Review: 2023 Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED

The 2023 Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED, a creative workstation, delivers top-notch performance and features one of the finest OLED screens for professionals. Its competitive pricing is achieved through cost-saving measures on the plastic chassis, a thicker profile, and a reduced battery capacity. If you can manage with a charger on hand, this is an exceptional value creative workstation.

NewForTech Opinion:

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023) Quick Review

Asus‘ Vivobook Pro 16X OLED brings a complex lineup of high-quality components, prioritizing performance over simplicity.

The 2023 Vivobook Pro 16X OLED features a 16-inch display and a 13th-gen Intel processor, emphasizing performance over battery life.

In contrast, the 2022 version, still available, boasts an AMD processor and a different 4K display, offering impressive battery life for light tasks.

Both versions prioritize functionality over ultra-portability. The Vivobook, while lightweight at 1.9kg, is 2.2cm thick, slightly chunkier than the MacBook Pro 16, with a gaming laptop appearance due to its plastic keyboard surround.

The Vivobook Pro 16X OLED is geared towards work, evident in the bundled Windows 11 Pro OS and the pre-installed Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU Studio Driver.

Its powerhouse includes a power-hungry Intel Core i9-13980HX CPU, outperforming top-tier Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M2 Max) and its 2022 AMD counterpart. However, this power-hungry setup translates to a meager 4.5-hour battery life during light tasks, potentially a deal-breaker for some.

Supporting these components is a remarkable 16-inch, 120Hz OLED display, rivaling the best laptop screens. With a 3200 x 2000 pixel resolution, 600-nit peak brightness, Vesa DisplayHDR True Black 600, 100 percent DCI-P3 color validation by Pantone, and an ultra-fast 0.2ms response rate.

The Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023) differs significantly from the on-the-go MacBook Pro 16. Still, with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD slot priced at $1,800 / £1,699.99 / AU$3,399, it offers a compelling alternative.

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023): PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

• Price: $2,000 / £1,700 / AU$3,399
• Currently available
• Available in the US, UK, and AU

The Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED is currently available in the US, UK, and Australia, with various regional variations.

The 2023 Vivobook Pro 16X OLED features a 3K 120Hz OLED panel, distinct from the 2022 models with Intel 12th gen or AMD 5000 series processors. Although they are sold side-by-side in some markets, they can differ significantly.

The Intel-based Vivobook Pro 16X OLED, tested here, includes a 13th Gen i9-13980HX CPU, 32GB RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, priced at $2,000 / £1,700 / AU$3,399.

Price rating: 4.5 / 5

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023): SPECS

The reviewed Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023) specifications are as follows:

• CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 (140W)
• RAM: 32GB RAM
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt/USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C), 2 x USB 3.2 (Type-A), 1 x HDMI, SD card reader, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack, Power input
• Screen: 16-inch OLED with 3200 x 2000 pixel resolution, 120Hz, 0.2ms response rate, 600 nit peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
• Camera: FHD 1080p with privacy shutter
• Weight: 4.19 lbs (1.9 kg)
• Dimensions: 13.98 x 9.80 x 0.86 inches (355 x 249 x 2.19mm)

Specs rating: 5 / 5

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023): DESIGN

• Pro OLED Screen
• Powerful Components
• Good Port Selection

The Vivobook Pro 16X design may initially appear unconventional. It predominantly features a plastic chassis, deviating from the usual premium aluminum construction found in work devices. The keyboard includes a fluorescent orange escape key and highlighted command keys reminiscent of gaming laptops.

Adding to the gaming vibe are fluorescent rubber feet, a thicker-than-ultrabook 2.2cm profile with gaming-style air vents, a sci-fi dog tag badge, and a unique hinge cutaway, giving it a distinctive gaming laptop aesthetic.

However, the design is subtle enough for professional settings, and its lightweight chassis and efficient cooling enable smooth performance in demanding creative tasks.

The standout feature is the 16-inch 3.2K OLED panel with a remarkable 600-nit peak brightness. This OLED screen, with deep blacks and heightened brightness, ranks among the best laptop displays available. It offers Pantone Validated full DCI-P3 color and a Delta-E of less than 2, making it ideal for video and photo editing, and creative color work. Additionally, it supports Dolby Vision HDR for vivid media playback and boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and a low latency 0.2ms response rate for smoother visuals.

The Vivobook Pro 16X OLED trackpad features DialPad functionality for quick adjustments in creative applications. It also includes a fingerprint sensor, number pad, physical webcam shield, and various interfaces like Ethernet, HDMI, and an SD Card slot, providing versatility in multiple work formats.

