The ASUS Vivobook line has consistently offered excellent value, providing some of the most cost-effective laptops on the market. These devices strike a great balance of features, performance, and an accessible price point. Additionally, many models boast an attractive design. The ASUS Vivobook S16 (S3607C) is one of the newest laptops in the Vivobook lineup, featuring a second-generation Intel Core Ultra processor, AI capabilities, and a long-lasting battery.
Design: 4/5
The unboxing experience is typical of ASUS laptops, with eco-friendly packaging. Inside, you’ll find some paperwork, a 65W USB-C charger, and the laptop itself. ASUS also includes an ASUS backpack with purchases of the Vivobook S16 and other Vivobook models.
The ASUS Vivobook S16 (S3607C) sports a matte gray finish and a metallic body. The metallic chassis contributes to a premium and solid build quality. Unlike some other Vivobooks, the S16 has a more minimalist aesthetic, with only a subtle “ASUS Vivobook” logo on the cover.
Upon opening the laptop, you’re greeted by a 16-inch, 1920 x 1200 WUXGA IPS display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and anti-glare properties. While not an OLED or particularly vibrant IPS panel, it features a 16:10 aspect ratio, common in ASUS laptops, allowing for more on-screen content for productivity. An IR camera with a physical shutter is located at the top of the display.
ASUS has managed to incorporate a full-sized keyboard with a small number pad. The generously sized keys make for a comfortable typing experience, and while it’s not a mechanical keyboard, the chiclet-style keys are quite pleasant to type on. Below the keyboard is a large touchpad that incorporates ASUS’ gesture shortcuts. I found it to be fast and accurate, so much so that I rarely used a mouse during my review.
The Vivobook S16 (S3607C) is also well-equipped with I/O ports. On the right side, there’s a USB 3.2 Type-A Gen 1 port and LED notification lights. The left side features two USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 ports with Displayport 1.2 and PowerDelivery 3.0, a full-sized HDMI 1.4 port, another USB 3.2 Type-A Gen 1 port, and an audio mic combo port
Hardware: 4/5
Our ASUS Vivobook S16 (S3607C) is powered by the latest 2nd-generation Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with integrated Intel Arc Graphics. Specifically, our unit’s Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 10 efficiency cores and 6 performance cores, making the processor both powerful and efficient. Beyond the power and efficiency cores, the processor includes a built-in NPU capable of up to 13 TOPS. The ASUS Vivobook S16 also comes with a substantial 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD.
Here are some benchmarks for the laptop.
A significant highlight of the ASUS Vivobook S16 is its large 70Whr battery. ASUS’ internal testing suggests approximately 20 hours of battery life on a full charge. In practical use, it comfortably lasts a full day of work, which is impressive for a laptop of this size. Charging time is also quite reasonable, going from 10% to 60% in just under an hour and achieving a full charge in under two hours.
User Experience: 4/5
The ASUS Vivobook S16 (S3607C) is part of ASUS’ newest Vivobook S AI laptop lineup. AI is central to this laptop, enhancing both productivity and performance. Beyond the dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard, ASUS has integrated other AI-enhanced features, such as the AI-enhanced IR webcam.
The Copilot integration is seamless, with instant access via its dedicated button. Having one of the largest AI companions literally at your fingertips proved incredibly useful when I was writing another story on the laptop, providing ideas and guidance.
Several other aspects of the ASUS Vivobook S16 (S3607C) also impressed me. The speakers are excellent, producing loud audio without significant distortion at high volumes. The massive trackpad and ASUS gesture shortcuts were a joy to use, especially the shortcuts. Adjusting volume or brightness with a simple swipe at the edges of the touchpad proved much faster than searching for the correct Fn button, though those are still available for those who prefer them.
Another notable feature is the metallic chassis combined with military-grade durability. Like most ASUS products, the Vivobook S16 has undergone rigorous military durability testing, making it highly durable and capable of withstanding typical bumps and drops during regular use.
The laptop is also remarkably portable for its size, measuring just 1.59cm thin and weighing only 1.70kg. These specifications are often not found in some 15.6-inch or even 14-inch laptops.
Additionally, the laptop includes a lifetime license for Microsoft Office and Home 2024, along with a one-year Microsoft 365 Basic subscription. You’ll also benefit from ASUS’ best-in-class 2-Year International Warranty coverage and 1-year Accidental Damage Warranty.
Value: 4.5/5
Starting at PHP65,995, the ASUS Vivobook S16 (S3607C) offers significant value for its price. While I did miss some features found in other ASUS Vivobooks, such as an OLED display, it doesn’t detract from this device’s overall performance. The Vivobook S16 truly shines due to its powerful yet efficient processor, all-day battery life, and integrated AI companion.
So, who is this laptop for? I envision the Vivobook S16 as an ideal device for students seeking a powerful machine with ample AI capabilities and all-day battery life. It’s also a perfect companion for the on-the-go office worker.
For those who want something a bit different, ASUS also offers the Vivobook S16 with either an AMD or Snapdragon processor. If a smaller device is preferred, there’s also the Vivobook S14, a 14-inch variant.
You can find the ASUS Vivobook S16 (S3607) and other ASUS laptops at ASUS stores and retailers nationwide. Check this link to find the nearest ASUS store near you.
Bottomline:
The ASUS Vivobook S16 (S3607C) is the perfect laptop and AI companion for those who want to accomplish more.
What’s Hot:
- AI enhancements
- Price
- Powerful 2nd Gen Intel Core Ultra processor
- Large 16-inch display
What’s Not:
- An OLED display would have been nice
Specifications:
- Processors: Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 255H 2.0GHz (24MB Cache, up to 5.1GHz, 16 cores, 16 Threads); Intel AI Boost NPU up to 13TOPS
- Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics
- Display: 16.0-inch, WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 aspect ratio, IPS-level Panel, LED Backlit, 144Hz refresh rate, 300nits, 45% NTSC color gamut, Anti-glare display, Non-touch screen, (Screen-to-body ratio: 89%)
- Memory: 16GB DDR5 on board
- Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
- OS: Windows 11 Home
- Battery: 70WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Card
- I/O Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C with support for display/power delivery (data speed up to 5Gbps), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (data speed up to 5Gbps), 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
- Other features: FHD camera with IR function to support Windows Hello with privacy shutter,
- Military Grade: US MIL-STD 810H military-grade standard
- Dimensions: 35.70 x 25.06 x 1.59 -1.7 cm
- Weight: 1.70kg
Reviewed by Gabriel Pe
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE Volume 25 No. 11 Issue.