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My review of the Asus TUF A17 Gaming Laptop: Ryzen 5 and GTX 1650 (2024)
Introduction
I love gaming, and have been trying out the Asus A17 Gaming Laptop for a while now. With its powerful AMD Ryzen 5 4600H Processor and 32GB DDR4 RAM, it performs pretty well.
Specifications
| Property | Value | Property | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Asus | Model Name | ASUS TUF |
| Screen Size | 17.3 Inches | Color | Black |
| Hard Disk Size | 1 TB | CPU Model | Ryzen 5 4600H |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 32 GB | Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Special Feature | Backlit Keyboard | Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
Photos
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Prices
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Performance and Gaming Capability
When I first booted up the Asus A17 Gaming Laptop, I knew I was in for a treat. With the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H Processor at its heart and 32GB DDR4 RAM, I expected a smooth ride, and I wasn’t disappointed. Here’s my rundown:
Unmatched multitasking: Running multiple apps is a breeze, with no hiccups or slowdowns.
Solid game performance: This rig handles most games at high settings smoothly, thanks to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics.
Snappy system responsiveness: The 1TB PCIe SSD makes loading and boot times practically nonexistent.
Customization perks: I got a kick out of tweaking the RGB keyboard lighting and performance profiles.
Although I anticipated some degree of excellence, the difference between this and my old Dell Inspiron 15 was like night and day. The 144Hz IPS display made gameplay fluid, and there was something satisfying about flipping between a high-res game and a slew of Chrome tabs without a single stutter. However, for the price, I was hoping for a bit more on a couple of fronts. Despite loving the overall performance, I can’t overlook some drawbacks, such as the charger heating up more than I’m comfortable with, and the fan noise got noticeable in the heat of battle.
Sure, there’s always room for improvement. I could do with more USB ports and a trackpad with a tad more grip. But these are minor gripes in what’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience. The backlit keyboard, for example, is more than just a stylish touch; it’s functional, aiding visibility during late-night gaming sessions.
The Asus A17 has shown me that a $1000 laptop can exceed expectations, consistently delivering performance that’s hard to find at this price point. While it’s true the audio and display could be better, and the system does get notably warm, these issues aren’t deal-breakers for me — they’re simply opportunities to make a good thing even better with external speakers or a cooling pad.
It’s thrilling to own a machine that can keep up with not just gaming ambitions but also everyday multitasking with such finesse. To say it’s the best gaming laptop I’ve used in years might sound grand, but I stand by it, especially considering the speed it brings to every session, whether I’m questing in World of Warcraft or exploring in Genshin Impact. The Asus A17 may not be without its faults, but it delivers where it counts, making it a formidable contender in the mid-range gaming laptop arena.
Design and Build Quality
When it comes to the design and build quality of the ASUS TUF A17, I have noticed quite a few aspects that are worth mentioning:
The RGB backlit keyboard not only adds an attractive aesthetic value but also enhances the gaming experience with its desktop-style layout.
A bonfire black color gives it a sleek and modern appearance that many users, including myself, find appealing.
The overall build feels sturdy and well-constructed, which is reassuring given the portability of laptops.
Despite being on the heavier side, the weight contributes a feeling of solidity to the chassis; it’s a trade-off between portability and durability. And honestly, I don’t mind the extra heft if it means the laptop can handle a few knocks. Another thing I appreciate is the hinge on this beast – it’s smooth as silk when opening and closing, and that’s a detail I don’t take for granted.
However, it’s not all sunshine in the world of design. The power brick heating up is slightly alarming. While this is common among high-powered devices, I would feel more at ease with better heat management there. Moreover, as much as I adore the backlit keys, the placement of the delete button can be irritating – hitting F12 by accident happens more often than I’d like.
Connectivity is decent but could be better. The A17 comes equipped with a variety of ports, but in a world where everything connects to your laptop, those three USB slots get filled up faster than you’d expect. Making sure you have a dock or hub on-hand could be essential, depending on your setup.
The trackpad has been another point of contention for me; it’s responsive but feels a bit too slick for my taste. A tad more texture for better grip wouldn’t have gone amiss here.
