(Credit: Asus)
At IFA 2024, laptop makers are fielding several new products, and Asus is at the tip of the spear with Copilot+ PCs powered by Intel and Qualcomm chips. From the latest series of Intel Core Ultra processors based on its new Lunar Lake architecture to the new, slightly more affordable Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chips, the latest AI PCs are faster for work, less expensive to buy, and more widely available.
Copilot+ Comes to Intel in Asus Laptops (and a Tiny Desktop)
Several Asus announcements feature Intel's new Core Ultra (Series 2) processors, supplying the expected performance boosts, energy efficiency improvements, and AI enhancements with NPUs that are punchy enough to power Microsoft's Copilot+ PC capabilities that debuted in spring 2024. From machine learning and automatic AI enhancements in the background to generative AI running right on your device, Copilot+ is Microsoft's best version of what it calls the "AI PC."
Copilot+ includes features previously limited to Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, such as those found in the latest Microsoft Surface models. These new capabilities include:
Recall, which lets you get back to whatever you were doing on your PC over a specific timeframe.
Cocreator, for on-device collaborative image creation.
Windows Studio Effects, for visual enhancements for video calls.
Live Captions, for real-time subtitles with translation for spoken audio in videos and calls.
Automatic Super Resolution, for improved frame rate and resolution in video games.
These are Microsoft-exclusive Windows 11 features, but the same NPU hardware will soon also power new app features ranging from office productivity to advanced content creation.
Asus has six new Copilot+ systems on the way, all using the new Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) hardware. This new silicon will make a splash, spread across the Zenbook, Vivobook, and Expertbook laptop lines. And it's not just laptops, either: Asus brought the same capabilities to the desktop with the compact Asus NUC 14 Pro AI after taking over the NUC brand of mini PCs from Intel.
First up is the Zenbook S 14 (UX5406), a feather-light ultraportable that weighs just 2.7 pounds. It's made of machined aluminum, with Asus' superb Ceraluminum finish on the lid and a 3K 120Hz OLED display that's sure to impress. But the power behind this slick laptop is the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, with an NPU that can drive 47 trillion operations per second (TOPS), supporting all of Microsoft's most advanced AI features. Even the speakers and webcam get help from AI, with AI noise cancellation for clearer conference calls and AI effects to make the full HD webcam images look their best.
The Vivobook S 14 (S5406SA) is similar in portability, weighing 2.87 pounds and flaunting the same Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip. Asus touts the laptop's all-metal chassis and features, such as a customizable single-zone RGB backlit keyboard, an extra-spacious touchpad, and a 16:10 OLED panel.
Asus' Vivobook 14 Flip (TP3407) adds 2-in-1 versatility to the mix, with a 360-degree hinge that transitions from laptop to tablet and mode in between. Configurable with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, this slim convertible laptop has plenty of ports and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. You'll also find a larger 16-inch model, the Vivobook 16 Flip (TP3607), adding an OLED display to the mix but with a similar design and port selection.
Rounding out the selection of laptops, the ExpertBook P5 (P5405) brings the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip to business systems, pairing the new AI smarts with business-grade security and support services. Features like BIOS-level protection and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) let the new AI PCs fit into existing IT fleets without sacrificing the latest features. Asus takes the AI enhancement a bit further with AI ExpertMeet tools, a suite of features for online meetings that include AI-powered translation, subtitles, assisted meeting summaries, noise canceling, and business watermarks for virtual meetings.
Finally, the desktop also enjoys some AI love with the Asus NUC 14 Pro AI, which packs laptop-grade hardware into a compact mini PC form factor. In this case, the NUC will get an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor, capable of 48 TOPS and supporting all of the same Copilot+ features as the laptops mentioned above. This little desktop is ready for work with ample ports and business-ready features like SecureBoot, TPM, and fingerprint recognition.
Pricing and Availability
The Asus Zenbook S 14 is available for preorder through the Asus online store for $1,499.99 for the top configuration, with 32GB memory and a white finish. A slightly less expensive model will sell through Best Buy, with preorders opening up Sept. 6 at just $1,399.99. This model will be in gray and have 16GB of RAM.
As for the 2-in-1 model, the Asus Vivobook S 14 (Q423) will be available for preorder through Best Buy starting Sept. 5 at $999.99, and other configurations will go on sale later this year.
The Asus ExpertBoook P5 and Vivobook 14/16 Flip are not currently available for preorder but are expected to launch sometime in Q4. Pricing has not been announced yet for those models. Availability and pricing details for the Asus NUC 14 Pro AI have not yet been announced either.
Qualcomm Joins the 'Entry-Level' Crowd With Asus
While Intel makes its first foray into Copilot+ PCs, Qualcomm spearheaded the new AI laptop category earlier this year. The launch of Snapdragon X Plus brings Windows-on-Arm (with a side of AI) to a slightly cheaper price point. However, I'm not sure I agree with calling it "entry-level," even though the prices are lower. At $899, I would probably call these systems "midrange."
The new Snapdragon X Plus is an eight-core Oryon CPU design with Arm silicon and an NPU that delivers 45 TOPS of AI processing power.
The new hardware will power the Asus Vivobook S 15 (QS5507), a slim, all-metal laptop that promises portability and performance. It has a 19-hour-plus battery and a 15.6-inch OLED display. The minimal aesthetic is designed with an RGB single-zone backlit keyboard, an expansive touchpad, and connectivity that includes USB4, HDMI 2.1, a MicroSD card slot, and Wi-Fi 7.
For extreme portability, the ProArt PZ13 lets you ditch the keyboard entirely. It provides a slim 1.87-pound tablet that is beefed up with IP52 durability and 21 hours of battery life (using video playback). Made for creating on the go, the PZ13 features a 13.3-inch OLED touch screen with Pantone-validated color, stylus support, and a six-month trial membership for the CapCut video editor.
Pricing and Availability
Both Qualcomm-powered models are available for order today through Best Buy. The Asus Vivobook S 15 (S5507) starts at $899.99.
The Asus ProArt PZ13 (HT5306) starts at $1,099.99 (also through Best Buy) but appears to be sold without accessories, so expect to pay extra for niceties like the Asus Pen 2.0, a soft keyboard cover, and a magnetic cover stand.
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