Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Review updated Feb 23, 2024 at 12:53 pm
By Alexander Tozzi, Ryan Lim, and John Peroramas
7.0
School
6.2
Gaming
7.3
Multimedia
7.5
Workstation
7.1
Business
+ Create your own
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Size
Operating System
The ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) is an ultraportable Windows laptop. It's available with various Intel 11th Gen. CPUs, up to 16GB of memory, and over 1TB of storage. You can configure it withintegrated graphics only or with an NVIDIA GeForce MX330 or MX350 discrete GPU. There's a single display option: a 15.6-inchOLED panel with full DCI P3 and Adobe RGB coverage. Its port selection includes three USB-As, aUSB-C, an HDMI, and an SD card reader. It has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, a 720p webcam, and a fingerprint sensor.
See our unit's specifications and the available configuration options in the Differences Between Variants section.
Our Verdict
7.0 School
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is decent for school use. It has a 15.6-inch screen that provides enough space for light multitasking and gets bright enough for use in most indoor settings. The touchpad tracks well, the webcam's video quality is adequate, and the keyboard is spacious but can be tiring to type on for extended periods. Although it's a compact laptop that's easy to carry around, its battery doesn't last long enough to get through a typical school day, and it doesn't support charging over USB-C, so you'll have to bring the proprietary charger with you.
Pros
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Very portable.
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Display gets bright enough for use in most indoor settings.
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CPU can handle most light productivity tasks.
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Adequate webcam video quality for video calls.
Cons
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Battery lasts less than seven hours of light productivity.
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Keyboard is tiring to type on for extended periods.
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Integrated and entry-level dedicated GPUs can't handle demanding workloads.
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USB-C doesn't support charging or video output.
6.2 Gaming
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is mediocre for gaming. It's only available with power-efficient Intel 11th Gen processors with integrated or entry-level dedicated GPUs, which aren't powerful enough to handle graphically demanding games. You can play some older or lighter titles on models with a Core i5, i7, or an NVIDIA GPU, but you'll have to play at low settings to get smooth gameplay. While its OLED panel is great for game immersion, it has a basic 60Hz refresh rate and lacks VRR support to reduce screen tearing.
Pros
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Fast storage drive.
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Easy to upgrade components.
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Minimal performance loss over time.
Cons
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60Hz refresh rate and no VRR support.
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Integrated and entry-level dedicated GPUs can't handle graphically demanding games.
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Keyboard gets hot under load.
7.3 Multimedia
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is decent for media consumption. It has an OLED panel that displays deep blacks, making it fantastic for dark room viewing, and it supports a wide color gamut for HDR content. The speakers get acceptably loud and sound good overall; however, they aren't ideal for listening to music as they lack bass. Unfortunately, even though it's a thin and light device that's easy to carry around, its battery lasts less than five hours of video playback, so you'll have to bring the charger with you.
Pros
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Very portable.
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OLED screen displays inky blacks.
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Wide color gamut support.
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Good-sounding speakers.
Cons
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Colors look oversaturated in most content.
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Battery lasts less than five hours of video playback.
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Screen doesn't support touch input.
7.5 Workstation
The ASUS VivoBook isn't designed to be used as a workstation. It's only available with low-power CPUs and GPUs, which aren't powerful enough to handle demanding tasks like video editing or 3D animation. You can do some lighter color-correction work, though, as its OLED display has full DCI P3 and Adobe RGB coverage. It doesn't throttle much under load, and you can easily access the internals for repairs and upgrades.
Pros
-
Fast storage drive.
-
Easy to upgrade components.
-
Minimal performance loss over time.
Cons
-
Keyboard is tiring to type on for extended periods.
-
Integrated and entry-level dedicated GPUs can't handle demanding workloads.
-
Keyboard gets hot under load.
-
USB-C doesn't support charging or video output.
