Do not let the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED’s mouthful of a reputation scare you away.. This premium 2-in-1 convertible pocket book is out to impress and overwhelmingly succeeds in doing so.
The numerous highlights for this flagship Asus convertible embody an exceptionally skinny and lightweight magnesium chassis, an OLED contact show, comfy enter gadgets, and room-filling audio system. Asus even contains an energetic stylus and protecting sleeve. Look to this Zenbook as a worthy, if not essentially superior, different to the HP Spectre x360 13.5 and the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7, that are a few of the greatest ultrabooks round.
Design of the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED
The Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED oozes high quality. Its ultra-modern design has straight edges, minimally rounded corners, skinny show bezels, and an outsized touchpad. Our unit is completed in good-looking ponder blue, although it tends to look darkish grey except it’s beneath direct lighting.
This convertible is made from steel as anticipated on this premium tier. Particularly, Asus used light-weight magnesium. It’s straightforward to inform from plastic and aluminum by the oddly nice scratchy sound it makes whenever you run your fingertips throughout it. Magnesium additionally offers wonderful power; the Zenbook’s palm relaxation hardly budged once I pressed down forcefully.
The lid is adorned with the Asus’s Star Trek communicator-like Zenbook emblem. Asus Zenbook model lettering runs alongside the underside and in addition seems beneath the display screen. My one nitpick is that Asus has a behavior of together with numerous stickers on the palm relaxation. If this had been my laptop computer, I’d take away them to scrub up the look.
Magnesium additionally helps preserve the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED mild at simply 2.43 kilos (1.10 kg), which is noticeably lighter than the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7 (3.09 kilos) and the HP Spectre x360 13.5 (3.01 kilos). It even comes inside half a pound of the tablet-first Microsoft Floor Professional 9 (1.95 kilos). And at 11.67 x 8.26 x 0.59 inches (WDH), the Zenbook is trimmer in each dimension than the Yoga 9i Gen 7 (12.5 x 9.06 x 0.6 inches) and the Spectre x360 (11.74 x 8.68 x 0.67 inches).
The Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED is a laptop-first system as its uncovered keyboard repeatedly reminds you in pill mode. No less than you need to use its convertible performance in different methods, comparable to folding its display screen again 270 levels after which putting it keyboard side-down, a presentation mode that works particularly properly on an airline financial system seat tray desk.
The draw back to the Zenbook’s slim design is a restricted port choice. The left edge has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C port and the cooling exhaust vent.
The appropriate edge has a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB Sort-C), a MicroSD card reader and a 3.5 mm headphone/microphone jack.
There aren’t any USB-A ports, which is changing into extra widespread on skinny ultrabooks, however Asus features a USB-C to USB-A adapter within the field. Notably, all of the USB-C ports assist energy supply, which suggests you may plug the 65-watt USB-C energy adapter into the left or proper facet of the pocket book. I actually like that flexibility. All of the USB-C ports additionally assist DisplayPort over USB-C.
Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED Specs
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1260P (4 Efficiency cores, 8 Environment friendly cores, 2.1 GHz base, as much as 4.7 GHz Turbo Increase) |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Reminiscence | 16GB LPDDR5 onboard |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
| Show | 13.3-inch, 2880 x 1800, OLED, 60Hz, contact, stylus assist |
| Networking | Intel Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5 |
| Ports | USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm headphone/microphone, MicroSD card reader |
| Digicam | FHD digital camera with IR operate |
| Battery | 67 WHr |
| Energy Adapter | 65 watts (USB Sort-C connector) |
| Working System | Home windows 11 Dwelling |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 11.67 x 8.26 x 0.59 inches (296.3 x 209.7 x 14.9 mm) |
| Weight | 2.43 kilos (1.10kg) |
| Worth (as configured) | $1,486.27 |
Productiveness Efficiency on the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED
The Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED we reviewed has an Intel Core i7-1260P processor, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. For efficiency comparisons, we included the HP Spectre x360 13.5 and the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7, that are priced just like the Zenbook, and the economical Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (7420). The Spectre x360 and the Inspiron use a Core i7-1255U, which has solely two Efficiency cores versus the 4 Efficiency cores within the Core i7-1260P. The Yoga 9i Gen 7 additionally makes use of the Core i7-1260P.
