The arrival of Microsoft’s AI-soaked Copilot+ PC has considerably overshadowed the simultaneous launch of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X CPU, an upgraded, ARM-based different to Intel and AMD processors which have lengthy dominated the laptop computer world.
Qualcomm has made some unimaginable claims about what the Snapdragon X would be capable of do since its announcement final fall, essentially the most notable being a promise of double the efficiency over competing CPUs at one-third the ability draw. These competing CPUs have all been upgraded since that announcement, so inspecting the state of affairs with the present surroundings totally accounted for is essential. The catch is that Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs are solely licensed to run on Snapdragon X CPUs—for now, at the least—so if you need the Copilot+ expertise with all the brand new synthetic intelligence options baked into Home windows, a Snapdragon is the one option to fly.
Earlier than we get to the CPU, let’s take a look at the laptop computer containing it extra broadly. The Asus Vivobook S 15 (now that includes an area within the identify, however typically not) dates again to 2017, when it started as an Intel-based product. Intel-powered Vivobooks are nonetheless round, thoughts you. The Qualcomm-based model reviewed right here is mannequin quantity S5507Q.
The silver laptop computer incorporates a spacious 15.6-inch (non-touch) show working at 2,880 X 1,620 pixels of decision. It’s loads vibrant with out being eye-searing, backing up its display screen with a beefy Harman Kardon sound system. Along with the Snapdragon X Elite X1E7810 CPU, the unit options 16 GB of RAM and a 1-terabyte solid-state drive, each commonplace on a contemporary laptop computer. The keyboard is roomy and responsive, even squeezing a tiny numeric keypad to the best.
{Photograph}: Chris Null
An intriguing addition is the inclusion of shade LED backlighting for the keyboard—one thing you don’t typically see outdoors the world of gaming laptops. The one-zone lighting results could be tweaked within the preloaded MyAsus app, which controls a variety of capabilities starting from fan velocity to audio results. The backlighting is unassuming largely as a result of it’s exhausting to see, as a result of silver shade of the keys. Whether or not the backlighting was on or off, I struggled to learn the letters and symbols on the tops of the keys; there simply wasn’t sufficient distinction.
Word that the unit does not embrace Asus’ new Ceraluminum shell—the S 15 has an all-metal chassis—nor does it embrace the older ScreenPad characteristic (the place the touchpad doubles as a small show), which is current on another Vivobook choices.
Port choice is sweet and befitting of a 15.6-inch laptop computer, with two USB-C ports supporting USB4, two USB-A 3.2 ports, a full-size HDMI port, and a microSD card reader. All ports are side-mounted. The Vivobook weighs 3 kilos and is 20 millimeters thick, acceptable stats for a machine of this dimension.