7.1 Business
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is decent for business use. It's a very portable, thin, and light laptop with Intel 11th Gen CPUs, which can handle tasks like text formatting, web browsing, spreadsheets, and presentations. The webcam's video quality is adequate for video calls, the touchpad is responsive, and the keyboard is spacious but can be tiring to type on for extended periods. Unfortunately, its battery lasts less than seven hours of light productivity, and you can't use its USB-C port to charge the laptop or output a video signal to an external display.
Pros
-
Very portable.
-
Display gets bright enough for use in most indoor settings.
-
CPU can handle most light productivity tasks.
-
Adequate webcam video quality for video calls.
Cons
-
Battery lasts less than seven hours of light productivity.
-
Keyboard is tiring to type on for extended periods.
-
Integrated and entry-level dedicated GPUs can't handle demanding workloads.
-
USB-C doesn't support charging or video output.
- 7.0 School
- 6.2 Gaming
- 7.3 Multimedia
- 7.5 Workstation
- 7.1 Business
+ Create your own
- Updated Feb 23, 2024: We've updated the review for clarity and readability.
- Updated Dec 07, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.2.
- Updated Nov 03, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.1.
- Updated Jul 31, 2023: Added mention of the ASUS Vivobook S 16 Flip TP3604 (2023) as an alternative with a sharper display in the Screen Specs section.
- Updated Jun 08, 2023: Added mention of the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2023) as an alternative with longer battery life in the Battery section.
- Updated Mar 02, 2023: We've updated the review to improve clarity and readability.
- Updated Mar 02, 2022: Review published.
- Updated Feb 24, 2022: Early access published.
- Updated Feb 11, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jan 28, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jan 05, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (model S513E) with an Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce MX350 dedicated GPU, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. The CPU, GPU, memory, and storage are configurable; you can see the available options in the table below.
| Screen |
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| CPU |
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| GPU |
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| Memory |
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| Storage |
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| Color |
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See our unit's labelhere.
Compared To Other Laptops
The ASUS VivoBook is a decent ultraportable compared to other models in its class. It stands out for its OLED panel, which displays deep, inky blacks and bright, punchy colors. However, its build quality feels inferior, and its battery life is short.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best laptops, the best business laptops, and the best laptops for college.
Acer Aspire 3 15 (2023)
The ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) is better than the Acer Aspire 3 15 (2023) for most uses. Although the build is similar between these two laptops, the ASUS is more compact and lighter, making it easier to carry around. The ASUS has a significantly better OLED display compared to the Acer laptop's TN panel. The ASUS model's screen gets much brighter, provides a better dark room viewing experience, and has full Adobe RGB and DCI P3 coverage. On the other hand, the Acer has a better port selection, as its USB-C supports charging and DisplayPort Alt Mode.
Compare Side-by-Side
SEE OUR REVIEW
Acer Aspire 5 15 (2020)
The ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) is better than the Acer Aspire 5 15 (2020) for most uses. The ASUS'OLED screen gets brighter to combat glare and can display deeper blacks and a wider range of colors. It's also a more compact device that's easier to carry around. However, the Acer's build feels sturdier, and its keyboard is more comfortable to type on. The ASUS'Intel 11th Gen CPUs perform much better than the Acer's Intel 10th Gen processorsbut keep in mind that there are newer models of the Acer with Intel 11th Gen and AMD Ryzen 5000-series processors.
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Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2020)
The ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2020) are both ultraportable Windows laptops. However, the Lenovo has a 360-degree hinge that lets you use it as a tablet, which you can't do on the ASUS. The Lenovo laptop's keyboard feels more comfortable to type on, but the ASUS laptop's touchpad is smoother and more responsive. The ASUS also has a much better display as it uses an OLED panel that can produce deeper blacks and getbrighter. The ASUS' Intel 11th Gen processors perform better than the Lenovo laptop's AMD Ryzen 4000-series and Intel 10th Gen CPUs in single- and multi-threaded workloads. However, the Lenovo has a much longer battery life, lasting almost twice as long as the ASUS.
