ASUS has announced a new range of notebooks that feature Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 2, formerly known as Lunar Lake. The company will launch all its current Qualcomm Zenboon, Vivobook and ExpertBook notebooks with these new Intel Core Ultra 200V chips. This means you’ll be able to decide between the Intel, AMD and Snapdragon SKUs when picking one up.
The notebooks come with all the benefits of Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 2. This includes improved battery life, cooling and performance. Intel claims the new chips have various advantages over the competition including improved gaming performance, AI speed and more. For example, the Intel Core Ultra 9 can deliver up to 48 NPU TOPS and bring exclusive on-device AI capabilities to Windows 11 through Copilot Plus.
Microsoft announced yesterday that Copilot Plus would launch on AMD and Intel notebooks in November. The feature has been limited to Qualcomm Snapdragon devices for the time being.
In the range, ASUS will launch a new ExpertBook P series and a new ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI. The latter is a small-form PC that includes a Copilot Plus button on the exterior. There’s also a Zenbook S14 and Zenbook S 16. Both notebooks pack incredible new slim designs and OLED panels. We recently reviewed the Zenbook Z16 OLED with the AMD Ryzen AI.
The range also includes the Vivobook S 14, Vivobook S 14 Flip and Vivobook S 16 Flip. Again, these products offer thin and light designs with AI-driven productivity. We also recently reviewed the Vivobook S 14 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite X.
The ASUS ExpertBook P series is the brand’s next-gen ExpertBook P5 product. It is a device aimed at entrepreneurs, prosumers and small businesses. The product comes with ASUS AI ExpertMeet tools that feature AI translations, AI subtitles and assisted meeting summaries. In the range, you’ll also be able to pick up the ExpertBook P3 and ExpertBook P1.
Lastly, the new ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI is a mini PC powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2. It delivers 120 TOPS of performance making it ideal for commercial use. The small form factor means this product is versatile and can be placed anywhere.
South African Pricing and Availability
ASUS says the Intel-powered Zenbook S 14 UX5406 will launch in South Africa starting on 24 September. Pre-orders open today, 5 September. The product starts at R35,999.
The ExpertBook P5 (P5405) is then expected in October. The Intel Core Ultra 5 variant will launch at R19,999 and the Ultra 7 variant at R25,999. Pre-orders for the new ASUS ExpertBook P5 open on 16 September and the product launches on 1 October.
The new ASUS Vivobook S14 is also expected to launch in South Africa by the end of 2024. There’s no confirmation if SA will get the new ASUS NUC 14 AI Pro.
ASUS Vivobook S 14 Key Features
- 1.3 kg body and 1.39 cm-thin all-metal chassis
- ASUS IceCool thermal technology featuring two 97-blade IceBlade fans
- Maximum TDP of 35 W
- 16:10 3K 120Hz display
- Dolby Atmos Harman Kadron-certified sound system
- 75Wh battery
- Intel Core Ultra 7 with AI engine of up to 47 NPU TOPS
ASUS Zenbook S Key Features
- Ceraluminum material
- 1.2 kg body with 1.1cm thin chassis
- 16:10 3K 120Hz OLED display
- 72Wh battery
- Large touchpad
- FHD AiSense IR camera
- Intel Core Ultra 9 with AI engine of up to 48 NPU TOPS
ASUS ExpertBook P5 Key Features
- 14-inch WQXGA 2500 x 1600 16:10 Display
- FHD IR camera
- 63Wh battery
- 1.29 kg full metal body with 1.65cm thin chassis
- Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 with AI engine of up to 48 NPU TOPS
