ASUS Vivobook 15 (2023)

ASUS Vivobook 15 (2023)

Manufacturer	ASUS
Product family	Vivobook
Release date	January 2023 (2023-01)
Introductory price	USD 500 to 900
Discontinued	No
Operating system	Windows 11 Home (Can be configured with Windows 11 Pro)
CPU	Intel Core i3-1215U Intel Core i5-1235U Intel Core i7-1255U
Memory	8 or 16 GB DDR4-3200 MHz (supports up to 32 GB)
Memory slots	2 user accessible
Storage	256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD
Storage slots	1 user accessible
Display	Screen size: 15.6 inch Panel type: IPS Coating: Matte (anti-glare) Resolution: 1920 x 1080 PPI: 141 Aspect ratio: 16:9 Refresh Rate
Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics Nvidia GeForce MX550 2 GB GDDR6
Sound	2 x 2 W stereo w/ SonicMaster audio speakers Realtek HD audio chip
Camera	Front: 720p with dual microphone
Touchpad	Mylar, 4.1 inches (10 cm) x 2.8 inches (7.1 cm)
Connectivity	Intel AX201 WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C) 1 x USB 2.0 (Type-A) 1 x HDMI 1.4 1 x 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack
Dimensions	W: 14.1 inches (36 cm) D: 9.2 inches (23 cm) H: 0.78 inches (2.0 cm)
Mass	3.7 pounds (1.7 kg)
Power brick	65W slim 3-pin proprietary AC adapter (US)
Battery	3 cell Li-Polymer 42 Wh
Keyboard	Single zone white backlit, black (US) Standard full size layout
Chassis	Color: Indie Black, Transparent Silver Materials: Plastic lid; Polycarbonate palm rest, sides and bottom cover Cooling: 1 x 4000 RPM fan
Number pad	No
Fingerprint reader	Yes
Facial recognition	No
Predecessor	ASUS Vivobook 15 (2022)
Website	ASUS

All statements attributed to reviews are the reviewer's own opinion. Note that these claims were accurate at the time of publication and may be dated when you are reading this article. Read more.

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   The ASUS Vivobook 15 (2023) is a mid-range laptop designed for everyday use, featuring Intel 12th gen U series mobile processors and optional Nvidia GeForce MX550 discrete graphics. Available configurations vary by store and location. The Vivobook 15 is positioned as a versatile laptop suitable for both work and casual gaming.

Primary Hardware

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Processor

The Vivobook 15 (2023) can come with the following processors:

• Intel Core i3-1215U with 6 cores (2 P-cores + 4 E-cores) and 8 threads, 10 MB cache and a max frequency of 4.4 Ghz for P-cores and 3.3 Ghz for E-cores.
• Intel Core i5-1235U with 10 cores (2 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 12 threads, 12 MB cache and max frequency of 4.4 Ghz for P-cores and 3.3 Ghz for E-cores.
• Intel Core i7-1255U with 10 cores (2 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 12 threads, 12 MB cache and max frequency of 4.7 Ghz for P-cores and 3.5 Ghz for E-cores.

ASUS supplies the processors with sufficient power and cooling for CPU-intensive tasks resulting in average performance compared to other laptops with the same processors. In CPU-only tasks, SKUs with the i5-1235U and i7-1255U perform as expected. SKUs with i7-1255U perform well, scoring on average 5-7% higher than the average i7-1255U. Performance sustainability is good but not perfect, with all processors losing about 5% performance in long stress tests.

ASUS also supplies the processor with sufficient power in mixed CPU and GPU tasks like casual gaming leading to average performance compared to competitors with the same configurations. In particular, the SKU with i7-1255U and MX550 performs better than most other laptops with this configuration and is only 10% behind the Vivobook 15 with i7-1255U and integrated graphics.

All SKUs lose a significant amount of CPU performance when running on the battery.

Benchmarks:

• Cinebench R23:
  • i5-1235U: ~1400 pts (single-core), ~8000 pts (multi-core)
  • i7-1255U: ~1500 pts (single-core), ~9000 pts (multi-core)

Graphics

In addition to the integrated Intel UHD Graphics, the Vivobook 15 (2023) ships with the following discrete GPU:

• Nvidia GeForce MX550 GPU with 2 GB GDDR6 memory, 1320 Mhz boost clock, and 25 W Total Graphics Power (TGP).

