Asus G15 Review: Unleash the Power, but Beware of Flaws!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Performance Comparison
   1. PC Mark 10
   2. Geekbench
   3. Cinebench R23
3. Power and Temperature
   1. Power Draw
   2. Clock Speeds
   3. CPU Temperature
4. Gaming Performance
   1. 3DMark Test
   2. Real World Gaming
5. Video Editing Performance
6. Keyboard and Trackpad
7. Port Selection and Battery Life
8. Issues with the Asus G15
   1. Blown Speakers
   2. Display Quality
   3. Soldered RAM
   4. Lack of Webcam
   5. Port Limitations
9. Summary and Recommendation
10. FAQs

Asus G15 Review: A Powerful Gaming Laptop with Some Drawbacks

In this article, we will be reviewing the Asus G15, a high-performance gaming laptop. The Asus G15 comes with a range of impressive specifications, including the Ryzen 5 900 HS processor, 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, and a 1440p resolution fast refresh rate display. We will be taking a close look at the performance, power and temperature, gaming capabilities, video editing performance, keyboard and trackpad, port selection, battery life, and any issues that may arise with the Asus G15. Finally, we will summarize our findings and provide recommendations for potential buyers.

Performance Comparison

We begin by comparing the performance of the Asus G15 against other high-end laptops on the market. We will evaluate the laptop's performance using benchmarks such as PC Mark 10, Geekbench, and Cinebench R23.

PC Mark 10

PC Mark 10 is a benchmark that assesses the performance of everyday and office applications. The Asus G15 scored an impressive almost 7,000 points in this benchmark. This is a remarkable score and showcases the laptop's exceptional performance.

Geekbench

Geekbench tests various CPU performance tasks and provides single-core and multi-core results. The Asus G15 exhibits a substantial improvement in single-core performance compared to its previous generation. This improvement brings the Asus G15's single-core performance on par with Intel's best 11th gen Tiger Lake CPUs. However, Apple's MacBook Pro 13 M1 still holds the crown for single-core performance. In terms of multi-core performance, the Asus G15 slightly lags behind the AMD 4800 H CPU found in last year's HP Omen.

Cinebench R23

Cinebench R23 is a benchmark that measures CPU performance under heavy loads. The Ryzen 5 900 HS in the Asus G15 outperforms all other laptops, including the previous generation Ryzen 4000 series. The Asus G15 maintains high performance even on turbo mode for long-running tasks, displaying no major throttling.

Power and Temperature

The power and temperature performance of a laptop are essential factors to consider, especially for gaming or resource-intensive tasks. We will examine the power draw, clock speeds, and CPU temperature of the Asus G15.

Power Draw

The Asus G15 exhibits efficient power management, drawing less power than Intel chips in many cases. This efficiency is crucial, as it allows the laptop's processors to generate less heat and ultimately perform better.

Clock Speeds

The Ryzen 5 900 HS in the Asus G15 boosts to higher clock speeds than its predecessor. However, there is a more significant drop in clock speed from the initial burst to sustained performance. This characteristic helps prevent overheating and ensures the longevity of the CPU.

CPU Temperature

Under full load, the CPU temperature of the Asus G15 remains stable, showcasing the excellent thermal management system implemented in the laptop. Compared to Intel processors, AMD processors draw less power, generate less heat, and provide better performance. The Ryzen 5 900 HS combines the best of single-core and multi-core performance, making it a formidable competitor in the laptop market.

Gaming Performance

For gamers, the performance of a laptop can make or break the gaming experience. We conducted various tests, including the 3DMark test suite, to evaluate the gaming capabilities of the Asus G15.

3DMark Test

The Asus G15 scored exceptionally well in the 3DMark test suite, outperforming the Arrow 15 with an Intel 8-core CPU and GeForce 3060. Turbo mode provides a slight increase in performance compared to the default performance mode. However, the trade-off of increased fan noise may not be worth the marginal performance gain for most tasks.

Real World Gaming

While the Asus G15 can handle AAA gaming at 1440p resolution on high settings, it struggles to achieve both high resolution and high frame rates simultaneously. The display's 165Hz refresh rate is best utilized for esports games. It is worth noting that a 1920p panel would better complement the high refresh rate for optimal gaming performance.

