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ASUS Vivobook 16X Review
Introduction
The ASUS Vivobook 16X is a versatile laptop designed to meet the demands of both creative professionals and everyday users. With its blend of robust performance, sleek design, and a vibrant display, the Vivobook 16X aims to provide a comprehensive computing experience. In this review, we will delve into the various aspects of the Vivobook 16X, including its design, display, performance, thermals, battery life, and overall value.
Design and Build Quality
The ASUS Vivobook 16X sports a modern and minimalist design that is both stylish and functional. The laptop features a sturdy aluminum chassis with a matte finish, giving it a premium feel. The slim profile, measuring just 0.74 inches at its thickest point, and a weight of 4.4 pounds make it relatively portable for a 16-inch laptop. The hinge mechanism is robust, allowing for smooth opening and closing while maintaining the display’s position securely.
The laptop's build quality is impressive, with minimal flex and a solid overall construction. The lid features the Vivobook logo, and the keyboard deck is spacious, providing a comfortable typing experience. The laptop is available in multiple colors, allowing users to choose a model that best suits their style.
Display
The Vivobook 16X is equipped with a 16-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display. The display boasts sharp and detailed visuals, with good color accuracy and wide viewing angles. It covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut, ensuring accurate color reproduction, which is essential for tasks such as photo editing and graphic design.
The screen’s brightness levels peak at around 300 nits, which is sufficient for most indoor environments, though it might struggle in direct sunlight. The display also features a 60Hz refresh rate, which is adequate for everyday tasks but may not satisfy users looking for a high-refresh-rate display for gaming or fast-paced video editing. The slim bezels on all four sides contribute to a more immersive viewing experience and a modern look.
Performance
Under the hood, the ASUS Vivobook 16X is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and an integrated AMD Radeon graphics. This hardware combination ensures that the laptop can handle a wide range of tasks, from demanding creative applications to everyday productivity and multitasking.
In benchmark tests, the Vivobook 16X delivered impressive results. In Cinebench R23, it scored over 12,000 points in the multi-core test, showcasing its capability to handle multi-threaded applications efficiently. The integrated AMD Radeon graphics provide decent performance for tasks such as video editing and light gaming.
Real-world performance was equally impressive. Applications like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and Blender ran smoothly, with the laptop handling multiple layers, high-resolution video files, and complex 3D models without significant slowdowns. The 16GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking, allowing users to work with multiple applications and browser tabs simultaneously.
Thermals and Cooling
Thermal management is a critical aspect of any high-performance laptop, and the Vivobook 16X performs admirably in this regard. The laptop features an advanced cooling system with dual fans and multiple heat pipes, ensuring efficient heat dissipation. During extended workloads, the laptop remained relatively cool, with CPU and GPU temperatures staying within acceptable ranges.
The fans do get audible under heavy load, but the noise levels are manageable and not overly distracting. ASUS has included different performance modes, allowing users to balance performance and noise levels according to their needs. The “Performance” mode unleashes the full potential of the hardware, while the “Whisper” mode reduces fan noise for quieter environments.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The Vivobook 16X features a full-sized keyboard with a numeric keypad, providing a comfortable typing experience. The keys have a good amount of travel and tactile feedback, making them suitable for both typing and gaming. The keyboard is backlit, allowing for easy use in low-light conditions. The inclusion of dedicated media keys and customizable shortcuts adds to the overall convenience.
The trackpad is spacious and responsive, supporting Windows Precision drivers for accurate and smooth tracking. The integrated fingerprint reader within the trackpad provides an added layer of security and quick login via Windows Hello.
Audio
Audio quality on the Vivobook 16X is handled by a set of Harman Kardon-certified stereo speakers located on the sides of the laptop. The speakers deliver clear and loud sound with a decent amount of bass. The inclusion of ASUS SonicMaster technology enhances the overall audio experience, providing a richer and more immersive sound.
While the built-in speakers are impressive, particularly for a laptop, audiophiles and creative professionals may prefer using high-quality headphones or external speakers for the best audio experience, especially during audio editing and critical listening sessions.
Battery Life
Battery life is always a consideration for creative professionals who may need to work on the go. The Vivobook 16X is equipped with a 96Wh battery, providing around 8-9 hours of mixed-use battery life under normal usage scenarios, such as web browsing, video streaming, and light productivity tasks. During more demanding workloads, such as video editing or 3D rendering, battery life drops to around 4-5 hours.
The laptop supports fast charging, allowing the battery to reach 60% capacity in just 49 minutes. This feature is particularly useful for users who need to quickly top up their battery during breaks.
Connectivity and Ports
The Vivobook 16X offers a comprehensive selection of ports to accommodate various peripherals and accessories. The laptop includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port with DisplayPort 1.4 support, an HDMI 2.1 port, an SD card reader, an Ethernet jack, and a 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 support on the Type-C port is a significant advantage, allowing for high-speed data transfer and support for external GPUs.
The laptop also features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connectivity. These features are essential for creative professionals who rely on cloud services and wireless peripherals.
Software and Features
ASUS includes several useful software tools with the Vivobook 16X, enhancing the overall user experience. The MyASUS software provides access to system settings, performance profiles, and system updates. It also includes features such as AI noise-canceling technology, which reduces background noise during video calls and recordings.
The laptop also features an integrated HD webcam with a privacy shutter, providing peace of mind for users concerned about security. The webcam’s quality is adequate for video calls and streaming, though it might not meet the standards of professional content creators who require higher-resolution cameras.
Conclusion
The ASUS Vivobook 16X is a compelling option for creative professionals and everyday users looking for a high-performance laptop with a vibrant display and robust build quality. Its powerful hardware, Full HD IPS display, and comprehensive feature set make it an excellent choice for tasks ranging from graphic design and video editing to everyday productivity.
While it may not be the most portable option, its relatively slim profile and reasonable weight make it suitable for users who need a powerful laptop they can take on the go. The main drawbacks include the relatively short battery life during demanding workloads and the absence of a higher-end GPU option for more intensive creative tasks. However, these are minor trade-offs considering the overall performance and capabilities of the laptop.
With its competitive price point and impressive specifications, the ASUS Vivobook 16X stands out as one of the best laptops in its class, delivering a top-tier experience for creative professionals and everyday users alike.
