Why The Asus Vivobook S15 OLED Is A Game-Changer For Windows Laptops

Discover How This New Laptop Stands Out from the MacBook Air M3!

Key Takeaway:

The Asus Vivobook S15 OLED with Snapdragon X Elite processor offers impressive performance and features that rival, and in some areas surpass, the MacBook Air M3. If you’re considering a new laptop, this might be the game-changer you’re looking for.

Why the Asus Vivobook S15 OLED Is Turning Heads

Revolutionary Performance

Switching from a MacBook Air M3 to the Asus Vivobook S15 OLED has been an eye-opener. The standout feature? The all-new Snapdragon X Elite ARM-based processor. This leap from traditional x86 processors to ARM architecture is a game-changer for Windows laptops.

Processor Specs and Performance

Processor: Snapdragon X Elite with a 4nm architecture, featuring 12 CPU cores clocked at 3.4 GHz.
Graphics: Adreno GPU paired with Hexagon AI.
RAM & Storage: 16GB LPDDR5X RAM (soldered) and a 1TB M.2 SSD (upgradeable up to 2TB).

Benchmarks and Comparisons

We put this laptop through its paces with various benchmarks:

Geekbench: Single-core scores are comparable to Intel Core i7 Ultra, not far behind Apple’s M3. In multi-core tests, the Snapdragon X Elite excels, outperforming the M3.
Cinebench R24: The multi-core results are impressive, showing the Snapdragon X Elite’s strength.
3D Mark and GPU: While the GPU performance isn’t top-tier, it’s decent for general tasks.

Gaming Performance

Gaming on ARM processors still has limitations. Many popular games like Fortnite and Valorant aren’t supported yet. However:

GTA V: Runs at 60 FPS on normal settings.
Rocket League: Achieves 90-120 FPS at 1080p.
CS2: Unplayable even on low settings.

The gaming experience will improve as more developers support ARM-based systems. The chipset itself has potential but needs more software backing.

Cooling and Overheating

The Vivobook S15 OLED handles heat well with its dual heat pipes and fans. During intensive tasks, the laptop remains cool, which is a significant plus compared to many other models.

Everyday Use and App Compatibility

In daily use, the laptop performs seamlessly:

Multitasking: Handles 50-70 Chrome tabs, Slack, Notion, WhatsApp, and Spotify without issues.
Creative Software: Works well with Photoshop, but many Creative Cloud apps aren’t yet compatible with ARM.

App support for ARM-based processors is growing, so expect more compatibility in the future. You can check out a list of compatible apps and games for ARM laptops here.

On-Device AI Features

One of the standout features of the Vivobook S15 OLED is its on-device AI capabilities:

Live Captions: Automatically generates captions for videos.
Co-Creator: Transforms sketches into polished art in real-time.
AI Noise Cancelling: Improves audio quality during video calls.
Adaptive Dimming and Lock: Adjusts screen brightness and locks the screen based on usage.

Battery Life

Both Asus and Apple claim 18 hours of battery life, but the Vivobook S15 OLED surpasses this:

Battery Life: Around 12 hours of use, outperforming the MacBook Air M3’s 10-11 hours.
Standby Drain: Only 2% over 15 hours.
Charging: The 70W battery charges from 5% to 100% in about 100 minutes using a 90W USB-C charger.

Design and Build Quality

The Vivobook S15 OLED stands out in terms of design and build:

Design: Sleek, minimal all-metal construction. Opens easily with one hand and goes flat to 180°.
Port Selection: Includes two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, HDMI 2.1, and a MicroSD card reader. Unlike the MacBook, which relies heavily on dongles.

Display and Audio

The display is one of the highlights:

Screen: 15.6-inch 3K OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and 600 nits peak brightness.
Speakers: Decent clarity but not exceptional; certified by Harman Kardon.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The Vivobook S15 OLED features:

Keyboard: RGB backlit with good key travel and a useful number pad. The co-pilot key is a handy addition.
Trackpad: Larger than many, supports numerous gestures for brightness, volume, and media controls.

Webcam

Camera: 1080p webcam with IR Face Unlock, providing clear video quality for calls and meetings.

Conclusion: MacBook Air M3 vs. Asus Vivobook S15 OLED

The Asus Vivobook S15 OLED, priced at ₹1.25 lakhs, offers significant value compared to the MacBook Air M3, which costs ₹1.75 lakhs. The Vivobook delivers a superior display, nearly equivalent performance, better battery life, and useful AI features—all without the need for dongles.

As ARM-based Windows laptops become more common, compatibility issues will diminish, making this a compelling alternative to MacBooks. For the price and features, the Vivobook S15 OLED represents a remarkable shift in the Windows laptop landscape.

For more information on these laptops and their features, check out their respective Asus and Apple websites.