The Panasonic Toughbook 40 is a fantastic, rugged laptop designed for professionals operating in the most extreme environments. While many computers boast portability, lack of bezels, thin form factors, lightweight design, and sleek designs, the Panasonic Toughbook is the opposite. It has a fully rugged MIL-STD-810H and IP66-certified build, offering extreme durability.
We've reviewed the best rugged laptops, and while most people won't need this kind of laptop, for those who do, such as military, emergency services, fieldwork, and so on, this is a great option. The Toughbook 40 stands out due to its modularity, ability to expand internal storage, built-in IO ports, etc.
When I see large and bulky laptops, I immediately flash back to my old Dell laptop from 2010. It was clunky, had a terrible battery, would sound like a fighter jet taking off when I launched a program, and would scorch my lap if I had it on there for too long. This bulky laptop is helping me refine that mindset. Bulky doesn't mean slow here, it just means durable. And the Panasonic Toughbook 40 is a great example of that.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Panasonic Toughbook 40: Pricing & availability
The Panasonic Toughbook 40 starts at $4,899 for the base model, including an Intel Core i5, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. The Toughbook 40 can be upgraded up to an Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, and 4TB of storage if desired, obviously jumping the price up quite a bit as well.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Uniquely to this laptop, the Modular xPAK expansions allow for additional storage, optical drives, security card readers, and more. This helps the Toughbook 40 become a truly all-in-one beast of a durable machine with over 6,000 possible configurations through modular components.
The Panasonic Toughbook 40 can be purchased on Amazon, Panasonic's website, and other Toughbook/rugged book retailers.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Panasonic Toughbook 40: Unboxing & first impressions
The Toughbook 40 arrives in minimalist packaging, focused on protection and durability rather than aesthetics and portability. Unboxing this computer feels like taking a warhead out of top-secret packaging it's so intense. Opening up the packaging reveals what looks like it could be another case, except this time it's the laptop in all its glory. I will say, that Panasonic, even with the painfully obvious rugged design, has tried to make it a bit more portable with the inclusion of a carrying handle. However, the need for a carrying handle to add portability is also an admission of the lack of portability in the first place.
My first impressions of this machine are similar. The highlight is that this laptop has a robust magnesium alloy build, reinforced with bumpers and protective port covers. This isn't your ordinary business laptop that you throw in a backpack. This is the laptop you bring in the field knowing that it will get beat up and (probably) being okay with that.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Panasonic Toughbook 40: Design & build quality
Specs
Processor: Intel Core i5-1145G7 (base model), Intel Core Ultra 5 or i7 options available Memory: Configurable up to 64GB DDR5 RAM Storage: 512GB to 4TB SSD with quick-release functionality Display: 14-inch FHD 1920 x 1080 touchscreen with up to 1200 nits of brightness Battery Life: 12 hours on a single charge, up to 24 hours with a second battery Weight: 7.4 lbs Durability: MIL-STD-810H, IP66
The Panasonic Toughbook 40's bulk is prominent, but also necessary for its incredible durability. This design adheres to the MIL-STD-810H and IP66 standards, ensuring that it can withstand nearly any brutal environment when it comes to rain, dust, shock, and extreme temperatures. The included modular components are something that I don't see very often on even the best business laptops as most of those are resorting to thin and streamlined form factors and minimalist ports, relying on Thunderbolt to push dongles and adapters for those needing legacy ports. With the Panasonic Toughbook 40, however, Panasonic has included xPAK slots that allow users to swap out whatever combination of additional accessories they so choose, making this one of the most customizable rugged laptops on the market. Further, integrated port covers ensure that the internal components remain protected, and the laptop’s physical build, including a reinforced magnesium alloy chassis, feels indestructible.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Panasonic Toughbook 40: In use
As I briefly mentioned, I have a bad habit of feeling like bulky laptops are slow. It's a terrible bridge in my mind that I need to remove, but bulky laptops make me feel like the laptop is going to be sluggish, overheat, and underpowered. The Panasonic Toughbook 40 is the laptop that is destroying that mindset for me. So far, I have been blown away at just how powerful this laptop is. My unit has 64GB of RAM and an Intel Core Ultra 7 165 Processor. This thing is nowhere near sluggish. In my daily tasks, it excels, and even in 3D rendering, and 3D Modeling software that I played around with on here, there was not even a moment of hesitation with the files I was using.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Panasonic is also thinking ahead with the Toughbook 40, as its dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) enhances AI capabilities, making it ideal for real-time data analysis, especially in remote or disconnected environments. Essentially, this laptop is not built for "just in case this computer goes into a rough environment" it's built for those people who will, without a doubt, be in those rough environments and need the power to work through their needs.
The 14-inch FHD display with 1200 nits brightness ensures clear visibility even in outdoor environments which continues the tale of this laptop being built for outdoors. Power is great, durability is great, but if that is paired with a dim screen that can only be seen inside, then that power is wasted.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Somehow, Pansonic has made the touchscreen work with gloves and even while wet. While I was able to test this with gloves on, and I can attest that the touchscreen still works as it should, I did not take my laptop into the shower, nor did I go swimming with it, however with the IP66 rating, this laptop is noted to be protected from splashing, sprays, ocean waves, and heavy rain, but it is not technically waterproof. So, consider that before you bring your Toughbook 40 deep sea diving, or before you try and consider any other laptop for your ocean-side exploration.
The base configuration provides up to 12 hours of battery life, with the option to extend to 24 hours using a second, hot-swappable battery. This battery life is huge for those who are working in remote areas, or perhaps are just on the move for their job.
Lastly, this laptop has a great port offering. Especially since you can add whatever IO you want through the modular xPAK system.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Panasonic Toughbook 40: Final verdict
The Panasonic Toughbook 40 is an impressive choice for professionals who need both computing power and extreme durability. Its modular design makes it highly adaptable, while its performance and rugged good looks set it apart. Though its size and weight might not appeal to every user, this is a tool built for serious, high-stakes environments.
The Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 is a keyboard that I was excited to try but genuinely thought would be gimmicky since I already operate my day-to-day without a travel keyboard, and until seeing the Keys-to-Go 2, I did not feel as though I was missing out. However, there was something about how Logitech made this portable keyboard that I knew I had to try, and it may answer some questions I had yet to ask.
In short, the Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 is an ultra-slim, travel-friendly Bluetooth keyboard designed for portability without sacrificing functionality. It's ideal for students and professionals looking for a compact typing solution that can work with any Bluetooth-enabled device.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
It offers a significant redesign from its predecessor with improved durability, scissor-switch keys, and a protective flip cover. Additionally, this keyboard gives Mac and Windows-specific keys, which gives it extra utility as one of the best office keyboards around, working wonderfully with either operating system, smartphones, iPads, or Windows tablets (and while I have not tried it personally, I would assume this works well with ChromeOS and pretty much any Bluetooth device that can pair with a Bluetooth Keyboard).
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Logitech Keys-to-Go 2: Price and Availability
The Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 has three color options: Graphite, Pale Gray, and Lilac. The pricing is honestly pretty great at only $80. It's available to buy just about anywhere, and you can purchase through Logitech or Amazon.
Logitech Keys-to-Go 2: Unboxing and First Impressions
At first glance, I stole the keyboard; I was shocked at how small yet capable this keyboard looked. I loved that it's so thin and lightweight while also having a sleek, protective, built-in, flippable cover to add durability. Though the keyboard is (sadly) not rechargeable, Logitech is kind enough to send pre-installed batteries so I can get to work immediately.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Logitech Keys-to-Go 2: Design and Build Quality
Specs
Dimensions: 9.8 x 4.1 x 0.17 inches Weight: 0.48 pounds (222 g) Key Mechanism: Scissor-switch keys with 1mm key travel Connectivity: Bluetooth Low Energy, supports up to 3 devices Compatibility: iOS, iPadOS, Android, Windows, ChromeOS, macOS Battery Life: 36 months with 2 CR2032 coin cell batteries Colors: Graphite, Pale Gray, Lilac Other Features: - Full row of function/media keys - Protective flip cover - Spill-proof, durable design with recycled materials
Logitech proved that this was a portable, lightweight keyboard in their design. The overall footprint is a mere 9.8 x 4.1 x 0.17 inches, which is tiny yet large enough to have a functioning keyboard. For reference, it's only slightly more compact than the standard Apple Magic Keyboard (see photo). The protective cover protects the keys if the keyboard is tossed in a bag and doubles as a stand to elevate and slightly angle the keyboard.
The keycaps are pleasant and smooth to type on. While it is a compact and smaller-than-average keyboard, I only notice fatigue if I type for extended sessions. And, even there, I can't entirely blame fatigue on the keyboard as I also have arthritis in my wrists, so any kink compared to what I am used to can cause accelerated fatigue. With that in mind, I will say that the arrow and punctuation keys are a bit cramped, but nothing terrible.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Logitech Keys-to-Go 2: In Use
As mentioned above, I was not in the market for a portable keyboard. I have tried having a keyboard in my everyday carry bag a few times, which has always felt overkill. I've got a good thing going with my daily and highly productive setup that fits beautifully in my Nomatic Navigator backpack. When I saw the Keys-to-Go 2, I knew I had to try it. I now wouldn't have to worry about a case for a keyboard adding extra bulk, all to protect a keyboard from getting damaged in my bag in the first place. All around, it felt silly. But, with the Keys-to-Go 2, Logitech has included a flap that protects the keys while elevating the keyboard slightly when folded back.
I was off once I hooked up the Bluetooth nodes to my MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and whatever laptop I was testing that day (it rotates regularly) utilizing the three Bluetooth nodes. I propped my laptop up with a Moft case or adhesive stand and got to work. There was something about having even a bit of separation and the ability to prop my laptop up to an angle that would make utilizing the built-in keyboard very uncomfortable, which made working that first day incredible. I got so much done it blew my mind. The keyboard helped immensely, and I stayed comfortable all day long. In the days following this first day of amazement, I could do something similar with my iPad Pro. Yes, I have a magic Keyboard case that I will usually use when I take my iPad somewhere as my only or primary computing device for the day (or hour). However, this time, I took my iPad and the keys-to-go 2, and honestly, it was a great experience. I set up my iPad using my Moft folio case and got to work without skipping a beat -- I even gained a function row of media controls this way, compared to the Magic Keyboard.
Now, for some of the negatives. I don't love that the keyboard is slightly cramped. I see that as an issue for some people. Further, I don't love that this is not rechargeable. Granted, the battery is supposed to last quite a long time, but the ability to recharge with USB-C would still be great (maybe for Keys-to-Go 3?). Other than that, though, this keyboard has been fantastic and has made for a beautiful addition to my backpack that I barely even notice is there because of its tiny size, lightweight design, and cover, so I don't have to worry and remind myself that it is there in fear of breaking it.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Logitech Keys-to-Go 2: Final Verdict
The Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 is ideal for users seeking a portable, durable, and highly capable keyboard. It's compact and responsive, has three Bluetooth notes, a full-function row of keys, and a Mac/Windows layout. While I wish it had a rechargeable battery, it lasts a long time, and I have had no issues. If you're traveling, use a tablet as your primary device, or want a portable keyboard for some other reason, you need to check out the Logitech Keys-to-go 2.
The HP EliteBook 845 G11 is a sleek, silver 14in enterprise laptop that means business. This premium WIndows 11 unit features an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor and Radeon 780M Graphics, 32GB RAM, and 512GB storage - which is more than enough to power productivity throughout the day.
As one of the best business laptop lines out there, the EliteBook is smart and professional, with MacBook pretensions once you crack open the lid to expose a well-spaced, backlit keyboard of black against the silver frame. In use, it’s comfortable and intuitive (any typos are strictly my own), although as with so many thin laptops, key travel can feel stubby and shallow.
I’ve always had a hit-and-miss experience with HP laptops - they often feel cheap and plasticky, lids soft and hollow, keys shallow. So there was relief taking hold of the all-metal EliteBook 845 G11. In hand, it doesn’t feel quite as nice or durable as the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s I recently reviewed, but there’s a comforting robustness and weightiness to the device.
Performance-wise, this laptop offers exactly what you’d expect, and everything you hoped. It blazes through the likes of web browsing, Microsoft Office and G Suite apps. I experienced no performance-related issues, whether writing and editing in the notoriously resource-hungry Chrome or taking conference video calls. Having said that, during prolonged use, both the underside and palm rests get fairly warm, which is especially noticeable when the device is charging.
Overall, an excellent business laptop, with plenty of scope for coding, use on campus, and regular home use, too. The lack of decent GPU renders this laptop less useful for high-resolution video editing and 3D rendering. But CPU and RAM are more than sufficient to deliver a smooth experience for everyday office tasks.
(Image credit: HP)
HP EliteBook 845 G11: Price & availability
You should have no difficulty picking up the HP EliteBook 845 G11, which is widely available from online retailers and direct from HP. Even older EliteBooks are readily available. Prices for the laptop start at $1790 / £1200.
