ASUS VivoBook S15 (S531) Hands-On
ASUS first introduced the second iteration of the VivoBook S Series at Computex 2019. We were able to get our hands on one of those laptops, the VivoBook S15 (S531). Check it out!
While the VivoBook S15 has a host of colors, the unit we have here has the Moss Green color. The lid is sparse of any design, apart from the ASUS VivoBook logo on the right. It’s simple and clean, yet incredibly attractive. It probably has something to do with the unusual color that isn’t often seen in other laptops. Accenting the sides of the lid is an orange color that ASUS dubs as Energetic Orange.
Opened up, the VivoBook S15 comes with a 15.6-inch display, with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and a screen-to-body ratio of 88%. Numbers aside, one can see the slim bezels surrounding the screen of the laptop. Up top, it’s equipped with an IR HD camera that has a facial login feature. It’s small enough that it’s not really noticeable and it fits perfectly in the thin top bezel.
The body is brushed with a color that’s reminiscent of gold. There’s a full-sized keyboard that doesn’t look nor feel cramped when typing on. The keys take on the same color as the body and have a slight bounce to them.
Below the full-sized keyboard is a trackpad that’s decent in size. It is smooth to the touch and greatly responsive. ASUS has also released a variation of the S15 with a trackpad that doubles as a ScreenPad.
The VivoBook has an ErgoLift hinge design, putting the lower half of the laptop in an inclined position and making it comfortable to type on and use. The ErgoLift hinge also allows air to circulate around the bottom and the vents of the laptop to help cool it down.
On the right side, one can find a micro SD card reader, a 3.5mm audio port, USB-C Gen 1, an HDMI port, and a DC-in port.
Situated on the left are two USB 2.0 ports and the charging light indicator.
Turning over the laptop, the bottom showcases a textured design that we found interesting. The speakers are also located at the bottom of the laptop, sitting on the left and right corners, respectively. We’ve yet to test out how this’ laptop’s speakers sound off, seeing as they are at the bottom and at the upper body of the sides, like most other laptops. The speakers are certified by Harman Kardon.
The VivoBook S15 (S531) is powered by up to Intel Core i7, paired with NVIDIA GeForce MX250, up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage, a 42Wh battery, and runs on Windows 10. Overall, the laptop looks and feels premium, thanks to its sleek body and unique color. Despite its size of 15 inches, the VivoBook is rather lightweight, and easy enough to carry around.
The price and availability of the VivoBook S15 (S531) are yet to be announced. We’ll be taking this device for a full review, so stay tuned.
ASUS VivoBook S15 (S531) specs
- 15.6inch LEDbacklit FHD (1920 x 1080) panel with 16:9 aspect ratio, frameless four-sided NanoEdge display with 88% screen to body ratio, 178° wide-view technology (VivoBook S15)
- Up to Intel Core i7
- NVIDIA GeForce MX250
- Up to 16GB RAM
- Up to 1TB storage
- Windows 10 Home/Pro
- Up to WiFi 6
- Bluetooth 5.0
- 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (USBC) Gen 1
- 1 x Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 1
- 2 x USB 2.0
- 1 x HDMI
- 1 x Combo audio jack
- 1 x microSD card reader
- 42Wh battery
- 180 x 357.2 x 230.3 mm
- 1.8kg
- Moss Green / Punk Pink / Cobalt Blue / Transparent Silver / Gun Metal