Video Editing Performance

The Asus G15 delivers impressive video editing performance, as demonstrated by the Puget benchmark test on Premiere Pro. However, it falls short when compared to laptops such as the HP Omen with the AMD Ryzen 4000 processor and the Aero15 with substantially less powerful GPUs. Surprisingly, Apple's MacBook Pro 16 performs exceptionally well in video editing tasks.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The Asus G15 features a comfortable keyboard layout with secondary function keys set to their intended functions by default. The RGB backlight is bright and easily customizable. Moreover, the trackpad on the Asus G15 is outstanding, rivaling the quality of trackpads found in MacBook laptops.

Port Selection and Battery Life

The Asus G15 offers a commendable selection of ports, including two USB-C ports that support fast 10-gigabit speeds and charging. This laptop's ability to charge via USB-C is convenient for those looking to reduce the weight of their travel setup.

Battery life on the Asus G15 is decent, providing approximately six hours of usage with varied tasks. Adjusting the brightness and further optimizing settings can likely extend the battery life to around seven hours.

Issues with the Asus G15

While there are many things to like about the Asus G15, there are also some drawbacks that potential buyers should take into consideration.

Blown Speakers

One common issue reported by users is blown speakers. Several buyers, including the author of this review, experienced completely blown speakers, rendering them unusable. This problem was also reported for the Asus G14 from the previous year.

Display Quality

Despite promising specifications, the display on the Asus G15 falls short in real-life usage. The panel appears dull compared to other laptops in the same price range. The 1440p resolution, matte display with a 165Hz refresh rate aims to strike a balance between gaming and video editing needs, but it fails to excel in either category.

Soldered RAM

Another drawback of the Asus G15 is the soldered RAM. Upgradability is limited, with one stick of RAM being soldered and the other being upgradeable. This limitation can lead to a potential bottleneck in performance, especially for high-end professional tasks that require more than 16GB of RAM.

Lack of Webcam

Surprisingly, the Asus G15 lacks a built-in webcam, which is an inconvenience for those working from home. Other laptop manufacturers, such as Dell with their XPS 13, have managed to incorporate webcams into slim bezels, making it disappointing to see this feature missing from the Asus G15.

Port Limitations

While the port selection on the Asus G15 is commendable, the absence of Thunderbolt 4 support and a full-sized SD card reader is noticeable. These omissions are particularly disappointing for a laptop aimed at video editors. Additionally, some users reported unreliable DisplayPort over USB-C functionality with external monitors.

Summary and Recommendation

In conclusion, the Asus G15 is a powerful gaming laptop that delivers impressive performance. It boasts exceptional benchmark results, efficient power management, and a great gaming experience. However, it is not without its drawbacks, including blown speakers, subpar display quality, limited upgradability, the lack of a built-in webcam, and a somewhat cheap aesthetic compared to competitors.

While the Asus G15 offers a lot to like, waiting for upcoming Ryzen 5000 laptops with Nvidia 3000 series GPUs from major manufacturers such as HP and Lenovo may be a wise decision. Additionally, Apple's anticipated high-end MacBook Pro 16, featuring their proprietary M1 chip, could also be worth considering.

Overall, the Asus G15 scores a 7.5 out of 10, considering its exceptional performance, comfortable keyboard, and trackpad, and reasonable pricing. However, potential buyers should carefully assess their priorities and needs before making a purchase.

Highlights

• The Asus G15 offers exceptional performance in benchmark tests, outperforming many high-end laptops.
• Efficient power management allows the laptop to generate less heat and perform better, thanks to AMD processors' superior power draw.
• The Ryzen 5 900 HS CPU in the Asus G15 provides excellent single-core performance, rivaling Intel's latest processors.
• The Asus G15 excels in gaming performance, delivering stable frame rates at high settings.
• Video editing performance on the Asus G15 is good but falls short when compared to laptops with less powerful GPUs.
• The keyboard and trackpad on the Asus G15 are comfortable and precise, offering an excellent user experience.
• The selection of ports on the Asus G15 is commendable, with USB-C charging support.
• Battery life on the Asus G15 is reasonable, providing approximately six hours of usage on a single charge.
• Issues with blown speakers, subpar display quality, soldered RAM, lack of a webcam, and port limitations should be considered before purchasing the Asus G15.
• Potential buyers may want to wait for upcoming Ryzen 5000 laptops and Apple's higher-end MacBook Pro 16 model for comparison before making a decision.