Making its debut within the aggressive Indian laptop computer market, the ASUS Vivobook S 14 OLED (S5406SA) arrives with a beginning value level of ₹99,990. Potential patrons will discover it readily accessible, accessible by established on-line retailers in addition to conventional offline shops. ASUS positions this mannequin as a classy mix of portability and energy, emphasizing its light-weight, metallic development and the mixing of Intel’s newest Core Extremely processors, full with devoted AI capabilities. This complete assessment examines the gadget by the lens of hands-on expertise, evaluating its design decisions, show prowess, real-world efficiency, and total consumer expertise to find out its place amongst premium ultrabooks.

Design and Construct High quality

First impressions concerning the bodily development of the Vivobook S 14 OLED are largely constructive, significantly regarding its structural integrity. The chassis, crafted from aluminum alloy, feels reassuringly stable in hand, exhibiting minimal flex or creak when dealt with. This perceived robustness lends credence to its MIL-STD-810H certification, suggesting it’s well-equipped to face up to the bumps and knocks of each day commutes and cell use. Impressively, ASUS achieves this sturdiness with out sacrificing portability. The laptop computer boasts a smooth profile, measuring simply 13.9mm thick, and ideas the scales beginning at a mere 1.3kg. This makes it considerably lighter and simpler to hold than many conventional workhorse laptops, representing a tangible profit for customers often on the transfer.

Additional enhancing the consumer expertise are considerate design particulars. The hinge mechanism, typically an ignored side, is exceptionally well-engineered right here. It permits the lid to be opened easily and effortlessly with a single hand, a small comfort that provides a contact of refinement to on a regular basis interactions. The inclusion of a 180° lay-flat hinge additionally provides sensible flexibility, facilitating display sharing in collaborative settings or permitting for extra comfy viewing angles in numerous postures. Nevertheless, whereas the construct high quality evokes confidence and the portability is superb, the general visible design language leans in the direction of the traditional. The laptop computer presents a clear, commonplace look that, whereas completely practical and unobtrusive, lacks the distinctive premium aesthetic or distinctive design thrives that some shoppers may anticipate when investing practically ₹1 lakh. It prioritizes stable performance over visible aptitude, a selection that may enchantment to some however may depart others wanting a extra putting design assertion.

Show: A Visible Centerpiece

Certainly, the show is the crowning jewel of the Vivobook S 14 OLED. The 14-inch ASUS Lumina OLED panel, with its sharp WUXGA (1920 x 1200) decision, delivers a very beautiful visible expertise. As anticipated from high-quality OLED know-how, colours are extremely wealthy and vibrant, blacks are profoundly deep, and viewing angles are exceptionally vast, making certain a constant picture no matter viewing place.

A key attribute is the 16:10 side ratio, which supplies noticeably extra vertical display actual property in comparison with conventional 16:9 shows. This additional peak proves instantly helpful for productiveness duties, permitting customers to see extra strains of textual content, bigger spreadsheets, or extra of a webpage with out extreme scrolling.

This side ratio, mixed with the panel’s technical specs, makes the show significantly well-suited for content material creation. For disciplines like video enhancing or graphic design, the assured 100% DCI-P3 coloration gamut protection ensures correct coloration copy, a vital requirement for skilled work. Moreover, the VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600 certification signifies its capacity to render excessive dynamic vary content material with impactful distinction and brightness highlights. Whereas the show is actually able to offering an immersive expertise for media consumption because of its vibrant output, its strengths are arguably extra aligned with skilled and artistic functions. ASUS has additionally thoughtfully included necessary options for long-term usability and consumer well-being, corresponding to TÜV Rheinland certification for decreased blue mild emissions and ASUS OLED Care software program geared toward mitigating the danger of display burn-in. Collectively, these attributes make the show a strong asset, particularly interesting to artistic professionals, designers, and anybody prioritizing visible constancy and productiveness.

Efficiency

Underneath the hood, the Vivobook S 14 OLED is powered by Intel’s Core Extremely processor platform, configurable as much as a Core Extremely 7 variant. This new technology of chips brings architectural enhancements targeted on balancing efficiency with energy effectivity. Paired with 16GB of quick LPDDR5X reminiscence soldered straight onto the bundle for decreased latency, the system delivers a constantly clean and responsive expertise for on a regular basis computing and demanding multitasking eventualities. Switching between quite a few open functions, browser tabs, and paperwork feels fluid, contributing considerably to total productiveness. Quick M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage (as much as 512GB) ensures fast boot instances and speedy software loading.

