Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023) review

Trade in Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023)

(Image credit: Future – Joel Burgess)

Asus’ Vivobook Pro 16X OLED lineup is known for its intricate design philosophy, unhesitant use of top-notch components, and a willingness to leverage their strengths, even if it results in a complex consumer message.

The 2023 iteration of the Vivobook Pro 16X OLED, which I’m discussing here, stands as a 16-inch creative workstation powered by a 13th-gen Intel processor, prioritizing performance over battery longevity.

In contrast, the 2022 version, still available alongside the current model, employs an AMD processor and a slightly different 4K display that may not be as robust but offers over 10 hours of battery life for lighter work tasks.

Both these devices share a common trait: they don’t adhere to the ultra-portable, slim-and-light form factor. Although the Vivobook is reasonably lightweight at 1.9kg, its 2.2cm thickness sets it apart, making it half a centimeter thicker than counterparts like the MacBook Pro 16. The lightweight plastic keyboard surround adds to its appearance, giving it a distinct gaming laptop aesthetic.

Despite the potent components onboard, the Vivobook Pro 16X OLED is primarily designed for work, evident through the inclusion of Windows 11 Pro OS and the Studio Driver pre-installed on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU.

The Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2023) boasts an impressively powerful but power-hungry 105W, 24-core Intel Core i9-13980HX CPU capable of boosting to 5.6GHz. This results in performance significantly surpassing that of a top-tier Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M2 Max) and often doubling the output of the 2022 AMD-based Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (2022). While this is ideal for creatives requiring high performance, it does come at the cost of battery life, providing only around 4.5 hours for light work tasks, which could be a deal-breaker for users needing prolonged battery usage.

Supporting these robust components is a remarkable 16-inch, 120Hz OLED display that competes with the finest OLED screens found in laptops. This larger 3200 x 2000 pixel display offers a peak brightness of 600 nits, 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) stands out as a distinct alternative to the MacBook Pro 16’s on-the-go work-focused approach. When you consider a more powerful laptop equipped with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD slot available at a price of $1,800 / £1,699.99 / AU$3,399, it becomes an enticing choice.

(Image credit: Future – Joel Burgess)

ASUS VIVOBOOK PRO 16X OLED (2023): PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

• $2,000 / £1,700 / AU$3,399
• Available now
• Available in the US, UK and AU

The Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED is currently available in the US, UK, and Australia, offering various configurations tailored to different regions.

The 2023 Vivobook Pro 16X OLED model is equipped with a 3K 120Hz OLED panel. It’s important to note that it should not be confused with the 2022 Vivobook Pro 16X OLED variants that come with either Intel 12th gen or AMD 5000 series processors. While these devices are being sold side by side in certain markets, their similarities in pricing can be deceptive, as they can vary significantly in terms of features and specifications.

The Intel-based Vivobook Pro 16X OLED, which is the focus of this review, boasts a 13th Gen i9-13980HX CPU, 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. It is available for $2,000 in the US, £1,700 in the UK, and AU$3,399 in Australia.

• Price score: 4.5 / 5

ASUS VIVOBOOK PRO 16X OLED (2023): SPECS

The Vivobook Pro model I received for review is detailed below. It’s worth noting that there are previous generations still available for purchase, and in some regions, there are options with AMD 6000 series processors. Additionally, certain regions may provide various GPU configurations for this laptop.

• Specs score: 5 / 5

ASUS VIVOBOOK PRO 16X OLED (2023): DESIGN

(Image credit: Future – Joel Burgess)

• Pro OLED screen
• Powerful components
• Good port selection

The design of the Vivobook Pro 16X may initially appear somewhat unconventional. Instead of the typical premium work device’s high-end unibody aluminum chassis, it predominantly employs plastic. Moreover, the keyboard features a distinctive fluorescent orange escape key and prominently highlighted command keys, elements typically associated with gaming laptops.

To add to its unique appearance, the laptop includes fluorescent rubber feet, a slightly thicker 2.2cm profile compared to ultrabooks, gaming-style air vents, a sci-fi-inspired dog tag badge, and a hinge cutaway, giving it a visual resemblance to gaming laptops.

However, the design manages to strike a balance that allows it to blend seamlessly in a professional work setting. The lightweight build and robust cooling system enable it to handle demanding creative tasks without any hiccups.

The standout feature of the design undoubtedly lies in the screen. It boasts a 16-inch 3.2K OLED panel with an impressive peak brightness of 600 nits. This combination of OLED technology’s deep blacks and a brighter-than-usual screen sets a new standard for laptop displays.

The screen is also equipped with Pantone Validated full DCI-P3 color support and maintains a Delta-E value of less than 2, making it ideal for video editing, photo manipulation, and other color-sensitive creative tasks. Additionally, it features Dolby Vision HDR for vibrant HDR media playback, while the 120Hz refresh rate and low latency 0.2ms response rate ensure a smooth and responsive experience for gaming and multimedia content.

Asus has added DialPad functionality to the Vivobook Pro 16X OLED’s trackpad, enabling quick adjustments in various creative applications. The laptop also includes a fingerprint sensor, a number pad, a physical webcam shield, and a wide range of connectivity options, including Ethernet, HDMI, and an SD Card slot, ensuring flexibility for various work formats.

The Harmon Kardon-designed speakers, which are Dolby Atmos compatible, complement the exceptional screen quality, delivering impressive audio. Asus has harnessed the new AI capabilities of the 13th gen Intel chip to offer onboard AI background noise cancellation for web meetings and the ability to blur backgrounds and adjust focus settings for video, enhancing the overall communication and collaboration experience.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

ASUS VIVOBOOK PRO 16X OLED (2023): PERFORMANCE

(Image credit: Future – Joel Burgess)

• Excellent CPU performance
• Solid GPU performance

(Image credit: Future – Joel Burgess)

• 4h35min work lifespan 
• 4h13min movie playback

The impressive performance of this device is made possible by a considerably higher peak power draw of 245W on the Vivobook, in contrast to the approximately 35W on the MacBook Pro. This divergence in power consumption means that while the Vivobook Pro 16X OLED can provide approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes of battery life for light work tasks, it isn’t suitable for handling demanding workloads unless you have access to a power source. For instance, running a game will only give you around an hour and a half of usage on a full charge.

When it comes to playing 1080p movies, the laptop offers a total playback time of 4 hours and 13 minutes. While this duration is sufficient for watching a film, it’s not ideal for users who need extended usage away from a power outlet.

This battery performance is notably less favorable when compared to earlier AMD-powered versions of the Vivobook Pro 16X OLED, which could achieve over 10 hours in the same tests. The discrepancy is substantial, making the 2023 model a significantly different proposition from the MacBook Pro 16, which can often provide around 20 hours of battery life, even when dealing with graphical workloads.

• Battery life score: 3.5 / 5

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

Source: Techradar