(Image credit: HP)
HP EliteBook 845 G11: Design & features
Specs
Processor: Up to AMD Ryzen 7 Pro RAM: Up to 64GB Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe M.2 SSD Display: 14" WUXGA IPS (1920 x 1200) Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x smart card reader, 1x nano-sim slot, 1x security lock slot Operating System: Windows 11 Pro Weight: From 1.42 kg (3.14 lb) Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
Weighing in at 1.42kg, measuring 12.4 x 8.83 x 0.64in, the HP EliteBook 845 G11 has a good weight and feel. Constructed with an all-metal chassis “based on high quality aluminum and magnesium” according to the manufacturer, I felt this was a laptop that can take a few knocks on the commute, or being shunted from hot-desk to hot-desk.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, 14in is the ideal size for a business laptop. Not too small, not too bulky, perfect for extended use without weighing you down too much. This EliteBook fits nicely into this category. Here, the display on the base model is a 14in anti-glare rocking a 1920x1200 resolution and a disappointingly average 300nits brightness. That’s fine in the home and office, but you’ll struggle more to see the screen outdoors in bright light. On the other hand, HP offers a range of alternative panels, with low blue light and touch features, and 400, 500, and 800nits options.
Above the panel is a 5MP webcam that does the job but not much more. Again, you can upgrade to the 5MP IR webcam, or strip out the camera if you never again want to endure another Zoom presentation. What I especially like here is the physical camera cover - fast becoming a necessity for business laptops. Neatly sliding the ridged switch to the left ‘grays out’ camera, disabling it in the settings rather than simply masking the lens.
(Image credit: HP)
Using the keyboard is a comfortable experience. It features a backlight of soft white, which automatically turns off to preserve the battery after a few minutes of inactivity, for low-light and night-time use. Keys are not too spongy like for instance the Microsoft Surface, but gentle and firm enough to take a battering when bashing out a report, spreadsheet, or writing a laptop review. While it can’t quite compare to the excellent keyboards you typically find on the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops - by far the best I’ve used on any business laptop - the spacious design really lets the fingers flow, creating a good rhythm when typing. The welcome addition of a keyboard backlight of soft white, which automatically turns off to preserve the battery after a few minutes of inactivity. I did experience a few near-misses with the arrow and Pg Up/Pg Dn keys so clustered together, but these were few and far between.
The trackpad is broad, allowing for sweeping gestures without being hindered by physical buttons here. Just be careful not to brush the palm of your hand against it while typing, as I did on occasion, sending the cursor to all kinds of unwanted places.
For everyday usage, connectivity is good. It’s a thin laptop, and thin laptops typically mean as few ports as possible, but you’ll still find a HDMI, two USB Type-A 5Gbps ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, nano-SIM card slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack. You may still need to invest in any of the best laptop docking stations, although there’s plenty of space here to connect key peripherals or hook up a second monitor.
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HP EliteBook 845 G11: Performance
I tested this laptop for normal business use - the type the HP EliteBook 845 G11 is built for, straight out of the box. Running plenty of Google Docs and Sheets, jumping into the odd meeting, light photo editing, opening more tabs than necessary open in the web browser. And, of course, in time honored tradition, writing this review on the laptop. Equipped with all that RAM, the EliteBook breezed through all these tasks in almost total silence.
I can’t say it’s the best laptop for photo editing. If you’re a pro, a dedicated content creation station like the MacBook Pro will serve you better - not least because the screen’s brightness and 100% sRGB color space coverage leaves something to be desired in a professional design setting. But for undemanding Photoshop work, social media imagery, lower resolution video editing for your website, HP’s machine capably serves its purpose.
Battery life was ok - I got around 6-7 hours of use, getting through most of the day before I needed to charge up. And that was under standard operation - mostly Google Docs and content management systems. That’s pretty standard for a laptop like this, which has to balance heavy batteries with portability, but I would’ve liked to see it last a bit longer.
As mentioned, the laptop did run warm after a lot of use, even more so than the Lenovo T14s. This was the only real issue I found, and an expected one at that for a powerful business laptop like this. Otherwise, for productivity and performance, the EliteBook 845 G11 shines.
(Image credit: HP)
HP EliteBook 845 G11: Final verdict
There’s a lot to like about the HP EliteBook 845 G11, and not much to dislike here. It’s well-built, well-designed machine that easily handled all the tasks I threw at it. I also found the keyboard very comfortable to use even over long periods - and while it’s not quite up to ThinkPad standards in this department, in almost every other way, the EliteBook gives Lenovo’s business line-up a serious run for its money.
The screen may be a deal-breaker for some - with its average 300nits brightness and low color space coverage, it’s not going to suit those who need to do more than basic image editing and creating online assets. But with plenty of RAM and a powerful CPU, my whole experience using this as a day-to-day business laptop was seamless and silent. At times, it did get hot around the underside and palm rests, but not to the point where the laptop became unusable or too uncomfortable. Elsewhere, though, this is a very well-built machine that, though not a rugged device with an assortment of IP and MIL-STD ratings, feels reliable and robust.
(Image credit: HP)
Should I buy the HP EliteBook 845 G11?
Buy it if…
You want a reliable device for business
The HP EliteBook 845 G11 is built for business, with the specs to prove it. For processor-intensive work that requires plenty of RAM for a seamless experience, this laptop delivers.
You want a robust laptop
It may not be a true rugged laptop, but with an all-metal chassis, this EliteBook feels good in the hand and ready to tackle the fiercest of commutes.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re on a budget
The EliteBook 845 G11 has a large price-tag with specs to suit - if you’re on a budget or simply don’t need this sort of power, HP’s offering may not be the best choice.
You want the best keyboard on a laptop
It’s subjective, of course, and there’s nothing wrong with the EliteBook’s layout and design - but as a professional writer, I still gravitate towards ThinkPads when it comes to the best typing experience on a business laptop.
When I was sent the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4, I thought it would be the easiest review in the world.
A few months prior, I’d bought the exact same model, with more or less the same specs, for personal use. At the time, I was looking for one of the best business laptops I could find. Fast, reliable, capable of running all the usual Office apps and browsers and nothing too strenuous. A key requirement was a comfortable keyboard for typing. It was probably the best money I ever spent on a device. So, being very familiar with the performance of the T14s, I thought I could draw on my months-long experience and spend the rest of the time playing Mario Kart. Then I cracked open the lid of the new laptop - and fell in love all over again. I can’t stay away from this ThinkPad. I admire its purity.
The model reviewed here is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7840U with Radeon 780M Graphics, 32GB RAM, and 512GB storage. However, unlike older ThinkPads, it’s worth noting that while you can expand SSD storage, the RAM is soldered to the board and can’t be upgraded, so choose wisely. Ports and connectivity is fair, with a smart card reader, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one of which is used for charging the device), HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack, and a nano-sim slot around the back.
On paper, the T14s may not be the best Lenovo ThinkPad out there. The P14 is superior for graphically intensive use, the X1 Carbon beloved for its ultra-lightweight design, the T480 is widely considered the pick of the bunch. And the Intel version of this model reportedly suffers cooling issues, so opt for the AMD version if you can get it. But this is a beautiful machine in its own right - thin, light, sleek, its all-black chassis accented with Lenovo red across the trackpad and trackpoint. For standard business use - think emails, internet, Microsoft Office, Google Docs - there’s little to beat this light, compact, commuter-friendly machine.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4: Price & availability
The Lenovo T14s is widely available, retailing at around $1000 / £1000 for the base model. Intel T14s tend to be priced higher than AMD models, and again, we stress that if you can, go for AMD, which will help keep the laptop cooler.
With the recent release of the Gen 5 and Snapdragon-powered Gen 6 versions, it should mean you’ll be able to get some good deals here as stores begin to get rid of the older stock.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4: Design & features
Specs
Processor: 13th generation Intel Core i5 - i7 / AMD Ryzen 5 - 7 Pro RAM: Up to 32GB RAM Storage: Up to 2TB SSD Display: 14" WUXGA IPS (1920 x 1200) Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics / AMD Radeon Graphics Ports: 1x smart card reader, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2x Thunderbolt 4 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x nano-sim slot Operating System: Windows 11 Pro Weight: From 1.25 kg (2.76 lbs) Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
Lenovo’s flagship business machine feels good in the hand. This is a sturdy laptop, built from premium-grade materials - magnesium for the keyboard frame, carbon fiber for the top cover - that you’d expect from the S variants in the company’s line-up. If you’re wondering, the S stands for slim, and at 12.50 x 8.93 x 0.65in the T14s is certainly that. The suffix also means these laptops are lighter (this one clocks in at 1.26kg) and more durable than plastic-based counterparts like the T14 and P14. The only real downside in construction is that the T14s is undeniably a finger-print magnet.
In my experience, 14in is the perfect size for a business laptop. A 13in feels too cramped, while 15.6in models tend to be heavier and less easy to transport. Here, the base screen is a 14in 1080p anti-glare IPS panel with 300 nits brightness, in the 16:10 aspect ratio. You can also upgrade to touchscreen versions, a 400 nits lower power display, and a 2.8K OLED version that boasts 400 nits, HDR 500, and 100% DCI-P3 color space coverage. That might be of interest to anyone looking for the best video editing laptop, but it drains the battery a lot faster and you can find better bang for your buck elsewhere if editing is your main concern. Helpfully, the T14s display can also be laid flat, letting you literally share your screen and collaborate with colleagues. Above this, one of my favorite features: a physical camera cover (Lenovo calls it the ThinkShutter) that slides into place.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
The keyboard is the real reason I chose a ThinkPad over rivals like the Dell XPS 15 or Microsoft Surface. I’ve never understood the love these laptops get for their keyboards, which feel light and spongy, with very little key travel. Fine, perhaps, for writing emails or messages on Slack and Teams, though not for any extended writing and editing. The T14s features the same backlit keyboard you’ll find on other modern ThinkPads, well-spaced and slightly curved for greater ergonomics. Yes, at 1.5mm the key travel is shallower than older 1.8mm models, and it is a noticeable downgrade, but it doesn’t detract from the relaxed typing experience compared to similar laptops.
The device was more or less ready to go out of the box, although I had to add the UK keyboard layout in the Windows settings and solve that famous Lenovo quirk: swapping over Fn and Ctrl buttons. Using the Lenovo Vantage app, I headed into Settings > Device > Inputs & accessories. Here, a toggle switch lets you change the function of the Fn and Ctrl keys to mirror most other keyboards.
The ThinkPad’s most famous feature is alive and well in the T14s. The trackpoint, that nippled red circle nestled between the G-H-B keys, acts as an off-hand cursor, so you can keep your fingers on the keys. Once you adjust to the required sensitivity - firm and gentle does the trick, lightly moving with purpose - it becomes a breeze to use. And if you don’t use it, you’ll never notice it’s there. In day-to-day use over months, I’ve never once accidently jostled it when typing.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4: Performance
When it comes to business, my laptop use is the sort replicated in offices across the globe. Chrome, Slack, occasional photo editing, the whole Google G Suite, and a handful of video meetings via Google Meet, Teams, and Zoom. The ThinkPad T14s is tailored to these sorts of tasks, powering through them in near-silence thanks to its CPU and the bountiful RAM. In use, the trackpad is smooth, responsive, with three physical buttons above for additional cursor control. Running basic photo editor tools proved no problem for the laptop, and while best photo editing laptops offer a bit more for the money, this is more than capable of tackling those sorts of tasks as it caters to a broad range of business needs.
Without a decent GPU, the laptop will struggle with triple-A games. But then, you shouldn’t be playing games at work, my friend, where this laptop was chiefly designed for use. And while you shouldn’t have too many issues editing HD videos, that GPU limitation also rules out high-resolution video editing and 3D rendering, where a graphics-led ThinkPad like the P14s will shine.
Battery life was fair but not jaw-dropping. With the screen set to average brightness (I also prefer leaving Night Light on to off-set the harshness of the whites), it lasted around 6 hours. You can extend it by turning off the backlit keyboard or upgrading to the low power display, which in my experience will add an hour or so before you need to recharge. At least the batteries are replaceable. After extended use, I did find the laptop can run warm. With exhaust ports to the right and underneath, you’ll certainly feel the warmth when using a mouse or on the lap.
Overall, the performance is excellent for its use-case. Fast with no frustrating lags and slow-downs - even when opening multiple tabs in the memory-hogging Chrome (admittedly, your mileage may vary on this one).
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Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4: Final verdict
I enjoyed my time with the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s - just as much this time around as the first time I cracked open the lid of one. When it came to taking one laptop with me while working away from home, confronted with the choice of the T14s, HP EliteBook 845 G11, and the 13in Microsoft Surface Laptop, it was Lenovo’s machine I reached for every time. It felt like a natural fit for working on the go, but then again, it was my literal Editor’s Choice just a few months before.
Throughout this review, I’ve been calling the T14s a business machine - and it’s certainly built for the job. But I’ve found this is just as suitable for regular home use (as in my case), as a future-proofed student laptop to last throughout school or college, and as a laptop for programming thanks to those hardy specs and glorious keyboard that will make coding on the go a breeze. Robustly constructed, the device feels like it should last a long time, too.
The lack of upgradeability - a defining factor in the popularity of ThinkPads past - may limit the appeal of the T14s, but for most, the soldered RAM and performance-driven processor will be more than enough to power users through the working day.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
Should I buy the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s?
Buy it if…
You want a fast, reliable business laptop
Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and equipped with a base 32GB RAM, the T14s breezes through office tasks and light photo editing and video editing.
