Asus ZenBook S 13 Flip overview:

It’s the “world’s lightest 13.3-inch 2.8K OLED convertible laptop computer.” That’s how Asus describes the ZenBook S 13 Flip, and whereas it’s a curiously particular accolade, I consider it. The ZenBook S 13 Flip weighs simply 2.43 kilos whereas packing in a spectacular OLED show — an Asus specialty. That’s fairly mild.

And it issues within the case of the ZenBook S 13 Flip, particularly in pill mode the place each ounce issues. There’s little doubt this convertible 2-in-1 is extra comfy to make use of with a pen than some heavier opponents, and it’s a stable providing throughout. You’ll pay for the privilege, but when it’s in your value vary, the ZenBook S 13 Flip is simple to advocate.

Specs

Worth and configurations

The ZenBook S 13 Flip is a brand new mannequin and isn’t but accessible on the market. When it’s, there will probably be only one configuration accessible within the US that’s $1,500 for a Core i7-1260P, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The specs checklist extra choices, however these will probably be accessible exterior the US, leaving this configuration as the only — and solidly premium — choice.

Mild however surprisingly sturdy

As I discussed in my overview of the LG UltraPC 17, an extremely mild and skinny laptop computer with a really bendable lid and chassis, utilizing magnesium alloy to create a featherweight machine typically ends in a much less inflexible body. The ZenBook S 13 Flip by some means avoids that compromise, utilizing magnesium to nice impact whereas nonetheless boasting a lid and chassis that resist bending and flexing. The lid additionally opens with one hand, an actual achievement for the hinge design given the light-weight base, and the ZenBook S 13 Flip is comfy to make use of in all 4 modes — clamshell, tent, media, and pill.

The low weight issues most in pill mode, the place the ZenBook is less complicated to carry for inking than heavier convertible 2-in-1s just like the HP Spectre x360 13.5 (3.01 kilos) and Envy x360 13 (2.95 kilos). That half a pound might not look like a lot, but it surely makes a significant distinction in apply. Asus additionally put some effort into making an amazing energetic Pen, with the Asus Pen 2.0 providing USB-C charging, 4,096 ranges of stress sensitivity, a quick 266 Hz sampling charge, and fewer than 32ms of latency. It doesn’t have the haptic suggestions constructed into Microsoft’s Floor Slim Pen 2 when used with the Floor Professional 9, nor does it profit from that pill’s 120Hz show refresh charge, but it surely’s nonetheless higher than most.

Aesthetically, the ZenBook S 13 Flip is a departure from previous designs. There are not any concentric swirls on the lid, for instance, which had been as soon as iconic to the ZenBook lineup. As an alternative, the lid is matte blue, matching the remainder of the chassis, with simply the brand new Star Trek-like ZenBook emblem adorning the lid. The laptop computer’s traces are straight and minimalist, affording a extra typical design than the Spectre x360 13.5 with its gem-cut aesthetic.

Along with being very mild, the ZenBook S 13 Flip is fairly sized because of small bezels on the perimeters and on prime and a backside chin that’s not too chunky for a 2-in-1. It’s barely smaller in width and depth than the Envy x360 13, whereas being thinner at 0.59 inches in comparison with 0.63 inches. Asus did an amazing job of minimizing the laptop computer’s measurement whereas retaining a big touchpad and full-size keyboard.

Talking of the keyboard, the keycaps are massive with nice spacing, and the switches are mild and snappy. There’s sufficient suggestions to make sure a exact response, though the contact is likely to be a bit too mild for some folks. It’s a superb keyboard however not fairly as much as the requirements of the HP Spectre and Dell XPS traces. The touchpad is massive and has quiet buttons with stable clicks — the truth is, the buttons are too stable and require an excessive amount of pressure to depress. Asus included its NumberPad 2.0 LED numeric keypad that ought to be welcome to anybody who enters a variety of numbers however is simple sufficient to disregard.

Connectivity is restricted, unsurprisingly. It’s all USB-C with and with out Thunderbolt 4, however the 3.5mm audio jack and microSD card reader are welcome on condition that some laptop computer makers (Dell, I’m you) are dropping them. Wi-fi connectivity is updated.

Lastly, the ZenBook S 13 Flip incorporates a 1080p webcam, which is changing into extra frequent currently. There’s an infrared digital camera for Home windows 11 Hi there passwordless login by way of facial recognition, and it labored reliably throughout my testing. A fingerprint reader is embedded within the energy button for individuals who desire that methodology.

Mild however quick and long-lasting

The ZenBook S 13 Flip makes use of a 28-watt Intel Core i7-1260p with 12 cores (4 Efficiency and eight Environment friendly) and 16 threads, which is near the higher vary for Intel’s skinny and lightweight laptop computer chips. It’s a quick CPU that has finished nicely in our CPU-intensive benchmark suite and guarantees glorious productiveness efficiency.

The ZenBook S 13 Flip was particularly quick when the laptop computer’s thermal tuning utility was set in efficiency mode. There was some thermal throttling, as anticipated, besides, the ZenBook was a quick member of its class. It was faster than Intel 9-watt and 15-watt processors with fewer cores and threads, which is sensible, and it competed nicely in opposition to the marginally faster-clocked Core i7-1280P. The Apple MacBook Air M2 couldn’t fairly sustain, however the M2 has optimizations constructed into the GPU that make it faster at sure inventive purposes than the Intel Iris Xe graphics within the ZenBook S 13 Flip.

The online result’s a speedy little laptop computer that can excel at demanding productiveness duties. The built-in graphics will maintain it again, although, in inventive purposes and gaming.

Battery life is one thing that usually will get compromised in very skinny and lightweight laptops, however the ZenBook S 13 Flip manages to pack 67 watt-hours of battery inside its tiny chassis. That’s so much for a 13-inch laptop computer, and so it competed strongly in opposition to laptops with lower-power Intel CPUs. It’s attainable to squeeze out a full day’s battery life when you hold CPU utilization at an inexpensive stage. The MacBook Air M2 confirmed off the ARM processor’s effectivity and noticed significantly better battery life.

OLED shines once more

Asus has been as fast as anybody at sticking OLED shows into a wide range of laptops. The ZenBook S 13 Flip is the newest instance, and as at all times, its 13.3-inch 16:10 2,880 x 1,800 OLED panel was spectacular out of the field.

In response to my colorimeter, this isn’t the very best OLED panel we’ve seen. Its brightness, whereas superb, is lower than among the competitors, and its distinction doesn’t lead the OLED pack. Its shade width was glorious, although, and its accuracy simply missed that mark. However these are quibbles. In comparison with IPS shows, the ZenBook S 13 Flip’s panel is extremely colourful with deep distinction and inky blacks. It’s glorious for productiveness use, media consumption, and picture and video proofing if not modifying.

Audio efficiency is okay because of twin downward-firing audio system with Harmon Kardon tuning. It doesn’t stay as much as the MacBook Air M2’s higher-quality sound, but it surely’s superb for typical use. Listening to music and binging Netflix will profit from a superb pair of headphones.

A viable skinny and lightweight convertible 2-in-1 choice

The Zenbook S 13 Flip has some robust competitors as a convertible 2-in-1, notably when matched up in opposition to the marginally dearer HP Spectre x360 13.5 and cheaper HP Envy x360 13. Nevertheless it hangs tight, offering glorious efficiency and robust battery life to go along with its skinny and lightweight chassis.

Actually, the ZenBook S 13 Flip ought to be in your shortlist when you’re wanting right into a 13-inch convertible 2-in-1. The truth is, perhaps it ought to be near the highest of your checklist.

Editors’ Suggestions