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LG gram 17 (2021)
The LG gram 17 (2021) and the ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) are both ultraportable laptops with Intel 11th Gen processors. The LG is better for productivity because it has a larger screen for multitasking, a more comfortable keyboard, a more responsive touchpad, and a better webcam for video calls. For media consumption, the ASUS comes out ahead because it has an OLED panel that displays much deeper blacks, and it's more color-accurate out of the box. In terms of battery life, the LG lasts much longer, nearly twice as long for light productivity and video playback. The LG isn't as portable due to its larger size, but it's lighter than the ASUS.
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ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023)
The ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) is better than the ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) for most uses. The M1605 has a better keyboard and touchpad, and its battery lasts longer. However, the K513'sOLED display has a higher contrast ratio anda wider color gamut, and it gets brighter to combat glare. The M1605'sAMD Ryzen CPUs have better multi-thread performance than the K513's Intel CPUs, but you'll have to get a model with 16GB of RAM or upgrade it yourslef to get the most out of its CPU, as the 8GB models run in single-channel mode.
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ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (2023)
The ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (2023) is much better than the ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) for most uses. The Zenbook is a more premium model with a sturdier build, and it provides a better user experience overall with a sharper 90Hz display, a more comfortable keyboard, and a larger, more responsive touchpad. It's available with faster Intel 13th Gen CPUs, and its battery lasts longer. Also, the Zenbook is a 2-in-1 convertible, whereas the Vivobook is a standard clamshell model with no touch input support.
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Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2019)
The ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2019) are very different. The ASUS is an ultraportable Windows laptop designed for general productivity tasks like text formatting and web browsing, while the Apple is a mobile workstation with a much more powerful dedicated GPU designed for demanding tasks like video editing. The Apple provides a better overall user experience as it has a significantly better touchpad, better-sounding speakers, and a better webcam. It also performs better in multi-threaded workloads and has a longer battery life. The Apple laptop's display is sharper and brighter, but the ASUS can produce deeper blacks because it uses an OLED panel.
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Apple MacBook Air 13 (M1, 2020)
The ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) and the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M1, 2020) are very different even though they're both ultraportable laptops. The Apple is a much more premium laptop with better build quality, and it's easier to carry around as it's a smaller device. The Apple laptop's keyboard provides a better typing experience, the touchpad is larger and more responsive, and its webcam captures a more detailed image for video calls. The Apple laptop's M1 SoC performs better than the ASUS laptop's Intel 11th Gen CPUs, and it's more power-efficient, allowing the Apple laptop's battery to last more than twice as long as the ASUS. The Apple laptop's display is sharper, brighter, and more color-accurate, but the ASUS laptop's OLED panel can produce deeper blacks for a better dark room viewing experience.
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Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2023)
For most uses, the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2023) is better than the ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021). The Inspiron 16 has a sturdier build, and it provides a better user experience with a more comfortable keyboard, a larger touchpad, and a better 1080p webcam. It also has a wider port selection, and unlike the VivoBook, its USB-C ports support charging and video output. The Dell Inspiron 16 is available with newer, faster CPUs, and its battery lasts over ten hours of light use, whereas the VivoBook lasts only around six. The only advantage the VivoBook has over the Inspiron 16 is its OLED display. Its near-infinite contrast ratio and full Adobe RGB and DCI P3 coveragemakeit a better option for media consumption and color-critical tasks like photo editing and graphic design.
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HP Pavilion x360 14 (2021)
The ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) and the HP Pavilion x360 14 (2021) are ultraportable Windows laptops with Intel 11th Gen processors. The ASUS provides a better overall user experience as its display is brighter and more colorful, its keyboard feels better to type on, and its touchpad is more responsive. However, the HP laptop's port selection is better as its USB-C supports charging and video output, and you can use the laptop as a tablet thanks to its 360-degree hinge and touch-sensitive screen. The ASUShas NVIDIA dedicated GPU options, but they don't perform much better than Intel's Iris Xe Graphics.
