Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED review: OLED and RTX at a reasonable price

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OLED shows have been as soon as a rarity in laptops. That started to vary in 2021 because of a brand new wave of mid-range OLED laptops led by Samsung’s Galaxy Pro line. The panels in Samsung’s laptops have discovered their technique to quite a few mid-range Windows laptops, together with the Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED.

There’s quite a bit to love in regards to the laptop computer other than the show. Asus packs in sturdy processor efficiency for a mid-range 15 inch laptop computer. Battery life is nice for the class as effectively. 3D efficiency isn’t as spectacular however ok to hit 60 frames per second in lots of video games. However, the Vivobook makes errors in design and connectivity that can make it unappealing to professionals. Despite its identify, this Vivobook is best suited to gaming and basic productiveness than skilled audio, picture, or video modifying. Getting this a lot energy and an OLED show for simply $1,099 is a cut price if this laptop computer matches your wants.

This overview is a part of our ongoing roundup of the best laptops. Go there for data on competing merchandise and the way we examined them.

Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED specs

Asus’ Vivobook Pro 15 OLED packs an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H eight-core processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. This isn’t modern of a 15-inch laptop computer. Dell’s XPS 15 and HP’s Envy 15 provide Nvidia’s RTX 3050 Ti graphics in addition to extra RAM and storage. 

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H 
• Memory: 16GB
• Graphics/GPU: Intel UHD
• Display: 15.6 1,920 x 1,080 OLED
• Storage: 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0
• Webcam: 720p with privateness shutter
• Connectivity:  1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (knowledge solely), 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5mm combo audio, 1x DC-in barrel plug
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5
• Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
• Battery capability: 63 watt-hour
• Dimensions: 0.78 x 9.26 x 14.17 inches
• Weight: 3.64 kilos

But don’t neglect the value. Asus provides all of the above for simply $1,099. That undercuts high-end options from Dell and HP by about $500 (with optionally available OLED panels geared up). The hole makes it apparent Asus isn’t attempting to beat premium laptops on design or construct high quality. Instead, Asus hopes to pack a lot energy for therefore little money that you simply’ll fortunately overlook a couple of nitpicks.

Design and construct high quality

The Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED, like different current releases within the Asus Vivobook Pro mannequin line, shouldn’t be a lot to have a look at. 

The specification sheet lists the colour as “Quiet Blue” and, boy, is it proper. It’s so quiet, in reality, that I doubt most would name it blue if not requested to take a re-assessment. The laptop computer’s matte metallic end, which appears to suck ambient gentle into one other dimension, doesn’t assist it stand out. 

It’s not showy, then, however it’s stout. The Vivobook Pro 15 feels robust and inflexible when dealt with – surprisingly so, given how severely it undercuts the competitors on worth. Opening the show doesn’t reveal apparent flex and dealing with the laptop computer by an edge or nook doesn’t trigger the chassis to groan in protest. You’ll discover flex by purposely twisting the show or hammering the keyboard, however it’s not far off the HP Envy 15.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Keyboard and trackpad

This good first impression is soured by the keyboard. Key really feel is okay, with respectable journey, however the bottoming motion is imprecise and the important thing caps really feel low-cost. This is the place the Vivobook Pro 15’s low worth is most noticeable. The keyboard does the job however is miles behind leaders just like the Dell XPS 15 and Apple’s new MacBook Pro.

I’m additionally not a fan of the structure, which offsets the keyboard to cram a small numpad into the best aspect. I don’t assume this finest serves the wants of most individuals. Still, those that want a numpad will see this as a bonus. The XPS 15, Envy 15, and MacBook Pro all lack a numpad. 

The touchpad is mediocre. It’s massive sufficient, to make sure, however the floor doesn’t really feel distinct from the encircling palmrest. This often prompted confusion once I tapped barely outdoors its border, a frustration enhanced by the offset keyboard structure. I additionally had bother with the touchpad detecting multi-touch enter I didn’t intend.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Display, audio

OLED shows are lastly going mainstream in laptops and, surprisingly, they’re not that costly. Asus’ Vivobook Pro 15 OLED advantages from this development. It delivers an excellent 15.6-inch 1080p OLED non-touch show at an inexpensive worth. I measured a most distinction ratio of 427720:1 which, in sensible phrases, is close to perfection. Areas of the display that ought to seem darkish present are deep and wealthy whereas those who must be vibrant are vivid and sensible. There’s no noticeable ghosting behind transferring objects and no blooming round vibrant objects. 

Color efficiency is outstanding. The show hits 100 p.c of the DCI-P3 gamut and 98 p.c of the AdobeRGB gamut in addition to 100 p.c of sRGB. Color accuracy is great as effectively. You might spend extra on a standalone monitor and see worse outcomes. Let’s discuss brightness subsequent.

The show sustains a most brightness of 384.9 nits. That’s positive for most people however can look a bit dim in a sunlit room. This is unhealthy information for HDR, which wants the next stage of brightness to essentially stand out from SDR. So far, so good, however the OLED show does have a problem: decision. 

The downside isn’t sharpness. 1080p on a 15.6-inch display appears crisp from a couple of toes away. However, the restricted decision makes massive pictures harder to edit and places 4K video modifying out of attain (on the laptop computer’s show, at the very least). The 4K OLED options accessible on the XPS 15 and HP Envy 15 are higher fitted to skilled work. 

As for audio, the built-in audio system are positive. They sound clear and crisp in most conditions. But, like many laptop computer sound programs, they develop into overwhelmed by heavy bass. Maximum quantity is excessive sufficient to be used in a quiet room, however can wrestle to compete with background noise.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Webcam, microphone, fingerprint reader

A primary 720p webcam is crammed into the Vivobook Pro 15’s skinny show bezel. It delivers the grainy, flat picture high quality Windows laptop computer patrons have come to anticipate. A privateness shutter is included at the very least. The microphone array is best, choosing up clear and crisp audio in most conditions. 

