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Updated January 10, 2024·
For general use, the ASUS Zenbook S 13 offers a lightweight and highly portable option with a superior OLED display and longer battery life, ideal for those who prioritize a vivid screen and need to carry their laptop around. However, if screen size matters to you and you're interested in a more affordable option for everyday tasks, the Gateway 15.6" may be suitable despite having less storage, memory, and a lower-quality display. Users performing intensive engineering tasks or requiring high performance for 3D or machine learning may find the ASUS more accommodating due to its better performance marks, but the Gateway can still manage engineering applications reasonably well. Neither device is geared for intensive gaming or high-end graphics tasks, so if gaming is a priority, you may need to consider other models. 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 battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Gateway 15.6"
- The Gateway 15.6" has no clear advantages over the ASUS Zenbook S 13.
Key differences
General Use
8.6
7.0
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
365.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
11.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
9.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for general use, while the Gateway 15.6" is good.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for general use because it packs a higher-end CPU and more RAM, which translates to smoother, faster operations and the ability to handle multiple applications with ease. In comparison, the Gateway 15.6" is good for general tasks, with a capable CPU and ample RAM for basic multitasking, but it's heavier and has a lower-quality screen, which might not be as sharp or color-accurate as the Zenbook's.
Gaming and AI
6.5
6.0
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
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 and Gateway 15.6" are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the ASUS Zenbook S 13 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 offers a better gaming and 3D experience with a more powerful CPU and superior GPU compared to the Gateway 15.6". While both have similar screen refresh rates, the ASUS's OLED display provides higher screen quality, which enhances visual performance for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.2
6.2
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 typically offers a higher-end CPU, more RAM, and a better GPU, all of which are crucial for demanding engineering tasks and ensuring smooth performance with complex designs, along with a superior screen for sharp and accurate visuals. In contrast, the Gateway 15.6" provides adequate performance for less intensive use and, while still portable and offering a decent keyboard, might not have the same level of screen clarity or the power to handle advanced engineering software as effectively.
Content Creation
8.5
7.0
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for content creation, while the Gateway 15.6" is good.
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
6.7
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for software development, while the Gateway 15.6" is only fair.
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
6.1
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
365.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
250.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a better screen than the Gateway 15.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 likely has a higher resolution and brightness, with an advanced panel type that offers crisp and vibrant visuals, making it excellent for general use and engineering tasks that benefit from accurate color representation. However, its lower refresh rate makes it less ideal for gaming and 3D graphics, where smoother motion is crucial. The Gateway, with fair screen attributes, offers a balanced experience for general use and engineering but lacks in high-end features that enhance gaming and 3D performance, such as a high refresh rate or superior panel technology.
Battery
11.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has 11 hours of battery life. The Gateway 15.6" has 8 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.
Portability
Best in Class
Good
13.3in
SIZE
15.6in
2.2 lbs
WEIGHT
4.8 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has best in class portability, while the Gateway 15.6" has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
5.1
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has good build quality, while the Gateway 15.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,400
$400
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a price of $1,400 and the Gateway 15.6" costs $400.
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How the ASUS Zenbook S 13 and the Gateway 15.6" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook S 13 | Gateway 15.6" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,400 | $400 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.7'' x 8.5'' x 0.46'' | 14.8'' x 9.5'' x 0.77'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.2 lbs | 4.8 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.66" | 14.75" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.52" | 9.5" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1355U | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 11 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 63 Wh | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2880 x 1800 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 365 nits | 250 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
ASUS Zenbook S 13
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | May 2023
"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."
Gateway 15.6"
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Francisco Lahoz | July 2022
"Some concessions have to be made when shopping for a budget laptop. Walmart's Gateway Ultra Slim laptops succeeds on the affordability front and delivers serviceable specs and good battery life, though it's hard to claim it's the best (or even particularly good) at any particular aspect. Its build quality, especially the touchpad, is mediocre, and its performance is decent but doesn't lead the way. The Gateway does undercut the cost of some competitors and offers ample storage with good connectivity, so it's not to be ignored."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook S 13 or the Gateway 15.6"
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.
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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