For today’s laptop review, we have a rather simple machine – the ASUS Vivobook 16 A1605. Priced at RM3,199, it boasts a 16-inch IPS LCD screen, 16GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i5 Processor 120U with integrated graphics. Specs aside, let’s delve deeper into its features.
First impressions reveal a familiar Vivobook design constructed primarily of plastic, keeping the weight down compared to premium metal laptops. The ASUS logo badge, while susceptible to dirt, offers a layer of antimicrobial protection.
Under the hood, the laptop features the aforementioned Intel Core i5 Processor 120U with integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The processor is based on the Raptor Lake architecture.
Now, how well does this processor handle gaming? Surprisingly well! Genshin Impact ran smoothly at the lowest settings, maintaining near 60fps throughout gameplay. The fan noise remained quiet, and the highest temperature recorded was a manageable 75°C.
Halo Infinite also performed admirably, exceeding 30fps at the lowest settings. The laptop’s speakers delivered decent audio quality – which was surprising as I thoroughly enjoyed my time playing this game on the ASUS Vivobook 16 A1605.
Counter-Strike 2 ran at around 60fps on minimal settings, but enabling V-sync is highly recommended to prevent screen tearing.
The screen is a basic IPS LCD panel, covering only 61.24% of sRGB and 43.70% of DCI-P3 color gamuts. However, it boasts a low ΔE number and a maximum brightness of around 300 nits, suitable for indoor use but struggling in bright environments.
While adequate for office tasks (the colors are easier on the eyes for text reading), watching movies or videos won’t be as visually pleasing. Upgrading the screen is a possibility, but proceed with caution as compatibility is uncertain. Different laptops will have to go through completely different steps to even attempt this screen upgrade procedure.
If we do want to upgrade the components though, the laptop utilizes Philips screws, a plus for potential upgrades. However, access reveals limited options. In our configuration, 8GB of RAM is soldered, with an additional 8GB provided in a SODIMM slot (recommended for dual-channel mode).
The basic Intel AX101 WiFi 6 card and the single SSD slot occupied by the included 512GB Micron 2400 NVMe SSD offer some upgrade potential. Consider swapping the SSD to a 1TB or 2TB drive only if absolutely necessary.
The 42Wh battery may seem small, but it delivers approximately 6 hours of browsing, YouTube Music streaming, and occasional YouTube video playback with the silent power profile at 50% brightness. Impressively, there’s no lag even on this power profile.
The ports available on this ASUS Vivobook 16 A1605 review is also generous, though the ports are at most 5Gb/s in speed. Notably, the single USB-C port allows for charging, a convenient feature. The laptop only requires a maximum of 45W, exceeding expectations considering the laptop’s performance.
The trackpad performs well and includes a fingerprint reader for quick logins. However, palm rejection could be improved.
The keyboard, a staple of ASUS laptops, offers excellent travel distance, a pleasant bounce, and comfortable typing. The presence of a number pad caters to users requiring accounting functions.
Is this laptop recommended?
At RM3,199, the ASUS Vivobook 16 A1605 delivers a compelling value proposition. The screen might be a limitation for specific uses, but the performance is surprisingly strong, even handling some games.
I do recommend you check out this laptop if it suits your budget as we’re getting quite good value here. It’s just the screen that I wish was better.
