The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 is another entry in the creative-gaming category, featuring Intel’s Core Ultra processors. It distinguishes itself through its thoughtfully designed chassis, spacious touchpad, comfortable keyboard, and impressive performance despite some limitations. (While the Core Ultra may not reach the performance levels of HX processors, it offers a slimmer profile and superior battery life.)

Just like its smaller sibling, the Zephyrus ROG G14, this one is also classified as an Nvidia Studio model. Instead of the usual Game Ready version, it comes with Nvidia’s Studio driver, making it an excellent choice for creative work!

The G16 offers a delightful variety of configurations compared to the G14, even before considering the exciting new model featuring AMD’s upcoming Ryzen AI 300 series chips, which is set to arrive in mid-July! You’ll have the chance to choose from Intel models with either 16GB or 32GB of RAM, along with a selection of powerful GeForce options, including the RTX 4050, 4060, 4070, 4080, or 4090. 

Enjoy stunning visuals with either an HDR OLED or a bright 500-nit IPS display, both boasting an impressive maximum refresh rate of 240Hz and complete 100% P3 gamut coverage! Plus, you can go for up to 2TB of RAM, available in a sleek dark grey or a stylish white finish. Please note that opting for the white design adds £200 to the cost of the same configuration, as it involves a slightly more complex process.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16: Specs

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16: Design

Among a multitude of flashy, enormous gaming machines, the Zephyrus G16 distinctly emerges as one of the most stunning laptops I’ve encountered — and it’s unrivalled. Its practical design offers an immediate impact, seeming modest while subtly suggesting its impressive capabilities through its look.

Upon opening, you encounter a large touchpad and a keyboard that are both a joy to use. The touchpad boasts a sleek glass surface and a satisfying click, while the keyboard offers an impressive tactile experience with each keystroke.

All these features, along with the outstanding screen and audio quality, enable the large-screen ROG to move beyond its gaming laptop category, making it comfortable to use in any context.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16: Display

Another significant enhancement is the switch to OLED technology — specifically, the 16-inch ROG Nebula OLED display that features a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels and a 16:10 aspect ratio. This screen offers a stunning spectrum of captivating colours. Games such as Forza Horizon 5 demonstrate the display’s brilliance, enhanced by its 240Hz refresh rate, which showcases the colourful scenery of Mexico whizzing by in a 200 MPH blur. 

To offer the ultimate entertainment experience, the screen needs to be complemented by high-quality speakers, something the Zephyrus G16 does exceptionally well. Its four-speaker system produces an impressively rich bass that is perfectly balanced with well-defined mids and highs that stand out beautifully.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16: Performance

Alright, this is an RTX 4090 laptop equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, plenty of RAM, and significant storage. While it promises impressive performance, a problem arises. Here is an outline of my concerns and why I believe Asus may not have an effective remedy for this issue.

Initially, the 115W TDP allocated to the internals is substantially lower than the 175W provided by either the Alienware m18 R2 or the Razer Blade 16. Consequently, this results in a marked decrease in gaming frame rates when all three systems are directly compared.

Secondly, we must address the selection of Intel Core Ultra. I observed some unexpected frame rate fluctuations that were not what I anticipated. For instance, when playing Cyberpunk 2077 with DLSS 3 enabled, it occasionally reached a satisfying 119 FPS. However, upon revisiting the beginning of the same save file multiple times, I found that the FPS varied significantly, ranging from over 110 to as low as 75-80 FPS.

Upon further inspection, I found that the issue stems from the ROG Zephyrus G16’s CPU, particularly its power management modes. Usually, the Armoury Crate software is designed to boost the power delivered to the internal components. In contrast, competitors like Alienware and Razer successfully utilize the conventional 14th Gen Intel chipsets with their respective applications.

Every time I got the former, I was engaged in business with extremely high frame rates. When I received the letter, I felt the impact of the bottleneck. It’s a challenging balancing act between the two, as figuring out the wattage assigned to the CPU directly influences the power the GPU can handle.

