Introduction
I am thrilled to introduce you to the ASUS Vivobook S16 OLED, which has been optimized for those who need a lightweight travel laptop without compromising on performance. Equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 1G processor, this model overcomes the typical issues of overheating and poor performance found in lightweight laptops, offering premium-level capabilities at an astonishingly affordable price. Let’s dive deeper into what makes this the best lightweight travel laptop.
Design and Portability
The ASUS Vivobook S16 boasts a luxurious design featuring aluminum metal. With a thickness ranging from 1.39cm to 1.59cm and a weight of just 1.5kg, it offers portability comparable to ultra-light laptops. Despite its 16-inch display, this level of portability is commendable and matches other premium laptops. The sandblasted finish and diamond-cut edges add to the high-end feel, maximizing the appeal of the Vivobook series. This product is particularly suitable for business professionals and students, thanks to its lightweight and slim profile, making it easy to carry anywhere.
Display
The laptop features a 16-inch 3.2K (3200×2000) OLED panel, offering a high refresh rate of 120Hz and a brightness of 400 nits. With a response time of 0.2ms and 100% DCI-P3 color reproduction, you can enjoy sharp and vibrant visuals. These specs are usually reserved for top-tier models from other brands. The OLED panel provides deeper blacks and higher contrast compared to typical LCDs, making it ideal for watching movies or graphic work. Additionally, the wide viewing angle ensures that the screen remains clear and vibrant even when viewed by multiple people simultaneously.
Performance
The Vivobook S16 is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 1G processor and Intel integrated Arc graphics. It comes with 16GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, offering fast speed and ample storage space. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score ranges from approximately 15,700 to 16,400, with a single-core score peaking at 1,999, showing about a 25% performance improvement over previous laptops. In the 3DMark Fire Strike and Time Spy benchmarks, it scored 9,915 and 3,679, respectively, outperforming similar processors by over 88%. This level of performance ensures high efficiency for various tasks, including business work, video editing, and high-end gaming.
Heat and Noise Management
Despite the high TDP (Thermal Design Power) and associated power consumption, the heat management is excellent. When running Overwatch 2, the CPU temperature maintained around 83 degrees Celsius, and it remained stable without performance drops even during prolonged use. The noise levels were about 28-29dB in idle and 57-58dB while gaming, quieter than typical gaming laptops but slightly louder than ultra-light laptops. The ability to maintain high performance while effectively managing heat and noise highlights the excellent design and cooling system of this product.
Battery Life
The 75Wh large-capacity battery is efficient enough to stream Netflix for about 11 hours at 80% brightness and 30% volume. The battery efficiency in low-power mode is excellent, allowing all-day use without the need for recharging. This means you can use it worry-free during long outings. The USB-C port supports fast charging, allowing you to recharge the battery quickly. Additionally, it is compatible with various USB-C adapters that support PD charging, further enhancing portability with smaller chargers.
Ports
The ASUS Vivobook S16 offers a variety of ports. On the left, there are HDMI 2.1, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a microSD card reader, and an audio jack. On the right, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. The extensive connectivity options, including the Thunderbolt 4 ports, support DisplayPort monitor connections and PD charging, enhancing work efficiency. The Thunderbolt 4 ports enable high-speed data transfer and simultaneous external monitor connections, facilitating seamless multitasking.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The full-size keyboard provides comfort with 19.05mm key spacing and 1.9mm key travel. The RGB backlight allows for customizable keyboard lighting, and the touchpad is 40% larger than previous generations, offering convenient use without a mouse. Additionally, pressing the Hanja key on the keyboard activates the Microsoft Copilot feature, allowing quick and easy AI assistance. These features maximize user productivity and adapt to various work environments.
Additional Features and Software
The ASUS Vivobook S16 comes with various additional features and software to enhance user experience. ASUS’s AI noise-canceling technology reduces background noise during video calls, providing clearer audio. The AI-based facial recognition feature enables fast and secure login through Windows Hello. These features improve convenience in everyday use and are also beneficial in business environments.
Conclusion
The ASUS Vivobook S16 OLED S606M-MX90 excels in performance, design, and portability, rivaling premium laptops. With the Intel Core Ultra 7 1G processor and high-resolution OLED display, it is priced very reasonably at around 1.3 million KRW. I strongly recommend this product to those considering purchasing an ultra-light premium laptop, as it offers great satisfaction in both performance and price.