ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304): Featherlight Powerhouse or Style Over Substance?

The ultrabook market is a crowded space, but ASUS consistently manages to carve out a niche with its Zenbook series. The Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304) is the latest attempt, promising a potent blend of performance, stunning visuals, and unparalleled portability. Does it deliver? Let’s dive in.

Right off the bat, the Zenbook S 13 OLED impresses with its extraordinarily thin and light chassis. Weighing in at just around 1 kg, and boasting a profile barely thicker than a smartphone, this laptop is genuinely effortless to carry around. The build quality is also superb, with a magnesium-aluminum alloy that feels premium and reassuringly solid, minimizing flex even under pressure. The minimalist design is elegant, bordering on understated. While some might find it a little too plain, its clean lines and sophisticated finish offer a timeless appeal.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the 13.3-inch OLED display. Colors are vibrant, blacks are inky deep, and the viewing angles are excellent. The 2.8K resolution offers a sharp and detailed image, making it a joy for both work and entertainment. The display also supports HDR, further enhancing the visual experience. However, the glossy screen can be reflective in bright environments, which might be a concern for some users.

Under the hood, our review unit packed an Intel Core i7-1355U processor and 16GB of RAM. This combination delivers snappy performance for everyday tasks, including web browsing, document editing, and video conferencing. It can even handle some light photo and video editing without breaking a sweat. Gaming is possible, but don’t expect to run the latest AAA titles at high settings. The integrated Iris Xe Graphics is sufficient for casual gaming and older titles, but it’s not a dedicated graphics card replacement.

The keyboard is surprisingly comfortable to type on, given the laptop’s thin profile. The keys have decent travel and a satisfying click, making for a pleasant typing experience. The touchpad is also responsive and accurate. The port selection is adequate, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A port, and an HDMI port. However, the lack of an SD card reader might disappoint some photographers and videographers. Battery life is respectable, typically lasting around 8-10 hours with moderate use, though heavy workloads will drain the battery faster.

Finally, the value proposition of the Zenbook S 13 OLED is somewhat complex. It is certainly a premium product, and its price reflects that. While it offers exceptional portability, a stunning display, and solid performance, there are other laptops in the same price range that offer more raw power or a wider range of features.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon