ASUS Vivobook 15 (2026) launches with Intel Core 5 Series 3 — but not here yet
ASUS has launched the Vivobook 15 (2026) in India, pricing it at $1,680 and selling it exclusively through Amazon.in and Flipkart — with no confirmed date for a US or UK release. The laptop runs on Intel's new Core 5 Series 3 processor, the company's entry-level chip with a built-in NPU capable of up to 16 TOPS, which is the minimum needed for Microsoft's Windows AI features like Copilot. If you're shopping for a new laptop in the US or UK right now, this one isn't on shelves yet.
The specs
The Vivobook 15 packs a 15.6-inch Full HD anti-glare display, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6, and the keyboard has a dedicated Copilot key alongside a fingerprint reader. The webcam is HD and comes with a physical privacy shutter — a small but welcome touch. The whole thing weighs 1.7 kg and carries MIL-STD-810H certification, meaning it's been tested against drops, dust, and temperature swings. Three colors are available: Cool Silver, Quiet Blue, and Terra Cotta.
The Core 5 Series 3 (codenamed Wildcat Lake) is Intel's latest push into the affordable laptop segment, confirmed for OEM availability from April 2026 per Notebookcheck. The 16 TOPS NPU — branded Intel AI Boost — clears the threshold required for Microsoft's Copilot+ PC features, which is increasingly becoming a selling point at this price tier.
The Vivobook 15 (2026) features a dedicated Copilot key and physical webcam shutter.
What this means if you're shopping now
In the UK, you can already pick up a Vivobook 15 with an older Intel Core 5 120U starting around £499–£531. That's a previous-generation chip without the dedicated NPU, but it covers everyday tasks without issue. The 2026 model with Series 3 hardware is a different story — no UK or US retailer lists it, and ASUS has made no announcement about a Western launch. Based on the brand's typical pattern, a global rollout tends to lag India by three to six months.
The India price of $1,680 is a manufacturer-announced figure converted from rupees; Western pricing, when it arrives, will likely differ. For context, Core Ultra laptops — Intel's higher-end AI PC line — start around £849 in the UK, so the Series 3 Vivobook would need to land well below that to carve out its intended budget position.
For now, this is a laptop worth watching but not waiting on. If you need a machine today, existing Vivobook 15 models deliver solid value. If the Copilot+ AI features matter to you, the 2026 model — or a competitor that reaches shelves sooner — is worth holding out for.
Source: Gizmochina