The webcam lacks an IR sensor, so Windows Hello facial recognition isn’t supported. Asus as a substitute features a fingerprint sensor within the energy button, however it’s unreliable. I typically needed to log in utilizing a password after the fingerprint sensor failed.

Connectivity

Connectivity, or lack of it, is the Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED’s most severe flaw. It packs a complete of three USB-A ports. Two are USB 2.0 whereas the third is USB 3.2 Gen 1. The laptop computer additionally has a full-sized HDMI port and a Micro SD card reader. 

There’s one USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port, however it lacks DisplayPort alternate mode or Power Delivery. That’s an issue. The Vivobook gained’t be capable to join with displays over USB-C. Most USB-C docks gained’t work correctly, both. The USB-C ports will perform, however the video port gained’t and also you’ll nonetheless want to attach it to its energy adapter even when the hub helps energy supply. 

You’ll need to make do with one exterior monitor as effectively as a result of the HDMI port is the one devoted video out. Technically, the USB ports could possibly be used to attach a conveyable monitor, however I doubt that’s what most homeowners keep in mind. Even the MicroSD card reader is a miss. Full-sized SD playing cards are way more widespread amongst skilled photographers and videographers. MicroSD can be utilized in some instances, typically by way of an adapter, however it’s not excellent.

Wireless connectivity contains Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, as is true of most Windows laptops. Wi-Fi 6E will begin to arrive in laptops this yr, however it’s not right here but.

IDG / Matthew Smith

Performance

The Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED I examined had an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor with eight cores and 16 threads. That’s paired with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe stable state drive, and Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics. Asus additionally provides the Vivobook 15 OLED (observe the dearth of “Pro”). Despite comparable names, the Vivobook 15 OLED and Vivobook Pro 15 OLED have little in widespread other than the 15.6-inch 1080p OLED show. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

PCMark 10, an artificial productiveness take a look at, turned in a positive results of 5,877. This is way from the quickest efficiency accessible in a laptop computer, as rivals just like the Acer Triton Predator 500 SE present. 

However, laptops that outperform the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED are usually a bit bigger and heavier than the Asus. With that in thoughts, the Vivobook’s consequence appears sturdy. It beats different mid-range laptops we’ve not too long ago examined, such because the HP Envy x360 15. Surprisingly, it even beats the older Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15 OLED, which we examined with an Intel Core i9 10th-gen processor. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

The Cinebench R15 multi-threaded CPU benchmark additionally had good issues to say in regards to the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED. Here the laptop computer is only a hair behind the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE and HP Victus 16. It simply beats the HP Envy x360 15. That reveals the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED provides a significant efficiency benefit over a much less performance-oriented 15-inch laptop computer.

IDG / Matthew Smith

3DMark Time Spy, an artificial 3D benchmark, is tougher to interpret. It’s clear the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED is way faster than laptops that depend on built-in graphics such because the HP Envy x360 15’s Radeon Vega 8. However, the Vivobook finally ends up far behind the RTX 3050 Ti within the bigger HP Victus 16. This isn’t a shock, as expertise has proven that GPU efficiency can range drastically from one laptop computer to the following even when they appear considerably comparable on paper. Still, I hoped to see the Vivobook rating nearer to 5,000.

Real-world recreation efficiency fell in keeping with the Time Spy outcomes. The benchmark in Shadow of the Tomb Raider averaged 62 frames per second at 1080p with excessive graphics. Civilization VI averaged 66 FPS at 1080p with excessive graphics. Both video games have been examined in DirectX 12. These outcomes should not going to blow anybody’s socks off. The HP Victus 16, a real mid-range gaming laptop computer, hit 95 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. But keep in mind – the Victus 16 is way bigger. It’s additionally a bit costlier. The Vivobook’s gaming efficiency is a good worth and definitely an enormous step up from a 15-inch laptop computer with built-in graphics.

Battery life

Asus ships the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED with a 63 watt-hour battery. This is a modestly sized battery for a 15-inch laptop computer. Many 13 and 14-inch programs, just like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, have a battery almost as massive. 

IDG / Matthew Smith

Despite this, the Vivobook did effectively in our commonplace battery take a look at, which loops a 4K video within the Windows 10 Movies & TV app with the laptop computer in Airplane mode. It ate by way of a full cost in 11 hours and 56 minutes. 

That’s a fantastic consequence for a laptop computer with discrete graphics. It beats the HP Envy x360 15, which has built-in AMD Radeon graphics, and is about one hour behind the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9. Of course, demanding duties can suck the battery dry extra rapidly. An afternoon of video calls and light-weight picture modifying used greater than half the battery in beneath three hours. You’ll must carry the facility adapter should you plan to train the laptop computer’s full efficiency potential.

Conclusion

Your opinion on the Asus Vivobook Pro 15 OLED can have every thing to do with what a “Pro” laptop computer means to you.

If you view “Pro” as a signifier of efficiency, you gained’t be upset. The Vivobook Pro 15 OLED isn’t screaming quick however performs effectively for its worth and features a top-tier show as a bonus. Asus is delivering quite a lot of worth. If you need it for skilled work, be cautious. It makes unlucky connectivity selections together with a hampered USB-C port and a Micro SD reader as a substitute of full-sized SD. The show’s meager 1080p decision could possibly be an issue, too.

Still, the Vivobook’s efficiency makes it a good selection in order for you a quick mid-range laptop computer that gained’t clear out your pockets. It’s particularly interesting for college kids and frequent fliers who want a well-rounded laptop computer for gaming, streaming, and day-to-day productiveness.