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15 (2019)
The ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15 (2019) are ultraportable Windows laptops. The Microsoft laptop is a more premium device that provides a better overall user experience, like a more comfortable keyboard, a more responsive touchpad, and a webcam with significantly better video quality. However, the ASUS is a newer laptop with more powerful CPU options, and it sports an OLED screen that displays deeper blacks and a wider range of colors.
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Acer Swift 3 14 (2020)
The ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 (2021) and the Acer Swift 3 14 (2020) are ultraportable Windows laptops available with Intel 11th Gen processors. The ASUSis a bigger device with a 15.6-inch screen, providing more space for multitasking, and its OLED panel gets brighter and can display more colors. The ASUS also has a touchpad that tracks better and a webcam with better video quality for video calls. On the other hand, the Acer has a wider port selection and a significantly longer battery life. The ASUS is available with dedicated NVIDIA GPUs, but they're entry-level graphics processors that don't perform much better than Intel's Iris Xe Graphics.
Compare Side-by-Side
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Test Results
Design
Form Factor
The ASUS VivoBook has a simple, basic-looking design, with a bright green accent color around the Enter key to give it a slight gamer flair. On the bottom, you can find the speakers near the front and the exhaust vents near the back. This laptop is available in three color schemes: Indie Black, Transparent Silver, and Hearty Gold.
6.5 Design
The ASUS VivoBook's build quality is okay. The back of the display is metal, but the rest of the laptop is plastic. It doesn't feel particularly sturdy as there's a fair amount of flex in the keyboard deck and display, and the screen itself bends slightly inwards. Also, the chassis' finish feels slippery and easily picks up oil from handling. The feet stick firmly to the bottom, though, and the hinge feels strong.
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6.6 Design
Range
Stability
One Finger Lift
The hinge is okay. It feels smooth when opening and closing the laptop, and it's stable, with very little play. The screen doesn't wobble even when typing aggressively. However, you can't open the laptop with one finger as there isn't enough weight in the base to prevent it from lifting with the display.
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8.3 Design
Size
Thickness
Width
Depth
Volume
Weight
Charger Size
Charger Weight
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8.2 Design
Ease Of Access 8.0
RAM Slots
Storage Slots
Replaceable Battery
Replaceable Wireless Adapter
The serviceability is great. Accessing the internals is easy as you only need to remove nine Philips screws and pry open the bottom panel with a pick or prying tool. There's space for a 2.5-inch SATA drive, but there isn't a mounting cable in the box, so you have to find a third-party solution if you want to add a second storage drive.
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Design
- ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED K513 laptop
- 65W power adapter
- Documentation
- Stickers
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Display
Resolution
Aspect Ratio
Pixel Density
Panel Type
Touch Screen
Screen-To-Body Ratio
The screen is decently sharp and provides enough space for light multitasking. Its standard 16:9 aspect ratio is great for viewing videos, but some may find it too short for productivity as you have to scroll more when reading a document or website. Like all OLEDs, there's a risk of permanent burn-in with static elements like Windows' taskbar; however, it's unlikely to be an issue for those viewing varied content. If you want a similar laptop with a sharper display, check out the ASUS Vivobook S 16 Flip TP3604 (2023), which is available with a 3.2k OLED screen.
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5.9 Display
Refresh Rate
Variable Refresh Rate
The ASUS VivoBook has a basic refresh rate typical of most thin and light productivity laptops. While most OLEDs have a near-instantaneous response time, this panel is a bit slow, causing visible ghosting behind fast-moving objects. That said, it's still better than most IPS or TN panels on similar types of laptops.
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10 Display
Native Contrast
The display has a superb contrast ratio. Like all OLEDs, it can turn off individual pixels to display true black, making it fantastic for dark room viewing. It effectively has an infinite contrast ratio; the posted number is too low due to our light meter's limitations.