Moreover, even though the Intel Core Ultra 9 performs decently, it still falls short compared to the Intel Core i9-14900HX featured in the competitors of the ROG Zephyrus G16.

In simple terms, we’ve encountered a bit of a deadlock. The NPU-equipped chip isn’t prepared for serious gaming because the software struggles to manage it properly. I remain hopeful that updates could resolve this issue, but I must evaluate what is currently available. With a price exceeding three thousand, you deserve the best performance, and unfortunately, this product falls short.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16: Verdict

How can I effectively summarise my experience with the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16? I genuinely wanted to appreciate it. It has many appealing features, yet the failure to fully unleash its potential makes it a tough one to endorse.

Asus is moving towards excellence with this laptop. It boasts a stunning design, prioritising practical usability over high-end specifications at the expense of user experience. Nevertheless, a choice was made to prioritise aesthetics over some performance, and considering the premium pricing, I think striking a balance between the two is essential rather than just preferable.

In certain respects, this is a positive advancement. Nonetheless, the ROG Zephyrus G16 needs additional time to vie for the top position genuinely.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is the newest Intel-powered workstation in Lenovo’s P-series, delivering strong performance, long battery life, and reliable Nvidia RTX Ada Generation graphics, establishing it as a premium professional option. However, such laptops must carefully balance portability, power, and cost. Although the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is more budget-friendly than some high-end workstation models, it is still relatively expensive for typical users.

Workstations are thoughtfully crafted to support 3D designers, video editors, scientists, and data analysts in their creative and research pursuits. They strike a friendly balance between powerful processing capabilities needed for complex tasks and portability, much like how gaming laptops find the right trade-offs for performance on the go.

ThinkPad P1: Specs

ThinkPad P1: Design

Lenovo ThinkPad laptops share numerous design characteristics, including the matte black and red color scheme and the TrackPoint pointing stick located centrally among the G, H, and B keys on the keyboard.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 introduces some thoughtful updates, replacing the traditional keyboard buttons with a sleek, modern design and adding a notch bezel at the top of the lid to comfortably accommodate the webcam. This way, it maintains a spacious screen for an improved viewing experience.

These gentle updates to the ThinkPad’s design give it a fresher, more modern look compared to some others in the same series. The only minor thing is that the matte black chassis tends to show fingerprints and smudges quite easily, but overall, I’m pretty pleased.

The ThinkPad dimensions are 13.95 x 9.49 x 0.67 inches, and it weighs 4.3 pounds, rendering it sufficiently lightweight and slender to fit conveniently within most backpacks or laptop cases.

In comparison with analogous laptops, the ThinkPad is notably slimmer than the HP ZBook Studio 16 G10, which has dimensions of 14.02 x 9.54 x 0.76 inches and a weight of merely 4.2 pounds. Furthermore, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 exhibits considerably greater bulk and weight, with measurements of 14.3 x 10.5 x 1.2 inches and a mass of 6.6 pounds. 

ThinkPad P1: Ports

This device offers a helpful variety of I/O ports to meet your needs! On the left, you’ll find two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 video output, and a 3.5mm audio jack, plus a proprietary Slim tip connector for DC power. On the right side, there’s a third Type-C port equipped with a speedy 10Gbps transfer rate that also supports DP Alt Mode video, along with a 5Gbps USB-A port, and an SD card reader. It’s designed to give you versatile connectivity options for all your devices!

Feel free to use any of the Type-C ports to charge your P1.. Our 100W PC charger functioned flawlessly; however, the 65W unit triggered a “slow charger’ alert.

ThinkPad P1: Display

The P1 Gen 7 provides three display options to accommodate various preferences: a 1,920 x 1,200 60Hz IPS screen, a 2,560 x 1,600 165Hz display, and a 3,840 x 2,400 60Hz OLED touchscreen that is visually striking. 