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Within the CPU-oriented productiveness check Geekbench 5, the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED’s 1,707-point single-core rating is aggressive, simply behind the Lenovo’s 1,722 factors. Nonetheless, it ran away within the extra vital multi-core check, with 8,797 factors. The following-closest, the Spectre x360, had 7,243 factors.
The Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED confirmed related stamina in Handbrake video encoding, ending the check in 9 minutes to beat the next-best Dell’s rating by virtually a full minute. The Legion had the worst time (12:08) regardless of utilizing the identical Core i7-1260P because the Zenbook, suggesting its cooling and/or energy administration isn’t as efficient.
Transferring on, the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED trailed in our 25GB file switch check with 766.13 MBps, not even near the Spectre x360’s 1,363.29 MBps and the Yoga 9i Gen 7’s main 1,506.89 MBps. I didn’t discover any hesitation beginning Home windows or opening apps or paperwork, however Asus clearly may have used a quicker drive.
For a real check of stamina, we run the Cinebench R23 CPU stress check 20 occasions to see how the system’s cooling retains up beneath prolonged load. The Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED began at 7,972 factors however dipped sharply over the subsequent couple iterations, bottoming out at 5,324 factors. It then recovered and stabilized at simply over 5,700 factors. It’s good that the rating stabilized, displaying the cooling system ultimately get the processor’s warmth beneath management, however this laptop computer may in all probability use extra aggressive fan conduct to get the temperatures beneath management sooner. Throughout the stress check, the Core i7-1260P’s common temperature was 73.4 levels C.
There’s a weird story behind this chart. We had anticipated the processor’s P-cores to run at the next frequency than the E-cores, however the P-cores ran at a mean of simply 731 MHz whereas the E-cores averaged at 2,327 MHz. Our logs confirmed for many Cinebench iterations, the P-cores tended to function at a excessive frequency (between 1,400 MHz to only over 3,000 MHz) for about 15 seconds earlier than throttling right down to just some hundred MHz at which level the E-cores ramped up their frequency and successfully took over processing duties. In essence, the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED used the P-cores solely in bursts and shifted to the E-cores for duties requiring most CPU energy for quite a lot of seconds. This conduct retains temperatures down nevertheless it doesn’t let the CPU carry out to its full potential.
We requested Asus about this conduct, and had been informed “…the TDP is proscribed to 25W in efficiency, so the CPU will routinely modify the frequency to regulate the TDP beneath 25W, and adjusting P cores is the quickest technique to decrease the CPU temperature and TDP.”
Whereas this actually works, if the laptop computer cannot deal with any type of sustained efficiency utilizing its extra highly effective cores, it makes me marvel if a U-class chip would have been a greater match, since they’ve simply two P-cores.
Show on the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED
The Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED has a 13.3-inch contact show with a 2880 x 1800 decision, which isn’t fairly 4K however nonetheless reveals loads of element. Its 16:10 side ratio is taller and extra fashionable than the 16:9 side ratio that now appears quaint, although it’s not as sq. because the 3:2 show on the HP Spectre x360 13.5.
The very best side of this show is, by far, its OLED expertise. Similar to OLED TVs, every pixel is individually backlit, so whenever you’re taking a look at one thing black, there’s no mild coming from that a part of the display screen. It was straightforward to understand this impact whereas watching a film in a darkish room. Non-OLED screens would present gray-black bars on the highest and backside of the film, however that impact seems invisible on this display screen at midnight.
The pitch blacks and excessive brightness of this display screen create virtually limitless distinction. I used to be stunned whereas watching The Batman; its darkish scenes with sudden explosions and gunshots virtually made me squint, and the sunrises and sunsets made me need to pause the film and stare. The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 trailer and different colourful Marvel motion pictures had been particularly enjoyable to observe. And, after all, I simply needed to watch the introduction of Terminator II: Judgement Day which in all probability even James Cameron by no means imagined would look so good. *Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED – Display screen.jpg
The show’s solely actual draw back is its mirror-like floor, which reveals numerous reflections. I needed to crank the brightness whereas sitting subsequent to a sunny window to see what I used to be doing. It additionally tends to draw smudges and fingerprints.
