ASUS’s TUF F16 makes a solid impression with notable improvements over last year’s F15 model. It’s a generally good choice for gamers, but there’s one downside that holds it back.
Design and Build Quality
The TUF F16 is available in two colors: mecha gray (seen here) and jaeger gray, the latter featuring an engraved lid logo. Both variants have metal lids, complemented by a black plastic interior and bottom panel.
The build quality feels robust, with significantly reduced keyboard and lid flex compared to earlier TUF models. The lid extends out slightly for easy opening, and the hinges feel smooth and reliable. Fingerprints are minimal unless you have especially oily hands, but a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth will keep it looking clean.
Though the F16 is a bit thicker than other 16-inch gaming laptops, it weighs a manageable 5 lbs (2.3 kg), increasing to 6.6 lbs (3 kg) with the 240-watt charger. It’s actually on the lighter side for its size, especially compared to rivals like Lenovo’s LOQ series.
Specifications and Performance
My review unit features:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | ASUS TUF F16 (2024) |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-13650HX (14C/20T) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 4060 8GB (98-130W) |
| RAM | 16GB (2x 8GB) DDR5-4800 |
| Screen | 16" 2560 x 1600 165Hz |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
| Network | Wi-Fi 6 + 1GbE |
| Battery | 90Wh |
The decision to stick with Intel’s 13th gen CPU for cost-saving reasons seems justified, as ASUS reserves 14th gen processors for its higher-end models, given the limited performance gain.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The chiclet keyboard has single-zone RGB backlighting, with all keys illuminated, though some lighting is uneven. The keys have a 1.7mm travel distance and a slightly soft feel that’s comfortable for typing. The clear WASD keys add a gaming aesthetic, and the large touchpad is smooth and functional, with a satisfying click anywhere on its surface.
Ports
The majority of ports are on the left side, which could be inconvenient for left-handed users. Here’s the breakdown:
- Left Side: Power input, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C), USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), and a 3.5mm combo jack.
- Right Side: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) and Kensington lock.
The frontmost Type-C port supports charging up to 100 watts, while HDMI and one Type-C port connect directly to the Nvidia GPU, ideal for VR. The Thunderbolt 4 port connects to the Intel integrated graphics regardless of optimus mode.
Internal Layout and Upgradeability
Accessing the internals requires unscrewing 12 Phillips head screws of varying sizes. Inside, you’ll find:
- Battery at the front
- Two RAM slots
- M.2 storage slots (one with an installed SSD, one spare)
- Wi-Fi 6 card (underneath SSD)
The F16 scores well on upgradeability with replaceable memory, Wi-Fi, and storage components.
Battery and Power
With a 90Wh battery, the TUF F16 offers reasonable life for an Intel-based system, lasting around 6 hours and 42 minutes in video playback tests. ASUS includes power-saving features, like panel power saver to reduce the refresh rate on battery, battery care mode to limit max charge, and an Eco mode to disable the Nvidia GPU when unneeded.
Thermals and Fan Noise
The F16 uses two fans and five copper heat pipes, with ASUS Armoury Crate software allowing adjustment between Silent, Performance, Turbo, and Manual modes. Turbo and Manual modes increase GPU overclocking, while Manual also enables fine-tuning of power, temp, and fan settings. Turbo and Manual modes deliver similar performance, but max fan speeds are extremely loud, though effective in cooling.
Under load, the temperatures remain within reasonable limits, and using a cooling pad drops CPU and GPU temperatures by 7°C and 9°C respectively.
Display
The F16 has a tall 16:10 screen with two resolution options:
- 2560x1600 (165Hz) - Provides good color and brightness.
- 1920x1200 (60Hz) - Limited to 250 nits, far too dim for a $1300 laptop.
The 1080p panel’s low brightness is a significant drawback and the main reason I’m hesitant to recommend this model without a price reduction.
Screen Response and Gaming Performance
Screen response is excellent with the high-end panel, with all transitions faster than the 6.06ms refresh window required for a 165Hz display. It’s notably faster than last year’s TUF A15.
The F16 includes a MUX switch to enable/disable optimus, and adaptive sync is available when optimus is on.
Gaming Benchmarks
In games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Control, the TUF F16 delivers top-notch performance for an RTX 4060 laptop, holding up well even at higher 1440p settings without upscaling. This ensures smooth, enjoyable gameplay across a range of titles.
Conclusion
ASUS’s TUF F16 is a well-built gaming laptop with solid performance, good battery life for an Intel HX processor, and excellent FPS consistency. However, the 1920x1200 screen option’s poor brightness (250 nits) is disappointing for its price, making the higher-end display a must if available. At $1300, other gaming laptops might provide better value.
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