I was pleasantly surprised with this purchase, as it offered a -21% discount on a sub £450 laptop from a reputable brand like Dell or MacBook, which matches my expectations.
The build quality was satisfactory, but not spectacular; I preferred a higher-end Dell or MacBook, but it met the price point criteria. The setup process was straightforward, with some nice ASUS software that was useful for its time.
I particularly appreciated the mechanical feel of the keyboard and the silence of the fans, which made for a quiet and efficient laptop experience. While the screen quality isn't outstanding, I've not noticed any issues that would stop me from using it regularly.
The CPU spec and 16GB of RAM were more than adequate for my general use needs. However, one aspect that left me underwhelmed was the lack of USB-C support for an external monitor, which is a minor quibble in an otherwise very good laptop.
Other notes include my uncertainty about the battery life, as I haven't yet tried running it on different power settings - and from what I've seen so far, the default setting suggests 3.5 hours of use before needing to recharge. Additionally, this laptop isn't a touchscreen model, which is perfectly fine in its own right - the screen will remain clean even with an external monitor attached.
Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase and feel that it's a great value for money considering the price point. The ASUS software has been a welcome addition, providing helpful functionality without being overly intrusive.
N. Wilson - 12/09/2025