ASUS Zenbook S16 Review: Future with AMD Ryzen AI 9
The ASUS Zenbook S16 is making waves as one of the most promising laptops of 2024, boasting cutting-edge technology and elegant design. It’s a laptop that not only looks good but is also packed with some of the most advanced hardware available today. At the heart of this machine is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor, which promises to deliver impressive performance and innovative AI capabilities. In this detailed review, we’ll dive into the features, performance, and overall experience of the ASUS Zenbook S16 to determine whether it truly deserves the title of “Laptop of the Year.”


Design: An Artistic Marvel
The ASUS Zenbook S16 stands out with its minimalist yet sophisticated design. Weighing just 1.5 kg (3.3 pounds) and measuring only 11 mm thick, it’s remarkably portable for a 16-inch laptop. The laptop is constructed using a unique caramelization process that transforms aluminum into a tougher, more scratch-resistant material with a ceramic-like finish. This not only enhances the laptop’s durability but also gives it a premium feel.
- Thin and Light: At 1.5 kg and 11 mm, the Zenbook S16 is one of the thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptops available, making it ideal for professionals on the go.
- Ceramized Aluminum Chassis: Offers the resilience of ceramic with the lightweight nature of aluminum, providing a scratch-resistant and fingerprint-free surface.
- Color Options: Available in Scandinavian White and Zumaya Gray, with the latter offering reduced reflectivity.





The choice of colors, Scandinavian White and Zumaya Gray, provides options for users who prefer either a traditional look or a modern aesthetic. The laptop’s lightweight build and thin profile make it an ideal companion for business travelers and students who need power on the go.
Display: Visual Excellence
The Zenbook S16 features a stunning 16-inch OLED touchscreen display with a 3K resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides more vertical space, which is perfect for productivity tasks and media consumption.
- OLED Technology: Delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, enhancing the viewing experience.
- 3K Resolution: Offers a perfect balance between Full HD and 4K, optimizing sharpness and battery life.
- High Refresh Rate: The 120 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals, especially beneficial for gaming and video playback.
- Brightness and Color Accuracy: Capable of reaching up to 500 nits in SDR and 800 nits in HDR, the display is certified for VESA’s DisplayHDR 500 True Black standard, with 100% DCI-P3 color coverage.

The display’s responsiveness, thanks to its 0.2 ms response time, makes it ideal for gaming and tasks requiring quick reaction times. However, reflections can be an issue in brightly lit environments, suggesting room for improvement in future iterations.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Designed for Comfort
ASUS has crafted a user-friendly keyboard and touchpad that caters to productivity needs without compromising on comfort. The keyboard is well-spaced, with no numpad to shift the layout, making typing comfortable and natural.
- Full-Size Keyboard: The absence of a numpad keeps the keyboard and touchpad centralized, aiding in ergonomic typing.
- Diving Board Touchpad: Offers a smooth and responsive surface, though it lacks haptic feedback, which could enhance the tactile experience.
- Gesture Controls: Enables easy volume and brightness adjustments through swipes on the touchpad, adding to the laptop’s usability.

Connectivity: Full Suite of Ports
Despite its slim profile, the Zenbook S16 doesn’t skimp on connectivity options. It includes a comprehensive array of ports, enhancing its versatility.
- Ports Included:
- Full-size SD card reader
- USB-A and USB-C ports
- Full-size HDMI 2.1
- Wi-Fi 7 support
- Headphone/audio jack
- Multi-Monitor Support: Capable of supporting up to three external monitors, catering to advanced multitasking needs.


The inclusion of a full-sized HDMI port in such a thin chassis is a testament to ASUS’s engineering prowess. The laptop also features Wi-Fi 7, ensuring high-speed wireless connectivity.
Performance: Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 9
The real star of the Zenbook S16 is its AMD Ryzen AI 9 370 processor, which combines cutting-edge AI capabilities with robust processing power. This makes it a powerhouse for both productivity and entertainment.
- CPU Specifications:
- Architecture: Built on AMD’s new Zen 5 architecture
- Cores and Threads: 12 cores and 24 threads
- AI Performance: 50 trillion operations per second (TOPS), surpassing competitors like the Snapdragon X Elite and upcoming Intel Luna Lake processors
The Ryzen AI 9’s performance is complemented by the Radeon 890M graphics, based on AMD’s RDNA 3.5 architecture, and the new MPU (neural processing unit), which significantly enhances AI-related tasks.

