The time had come to upgrade the 6 year old HP laptop to something a bit more modern. I spent a long time looking around for something that had reasonable specs for under $2000 and was easily upgradeable. This machine ticked all the boxes. Delivery was impressively quick considering it was ordered during Level 3 (only 1 day past estimated). It was well packaged (lots of air bags surrounding). The Asus TUF runs extremely well - first time I've had a AMD processor in a long time, it does everything that I've required with no noticeable performance issues when compared to a late gen Intel i5. Since acquiring I've added a 2.5" SSD into the...view more The time had come to upgrade the 6 year old HP laptop to something a bit more modern. I spent a long time looking around for something that had reasonable specs for under $2000 and was easily upgradeable. This machine ticked all the boxes. Delivery was impressively quick considering it was ordered during Level 3 (only 1 day past estimated). It was well packaged (lots of air bags surrounding). The Asus TUF runs extremely well - first time I've had a AMD processor in a long time, it does everything that I've required with no noticeable performance issues when compared to a late gen Intel i5. Since acquiring I've added a 2.5" SSD into the expansion slot - this was as simple as removing 11 screws in the base and popping some clips around the sides. RAM is also easily upgradeable with a second slot (only supports DDR4 up to 2400mhz though - AMD Ryzen limitation). The keyboard has good feedback and the led lighting is a neat addition. Trackpad is not as sensitive as my old one but sufficient for day to day non-gaming use.

My only not so positive feedback would be around the noisy fans - something that is mentioned in other reviews on the web. Even doing simple tasks like web browsing can have them revved up. You can change the settings though to have them quieter if you don't want the default behaviour. Be aware also that the battery is a lot smaller than other laptops in the price range - I'll happily take a smaller battery for a better processor or GPU (normal browsing/document editing etc. you can expect around 3-4 hours of usage on WiFi at default settings).

Overall very impressed and would happily buy another.

Review written after 3 weeks usage.

I just needed a fast laptop to run my softwares and programming for university. And with this laptop, I managed to do that. I was blown away with how fast and responsive this laptop is (similar or even more than the University computers). I would recommend this laptop especially for its price. I haven't tried gaming yet but I'm sure this laptop is decent for it. I just needed a fast laptop to run my softwares and programming for university. And with this laptop, I managed to do that. I was blown away with how fast and responsive this laptop is (similar or even more than the University computers). I would recommend this laptop especially for its price. I haven't tried gaming yet but I'm sure this laptop is decent for it.

I have had this laptop for 2 months now, performs well on fps games and can play most recent titles on medium settings for 100+fps.
Fans are a little noisy but if you have headphones on its not noticeable, (just for others in the room)
Boot speed is epic.
I want to upgrade ram to 2x 16gb though, and great to have the option of adding ssd to boost the storage capacity.
Keyboard flexes a little in the centre. I have had this laptop for 2 months now, performs well on fps games and can play most recent titles on medium settings for 100+fps.
Fans are a little noisy but if you have headphones on its not noticeable, (just for others in the room)
Boot speed is epic.
I want to upgrade ram to 2x 16gb though, and great to have the option of adding ssd to boost the storage capacity.
Keyboard flexes a little in the centre.

Ticks all the boxes for an entry level gaming laptop. Doesn't have an audio out jack which is niggley but does have Bluetooth Ticks all the boxes for an entry level gaming laptop. Doesn't have an audio out jack which is niggley but does have Bluetooth

Absolutely awesome for what it is, can run most team based fps like overwatch, valorant, csgo...etc at on high settings and actually get 120fps to fully utilize the 120hz monitor. Only issue I have with it is battery life when going around course but I just bring my charger anyways. Other than that I haven't had a single issue being able to run any game I have. Can run DayZ at 60fps~depending on mods, sometimes even getting 100 in a nice open field. Absolutely awesome for what it is, can run most team based fps like overwatch, valorant, csgo...etc at on high settings and actually get 120fps to fully utilize the 120hz monitor. Only issue I have with it is battery life when going around course but I just bring my charger anyways. Other than that I haven't had a single issue being able to run any game I have. Can run DayZ at 60fps~depending on mods, sometimes even getting 100 in a nice open field.

Does what we need it for and more. Ok we are not gamers but for video conferencing it's great and quick! Like the metal chassis too Does what we need it for and more. Ok we are not gamers but for video conferencing it's great and quick! Like the metal chassis too

Really great value for the price. Runs triple A games well, generally have to have the graphics settings on medium for them, so as not to exceed VRAM, but quality still looks great. Love the expand ability - it was extremely easy to install the additional SSD drive, and am running all my games from the second SSD with no issues. Haven’t tried to install additional ram, but looks to be equally as easy. Really great value for the price. Runs triple A games well, generally have to have the graphics settings on medium for them, so as not to exceed VRAM, but quality still looks great. Love the expand ability - it was extremely easy to install the additional SSD drive, and am running all my games from the second SSD with no issues. Haven’t tried to install additional ram, but looks to be equally as easy.

I purchased this about a week ago while it was on special. I am pretty stoked at its performance, hopefully it is resilient as advertised. There are some weird default software things such as having to approve every headphone jack device that is plugged in before it works, and having to by default hold down the function key in order to say use the volume buttons, but these do not impact on its overall function as a gaming laptop and a general workstation. At the moment I can only give the highest recommendation. I purchased this about a week ago while it was on special. I am pretty stoked at its performance, hopefully it is resilient as advertised. There are some weird default software things such as having to approve every headphone jack device that is plugged in before it works, and having to by default hold down the function key in order to say use the volume buttons, but these do not impact on its overall function as a gaming laptop and a general workstation. At the moment I can only give the highest recommendation.

This is a great laptop for the price. It is perfect for my gaming needs, I use it a lot and it seems to lagg a little but with the turbo boost it can handle games pretty well.
I would highly recommend this as it is a great entry level laptop. If you are looking for a entry level laptop then this is perfect, its great for most games as long as you don't want to play on ultra high settings in the newer games then you'll be fine. This will work great for you. This is a great laptop for the price. It is perfect for my gaming needs, I use it a lot and it seems to lagg a little but with the turbo boost it can handle games pretty well.
I would highly recommend this as it is a great entry level laptop. If you are looking for a entry level laptop then this is perfect, its great for most games as long as you don't want to play on ultra high settings in the newer games then you'll be fine. This will work great for you.

It's great when your daughter has worn out her last laptop, making it last eight years... so it was a real pleasure to fill the gap with this machine. All the memory and speed she needed for large university assignments but still light enough to lug around. An excellent product. It's great when your daughter has worn out her last laptop, making it last eight years... so it was a real pleasure to fill the gap with this machine. All the memory and speed she needed for large university assignments but still light enough to lug around. An excellent product.

This laptop is absolutely great. The speed is magnificent and the games don't tag at all. Thanks guys This laptop is absolutely great. The speed is magnificent and the games don't tag at all. Thanks guys

Bought this for my partner she works from home and studies from home. Absolutely loves this little unit especially the back lit key board. Laptop is very quick well worth the money ! Bought this for my partner she works from home and studies from home. Absolutely loves this little unit especially the back lit key board. Laptop is very quick well worth the money !