ASUS TUF A15 Review: Impressive Performance at an Incredible Price

The Asus TUF A15 has some trade-offs, yet it delivers excellent performance for its price. For a budget-friendly 1080p rig, this is a top option.

Adored by budget-conscious buyers, the Asus TUF A15 stands out for its value.

These laptops combine the latest components with lower prices by using cost-effective materials and skipping extra features. 

While you won't get the highest-end components, and their power is somewhat limited by the budget design, they still offer excellent performance for the latest games at high frame rates.

Starting at $1,199 / £1,049 (and often less during sales), these laptops are a bargain compared to the $3K models I usually test.

I recently tested the 2023 Asus TUF A15 to see how it performs and how it ranks among the best gaming laptops available.

Pros	Cons
Sturdy build with premium parts	Dimmer screen compared to others
Excellent value for money	Keyboard feels slightly soft
Comfortable design	16:9 aspect ratio
Full-sized keyboard

Key Features

Specification	Tested Model	Available Options
Price	$1,399 / £1,499	$1,199 – $1,599 / £1,049 – £1,499
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS	AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS
Graphics Card	Nvidia RTX 4060	RTX 4050 | RTX 4070
Memory	16GB	N/A
Storage	512GB SSD	1TB SSD
Screen	15.6-inch IPS, 1920 x 1080, 144Hz	N/A
Wireless	WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3	N/A
Ports	1x HDMI 2.1, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort, power delivery), 1x RJ45 LAN, 1x USB 4 Type-C (DisplayPort), 1x 3.5mm audio jack	N/A
Size	35.4 x 25.1 x 2.49 cm	N/A
Weight	2.2 kg	N/A

Design

The Asus TUF A15 offers the feel of a premium gaming laptop despite its budget price.

Unlike Acer's Nitro budget models, the metal lid feels sturdy, although the main panel has some flex. 

The plastic chassis is well-built, with robust corners and no creaking in the body or hinge.

However, the typing deck shows some flex, noticeable only under heavy pressure and not during casual use.

The design remains unchanged from previous years, showcasing a dark cool gray color with a TUF logo embossed in the center of the lid.

Inside, there are subtle TUF icons on the main chassis, which are not too prominent. 

The phrase “Caution: High Framerate Zone” in the lower right corner may seem awkward at first, but it's easy to ignore.

The angular cut-out along most of the hinge enhances airflow when the lid is opened and adds a stylish touch.

The front lip of the block makes it easy to open the laptop with one hand, and the display remains stable with minimal wobble.

The Asus TUF A15 still uses a 16:9 display, which feels outdated. Being used to a larger ratio, the large lower bezel looks old-fashioned.

This is typical for budget laptops that haven't switched to the pricier 16:10 panels yet. The Acer Nitro 5 has a similar bezel thickness.

The A15 is thicker than the Asus TUF Dash F15, but it's still more lightweight and compact compared to the Acer Nitro 5.

It didn’t feel bulky during my tests. It’s easy to carry in a backpack or with one hand, as it’s not too heavy.

Capabilities

The Asus TUF A15 offers all the essentials for playing the latest games but makes some sacrifices to maintain a low price.

The display is a prime example of this compromise. Its 15.6-inch IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate doesn't compete with higher-end screens. 

Although the colors and contrast are adequate, the screen is noticeably dimmer than those on pricier machines.

Nevertheless, the powerful internals ensure that you don't need more than 144Hz, as it handles all the GPU demands smoothly.

The smaller size means sacrificing the immersive 16:10 aspect ratio found on other models. After testing the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16, Acer Nitro 16, and Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, the A15's 16:9 screen felt less engaging. 

If you're used to 16:9 displays, you won't mind, but those who prefer the taller aspect ratio might need to reconsider.

Beneath the screen is a full-sized keyboard, complete with a number pad—a rare find in 15.6-inch laptops, as many 16-inch and even 18-inch models omit these keys. 

This feature is handy for work tasks too. The keys are slightly smaller and spaced farther apart than standard keyboards, yet I maintained my typing accuracy and speed on this low-profile deck.

The switches have a 1.7mm travel distance and a softer bottom out, though they still have some snap.

They don't have the clacky feel of more expensive models. This keyboard is practical and functional rather than a standout feature.

The trackpad is mushy with unreliable click zones and a stiff middle section that can be unresponsive.

While gaming laptops usually don't have great trackpads, there are better options for non-gaming use. The webcam and speakers are basic and functional.

The Asus TUF A15 can be configured with an RTX 4050 or up to an RTX 4070. The RTX 4070 model includes an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, while cheaper models come with a Ryzen 7 7735HS. 

All configurations include 16GB RAM (two 8GB slots) and either a 512GB or 1TB SSD.

However, finding a 1TB model is difficult; most come with only 512GB, which might not be sufficient. Efficient game storage management will be necessary.

The ports are abundant but crowded. Most connections are clustered in the bottom left corner.

This setup complicates cable management, with wires frequently draping over the main area. 

Larger or oddly shaped dongles might not fit properly. While it's workable with some adjustments, it's something to be aware of.

Functionality

The Asus TUF A15 delivers impressive performance. It excels in Turbo Mode and holds steady in default settings, despite its budget-friendly price. 

The 1080p resolution boosts frame rates and benchmark scores. If you don't need higher resolutions like 1400p or 1600p, this laptop handles the latest games smoothly.

Performance Benchmarks

Time Spy Scores:

• Default: 9,968

• Turbo: 10,498

Fire Strike Scores:

• Default: 23,277

• Turbo: 24,243

Cinebench Results:

• Single Core: 44

• Multi Core: 715

PC Mark 10 Score: 6,888

Gaming Benchmarks (Turbo Mode)

Benchmark	High (fps)	Highest (fps)
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	137	136
Hitman 3	96	95
Total War: Three Kingdoms	120	85
Returnal	105	96

I consistently maintained over 60fps, even in demanding games like Returnal and Hitman 3.

Games optimized for Nvidia, such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider, ran flawlessly on the highest settings. 

My older Asus TUF Dash F15 couldn't match these results, highlighting how well high-end components perform in Asus's budget gaming laptops.

Priced at $1,399, this model is one of the most affordable gaming laptops I've reviewed, yet it excels with an RTX 4060.

In comparison, a similarly configured HP Omen 16 Transcend costs $600 more and scored lower in my Time Spy and Fire Strike tests (9,864 / 21,618).

Given the seamless in-game performance, I'd say the $1,400 investment was worthwhile.

Is the ASUS TUF A15 Worth Buying?

For an affordable gaming laptop that can handle top games for years, consider the Asus TUF A15.

While the display, keyboard, trackpad, and speakers are not luxurious, they are practical and well-designed. The true value lies in its impressive performance for the price. 

Few laptops can match its framerates at this cost, making the A15 my favorite budget gaming laptop.

Our Testing Process for the Asus TUF A15

I spent three weeks reviewing the Asus TUF A15. During the first week, I used it exclusively for work and gaming.

In the following two weeks, I compared it with the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 and Acer Nitro 16. 

I tested performance with benchmarks on Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Returnal, and Hitman 3.

Additionally, I casually played Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, House Flipper, and Apex Legends. 

Detailed testing methods are available in the GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

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