A key advertising level for the Core Extremely platform is its built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU), designed to speed up AI-specific duties effectively. In apply, the utility of this NPU at present relies upon closely on software program optimization. Whereas native Home windows options like Studio Results (for webcam enhancements) can leverage the NPU, makes an attempt throughout testing to put it to use for extra demanding, specialised AI workloads, corresponding to working native language fashions like DeepSeek by way of the Ollama framework, proved unsuccessful. The software program ecosystem seemingly lacks broad assist for Intel’s NPU and even the built-in Arc graphics for these duties at current, forcing the system to depend on the primary CPU cores. This ends in considerably slower processing speeds and better energy consumption in comparison with what devoted AI {hardware} and even GPU acceleration may provide. Whereas the potential is there, realizing the complete advantages of the NPU would require wider adoption and optimization from software program builders.

Relating to thermal administration, the ASUS IceCool system performs adequately. Throughout sustained heavy workloads, excluding gaming, vital efficiency throttling wasn’t noticed. Nevertheless, the chassis, significantly the underside and space above the keyboard, does develop into noticeably heat to the contact, accompanied by audible fan noise. This conduct is pretty typical for thin-and-light Home windows laptops beneath stress however is likely to be extra pronounced than what customers of passively cooled gadgets or extremely optimized programs like Apple Silicon MacBooks are accustomed to. When pushing the system with video games, particularly whereas working on battery energy, efficiency throttling turns into extra obvious, reinforcing the laptop computer’s positioning as a productiveness device reasonably than a devoted gaming machine.

Keyboard and Touchpad

Interplay with the Vivobook S 14 OLED primarily happens by its keyboard and touchpad, which current a blended expertise. The ASUS ErgoSense keyboard supplies a usually comfy platform for typing, that includes adequately sized keys and cheap spacing. Nevertheless, the typing really feel itself is characterised by comparatively shallow journey and a definite lack of tactile suggestions. The keys really feel mushy and considerably “squishy” upon actuation, leading to a really quiet typing expertise that some customers may choose, whereas others who favor a extra crisp, outlined click on will seemingly discover it unsatisfying.

Including to the marginally disjointed really feel is the inclusion of single-zone RGB backlighting. Whereas providing customization, the characteristic feels considerably incongruous on a tool primarily geared toward skilled productiveness, doubtlessly coming throughout as extra of a gimmick than a sensible addition. The devoted Copilot key, supposed for fast entry to Microsoft’s AI assistant, noticed restricted use throughout testing, as its true utility hinges on deeper integration of AI instruments into on a regular basis workflows, an space nonetheless beneath energetic growth by Microsoft.

In stark distinction to the suitable, if unexceptional, keyboard, the touchpad emerges as a big level of weak point. Whereas its beneficiant dimension, central placement, and dependable assist for Home windows Precision drivers and multi-finger gestures (ASUS Good Gestures) are commendable design decisions, the bodily interplay falls quick. The floor texture displays a noticeable resistance or “stickiness” that impedes clean, easy finger gliding. Compounding this concern is a perceived latency in responsiveness, the place cursor actions often really feel barely delayed relative to finger enter. For customers who rely closely on the touchpad for navigation and carry out duties requiring fast, exact cursor management, this mix of floor friction and lag proved irritating and detracted significantly from the general consumer expertise. It stands out as an space ripe for enchancment in future iterations.