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7.8 Display
Maximum Brightness
Minimum Brightness
The display gets bright enough for use in most indoor settings but not outdoors in broad daylight. Unfortunately, it doesn't get any brighter in the Vivid color profile. It gets very dim at the lowest brightness settings, which is great for dark room viewing as it causes less eye strain.
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6.7 Display
Screen Finish
Total Reflections
Indirect Reflections
Calculated Direct Reflections
The display's reflection handling is okay. It struggles mainly with direct reflections, so it's best to avoid having bright lights right behind you. The reflections look warped in the photo because there's a slight bend in the display.
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10 Display
Uniformity (Std. Dev.)
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7.1 Display
Color Washout From Left
Color Washout From Right
Color Shift From Left
Color Shift From Right
Brightness Loss From Left
Brightness Loss From Right
Black Level Raise From Left
Black Level Raise From Right
Gamma Shift From Left
Gamma Shift From Right
The display's horizontal viewing angle is decent. Colors quickly shift as you move off-center and wash out at steeper angles. However, you can still share the screen with someone else as long as you don't need perfect image accuracy.
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7.1 Display
Color Washout From Below
Color Washout From Above
Color Shift From Below
Color Shift From Above
Brightness Loss From Below
Brightness Loss From Above
Black Level Raise From Below
Black Level Raise From Above
Gamma Shift From Below
Gamma Shift From Above
The display's vertical viewing angle is decent. The image looks warmer from above and below as it gains a reddish tint. It isn't too bad if you're only viewing documents, but you have to look at the screen more or less straight on if you need accuracy for color-critical work.
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7.0 Display
Avg. White Balance dE
Avg. Gamma
Avg. Color dE
Avg. Color Temperature
The display's accuracy is decent out of the box. The white balance is excellent, but most colors look oversaturated because it targets a wide color space, even in sRGB content. Some people may like the oversaturated look; it just isn't very accurate. The color temperature is only slightly warmer than the standard 6,500K target, which is not enough to make much of a difference. The gamma doesn't follow the sRGB curve, making most scenes appear darker than intended. The posted results are measurements taken in the Standard color profile; here are the numbers for the Vivid color profile:
- Average White Balance: 2.85
- Average Gamma: 1.92
- Average Color dE: 3.85
- Average Color Temperature: 6,357
Colors look more accurate in the Vivid color profile, but the image is too bright.
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9.7 Display
sRGB xy
sRGB uv
Adobe RGB xy
Adobe RGB uv
DCI P3 xy
DCI P3 uv
Rec. 2020 xy
Rec. 2020 uv
The display's color gamut is outstanding. It has full coverage of the sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI P3 color spaces, and its Rec. 2020 coverage is great. It's suitable for professional photo editing as well as for viewing and producing SDR and HDR content.
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1.8 Display
Flicker-Free
Flicker Frequency
Flicker Active Below
The display isn't flicker-free, as there's a small dip in brightness at every frame change. However, these brightness drops are hard to notice and unlikely to cause eye strain.
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7.3 Interface
Typing Quality 7.0
Numpad
Backlighting
Operating Force
Actuation Force
Pre-Travel
Total Travel
The ASUS VivoBook K513 has a decent keyboard. The keys feel good and have sufficient spacing between them. However, they're not the most stable, and they require a fair amount of force to actuate, making them tiring to type on for extended periods. You can toggle through three backlight brightness levels or turn it off completely.
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7.2 Interface
Tracking Quality 7.5
Size
Material
Dedicated Buttons
The ASUS VivoBook 15 OLED's touchpad is decent. It's on the smaller side, but it tracks all movements and gestures well, and there aren't any palm rejection issues. You can only click towards the bottom of the touchpad, though.
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7.7 Interface
Max Volume
Standard Error @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)
Slope @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)
Bass Extension (Low-Frequency Ext.)
Treble Extension (High-Frequency Ext.)