All configurations support DLSS 2.0, VR ready, and DirectX® 12 Ultimate technologies.

ASUS supplies the GPU configuration with 25 W of max power. In GPU-only benchmarks, SKUs with MX550 perform slightly above average while SKUs with integrated graphics perform as expected.

In casual gaming, the MX550 SKUs with the i7-1255U perform significantly better than the competition with the same GPU and are just 10% behind the integrated graphics Vivobook 15 with the better i7-1255U CPU. The MX550 and i7-1255U SKU also perform above average and outperform laptops with the same 25W MX550 configured with a lower power processor.

All SKUs lose a significant amount of graphics performance when running on the battery.

Benchmarks:

• 3D Mark TimeSpy 2560 x 1440:
  • MX550: ~3000 pts
• 3D Mark Fire Strike 1920 x 1080:
  • MX550: ~7000 pts
• The Witcher 3 1920 x 1080 Medium:
  • i7-1255U and MX550: ~45 fps

Memory

The Intel HM570 chipset used in the Vivobook 15 supports a maximum of 2 SO-DIMM sticks and the 12th Generation Intel U processors support up to 64 GB DDR4-3200Mhz memory. The maximum available capacity currently DDR4 SO-DIMM is 32 GB 3200 Mhz, therefore the Vivobook 15 can support maximum 64 GB DDR4 3200 Mhz memory.

Pre-configured SKUs come with either 8 GB (1 x 8) DDR4-3200 or 16 GB (2 x 8) DDR4-3200 Memory. These sticks perform identically even when paired with different CPUs.

Benchmarks:

• AIDA64 Memory Copy: ~35000 MB/s

Storage

The Vivobook 15 can ship with 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD depending on the seller. The OEM SSD only uses 1 slot in all configurations leaving the other slot open for upgrades.

Reviews of the i7 1255U + MX550 and i5 1235U + integrated graphics SKUs note that both came with the Kingston NV1 512 GB SSD which is an entry-level SSD. This is a downgrade from the Samsung PM981 used in the 2022 model since the transfer rates drop to 50 % after some time in stress tests due to thermal throttling.

Benchmarks:

• CrystalDiskMark 8:
  • SEQ1M Q8T1 (Sequential 1MB blocks): ~2000 MB/s (read), ~1500 MB/s (write)
  • RND4K Q1T1 (Random 4 KB blocks): ~50 MB/s (read), ~100 MB/s (write)

Co-processors

The Vivobook 15 does not have a dedicated NPU to accelerate AI applications.

Input Devices

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Keyboard

The Vivobook 15 comes with a standard keyboard layout without a number pad. The keyboard offers 1.4 mm travel and 0.2 mm pitch. The white backlight has a single zone. The Fn + F keys can be used to switch between the three performance modes - Quiet, Balanced and Performance.

The typing experience is identical to the previous model with the only difference being the inclusion of the power button on the top right corner. The travel and feedback result in a better typing experience than competitors like HP Pavilion or Dell Inspiron.

Touchpad

The Vivobook 15 comes with a Mylar plastic clickpad that measures 4.1 inches (10 cm) x 2.8 inches (7.1 cm).

The touchpad is smaller than the ones in competitors like HP Pavilion but is spacious enough for simple tasks. The clicking is shallow and lacks enough feedback.

Webcam

The Vivobook 15 comes with a 720p webcam with an electronic shutter and no IR options.

The webcam has poor color accuracy with a minimum DeltaE of 2.31 and a maximum DeltaE of 17.75. The webcam looks soft but is much sharper than 720p webcams that used to be common a few years back. The clarity is adequate for casual calls. There is a physical kill switch on the right side that disconnects the webcam from the laptop.

Microphone

The Vivobook 15 comes with a dual microphone array.

Output Devices

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Display

ASUS ships the Vivobook 15 with 2 confirmed factory color calibrated displays:

• BOE NV156FHM-N4B, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, IPS, 250 Nits, anti-glare (matte), 45 % sRGB, 60 Hz, 800:1 contrast
• BOE NV156FHM-N4C, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, IPS, 250 Nits, anti-glare (matte), 45 % sRGB, 60 Hz, 800:1 contrast

All known displays support Nvidia G-Sync.