Audio: Surprisingly Strong Sound

Turning to the audio capabilities, the Vivobook S 14 OLED delivers a surprisingly sturdy efficiency that stands out positively. The stereo speaker system, tuned in collaboration with Harman Kardon, produces sound that’s clear, well-balanced, and impressively loud for a laptop computer of this kind issue. Whereas the default audio profile is sweet, the expertise is considerably elevated by enabling the “Quantity Booster” setting hidden inside the MyASUS utility software program. As soon as activated, the audio system actually come alive, delivering a a lot richer, fuller, and extra highly effective soundstage that successfully fills a small room and permits for pleasing media consumption even in environments with reasonable ambient noise. This boosted audio high quality genuinely rivals that discovered on many MacBook fashions, which are sometimes held because the benchmark for laptop computer sound. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos assist additional enhances the spatial audio expertise for suitable content material. Given the dramatic enchancment, ASUS can be well-advised to allow the Quantity Booster characteristic by default, because it transforms the audio from merely good to genuinely glorious and represents a big promoting level.

Digicam

The built-in webcam setup consists of an FHD sensor paired with an Infrared (IR) digital camera, primarily enabling Home windows Hey facial recognition. A bodily privateness shutter is a welcome inclusion for security-conscious customers. The Home windows Hey performance works reliably, permitting for safe, password-free logins even in dimly lit circumstances because of the IR digital camera. Nevertheless, the popularity course of itself can often really feel sluggish, and the system generally prompts the consumer to regulate their distance from the display for optimum detection, barely diminishing the comfort issue.

Whereas the safety side is practical, the picture high quality captured by the FHD webcam is decidedly underwhelming. Even in favorable, well-lit environments, the video output lacks the sharpness, element, and coloration accuracy anticipated from a premium laptop computer on this value bracket. Photos typically seem mushy or barely washed out, harking back to lower-resolution webcams prevalent in years previous. Whereas the onboard 3D Noise Discount (3DNR) know-how affords some minor enchancment in low-light eventualities by lowering seen noise, it can’t compensate for the elemental limitations of the sensor. For primary video conferencing, the digital camera is satisfactory, however customers with increased expectations for video high quality will seemingly be disillusioned. It represents a transparent space the place ASUS and different producers must put money into higher {hardware} to fulfill trendy requirements. The AI-powered Home windows Studio Results, corresponding to background blur or automated framing, are current however provide little solace for the mediocre baseline picture high quality.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery efficiency emerges as one of many Vivobook S 14 OLED’s most compelling strengths. The built-in 75Wh battery constantly delivered sufficient energy to final by a full workday of typical productiveness duties, together with net searching, doc enhancing, and communication, with out inducing battery nervousness. This demonstrates the numerous progress Intel’s platforms have made in energy effectivity. Nevertheless, the true standout characteristic is the distinctive charging flexibility supplied by ASUS’s Simple Cost implementation by way of USB-C. The laptop computer readily accepts cost from a wide selection of USB-C energy sources, adhering to the Energy Supply (PD) commonplace. This implies customers aren’t tethered to the included proprietary charger; they will conveniently prime up the battery utilizing commonplace USB-C cellphone chargers, high-wattage PD chargers for speedy replenishment, and even transportable energy banks whereas on the go. This stage of versatility is extremely sensible for cell professionals and college students, successfully eliminating charging issues in most conditions. Mixed with helpful battery well being administration choices inside the MyASUS software program, the general battery and charging expertise is arguably class-leading by way of comfort.

Connectivity

ASUS has geared up the Vivobook S 14 OLED with a beneficiant and sensible collection of ports, offering a welcome departure from the port-starved method seen on some competing ultrabooks. The array consists of two versatile Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C, supporting information, show output, and energy supply), two conventional USB 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-A ports for legacy peripherals, a full-size HDMI 2.1 port for simple connection to exterior shows or projectors (a boon for shows), an ordinary 3.5mm audio combo jack for headphones or microphones, and even a MicroSD card reader for handy file transfers from cameras or different gadgets. This complete loadout ensures that customers can join commonest equipment and exterior displays with out habitually resorting to dongles or docking stations.

On the wi-fi entrance, the laptop computer incorporates trendy requirements with assist for Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4. Whereas Wi-Fi 7 affords future-proofing for next-generation networks, testing revealed usually steady efficiency on present networks. Connections to a Wi-Fi 7 router had been predictably quick. Nevertheless, some minor instability was famous particularly when related to the 5GHz band of an older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) router; switching to the two.4GHz band resolved this concern. The ASUS WiFi SmartConnect characteristic, designed to robotically choose the optimum community connection, was not utilized throughout this analysis interval.

