The ASUS ExpertBook is a series of professional laptops made for commercial and business users. If you are watching this video right now, chances are you may have heard of this laptop or somehow already got your hands on it. Otherwise, this is probably the lesser-known laptop series compared to their mainstream VivoBook and ZenBook. Just look at our previous reviews of the VivoBooks and ZenBooks compared with the review of the top-of-the-line ExpertBook B9. Obviously, the mainstream models are going to be more popular but I think that the ExpertBook deserve more love and attention than it is currently receiving.

Today I will be sharing with you my personal views and experience after using the ExpertBook B5 Flip for about 2 weeks. Here’s a disclaimer, the B5 Flip is provided by ASUS Malaysia for my review purposes. The unit is not hand-picked for the best performance and they have no editing rights to this review. In fact, this is an early engineering sample in which the condition may not at its best.

Review sample specifications:

  • Intel Core i3-1115G4
  • 8GB RAM
  • 512GB SSD
  • 13.3-inch 1080p FHD 16:9 Matte touch screen

Video

ExpertBook B5 Flip

ASUS ExpertBook B5 Flip 2

From the entry range B1 to the top-of-the-line B9, the B5 sits at the middle of the ExpertBook stack with two different form factors, the standard clamshell design and the convertible. We can see how ASUS is trying to position this laptop through the naming as well as the design – which is a versatile laptop for various user demands. Coming with a 13.3-inch display, the B5 is compact and portable. The flip makes it even more flexible as you can use the laptop in 4 different modes.

 

Looking from a business organisation’s perspective, this is an excellent device for the sales and marketing team. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the sales department is the team that would benefit the most from the B5 Flip. Some of the sales employees would carry around 2 devices with them whenever they meet up with a client, namely the laptop as well as a tablet. The convertible design of the ExpertBook B5 Flip allows the user to utilize the same laptop in different usage situations, such as flipping the display and use it in tablet mode during presenting a catalogue.

Excellent Build Quality

While the ExpertBook B9 uses Magnesium-Lithium alloy to achieve the crazy lightweight chassis, the ExpertBook B5 Flip uses a combination of aluminium and Magnesium-Lithium alloy on different panels to keep the weight in check without sky-rocketing the cost. The end result is a laptop that is reasonably lightweight yet robust.

ASUS ExpertBook B5 Flip 9

ASUS ExpertBook B5 Flip 8

You’re even getting comprehensive IO options on a laptop of this thin. The power button is located on the right side and it also incorporates a Windows Hello capable fingerprint scanner.

Keyboard & Trackpad

The main reason why I’ve been using the ExpertBook B9 exclusively for my work is because of its responsive and tactile keyboard. Personally, I’m a mechanical keyboard guy and I don’t really like how most of the low-profile keyboard feels. For some reason, I think the ExpertBook has done a great job at making the keyboard enjoyable to type. The B5 Flip basically inherits the same keyboard from the B9 and the user experience has been flawless as far as I can tell.

Our engineering sample comes with a standard trackpad, however, if you go through the official marketing materials, you’ll notice that ASUS Malaysia is actually offering a more advanced trackpad with a virtual number pad on it. In other words, the actual configuration is highly dependant on your country’s ASUS product manager decision.

Avoid Intel Core i3

ASUS ExpertBook B5 Flip 11

Even though we absolutely love the 11th Gen Intel Core processors for their power efficiency. Then again, we are referring to the Intel Core i5 and i7 variants with Intel Xe graphics. Our review sample comes with the Intel Core i3-1115G4. Frankly speaking, it is not the best experience when using it but the good news is that ASUS Malaysia will only bring in the Intel Core i5 and i7 variants.

Then again, despite the lower core count and performance experience, the battery life is still excellent thanks to the new architecture. Our review sample with a 66Wh battery is capable of providing about 11 hours of usage. The testing process mostly focuses on the web browser activities as well as A LOT OF video streaming on YouTube. One thing to take note of is that ASUS Malaysia has opted to go for a 33Wh battery for local specification. I’m not entirely sure if this is their documentation error or any other reason, as their website has stated the B5 Flip only comes with a 66Wh battery.

Conclusion

ModelExpertBook B1ExpertBook B5 FlipExpertBook B5ExpertBook B9
CPUIntel Core i5-1135G7

Intel Core i7-1165G7

Intel Core i7-1165G7
GPUIntel Xe Graphics
Display14-inch FHD

15.6-inch FHD

13.3-inch FHD with Touch and Flip13.3-inch FHD14-inch FHD
RAM8GB16GB
StorageUp to 512GB512GBUp to 512GB1TB
I/O1x Thunderbolt 4

2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2

1x USB-A 2.0

1x HDMI

1x VGA

1x Ethernet

1x microSD

Audio Combo Jack

2x Thunderbolt 4

1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2

1x HDMI 2.0b

1x Ethernet

Audio Combo Jack

2x Thunderbolt 4

1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2

1x HDMI

Ethernet

Audio Combo Jack

BatteryTBA33Whr66Whr
Price (RM)3,599 (Core i5, 256GB SSD, 14-inch FHD)

3,759 (Core i5, 512GB SSD, 14-inch FHD) / (Core i7, 512GB SSD, 15.6-inch FHD)

4,399 (Core i7, 512GB SSD, 14-inch FHD)

4,999 (Core i5)

5,599 (Core i7)

4,299 (Core i5, 256GB SSD)

5,199 (Core i7, 512GB SSD)

7,989

The ASUS ExpertBook series is probably my favourite series of laptops especially when you factor in the price. The mid-high-end Lenovo ThinkPads and Dell XPS are brilliant, but the price tag will set you back a couple thousand more expensive. I’d say the material choice and design contributes to the reason why the ExpertBook series is not just lightweight but looking professional as well. Pairing all the above with the 11th Gen Intel Core processor, what you get is a compact and power-efficient laptop to get things done.

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