You want one of the best keyboard experiences on a modern laptop
Keyboards can be hit and miss, but a comfortable, ergonomic typing experience is essential on a business or student laptop - on that score, the ThinkPad still reigns supreme.
Don’t buy it if…
You use CAD software
While the T14s specs are respectable, the laptop lacks a GPU sufficient for 3D computer-aided design or high-resolution video editing.
You want limitless upgrade options
Like many modern ThinkPads, the T14s shies away from total upgradeability. You can boost the SSD, for example, but not the RAM. For more upgrade options, try older models like the T480s.
Lenovo's ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4 is an excellent choice for small business owners and professionals seeking an affordable, versatile laptop.
While it doesn't boast the brightest display or the latest Wi-Fi tech found on some of the best business laptops, it makes up for its robust performance, excellent keyboard, and well-rounded features.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo has been a reliable choice for professional computers for many years. They offer several outstanding product lines, with the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops tailored for the skilled workforce. The ThinkBook, on the other hand, is designed for the prosumer-level, effectively bridging the gap between professional and casual use. These laptops are ideal for freelancers, contractors, and professionals working in various settings.
The ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4 is no different. I am quickly falling in love with the 14-inch laptop size. My workhorse is still the M2 MacBook Pro 13-inch. I love it, but it feels small when I need a lot of screen actual state on the go. The 14-inch form factor, even in a standard screen resolution, is a fantastic size for portability and can still get real work done without compromising or needing an external monitor to see anything.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4: Unboxing & first impressions
The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4 comes in simple packaging for its professional target audience. When I unboxed it, I first noticed its two-tone Luna Gray aluminum chassis, which gives it a sleek and modern look.
The device feels sturdy and well-built, and the hinge supports smooth transitions between laptop and tablet modes. I will not damage the hinge easily when switching between modes, and primary use doesn't cause a lot of wear and tear. As mentioned, I love the size of the laptop. It feels robust without feeling bulky, minimalist, and accessible without feeling frail or limited.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4: Design and Build Quality
Specs
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 155U RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB SSD NVMe Display: 14" WUXGA IPS touchscreen (1920 x 1200) Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics Ports: 2 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C, 1 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x HDMI, microSD slot, headphone/mic jack Operating System: Windows 11 Pro Weight: 3.61 pounds Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
The ThinkBook 14 G4 sports a durable aluminum chassis with a slightly heavier build than other portable laptops, coming in at 3.61 pounds. Its compact dimensions (0.66 x 12.3 x 8.8 inches) make it a practical choice for on-the-go professionals. It's easy for me to throw in even my smaller backpacks, and I barely notice it once I throw them on my back. The 360-degree hinge is robust, allowing for flexible usage modes. The display is framed by slim bezels on three sides, giving it a modern look, though the bottom bezel is slightly thicker.
Overall, the design of this laptop will age well since it's sleek and modern yet not overly trendy. In addition to aging well, I have found more uses where this 2-in-1 design is handy than I thought I would. Of course, this works just fine as a standard laptop. In addition, though, I have found it to be a great tool to mark up documents on, even in portrait orientation; I have found myself keeping the laptop open but bending the keyboard back and under while plugging into my monitor so that I have a secondary display essentially popped right up and easy to use. This is a way that I never thought I'd want to try, but then, after attempting it, I get the best of both worlds; I still get to use my monitor, and now I get a highly intelligent screen added that doesn't cost any extra nor does it take up space and clutter my minimalist desk space.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4: In use
Performance-wise, the ThinkBook 14 G4 handles everyday tasks, from browsing to running productivity apps. The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, paired with 16GB of RAM, ensures smooth multitasking. The keyboard is one of the standout features, offering a responsive and comfortable typing experience, further enhanced by its thoughtful layout. The trackpad, while not the largest, is sufficient and responsive.
For anything beyond mostly word processing or administrative tasks, I suggest bumping to at least these 16GB of RAM, especially on Intel chips. That seems to help things run smoother for longer. However, if you are looking for a cheap option and you don't think of yourself as running more than one thing at a time, nor are you going to be doing any heavy work on the machine, 8GB will be just fine for those like this that are a bit more casual with their work computer needs.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4: Final verdict
The Lenovo ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 G4 may differ from the flashiest or lightest convertible. Still, it delivers where it counts—reliable performance, excellent build quality, and a versatile design at a price that makes it accessible for small businesses and professionals. While it could benefit from a brighter display and newer Wi-Fi standards, these are minor trade-offs for what is otherwise a solid and dependable work companion.
Altogether, I have enjoyed using this computer. It's quick, a great size, does what I need it to do, Is powerful enough to handle the vast majority of tasks quickly, has excellent ports, looks sharp, and is at a fantastic price for the specs.
Featuring a Nvidia RTX 4050, 4060 or 4070 GPU and a large 16-inch, 165Hz display, the Legion 5i is built to push your gaming experience to the next level. The laptop is also very capable for daily productivity use and blends in at the office or Uni once you turn off the eye-catching RGB lighting. At 32 x 26 x 2.5 cm (0.99 x 14.16 x 10.33 inches) and weighing 2.3kg (5.1lbs), the 5i just makes it into the range of what I would consider as realistically portable, meaning that it slots into a larger backpack or laptop bag without too much fuss.
At the time of writing, the three Legion 5i GPU variants (4050, 4060 and 4070) are sold with the Core i7-14650HX or i9-14900HX CPUs, up to 32GB of RAM, and a 512GB or 1TB SSD. All three video cards use the full 140W power profile. The 5600MHz DDR5 RAM can be upgraded (the 5i supports 64GB) and is typically (but not always) installed as two DIMMs to give dual-channel performance. The 16-inch display has a 165Hz refresh rate and supports G-Sync, has a 2560 x 1600 resolution, a decent 350-nit brightness and displays an excellent 100% of the sRGB color gamut. There’s also a harder-to-buy 500 nits, 240Hz version of the display available in some regions.
Ports include a single HDMI 2.1 connection, one 10Gbps USB-C port with 140W power delivery and DisplayPort 1.4, a 10Gbps USB-C port with just DisplayPort, 3x USB-A 5Gbps ports (one with always-on power), Gigabit Ethernet, an SD card reader and a 3.5mm headset jack.
Lenovo has put a lot of work into the cooling system in the Legion laptops, and the lessons learnt on the high-end machines are replicated even on the affordable models. The result is one of the best-performing RTX 4070 gaming laptops I've tested – it even bests last year's RTX 4070 Legion 5 Pro in gaming results by up to 7%, and is quieter while doing so. This means the 5i can happily run all but the most demanding games over 100fps at the screen's native resolution without dropping quality too far, or push towards the full 165Hz refresh rate the screen is capable of at 1080p. The Legion 5i is also a very capable work machine, and thanks to the inclusion of 140W USB-C you can get near full productivity performance without having to lug the huge Lenovo power brick around. The 80Wh battery doesn’t give much time unplugged though and, even in efficiency mode, I struggled to get four hours of work done, or reach five hours of video playback.
The Legion 5i gives comprehensive yet easy-to-use control over fan speeds and performance modes – including overclocking. The keyboard and trackpad are both excellent, and the RGB lighting modes are fun but also easily customized. The 1080p webcam is reasonable but doesn’t do facial recognition, and there’s no fingerprint reader either, so logging in feels very dated. The speakers are pretty good (but could be louder) and the overall build quality of the 5i is quite nice, despite the chassis being partially built with plastic rather than metal.
While the Legion 5i hardware is top notch, evaluating the value proposition is made more complex by Lenovo’s choice to use constantly shifting pricing and large rolling discounts across different configurations. Lenovo also doesn’t stock all variants, and many are only available from third-party sellers. I certainly wouldn’t be paying the full list price for the Legion 5i, and I suggest waiting for a (frequent) sale before purchasing.
The Legion 5i display can fold through 180º to lay flat (Image credit: Future)
Lenovo Legion 5i: Price & availability
How much does it cost? Starting from $1,789.99 / £1,614.99 / AU$3,099
When is it available? It's available now
Where can you get it? You can get it in the US, UK, and Australia
At the full list price, the Lenovo Legion 5i doesn’t offer standout value, but at the various Lenovo (and third-party retailer) sale prices, it can be a great buy. Generally speaking, I find the best discounts are often direct from Lenovo, but of course it’s always worth checking your favorite retailer too.
Below is a table of the list pricing for the Legion 5i variants sold directly from Lenovo.
Value score: 4 / 5
Lenovo Legion 5i: Specs
Availability varies depending on location, but overall the Legion 5i has a large number of configurations available, although you’ll be hard-pressed to find them all directly from Lenovo. The Lenovo Product Specification Reference is a handy tool to check what variants are available for the Legion 5i.
In the US and UK, the most powerful 5i models include an i9-14900HX CPU, a RTX 4070 GPU, 32GB of RAM and the 500-nit, 240Hz display. While the same model is listed for Australia, at the time of writing it’s not actually available for sale anywhere.
Below is the specs list for the Legion 5i models available direct from Lenovo.
Specs score: 4 / 5
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The left side ports include USB-A, dual USB-C and 3.5mm audio (Image credit: Future)
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The right hand side of the laptop features dual USB-A, a microSD card reader, the webcam e-shutter switch and the Gigabit LAN port (Image credit: Future)
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The display backing is made from aluminium (Image credit: Future)
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The webcam is decent but does not support Windows Hello (Image credit: Future)
Lenovo Legion 5i: Design
Well-balanced hardware
Customizable lighting
Fold-flat display
The Legion 5i is a large laptop, but thanks to relatively slim screen bezels and a fairly smart design, it’s still what I would consider portable enough to be carried on the go everyday. That’s helped by Lenovo’s decision to include 100W USB-C PD charging, so you can leave the big power brick at home if you’re not going to indulge in gaming. (Note that the 5i supports 140W over USB-C with a special Lenovo charger – but more on that below)
The Legion 5i stands out with a display that can fold through 180º to lay flat. I love this design for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it means you can toggle the display upside down and share it with someone sitting across from you. Secondly, it makes it easy to use the laptop in your own unique way. For example, with the Legion 5i plugged into a second screen or dock, and using a keyboard and mouse, I liked to open the screen fully, and place the laptop in a vertical stand. That way the laptop screen is raised to the right level to be placed next to a second screen, plus it leaves the vents unobstructed and takes up very little desk space.
The Legion 5i includes a MUX switch for Advanced Optimus graphics switching. This means the laptop can optimize graphics performance and power use automatically based on need, without needing to restart when switching modes. This is a feature not seen on all mid-range gaming laptops, so it’s a great inclusion from Lenovo.
The Legion 5i includes a swappable vent cover (Image credit: Future)
The laptop display shell is made of aluminum, but the Legion 5i opts for plastic on the main chassis to save weight. This is a good choice overall, and the stiff plastic used doesn’t make the laptop feel any less capable of handling bumps or drops. The laptop is equipped with the Legion TrueStrike keyboard (full-sized, with numpad), that’s pleasant to type on thanks to the 1.5mm key travel and lack of bounce. The keyboard has customizable RGB 4-zone backlighting that can be used to add some bling, or toned down to muted colors (or white) if trying to blend in at the office or university.
The Legion 5i has most of the design elements I value in a gaming laptop, such as user-upgradeable RAM and storage. Port selection is also good, with dual USB-C that includes DisplayPort output on both, and USB-C charging on one. At 10Gbps, the data rate is a bit lower than I would like – in comparison the Gen 8 Legion 5i had 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4. You also get three decently fast 5Gbps USB-A ports, one of which has another feature I love – always-on charging, so you can use the laptop to top up the battery on other devices even when it’s off. It’s also nice to see HDMI 2.1 support (up to 8K), as well as Ethernet, a card reader and a 3.5mm headset jack. The ports are well located around the laptop, with plenty of spacing between them ensuring easy access. The HDMI port and USB-C DisplayPort modes are all driven from the Nvidia GPU, rather than the integrated GPU in the CPU.
The choice to include Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2) means the Legion 5i doesn’t have the absolute fastest networking, but is still relatively futureproof in terms of high-speed connectivity. The Legion 5i includes a privacy e-shutter on the webcam, but it’s not capable of facial recognition for fast Windows login. You don’t get a fingerprint reader either, and this means the Legion 5i feels a little behind the times when logging in – especially considering the price point. The 80Wh battery is decently sized but I’d much preferred to have seen a larger 99Wh battery – as is featured in some competitors – to help eke out a little extra time unplugged.
Design score: 4 / 5
The Legion 5i keyboard has 4-zone RGB (plus white) LED lighting (Image credit: Future)
Lenovo Legion 5i: Performance
Excellent gaming results
Cooler and quieter than average
Great CPU performance for workstation use
Lenovo Legion 5i: Benchmarks
Here's how the Lenovo Legion 5i performed in the TechRadar suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Speed Way: 3,098 Port Royal: 7,882; Time Spy Extreme: 6,279; Fire Strike Ultra: 7,201.
1080p video playback battery life: 4 hours and 54 minutes
I’ve tested a wide range of similarly priced laptops that use the RTX 4070 GPU and, generally speaking, for the same GPU thermal design power (TGP) and similar CPU / RAM spec, gaming results don’t vary a huge amount. But subtle differences in how manufacturers configure their CPU and GPU power profiles, as well as other design choices, can lead to consistent differences overall.
