Asus will be presenting updated versions of the Vivobooks S14 and S15 at this year’s Computex. These not only impress with their wealth of colours, but also with new components. Optionally, they are also equipped with the ScreenPad 2.0.
In comparison with the predecessor models, the visual appearance does not change much. The models presented at last year’s Computex were also in strong colours. However, the new models stand out due to a smooth colour surface without any structure. This makes them much more modern and elegant, which also makes them interesting for professional use. The predecessor models would have seemed quite out of place here.
With a thickness of eighteen millimetres and a weight of 1.4 and 1.8 kilograms respectively, the models are still comparatively compact, although narrower and lighter products can be found on the market.
The new Vivobooks are available in several different versions. Common to all variants is the better hardware equipment. Asus is equipping all its new Vivobooks with powerful chips designed to increase speed. In the devices you can find either an Intel-Core-i5-8265U or an Intel-Core-i7-8565U. Either the integrated graphics chip “UHD 620” or the chip “GeForce MX250” from NVIDIA provides the graphics. So in every case a proper performance is provided. With the NVIDIA chip, even casual gamers should find sufficient equipment.
A PCIe SSD is installed by default. The models without ScreenPad offer additional space for the installation of a second hard disk. In addition there are up to sixteen GB RAM, Wifi 5 or 6, Bluetooth 4.2 or 5.0 as well as USB-C, USB-A, HDMI and AUX connections. An SD card reader is also available.
In the premium versions, Asus also equips the devices with a ScreenPad. Instead of the normal touchpad, there is a touchscreen that can be used to operate the device. The premium models are correspondingly expensive – here the prices start at 849 euros. A normal model is already available from 779 Euro. The new Vivobooks should be available in the third quarter of this year.
ScreenPad 2.0
The ScreenPad is an innovative input medium that replaces the classic touchpad. Instead of the touchpad, an entire touch screen is embedded in the notebook. This can be used to perform various actions – the functionality of the simple touchpad is clearly exceeded.
On the ScreenPad, for example, various apps can be displayed. Number blocks, tools for specific applications and general tools such as a calculator can also be operated on the ScreenPad. Compared to its predecessor, the ScreenPad has grown in size – it now measures 6.5 inches diagonally, which should make operation easier.
Whether the ScreenPad will prevail over the classic touchpad in the long run remains to be seen. It is currently driving up the cost of notebooks. It does not offer a real extension of the existing functions – but it does extend the options to use these existing functions and increases the user-friendliness enormously. Thus, it offers some weighty advantages compared to the much cheaper touchpad. Asus seems to trust in his ScreenPad and develops it further.