Harmon Kardon designed speakers with Dolby Atmos compatibility complement the impressive screen. Moreover, the 13th-gen Intel chip equips the laptop with AI background noise cancellation for web meetings, background blurring, and focus adjustments for video.

Design rating: 4.5 / 5

Read also: ACEMAGIC AD08 Review: Intel Mini PC vs. AMD Alternative

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023): PERFORMANCE

• Excellent CPU Performance
• Solid GPU Performance

Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED: BENCHMARKS

Here are the benchmark results for the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023):

• 3DMark: Port Royal: 5,538; Time Spy Extreme: 4,989; Time Spy: 10,356;
• GeekBench 5: 2,115 (single-core); 18,934 (multi-core)
• Cinebench R23 Multi-core: 28,443 points
• Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 90.77 fps;
• RDR2 (1080p, Ultra): 144.94 fps;
• Crystal DiskMark 8 (Read/ Write): 3,952/2,957 MB/s
• PCMark 10: 7,781 points
• Battery Life: 4 hours, 35 minutes

The Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023) excels in performance. It features an impressive 105W, 24-core Intel Core i9-13980HX CPU, capable of boosting to 5.6GHz. This results in a substantial 25 to 90 percent performance boost over the M2 Max, a significant achievement for a laptop of similar size.

The model’s Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU delivers graphical performance 28 percent higher than a top-tier MacBook Pro 16 on Geekbench 5 OpenCL benchmarks and nearly doubles the Apple unit’s Sid Meier’s: Civilization VI frame rates. This significant performance improvement distinguishes it from its predecessor, the ASUS Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2022).

However, one drawback is the SSD speed, with sequential read and write speeds at approximately half the industry standard. While this may not affect media transfers significantly, it’s a noticeable limitation for a high-powered laptop.

Performance rating: 4.5 / 5

ASUS VIVOBOOK PRO 16X OLED (2023): BATTERY LIFE

• Work Duration: 4 hours and 35 minutes
• Movie Playback: 4 hours and 13 minutes

The impressive performance of this device is attributed to its significantly higher 245W peak power draw compared to the MacBook Pro’s 35W. While the Vivobook Pro 16X OLED can last for approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes during light work tasks, heavy workloads will quickly drain the battery. Running a game, for example, provides only around 1.5 hours of runtime on a full charge.

Movie playback lasts a total of 4 hours and 13 minutes, sufficient for a film but not suitable for extended usage away from a power source.

This battery performance falls short of earlier AMD-powered versions of the Vivobook Pro 16X OLED, which could achieve over 10 hours in the same tests. It’s a substantial difference from the MacBook Pro 16, which can last around 20 hours even with graphical work.

Battery life rating: 3.5 / 5

See More: MSI Katana 15 (2023) Review: Affordable Gaming Laptop

SHOULD YOU BUY THE ASUS VIVOBOOK PRO 16X OLED (2023)?

• Price: The Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED offers an excellent screen and powerful components at a great price. Rating: 4.5 / 5
• Specs: With outstanding screen quality, processor, and features, it offers just one configuration. Rating: 5 / 5
• Design: The thick plastic-coated design may not appeal to everyone, but it caters to those seeking uncompromising performance and an exceptional screen at an affordable cost. Rating: 4.5 / 5
• Performance: Featuring a powerful CPU and GPU combination that outperforms most competitors in its price range, it falls short in terms of SSD speed. Rating: 4.5 / 5
• Battery: With a relatively low battery life, especially for a professional-focused device, this is its major weakness. Rating: 3.5 / 5

Overall Rating: The 2023 update to this value-packed creative workstation offers impressive features for its price. Rating: 4.5 / 5

Buy it if…

• Performance is your priority: This exceptionally powerful device is ideal for those who require workstation-level performance from a creative Windows laptop.
• You demand a pro screen: If you work with colors, the OLED panel’s richness, brightness, and color accuracy make it an attractive choice.
• Budget matters: If you can work near a power outlet, this device offers exceptional power at a fraction of the cost of popular alternatives.

Don’t buy it if…

• Battery life is crucial: The Vivobook Pro 16X OLED has limited battery life, making it unsuitable for on-the-go work, even compared to gaming laptops.
• You want a slim ultrabook: Designed for performance at an affordable price, it sacrifices overall portability, which may not be suitable for those seeking a thinner and lighter option.