The Legion 5i control software includes three ‘modes’ – Quiet, Balanced and Performance – which vary the performance levels, as well as the amount of noise and heat created. You can swap between them with the function keys, and they’re also indicated by the color of the power button. Mode changes can also be automatically triggered by certain applications or games. There's also the option to do limited overclocking via the Lenovo control software.
Overall, the Legion 5i gets excellent results and is one of the top RTX 4070 performers I've tested. It’s also very stable, and I had no glitches or strange behavior from the Lenovo software, or problems running any games, benchmarks or applications. The Legion 5i has well-designed power and fan profiles that can help tame the noise while still giving high frame rates. The 5i also has more than enough cooling capacity to keep the GPU working hard without hitting excessive temperatures, and still have headroom for the CPU.
The RTX 4070 is well-equipped for 2560 x 1600 gaming, and can run most games at very playable frame rates without dropping back the details. For especially demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, set to ultra ray tracing and high texture detail, the Legion 5i manages 54fps, but that can be bumped up to 69fps (with no loss of playability) if DLSS frame generation is turned on. At 1080p with the same settings, the 5i gives 119fps with DLSS on, or around 68fps with it off. Drop back to (still very playable) low ray tracing and detail settings with DLSS on and you can push Cyberpunk 2077 to 158fps – near to the limits of the 165Hz display.
At full pelt the Legion 5i is dumping 160W+ of heat, so it’s not exactly quiet, or cool. Still, the laptop is easily the quietest 16-inch RTX 4070 (140W) model I’ve tested. Importantly the Lenovo engineers have done a great job of cutting out the more annoying higher-pitched noise from the fans, and it sounds closer to a whooshing roar than a vacuum cleaner. It also helps that the noise (and the heat) is directed out the rear, rather than the sides, so isn’t as obvious. That said, you will still want to be using a headset when gaming – especially as the laptop speakers aren’t the loudest.
The Legion 5i does a great job of keeping the heat generated away from the user. The air inlets are located underneath and vented out the rear, so there isn’t a stream of hot air on your hands. At Lenovo Innovate 24, I also got to see first hand how the cooling system is put together, and it has a focus on keeping heat away from areas such as the underside of the keyboard. This is reflected in my testing, where the hottest part is the rear vents and, even after an intense gaming session, the trackpad only peaked at 26ºC / 78.8ºF, the keyboard at 37ºC / 98.6ºF and the underside was 35ºC / 95ºF. Overall this is a great result, and lower than average for this class of laptop.
The Legion 5i software gives control over key settings (Image credit: Future)
The powerful Legion 5i cooling system also means the CPU can work to its full potential – making it a very competent workstation when not gaming, and it’s well suited to heavy workloads such as video editing. As a comparison, the i7-14650HX in the Legion 5i has about 30% higher performance than an Intel Ultra 9 185H in heavy multithreaded loads.
Everyday performance on battery is top notch, and most of the time it feels exactly the same as if plugged in. Performance is reduced under heavy loads (or if gaming) of course, because the CPU and GPU are both limited to 50W each when on battery power. For CPU-heavy tasks I saw up to a 30% drop in performance, while gaming suffers a similar reduction in frame rates compared to being plugged in – and only lasts for 57 minutes before the battery runs out!
The Legion 5i can also be run on or charged from USB-C. Using a normal PD charger, the 5i takes up to 100W (20V/5A) and, to get the full 140W, you need a Lenovo USB-C charger capable of non-PD spec compliant 20V/7A. This means a normal 140W (28V/5A) USB-C charger (or power bank) will only charge the 5i at 100W. None of this is an issue real-world as the Legion 5i gives solid performance on USB-C, and happily uses the full amount of power available. Performance on USB-C is similar to running on battery, though the power profiles prioritize the CPU over the GPU. This means workstation use remains snappy when running on USB-C (such as when plugged into a dock) or if charging from a power bank, but don’t expect to do much more than casual gaming without the main Lenovo PSU.
Performance score: 4.5 / 5
The 230W PSU for the Legion 5i is slim but large overall (Image credit: Future)
Lenovo Legion 5i: Battery life and Charging
4 hours and 1 minute of regular use when unplugged
4 hours and 54 minutes of video playback
57 minutes of gaming
The Lenovo Legion 5i uses an 80Wh battery, which is decent sized but not quite as good as the 99Wh featured in some competing models. And, to be fair, the Legion 5i is a powerful gaming machine, so battery life is not the highest priority.
Still, 4 hours or so of work unplugged (and around 30 minutes longer if just browsing the internet or watching YouTube videos) is enough to be useful, but still not a great result overall. In contrast, other gaming laptops I've tested with similar spec hardware (including more powerful CPUs) give over 8 hours of video playback with a 99Wh battery. Adjusted for the Legion 5i 80Wh battery, I would expect over 7 hours from the Legion 5i.
When comparing online to other battery-life tests, the results vary widely – from similar results to mine, all the way to video playback of well over 8 hours. This suggests the hardware can be efficient, but the drivers and software are not always switching to less power-hungry modes, and it might take time (and a few software updates) to give a consistent experience.
On the plus side, the Legion 5i offers extra-fast charging and, using the AC PSU, it can top up to 30% battery capacity in just 10 minutes or reach 70% in 30 minutes. In my testing the laptop had no trouble achieving this charge rate – though of course it needs the large PSU to make this happen.
The PSU is pretty chunky and weighs almost a kilogram just by itself, so it’s not great to lug around day to day. Fortunately USB-C charging is not much slower and I found the laptop could reach 50% charge in around 30 minutes, and 70% charge in under 50 minutes. The Legion 5i also charges well from a power bank and is reasonably efficient – though you will need a big 27,000mAh (99Wh) power bank to give the laptop a full charge.
Battery Life and Charging score: 3.5 / 5
Should you buy the Lenovo Legion 5i?
Buy it if…
You want excellent gaming performance in a relatively portable package The Legion 5i isn’t exactly tiny, but considering the large 16-inch screen and full performance GPU, it’s still pretty good for carrying every day.
You want CPU performance The i7-14650HX (or mighty i9-14900HX) CPU combined with the Lenovo cooling system gives high-end performance for workstation or creator use.
You want to use it for more than just gaming Excellent USB-C performance and the fold-flat screen mean the Lenovo is also a great option for everything that isn’t gaming.
Don’t buy it if...
You want a very portable gaming option The Legion 5i isn’t too heavy or thick, but if portability is a prime concern, then consider the Lenovo Legion Slim 5. It has a very similar spec but in a slightly thinner, lighter chassis and is also available in a 14-inch model.
You want a more powerful GPU The Legion 5i is available with a RTX 4070 or below. If you want the RTX 4080 or 4090, you need to look at the Legion Pro 7i or Legion 9i laptops.
You want a very affordable laptop The Legion 5i is a great-value machine (when discounted), but it’s still a mid-range model. If you crave affordable RTX 4050 and 4060 focused gaming, check out the Lenovo LOQ series.
Lenovo Legion 5i: Also consider
If my Lenovo Legion 5i review has you considering other options, here are some more gaming laptops to consider:
Asus Zephyrus G16 The G16 has the same 16-inch form factor as the Lenovo Legion, though is a bit slimmer and lighter if portability is more important than maximum performance.
Gigabyte Aorus 16X Another powerful 16-inch gaming laptop that’s sold with either a RTX 4060 or RTX 4070 GPU, and it gave excellent benchmark results in our testing.
Acer Predator Helios 18 Want a bigger screen and more powerful GPU? The Acer Predator Helios 18 is worth a look – while normally very pricey, it can be decent value when discounted.
I used it both on a desk, and put it in a backpack for travel
I used it for gaming, as well as office productivity work and video editing
I ran the Lenovo Legion 5i through the usual comprehensive array of TechRadar benchmarks, as well as using it for actual day-to-day work at a desk and on the go. I used the TechRadar movie test for assessing battery life during video playback, and a range of productivity battery benchmarks to further gauge battery life. I also logged power use in a variety of scenarios, including when charging from USB-C, and tested the laptop with a variety of USB-C chargers and power banks.
The Asus ROG Ally X is the surprise follow-up to the ROG Ally, and is the latest entry in the increasingly-competitive handheld gaming PC market.
Since Valve fired the starting gun on this latest arms race with the excellent Steam Deck, various gaming laptop makers have been keen to release their own handhelds, with the likes of MSI and Zotac releasing, or planning to release, their own takes on the form factor.
Arguably the breakout star of this new breed of device was the original ROG Ally, which was launched in 2023. Less than a year later, Asus surprised us all by releasing a follow-up, the ROG Ally X.
Releasing a new version so soon after the original is an interesting move, and suggests that Asus is following a gaming laptop-like release schedule, upgrading its devices every 12 months or so with the latest components. While this does make some sense – it works for gaming laptops to ensure they maintain a performance edge – it’s also risky, as you might alienate customers who bought your earlier model, and it also means that upgrades deliver less-impressive performance improvements.
While yearly updates are commonplace for laptops, it’s a different story when it comes to handheld PCs and consoles. Since the Steam Deck launched in early 2022 there's only been one new model, the Steam Deck OLED, which launched over a year later and which, outside of a much-improved screen, remained largely unchanged hardware-wise.
Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch, arguably the device that has had the biggest influence on these new handhelds, has also only seen a few small changes to the hardware, apart from the cheaper Switch Lite, and a model with an improved OLED screen. The highly-anticipated Switch 2 has still not been officially announced by Nintendo, seven years after the original launched.
(Image credit: Future)
So, when the ROG Ally X was first announced, many people assumed that this was a brand-new version of the handheld due to the name. The reality, however, is that the Ally X is more of an iterative upgrade, more akin to what we’ve seen from its competitors. So, if you’re new to the Ally ecosystem, you’re getting a handheld with some of the most powerful mobile hardware out there. But, if you own the original ROG Ally, it could be hard to justify buying the new model.
As for what’s changed under the hood, the Ally X comes with a larger 80Whr battery (compared to the 40Whr battery of the original), a doubling of SSD storage to 1TB, and a RAM boost from 16GB to 24GB (and it also gets a speed boost).
There have also been tweaks to the design, with a new black look with rounder edges for a more comfortable feel in hand, more reliable and responsive joysticks, D-Pad and face buttons, improved speakers, and an additional USB Type-C port (making two in total, with the new port supporting USB4).
Along with the larger battery, the ROG Ally X now supports up to 100W charging speeds. This is up from the 65W of the original, and should mean recharging times are similar, if not a bit faster. However, it should be noted that the ROG Ally X comes with the same 65W charger as its predecessor – you’ll need to invest in a faster charger, such as Asus’ ROG 140W GaN Charger, to get the benefit.
These changes come at a cost design-wise, with the thickness increasing by 4.5mm and weight by over 11%. While this doesn’t result in a huge impact on the overall portability of the handheld, it’s worth bearing in mind if you already felt the original Ally was a little unwieldly.
While these changes suggest that the ROG Ally X is a decent step up from the original, two of the most important components that affect performance remain unchanged. You still get the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, and the screen remains a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz affair with 500 nits brightness.
This means that gaming performance – which will be the biggest consideration for most people, especially owners of the original Ally – will remain largely the same, so if you want a generational leap you might want to hold out for the Ally 2, or whatever ROG's next handheld ends up being called. Instead, think of the ROG Ally X as a refinement on an already impressive bit of gaming kit.
When it comes to the price, however, there is a leap, with the ROG Ally X going for $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599. This is more expensive than the original, which launched with a base model that cost $499.99, and a more powerful model with the same Z1 Extreme chip as the Ally X for $699.99.
Not only does the ROG Ally X need to justify the $100 price increase, but Asus is continuing to sell the original ROG Ally models at lower prices, which makes pitching the Ally X to gamers all the more difficult.
Asus ROG Ally X: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The ROG Ally X is now available globally, though in the US and Canada, it's exclusive to the Asus online shop and Best Buy. Unlike the original, of which there were two models, there's only one Ally X model, and it costs $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599.
This is a jump from the $699 / £699 that the high-end version of the original launched at. For a gaming handheld, this is an extremely high price, putting the ROG Ally X in budget gaming laptop territory.
One of the best things about the Steam Deck is that it launched at a very affordable price, with the base model selling for $399 / £349, and even the high-end model going for $649 / £569 – well below the asking price of the ROG Ally X.
Of course, the ROG Ally X has much more impressive specs than the now two-year-old Steam Deck, but the fact that Valve’s handheld launched at a price that no gaming laptop could match (no gaming laptop that’s worth buying, at least), meant it was the best option by far for PC gamers wanting to play their games on the go for an affordable price.
(Image credit: Future)
However, for the price Asus is asking for the ROG Ally X, there are numerous budget gaming laptops that are worth buying – and while they don’t offer the same level of portability, they offer much better gaming performance thanks to more powerful discrete graphics cards.
This puts the ROG Ally X in a bit of a strange position. If you want the most affordable way to play PC games on a portable device, then the Steam Deck remains a solid choice – and even the original ROG Ally now offers better value for money. And, if you just want the best portable gaming system, the best gaming laptops are the way to go.
But if you want a handheld form factor that offers the best game performance, the ROG Ally X could be right up your street.
