Intel launches its new Series 2 generation of Core Ultra mobile processors somewhat on the back foot. The first generation 'Meteor Lake' Core Ultra processors were speedy enough, with improved GPU performance and built-in AI support, but did little to reverse the impact of benchmarks showing processors performing faster. Then came Qualcomm's Snapdragon X processors and Microsoft's new , and not only was Core Ultra getting beaten in performance benchmarks, but in battery life tests as well.
Worse, it transpired that the Core Ultra's lacked the grunt to run Windows' new Copilot+ AI enhancements. Only Snapdragon X and AMD's latest Ryzen AI CPUs had an NPU that was up to the task. Core Ultra Series 2 is Intel's chance to turn this sorry tale around, with more GPU and NPU performance and a new architecture that's as focused on power efficiency and battery life as on raw speed.
And Intel couldn't ask for a better showcase for it than Asus's new Zenbook S14. It's another in Asus's line of beautifully designed ultraportables with cutting-edge specs and a gorgeous OLED screen, and it plays right to the strengths of Intel's latest tech. Asus Zenbook S14: Design While it uses the same design language as last year's , the Zenbook S14 is even slimmer and lighter.
Its 310 x 242mm desktop footprint is more what you'd expect from a 13.3in laptop than a device with a 14in screen, and it's less than 12mm thick and 1.2Kg in weight.
Our review sample came in a graphite variation of Asus's Ceralu.