Dynamic Range Compression @ Max Vol.
This laptop has good speakers. They get acceptably loud, with minimal dynamic compression at max volume. Its mid-heavy sound profile results in very forward vocals, which is good for spoken content, but the lack of bass makes them less ideal for listening to music or watching movies.
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6.5 Interface
Video Quality 6.5
Resolution
Position
Privacy Cover
Face Unlock
The webcam's video quality is okay. The image has some fine details and good color reproduction but has an unnatural hue. Speech sounds decently clear over the microphone, with very little background noise. There isn't a physical privacy cover; however, there's a button to disable the camera at the software level.
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7.0 Connectivity
USB-A Ports
USB-C Ports
Thunderbolt
USB-C Charging
USB-C Display Out
HDMI
DisplayPort
3.5mm Jack
Card Reader
Ethernet
Proprietary Port
Security Lock
The port selection is decent. The USB-A port on the right side supports USB 3.2 Gen 1 data transfer speed (up to 5Gbps), but the two on the left are only USB 2.0 ports (up to 480Mbps). The USB-C only supports data at USB 3.2 Gen 1 speed, so you can't use it to charge the laptop or output a video signal to an external display. The HDMI port's maximum output resolution is 4k @ 30Hz.
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Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
The wireless adapter is an Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201. Some models only support Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.1.
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Configuration
Brand
Model
Core Count
Thread Count
The ASUS VivoBook is available with the following CPUs:
- Intel Core i3-1115G4 (2 cores/4 threads, up to 4.10GHz)
- Intel Core i3-1125G4 (4 cores/8 threads, up to 3.70GHz)
- Intel Core i5-1135G7 (4 cores/8 threads, up to 4.20GHz)
- Intel Core i7-1165G7 (4 cores/8 threads, up to 4.70GHz)
All of the available CPUs are low-power processors designed for general productivity tasks like text processing, web browsing, and video playback. The i3-1115G4 is the lowest-end configuration with 2 cores and 4 threads, while all other options are 4-core, 8-thread CPUs. For most people, the base Core i3 configuration is powerful enough to provide a smooth desktop experience. However, it's best to upgrade to one of the quad-core CPUs if you tend to have multiple browser tabs or applications open at once or need to perform more demanding tasks. Upgrading from an i3-1125G4 to an i5-1135G7 will provide a slightly snappier experience, and the same goes for upgrading from the Core i5 to an i7-1165G7. That said, the performance increase is minimal and only noticeable if you push the CPUs to their maximum capacity.
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Configuration
Brand
Model
Dedicated/Integrated
VRAM Size
The ASUS VivoBook is available with the following GPUs:
- Intel UHD Graphics (integrated, Core i3)
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated, Core i5 and i7)
- NVIDIA GeForce MX330 2GB GDDR5 (dedicated)
- NVIDIA GeForce MX350 2GB GDDR5 (dedicated)
The integrated graphics will depend on which CPU you get. The Core i3s have Intel UHD Graphics for 11th Gen processors with 48 execution units, the Core i5 has Intel Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, and the Core i7 has Intel Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. There are two NVIDIA GPUs: the NVIDIA GeForce MX330 and the MX350; both have 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM.
All the GPU options can handle simple, everyday tasks like web browsing and video playback. The Core i5 and i7's Iris Xe Graphics and the dedicated NVIDIA GPUs perform fairly similarly, though the NVIDIA GPUs are slightly better in VRAM-heavy applications. Aside from the Core i3s' integrated graphics, they can all handle some light gaming, but you'll have to play at low settings in most titles to get smooth gameplay.
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Configuration
Capacity
Modules
Type
Speed
You can configure this laptop with 4GB, 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB of RAM. The recommended minimum is 8GB because 4GB is barely enough for the operating system and will cause slowdowns if you have many programs running simultaneously. The 8GB models can be in single-channel (8GB soldered + 1 empty SO-DIMM slot) or dual-channel mode (4GB soldered + 4GB SO-DIMM), so if you don't plan on adding a RAM module yourself later on, it's best to get the model that has the dual-channel memory as it'll perform better.