Value: 3 / 5
Asus ROG Ally X: Specs
Unlike the original Asus ROG Ally, the ROG Ally X only has one specs configuration.
Asus ROG Ally X: Design
New design with improved buttons
Premium look and feel
Comfortable to hold, but big for a handheld
The design of the ROG Ally X might feel familiar, even if you haven’t owned an Ally device before. With a thumb stick either side of the 7-inch screen, along with a D-Pad on the left and four face buttons (matching the Xbox controller) on the right, the ROG Ally X looks a lot like a Nintendo Switch Lite – and in the new black color scheme it resembles the Steam Deck far more than the white original.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing – this is a form factor which has been proven to work well for handheld consoles (one could argue that it can be traced back to Sega’s Game Gear from the 1990s), and the Xbox button layout means any PC game designed with controllers in mind should play well, with no button mapping required.
There are, though, some key differences in the design that make the ROG Ally X stand out. Unlike on the Steam Deck, there are no touchpads on each side of the screen. On the Steam Deck, these are designed to simulate mouse control for games, although outside of a few point-and-click games I rarely used them when playing, so the fact that the ROG Ally X doesn’t come with them is no big loss. If you prefer playing with a mouse and keyboard you can use the ROG Ally X in dock mode by connecting it up to a USB-C hub, or go with a gaming laptop or desktop PC.
Another more unique design element is the inclusion of RGB lighting around both thumb sticks – which can be customized through the ROG Armoury Crate software –and the lights can be synched to other Asus products. It gives the ROG Ally X a premium look, and as we all know, gamers love RGB lighting. One thing I did notice, however, was that sometimes when charging the device the lights would pulse, which can be a bit distracting.
As well as the more noticeable design changes compared to the earlier model, there are some more subtle changes as well. There’s an additional USB-C port, which supports USB4 speeds, and the thumbsticks and D-Pad have been improved. There’s more resistance to the thumbsticks, which helps give you a feeling of greater control, and the buttons on the back of the device have been made smaller to reduce accidental presses. This is a welcome change, as I found when using the Steam Deck that I’d often hit those buttons by mistake. The body of the ROG Ally X has also been given more rounded corners and edges, which makes it more comfortable to hold.
(Image credit: Future)
There are four buttons for launching software and menus, a microSD slot for expanding storage (which is nice to have, but arguably less important thanks to the SSD storage being doubled to a roomy 1TB), an audio jack, and a power button with a built-in fingerprint scanner. This last feature is one of my favorite things, as it lets you log in with just a touch of the button, and it's something the Steam Deck lacks. On the Steam Deck, you have to log in using the onscreen keyboard, and once you've logged in there’s no additional security step required when waking the device. While this is more convenient than having to log in with a password every time you pick up the Steam Deck, it’s also a security risk if it gets stolen or lost. The fingerprint scanner of the Ally X is a nice solution to those issues.
(Image credit: Future)
Overall, the design of the ROG Ally X isn’t revolutionary, but it is a refinement. It takes a popular-for-a-reason handheld form factor and makes improvements in almost every aspect, except for size and weight. Anyone who's… er… switching from a Switch, with its dimensions of 9.41 x 4.02 x 0.55 inches / 239 x 102mm x 14mm and a weight of 0.93lbs / 422g, might be shocked picking up the ROG Ally X with its dimensions of 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.97 inches / 280.2 x 114 x 37mm, and weight of 1.5lbs / 678g.
It’s also bigger and heavier than the original ROG Ally, and around the same size and weight as the original Steam Deck.
3DMark Port Royal: 1,685; Fire Strike: 7,680; Time Spy: 3,336 GeekBench 6.3: 2,544 (single-core); 11,255 (multi-core)
25GB File Copy: 19.1 seconds F1 231080p (Ultra) 7fps Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p (Ultra) 4.94fps Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 8:19:08 hours PCMark 10 Battery Life (Gaming): 3:04 hours
Hardware-wise, there’s little to fault with the ROG Ally X. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip is the same one that's found in the high-end model of the original Ally X (as well as its competitor the Lenovo Legion).
The chip has been designed by AMD, a company with a long history of making gaming components for both PCs and consoles, especially for handheld gaming PCs, and features an 8-core, 16-thread CPU with a base clock of 3.3 GHz and a boost of 5.1 GHz, as well as a 12-core RDNA 3 GPU. Technical jargon aside, this is a very capable gaming device that puts the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch to shame when it comes to sheer firepower.
The chip also allows the ROG Ally X to make use of some handy AMD features such as AMD Radeon Super Resolution, which upscales graphics for improved performance, and AMD Radeon Boost, which adjusts the resolution in supported games on the fly to keep performance fast and consistent.
(Image credit: Future)
The ROG Ally X also offers a range of power settings, called ‘Operating Mode’, which you can quickly switch to depending on what you’re playing. Silent mode lowers the performance of the handheld, which prolongs battery life and means the fans don’t kick in quite so much – making it an ideal mode for when you're playing less demanding indie games while out and about – and Performance mode balances performance and efficiency for smoother gameplay, but at the expense of battery life.
There’s also Turbo mode, which prioritizes performance. This is the setting you’ll want if you’re playing graphically-intensive games and want the highest possible frame rates. This will mean the battery gets depleted much more quickly, but if you play with the Ally X plugged in you get an additional performance bump. The ROG Ally X automatically switches to Turbo mode when you plug it in, which is a nice touch.
Gaming performance is very good, as long as you keep your expectations in check. With graphical settings on high, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut ran at a solid 30fps with default settings. Considering that this is a large open-world game with great visuals, I was very impressed, though this was with the Ally X plugged in and using Turbo mode. I tweaked some settings, including adding frame generation and setting adaptive resolution to target 60fps, and I found that while the game would run mostly at 60fps the frame rates were a lot less stable, with some noticeable drops. Graphics quality was also drastically lowered (due to the Ally X attempting to hit the higher frame rate), with distracting visual artifacts being added, especially during fast-moving scenes and with fog and cloud effects.
At 30fps the game is playable and fun – and while it’s a noticeable step down from how I play it on my usual gaming PC at 4K resolution and 120Hz, it’s certainly impressive that you’re able to play the game on a handheld device. After adjusting to playing at the lower frame rate, I was able to successfully fight off hordes of Mongols – considering how Ghost of Tsushima’s combat requires careful timing for parries and blocking, the frame rate compromise doesn’t impact too much on the playability of the game.
(Image credit: Future)
Playing less demanding indie games such as Balatro (a current obsession), is a joy, while the Hades 2 beta looks and plays brilliantly.
For extremely demanding games, however, the ROG Ally X is still going to struggle. Cyberpunk 2077 at the highest settings can only manage single-digit frames per seconds scores, so you’ll need to do some serious tweaking to the graphics settings to bump up the frame rates. While the 1080p 120Hz, screen looks lovely, there aren’t many modern AAA games that’ll take advantage of it, though older games should be able to go beyond 60fps at full HD resolution.
As the ROG Ally X is a gaming PC at heart, it does mean you can tweak graphical settings to get better performance; this is something PC gamers are used to, but console gamers may feel less comfortable with. It's well worth doing, however, as the results can be impressive. At default settings, Cyberpunk 2077 hits around eight to nine fps, making it unplayable. However, by turning down the graphics settings and enabling AMD FSR 2.1 upscaling on Performance mode, I was able to get it running at 60fps on the Ally X (while plugged in). This is very impressive, as while the graphics take a big hit quality-wise, you're still playing a complex and large game on a handheld. For gamers who grew up with the Gameboy, this is an excellent example of how technology has evolved over the years.
While the hardware side of things is hard to fault, software-wise there are some more annoying niggles – although a lot of this isn’t down to Asus. While I’m not a huge fan of its Armory Crate software on its gaming laptops, it does a decent job of providing a handheld-friendly interface for launching games, and the ability to change the aforementioned performance modes on the fly is very useful – as is the information overlay that can be enabled to show you frame rates, component temperatures and more. You can move the overlay by dragging and dropping it with your finger so that it doesn’t obscure important UI features in a game, which is a nice touch.
System updates are applied through Armory Crate, which does simplify things, but it’s not as easy as updating the Switch or Steam Deck. Those devices let you know when there’s an update available, and you download and install the update and you’re done. With the Ally X you need to install several smaller updates rather than one larger one, with some needing to be installed one at time, and some requiring the handheld to be restarted. I was also prompted to install a BIOS update, which might alarm console-first gamers, though PC gamers will be more accustomed to this way of doing things.
Like the original ROG Ally and most of its competitors – bar the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch – the ROG Ally X runs on Windows 11, and this brings mixed results.
To put it bluntly: Windows 11 is an operating system designed for desktop PCs and laptops, and it remains poorly suited to gaming handhelds. While Asus has tried to mitigate this by having the full-screen Armoury Crate software load when Windows 11 starts, there are many instances where you have to grapple with Windows 11’s interface (such as having to dismiss pop-ups and error messages), and this can be tricky when using the 7-inch touchscreen of the ROG Ally X – you end up trying to jab small buttons in frustration.
Sometimes Windows 11 encounters issues that cause a game to crash, and waking up the ROG Ally X is a frustrating lottery – sometimes your game resumes right where you were, as is the case with the Switch and Steam Deck, but other times you’re dropped onto the Windows 11 desktop. You should be able to get back into the game by tapping the taskbar, expanding it and tapping on the (far too small) icon of the running game, but it’s fiddly, and detracts from the easy and convenient console-like experience Asus is going for.
(Image credit: Future)
To be fair, these are issues that are due to Windows 11 being unsuitable for a handheld, and there’s not much Asus can do about that – and these are problems that affect other Windows-based gaming handhelds. However, it does go to show how wise Valve was when creating the Steam Deck to create its own Linux-based operating system, SteamOS, which has been designed specifically for the handheld. This has delivered a much more satisfying user experience, and thanks to the Proton tool, Windows-only games are able to run on Linux without any noticeable impact on performance. If Asus created its own Linux distro specifically for the ROG Ally X, the overall user experience of the handheld could be greatly improved.
Using Windows 11 does have its benefits, however. For a start, it means that all games – and applications – you run on the ROG Ally X can run natively, rather than using a compatibility layer like Proton, so any performance impact, no matter how minor, is avoided.
It gives you a far greater degree of flexibility as well, especially if you use the ROG Ally X with a USB dock, as it effectively turns the handheld into a full Windows 11 desktop PC. While you can also do this with the Steam Deck, Linux has a steeper learning curve, and not every app is available for the open-source operating system.
The ROG Ally X also supports games from every major game store – unlike the Steam Deck, which limits you to playing games bought on Steam. While Steam is by far the most-used game store on PC, which means you’ll likely be launching Steam games on the ROG Ally X regularly, it’s also great to be able to run games from the Epic Games Store, GOG, and more without having to resort to installing third-party tools. If you have a wide selection of the best PC games across numerous libraries, not just Steam, then the ROG Ally X is definitely worth considering, and that flexibility makes a lot of the Windows 11 annoyances worth putting up with.
Overall, the ROG Ally X offers impressive gaming performance thanks to cutting-edge mobile components, but you’re always going to hit a wall when using an integrated GPU rather than having a dedicated graphics card, and that means you won’t get the same level of performance you’d get from a gaming laptop or desktop PC at this price – but that’s the trade-off for the portable handheld form factor.
Windows 11 continues to be a pain for handhelds, but Asus has tried its best to get around a lot of the issues with its Armory Crate software, and while it means you get a sometimes wonky experience that doesn’t feel as consistent what you'll get on the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, the ability to play games from pretty much any store, rather than being tied to one, will be a big plus.
If Microsoft ever does release a version of Windows that’s optimized for handheld PCs (maybe alongside the much-rumored handheld Xbox), then the Ally X will be a much more enjoyable device to use.
Performance: 3.5 / 5
Asus ROG Ally X: Battery life
Improved battery life
Good for around three hours of intensive gaming
Because of their small form factor, gaming handhelds like the ROG Ally X will never offer exceptional battery life, especially when playing demanding games, but the increased size of the battery (80Whr vs 40Whr of the originally Ally) is certainly welcome.
In my day-to-day gaming with the Ally X I was pleased with how long the battery lasted. Admittedly, a lot of my time was spent playing the rather undemanding Balatro, but I did also complete a few missions in Ghost of Tsushima. Unlike my trusty, yet aging, Steam Deck, I was able to play for hours on end without being warned of a low battery. It might be due to its age, but my Steam Deck seems to need charging every time I pick it up.
(Image credit: Future)
In our battery-life benchmark tests, the ROG Ally X lasted over eight hours with the Battery Informant web-browsing test, and while that’s certainly impressive, you’re not going to be doing much web browsing on this handheld. The far more representative PC Mark 10 gaming benchmark resulted in the battery lasting just over three hours, which is the closer to the kind of battery life you’ll experience when using the Ally X for the main task it was designed for: gaming. I found that between three to five hours of solid gaming is a realistic expectation, depending on the games you play.
This may be a disappointment for console gamers, but for anyone who's used a gaming laptop in the past, this won’t be too surprising. Playing games uses a lot of energy, and that means batteries can get depleted quickly.
Battery Life: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Asus ROG Ally X?
