- Days before ASUS Philippines officially launched the latest addition to their laptop families, I was fortunate enough to take a quick peek at some them, these being the ASUS Vivobook S15 (S530), the ASUS TUF FX504, the ASUS ROG GL504 Hero 2, the ASUS ROG GL504 Scar 2, and the ASUS Zenbook UX391.
ASUS Vivobook S15 (S530)
The first of which, the ASUS Vivobook S15 (S530), is a decent laptop internally with a NVIDIA GeForce MX150 with 2GB GDDR4 VRAM and a variety of options for its processor, memory, and storage. Its build is pretty sturdy with a brushed aluminum top cover and a polycarbonate frame. What stands out though is the bright colors running along the side of the laptop. These come in Icicle Gold, Gun Metal, Silver Blue, Star Grey, and Firmament Green.
One thing that I appreciated with it is the ErgoLift hinge that lifts up the back of the laptop as you open the monitor. While it isn’t the first time we see this, it’s definitely welcome in what can is a mid-range laptop.
Specs
Processor:
Intel® Core™ i7-8550U processor
1.8GHz quad-core with Turbo boost (up to 4.0GHz) and 8MB cache
Intel® Core™ i5-8250U processor
1.6GHz quad-core with Turbo boost (up to 3.4GHz) and 6MB cache
Intel® Core™ i3-8130U processor
2.2GHz dual-core with Turbo boost (up to 3.4GHz) and 4MB cache
Memory:
4GB / 6GB / 8GB / 12GB / 16GB 2400MHz DDR4
Graphics:
NVIDIA GeForce MX150
Video memory size: 2GB GDDR5 VRAM
Storage:
Dual Storage: 512GB / 256GB / 128GB SATA SSD + 2TB / 1TB / 500GB HDD
Display:
15.6” LED-backlit Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 matte display
Advanced three-sided NanoEdge display with 86% screen-to-body ratio
178° wide-view technology
ASUS Eye Care technology for up to 30% blue-light reduction
Interfaces:
1 x Type-C™ USB 3.1 Gen 1
1 x Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 1
2 x USB 2.0
1 x HDMI
1 x Combo audio jack
1 x MicroSD card reader
Keyboard:
Full-size backlit (optional), with 1.4mm key travel
Audio:
ASUS SonicMaster stereo audio system with surround-sound; smart amplifier for maximum audio performance
Array microphone with Cortana voice-recognition support
3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity:
Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi with advanced Wi-Fi Master technology
Bluetooth V4.2
Battery:
Fast charging to 60% in 49 minutes
42Wh 3-cell lithium-prismatic battery
65W power adapter
Dimensions:
36.14cm (W) x 24.35cm (D) x 1.8cm (H) / 1.8kg
ASUS TUF FX504
The ASUS TUF FX 504, on the other hand, is the first laptop in the TUF family is a gaming laptop through and through. Its metallic finish makes this laptop live up to the TUF name.
Upon opening the laptop, you get a recessed keyboard flanked by geometric lines that has a futuristic vibe to it continuing the futuristic gaming laptop design. Its full-keyboard is backlit along with the WASD highlighted in red. The TUF comes in two display option, a 60Hz and a 120 Hz, which is a welcome choice when it comes to gaming laptops.
While it looks like your typical gaming laptop with red oozing from the inside, it must be said that its overall design was executed well and doesn’t overdo the gaming aesthetic.
Specs
Processor:
Intel Core i7-8750HQ / i5-8300HQ Processor
Intel HM370 Chipset
Memory:
DDR4 2666 MHz up to 32GB
Graphics:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 with 2 / 4GB GDDR5 VRAM / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti with 2 / 4 GDDR5 VRAM
Storage:
1TB 5400 RPM / 1TB 7200 RPM / 1TB Firecuda / 256GB SATA SSD / 128GB/256GB SATA and PCIe SSD
Display:
15.6” Non-glare TN FHD (60Hz) / 15.6” Non-glare TN FHD (120Hz) / 15.6” Non-glare value IPS-level FHD (60Hz)
Keyboard:
Red Backlight with number key
Connectivity:
802.11AC+BT
2*2 (wave 2)
Interface:
2 x USB 3.0 Gen1
1 x USB 2.0
1x HDMI 1.4
1x RJ-45 Jack
1x 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack
1x Kensington lock
Battery:
3S1P, 48Whr
Dimensions:
38.4cm(W) x 26.2cm (D) x 2.5cm (H) / 2.3 kg
ASUS ROG Strix GL504GM (Hero II) and ASUS ROG Strix GL504GS (Scar II)
The Hero II and the Scar II internally are upgraded versions of their predecessors. Its upgrade also shows on the external look of both laptops. The first big change are the smaller bezels on the top and side of the screen. In order to do this, however, they’ve made a bigger bezel below the screen where they placed the webcam.
The second big change are the white QWER and WASD keycaps for the Hero II and Scar II, respectively. It may not be for everyone but along with the RGB backlighting, looks inviting. As if inviting your hands to boot up your favorite shooter or MOBA. It also must be said that the Scar II has a camo design running diagonally from the corner of the inside.