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Configuration
Advertised Capacity
Usable Capacity
Drive 1
Drive 1 Type SSD
Drive 2
Drive 2 Type No 2nd Drive
You can configure this laptop with a PCIe NVMe SSD only or a combination of an NVMe SSD and a 1TB 2.5-inch 5400RPM physical hard drive. If you get a model with an SSD only, you have three choices: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. The 2.5-inch hard drive is only available in combination with a 128GB or 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD.
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8.1 Performance
CPU Single-Thread
CPU Multi-Thread
GPU Compute
The ASUS VivoBook's Intel Core i7-1165G7 scores well in Geekbench 5. That said, it's an older CPU, and there are newer, significantly faster processors on the market, especially when it comes to multi-thread performance. The i7-1165G7 can handle general productivity tasks without many issues, but don't expect to do anything intensive. As for its GPU compute performance, the NVIDIA GeForce MX350 performs poorly and isn't suitable for demanding workloads.
The Intel Core i3-1115G4 will perform significantly worse, especially in multi-threaded workloads, while the i3-1125G4 and i5-1135G7 will only be slightly slower. None of the GPU options are ideal for demanding tasks like image processing or photo editing.
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LEARN ABOUT GEEKBENCH 5 (SYNTHETICS)
8.8 Performance
Single-Thread
Multi-Thread
The Intel Core i7-1165G7 has outstanding single-thread performance; however, its multi-thread performance lags behind more recent processors. This level of performance is only suitable for general productivity tasks.
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LEARN ABOUT CINEBENCH R23 (CPU RENDERING)
6.2 Performance
CPU Render Time
GPU Render Time
GPU Render Time (Optix)
The ASUS VivoBook has mediocre performance in Blender. It takes far too long to render images, whether you use the CPU or the dedicated NVIDIA GPU. None of the CPU or GPU configurations are ideal for professional 3D rendering. If you need to render images, it's best to get a laptop with a more powerful NVIDIA RTX 30- or 40-series GPU, or an Apple MacBook Pro with Apple silicon.
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LEARN ABOUT BLENDER (3D RENDERING)
5.1 Performance
Overall Score
The ASUS VivoBook 15 performs poorly in the Basemark GPU benchmark. Although the NVIDIA GeForce MX350 is a discrete GPU, it doesn't have the processing power to handle demanding games. You can play some lighter platformers, puzzle-like games, or older titles, but you'll have to play with low settings or a lower resolution to get smooth gameplay. The other configurations will perform worse.
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LEARN ABOUT BASEMARK GPU (GAME SCENE)
9.0 Performance
Sequential Write Speed
Sequential Read Speed
Random Write Speed
Random Read Speed
If you get a model with a physical hard drive, it's best to install your applications on the SSD along with the operating system and only use the hard drive as mass storage. Otherwise, it can make the computer feel sluggish. Storage drive speed varies depending on the drive's size, as larger SSDs tend to perform better.
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5.5 Performance
Capacity
Battery Life (Web Browsing)
Battery Life (Video Playback)
Battery Life (Gaming)
Charge Time
These results are for the top-end, most power-hungry configuration with an Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce MX350 GPU. The other models will likely have a longer battery life. If you need a similar laptop with all-day battery life, check out the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2023).
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LEARN ABOUT BATTERY
1.5 Performance
Avg. FPS
1% Low
0.1% Low
1% Low Delta
0.1% Low Delta
Avg. FPS On Very Low
Borderlands 3 runs terribly on the ASUS VivoBook 15, as it's very choppy, even at the lowest graphical settings. None of the configurations can run this game smoothly.
