Asus VivoBook Pro N552VW review – a great value do-it-all laptop
The Asus VivoBook Pro N552VW is big and heavy but it's good value for the specifications
Performance
As mentioned on the previous page, the Vivobook Pro N552VW has a quad-core Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor running at 2.6GHz. This can Turbo Boost to 3.5GHz when thermal conditions allow for it, and it also has 16GB of RAM. There’s also plenty of storage, as you get a 128GB SSD and 1TB hard disk. It’s a shame it doesn’t have the ROG’s 256GB SSD and 1TB hard disk, but this should still provide more than enough room for all your media files and applications.
In our tough 4K-based benchmarks, the VivoBook Pro managed a score of 114, which is right up there with the similarly-specified Dell XPS 15 and Chillblast Samurai. This makes the VivoBook Pro an excellent choice for an wide variety of desktop tasks, whether that be video editing or music production, especially when you take into account its 4K display.
Of course, one of my main complaints with the ROG GL552VW was its decidedly mid-range Nvidia GeForce 960M graphics card, which is again used here. In this case, though, the VivoBook Pro doesn’t really fit into that hardcore gaming laptop clique, so it doesn’t feel as much of a shortcoming. Instead, it’s more of a pleasant bonus, allowing you to use it for light gaming as well as helping with the grunt of desktop tasks that can utilise GPU acceleration.
In our Metro Last Light benchmark, it still couldn’t handle 1,920×1,080 resolution, Very High graphics and SSAA turned on, producing just 18.5, but turning off SSAA resulted in a much smoother 32.8fps. Dropping the quality to High also saw a completely playable 43.8fps, so you should be able to manage most games as long as you tailor the graphics settings. Older titles shouldn’t be a problem either, as Dirt Showdown ran at 45.8fps on 1,920×1,080, 4x anti-aliasing and Ultra graphics.
The one area where the VivoBook Pro falls behind is battery life, most likely due to that high-resolution screen. It only lasted a very disappointing 3h 34m in our video playback test, which is just under an hour less than the ROG. However, when the laptop’s this heavy, this isn’t something you’ll be wanting to use on the move too often.
Connections
There’s no shortage of connections on the N552VW, with three USB3 ports and a USB 3.1 Type-C port thrown in as well. For connecting displays, there’s both a full-size HDMI output and mini-DisplayPort, as well as a headset jack for audio. The aforementioned DVD-RW drive is on the right and there’s an SD card reader on the front. For networking, there’s full Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to like about the Asus VivoBook Pro N552VW. It’s good value considering the specifications on offer, and it’s a better gaming laptop than the mid-range ROG GL552VW without even really trying to be a gaming laptop. It’s just as quick as the considerably more expensive Dell XPS 15, too, even if its design doesn’t quite live up to the same expectations.
Still, for around £900, you’re getting a decent 4K display, top performance and a respectable dedicated graphics card, making it a great all-rounder if you’re looking for a desktop replacement. Provided you’re happy with its heft and slightly poor battery life, it’s a great choice.
Core specs | |
---|---|
Processor | Quad-core 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6700HQ |
RAM | 16GB |
Memory slots (free) | 2 (0) |
Max memory | 16GB |
Dimensions | 383x260x29.9mm |
Weight | 2.53kg |
Sound | Realtek HD Audio (3.5mm headset jack) |
Pointing device | Touchpad |
Display | |
Screen size | 15.6in |
Screen resolution | 3,840×2,160 |
Touchscreen | No |
Graphics adaptor | Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M |
Graphics outputs | 2GB |
Graphics memory | HDMI, Mini DisplayPort |
Storage | |
Total storage | 128GB SSD, 1TB hard disk |
Optical drive type | DVD-RW |
Ports and expansion | |
USB ports | 3x USB3, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C |
Bluetooth | 4.0 |
Networking | 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 1x 10/100/1000 |
Memory card reader | SD |
Other ports | None |
Miscellaneous | |
Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
Operating system restore option | Restore partition |
Buying information | |
Parts and labour warranty | One year RTB |
Details | www.asus.com |
Part number | N552VW-FY094T |