Asus geo-restricts top-end Core Ultra X Zenbook S14 and certain Zenbook S16 SKUs

[Redaktion]

Asus launched refreshed versions of the Zenbook S14 and Zenbook S16 at CES 2026. However, it looks like not all configurations are meant for all regions. Based on available information, the Core Ultra X7 and Core Ultra X9 versions of the Zenbook S14 seem to be limited to the US and Europe, while Ryzen AI 5 and Ryzen AI 9 options with the Zenbook S16 are limited to Canada.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Asus-geo-restricts-top-end-Core-Ultra-X-Zenbook-S14-and-certain-Zenbook-S16-SKUs.1200484.0.html

[The Werewolf]

Sadly this is and has long been the norm. Canada always gets either a small (usually low end) subset of the entire product line, or a "special" inferior line of products or even just nothing at all.

The surprise is Asus - one of the few companies that until now didn't restrict their lines that way, although they did remove most of the extras. Like the Asus Zenbook Duo. In the US, it came with a digital pen and either a backpack or a sleeve. In Canada, it came with neither yet had the same price.

Many companies like Toshiba and Samsung even prohibit Canadians from buying in the US and sending it to Canada when the certifications and even packaging includes Canadian certification and French Canadian documentation. Sellers in the US are threatened with being restricted if they don't comply and people popping across the border to buy one will discover very limited warranty support.