The ASUS TUF A15 is a powerful gaming laptop designed to deliver solid performance at a competitive price point. With a robust AMD Ryzen 7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics, and a durable military-grade build, it aims to cater to gamers and content creators alike. Its design prioritizes toughness, offering good thermals and a refresh rate display for smooth gameplay. However, while it excels in raw performance, it does have its drawbacks, such as a slightly bulky form factor and average battery life. In this review, we’ll examine the key features, pros, and cons to determine if the TUF A15 is a worthy investment for gaming enthusiasts and power users.
Pros:
- Solid build quality with durable metal lid
- Comfortable keyboard with customizable backlighting
- Upgradeable storage (2 M.2 SSD slots) and RAM (32GB max)
- Decent gaming performance with RTX 2050 (1080p, medium settings)
- Effective cooling system with dual fans and heat pipes
- Up to 8.5 hours battery life (light tasks)
- Affordable pricing
Cons:
- Dim, low-vibrancy 15.6-inch display
- Screen only opens to 135 degrees
- Small arrow keys
- Limited port space (mostly on left side)
- RTX 2050 struggles on ultra settings (high-end games)
- Average audio quality (weak bass/mid-range)
- Gets hot under load, especially around keyboard
- No 4K or premium screen quality
Design and Build
Alright, let’s dive into the build. ASUS stuck with the design of its Intel-powered predecessor, which is both reassuring and a bit underwhelming.
First, the keyboard layout—goodbye to the bold WASD keys, now a more grown-up, uniform style. The lid drops the circular accents for minimal bars in the corners. It’s simple, but it gives off a solid, workhorse vibe in dark gray.
The 16:9 screen ratio adds a thick bottom bezel with a retro feel. And those smooth surfaces? Sleek, until fingerprints show up. Keep a microfiber cloth handy. The lid has a premium metal finish, while the rest is solid plastic. The keyboard area flexes a bit but no creaking, so no awkward noises during gaming.
However, the screen could be better. The thin lid causes some ripple when pressing lightly on the back, and the hinge only opens to 135 degrees—leaving you wishing for more screen flexibility.
Keyboard & Touchpad: Comfort Meets Compromise
Typing on the A15’s keyboard feels great, and the full numeric keypad is a bonus. ASUS even gives you customizable backlighting with three brightness levels. But here’s the catch—the transparent key labels can be hard to read in regular lighting. The arrow keys are also disappointingly small, which might frustrate gamers.
The touchpad is smooth and responsive, making it great for everyday tasks. But let’s face it—if you’re gaming, you’re probably plugging in a mouse. What’s your take—do small compromises like this make or break a laptop for you?
Ports
The A15 offers a decent selection of ports. Most are on the left, including power, Ethernet, HDMI, USB Type-A, USB Type-C, and a headphone jack, with one lonely USB Type-A on the right. While this setup covers most needs, connecting multiple peripherals can feel cramped.
Do you prioritize a variety of ports in a laptop, or are you willing to juggle a few dongles for the right device?
Screen: Adequate, But Not Exceptional
The 15.6-inch IPS display at 144Hz gets the job done for gaming. However, it falls short on color accuracy, brightness, and contrast, making it less ideal for creative professionals. The 16:9 aspect ratio feels a bit outdated compared to taller 16:10 screens.
Still, if you’re coming from older 16:9 laptops, you might not notice the difference. Would you trade visual quality for a smoother gaming experience at this price point?
Performance: A Solid Middle Ground
Here’s where the TUF A15 starts flexing its muscles. Powered by the Ryzen 7 7435HS and paired with an RTX 2050, it handles 1080p gaming on medium settings with ease. From GTA V to Far Cry 6, it delivers decent frame rates. However, more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 push it to its limits.
Benchmarks reveal respectable scores across Blender, GeekBench, Cinebench, and 3DMark. It’s not a powerhouse, but it’s not meant to be. Do you value balanced performance, or do you need a laptop that excels in one specific area?
Gaming Benchmarks
Cooling, Battery, and Noise
The A15 does a commendable job staying cool under normal use, but it can get toasty during heavy gaming. Its dual-fan cooling system works well, but a cooling pad might be a good investment.
Battery life surprises, lasting up to 8.5 hours on lighter tasks. However, unplugging it limits performance due to reduced power draw. Noise levels are well-managed, staying quiet during light use and moderate under load.
How important are thermals and noise levels in your laptop-buying decision? Would you prioritize performance over these aspects?
Verdict
The ASUS TUF A15 isn’t here to win awards for flashiness or raw power, but it’s a dependable, no-nonsense budget gaming laptop. For casual gamers and multitaskers, it offers solid value. Sure, it has its limitations—a dim screen, some design quirks, and performance trade-offs—but it’s hard to beat at this price point.
Now, here’s the big question: Is the ASUS TUF A15 the right choice for you? Or would you prefer to save up for something more powerful or refined?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! If you’ve used this laptop or are considering it, I’d love to hear about your experiences or questions. Let’s get the conversation started!
