The VivoBook S15 is a widescreen affordable laptop with the right specs. In fact, it is amongst the most portable 15-inch laptops that you would find in the market. ASUS has introduced the VivoBook S15 as a practical choice for professionals, however, it is also a viable option for students.
ASUS claims that the VivoBook S15 can handle tasks with ease from office files to casual editing and many more. We’ve reviewed its specs and tested its performance to find out how does it hold up as a device for students and professionals.
Specs Sheet
Processor: Intel Quad-Core i5-8265U (8th Gen.) / 1.6GHz Max. Turbo Speed 3.9GHz
Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Resolution + ScreenPad 2.0
RAM: 8GB+32GB Intel Optane Memory
Storage: 512GB SSD
Graphics: Intel UHD 62 Integrated
Battery: up to 7 hours
Weight: around 3.3lbs (1.5kg)
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Design & Display
ASUS has introduced the VivoBook S15 in three different colours i.e. green-orange, the traditional transparent silver and Punk Pink. Its lid is made of solid aluminium and features an ErgoLift hinge with thin bezels around the screen. The laptop is reasonably compact and weighs around 3.3lbs (1.5kg).
The VivoBook S15 comes with a 15-inch wide dull HD display along with 1920 x 1080 screen Resolution. Its screen remains clearly visible through full 180-degrees and ensures that the viewer gets to experience vibrant colours with sharp images.
ScreenPad 2.0
The ScreenPad 2.0 is an amazing feature that ASUS has introduced in the VivoBook S15. Having multiple screens on your laptop is surely a cool thing. The ScreenPad acts as a touchscreen as well as a traditional trackpad.
The ScreenPad also offers plenty of additional creative features to the user. You can convert finger scribbles into text using the Handwriting app. Plus, you can automate commands such as Cut/Copy/Paste using the Quick Key app.
Keyboard
The unique ErgoLift hinge design ensures a comfortable typing experience by tilting up the keyboard to 3 degrees. In addition, its wide display has provided the space for a proper numeric keypad. The keyboard itself offers a firm feel with a large set of arrow (navigation) keys and delivers a speedy, responsive typing experience.
Connectivity
The right side of ASUS VivoBook S15 features an HDMI, a USB 3.1 Type-A port, a headphone jack and a microSD card slot. Whereas, the left side has two traditional USB 2.0 ports for connectivity.
Performance
The ASUS VivoBook S15 delivers smooth performance, thanks to its amazing design and powerful specs. It is equipped with an 8th generation Core i5 processor and a high 8GB memory. As a result, the user can browse and open multiple tabs, stream videos and run all the necessary programs.
The Intel UHD 620 graphics also work well and deliver a colourful streaming experience. However, the 720p webcam is not up to the mark but fulfills the need for video calling. Overall, the device works well and can handle heavy software without overheating.
Battery Life
The VivoBook S15 delivers up to 7 hours of battery timing with a single charge. You can extend its battery life by turning off the ScreenPad. Although this is a mediocre performance, the fast charging makes up for average battery life. You could recharge a low-battery within 50 minutes up to 60%.
Verdict
The VivoBook S15 is a decent, portable choice that delivers smooth performance, thanks to its high-end features. It offers a wide 15.6-inch screen with an innovative ScreenPad 2.0 and sleek bezel design. This is a great laptop for those who need a widescreen for work, editing or casual gaming.
