ASUS VivoBook S Quick Review: Affordable Done Right

ASUS VivoBook S Quick Review: Affordable Done Right

We go hands-on with the VivoBook S!

ASUS announced a bevy of high-end notebooks today at Taiwan, but while the metal-clad ZenBooks caught the eye of many, it’s the company’s VivoBook S that really piqued our interest. While it doesn’t push the boundaries of design or even performance, it’s price point is certainly something we haven’t seen before. Starting out at just $499 for a Core i3 model, the 15.6 ViVoBook S looks like an awesome bang-for-the-buck notebook for not much money.

ASUS Vivobook S Specifications

  • Up to Intel Core i7 U-series processor
  • Up to 16GB of RAM
  • NVIDIA GTX 940MX GPU
  • Full HD NanoEdge Display; 80-percent screen-to-body ratio
  • Up to 512GB of SSD Storage + 2TB HDD
  • One Touch Login with Windows Hello Support
  • Super Fast-Charging Capabilities

Initial impressions: well built with good specs to match

We’re a bit blown away with what ASUS has managed to accomplish with the VivoBook S. While the VivoBook S looks a lot like ASUS’ other notebook offerings with its aluminum-looking lid and metal chassis, you have to keep in mind that this particular device is expected to retail at $499.

Despite that price point, the VivoBook S is just 1.5 kilos and 17.9mm thick, which is, by the way, just a hair under the 18mm thickness restriction imposed by Intel for a device to be considered an ultrabook.

The lid looks like aluminum but feels like plastic, so we’re not exactly sure if it is made from metal. The chassis is a different story though – it is definitely made out of metal, and feels pretty premium. That 15.6-inch display has a matte finish and the company’s NanoEdge Display tech which ASUS says gives the thing a 80% screen-to-body ratio.

You can equip the VivoBook S with a variety of configurations depending on your needs, with ASUS quoting your choice of Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processors for it as well as up to 16GB RAM, 512GB of SSD storage plus 2TB of HDD space as well as GeForce G940MX discrete graphics.

Obviously that’s the configuration of the top-end model, so you have to temper your expectations for the quoted $499 model. You’ll likely end up with a Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM and 512GB of HDD storage for the entry-level device.

So that’s it! We’ve spoken with Jerry Shen, the CEO of ASUS earlier today and he assures us that they’ll try to stick with the quoted SRP when they bring the notebook over to the Philippines. We’re going to hold him to that promise – hopefully taxes and other expenses don’t mess with the pricing of ASUS too much for the VivoBook S.

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