ASUS unveiled its latest cutting-edge technology at an exclusive showcase held at the upscale Ethos Restaurant in Rosebank today. The event provided key media with a hands-on opportunity to experience the power of the new Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chips, seamlessly integrated into the sleek and lightweight ASUS Zenbook S 14.
Meet the Zenbook S 14 (UX5406), one of the thinnest and most portable 14-inch new-era ASUS AI PCs, blending performance with sophistication. The premium Zenbook S 14 showcases a new functional aesthetic, and has been completely redesigned inside and out. The chassis features the new, innovative ASUS Ceraluminum™, a high-tech ceramic hybrid material available in a range of nature-inspired colors. This industry-first material offers exceptional strength, effortlessly resisting scratches and wear.
Zenbook S 14 is powered by up to the latest AI-enabled Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor (Series 2) and Intel Arc™ graphics, delivering up to 48 NPU TOPS. Advanced CNC milling enables the integration of an ultra-slim vapor chamber in the ultra-quiet ambient cooling system — unique for such a thin device — ensuring up to 28-watt CPU TDP1 performance with minimal noise. The functional design features a dedicated Copilot key and an enlarged 16:10 seamless touchpad that supports smart gestures.
The 3K 120Hz ASUS Lumina OLED display and powerful four-speaker audio system deliver engaging entertainment, providing a true cinematic experience. Robust security is ensured by the Microsoft Pluton security processor, and the new Windows passkeys feature securely stores authentication data. Enhanced biometric security and privacy features powered by the AiSense IR camera system include facial recognition for automatic login and logout, Adaptive Lock, and Adaptive Dimming.
A blend of art and tech
Zenbook S 14, newly designed with a functional aesthetic, incorporates the innovative ASUS Ceraluminum material, providing both durability and a sleek design. After four years of refining the colors, texture, and hardness of this material, the results are outstanding. Utilizing cutting-edge CNC technology, Zenbook S 14 achieves a remarkable thinness of just 1.1cm while housing advanced components, including an advanced vapor-chamber cooling system.
It’s the only laptop combining such sleekness and functionality and is our thinnest and most compact 14-inch laptop, emphasizing our commitment to top-notch performance and portability. CNC machining also creates the exclusive geometric grille design above the keyboard and the enlarged touchpad area. The laptop is available in two nature-inspired shades — Zumaia Gray and Scandinavian White.
The sustainable design of Zenbook S 14 extends to the optional sleeve, which, inspired by nature, is crafted from GRS-certified recycled polyester. This sleeve embodies a commitment to eco-friendly and nature-inspired innovation.
Zenbook does more
Zenbook S 14 offers next-generation AI capabilities in an ultrathin form factor. It’s equipped with up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processor (Series 2) with system-on-chip (SoC) design. The SoC design reduces motherboard size by 27%2 to increase overall cooling efficiency and integrates premium low-power LPDDR5X DRAM into a compact package.
This second factor shortens the distance between the CPU and memory, enabling higher bandwidth and lower latency ― ensuring improved stability and higher performance. With up to 32GB of fast RAM, and up to a 1TB PCIe® 4.0 SSD, the processor features a TDP of up to 28 watts and a built-in NPU delivering up to 48 NPU TOPS for modern AI applications, ensuring the 72Wh battery provides all-day autonomy.
The user experience is seamless and intuitive, with a dedicated Windows Copilot key on the ASUS ErgoSense keyboard for instant Windows AI assistance and an enlarged touchpad matching the screen’s 16:10 aspect ratio. This enhances comfort and ease of use, allowing quick adjustments of audio volume, screen brightness and more via smart gestures. The ultra-compact Zenbook S 14 features a full set of I/O ports, including two Thunderbolt™ 4, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, HDMI® 2.1, and an audio combo jack. WiFi 7 with ASUS WiFi Master Premium certification ensures the fastest, most reliable connections.
Engaging audiovisuals
The 3K 120Hz ASUS Lumina OLED display is Pantone® Validated and DisplayHDR™ True Black 500 certified. It delivers lifelike visuals with outstanding color and HDR performance, including a 100% DCI-P3 gamut to ensure vivid colors.
Zenbook S 14 features a powerful four-speaker Harman Kardon-certified audio system, a remarkable engineering feat in such a thin device. It provides full-range multi-dimensional Dolby Atmos® sound, offering a truly immersive and lifelike audiovisual experience.
Quiet and secure
Zenbook S 14 prioritizes noise reduction with an advanced ultra-slim vapor-chamber cooling system featuring dual IceBlade fans, allowing an under-25dB ambient cooling mode while enabling up to 28W TDP performance, when needed. The geometric grille above the keyboard maximizes airflow and minimizes dust or dirt ingress. User privacy and security are paramount, supported by Windows passkeys and Microsoft Pluton, which integrates hardware, firmware, and software to defend against evolving threats.
Windows Hello facial recognition ensures secure access without needing to remember passwords. The ASUS AiSense IR camera enables Adaptive Lock, which monitors user presence and locks the laptop when the user moves away, and Adaptive Dimming enhances privacy by dimming the screen when the user looks away.
Local Availability
For those eager to experience the future of AI-driven computing, the Zenbook S 14 is available through ASUS eShop and Evetech today for R35,999. It will also be on-shelf with Incredible from Q4 2024. It’s possible on your Intel AI PC.