It’s interesting, despite some of these minor flaws, how the laptop feels tailor-made for gamers in certain respects. The RGB keyboard with function keys for on-the-fly performance adjustments is intuitive and really useful. While these might seem like small details, they contribute a significant amount to user convenience.
In summary, the ASUS TUF A17 presents a robust and aesthetically pleasing option for gamers who are willing to overlook minor design flaws for a solid, reliable gaming machine. The laptop’s build gives off a vibe that it’s ready for action, and for the most part, it lives up to that promise.
Thermal Management and Battery Life
When it comes to gaming laptops, two critical features I always look out for are thermal management and battery life, as they can make or break the experience. With the Asus A17, I noticed several aspects that merit discussion:
Heat Dissipation: The laptop does get notably warm during intense gaming sessions. Battery Efficiency: Adjusting performance settings can greatly enhance battery longevity. Charging: The power brick has a tendency to heat up, which can be concerning.
Thermal performance on the A17 is a significant factor, especially when pushing the boundaries of its Ryzen 5 4600H and GTX 1650. In my usage, I’ve found that it manages heat reasonably well for a gaming laptop, but it can get hot to the touch when under load. It’s something I expected, and to be honest, it’s pretty standard across gaming rigs. The presence of a good cooling pad can mitigate some of these concerns, and I’d recommend investing in one if you plan on engaging in long gaming marathons.
Battery life can be a sticking point for any gaming laptop, and the A17 is no exception. On one hand, it offers enough juice for standard tasks, but when it comes to gaming, you’ll want to stay plugged in to maintain peak performance. I appreciate the ability to quickly switch energy profiles—thanks to the handy function key shortcuts—allowing me to squeeze out more battery life when I’m away from a power source. This adaptability has definitely enhanced the overall user experience and warrants a thumbs up from me.
The power brick’s tendency to heat up did give me a pause initially – it’s something I hadn’t encountered with previous laptops. However, it hasn’t caused any problems just yet. It’s noteworthy, though, because longevity and safety are paramount, so I’m keeping an eye on it and suggest others do the same.
All things considered, my experience with the Asus A17’s thermal management and battery life has been mostly positive, but with a mental note on the heating issues. There’s a trade-off in virtually every gaming laptop between performance and these aspects, and the A17 seems to balance them reasonably well, with room for some improvements. I haven’t found the heating to be a deal-breaker, but it’s something prospective buyers should be aware of. All in all, with a bit of careful management and the right accessories, these two challenges can be handled quite effectively.
Display and Audio Quality
The display and audio quality of the Asus A17 is something I’ve got mixed feelings about. Right off the bat, the 17.3” FHD 144Hz IPS display is a visual treat, especially when I’m in the thick of a gaming session—the kind of immersive experience you’d expect from a premium machine. The adaptive sync is a game-changer, minimizing screen tearing and giving me an edge in fast-paced games. But I need to be honest, the screen brightness and color saturation could be better.
Let’s lay it out as it is:
Pros:
Large 17.3” display makes for an engaging experience.
High refresh rate of 144Hz is a boon for smooth gaming.
Adaptive sync technology is great for reducing screen tearing.
Cons:
Full brightness isn’t as luminous as I’d like.
Color saturation leaves room for improvement.
When I max out the volume, I expect to fill the room with sound, but the audio on the A17 falls a bit short and isn’t as powerful as I had hoped. This isn’t usually an issue for me because I mostly use headphones. If you’re the type to rely on built-in speakers, this might not sit well with you.
But let’s focus on the positives. Whatever the laptop lacks in audio power, it makes up for with other features making it good value for money. I’ve played Fallout 4 while switching back and forth to various applications, and not once did the machine lag or stutter—truly impressive multitasking for a laptop in this category.
I would’ve liked the audio and display to pack more of a punch, as visual and auditory experiences can be as crucial as the actual gameplay. I’ll probably invest in an external speaker and tweak the settings to get the display just right for those lengthy play sessions.
In the end, it’s quite clear that the A17 is designed with the gamer’s needs in mind, balancing performance with a good-enough display and audio output. Sure, it’s not perfect, but it’s reliable where it counts, handling multiple tasks without breaking a sweat. For the price, I can look past the minor shortcomings and appreciate what it brings to the table.