The Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ (2024) is a versatile laptop that caters to a broad spectrum of users, from students to professionals. Powered by the new Snapdragon X CPU, the Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ is designed to deliver solid performance in a variety of tasks, including multitasking, content creation, and general productivity.

The launch of Microsoft’s AI-powered Copilot+ PC sees the debut of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X CPU, an advanced ARM-based alternative to the Intel and AMD processors that have long dominated the laptop market. Something to consider especially during the latest on goings from both Intel and AMD but that’s a story for another day.

Qualcomm has made bold claims about the Snapdragon X since its announcement last fall, particularly its promise of delivering double the performance of rival CPUs while consuming only a third of the power.

Before diving into the specifics of the CPU, let’s take a broader look.

Design

This sleek silver laptop sports a 15.6-inch (non-touch) display with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,620 pixels. The screen is bright and clear without being harsh on the eyes and is complemented by a robust Harman Kardon sound system.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon X Elite X1E7810 CPU is paired with 16 GB of RAM and a 1-terabyte solid-state drive, both standard specs for a modern laptop. The keyboard is spacious and responsive, even managing to include a compact numeric keypad on the right.

An interesting feature is the inclusion of full colour LED backlighting for the keyboard—a rarity outside gaming laptops. The single-zone lighting can be customized through the preloaded MyAsus app, which also allows you to adjust various functions such as fan speed and audio settings.

The port selection is robust, fitting for a 15.6-inch laptop. It includes two USB-C ports with USB4 support, two USB-A 3.2 ports, a full-size HDMI port, and a microSD card reader, all of which are conveniently side-mounted. The VivoBook weighs 3 pounds and is 20mm thick, making it reasonably portable for its size.

Performance

The Snapdragon X doesn’t quite deliver on the bold “double the power” promise. In general performance benchmarks like Geekbench, the CPU does impress, performing about 15 percent faster than most Intel Core Ultra 7-based laptops, which are its primary competitors.

However, the shortcomings become more apparent when graphics come into play. While Intel’s integrated GPU has seen improvements in recent years, Qualcomm’s offering still lags behind. This means the laptop is unlikely to meet the expectations of gamers looking for a smooth experience. Compatibility is another issue to consider. Not all applications are optimized for ARM-based systems yet.

Asus and Qualcomm manage to redeem themselves in the battery life department. I achieved over 13 hours of YouTube playback at full brightness, which significantly outperformed most current competitors. In a market where many laptops struggle to reach even seven hours, the Asus Vivobook’s longevity is great to see. It also handles thermals pretty well!

I also tested the new Copilot+ features and found them to work reasonably well. The Live Captions feature, which can overlay translated English subtitles for 44 languages from any source in real-time though with some caveats. Windows Studio Effects were particularly impressive, responding quickly when applied to a webcam stream, with accurate auto-framing and filters. The Cocreator feature in Microsoft Paint, where you sketch and provide a prompt for the Copilot AI to finish, worked adequately, though it would be much easier to use if the laptop had a touchscreen.

Verdict

The Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ (2024) is a well-rounded laptop that offers a good balance of performance, design, and innovative features like the AI Copilot+. It’s a solid choice for students, professionals, and casual users looking for a reliable device that can handle everyday tasks with ease. However, for users requiring heavy-duty performance for gaming or intensive content creation, there may be more powerful options available in the market.

Overall, I would recommend the Vivobook, provided you’re not seeking top-tier graphics performance or reliant on niche applications that aren’t widely supported yet. These limitations are the major drawback in embracing a Snapdragon system at this time, but it’s certainly worth watching to see how it gets supported.

Availability

Priced competitively, the Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ offers good value for money if you can get over the compatibility issues especially considering its performance, design, and AI features. It’s well-suited for users who need a reliable laptop for work, study, and light entertainment without breaking the bank.

It is now available in E-City stores across UAE and E-City online platforms and is available at AED 5,499.