ASUS VivoBook S14 S433 Review (11th Gen Intel version) | Geek Lifestyle

Last week, we got our hands on the ASUS’ refreshed VivoBook S14 (S433). And while we already reviewed the S433 back in July, the new VivoBook that we got our hands on packs an upgraded 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor. This means the new VivoBook should have improved performance over its predecessor.

Processor aside though, the new VivoBook S14 is nearly the same as its predecessor. Not only do they share the same GPU, they also have a similar overall look.

Given this fact, is the refreshed VivoBook S14 (S433) a good ultrabook option? Find out here in our full review!

Geek-sthetic

As I mentioned above, the VivoBook S14 looks almost exactly the same as its predecessor–and that’s a good thing. After all, the S14 is a well-designed laptop that looks and feels premium, all while having a fun design. This is thanks to the inclusion of stickers inside the box (which you can use to personalize the laptop), as well as the distinct neon-colored Enter key.

While the VivoBook S14 is a “fun-looking” laptop, the notebook still looks quite elegant thanks to the sleek silver-colored highlights on the edges. This might be a small design element, but it does a lot in making the laptop look premium. In fact, it might even be mistaken for the more premium ZenBook line at first glance (if you don’t see the VivoBook branding that is).

As for I/O, the VivoBook S14 does not disappoint. This laptop features a USB 3.1 Gen1 Type A, two USB 2.0 ports, a USB Type-C port, a microSD card reader, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an HDMI port. While more USB 3.1 ports would’ve been welcome, the VivoBook S14 overall still has a good amount of ports, especially compared to other ultrabooks.

Binge Watching Factor

For its display, ASUS packed the VivoBook S14 with a 14” LED-backlit Full HD NanoEdge screen. Thanks to the slim bezels and sharp output, this ASUS laptop is a good match for binge-watching movies, TV shows, anime, and more. Sure, it might be on the small side, but for solo movie marathons or if you’re with just one friend or your significant other, the VivoBook S14 should get the job done.

Sound Trip

For audio, the VivoBook S14 has onboard stereo speakers that are tuned by Harman/Kardon. The sound quality of the built-in speakers are pretty decent for laptop standards, with sound being clear and without much noticeable distortion at higher volumes. The only issue is that the speakers don’t get that loud, even at max volume. This means headphones/speakers are highly recommended for music listening or binge-watching.

Typing/Gaming Experience

Even if the VivoBook S14 is a slim laptop, the keyboard feels great to type on. For membrane keyboard standards, the S14’s keyboard provides a nice tactile feel. Coupled with the fact that the individual keys are sized and spaced out just right, the VivoBook S14 is a laptop that will definitely satisfy users who type a lot for work or school.

The only improvement I’d like to see in future VivoBook refreshed models is bigger arrow keys as the ones in this S14 are on the small side.

Gaming Prowess

While the VivoBook S14 is not a gaming laptop, I did try out some esports titles to see how well it can run them. After all, the laptop does come with an NVIDIA MX 350 graphics card.

First off, I tried out Overwatch on the VivoBook S14, though I wouldn’t recommend it. To even play the game decently enough for multiplayer, you have to turn down the graphics settings to the lowest, and play in 720p. Even then, there are noticeable drops in framerate. Though this should come as no surprise given that the VivoBook S14 is not designed for gaming.

With this in mind, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the S14 can run Dota 2 quite well. Sure, I had to set the game to the lowest graphics settings, but the VivoBook S14 was able to run the game at a smooth 100FPS, even at a 1080p resolution.

Now for benchmarks. After running PCMark10 on the laptop, the VivoBook S14 produced a score of 4913, a major improvement over the 10th gen i5 powered S14 that I reviewed back in July. Given this score, the VivoBook S14 (S433) should be a great match for everyday productivity.

Everyday Reliability 

As the PCMark10 benchmark showed, the VivoBook S14 is a great laptop for general productivity. Whether for browsing, office apps, or for light photo editing, the S14 should have no problem thanks to its powerful new processor. Though even with its MX 350 GPU, don’t expect it to be your next video editing machine. Sure, you may be able to edit some videos on it, but it’s not recommended for professionals or hobbyists.

Before we end, let’s talk about battery life. The VivoBook S14 (S433) has excellent battery life in my time with it. Specifically, after playing a 2 and 1/2 hour movie at 50% brigtness and 50% volume, the laptop still had around 73% battery life remaining. This should translate to well over 6 hours of continuous use with Wi-Fi on.

Final Geek Lifestyle Verdict

Overall, the new VivoBook S14 (S433) with an 11th Gen Intel Core processor is a good laptop for general use and for productivity, and should be worth its PHP 59,995 price tag for users who want a solid and stylish device. Just like its predecessor, the new S14 is a laptop option well worth considering for both students and office workers who are currently in a work-from-home setup.