ASUS Vivobook S15 S5507 (Snapdragon X Elite) レビュー: 未来への期待

More than the ASUS VivoBook S15 Oled laptop, The review of this device states the overall state of Windows on ARM and whether it makes any difference for users. It also answers the biggest questions we have. Is Windows on ARM finally good? Should you buy this laptop now? Does it match the performance of a MacBook? You will find answers to more questions in this review.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you may not know much about Windows on ARM. But before diving into the details, let’s start with a brief overview of the ASUS VivoBook S15 Oled laptop. ASUS has announced a series of laptops powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processors (The latest Snapdragon processors for laptops built on Arm Architecture). They are already available for purchase.

I have been using the ASUS VivoBook S15 Oled powered Snapdragon X Elite processor laptop for the past two weeks as my daily driver. Before this, I used a MacBook Air with the M1 chip, which was announced in 2020 and still performs exceptionally well. Before that, I used an HP Pavilion gaming laptop powered by Windows.

ASUS Vivobook S15 S5507 (Snapdragon X Elite) ノートパソコンレビュー

After receiving the VivoBook S15, I completely switched from my MacBook Air to this Windows laptop and have been using it as my daily driver. I am a productive person, with most of my tasks and work based on the browser, and I am also a gamer when the mood strikes.

I had big expectations for Windows on ARM, not just because of the hype around it, but because Windows on ARM can potentially be a game-changer, especially after the success of the Apple M Series. Now that Windows is on a similar path, I had high hopes. As I said earlier, this is more than just a laptop review; I want to discuss the current state of Windows on ARM and whether it has finally achieved success.

ARM上のWindowsとは？

Let’s first understand what is Windows on ARM. ARM stands for Advanced RISC Machine; the company designs the processor architecture widely used in smartphones, tablets, and laptops and licenses these designs to companies like Qualcomm, Apple, and Samsung. Traditional Windows laptops run on x86 or x64 architecture. Until now, these were the most common architectures for laptops, but more recently, they also run on processors powered by Arm processors.

ARM processors use a completely different architecture compared to x86. They are more power-efficient and are primarily known for their low power consumption, which can bring better battery life while offering similar perceived performance (in certain cases) compared to x86 processors. However, processors powered by ARM also have limitations. They are less powerful than high-end x86 devices because ARM is optimized for efficiency rather than raw power.

ARM processors often perform better in battery life for general productivity, web browsing, and media consumption than Windows devices running on x86 architecture. There are several types of ARM processors for Windows. Microsoft has developed its ARM-based chips (SQ1 and SQ2), and Qualcomm recently announced its Snapdragon X-Elite Arm-powered processors for Windows. The one that I am using on his laptop is the lower-end version of the X-Elite series, the X-elite X1E-78-100.

ARM上のWindowsのパフォーマンスは？

As expected from an ARM-powered processor, Microsoft Windows on ARM delivers exactly what it promises. Beyond just performance, I was impressed by the battery life on the ASUS VivoBook S OLED powered by Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100.

While battery life can vary depending on the specific battery size, overall, it has significantly improved with this setup. By “significantly,” I mean it is so much better than before. For instance, you can get about 14 to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge. For me, it lasted up to two days, which included an average of 8 hours of usage per day.

My usage mostly includes web browsing, media playback, and light gaming. Also, the battery drain when the laptop is idle is very minimal. I never turned off the laptop completely; I left it idle. The laptop lost only 1% of its battery overnight. This wasn’t the case with my previous Windows laptops. But that’s not the case with the new Snapdragon processor. You can close the lid at night and open it the next morning, and it turns on without needing to charge. Sometimes, it didn’t lose that 1%, which shows how impressive the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 battery life is.

Snapdragon X-Eliteのパフォーマンス

Asus has used the X1E-78-100 variant on the Asus VivoBook S15 . It is the lower-end variant in the top-tier X-Elite series. Day-to-day performance, including web browsing, media playback, switching apps, and opening Windows files, is smooth and efficient. In my two weeks of use, I never saw a loading screen while opening apps, which says a lot about the performance. However, this seamless experience is limited to most daily apps and native ARM- versions.

You might see significant performance drops when you install non-native apps built for x86 architecture, which require Microsoft and Qualcomm’s emulation layer to run on ARM. I encountered several apps that were not supported, and some didn’t even load. While there are some issues, this laptop is a perfect choice if your tasks mainly involve browsing, opening files, and using daily productivity apps.

Moreover, support for more native versions is coming soon. There’s a website that lists all the Windows ARM-compatible apps. If you rely heavily on specific Windows software that isn’t yet ARM-compatible, you might want to hold off on getting this laptop for now. But if you mostly use apps that are already supported, this laptop is excellent for productivity.

ASUS VivoBook S15 Oledでのゲームパフォーマンス

ARM processors are not meant for gaming, and GPU performance is lower than that of X86. At the same time, it can also be an excellent device for casual gamers. As of now, my gaming experience on this laptop is mixed. You can play games on this laptop, but not many games are currently supported.

For example, I have played few games on Epic games, the gaming performance is underwhelming even for the low graphic games like mudrunner.  Also, there are a few games that are not compatible with Windows on Arm at present. There is Steam support for a few games, though. But overall, looking at the bigger picture, support for Windows games on ARM is minimal. Few games that can use the emulator and run on this device perform very poorly. Most have compatibility issues, and few only barely support limited graphic settings. The laptop also handles graphic-intensive tasks well. However, you might not get the same raw performance paired with a Graphic card on X86 machines.

Snapdragon X EliteのAI機能 – 有用で、ギミックなし

Windows on ARM brings better performance and improved battery life and introduces several AI features, particularly on the ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED. It supports 45 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second), which means better AI processing capabilities designed to run AI tasks efficiently. Windows has always been at the forefront of AI features, and Copilot was introduced to showcase the same. The specific model I am using is a part of the Microsoft Copilot+ PC initiative, where brands should meet hardware requirements to run Windows AI features. I was initially skeptical about AI features, especially in recent times when many of them on smartphones are more gimmicky. However, this is not the case with the AI features on this laptop.

For example, Live captions with automatic translation are super helpful. Additionally, an AI feature can automatically rewrite text, which is useful for office and productivity work (However, by default, you won’t get access to Copilot features on Microsoft Office 365. You must subscribe to Copilot Pro, which costs $20 per month, or their office plans that include Copilot). Microsoft Paint has also been updated with AI features that can transform your paintings. Copilot+ PCs also come with a dedicated Copilot button, which you can use to trigger Copilot at any time.

These AI features are spread across the OS and can be used in various ways. Also, support for “ Microsoft Recall,” one of the biggest AI features for Windows, is coming soon. This feature allows you to recall any session on Windows, which could be a game-changer for many people. In addition to AI, camera quality is significantly improved with the Snapdragon X-Elite processor. I had high expectations for the camera quality because the ARM processor generally offers the best image processing. The quality of the webcam has been impressive.

So those are the features of the Snapdragon X-Elite and the current state of Windows on ARM. As promised, the processor delivers better battery life, better daily tasks, and better AI performance. It may not be as performance-oriented as some raw X86. Still, if you are a productive person who primarily uses the web and engages in casual gaming, these ARM processors could be a game-changer. Windows on ARM finally delivers on its promises, especially by addressing the battery life issues plaguing Windows laptops.

Snapdragon X-Elite processors are currently only available on higher-priced laptops. If you want better battery life and are looking for a device for productivity, web browsing, and light gaming, these laptops might be the right choice. Now, let’s talk about the ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED. Should you pick this laptop with the Snapdragon X-Elite?

Asus VivoBook S15 OLED シャーシ

The VivoBook S OLED comes with an all-metal design. It is a premium laptop with a slim and lightweight build. I have the silver color variant, which I like the most among the available options. When you hold the laptop, you get a premium feeling. The laptop is light and easy to carry but not as solid as a MacBook. It weighs around 1.4 kg, making it easy to carry. The base is strong, and the lid is slightly lighter, but it feels sturdy and solid. There is no wobble when you start typing on the keyboard.

On the side, you get a USB 4.0 port, which is an advantage of this chassis. You also get three USB ports, a headphone jack, two USB Type-C ports, and a microSD card reader. When placed directly on a table, the laptop doesn’t have a lift-up design like most ASUS laptops. You can lift the lid with one hand, and it feels steady. It comes with bottom-firing speakers, which ASUS should replace with top-firing speakers. The sound quality is somewhat flat, with less bass.

You get a full-length keyboard with RGB lighting. You can set one color at a time and control the lighting settings through the dedicated ASUS keyboard features. The trackpad is large and has all the necessary functions; ASUS has also added useful gestures. You can swipe up or down to increase or decrease the volume, swipe left or right to increase or decrease the brightness, and move the swipe right to jump forward in the video, which is especially useful when watching videos and skipping forward or backward.

I have a little issue with the outdoor visibility of the RGB lighting on the keyboard. Due to the color, the visibility outdoors is less, which might affect typing. The keys have good travel but are slightly harder than my MacBook Air. I got used to it, but it still feels harder to type, requiring more effort.

The lid can open up to 180 degrees to the back. I wish it had a touchscreen, but it isn’t. It cannot rotate fully, but it can go up to 180 degrees. The chassis is solid and doesn’t attract fingerprints, which are not visible unless you look closely. There is no fingerprint sensor. Due to the laptop’s weight, it fits well in your bag. There is also a fan with adjustable speed and ventilation at the bottom. You might feel the heat when gaming or using high-performance apps, but the laptop stays cool during everyday use.

Asus Vivobook S15 OLED の X-Elite 仕様

OLEDディスプレイ: クラス最高、見るのが楽しい

You get a 3200 x 1800 3K resolution OLED panel on the front. I prefer this display over my MacBook for watching YouTube videos, reading, or viewing. The display quality is top-notch, with good color accuracy. It comes with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and Pantone validation, making it ideal for graphic design.

It can reach up to 600 nits of brightness. It comes with a glossy display, which can sometimes cause reflections when placed directly against a light source. The viewing angles are good, as OLED displays generally offer better viewing angles with minimal color shift, and this laptop is no exception.

There is no screen flickering. The display is glossy, and you might consider applying an anti-glare screen protector for better reflection control. The edges are slim but slightly noticeable at the bottom. The display also supports HDR and is DisplayHDR 600 certified. As mentioned, watching movies on this display is top-notch and it supports HDR on Netflix. The display also includes low blue light protection to reduce eye strain. That’s it about the Laptop. I have already talked about the performance and battery life. Overall, the Snapdragon X Elite ASUS Vivobook S15 has a great build quality, a stunning OLED screen, and good connectivity.

ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED レビューの結論

With the Snapdragon X-Elite, the ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED delivers on its promises for everyday use, including web browsing, media playback, opening apps, and light gaming. You don’t need to carry a charger. The OLED screen makes watching content a pleasure. However, if your workflow heavily relies on specific x86 applications or you need high-end gaming performance, you might want to consider whether the current state of Windows on ARM meets all your needs. If you are a student, a creative professional, a business professional, a content consumer, or a casual gamer, this laptop might be the best option for you.

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