After AMD unveiled details of the new Ryzen AI 300 generation at Computex, Asus responded with several Strix Point-based products. One example is the Zenbook S16, a 16-inch OLED laptop featuring a high-resolution 120Hz touchscreen and an innovative blend of ceramic and aluminum.
Asus previewed the first laptops to feature the new Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. Alongside the Zephyrus G16 2024 (REVIEW) powered by AMD’s latest lineup, the company also introduced two ProArt models—the P16 and PX13 Creator laptops/convertibles—and a Zenbook S16 with upgraded AMD internals.
It is also a visual eye-catcher, as Asus is using its new amalgam of aluminum and ceramic for the display lid for the first time. According to the manufacturer, the material is crafted through a complex process, making it lighter than aluminum, more scratch-resistant, fingerprint-resistant, and durable. It feels a bit roughened in the hands-on and is currently available in two colors: Zumaia Gray and Scandinavian White. More Zenbooks with Ceraluminum are in the pipeline.
The 1.5 kg Zenbook S16 AMD Ryzen AI laptop has a slim 1.1 cm profile. It features six Harman/Kardon speakers with Dolby Atmos certification. Its 16-inch OLED display supports Dolby Vision, offers a 120 Hz refresh rate, and delivers a 3K resolution. Connectivity options include WiFi 7, two USB-C ports, HDMI, USB-A, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and an SD card slot.
The Asus Zenbook S16, designed for multitasking and gaming, is available in two configurations: Ryzen AI 9 365 and Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processors. Its 50 TOPs NPU operates with a TDP of up to 28 watts. The new 3D vapor chamber cooling keeps fan noise below 25 dB. The laptop offers up to 32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 2 TB of PCIe SSD storage. A 78 Wh battery powers the device.
Asus Zenbook S16 price and availability
Notable features include a 1080p IR camera and a large 16:10 touchpad with smart gestures, such as media controls. The ZenBook S16 16-inch laptop with 3K resolution is now available on Amazon.com, Newegg.com, and Amazon.co.uk, starting at $1,712.99.
