Gaming laptops are getting more popular by the day. Few years ago, these machines were considered heavy, releasing too much of heat. Thanks to Intel’s new generation of processors, today’s gaming laptops are quite thin and release less heat. Speaking of processing speed, they are as good as high-end desktops. In addition, they offer portability. These gadgets are not just for gamers. Their powerful hardware smoothly runs even the most resource-hungry applications like photo/video editing software or AUTOCAD. While a laptop with average specifications serves most basic needs, to play graphic-rich games you require extra processing speed and graphic hardware. So, it makes sense to pay few dollars more and get an entry-level gaming laptop.
The ASUS K501LX is one such machine crafted for gamers. It has got looks, performance and a decent battery life. The following sections throw light on its features.
Design:
The K501LX sports ASUS’s signature black lid that goes well with the palm rest made of brushed Aluminium. The plastic-and-metal body reduced the manufacturing cost, but the laptop feels solid and aesthetically rich. To keep the palm rest free from heat, the designers placed the hotter components underneath the motherboard, towards the rear of the chassis. Asus calls it the “IceCool Technology”. There is also a Smart Dual Cooling System that brings down the heat even while you play graphic-intense games.
Main Features:
The K501LX comes with excellent hardware. The 5th generation Intel Core i7-5500U CPU complemented with 8GB of RAM provides plenty of juice to handle most games. The processor is clocked at 2.4GHz, but with Turbo Boost feature, it can reach a speed of 3GHz. The inclusion of Nvidia GeForce GT 540M graphics processor is a good news for hardcore gamers. The Optimus Technology from Nvidia automatically switches between the graphics processor and Intel’s integrated graphics when high-end graphic performance is not required. This decreases power consumption and boosts battery life.
Other Features:
The full-HD screen with a resolution is 1080p brings your videos to life. The 15.6 inch widescreen display gives you plenty of screen space while multi-tasking, like when you view two windows simultaneously. At 4.4 lbs, the K501LX is lighter than the 15-inch Macbook Pro. The multi-touch trackpad and the dust-proof chicklet keyboard feel quite comfortable to use. The laptop comes with a standard collection of ports, offering 2 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 HDMI port, microphone/headphone connectors, an Ethernet port and a card-reader slot. It is equipped with 802.11 A/C WiFi. Few high-end features like WiDi and Blu-Ray drive are missing on the K501LX, but given the price of $925 you can’t ask for more. These niceties would require you to pay upwards of $1,500.The 256GB Solid State Drive offers high transfer speeds.
Operating System:
The K501LX ships in with Windows 8.1 (64-bit) which is upgradable to Windows 10.
Manufacturer’s Warranty:
Asus includes a 2-year warranty covering parts and labour and a 1-year warranty covering accidental damage. Compared to other brands which provide 1-year warranty and no cover for accidental damage, ASUS is far more generous.
PROS:
1. Reasonable pricing without compromising on quality.
2. Powerful hardware.
3. ASUS’s patented technology to reduce heat emission.
4. Thin dimensions and lightweight body.
CONS:
1. Lack of Blu-Ray and WiDi.
2. 256GB SSD is quite low for most users. However, you can connect an external HDD through USB 3.0 ports.
Final Verdict:
In Digiprime’s test, the ASUS K501LX is a great gaming laptop. With a solid build quality and powerful hardware, it does almost any computing job that you throw at it.