Buy the Asus ROG Ally X if...
Don't buy it if...
Also consider
Lenovo Legion Go The Lenovo Legion Go comes with the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip as the ROG Ally X and a larger, higher-resolution and faster 8.8-inch screen, and costs quite a bit less. It doesn't offer the same amount of RAM or SSD storage space, however.
Asus ROG Ally The original ROG Ally remains on sale, and has had a price cut now that the Ally X is out, making it a good-value option if you like what you see here, but can't afford the high price tag. The base model features the less powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 chip, which still offers good performance for indie games, and there's a more expensive model with the Z1 Extreme.
I played various games on the ROG Ally X every day for several weeks before writing this review. The games ranged from lightweight indies like Balatro, to more visually-intensive games like Hades 2, and AAA games like Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut and Cyberpunk 2077.
I also ran various benchmark tests to stress the hardware, including game benchmarks with the highest graphical settings and upscaling tech disabled. When gaming, I tweaked the graphics settings and enabled upscaling to get the best possible performance – this often meant dropping the graphics to their lowest settings. So, while the benchmarks might seem very low in some of the results, it doesn't mean you can't get a good gaming experience.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, giving attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained, regardless of when a device was released – if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.
The Asus ROG Ally X is the surprise follow-up to the ROG Ally, and is the latest entry in the increasingly-competitive handheld gaming PC market.
Since Valve fired the starting gun on this latest arms race with the excellent Steam Deck, various gaming laptop makers have been keen to release their own handhelds, with the likes of MSI and Zotac releasing, or planning to release, their own takes on the form factor.
Arguably the breakout star of this new breed of device was the original ROG Ally, which was launched in 2023. Less than a year later, Asus surprised us all by releasing a follow-up, the ROG Ally X.
Releasing a new version so soon after the original is an interesting move, and suggests that Asus is following a gaming laptop-like release schedule, upgrading its devices every 12 months or so with the latest components. While this does make some sense – it works for gaming laptops to ensure they maintain a performance edge – it’s also risky, as you might alienate customers who bought your earlier model, and it also means that upgrades deliver less-impressive performance improvements.
While yearly updates are commonplace for laptops, it’s a different story when it comes to handheld PCs and consoles. Since the Steam Deck launched in early 2022 there's only been one new model, the Steam Deck OLED, which launched over a year later and which, outside of a much-improved screen, remained largely unchanged hardware-wise.
Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch, arguably the device that has had the biggest influence on these new handhelds, has also only seen a few small changes to the hardware, apart from the cheaper Switch Lite, and a model with an improved OLED screen. The highly-anticipated Switch 2 has still not been officially announced by Nintendo, seven years after the original launched.
(Image credit: Future)
So, when the ROG Ally X was first announced, many people assumed that this was a brand-new version of the handheld due to the name. The reality, however, is that the Ally X is more of an iterative upgrade, more akin to what we’ve seen from its competitors. So, if you’re new to the Ally ecosystem, you’re getting a handheld with some of the most powerful mobile hardware out there. But, if you own the original ROG Ally, it could be hard to justify buying the new model.
As for what’s changed under the hood, the Ally X comes with a larger 80Whr battery (compared to the 40Whr battery of the original), a doubling of SSD storage to 1TB, and a RAM boost from 16GB to 24GB (and it also gets a speed boost).
There have also been tweaks to the design, with a new black look with rounder edges for a more comfortable feel in hand, more reliable and responsive joysticks, D-Pad and face buttons, improved speakers, and an additional USB Type-C port (making two in total, with the new port supporting USB4).
Along with the larger battery, the ROG Ally X now supports up to 100W charging speeds. This is up from the 65W of the original, and should mean recharging times are similar, if not a bit faster. However, it should be noted that the ROG Ally X comes with the same 65W charger as its predecessor – you’ll need to invest in a faster charger, such as Asus’ ROG 140W GaN Charger, to get the benefit.
These changes come at a cost design-wise, with the thickness increasing by 4.5mm and weight by over 11%. While this doesn’t result in a huge impact on the overall portability of the handheld, it’s worth bearing in mind if you already felt the original Ally was a little unwieldly.
While these changes suggest that the ROG Ally X is a decent step up from the original, two of the most important components that affect performance remain unchanged. You still get the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, and the screen remains a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz affair with 500 nits brightness.
This means that gaming performance – which will be the biggest consideration for most people, especially owners of the original Ally – will remain largely the same, so if you want a generational leap you might want to hold out for the Ally 2, or whatever ROG's next handheld ends up being called. Instead, think of the ROG Ally X as a refinement on an already impressive bit of gaming kit.
When it comes to the price, however, there is a leap, with the ROG Ally X going for $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599. This is more expensive than the original, which launched with a base model that cost $499.99, and a more powerful model with the same Z1 Extreme chip as the Ally X for $699.99.
Not only does the ROG Ally X need to justify the $100 price increase, but Asus is continuing to sell the original ROG Ally models at lower prices, which makes pitching the Ally X to gamers all the more difficult.
Asus ROG Ally X: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The ROG Ally X is now available globally, though in the US and Canada, it's exclusive to the Asus online shop and Best Buy. Unlike the original, of which there were two models, there's only one Ally X model, and it costs $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599.
This is a jump from the $699 / £699 that the high-end version of the original launched at. For a gaming handheld, this is an extremely high price, putting the ROG Ally X in budget gaming laptop territory.
One of the best things about the Steam Deck is that it launched at a very affordable price, with the base model selling for $399 / £349, and even the high-end model going for $649 / £569 – well below the asking price of the ROG Ally X.
Of course, the ROG Ally X has much more impressive specs than the now two-year-old Steam Deck, but the fact that Valve’s handheld launched at a price that no gaming laptop could match (no gaming laptop that’s worth buying, at least), meant it was the best option by far for PC gamers wanting to play their games on the go for an affordable price.
(Image credit: Future)
However, for the price Asus is asking for the ROG Ally X, there are numerous budget gaming laptops that are worth buying – and while they don’t offer the same level of portability, they offer much better gaming performance thanks to more powerful discrete graphics cards.
This puts the ROG Ally X in a bit of a strange position. If you want the most affordable way to play PC games on a portable device, then the Steam Deck remains a solid choice – and even the original ROG Ally now offers better value for money. And, if you just want the best portable gaming system, the best gaming laptops are the way to go.
But if you want a handheld form factor that offers the best game performance, the ROG Ally X could be right up your street.
Value: 3 / 5
Asus ROG Ally X: Specs
Unlike the original Asus ROG Ally, the ROG Ally X only has one specs configuration.
Asus ROG Ally X: Design
New design with improved buttons
Premium look and feel
Comfortable to hold, but big for a handheld
The design of the ROG Ally X might feel familiar, even if you haven’t owned an Ally device before. With a thumb stick either side of the 7-inch screen, along with a D-Pad on the left and four face buttons (matching the Xbox controller) on the right, the ROG Ally X looks a lot like a Nintendo Switch Lite – and in the new black color scheme it resembles the Steam Deck far more than the white original.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing – this is a form factor which has been proven to work well for handheld consoles (one could argue that it can be traced back to Sega’s Game Gear from the 1990s), and the Xbox button layout means any PC game designed with controllers in mind should play well, with no button mapping required.
There are, though, some key differences in the design that make the ROG Ally X stand out. Unlike on the Steam Deck, there are no touchpads on each side of the screen. On the Steam Deck, these are designed to simulate mouse control for games, although outside of a few point-and-click games I rarely used them when playing, so the fact that the ROG Ally X doesn’t come with them is no big loss. If you prefer playing with a mouse and keyboard you can use the ROG Ally X in dock mode by connecting it up to a USB-C hub, or go with a gaming laptop or desktop PC.
Another more unique design element is the inclusion of RGB lighting around both thumb sticks – which can be customized through the ROG Armoury Crate software –and the lights can be synched to other Asus products. It gives the ROG Ally X a premium look, and as we all know, gamers love RGB lighting. One thing I did notice, however, was that sometimes when charging the device the lights would pulse, which can be a bit distracting.
As well as the more noticeable design changes compared to the earlier model, there are some more subtle changes as well. There’s an additional USB-C port, which supports USB4 speeds, and the thumbsticks and D-Pad have been improved. There’s more resistance to the thumbsticks, which helps give you a feeling of greater control, and the buttons on the back of the device have been made smaller to reduce accidental presses. This is a welcome change, as I found when using the Steam Deck that I’d often hit those buttons by mistake. The body of the ROG Ally X has also been given more rounded corners and edges, which makes it more comfortable to hold.
(Image credit: Future)
There are four buttons for launching software and menus, a microSD slot for expanding storage (which is nice to have, but arguably less important thanks to the SSD storage being doubled to a roomy 1TB), an audio jack, and a power button with a built-in fingerprint scanner. This last feature is one of my favorite things, as it lets you log in with just a touch of the button, and it's something the Steam Deck lacks. On the Steam Deck, you have to log in using the onscreen keyboard, and once you've logged in there’s no additional security step required when waking the device. While this is more convenient than having to log in with a password every time you pick up the Steam Deck, it’s also a security risk if it gets stolen or lost. The fingerprint scanner of the Ally X is a nice solution to those issues.
(Image credit: Future)
Overall, the design of the ROG Ally X isn’t revolutionary, but it is a refinement. It takes a popular-for-a-reason handheld form factor and makes improvements in almost every aspect, except for size and weight. Anyone who's… er… switching from a Switch, with its dimensions of 9.41 x 4.02 x 0.55 inches / 239 x 102mm x 14mm and a weight of 0.93lbs / 422g, might be shocked picking up the ROG Ally X with its dimensions of 11.02 x 4.37 x 0.97 inches / 280.2 x 114 x 37mm, and weight of 1.5lbs / 678g.
It’s also bigger and heavier than the original ROG Ally, and around the same size and weight as the original Steam Deck.
3DMark Port Royal: 1,685; Fire Strike: 7,680; Time Spy: 3,336 GeekBench 6.3: 2,544 (single-core); 11,255 (multi-core)
25GB File Copy: 19.1 seconds F1 231080p (Ultra) 7fps Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p (Ultra) 4.94fps Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 8:19:08 hours PCMark 10 Battery Life (Gaming): 3:04 hours
Hardware-wise, there’s little to fault with the ROG Ally X. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip is the same one that's found in the high-end model of the original Ally X (as well as its competitor the Lenovo Legion).
The chip has been designed by AMD, a company with a long history of making gaming components for both PCs and consoles, especially for handheld gaming PCs, and features an 8-core, 16-thread CPU with a base clock of 3.3 GHz and a boost of 5.1 GHz, as well as a 12-core RDNA 3 GPU. Technical jargon aside, this is a very capable gaming device that puts the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch to shame when it comes to sheer firepower.
The chip also allows the ROG Ally X to make use of some handy AMD features such as AMD Radeon Super Resolution, which upscales graphics for improved performance, and AMD Radeon Boost, which adjusts the resolution in supported games on the fly to keep performance fast and consistent.
(Image credit: Future)
The ROG Ally X also offers a range of power settings, called ‘Operating Mode’, which you can quickly switch to depending on what you’re playing. Silent mode lowers the performance of the handheld, which prolongs battery life and means the fans don’t kick in quite so much – making it an ideal mode for when you're playing less demanding indie games while out and about – and Performance mode balances performance and efficiency for smoother gameplay, but at the expense of battery life.
There’s also Turbo mode, which prioritizes performance. This is the setting you’ll want if you’re playing graphically-intensive games and want the highest possible frame rates. This will mean the battery gets depleted much more quickly, but if you play with the Ally X plugged in you get an additional performance bump. The ROG Ally X automatically switches to Turbo mode when you plug it in, which is a nice touch.
Gaming performance is very good, as long as you keep your expectations in check. With graphical settings on high, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut ran at a solid 30fps with default settings. Considering that this is a large open-world game with great visuals, I was very impressed, though this was with the Ally X plugged in and using Turbo mode. I tweaked some settings, including adding frame generation and setting adaptive resolution to target 60fps, and I found that while the game would run mostly at 60fps the frame rates were a lot less stable, with some noticeable drops. Graphics quality was also drastically lowered (due to the Ally X attempting to hit the higher frame rate), with distracting visual artifacts being added, especially during fast-moving scenes and with fog and cloud effects.
At 30fps the game is playable and fun – and while it’s a noticeable step down from how I play it on my usual gaming PC at 4K resolution and 120Hz, it’s certainly impressive that you’re able to play the game on a handheld device. After adjusting to playing at the lower frame rate, I was able to successfully fight off hordes of Mongols – considering how Ghost of Tsushima’s combat requires careful timing for parries and blocking, the frame rate compromise doesn’t impact too much on the playability of the game.
(Image credit: Future)
Playing less demanding indie games such as Balatro (a current obsession), is a joy, while the Hades 2 beta looks and plays brilliantly.
For extremely demanding games, however, the ROG Ally X is still going to struggle. Cyberpunk 2077 at the highest settings can only manage single-digit frames per seconds scores, so you’ll need to do some serious tweaking to the graphics settings to bump up the frame rates. While the 1080p 120Hz, screen looks lovely, there aren’t many modern AAA games that’ll take advantage of it, though older games should be able to go beyond 60fps at full HD resolution.