Benchmark Performance
In various benchmarks, the Ryzen AI 9 demonstrates impressive capabilities:
- Geekbench Scores:
- CPU: Consistently high scores that rival Intel’s Core Ultra 7 series and Snapdragon’s X Elite
- OpenCL: Slightly lower due to optimization issues, but expected to improve with software updates
- Antutu Score: While specific Antutu scores for laptops are not as commonly reported as for smartphones, the Ryzen AI 9’s performance is equivalent to top-tier processors in the market.
- he Ryzen AI 9 processor achieves high scores in benchmarks such as Geekbench, surpassing many competitors in both single-core – 2782 and multi-core -13100 tests.
Gaming and Graphics
The integrated Radeon 890M graphics enable surprisingly capable gaming performance for an ultrabook.
- Game Performance:
- Hitman, Cyberpunk, Siege, Tomb Raider, Spider-Man Remastered: Achieved an average 20% performance boost over Intel’s Arc graphics, allowing for playable frame rates at Full HD
- FSR Technology: AMD’s upscaling tech effectively doubles frame rates, enhancing the gaming experience.
While not a dedicated gaming laptop, the Zenbook S16 handles light to moderate gaming with ease, making it suitable for casual gamers.
AI and Machine Learning
The inclusion of a powerful NPU positions the Zenbook S16 as a frontrunner in AI and machine learning tasks.
- AI Capabilities:
- Windows Co-Pilot Integration: Supports basic AI features with more advanced Co-Pilot Plus features expected in future updates
- Local AI Acceleration: Enhances battery life and performance by offloading tasks from the CPU and GPU
Although the full potential of AI hardware is still unfolding, it ensures the laptop is future-proof, ready to take advantage of upcoming software optimizations.
Battery Life: Reliable Endurance
The Zenbook S16 features a 78 Wh battery, offering solid performance for a laptop of its size and power. While ASUS promises “all-day battery life,” real-world tests paint a more nuanced picture.
- Video Playback Test: Lasted approximately 7.5 hours, a bit short of Intel-powered counterparts but respectable given the performance levels
- Standby Battery Life: Impressive, losing only 4% over 12 hours, indicating efficient power management

For moderate use, users can expect around 10 hours of battery life, though demanding tasks may reduce this significantly.
Cooling and Noise Levels
The Zenbook S16 manages to keep temperatures in check even under heavy loads, although some users may notice heat during intense use.
- Temperature Management: Can reach up to 51°C near the vents in performance mode, making it less comfortable for lap use
- Fan Noise: Generally quiet, even in performance mode, with near-silent operation during everyday tasks
Future-Proofing with AI
The Ryzen AI 9’s AI capabilities are not just a gimmick; they represent a significant leap toward the future of computing. As more applications start to leverage these capabilities, we can expect:
- Improved Efficiency: Tasks offloaded to the NPU will consume less power, potentially improving battery life.
- Enhanced Features: Advanced AI features, such as Co-Pilot Plus, will unlock new possibilities in user interaction and productivity.
Pricing and Value Proposition
The ASUS Zenbook S16 is positioned as a premium product, and its price reflects that. However, it offers excellent value for those seeking top-tier performance in a portable package.
- Price Points:
- Entry-Level Model: Priced at £600, with 24 GB RAM and 10-core Ryzen AI 9
- High-Spec Model: Only £100 more, offering 32 GB RAM, 12-core Ryzen AI 9, and upgraded graphics
Given the minimal price difference, the higher-spec model is a no-brainer for those looking to future-proof their purchase.
Conclusion: A Worthy Contender for Laptop of the Year
The ASUS Zenbook S16 is a testament to what modern laptops can achieve when aesthetics meet cutting-edge technology. Its sleek design, combined with the raw power of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor, makes it a formidable choice for professionals, creatives, and tech enthusiasts alike.
- Strengths:
- Stunning Design: Lightweight and durable with a unique ceramic-aluminum finish
- High-Performance Hardware: Ryzen AI 9 offers top-tier processing and AI capabilities
- Display Excellence: Vibrant 3K OLED screen with superior color accuracy
- Areas for Improvement:
- Battery Life: While decent, there’s room for improvement compared to ARM-based competitors
- Reflective Screen: More effective anti-reflective coating would enhance usability in bright environments
In a year filled with impressive hardware releases, the Zenbook S16 stands out as a leader, offering a balanced blend of performance, design, and innovation. It’s not just a laptop; it’s a glimpse into the future of computing. For those in the market for a new laptop, the ASUS Zenbook S16 is undoubtedly a compelling option that warrants serious consideration.
The Ryzen AI 9 processor is unique due to its integration of a neural processing unit (NPU), which enhances AI capabilities. This processor can perform up to 50 trillion operations per second (TOPS), providing significant improvements in AI-related tasks such as voice recognition, natural language processing, and enhanced security
The Ryzen AI 9 processor is built on AMD’s Zen 5 architecture and features 12 cores and 24 threads. It includes integrated Radeon 890M graphics based on RDNA 3.5 architecture, offering robust performance for a wide range of tasks.
The Ryzen AI 9 processor achieves high scores in benchmarks such as Geekbench, surpassing many competitors in both single-core – 2782 and multi-core -13100 tests. Its performance is comparable to top-tier processors, offering a significant boost in computational power.
The Zenbook S16 offers up to 10 hours of battery life under typical usage conditions. Battery performance may vary based on usage patterns and settings, but the laptop’s efficient power management ensures reliable all-day use.
While the Zenbook S16 is not primarily designed as a gaming laptop, it is capable of handling casual gaming and can run popular titles at medium to high settings. The Radeon 890M graphics and support for AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) technology contribute to a decent gaming experience.