AMD's latest Ryzen AI 300 series mobile processors are finally here, and they're AMD's answer to the Al-boosted processing power seen in Qualcomm's Snapdragon X and Intel's Core Ultra 2 (Lunar Lake) processors. This review covers the flagship processor in the lineup, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, which features a powerful 12-core, 24-thread configuration, 36MB of cache, and Radeon 890M graphics.
Alongside the processor's impressive hardware, it boasts a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that meets Microsoft's Copilot+ standards for Al-driven tasks, which require a minimum of 40 TOPS (trillions of operations per second). In fact, AMD has upped the ante with a 50 TOPS NPU in both models of this series.
The Zenbook S 16's design is as elegant as it is robust, thanks to ASUS' use of "ceraluminium" in the build a ceramic and aluminum composite that gives the outer lid a unique textured finish. This material not only makes the laptop feel premium but also improves its durability and resistance to smudges. Measuring just 1.29 cm at its thickest, with a weight of 1.5 kg, the Zenbook S 16 is incredibly portable, especially for a laptop with a sizable 16-inch screen and a large 78Wh battery.
The display itself is a 3K OLED panel with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 pixels, delivering vivid colors, sharp contrast, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This screen is particularly impressive for content consumption and productivity tasks, though OLED brightness levels could be higher compared to some LCD alternatives.
ASUS has also included a solid array of ports, including two USB4 Type-C ports, HDMI-out, an audio jack, and even an SD card reader - a handy feature for creatives on the go.
This story is from the November 2024 edition of HWM Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2024 edition of HWM Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
It's Upgrade Time
As the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch approached, rumours about a revolutionary device with a dramatic design change swirled-the Apple Watch X. But as it turns out, we got the Apple Watch Series 10 instead.
Ryzen AI Enters The Fray
This review covers the flagship processor in the lineup, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, which features a powerful 12-core, 24-thread configuration, 36MB of cache, and Radeon 890M graphics.
Intel Core Ultra 2 Shines
With a week of hands-on experience with the ASUS Zenbook S 14 powered by Intel's Core Ultra 7 258V, it's clear that Intel has created a chip that's a serious contender in the ultraportable space.
Smaller, Lighter, Smarter
When it comes to second-generation products, you expect improvements, and the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 certainly delivers.
AN ATMOSPHERIC ATTEMPT
Taking on a remake of Konami's classic Silent Hill 2 was always going to be a daunting task. Enter Bloober Team, the studio behind other psychological horror titles like The Medium and Blair Witch. While those were solid efforts in their own right, Silent Hill holds a special place in the hearts of horror fans, and any attempt to update it was bound to be scrutinized.
BASIC, BUT COMPETENT
Following the success of the Nothing Phone (2) and Nothing Phone (2a), the company launched its sub-brand, CMF by Nothing, aimed squarely at the budget-conscious.
LENOVO YOGA SLIM 7X
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x stands out in terms of build quality and design. With a thickness of just 12.9mm and weighing a mere 1.28kg, this laptop is incredibly portable.
COMFY, SECURE, AND OPEN
With the Nothing Ear (Open), the company has focused on elevating the open-fit experience with a stylish design, secure fit, and surprisingly solid audio quality.
The Emperor Of Mankind Approves
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 puts you right in the middle of the Imperium's most brutal battles, and it does so with an unapologetic embrace of its own absurdity.
Gemini Not There Yet
This year, Google launched the Pixel 9 series with three standard models. While the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro share similar dimensions and displays, the Pro model steps it up with an extra telephoto lens, more RAM, a higher brightness level, and a beefier 42MP front camera. The Pro XL adds a 6.8-inch Super Actua Display and hefty 5,060mAh battery.
