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ASUS Vivobook S 14 (S5406SA) Review: 14 inches, about 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg), and current-gen internals that travel light.

Takumi
By Takumi Editor-in-Chief of ZippyLaptop, software developer with 20+ years of experience, and a self-proclaimed laptop obsessive. I've personally tested and reviewed over 100 machines — and I'm always looking for what makes a laptop genuinely great to use, not just great on paper. Last updated:
ASUS
Vivobook S 14 (S5406SA)
Released September 2024
14 inches, about 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg), and current-gen internals that travel light.
ZippyScore 4.1/5
Buy this if...
  • ·You want a light 14-inch laptop with current-gen specs
  • ·You want to stay unplugged for a long time when you're out
  • ·You'd go for the OLED config to enjoy sharp, punchy visuals
Avoid this if...
  • ·You want to add more RAM down the road to stretch its lifespan
  • ·You need a touchscreen or a high-refresh display — look elsewhere
  • ·You're hunting for the cheapest laptop out there — this may feel pricey
Amazon
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ZippyScore

ZippyScore is a proprietary rating based on 6 criteria: performance, portability, display, battery, value, and connectivity.

See rating criteria
  • Performance: CPU / GPU performance
  • Portability: Screen size & weight
  • Display: Panel type, aspect ratio & refresh rate
  • Battery: Rated battery life
  • Value: Specs-to-price balance
  • Connectivity: Port types & count
ZippyScore
4.1 / 5
Performance 3.5
Portability 4.0
Display 4.9
Battery 4.3
Value 3.5
Connectivity 4.3

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Light for a 14-incher at about 1.3 kg (~2.9 lbs) — easy to carry every day
  • Current-gen CPU keeps everyday tasks and light editing feeling snappy
  • The 75 Wh battery means you're not chained to an outlet when you're out
  • Slim, but the ports are all here — you're rarely reaching for a dongle
  • The taller screen shows more of a doc or web page at once

Cons

  • RAM is soldered on, so there's no upgrading later → if you're keeping it a while, spec up the memory from the start
  • The glossy screen picks up reflections → outdoors or by a window, bump the brightness to see clearly

Specs Summary

OSWindows 11 Home
CPUIntel Core Ultra 7 258V (PassMark: 18,961)
Intel Core Ultra 7 256V (PassMark: 19,556)
RAM16GB / 32GB
Storage1TB
Display14" OLED (Glossy, 60Hz)
1920x1200 (16:10)
Weight1.30 kg (2.87 lbs)
PortsUSB-C × 2 (Thunderbolt 4/40Gbps/PD/Video out), USB-A × 2 (5Gbps), HDMI × 1 (ver.2.1), Headphone jack × 1
GPUIntel Arc 140V (G3D Mark: 5,133)
BiometricsFace Recognition
BatteryUp to 21.5 h (Capacity: 75 Wh)
Camera2.1 MP
DimensionsApprox. 310.5 × 221.9 × 15.9 mm (W × D × H)
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7
BluetoothBluetooth 5.4
ColorNeutral Black / Mist Blue

Configurations vary by retailer, region, and availability.

Where to Buy

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* Prices may vary. Please check each store for the latest price and availability.

About the author

Takumi
Takumi
Editor-in-Chief, ZippyLaptop / Laptop Review Specialist

Hey, I'm Takumi — Editor-in-Chief here at ZippyLaptop. I've spent more than two decades working as a software developer, which means laptops aren't just a hobby for me — they're the tool I rely on every single day.

And honestly? I'm just a huge laptop nerd 🥰.

Here's the thing: today's laptops are more exciting than ever, and I don't think that gets talked about enough. We're talking about OLED displays so vibrant they make regular screens look flat, chassis that feel rock-solid yet weigh barely over two pounds, keyboards that you can type on for hours without your fingers staging a revolt, and a hundred little details — build quality, port placement, everyday feel — that never show up in a spec sheet. There are so many laptops out there that are just a joy to use, and raw numbers alone will never tell you that.

But spend any time shopping for a laptop online, and you'll run into the same frustrations I do: sites that just regurgitate spec lists, pages that haven't been updated in years, and recommendations that make you think, 'Wait — this is seriously what they're suggesting for that use case?' It happens way too often.

That's exactly why I started ZippyLaptop. Every machine I review is either one I've bought with my own money or a unit I've borrowed directly from the manufacturer — and I actually use it. I dig into performance and specs, sure, but I also evaluate the display quality, keyboard feel, portability, battery life, port selection, and how well the whole package holds up against the price. Real-world usability matters just as much as benchmark scores.

The truth is, the 'best laptop' looks completely different depending on who's asking. A college freshman, a working professional, and a video editor all need something different.

My goal is to make ZippyLaptop the kind of site where you can find a clear answer: 'For someone like you, this is the one.'

I hope the experience and opinions I've built up over the years help point you toward a laptop you'll genuinely love 👍

ASUS Vivobook S 14 (S5406SA) ASUS
Vivobook S 14 (S5406SA)
See price on Amazon