With all the consumable video content out there and the many tools we now have at our disposal through our devices, size really matters when it comes to our laptop screens. That’s why it’s only ideal to seek a laptop that boasts a sizable screen on top of power and performance. Fortunately, you no longer have to break the bank for a display upgrade!

Enter the Vivobook 16, from the latest series of 16-inch laptops released by the multinational tech brand ASUS. With a powerful interior paired with a generous 16:10 display, this new device is your next budget-friendly companion for professional work, school work, content creation, or for your entertainment needs.

ASUS has given us a chance to try the ASUS Vivobook 16 (X1605) in Indie Black color. Here are our thoughts about this new 16-inch laptop.

Out of the box

Right out of the box, the Vivobook 16’s size stands out, but it surprised me because it is lighter than I anticipated. Its black color is pretty standard paired with a plastic chassis, while the design incorporates some slanting lines which remind me of construction work signals, giving me the impression that the Vivobook 16 gets the work done.

Popping it open, the laptop has a full keyboard, a generous touchpad space, and of course, a 16-inch, 16:10 screen to boot! Booting it up, I could feel like I’m reminded of a standard home computer with plenty of screen space to work with and a keyboard that isn’t cramped.

The device also has a 180-degree hinge that offers more flexibility and easier adjustments, so it wouldn’t have a problem fitting right in on your workspace. In addition to this, the laptop also sports a full array of I/O ports for convenient connectivity.

Do more with a taller display

The Vivobook 16 offers a more intuitive experience with its 16-inch LCD wide-view NanoEdge display with an 86% screen-to-body ratio. It has decent brightness with TÜV Rheinland low blue-light certification for added eye protection, and I didn’t experience glare issues when using the device. While the LCD screen may not be as visually striking as an OLED variant, this laptop still delivers a good display, given its size paired with an affordable price point.

After all, what really makes this your next ideal work and entertainment companion is the screen’s 16:10 aspect ratio (1920×1200 resolution IPS panel). Compared to the typical 16:9 display, with this device, streaming is more immersive; multitasking is more effortless; viewing documents is more convenient; and applications with crammed UIs will appear tidier, allowing you to focus on what’s important to the task at hand.

Thanks to the 180-degree hinge, you can also easily share this generous screen when working face-to-face with your collaborators.

No compromising on power and performance

Under the hood, the Vivobook 16 is also competitive when it comes to power and performance. This laptop is powered by up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U processor. It supports up to 8GB DDR4 RAM and a 512GB PCIE 3.0 SSD and runs on the Windows 11 Home OS.

The Vivobook 16 runs without a hitch when it comes to doing productivity tasks. It ran smoothly as I typed documents and multitasked on the web with over ten open tabs.

Casual gamers can also use this laptop for their gaming. I tried playing Valorant with the Vivobook 16, and I didn’t encounter any frame drops, even with high settings. I also ran tests with our test unit from ASUS, which runs on an Intel Core i5-1235U Processor:

Cinebench R23 – 7,403 (Multicore); 694 (Single Core)
Geekbench 6 – 1193 (Single-Core); 3888 (Multi-Core)
CPU-Z – 3,110.1 (Multi-Thread); 378.5 (Single Thread)

As for the device’s temperature, the Vivobook 16 kept its cool even after two hours of continuous use. There wasn’t any significant rise in its temperature even when at play, thanks to its plastic chassis and the ASUS IceCool cooling system with upgraded 8mm and 6mm dual heat pipes and an IceBlade fan. An effective heat dissipation system that is also quiet when in use.

Power is also plenty with the Vivobook 16, which sports a 70Wh battery. Testing its capacity, the battery decreased by 20% to 25% for every hour of doing productivity tasks with 45% brightness (which I found optimal in a room with ample lighting). Streaming videos also yielded similar results, as I was able to watch a 2-hour movie with 70% volume, and the battery went down by 40%.  When gaming, the battery was deducted 20% for every 30 minutes of gameplay.

When it comes to charging, I plugged in the Vivobook 16 while in Sleep mode, and the battery went up from 3% to 50% in the first 30 minutes and was full after waiting another hour and 15 minutes. When at work, the laptop juiced up by about 30% in the first 30 minutes and was fully charged after about 2 hours.

Work is a breeze with an ergonomic keyboard, a spacious trackpad, & Microsoft Office

The Vivobook 16 doesn’t stop with just the display and performance because your productivity will get a further boost with its ErgoSense keyboard that feels comfortable and satisfying to type with.

Clicking the buttons of the laptop’s full-sized keyboard produces minimal sound and feels just right to the touch, thanks to its dished keycaps and fine-tuned spacings for optimized key travel. When turned on, the keyboard’s backlight has three brightness levels to blend with different working environments.

As for the trackpad, it is also quite large, so if you opt to use it more often over a mouse, you can expect seamless use as you click, scroll, and swipe across your tasks. And to complete what you need to get the work done, the Vivobook 16 also comes with a free lifetime license to Office 2021 Home & Student.

Strong speakers and clearer conference calls

The audio on the Vivobook 16 is also quite impressive, with the sound that saves you from needing separate speakers. The laptop’s audio output is loud enough to be heard across a spacious living room, even at just 70% volume.

Audio is also enhanced for your conference calls through ASUS’ AI noise-canceling technology. This technology filters out ambient noise when you speak on the microphone, and it reduces background noise when producing the audio from the other end of the call, ensuring clear audio for both ends of the call.

Stepping up in safety and connectivity

The laptop also ups its safety and security alongside its convenience in connectivity. Aside from the webcam’s privacy shield instantly protecting you from your camera with a simple sliding button, the Vivobook 16 also shields you from today’s unseen threats with the ASUS Antibacterial Guard.

Considering the world-shifting pandemic in the last few years, it’s only natural for devices to adapt in response. With the ASUS Antibacterial Guard, the laptop’s special surface kills 99% of bacteria over a 24-hour period, keeping the device clean and sanitary even on a micro-level.

Connectivity is another key factor when picking your device. Good thing the Vivobook 16 covers your connectivity needs be it online or via hardware. This laptop is equipped with the speed of WiFi 6 and is made even better with the ASUS WiFi Master technology, bringing the user fast and stable connections.

This device also caters to different cross-device connections with a full array of Input/Output ports. On the left side of the device, you will find a USB 2.0 port alongside indicator lights, while lined up on the right are two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port, an HDMI port, an Audio Combo Jack, and a round charging port.

Conclusion

The Vivobook 16 is the laptop perfect for the practical. Whether you’re a professional or a student, this device can cater to your needs from both the software and hardware end. Plus, it also has some added touches with the comfort, convenience, and safety of the user in mind. With the laptop’s 16-inch, 16:10 display, you also have an extra boost of productivity whether you’re multitasking or focused on one UI-packed application. And even with its price range that leans towards the affordable, the Vivobook 16 has everything you need to get the job done.

The ASUS Vivobook 16 is now available at ASUS authorized stores with a starting price of P32,995.

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