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LEARN ABOUT BORDERLANDS 3
4.2 Performance
Avg. FPS
1% Low
0.1% Low
1% Low Delta
0.1% Low Delta
Avg. FPS On Minimum
Avg. Turn Time
Civilization VI runs poorly on the top-end ASUS VivoBook with an Intel Core i7-1165G7 and NVIDIA GeForce MX350. It's playable if you turn down some graphical settings; however, the average turn time is long. The Core i5 and i7 models with integrated graphics or an NVIDIA GeForce MX330 will perform similarly. The Core i3 models with integrated graphics will perform significantly worse, but the game will likely still be playable at the lowest graphical settings.
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LEARN ABOUT CIVILIZATION VI
7.7 Performance
Avg. FPS
1% Low
0.1% Low
1% Low Delta
0.1% Low Delta
Avg. FPS On Low
The ASUS VivoBook 15 runs CS:GO well. The gameplay is smooth at high graphical settings, with only a few occasional stutters. The Core i7 models with integrated graphics will perform similarly, and the same goes for the NVIDIA GeForce MX330 and MX350 models. The Core i5 with integrated graphics will perform worse, but it'll still be playable, while the Core i3s with Intel UHD graphics will perform significantly worse, similar to the HP Pavilion x360 14 (2021).
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LEARN ABOUT COUNTER-STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE
2.7 Performance
Avg. FPS
1% Low
0.1% Low
1% Low Delta
0.1% Low Delta
Avg. FPS On Lowest
Shadow of the Tomb Raider runs terribly on the ASUS VivoBook 15. The average frame rate is too low to be playable at high graphical settings, even on the top-end configuration with an Intel Core i7-1165G7 and NVIDIA GeForce MX350. You'll have to play with low settings or at 720p for smooth gameplay. Models with an NVIDIA GeForce MX330 or an Intel Core i7's Iris Xe Graphics will perform fairly similarly. The Core i3 and i5 models with integrated graphics will perform worse or not run the game.
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LEARN ABOUT SHADOW OF THE TOMB RAIDER
7.3 Performance
Keyboard Temp While Idle
Keyboard Temp Under Load
Fan Noise While Idle
Fan Noise Under Load
Power & Fan Control App
The ASUS VivoBook has decent thermal and noise handling. The keyboard deck is cool when idle, but it gets hot under load, with the hottest spot being just above where most people rest their right hand. The fan isn't audible when idle unless you put your ear right next to the laptop, and while it's noticeable under load, it's mostly the sound of heavy airflow rather than an annoying, high-pitch whine.
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LEARN ABOUT THERMALS AND NOISE
9.0 Performance
CPU Temp (Cinebench)
CPU Perf. Loss (Cinebench)
GPU Temp (Heaven)
GPU Perf. Loss (Heaven)
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LEARN ABOUT PERFORMANCE OVER TIME
Additional Features And Software
Additional Features And Software
Operating System
Additional Software
The ASUS VivoBook comes with Windows 10 or 11 installed, depending on the region and the manufacturing date. Some models have Windows in S mode, but you can switch to the full version of the operating system free of charge. You can also get the laptop with the open-source Endless OS or no operating system installed. There are many pre-installed applications, including:
- Disney+: App for the video streaming service.
- DTS Audio Processing: Lets you access the EQ settings and sound profiles for the built-in speakers.
- Microsoft 365: 30-day trial of Microsoft's Office suite and services. Some models include Office Home and Student 2019 or 2021.
- MyASUS: Lets you access power, fan, and display profiles. There's also a noise cancelling feature to reduce background noise during video calls, but it doesn't do much.
- Norton Security Ultra: Trial of Norton Security services. Requires subscription after the trial period ends.
- Skype: Voice and video chat application.
- Solitaire: Card game.
- Spotify: App for the music streaming service.
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Additional Features And Software
RGB Illumination
Touch Pen
Secondary Display
Biometrics
A fingerprint sensor is located at the top right corner of the touchpad. You can use it to log into Windows quickly, authorize purchases in the Windows Store, or auto-fill saved passwords on supported websites.
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