual pixels, you get perfect black levels.