Software program and AI Options: Enhanced by MyASUS

The software program expertise is constructed upon an ordinary set up of Home windows 11, offering a well-recognized and extensively suitable working surroundings. ASUS enhances this baseline expertise primarily by its pre-installed MyASUS software. This utility serves as a useful centralized management panel, providing entry to system diagnostics, driver updates, guarantee info, and crucially, customization choices for numerous {hardware} options, such because the aforementioned audio quantity booster, fan profiles, show coloration settings, and battery charging modes.

Past the core OS and MyASUS, the laptop computer integrates AI capabilities at each the {hardware} (NPU) and software program ranges. As talked about, Home windows Studio Results leverage the NPU for webcam enhancements. One other virtually helpful AI characteristic is the AI Noise Cancellation know-how utilized to the microphone array. Throughout testing, this proved remarkably efficient at filtering out ambient background noise throughout voice and video calls, leading to clearer communication – a big profit for anybody often collaborating in on-line conferences or working in noisy environments. ASUS additionally bundles its personal AI-driven functions, like StoryCube, supposed for clever photograph and video administration. Whereas the inclusion of such instruments is famous, their precise utility is subjective and relies upon closely on particular person consumer workflows and preferences; as an illustration, managing media totally on a desktop PC rendered StoryCube much less related on this analysis. Whereas the suite of AI options is rising, AI noise cancellation at present stands out as probably the most tangibly helpful for a broad vary of customers. Offering potential patrons with a transparent listing of all accessible AI functionalities is necessary, even when particular person reviewers could not make the most of each single one.

Total Evaluation: A Robust Contender Targeted on Show and Mobility

In abstract, the ASUS Vivobook S 14 OLED (S5406SA) presents itself as a well-rounded and compelling ultrabook, significantly sturdy in key areas prioritized by cell professionals and content material creators. It largely succeeds in delivering a clean, hassle-free expertise for on a regular basis productiveness, anchored by its actually excellent OLED show and class-leading battery charging flexibility. The mix of a sturdy but light-weight construct additional enhances its enchantment for customers always on the transfer.

Strengths: The simple star is the 14-inch OLED show, providing distinctive coloration, distinction, and readability ultimate for each work and leisure. Battery life is strong, however the true spotlight is the extremely handy and versatile USB-C charging system. Audio high quality, particularly with the quantity enhance enabled, is surprisingly highly effective and immersive. The construct high quality feels stable and sturdy, complemented by a beneficiant collection of important ports.

Weaknesses: Probably the most vital downside is the touchpad, whose floor texture and perceived latency hinder clean and exact navigation. The built-in webcam delivers mediocre picture high quality that falls wanting premium expectations. Whereas solidly constructed, the laptop computer’s bodily design is reasonably standard and lacks a particular high-end aesthetic. The sensible software of the NPU for superior AI duties stays restricted by the present software program ecosystem, and the keyboard’s mushy tactile suggestions could not fulfill all typists.

Goal Viewers: This laptop computer is a wonderful selection for professionals, college students, and artistic customers who place a excessive worth on show high quality for duties starting from doc work to photograph and video enhancing. Its portability, lengthy battery life, and particularly its versatile charging make it ultimate for individuals who work often on the go or away from energy shops. Customers needing correct colours and a superb audio expertise can even be well-served.

Worth Proposition: Contemplating its beginning value of ₹99,990 in India, the Vivobook S 14 OLED affords stable worth, significantly when factoring within the premium OLED panel and the distinctive comfort of its battery system. It competes successfully inside the ultrabook section. Nevertheless, potential patrons should weigh these vital strengths in opposition to the notable compromises within the touchpad expertise, webcam high quality, and comparatively uninspired design when evaluating it in opposition to alternate options.

Suggestion: Sure, the ASUS Vivobook S 14 OLED is a really useful buy, however with necessary caveats. It excels for customers whose priorities align completely with its strengths: a top-tier show, glorious battery life, and unparalleled charging comfort, all inside a transportable and sturdy bundle. Nevertheless, potential patrons should pay attention to and comfy with its main weaknesses – specifically the subpar touchpad really feel and responsiveness, and the essential webcam high quality – earlier than making a closing determination. If these facets are vital, exploring different choices is likely to be warranted.