ASUS, at CES 2025, has broadened its portfolio of AI-powered laptops with the introduction of the Vivobook 14/16 series (A1407/A1607 and M1407KA/M1607KA). These laptops aim to make AI features more accessible to a wider audience, offering a balance of performance, features, and value. This release offers two distinct processing options, catering to different user needs and preferences.

It’s Your Choice: Snapdragon Or AMD

The Vivobook 14/16 series will be available on two different processor platforms. The A1407/A1607 models are equipped with Snapdragon X processors, while the M1407KA/M1607KA variants feature AMD Ryzen AI 7 300 series processors. This choice provides users with flexibility based on their priorities.

The Snapdragon X processors in the A1407/A1607 offer over 45 NPU TOPS (trillions of operations per second) of AI processing power. This dedicated AI processing capability is designed to accelerate AI-related tasks and enhance the overall user experience. ASUS states that these processors offer a 44% performance boost over the previous generation and provide up to 19.8 hours of battery life.

The use of Snapdragon processors means these models operate on the ARM64 architecture, similar to the Zenbook A14. This architecture is known for its power efficiency, contributing to the extended battery life. As discussed in the Zenbook A14 article, it’s important to be aware of software compatibility considerations with ARM64, though Microsoft and developers are continually improving support for this architecture.

The M1407KA/M1607KA models, on the other hand, utilize AMD Ryzen AI 7 300 series processors. These processors also integrate AI processing capabilities, though the specific architecture and performance characteristics differ from the Snapdragon platform. The AMD Ryzen AI processors offer a blend of CPU and GPU performance suitable for a wider range of tasks, including content creation and more demanding workloads.

AI-Enhanced Features for Productivity and Creativity Tools

Both the Snapdragon and AMD-powered Vivobook 14/16 models offer a suite of AI-enhanced features designed to improve productivity and creativity. These features, enabled by the integrated NPUs or AI engines within the respective processors, include:

• Cocreator in Paint: This feature allows users to refine artwork in real-time, providing AI-assisted suggestions and enhancements.
• Generative Fill and Erase: These tools in Paint simplify photo editing by allowing users to seamlessly fill areas of an image or remove unwanted objects.
• ASUS-exclusive StoryCube application: This application automatically categorizes files based on their content, aiming to improve file organization and searchability.
• Live Captions: This feature provides real-time, accurate subtitles, which can be helpful for accessibility, language learning, or viewing content in noisy environments.

Security and Privacy with the Microsoft Pluton

ASUS has emphasized security and privacy in the Vivobook 14/16 series. The integration of the Microsoft Pluton security processor offers enhanced hardware-level protection against various threats. The AI Camera enhances security by detecting the user’s presence and automatically locking the device when they step away. This feature works in conjunction with Adaptive Lock and Adaptive Dimming, which further contribute to battery life and privacy by automatically adjusting screen brightness and locking the device when the user is not present.

Design, Durability, and Connectivity

The Vivobook 14/16 laptops feature a stylish design and are built to meet military-grade durability standards, suggesting they can withstand everyday wear and tear. A comprehensive array of I/O ports provides ample connectivity options. These ports include two USB4 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, an HDMI port, and an audio combo jack. This variety of ports ensures compatibility with a wide range of peripherals and external displays.

The Vivobook 14 is available in Cool Silver, Quiet Blue, and Platinum Gold, offering users some choice in terms of aesthetics. The Vivobook 16 is available in Cool Silver and Quiet Blue.

Key Differences Summarized:

To summarize the key differences between the two versions of the Vivobook 14/16:

• A1407/A1607: Snapdragon X processors, ARM64 architecture, emphasis on battery life and AI acceleration.
• M1407KA/M1607KA: AMD Ryzen AI 7 300 series processors, x86 architecture, balanced CPU and GPU performance.

Pricing & Availability

The Vivobook 14/16 series is expected to arrive in Malaysia by early March 2025. Specific details regarding pricing, configurations, and regional availability are not available yet.