Promoted

September 19, 2024

The 2024 ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606) Review – Power and Precision

The 2024 ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606) Review - Power and Precision

Key Facts

  1. cm CNC chassis with High-tech ceramic
    • High-tech ceramic “Ceraluminum™”: Light. Enduring. Everlasting. Unique.
    • 1.1 cm, 1.5 kg. CNC all-metal chassis.
    • Smallest footprint in 16”

Superior AI

  • Equipped with up to Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 Processor 2.0GHz (36MB Cache, up to 5.1GHz, 12 cores, 24 Threads)
  • Up to 81 TOPs (NPU up to 50 tops)
  • Supports up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 memory, 2 TB PCIe® 4.0 NVMe® SSDs
  • 2 x USB4 Type-C, full-size HDMI 2.1 (TMDS), USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, standard SD card reader, audio combo jack

Ambient Cooling

  • Ultra-slim vapour chamber
  • Geometric grille design with 3522 CNC cooling vents
  • Dual fans
  • Bi-layer graphite sheet
  • Under 25 dB during light workloads (Whisper mode)

The ASUS next-level AI PC

  • Copilot in windows
  • New AI features in windows
  • ASUS StoryCube

3K 120Hz ASUS Lumina OLED display with NanoEdge

  • 16:10 16-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) @120Hz ASUS Lumina OLED display
  • 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, TÜV Rheinland Eye Care certification, Pantone® Validated, VESA DisplayHDR™ 500 True Black, 550nits peak brightness
  • Dolby Vision
  • 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio; 0.2 ms response time
  • Emits 70% less blue light than standard LCDs

Up to 3 external monitors connected

  • 3K+8K+6K+4K = 65.8M pixels output

Amazing audio

  • Six speakers
  • Harman Kardon®-certified
  • Dolby Atmos® support
  • Smart amplifier with ASUS Audio Booster technology
  • Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation

Ergonomic touchpad and keyboard

  • 40% larger
  • Smart Gesture (brightness/volume/video playback)
  • 19.5 mm pitch
  • 0.1 mm dish-shaped
  • 1.1 mm key travel

ASUS Wi-Fi 7

  • ASUS Wi-Fi 7 enable ultrafast downloads, smooth streaming, greater range, and incredibly stable network connections

ASUS AiSense Camera

  • FHD 3DNR IR camera
  • ACS Color Sensor
  • 3D noise-reduction technology

The ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606) is a cutting-edge device that combines innovation with performance. It is not just another laptop but an advanced tool tailored for professionals, creators, and anyone seeking the perfect balance between power, design, and portability. Packed with impressive AI-driven features, robust hardware, and a design as durable as it is beautiful, the Zenbook S 16 delivers an exceptional user experience.

Design and Build: A Masterpiece in Craftsmanship

The first thing that catches your eye about the Zenbook S 16 is its sleek, minimalist design. At just 1.1 cm thick and weighing only 1.5 kg, it’s one of the thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptops available. The CNC-crafted chassis, made from high-tech ceramic “Ceraluminum™”, combines a stylish aesthetic with practical durability. This unique material offers a smooth, light, and scratch-resistant surface, ensuring the laptop can withstand the rigours of daily use without showing signs of wear.

The smallest footprint for a 16-inch laptop makes it remarkably portable, especially for a device with such high-performance capabilities. Whether on the go or working from a fixed location, the Zenbook S 16 feels like an extension of your workspace, seamlessly merging into your professional or creative workflow.

Performance: Superior AI-Powered Computing

Under the hood, the Zenbook S 16 boasts impressive hardware, making it a productivity powerhouse. Equipped with up to a Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 Processor, clocked at 2.0 GHz with a turbo boost of up to 5.1 GHz, this processor is designed to handle demanding tasks effortlessly. With 12 cores and 24 threads, it easily caters to multitasking, heavy software, and complex computations. Paired with up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 memory, the laptop ensures that even the most memory-intensive applications run smoothly, allowing for lag-free performance in almost any scenario.

But what truly sets this device apart is its AI capabilities. With an impressive 81 TOPs (Tera Operations per Second) for AI tasks and 50 TOPs via its NPU (Neural Processing Unit), it can handle many AI-driven applications, from machine learning models to real-time content creation enhancements. This level of AI integration means that tasks like photo editing, video rendering, and even gaming are accelerated to unprecedented levels, enabling faster workflows and greater productivity.

Vapor Cooling: A Silent Powerhouse

One significant concern with high-performance laptops is how they manage heat. The ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606) tackles this issue with an advanced ambient cooling system. The ultra-slim vapour chamber, combined with a geometric grille design featuring 3522 CNC cooling vents, ensures efficient heat dissipation, keeping the laptop cool even during intensive tasks. Dual fans and a bi-layer graphite sheet further enhance the cooling, guaranteeing optimal performance.