As the ROG Ally X is a gaming PC at heart, it does mean you can tweak graphical settings to get better performance; this is something PC gamers are used to, but console gamers may feel less comfortable with. It's well worth doing, however, as the results can be impressive. At default settings, Cyberpunk 2077 hits around eight to nine fps, making it unplayable. However, by turning down the graphics settings and enabling AMD FSR 2.1 upscaling on Performance mode, I was able to get it running at 60fps on the Ally X (while plugged in). This is very impressive, as while the graphics take a big hit quality-wise, you're still playing a complex and large game on a handheld. For gamers who grew up with the Gameboy, this is an excellent example of how technology has evolved over the years.
While the hardware side of things is hard to fault, software-wise there are some more annoying niggles – although a lot of this isn’t down to Asus. While I’m not a huge fan of its Armory Crate software on its gaming laptops, it does a decent job of providing a handheld-friendly interface for launching games, and the ability to change the aforementioned performance modes on the fly is very useful – as is the information overlay that can be enabled to show you frame rates, component temperatures and more. You can move the overlay by dragging and dropping it with your finger so that it doesn’t obscure important UI features in a game, which is a nice touch.
System updates are applied through Armory Crate, which does simplify things, but it’s not as easy as updating the Switch or Steam Deck. Those devices let you know when there’s an update available, and you download and install the update and you’re done. With the Ally X you need to install several smaller updates rather than one larger one, with some needing to be installed one at time, and some requiring the handheld to be restarted. I was also prompted to install a BIOS update, which might alarm console-first gamers, though PC gamers will be more accustomed to this way of doing things.
Like the original ROG Ally and most of its competitors – bar the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch – the ROG Ally X runs on Windows 11, and this brings mixed results.
To put it bluntly: Windows 11 is an operating system designed for desktop PCs and laptops, and it remains poorly suited to gaming handhelds. While Asus has tried to mitigate this by having the full-screen Armoury Crate software load when Windows 11 starts, there are many instances where you have to grapple with Windows 11’s interface (such as having to dismiss pop-ups and error messages), and this can be tricky when using the 7-inch touchscreen of the ROG Ally X – you end up trying to jab small buttons in frustration.
Sometimes Windows 11 encounters issues that cause a game to crash, and waking up the ROG Ally X is a frustrating lottery – sometimes your game resumes right where you were, as is the case with the Switch and Steam Deck, but other times you’re dropped onto the Windows 11 desktop. You should be able to get back into the game by tapping the taskbar, expanding it and tapping on the (far too small) icon of the running game, but it’s fiddly, and detracts from the easy and convenient console-like experience Asus is going for.
(Image credit: Future)
To be fair, these are issues that are due to Windows 11 being unsuitable for a handheld, and there’s not much Asus can do about that – and these are problems that affect other Windows-based gaming handhelds. However, it does go to show how wise Valve was when creating the Steam Deck to create its own Linux-based operating system, SteamOS, which has been designed specifically for the handheld. This has delivered a much more satisfying user experience, and thanks to the Proton tool, Windows-only games are able to run on Linux without any noticeable impact on performance. If Asus created its own Linux distro specifically for the ROG Ally X, the overall user experience of the handheld could be greatly improved.
Using Windows 11 does have its benefits, however. For a start, it means that all games – and applications – you run on the ROG Ally X can run natively, rather than using a compatibility layer like Proton, so any performance impact, no matter how minor, is avoided.
It gives you a far greater degree of flexibility as well, especially if you use the ROG Ally X with a USB dock, as it effectively turns the handheld into a full Windows 11 desktop PC. While you can also do this with the Steam Deck, Linux has a steeper learning curve, and not every app is available for the open-source operating system.
The ROG Ally X also supports games from every major game store – unlike the Steam Deck, which limits you to playing games bought on Steam. While Steam is by far the most-used game store on PC, which means you’ll likely be launching Steam games on the ROG Ally X regularly, it’s also great to be able to run games from the Epic Games Store, GOG, and more without having to resort to installing third-party tools. If you have a wide selection of the best PC games across numerous libraries, not just Steam, then the ROG Ally X is definitely worth considering, and that flexibility makes a lot of the Windows 11 annoyances worth putting up with.
Overall, the ROG Ally X offers impressive gaming performance thanks to cutting-edge mobile components, but you’re always going to hit a wall when using an integrated GPU rather than having a dedicated graphics card, and that means you won’t get the same level of performance you’d get from a gaming laptop or desktop PC at this price – but that’s the trade-off for the portable handheld form factor.
Windows 11 continues to be a pain for handhelds, but Asus has tried its best to get around a lot of the issues with its Armory Crate software, and while it means you get a sometimes wonky experience that doesn’t feel as consistent what you'll get on the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, the ability to play games from pretty much any store, rather than being tied to one, will be a big plus.
If Microsoft ever does release a version of Windows that’s optimized for handheld PCs (maybe alongside the much-rumored handheld Xbox), then the Ally X will be a much more enjoyable device to use.
Performance: 3.5 / 5
Asus ROG Ally X: Battery life
Improved battery life
Good for around three hours of intensive gaming
Because of their small form factor, gaming handhelds like the ROG Ally X will never offer exceptional battery life, especially when playing demanding games, but the increased size of the battery (80Whr vs 40Whr of the originally Ally) is certainly welcome.
In my day-to-day gaming with the Ally X I was pleased with how long the battery lasted. Admittedly, a lot of my time was spent playing the rather undemanding Balatro, but I did also complete a few missions in Ghost of Tsushima. Unlike my trusty, yet aging, Steam Deck, I was able to play for hours on end without being warned of a low battery. It might be due to its age, but my Steam Deck seems to need charging every time I pick it up.
(Image credit: Future)
In our battery-life benchmark tests, the ROG Ally X lasted over eight hours with the Battery Informant web-browsing test, and while that’s certainly impressive, you’re not going to be doing much web browsing on this handheld. The far more representative PC Mark 10 gaming benchmark resulted in the battery lasting just over three hours, which is the closer to the kind of battery life you’ll experience when using the Ally X for the main task it was designed for: gaming. I found that between three to five hours of solid gaming is a realistic expectation, depending on the games you play.
This may be a disappointment for console gamers, but for anyone who's used a gaming laptop in the past, this won’t be too surprising. Playing games uses a lot of energy, and that means batteries can get depleted quickly.
Battery Life: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Asus ROG Ally X?
Buy the Asus ROG Ally X if...
Don't buy it if...
Also consider
Lenovo Legion Go The Lenovo Legion Go comes with the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip as the ROG Ally X and a larger, higher-resolution and faster 8.8-inch screen, and costs quite a bit less. It doesn't offer the same amount of RAM or SSD storage space, however.
Asus ROG Ally The original ROG Ally remains on sale, and has had a price cut now that the Ally X is out, making it a good-value option if you like what you see here, but can't afford the high price tag. The base model features the less powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 chip, which still offers good performance for indie games, and there's a more expensive model with the Z1 Extreme.
I played various games on the ROG Ally X every day for several weeks before writing this review. The games ranged from lightweight indies like Balatro, to more visually-intensive games like Hades 2, and AAA games like Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut and Cyberpunk 2077.
I also ran various benchmark tests to stress the hardware, including game benchmarks with the highest graphical settings and upscaling tech disabled. When gaming, I tweaked the graphics settings and enabled upscaling to get the best possible performance – this often meant dropping the graphics to their lowest settings. So, while the benchmarks might seem very low in some of the results, it doesn't mean you can't get a good gaming experience.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, giving attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained, regardless of when a device was released – if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.
Before I got my hands on the Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG, I thought I was done being surprised by how good the best budget gaming laptops have become. And I absolutely slot this model in that category.
However, the value on this model sporting an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 is very impressive, especially considering that much of the competition priced similarly seems to sport the slightly weaker 4050 GPU, which is still fairly powerful.
In fact, these 4050 and 4060-equipped laptops can handle most gaming duties so the current difference between the best gaming laptops out there is not that huge unless you want to hook up a giant monitor or want something with a 4K OLED screen or something else that’s a QoL upgrade, but not all that necessary for something that’s going to be sitting two feet from your face. That said, we might start to see more pronounced performance differences when newer games take advantage of the power this generation of GPUs can provide.
Looking beyond the value here as well as the power of the current-gen GPUs, the Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG is a smart-looking laptop that looks like a gaming laptop without being in your face about it. It also comes with some AI functionalities that, while interesting, are enough in their infancy that they don’t make a noticeably huge impact on the experience.
Since it is a budget laptop, there are some sacrifices. Even though the display has a fast refresh rate, the colors aren’t that great (so no editing on this). And, the battery life is pretty weak. But, if you’re a gamer on a budget, you probably won’t care and you probably shouldn’t.
Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How much does it cost? Starting at $1,249.00 / £998.31 / AU$1,899.00
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK and Australia
The Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG might just redefine value for gaming laptops. Or, maybe not. Regardless, it’s a damn good deal as you get a 14th-gen i7 CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, along with 16GB of RAM, for $1,249.00 / £998.31 / AU$1,899.00.
And, if you’re in Australia, you can find an even cheaper related version, known as the G6X 9MG, that is mostly differentiated by the fact that it boasts a less-powerful 4050 GPU for AU$1,699.00.
Now, Gigabyte is not alone in this mid-range performance meets budget pricing (well, budget for gaming) category but is one of the best values. The Acer Nitro 16 AMD I reviewed earlier this year, provides some very good 1080p performance and goes for a similar $1,199.99 / AU$2,099.99 (about £945) price tag. Of course, it comes with that less powerful 4050 GPU.
Another good comparison is the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD), which goes for $1,379.99 / £1,300 (about AU$2,162), when you get the AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and 4060 GPU. As much as I like Lenovo’s designs and found their pricing to be good, the Gigabyte still offers better pound-for-pound value, especially since you can get a version with 32GB and 2TB of storage for just slightly more at $1,499.00 / AU$2,157.00.
Value: 5 / 5
Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG: Specs
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
If you don’t count the slightly cheaper G6X 9MG, which comes with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, the only real variation in configuration comes in how much RAM and storage space you order, ranging from 16GB to 32GB and 1 to 2TB.
Of course, this laptop’s RAM slots and M.2 SSD slots are easily swappable so you can upgrade to 64GB and some retailers in Australia offer upgrades during purchase to both the RAM and storage.
Beyond that, there’s only one choice when it comes to the screen, which is a 16:10 16-inch panel with a 1920 x 1200p resolution (essentially 1080p but in that 16:10 aspect ratio) and speedy 165Hz refresh rate.
Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG: Design
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Sleek, subdued gaming design
Decent keyboard and mouse
Thermals are pretty good except underneath
Physically, the Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG is fairly smart looking. Its all-black colorway with some subtle gray designs on the lid and body’s top plate, both of which are aluminum, are the main indicators that this is a gaming laptop.
Otherwise, it’s a somewhat subdued, almost minimalist look that won’t rat you out if you pull it out at a cafe to work on (though once we get to battery life, you might think twice about doing this anyway).
The panel is basically a 1080p one but in a 16:10 aspect ratio (1920 x 1200p) and runs at a blazing-fast 165Hz refresh rate. It also provides a decent amount of screen space as this is a 16-inch laptop.
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Since there is plenty of space, the keyboard is a full-sized one, complete with a separate numpad. There are plenty of hotkeys for different shortcuts as well as a dedicated key to pull up Window’s new AI Copilot.
Since this is a gaming laptop, there’s also RGB backlighting. Unfortunately, it’s as basic as it comes as you can just pick one color for the whole thing. At least you can create macros for the keyboard, which is pretty cool. More importantly, typing on the keyboard is a nice experience, if nothing special.
The touchpad works well and is fairly sizable. The only minor complaint is its center-left placement – something that’s not unique here but that I never quite understood. Of course, that’s me being nit-picky, not to mention the fact that you’ll still need to use an external mouse for any gaming you do.
As far as ports go, the selection is decent with two USB-C and two USB-A along with an HDMI 2.1 port so you can keep a fast refresh rate with an external monitor. My only issue is that some of the ports are on the back – a design choice I’ve always disliked when I come across it.
When it comes to thermals, there’s a lot going on internally from heat piping and thermal intakes and outtakes to the two fans that get pretty loud whenever the laptop is under duress. While those fans can get distracting if you’re not using headphones, there aren’t too many issues with heat as long as you’re not touching the bottom of the laptop.
I was duly impressed with the performance on the Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG. And if you’re okay adjusting some settings or taking some slight performance hits, you’ll be very happy with what this laptop can do.
Powered by a 14th-gen i7 – specifically, one of the new HX chips with AI capabilities – and a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 (and 32GB of RAM for the test unit), I never felt inhibited by the hardware, whether I was playing Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077, or Battlefield 2042. Now, the hardware included is meant to power that 1920x1200p screen at 165Hz and it certainly does.
While I mentioned earlier that I feel there’s not a huge difference performance-wise between a laptop like this and something sporting more powerful internals, you are going to have to adjust settings a little bit, particularly on the ray-tracing front. As you can see with the benchmarks below, it’s not going to touch something like the Acer Predator Helios 18 and its Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080.