The BOE NV156FHM-N4B reaches the rated 250 nits, has good screen uniformity and has average contrast for a IPS panel at around 800:1 however the black levels are somewhat high at maximum brightness. It also covers almost 45% or sRGB as rated and covers around 35 % of AdobeRGB. The screen is not well calibrated out of the box and NotebookCheck records an average ColorChecker DeltaE of 4.3 on their unit. They also measure an average gray to gray response time of 12 ms.

The BOE NV156FHM-N4C is the lowest-end panel offered by ASUS on this unit. NotebookCheck records average contrast of 800:1 which is as rated and a gray to gray response time of 12 ms on their unit however the measured brightness is 8% higher than rated at around 270 nits with good screen uniformity. This panel is also calibrated better than the higher end panel with ColorChecker DeltaE of 0.97 on the tested unit.

None of the tested panels exhibit any PWM flickering at any brightness level.

The speakers have a low maximum volume around 70 to 75 dB for a 15.6-inch laptop. They produce balanced mids and highs but lack any noticeable bass. The audio quality is adequate for casual listening but falls short for more immersive experiences like gaming or watching movies.

Connectivity

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WiFi

ASUS equips the Vivobook 15 with an Intel AX201 WiFi 6 WLAN module.

The Vivobook 15 performs on par with other laptops equipped with the same module, reaching decent transfer speeds for regular use.

Benchmarks:

• iperf3 transmit AXE11000: ~600 Mb/s
• iperf3 receive AXE11000: ~950 Mb/s
• iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6 Ghz: ~750 Mb/s
• iperf3 receive AXE11000 6 Ghz: ~1100 Mb/s

Bluetooth

The Vivobook 15 comes with a Bluetooth 5.0 module.

SD Card Reader

ASUS does not include an SD card reader with the Vivobook 15.

USB

ASUS equips the Vivobook 15 with the following USB ports:

• 1 x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5 Gbps) on the left side.
• 1 x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5 Gbps) on the right side.
• 1 x USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5 Gbps) on the left side.
• 1 x USB-A (USB 2.0) on the right side.

Display Outputs

The Vivobook 15 comes with 1 display output:

• 1 x HDMI 1.4 on the left side.

The Vivobook supports up to 2 displays simultaneously including the built-in display.

Case

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The Vivobook 15 (2023) is available in two colors: Indie Black and Transparent Silver. The chassis remains the same as the previous model with a plastic lid and polycarbonate palm rest, sides, and bottom cover. The lid opens to about 140 degrees. Surfaces are slightly roughened to reduce fingerprint buildup, but it still attracts dust and fingerprints. The laptop is relatively lightweight at 3.7 pounds (1.7 kg). There is one ASUS logo on the lid and another on the palm rest.

The chassis has a more professional look compared to the ASUS Vivobook 15 (2022) with a uniform color scheme. There are fewer accents and angles as well.

Chassis rigidity is average with some audible creaking and weak points. The base and lid exhibit some twisting but not enough to be concerning.

Maintenance

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The bottom panel is held on by 10 Philips-head screws. Four screws on the leading edge are shorter than the rest. There are clips securing the panel that must be popped up after removing the screws.

Upgradeable components:

• 42 WHr battery.
• One M.2 2280 PCIe3 x4 SSD covered by an aluminum heatsink (most configurations only have one slot filled from the factory).
• Two DDR4-3200 SODIMMs covered by a single plastic shield (most configurations only have one slot filled from the factory).
• M.2 2230 wireless card.

Cooling System

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The Vivobook 15 is equipped with a single 40mm fan connected to the core components with two copper heat pipes. There is one shared heat pipe for the CPU and GPU, and another smaller heat pipe for the VRMs. The system intakes air from the bottom grille and exhausts air through the back grille.

Heat

Surface temperatures vary depending on the configuration.

The i7 1255U + MX550 SKU gets quite warm while idling, up to 35 °C on the bottom of the device. The left side with the WASD keys heats up more than the right side. Under heavy load, there is a hot spot of 50 °C on the bottom.

The i5 1235U + integrated graphics SKU is slightly cooler while idling across all areas reaching up to 32 °C on the bottom. The palm rest and the WASD keys remain comfortable during intensive tasks.