One thing that I enjoyed with both laptops though are the keyboard and the trackpad. While you’ll not likely use the latter in your gaming adventures as you’re more likely to use a mouse, it still felt pretty satisfying to hear the right and left click on the trackpad respond with an audible click to it. The keyboard is pretty tactile as well with a relative ease and glide typing on them.
ASUS ROG Strix GL504GM (Hero II) Specs
Processor:
Intel Core i7-8750H / Intel Core i5-8300H
Graphics:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 VRAM
Memory:
Up to DDR4 2666MHz SDRAM (Dual-channel), MAX 32GB
Storage:
M.2 NVMe PCIe 128GB / 256GB / 512GB SSD
2.5” 5400rpm 1TB SSHD / 2.5” 7 mm 5400 rpm / 7200 rpm 1TB HDD
Display:
15.6-inch Non-glare IPS FHD (144 Hz / 60 Hz ) Full HD (1920×1080) IPS panel, 3ms, 100% sRGB
Keyboard:
Backlit chiclet keyboard, marked QWER keys,
1.8mm travel distance
0.25mm keycap curve
Audio:
2 x 3.5W speaker with Smart AMP technology
Array microphones
Interface:
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-C)
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
1 x mDP 1.2
1 x HDMI 2.0
1 x RJ-45 jack
Only support SD card
1 x 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack
1 x Kensington lock
Power adaptor:
180W
Connectivity:
802.11ac 2×2 Wave 2
Bluetooth 5.0
Dimensions:
36.1cm (W) x 26.2cm (D) x 2.61cm (H) / 2.4 kg
Peripheral:
ROG Strix Impact
ASUS ROG Strix GL504GS (SCAR II) Specs
Processor:
Intel Core i7-8750H / Intel Core i5-8300H
Graphics:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5 VRAM
Memory:
Up to DDR4 2666MHz SDRAM (Dual-channel), MAX 32GB
Storage:
M.2 NVMe PCIe 128GB / 256GB / 512GB SSD
2.5” 5400rpm 1TB SSHD / 2.5” 7 mm 5400, 7200 rpm 1 TB HDD
Display:
15.6-inch None-glare IPS FHD (144Hz / 60Hz) Full HD (1920×1080) IPS panel, 3ms , 100% sRGB
Keyboard:
Backlit chiclet keyboard, marked WASD keys
1.8mm travel distance
0.25mm keycap curve
Audio:
2 x speaker with Smart AMP technology
Array microphones
Interface:
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-C)
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2
1 x mDP 1.2
1 x HDMI 2.0
1 x RJ-45 jack
only support SD card
1 x 3.5 headphone and microphone combo jack
1 x Kensington lock
Power adaptor:
230 w
Connectivity:
802.11ac 2c2 Wave 2
Bluetooth 5.0
Dimensions:
36.1cm (W) x 26.2cm (D) x 2.61cm (H) / 2.4 kg
Peripheral:
ROG Gladius II
ASUS Zenbook UX391
Lastly, the Zenbook UX391, and perhaps my favorite of the five laptops that were shown to us. While it isn’t the strongest of the five, it is the sexiest. It is an elegant and light notebook with touchscreen display. It also has the ErgoLift hinge which is where you find the 3.5 headphone and microphone combo jack.
There was quite the ease browsing on it while having it on my lap. It definitely won’t be your go-to gaming on-the-go laptop but it will be your go-to laptop for basic computing like writing or browsing. One thing that must be said is that its keyboard isn’t quite as tactile as I’d want it to be.
Specs
Processor:
8th-generation Intel Core i7-8550U
8th-generation Intel Core i5-8250U
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 620
Memory:
Up to 16GB LPDDR3 2133MHz
Storage:
Up to 1TB PCIE Gen 3 x4 SSD
Display:
13.3” LED backlit UHD (3840×2160) touchscreen / 100% sRGB gamut / glossy screen / ultra-thin 5.9mm bezel / 85% screen-to-body ratio
13.3” LED backlit FHD (1920×1080) / 100% sRGB gamut / glossy screen / ultra-thin 5.9mm bezel / 85% screen-to-body ratio
13.3” LED backlit FHD (1920 x 1080) / 100% sRGB gamut anti-glare screen / ultra-thin 5.9mm bezel / 85% screen-to-body ratio (Deep Dive Blue only)
Interface:
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C (supports power delivery and display output)
2 x USB Type-C with Thunderbolt 3 (supports dual 4K UHD displays and power delivery)
1 x combo audio jack
Audio:
2x high-quality stereo with ASUS SonicMaster Premium technology featuring Harman/Kardon tuning
Power:
50Whrs Lithium-polymer 13.5 hour battery life – according to internal Mobile Mark 2014 Office Productivity battery life benchmark results
AC adapter – Output: 20 V DC, 3.25 A, 65 W Input: 100 -240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal
Dimensions:
12.9 x 311 x 213mm / 0.51 x 12.24 x 8.39 inches / With anti-glare display: Approx. 1kg (2.20 pounds) With glossy display: Approx. 1.05kg (2.31 pounds
These and more were unveiled officially last night, September 21! Check back with us for more news on the latest notebooks and laptops from ASUS on Ungeek!
