Windows on ARM has been a long journey, starting with Windows RT in 2012, but with the introduction of the Snapdragon X Elite chip in the ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED, we’re seeing a new chapter unfold. Qualcomm has made a statement in 2024 with its X series chips, and this VivoBook S15 OLED is one of the first devices to give you that elite Windows on ARM experience.
So, Qualcomm, Microsoft, and major OEMs like ASUS have united to build a competitive ARM-based Windows ecosystem. Now, the question is, does the Snapdragon X Elite really stand a chance against x86 processors from Intel and AMD? Also, is it worth all the hype that it is getting?
ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED ft. Snapdragon X Elite Review: Is Windows on ARM Finally Ready for Prime Time?
Specifications of ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED (Snapdragon X Elite)
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite SoC, 12 cores, 12 threads, up to 3.8 GHz clock speed
- Graphics: Qualcomm Adreno (up to 4.6 TFLOPS)
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X at 8448MHz
- Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch 3K 120Hz OLED
- Weight: 1.42 kg
- Battery: 70Wh
Design, Build Quality, Keyboard, and I/O Ports
ASUS claims the build quality of both the Intel and Snapdragon versions of the VivoBook S15 is similar, but in my experience, the Snapdragon X Elite variant feels sturdier, especially the hinge and chassis. Compared to the other Intel or AMD variants, this VivoBook S15 OLED feels much more premium, subtle, and minimalistic.
The keyboard is consistent across both versions of the VivoBook, but the touchpad on the Snapdragon version is smaller, though its placement and tactile feedback feel superior.
In terms of ports, both laptops feature essential I/O options like HDMI 2.1, USB Type-A, USB Type-C, a 3.5mm jack, and an SD card slot. While the VivoBook lacks Thunderbolt 4, it offers USB 4, which delivers similar functionalities, along with an extra USB Type-A port.
Display and Audio
The VivoBook S15 OLED display covers around 133% of the sRGB gamut and 100% of the DCI-P3 color space, delivering excellent color reproduction. For most users out there, the display color accuracy will be enough for everyday usage.
As you see in our SpyderX Pro tests, the display of the laptop performs quite well, giving up to 400 nits of brightness and a great 100% of DCI-P3 color accuracy. The VivoBook S15 OLED comes with Harman Kardon-certified speakers with Smart Amp technology and offers decent sound but it does still lag behind Apple’s MacBook.
Overall, in terms of both display and audio, the laptop is great for most people in 2024, from streaming Netflix movies to working on projects with casual music streaming, this laptop does a great job.
Performance and Benchmarks
The Snapdragon X Elite claims to deliver consistent performance whether plugged in or running on battery and while it mostly lives up to this, there are some caveats. Many Windows apps, especially games, need to run on an emulation layer called PRISM, which can lead to performance losses.
For instance, the X Elite scored 14,112 points in Geekbench 6 Multicore tests when plugged in, but there is a drop in performance when on battery. Similarly, we get a nice Cinebench R23 score of 13,492 points. However, when running apps optimized for ARM, the Snapdragon X Elite-powered VivoBook can even outperform Intel’s Core Ultra 7.
In terms of memory and storage, you get 16GB of DDR5 RAM which is really fast for most tasks and a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD to hold all your data in one place. In our CrystalDiskMark benchmark, we see a fair performance, not the best Gen4 speeds, but up to 4992MB/s read and up to 3413MB/s write speeds.
I have been a MacBook Pro user for over a year now, and I can confidently say that this ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED ft. Snapdragon X Elite is one of the very few Windows laptops that has to some extent matched the performance and efficiency we generally look for on Macs. Now, with more optimizations, I am sure, ARM laptops on Windows will gain even more popularity.
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, the ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED (Snapdragon X Elite) significantly outshines its Intel counterparts or the AMD ones I have used before. As you see, we get an average battery life of around 10 hours, and that gets extended up to 12 hours! Well, this is the best Windows laptop in terms of battery life I’ve ever experienced so far.
The VivoBook S15 OLED also allows more control over power modes, offering adjustable power settings that balance performance and battery efficiency. Overall, the battery life is great on this laptop, undoubtedly!
Verdict
The Snapdragon X Elite chip in the ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED is a game-changer for ARM-based Windows laptops. It delivers exceptional battery life, fast performance, and a seamless experience, but the catch is app optimization. While basic apps run smoothly, many advanced apps and games require better support for ARM architecture.
Pros:
- Great battery life compared to other Windows laptops,
- Sturdy build & Sleek design
- Impressive performance for optimized apps
Cons:
- Performance drops with non-optimized apps,
- Limited compatibility with some games/applications for now
In conclusion, the ASUS VivoBook S15 with Snapdragon X Elite is a fantastic option for those who need a high-performance, portable laptop with excellent battery life, but it’s not without its challenges in terms of app compatibility. As ARM processors continue to evolve, this laptop represents a major step forward in Windows on ARM computing.
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