The Zenbook’s OLED display screen competed properly in opposition to our comparability group. Its 327.8-nit peak brightness was a smidge off the 355 nits of the Spectre x360 and 352 nits of the Yoga 9i Gen 7, however most customers in all probability wouldn’t discover these variations. The Zenbook additionally did properly in coloration copy, displaying 97.8% of DCI-P3. The overachieving Yoga 9i Gen 7 outdid it there, with an astounding 140%, however the utility of greater-than 100% protection of DCI-P3 is proscribed; that gamut represents nearly each coloration you’d see in fashionable streaming media. In the meantime, the Dell’s display screen lined simply 43.5% of DCI-P3. The display screen is normally one of many elements that suffers whenever you spend a lot much less cash.
Keyboard Touchpad and Stylus on the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED
The Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED’s keyboard has satisfying tactile suggestions. Skinny laptops usually compromise by utilizing keyboards with minimal journey, however the Zenbook has a wholesome 1.4 mm value. Keypresses really feel exact and make a pleasing but mushy clicking sound. I managed 103 phrases per minute with 99.61% accuracy within the 10fastfingers typing check, which is in addition to I can do on any keyboard.
The 2-level white backlighting is seen in the course of the daytime. I discovered the structure largely normal, although keyboard shortcut junkies will probably be upset that Dwelling, Finish, Web page Up and Web page Down keys are solely obtainable as secondary features within the arrow keys. The first features of the highest keyboard row are F1 via F12 if you happen to allow Operate Lock by urgent Fn + Esc; in any other case, the printed symbols are major, comparable to display screen brightness and quantity management. The ability button at high proper doubles as a fingerprint reader. It’s exhausting to press down and I didn’t unintentionally have interaction it.
The Zenbook’s touchpad can be first-rate, with an enormous floor stretching all the best way to the underside of the palm relaxation. It has a easy anti-glare floor. Tactile suggestions from urgent the floor to click on is exact and produces little noise. The touchpad turns into a digital quantity pad if you happen to faucet the calculator button on the high proper nook; the floor illuminates and also you get a grid structure. You possibly can modify the brightness by tapping the highest left nook. I discovered this marginally helpful however I missed the tactile suggestions of an actual quantity pad.
As an added bonus, the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED is roofed in an antibacterial coating that Asus says is efficient for as much as three years. The corporate claims that over 24 hours, the coating kills 99% of any micro organism on the laptop computer’s surfaces. The Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED contains an energetic stylus, which is sweet as a result of some firms make you pay further. It’s concerning the dimension of an actual pen, helps 4,096 strain ranges, and recharges through USB Sort-C. There are two buttons and it comes with interchangeable suggestions. Writing and drawing on the Zenbook’s display screen was a cinch. I feel a 3:2 side ratio display screen would work higher for a real artist/drawing pill, however 16:10 remains to be a lot most popular over 16:9. The draw back of this stylus is that it’s too large to storage within the Zenbook and it doesn’t have a tether to tie it to the system, so it may possibly simply get misplaced.
Audio on the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED
The Zenbook’s Dolby Atmos-tuned audio system punch properly above their diminutive dimension. They venture properly and have excessive sufficient quantity which you could entertain a number of individuals – no extra leaning in shut to listen to that newest YouTube video.
This setup additionally has respectable bass as I discovered listening to Timbaland’s “Apologize” that includes. One Republic. Vocals got here via clearly and the sound wasn’t tinny in any respect. I additionally loved the soundstage in Redbone’s “Come Get Your Love”. You possibly can tune equalizer settings within the included Dolby Atmos app. The Balanced preset created a great mixture of element and bass to my ears.
Upgradeability of the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED
9 Torx screws safe the Zenbook’s backside cowl. I wanted a pry device to pop up one of many entrance corners, after which I used to be in a position to coax the opposite edges free.
Sadly, the Zenbook’s user-changeable elements are restricted to the battery and the M.2 2280 SSD. The SSD is roofed beneath a sticky thermal pad and never seen within the picture above. The RAM is soldered-down LPDDR5 and even the wi-fi card is soldered.
Battery Life on the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED
Battery life is vital on convertible notebooks, and the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED doesn’t disappoint. It lasted 9 hours and 41 minutes throughout our battery check, which consists of steady internet looking, streaming video, and OpenGL simulations over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of display screen brightness. Solely the Spectre x360 did higher, at 10 hours and 12 minutes. The Yoga 9i Gen 7 wasn’t as aggressive, with eight hours and eight minutes.
Warmth on the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED
We measure laptop computer floor temperatures whereas working the Cinebench R23 CPU stress check. The keyboard heart of the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED measured simply 90.1 levels Fahrenheit (32.8 levels Celsius) and the touchpad a cool 75.3 F (24.1 C), the final just some levels above room temperature.
The underside of the laptop computer peaked at a toastier 119 F (48.3 C), however this was truly behind the cooling grate and never the underside cowl itself. After I put my fingers on the hotspot, it didn’t really feel greater than lukewarm.
The Zenbook’s single cooling fan was quiet and exhausting to note, even in a room with out different noise.
Webcam on the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED
The Zenbook S 13 Flip has high quality 1080p webcam over its show. It confirmed my face clearly and sharply even beneath suboptimal indoor lighting. I noticed some grain indoors, however there’s basically none beneath regular lighting. (Take a look at our greatest webcams if that you must look your very best.)
The digital camera has an IR operate which helps facial-recognition logins through Home windows Hi there. There’s no bodily privateness shutter however urgent F10 disables the digital camera. An orange indicator on the F10 key lights up when the digital camera is disabled.
Software program and Guarantee on the Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED
Asus retains preloaded software program to a minimal on the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED. The MyAsus app is the massive one; it does system updates, permits you to entry buyer assist, and has tons of system settings. OLED shows are susceptible to burn-in, so the app has settings to stop that. One is Pixel Shift, which subtly strikes the pixels to keep away from displaying a static image. The app says the impact isn’t noticeable, and I agree. It additionally has a Pixel Refresh function, which runs a particular display screen saver after the laptop computer is idle for half-hour. This supposedly rejuvenates the panel for optimum picture high quality.
The opposite vital app is Dolby Entry. You possibly can tweak Dolby Atmos sound settings or create your personal EQ. A GlideX app can be included, which I didn’t check, nevertheless it permits you to mirror your cellular system’s display screen on the laptop computer display screen or use the cellular system as a second display screen.
Different apps embody Disney Plus, Spotify, and related packages which can be sometimes included in Home windows 11’s Begin menu. Asus covers the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED with a one-year guarantee.
Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED Configurations
The Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED we reviewed is mannequin UP5302, which I solely discovered on the market in our assessment configuration. It features a 13.3-inch 2880 x 1800 OLED contact display screen, Home windows 11 Dwelling, an Intel Core i7-1260P processor, Intel Iris Xe built-in graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Within the field is an energetic stylus pen and a protecting sleeve.
We examined the laptop computer within the ponder blue colorway. Asus’ US product web page (opens in new tab) reveals a “refined white” model, however I didn’t discover it on the market.
Backside Line
Asus’s Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED is a implausible convertible pocket book. Each little bit of it screams premium, and that’s the language we’re in search of when spending this type of cash.
Maybe the Zenbook’s most spectacular feat is being so skinny and lightweight. At 2.43 kilos, it’s inside one-half pound of Microsoft’s tablet-only Floor Professional 9. You additionally get a stellar-looking OLED contact show, satisfying enter gadgets, nice audio system, and stable productiveness efficiency. Its SSD isn’t quick, nevertheless it received’t maintain you again in on a regular basis use. Its battery life additionally isn’t class main, nevertheless it’s hardly off the tempo.
The HP Spectre x360 13.5 does higher as a pill due to its squarer 3:2 display screen, it has a higher-resolution webcam, and it’s arguably extra sensible, because of its USB Sort-A port (of which the Zenbook has none). The Zenbook, then again, is extra transportable and significantly cheaper (it was $1,486 at this writing whereas a comparable Spectre was $1,699).
The Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED additionally has to cope with one other favourite, the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7. It boasts the next decision 4K OLED show (the Zenbook and the Spectre are about 3K) and is simply as premium in most areas, although it falls a bit of brief on battery life.
Total, the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED holds its head excessive within the premium convertible class and is a smaller different to the Spectre x360 13.5 and the Yoga 9i Gen 7.
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