Whether it’s from some of the backend AI functions closing the gap, my actual subjective experience, as opposed to just looking at the number, felt like I wasn’t missing anything. Sure, there was some texture popping here and there or light screen tearing, especially when the POV has moved around quickly, but anyone who’s limited by their budget is not going to be frustrated with the experience here.
On top of that, the screen looks good enough. However, you’re not going to be able to leverage that under-the-hood power for video or photo-editing. At least not if you want accurate results. The sRGB coverage is 67% while the DCI-P3 is 48. This also means that games aren’t going to pop with as much vibrancy as with some other laptops. Also, there’s no HDR on hand.
Regarding sound, Gigabyte advertises this laptop to simulate a 5.1.2 system using Dolby Atmos. While you still end up with that somewhat boxy audio that almost all laptops seem to end up with, there is a little more of a soundstage and a tiny bit more space to what I hear when playing, say, Cyberpunk 2077, thanks to the virtual spatial audio.
Performance: 4 / 5
Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG: Battery life
Not very good battery life
Charging is okay
We’ve seen some gaming laptops start to break the mold in terms of battery life. That’s not the case here. The battery life is, to speak plainly, not very good. Yes, this is the case for a lot of gaming laptops still, but you still get under four hours of regular use per our web surfing benchmark and just a little over an hour of gaming per the PC Mark 10 battery life benchmark.
If you do have to use the Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG untethered, charging it back up is not going to be a speedy affair. It’s not slow necessarily as you’ll get 10% more battery every ten minutes or so, but this is not fast charging.
Battery Life: 3 / 5
Should you buy the Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Buy the Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG if...
Don't buy it if...
Also consider
Acer Nitro 16 AMD The Acer Nitro 16 AMD has a lot in common with the G6X 9KG reviewed here. It offers excellent performance and a fast refresh rate for not a lot of money. It does come with a weaker GPU (4050) but it has better color coverage.
Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) The Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) falls into a similar camp with its value proposition. Of course, you’re getting a 4050 instead of a 4060 GPU, but the battery life when not gaming is much better, making this a better option if you want your gaming laptop to also be your work laptop while on the go.
I used the Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG for a week, playing a number of demanding games like Hogwarts Legacy, Battlefield 2042 and Cyberpunk 2077. While doing so, I ran the games at various settings, particularly at the highest ones with ray tracing on wherever possible, and took note of the results. I also tested each aspect of the laptop from the keyboard and touchpad to the webcam and speakers.
After spending time with the Gigabyte Aorus G6X 9KG, it’s clear that this is ideal for any gamer on a budget, as it delivers a lot of performance for its price tag.
I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.
The HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) is almost everything I want out of the best gaming laptops lineup: sleek, stylish, portable, comfortable to type on, and offering more than enough gaming performance for modern games at 1080p, all for a pretty reasonable price tag.
Its 120Hz OLED display in particular is a jaw-dropper and made me realize what I’m missing out on with my usual IPS monitor. The Transcend 14’s classy, portable design made me feel at ease taking it out to work. And it offered enough gaming performance to keep me gaming from the comfort of my bed rather than in my office on my gaming PC.
There are a couple of pain points with the Transcend 14, though. First, its battery life is seriously bad. Second—and admittedly this might only be a problem for those like myself who like to pretend they’re “competitive” gamers—it has a 16:10 aspect ratio display, which means you see less on the horizontal axis while playing first-person shooters. I could find no easy fix for this, as enabling 16:9 resolutions with black-border GPU scaling proved difficult.
Despite this, for casual or non-FPS gaming, this laptop is stylish, comfortable, and performs well enough that it would certainly be in the running for becoming my own personal gaming laptop. Its GPU is a little underpowered (even with a 15W boost in the Omen software) compared to similar laptops, but not enough to detract from the value offered by the Transcend 14’s stellar design, cooling, and display.
So, if you’re fine with these battery life, resolution, and GPU caveats, I can happily recommend the HP Omen Transcend 14, though I’d personally struggle to pick between it and the 2024 version of the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (or maybe a bigger laptop altogether, given 14-inch displays are quite small).
HP Omen Transcend 14: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How much does it cost? Starting at $1,689 / £1,449 (about AU$2,450)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK (Australia release unknown)
The Transcend 14 sits smack-bang where I hope many more laptops will sit as time goes on: in the mid-range OLED segment—“mid-range,” of course, always sounds a little tongue-in-cheek when we move past $1,500.
Three things make this laptop stellar value for the money: its mainstream gaming performance, sleek and portable design, and gorgeous OLED display. For $1,819 for the 1TB RTX 4060 version, you’re getting a pretty great deal.
Its main competitor is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024), which also looks great, is portable, has a lovely 120Hz OLED screen, has similar specs, and costs roughly the same at MSRP. The main difference between the two right now seems to be that the Transcend 14 is frequently selling for much cheaper than its MSRP.
The Razer Blade 14 (2024) is an alternative, too, but costs a fair amount more for a version with similar specs. For that mark-up, you get an even better chassis (which is saying a lot) and better performance thanks to higher GPU power limits. But you don’t get that beautiful OLED screen, which is no little thing.
Value: 4 / 5
HP Omen Transcend 14: Specs
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The Omen Transcend 14 (2024) comes in three main configurations, although you can customize it a little beyond these configs. The main choice to make is between a model with a Core Ultra 7 155H with RTX 4050, a Core Ultra 7 155H with RTX 4060, or a Core Ultra 9 185H with RTX 4070.
Beyond this, you can configure a few things. In the US, you can save $90 by opting for a 512GB SSD instead of a 1TB one, taking the base config down to $1,599, or pay an extra $140 for a 2TB SSD. You can also pay an extra $40 for a Wi-Fi 7 card, and you can pay extra for single-zone RGB or a white chassis.
You can also choose to pay an extra $150 to have a HyperX Cloud III Wireless headset included (which automatically pairs with the laptop). Apart from this, there’s the usual slew of Operating System, warranty, and software customizations to choose from.
HP Omen Transcend 14: Design
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Gorgeous 120Hz OLED display with vibrant colors and deep blacks
“Pudding-inspired” keycaps on a springy keyboard that feels great
The Omen Transcend 14 looks and feels more like a modern portable work laptop than a gaming laptop, and that’s a good thing, in my book. HP is clearly going for more of a MacBook-style design than a decked-out gaming aesthetic, and for the price, it sure as hell delivers.
This 14-inch machine is light, weighing 3.59lb, and slim, too, at just 0.7 inches thick. Crucially, it manages to walk the line between portable and sturdy, being super easy to sling in a backpack and take to the café without feeling like you might break it while doing so. There’s a slight flex to the display, but nothing concerning.
What’s more, it offers all this in a crisp, understated design—understated for a gaming laptop, that is. And while the “shadow black” style of Transcend 14 I received looks gorgeous, the “ceramic white” one looks even better. You can get the latter version for just $15 extra, which is worth it in my opinion.
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Apart from this, the Transcend 14’s OLED display is probably its main selling point. If you’ve never gamed on an OLED monitor before, it’s hard for me to explain just how stunning the dark blacks and vibrant colors look. Combine this with its 120Hz refresh rate and you have a phenomenal gaming display. It’s just a shame it doesn’t come with full-fledged GSync or FreeSync.
It takes a lot to impress me in the keyboard department, given I’m very used to my own custom mechanical keyboard, but the Transcend 14’s semi-chonky keyboard did impress. I used this laptop as a daily driver for a few days and found it an absolute joy to type on. Its “pudding-inspired” HyperX keycaps look great, and the keys feel nice and springy. The trackpad’s nice and tactile, too, and is centered (thank God), just like it should be.
I’m no fan of RGB, but if that kind of thing’s your jam, you’ll be pleased to hear it comes with four-zone RGB. Or, if you’re happy paying an eye-watering $80 extra, you can get per-key RGB. Colors, effects, and the like can all be customized in the HP Omen software.
One thing that slightly disappointed me about the Transcend 14 is its selection of ports, especially given the rear USB-C port essentially acts as a dedicated charging port. For multiple USB devices, you’ll want to pick up a USB hub. Still, there should be just enough ports here for most use cases, including for connecting an external mouse and keyboard.
Design: 5 / 5
HP Omen Transcend 14: Performance
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Reasonable 1080p gaming performance
GPU is power-limited, even after enabling 15W boost
Great performance for such a slim, cool, quiet, and reasonably-priced laptop
The Omen Transcend 14 keeps up with modern titles at 1080p, but starts to struggle at higher resolutions. However, gaming at 1080p on medium settings looks fantastic on its OLED display, and frankly, you don’t need a higher resolution on a 14-inch monitor anyway. During my time gaming on this laptop, I found that whether I was playing Metro Exodus, Overwatch 2, Doom Eternal, V Rising, Satisfactory, or Vampire Survivors (you know, to really put the laptop through its paces), it was more than up to the task.
During the starting area of Metro Exodus, the Transcend 14’s RTX 4060 pulled over 100fps on Extreme settings at 1080p with DLSS enabled, and not much less than that with it disabled. Risk of Rain 2 had me at a smooth 80fps even at higher resolutions, and Overwatch 2 averaged well over 120fps.
However, my real bugbear is that while the Transcend 14 display’s native 16:10 aspect ratio makes it more useable for casual gaming and general use, it’s not great for competitive gaming because you lose out on some horizontal real estate in games.
Using 16:9 compressed everything, making the game look stretched vertically. So, I tried to get it working with black borders. However, because the laptop runs a hybrid GPU setup (switching from its Intel Arc GPU to its RTX 4060 when needed), there was no GPU scaling option in the Nvidia Control Panel. I couldn’t get it working via the Intel Graphics Command Center, either.
The only way I could run a game at 16:9 with black borders was to change the resolution in Windows Settings and then play it in borderless windowed mode, which feels like more of a hacky workaround than anything else and, at any rate, introduced more input latency than when playing fullscreen (And trying to get 16:9 working in Counter Strike 2 just straight-up crashed the entire system.)
If you’re not picky about 16:9 FPS gaming like me, the Transcend 14 performs well enough for casual gaming today. You can expect about 60fps in most good-looking games at 1080p, and if you enable DLSS, FSR, or XeSS you can really make the most of the OLED display’s 120Hz refresh rate.
There’s also an option to boost max GPU power by 15W (from 65W to 80W) in the Omen Gaming Hub software. I found that enabling this boosted the GPU clock from 1965MHz to 2190MHz, and from 113fps to 131fps, at 1080p during the opening portion of Metro Exodus.
Unfortunately, though, even this 15W boost doesn’t quite put the Transcend 14’s performance in line with some similar-specced 14-inch laptops. Instead, it sacrifices a little gaming performance for a portable design, cooler thermals, quieter fans, and a lower price.
If we’re talking general work use, the laptop performs great—with one caveat. I found, for whatever reason, things got laggy when downloading files while on battery power. Even typing in Notepad was slow. As soon as I plugged in the mains or stopped downloading, it was fine. Just a peculiar heads up.
Performance: 3.5 / 5
HP Omen Transcend 14: Battery life
Atrocious battery life
Even with power-saving settings, expect fewer than 6 hours for light tasks
The Transcend 14 has a 71Wh battery, and in practice I found it to offer worse battery life than many other gaming laptops. In our PCMark 10 Battery Life test, we found it to give less than an hour of game-time on battery power, and this seemed to bear out in my day-to-day testing. For gaming, then, you’ll really want to have this thing plugged in via the rear USB-C port (which offers faster charging than the side port).
I got 5 hours and 45 minutes of seven-tab Chrome office work out of the Transcend 14, so don’t expect to get a full 8 hours of work done without charging it. To be clear, this was with the Omen Hub’s Eco Mode enabled, Windows power efficiency mode turned on, brightness turned low (but still clearly visible), and RGB lighting turned off.
In all, its battery life is disappointing, but it’s enough to crank out a few hours of work on-the-go, or half an hour of unplugged gaming here and there. And thankfully, it charges quickly using the rear port.
Battery Life: 2 / 5
Should you buy the HP Omen Transcend 14?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Buy the HP Omen Transcend 14 if...
Don't buy it if...
Also consider
How I tested the HP Omen Transcend 14
I tested the HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) for several weeks
I tested it using benchmark tests, video game benchmarks, and doing day-to-day gaming and office work
I used Nvidia FrameView to capture in-game framerates
For the first week, I got used to the laptop. I treated it as if I’d just bought it for myself, unboxing it, downloading my favorite games, and making use of it day-to-day. I made notes of any positives and negatives that came to mind. Then, I got to testing.
I ran benchmarks for tons of different use cases, noting the results. Finally, I tested some specific things I was curious about. Namely, the 16:10 vs 16:9 issue, and office work battery life tests. I also took the laptop out with me to work, to test its portability.
The HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) is a gaming laptop, and is ideal for gaming even in more demanding titles (provided it’s plugged in and not running on battery power), but it can also be used as a work laptop. I used it for my own work and found its portability and design to both look and play the part, and its keyboard was a delight to use. Unfortunately, its battery life wasn’t amazing.
I’ve spent the past few years testing and reviewing all kinds of PC components, peripherals, and devices, including gaming laptops. I know how to test them properly, be objective and make accurate inferences from test results, and, probably more importantly, I know how to treat my devices like an end-user would, cutting the wheat from the chaff and getting to what’s most important to average PC gamers.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.
