Choose the ASUS Zenbook S 13 if you need a laptop with high performance for tasks like 3D modeling, machine learning, or gaming. It has a faster processor, superior graphics capabilities, and a better display. However, it's more expensive and slightly heavier, which may affect portability. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more affordable, lighter laptop for general use like web browsing and basic tasks, the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 would be suitable. It won't handle intensive tasks as well due to its less powerful processor and graphics, and the screen quality is lower, but it's easier to carry around. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook S 13
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Good overall build quality
Best in class portability
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS Vivobook Go 12
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has no clear advantages over the ASUS Zenbook S 13.
Key differences
General Use
8.6/10
5.6/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
365.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
11.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
9.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 offers powerful processing and ample memory for smooth multitasking, a high-quality screen for sharp visuals, outstanding portability with its lightweight design, and long battery life, catering well to general use demands. In contrast, the ASUS Vivobook Go 12, while still portable, falls short on processing power and memory, which can hinder performance for demanding tasks, has a lower quality screen, and its battery doesn't last as long, making it less suitable for intensive general use.
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
5.4/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is equipped with a more capable Iris Xe graphics unit and a higher quality OLED screen, making it suitable for gaming and 3D applications, whereas the ASUS Vivobook Go 12's less powerful UHD Graphics 600 and lower-quality TN display limit its performance in those areas.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
5.3/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 typically offers powerful CPUs, ample RAM, and high-quality GPUs suited for demanding engineering software, along with a superior screen that benefits design work, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has less powerful components and a lower quality display which may not handle intensive tasks as effectively. The Zenbook also boasts a better keyboard and quieter operation, though the Vivobook Go 12 is more portable and may have adequate speakers for casual use.
Content Creation
8.5/10
5.7/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
32.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for content creation, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.3/10
5.7/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
32.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
8.1/10
5.1/10
13.3in
SIZE
11.6in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
365.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13's superior screen quality for general use stems from its higher resolution and brightness, which enhance visibility and clarity, alongside a panel type that delivers sharper images and better viewing angles. For engineering and design, its high-quality screen excels by covering a wider range of color gamuts, ensuring that professionals see accurate colors for precise work. However, the Zenbook's screen falls short for gaming and 3D because it lacks a high refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth motion and improved gameplay experience, despite moderate resolution and panel quality.
Battery
11.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has 11 hours of battery life. The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has 10 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
7.6/10
5.1/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has good build quality, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,400
$267
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a price of $1,400 and the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 costs $267.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook S 13 to have best in class portability, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS Zenbook S 13 and the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 compare to other laptops
"The Asus Zenbook S 13 is the slimmest OLED ultrabook worldwide struggles with annoying fans. The new Zenbook S 13 leaves us with mixed feelings, particularly since last year's model was so good. Asus has completely reworked the device, making the laptop noticeably slimmer. The result also looks good and the case makes a great impression, particularly also in terms of the stability. The new plasma ceramic surface feels great, and there are no problems with fingerprints. In addition, it now includes some of the known connections such as an HDMI port and a regular USB-A connection, which is a good achievement in such a slim device."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook S 13 or the ASUS Vivobook Go 12
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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