Best AI Laptops (Late 2025): Surface Laptop 7 vs ASUS Vivobook S 15 (X Elite) vs HP OmniBook X

The Inspect Aspect
Oct 29, 2025
4 min read

TL;DR

Surface Laptop 7 — best overall polish: premium build, excellent battery, quiet thermals, tight Windows integration.
ASUS Vivobook S 15 (X Elite) — best value + performance: big OLED, lots of ports, aggressive pricing.
HP OmniBook X — best travel companion: lightest feel, long battery, great keyboard for writers.

What “AI Laptop” Actually Means in 2025

A fast NPU (neural processing unit) that runs on-device features like live captions/translations, background blur, image generation, and summarization with low latency and no internet required.
Battery wins: NPUs offload tasks from CPU/GPU, so you get all-day life even with assistive features on.
Privacy: Sensitive media and transcripts can stay local.

Quick Specs (the parts you’ll feel)

Feature	Surface Laptop 7	ASUS Vivobook S 15 (X Elite)	HP OmniBook X
Processor	Snapdragon X Elite	Snapdragon X Elite (higher bin options)	Snapdragon X Elite
NPU	High TOPS, Windows Studio/Recall-style features	High TOPS + ASUS AI apps	High TOPS + HP AI utilities
Display	13.8" or 15" IPS-like high refresh; great color accuracy	15.6" OLED, 120Hz, vivid colors	14–14.5" IPS/OLED options, balanced
RAM/Storage	16–64GB LPDDR5X / 512GB–2TB	16–32GB / 512GB–2TB	16–32GB / 512GB–2TB
Battery (real-world)	Best overall all-day	Long, slightly less than Surface at high refresh	Excellent for travelers
Weight	Light	Moderate for 15.6"	Lightest feel
Ports	2× USB-C, Surface Connect, headphone (varies by size)	Generous: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, microSD	Practical: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI (varies)
Build & feel	Premium chassis, smooth touchpad	Solid, value-focused	Minimalist, sturdy, quiet fans

(Exact configs vary by region; check the SKU when you buy.)

Performance & AI Features (Day-to-Day)

Surface Laptop 7
- Fast wake, whisper-quiet fans, top battery with AI features enabled.
- Best for users who want Windows features “just working” (captions, voice, background effects, local summarization).
ASUS Vivobook S 15 (X Elite)
- Highest performance-per-dollar feel, especially with the 120Hz OLED.
- ASUS’s extras (AI noise removal, webcam enhancements) plus more ports make it creator-friendly.
HP OmniBook X
- Lightest travel rig with excellent typing.
- Smooth AI utilities for meetings and notes; great if you write more than you render.

Battery, Thermals & Noise

All three deliver true all-day battery for office work, calls, and note-taking with AI features on.
Surface runs the quietest; HP is a close second; ASUS warms a bit more under OLED + 120Hz loads.
Tip: Set 60–90Hz on battery, 120Hz when plugged in for the best balance.

Displays & Color

Vivobook S 15 OLED pops for media and color work; enable flicker-free/DC dimming if you’re sensitive.
Surface offers excellent color accuracy out of the box and smooth touchpad gestures.
OmniBook X panels prioritize battery + visibility—great for bright rooms and cafes.

Ports & Connectivity

Vivobook wins on port variety (HDMI + USB-A + USB-C + microSD).
Surface is slimmer on ports but supports high-speed USB-C docks; add a compact hub if needed.
HP balances portability with practical I/O for presentations and travel.

Creators, Students, Business—Who Should Buy What?

Creators / editors / frequent presenters → ASUS Vivobook S 15 (X Elite)“Give me OLED punch, 120Hz, and real ports for cameras/monitors.”
Students / hybrid workers who want it to just work → Surface Laptop 7“Top battery + quiet + seamless Windows AI.”
Writers / consultants / constant flyers → HP OmniBook X“Lightest bag, strongest keyboard, dependable battery.”

Buyer’s Checklist (Copy/Paste)

NPU support for the AI features you’ll actually use (captions, summary, image tools)
Screen size & refresh: 14–15.6", 60–120Hz based on eye comfort and battery goals
RAM: 16GB minimum; 32GB if you run heavy browsers/VMs
Storage: 1TB if you handle media locally; 512GB + cloud is fine for docs
Ports: Do you need HDMI/USB-A built-in or fine with a USB-C hub?
Weight & keyboard: If you type daily, test key travel and deck flex
Warranty/accidental damage if you travel often

Setup Tips (Faster Wins)

Update firmware & drivers on day 1 for best NPU behavior.
Enable on-device AI for captions, translation, and meeting summaries; set privacy defaults.
Create power profiles: “Travel” (60Hz, battery saver) and “Desk” (120Hz, full performance).
Calibrate color (or pick sRGB mode) before creative work.
Map a hotkey to quick-mute mic/camera + background blur for meetings.

FAQ

Do these run x86 apps well?Yes—most mainstream apps run smoothly via native builds or translation. Check your must-have niche tools first.

Is 32GB RAM overkill?Not if you multitask with many tabs, large spreadsheets, local AI tools, or light video editing. For general work, 16GB is fine.

Can I game on these?Casual/indie titles and cloud gaming are great. For AAA, use lower settings or pair with an eGPU at your desk.