ASUS TUF is a high-quality, but affordable gaming PC that delivers!
Performance:
I have the i5-12500H variant, and this processor has not shown any slowdowns at all! During the initial setup, and for the first 2 days, it was moving a little sluggish, but the Task Manager showed that it was Windows processes that was using most of the CPU and RAM at the time (happens to all computers from time to time). Outside of that, the performance is flawless. I have used it to play Halo: Master Chief Collection, and it runs like a beauty!
Wi-Fi speeds are immaculate! The Wi-Fi chip performs flawlessly! Not to mention that it is also equipped with an ethernet port as well. No complaints here.
Screen:
Upon first bootup of the desktop (after the setup screen), I IMMEDIATELY saw the quality of the screen. Viewing angles are just about perfect as well! This is my first foray into 144Hz territory, and I love it! Transitions are smooth, and I often move the mouse pointer from one corner to another just to enjoy the frame rate. The screen gets plenty bright for indoor use, and suitable for outdoor use as well. Direct sunlight, however, is a bit of a letdown. At the same time, I don't like or suggest using PCs in direct sunlight if possible, as the heat is not good for the device.
The color accuracy leaves a little to be desired, as it does not provide 100% of the sRGB color gamut (around 46-55%, I think), so be careful with photo processing. The screen has a matte surface, so there are NO reflections to speak of.
Hardware:
That being said, this device is great with high/low temps as well! It doesn't slow down with the cold, and it doesn't throttle when hot. The fans do a great job keeping the laptop cool and preventing throttling, even while gaming. Maybe I should try gaming outside in the sunlight....? Perhaps a future edit is in order.
Back on track, the fans are audible while performing CPU-heavy tasks (gaming and video processing), but completely quiet while using simple processes, like web browsing and document editing. In fact, I thought the fans turned off, but I can feel a very slight breeze from the back of the device at all times. For simple tasks, this is actually just fine to use in your lap. The rear vents prevent overheating when used on your lap as well. I do not suggest using it in your lap while gaming.
The hinge for the screen is sturdy, and the laptop material feels durable and looks good. The keyboard and wrist-rests get smudges, though. Not too fond with that. It is easy to clean with a microfiber cloth, though, so all is not lost.
Now, the not so good (don't worry, the list is short):
Battery:
The battery is easily the greatest letdown for this computer. For everyday tasks, you can get 3-5hrs of battery life, depending on different factors (fan speed, screen brightness, backlit keyboard settings, speaker volume, etc.). However, when gaming, the battery life TANKS! You might get 1:30hrs if you are lucky. For older titles, these metrics change by a lot. But for Halo, for example, I was at 50% in about 40mins. I imagine that video processing would deliver slightly better results, but not aby too much. Keep your plug handy.
Speakers:
The speakers are decent. Bass is non-existent, but I did not expect that. The vocals, however, are rather clear. The speakers do provide a stereo experience, with the left and right channels working as intended (great for shooting games to know the origin of bullets and footsteps). I typically use Bluetooth or external speakers, so I don't have too many complaints about this.
Conclusion:
This laptop is a very solid performer for whatever tasks that you want to do, but be mindful of the battery limitations. Keeping this in mind, you won't regret this purchase!
| Standing screen display size | 15.6 Inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920x1080 Pixels |
| Processor | 4.5 GHz core_i5 |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 3200 MHz |
| Hard Drive | 512 GB SSD |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti |
| Chipset Brand | NVIDIA |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 8 GB |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth, 802.11ax |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 2 |
