I can clearly remember playing Genshin Impact back in 2020 on my old desktop, because I didn’t have a laptop that could play it well. Unfortunately, I’ve stopped playing a couple of years back due to other commitments, but I was always welcome to playing it again from time to time.
So I was that excited when I found out that they’ll be sending me their newest gaming laptop so I can try the game on it – the ASUS Gaming V16. What I found out was not just how much the game has evolved over the years since I’d played, but how gaming laptops have also evolved to redefine what portable computing is.
Liberation from the Desktop
Back then, playing Genshin Impact meant that I must be stuck on my desktop. Of course, I could play it on my phone, but the smaller screen wasn’t as appealing. That’s why launching the game from the ASUS Gaming V16 was a bit of a moment.
Then, there I was, playing the game on a 16-inch Full HD+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate, which is the same with the 27-inch monitor I’m using at home. That meant things looked buttery smooth, and I mean not just the game.
The combination of a Core 5 210H and an RTX 4050 in this unit isn’t exactly the most powerful in the lot, but I’m surprised that it can run the game at High preset with 60 fps enabled with no hiccups, even when I was battling at Spiral Abyss or just walking around town.
The Productivity Powerhouse Test
Of course, my job as content lead also requires the use of productivity apps – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and a web browser for WordPress. which most laptops should run, so it’s not surprising that when the busy week comes, I can rely on the ASUS Gaming V16 for work too. If I need to run multiple apps at the same time, the 16GB of DDR5-5600RAM should be more than enough for some multitasking.
Since I have access to a full backlit keyboard, it feels like I’m using my desktop, only that I can now bring it anywhere.
If I need to go on an online meeting, the 720p camera has a privacy shutter, so I don’t have to be on-cam all the time, while the AI noise cancelling mics allowed me to take calls without sounding like I was in a wind tunnel.
Media Consumption Champion
While of course, incomparable to OLEDs, the ASUS Gaming V16’s 16-inch IPS panel offers a screen-to-body ratio of 89%, which creates a highly immersive environment for consuming content, whether that’s K-Pop videos, anime, livestreams, or just the usual doom scrolling to make yourself feel sleepy.
ASUS’ SonicMaster with Dirac sound processing means I don’t even need headphones to really appreciate the moment. The built-in speakers are loud enough for personal consumption and can surprisingly deliver good depth and clarity. There’s actual bass too, which typical laptop speakers tend to struggle with.
The Mobile Office Revolution
Despite having a 16-inch display, the ASUS Gaming V16 measures 1.8cm thin, and weighs 1.95 kg. Now, that’s not exactly the lightest, but it’s still mobile enough to fit into some bags without feeling like I was carrying a brick.
The 63Wh battery may also not be the largest we’ve seen, but it does give me enough time to last through a coffee shop work session. And when I do need to recharge, that 150W power brick comes in handy.
Thanks to an HDMI 2.1 port, I can easily hook the ASUS Gaming V16 to an external display for presentations. The remaining ports allow me to connect several other external devices that would improve my workflow, including a wireless mouse, or perhaps, an external hard drive.
The thoughtful design also means that these ports are on the left side, away from mouse movements. The large touchpad also allows for smooth navigation for presentation; in case a mouse wasn’t practical.
The matte black finish complemented by the Turbo Blue lighting allows the laptop to look professional enough for client meetings without looking too muted or.. boring.
The Economics of Everything
Priced at PHP 59,995 to PHP 74,995, the ASUS Gaming V16 is a significant investment, but if you look at its overall value proposition, it was able to become a suitable alternative to my desktop, handle my work, do well in media consumption, serve as a portable office, and of course, become my on-the-go Genshin Impact machine. It’s more of a smart consolidation rather than an expensive indulgence. It’s even backed by a 2-year international warranty and 1-year accidental damage protection.
ASUS is even having a promo in which buyers of ASUS Gaming V16/X16 laptops from ASUS and ROG stores will also get official Genshin impact Mousepads.
Oh, and if you can drop by ASUS and ROG stores, you’ll also be able to play Genshin Impact on the ASUS Gaming Series laptops on display with all characters unlocked.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