The laptop maintains an extremely low noise level during light workloads. Operating under 25 dB in Whisper mode, it’s almost silent, perfect for those who work in noise-sensitive environments or prefer a distraction-free workspace.

ASUS AI-Enhanced Features: A Next-Level PC Experience

Beyond its hardware, the Zenbook S 16 has next-level AI PC features. ASUS has integrated Windows Copilot into the device, allowing users to interact with AI assistants for productivity tasks, scheduling, and more. New AI features in Windows enhance the user experience, helping users streamline workflows and manage tasks with a more intuitive interface.

The inclusion of ASUS StoryCube adds a creative element to the package, allowing users to harness AI to develop storylines and content ideas or even assist in generating engaging narratives for presentations or creative writing projects. These tools make the laptop a workhorse for coding, graphic design, and data analysis and a smart companion for creative professionals.

Display: A Visual Marvel with 3K Lumina OLED

The display on the ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606) is a significant highlight for anyone working with visual content. The 16:10 aspect ratio, 16-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) ASUS Lumina OLED display offers an immersive viewing experience with a 120Hz refresh rate. The colours are incredibly vibrant, thanks to a 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, which ensures professional-grade colour accuracy, making it ideal for photographers, video editors, and designers who require precise colour reproduction.

The display is not just vivid but also kind to the eyes. With TÜV Rheinland Eye Care certification, Pantone® validation, and VESA DisplayHDR™ 500 True Black, it’s designed to reduce eye strain during long working hours, emitting 70% less blue light than standard LCDs. Coupled with Dolby Vision, the contrast is striking, with deep blacks and bright highlights, further enhancing the visual experience for both work and entertainment.

The quick 0.2 ms response time also makes this laptop suitable for gaming or fast-paced video content, ensuring smooth visuals without any motion blur. Connecting up to three external monitors, supporting 3K, 8K, 6K, and 4K resolutions, allows professionals to create a robust multi-screen setup for multitasking, video production, or immersive gaming.

Audio: A Truly Immersive Sound Experience

ASUS has taken audio performance seriously with the Zenbook S 16. The device features six speakers, Harman Kardon® certification, and Dolby Atmos® support, ensuring an exceptional audio experience. The sound is crisp, clear, and immersive whether you’re listening to music, watching movies, or in a conference call.

The smart amplifier with ASUS Audio Booster technology ensures the sound output is louder and richer without compromising clarity. Additionally, the two-way AI noise cancellation makes communication smoother, eliminating background noise during video calls and ensuring you’re always heard clearly.

Ergonomics: A Thoughtful Design for Comfort

ASUS has put great thought into the usability of the Zenbook S 16, making sure that users can work for extended periods without discomfort. The ergonomic keyboard is designed with a 19.5 mm pitch, 1.1 mm key travel, and 0.1 mm dish-shaped keys, providing a tactile, comfortable typing experience. Its responsive keyboard allows for fast and accurate typing, essential for writers, coders, and anyone who spends long hours on their laptop.

The 40% larger touchpad further enhances user comfort, supporting Smart Gestures that control brightness, volume, and video playback. This thoughtful design allows for more efficient navigation and interaction, eliminating the need for an external mouse in most scenarios.

Connectivity: Cutting-edge and Ready for the Future

The Zenbook S 16 is packed with connectivity options. It features two USB4 Type-C ports, full-size HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, and a standard SD card reader, making it versatile enough for almost any professional setting. Including an audio combo jack ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio devices, while ASUS Wi-Fi 7 support provides blazing-fast download speeds, smooth streaming, and a greater range for stable connections.

With ASUS AiSense Camera, users can expect high-quality video calls and enhanced facial recognition security. The FHD 3DNR IR camera and an ACS colour sensor ensure sharp, clear video, even in low-light environments. The 3D noise-reduction technology enhances clarity, making it ideal for virtual meetings and online conferences.

A Powerful Companion for the Future

The ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606) is more than just a laptop; it’s a statement of what modern computing should be. From its incredibly thin and durable ceramic design to its AI-powered performance, stunning 3K OLED display, and immersive sound system, this device is perfect for professionals, creators, and tech enthusiasts alike.

Its advanced cooling system ensures you can push its hardware to the limits without worrying about overheating, while the ergonomic keyboard and large touchpad make long work hours comfortable and efficient. With top-notch connectivity options and AI-enhanced features, the Zenbook S 16 is designed to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced, multitasking world.

The ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606) offers the best power, design, and intelligence in one sleek package for anyone seeking a premium, future-ready laptop.

For more information, click here: ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606)

Exit mobile version