Benchmarks:

• i7 1255U + MX550:
  • Maximum upper side: ~40 °C
  • Maximum bottom: ~50 °C
  • Idle upper side: ~28 °C
  • Idle bottom: ~32 °C
• i5 1235U + integrated graphics:
  • Maximum upper side: ~38 °C
  • Maximum bottom: ~48 °C
  • Idle upper side: ~27 °C
  • Idle bottom: ~30 °C

Noise

There is no electronic noise or coil whine. The laptop is effectively silent during undemanding loads like light browsing or video playback, hovering below 30 dB(A). During intensive tasks, the fan quickly ramps up even when set to balanced mode. Fan noise while gaming in balanced mode is identical to performance mode despite temperatures being noticeably lower in balanced mode. During intensive tasks, the laptop emits noise above 45 db(A) and is louder than most other mid-range laptops. Most variants emit the same amount of noise with more powerful configurations being slightly louder.

Benchmarks:

• i5 1235U + integrated graphics:
  • Load: > 45 db(A)
• i7 1255U + MX550:
  • Idle: ~23 db(A) (min), ~23 db(A) (avg), ~25 db(A) (max)
  • Load: ~40 db(A) (avg), ~48 db(A) (max)

Energy Management

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Power Consumption

The Vivobook 15 ships with a 65 W AC adapter.

ASUS remains conservative with the power supplied to the CPU during combined CPU and GPU loads. Both the i7 1255U + MX550 and i5 1235U + integrated graphics SKUs consume around 40 W during load with temporary spikes to around 60 W.

The i7 1255U + MX550 Vivobook draws around 10 W when idling for the most part, reducing to 5-7 W after waiting a very long time and any minor input brings the consumption back up to 10 W.

Battery Life

All Vivobook 15 SKUs come with a 42 WHr Li-Polymer battery that ASUS claims can charge from 0-50 % in 30 mins and 0 - 100 % in 90 mins using the provided power adapter.

The battery life during light tasks is average for this class of laptop. Many competitors now include 50+ Whr batteries. Reviews verify the charging claims to be accurate.

Benchmarks:

• i7 1255U + MX550:
  • WiFi Browsing (150 nits): 300 minutes
  • Load: 90 minutes
• i5 1235U + integrated graphics:
  • WiFi Browsing (150 nits): 320 minutes
  • Load (max brightness): 100 minutes

Biometrics

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The Vivobook 15 supports Windows Hello fingerprint recognition but does not have a facial recognition option.

Software

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All SKUs ship with Windows 11 Home but the laptop can be upgraded to Windows 11 Pro, either manually or when buying directly from ASUS.

Preinstalled Software

MyASUS

The MyASUS program acts as the primary control center in the Vivobook 15. In addition to the performance profiles, the program also handles hardware troubleshooting, always on USB settings, battery conservation mode (limit charge to 80 %), system updates, and other things.

There are three preset performance profiles - quiet, balanced, and performance. ASUS supports adding an AI engine in balanced mode that automatically adjusts system parameters based on the context. There is also a customized mode where the user can manually set various parameters.

Most reviewers use performance mode for performance benchmarks and quiet mode for the battery tests unless otherwise stated.

Other Preinstalled Software

The Vivobook also comes with other less useful software like ASUS Now, which exists just to sell software and services, and ASUS Avatar Master, which creates your digital avatar.

There is also unwanted software like a 30-day McAfee security trial.

Accessories & Warranty

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The Vivobook 15 comes with a 65 W AC adapter and paperwork.

There is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.

Reviews Summary

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Overall Sentiment

The Vivobook 15 is considered a solid mid-range laptop with good CPU and GPU performance relative to competitors. Often found under $700, the Vivobook is suitable for people looking for a versatile laptop for both work and casual gaming. The laptop also comes with a decent screen for everyday use and is highly upgradeable. The primary downsides are the average battery life, plastic build, and lack of an SD card reader.

Problems Summary

• No SD card reader.
• Below average speakers given the form factor.
• OEM SSD loses 50 % performance during sustained disk loads.
• Plastic touchpad does not provide the best tracking experience.
• High idle power consumption
• Higher than average surface temperatures while idling and during intensive tasks.
• Average battery life.
• Plastic build

Links

i5-1235U, integrated graphics, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: TomsHardware,

i5-1235U, integrated graphics, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: TechGuyBeau

i7-1255U, MX550, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: NoteBookCheck,

i7-1255U, MX550, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: NoteBookCheck