Asus VivoBook S15 review: Big on value

With its plain, workmanlike looks, the Asus VivoBook S15 is probably one of the least exciting notebooks from the Taiwanese PC maker. But what it lacks in style, the VivoBook makes up with a solid blend of features and performance. For one, it has the latest hardware, including an Intel 11th-gen processor, as well as ample storage and memory. Perhaps the best thing, though, is its S$1,498 price tag. You can buy it from the Asus Singapore store, as well as e-commerce platforms Lazada and Shopee.

Quick specs

15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080-pixel screen
Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor with 16GB system memory
1.8kg, 16.1mm thick
Nvidia GeForce MX350 graphics

At around 1.8kg, the VivoBook is portable for its size. It is also slimmer than I expected. More importantly, Asus has sensibly used the extra space of this 15-inch notebook for ports and connectors. Not only does it have three USB Type-A ports, the VivoBook also comes with a HDMI connector, a microSD card reader and a Thunderbolt 4 port. This Thunderbolt port can be used to recharge the notebook, though a standard barrel-plug power brick is also included.

Another benefit of its size is the roomy keyboard, which comes with a numeric keypad. Key travel is decent for a non-gaming notebook at 1.4mm. But I felt that the touchpad could be larger, given that it has a built-in fingerprint reader located at its top right corner. No complaints about this sensor, which was fast and accurate.

Its chief weakness is probably its 15-inch screen. While viewing angles are decent enough, colours are a tad lacklustre. For sure, the display should be brighter. On the other hand, the screen bezels are fairly slim, while the display's matte, non-reflective finish will have its fans. Considering the VivoBook's asking price, I can give it a pass.

Giving the VivoBook a “performance burst” is Asus Intelligent Performance Technology (or AIPT for short). Asus claims its secret sauce can “increase CPU performance with improved stability” when the laptop is plugged in and running Performance mode. Compared to the Razer Book 13, which has an identical Intel CPU, the VivoBook is indeed slightly faster (5,187 vs 4,909). However, this difference could simply be due to the Asus having a dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX350 graphics chip. One thing is for sure: Performance mode makes the fans noisier. Overall, the VivoBook is more suited to mainstream users who want a little extra oomph in performance, especially given its price. But power users may have to look elsewhere.

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Note: Review unit provided by Asus.

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