Vivobook S 15 S5507: Snapdragon X Elite power challenges Apple.

A turning point for Windows laptops.

The Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) is more than just an ordinary 15-inch laptop. It's one of the pioneering devices equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor, an ARM architecture chip expected to compete head-to-head with Apple's M-series in terms of both performance and battery life. Despite its unremarkable design, the Vivobook S 15's internal performance marks a significant step forward for the Windows laptop ecosystem.

Snapdragon X Elite: A new era of performance and battery life.

The heart of the Vivobook S 15 is its 12-core Snapdragon X Elite processor. Most impressive is its battery life, achieving 16 hours, 59 minutes, and 38 seconds in tests – a figure surpassing even the MacBook Air M3 and unprecedented for many recent Windows laptops. The device also maintains power very well in standby mode, rarely requiring frequent charging for everyday tasks.

In terms of performance, the Snapdragon X Elite chip showed promising results. In Geekbench 6 and Cinebench R23 tests, this chip was slower than Apple's M3 in single-core tasks but outperformed in multi-core performance. It was also more powerful than the Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU in the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED. Notably, in the 4K video rendering test using the ARM-native version of DaVinci Resolve, the Vivobook S 15 completed the task in just 2 minutes and 55 seconds, significantly faster than the 4 minutes and 57 seconds of the MacBook Air M2.

AI capabilities and software ecosystem

As a Copilot+ laptop, the Vivobook S 15 is equipped with a powerful NPU (Neural Processing Unit) achieving 45 TOPS, enabling it to run advanced AI features directly on the machine. Notable features include Cocreator in Microsoft Paint and the Windows Studio Effects suite for video calls. The Recall feature, which allows users to search through past activity on the machine, has been temporarily suspended by Microsoft due to privacy concerns.

The software ecosystem for ARM on Windows is rapidly evolving. Many popular applications such as Chrome, Microsoft Office, DaVinci Resolve, Spotify, and the Adobe suite of tools now have native versions, delivering optimal performance. For unported x86 software, Microsoft's Prism emulator allows for stable operation, similar to Apple's Rosetta 2. However, compatibility with older accessories like printers may be limited.

Practical design and valuable features.

The Vivobook S 15 boasts a minimalist and practical design. Weighing only 1.42kg and measuring 14.2mm thick, it's quite portable considering its 15.6-inch screen. While the casing doesn't feel as premium as the MacBook Air, the device still offers the necessary sturdiness.

The device is equipped with a full suite of essential connectivity ports, including two USB-C ports, a full-size HDMI port, a microSD card slot, and two USB-A ports. The keyboard has good key travel, an integrated numeric keypad, and single-zone RGB backlighting. The touchpad is large and responsive. The 1080p webcam supports facial recognition login via Windows Hello and has a physical cover for enhanced security.

3K 120Hz OLED Display: A Highlight Not to Be Ignored

One of the biggest advantages of the Vivobook S 15 is its display. It uses a 15.6-inch OLED panel with 3K resolution (2880 x 1620) and a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering sharp images and smooth motion. OLED technology provides near-infinite contrast and deep blacks.

In technical tests, the screen achieved a maximum brightness of 394 cd/m² and reproduced 117% of the DCI-P3 color space. Color accuracy is very high with an average Delta E of 1, ideal for both creative work and entertainment. The device also incorporates a sensor that adjusts color temperature according to the surrounding environment to protect the eyes.

Competitors and pricing

The Asus Vivobook S 15 starts at £1,299 for the 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD version. Its direct competitor is the 15-inch MacBook Air M3, which is similarly priced but has significantly lower memory options. In the Windows world, other options include the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (using an Intel chip) and the Huawei Matebook 16s. More Snapdragon X-series laptops are expected soon, such as the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, but these are likely to come at higher prices for comparable configurations.

Conclusion: A worthwhile option to consider.

The Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) is a groundbreaking product, proving that ARM-based Windows laptops are ready to compete head-to-head with Apple. The combination of powerful performance, exceptional battery life, and an outstanding OLED display makes it an attractive option. While the design isn't quite premium and the software ecosystem still needs refinement, it's one of the best value large-screen laptops currently available, especially for those who prioritize performance and portability.