The laptop’s WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) IPS display truly impressed, showcasing crisp and precise details in the interior courtroom scenes and the night shots outside. The neon-lit bar scene added a vibrant pop of color, beautifully contrasting with the trailer’s generally muted palette.

If you require a laptop for intensive creative tasks, the wide-gamut OLED model is assuredly the top option. For most other activities, the 165Hz IPS panel performs adequately. The high refresh rate of 165Hz offers notable advantages when scrolling through text or data, delivering smoother motion compared to a 60Hz display.

ThinkPad P1: Keyboard and Touchpad

Like many modern Windows laptops, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 features a convenient backlit keyboard that includes a Copilot key, making it quick and easy to access Microsoft’s AI assistant whenever you need it.. Additionally, the keyboard consists of the customary ThinkPad TrackPoint pointing stick positioned between the G, H, and B keys. It offers a well-balanced activation point with slight tactile feedback, delivering an enjoyable typing experience.

The ThinkPad P1’s trackpad includes dual-function haptic feedback for cursor movement or launching the TrackPoint Quick Menu. It has no physical buttons and uses gesture controls for different clicking functions. Measuring 5.5 by 3.5 inches, the touchpad is spacious enough for accurate control, reducing the need for an external mouse.

ThinkPad P1: Performance

Workstations typically require greater raw computing power than most laptops, and the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is a prime example. Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 165H processor, 1TB SSD, and 32GB of RAM, it handled my daily tasks effortlessly. Whether I was casually using Photoshop or managing around 20 Chrome tabs, the ThinkPad performed smoothly. It also easily managed my recent travel photo and video editing projects.

The ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 also delivered strong results in our lab’s benchmarks. On Geekbench 6, it averaged 2,424 in single-core and 12,970 in multi-core tests. In comparison, the HP ZBook Studio 16 G10, which features an Intel Core i9-13900H processor, achieved impressive performance scores of 2,791 in single-core and 14,532 in multi-core tests.

Meanwhile, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 effectively handled the Handbrake video test, converting the 4K version of “Tears of Steel” to 1080p in just 4 minutes and 22 seconds. Proudly, the ThinkPad P16 was even quicker at 3:44. The ZBook Fury and ZBook Studio followed closely behind, taking 4:29 and 4:37, respectively, slightly behind the ThinkPad P1.

ThinkPad P1: Gaming Performance

Workstation laptops are not commonly utilized for gaming purposes, despite often possessing specifications comparable to high-end gaming systems. Although the majority of users can typically operate a gaming laptop as a workstation, actual workstations are engineered explicitly for individuals who require GPUs optimized for advanced 3D rendering, data set analysis.

ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 features NVIDIA RTX 1000 Ada, which is not compatible for gaming. While it’s possible to play games on a workstation laptop like this, keep in mind that the GPU architecture and drivers are primarily built for other tasks, so your gaming experience might not be as smooth as with a dedicated gaming setup.

We conducted practical testing of the game using Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm, utilizing the graphics benchmark at medium settings with a resolution of 1080p. The ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 performed admirably in this real-world graphics assessment, achieving an average frame rate of 152 frames per second (fps).

ThinkPad P1: Verdict

While it might not be the most powerful workstation we’ve ever featured at Laptop Mag, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 offers plenty of power and performance. It’s well-equipped to handle tasks like photo and video editing, 3D rendering, or heavy data analysis — exactly what you’d expect from a reliable workstation. Plus, with a relatively affordable starting price, it’s a great deal, especially when upgraded with a better processor, GPU, memory, and storage.

The ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is designed to impress with its remarkable battery life of 17 hours and 23 minutes, making it an excellent choice for users on the go. Its sleek and lightweight design enhances portability, while the loud, high-quality audio ensures an enjoyable multimedia experience. Additionally, the inclusion of various ports caters to diverse connectivity needs, and the comfortable keyboard contributes to an overall productive user experience.

Although the display of the ThinkPad P1 could benefit from increased vibrancy, our review unit was equipped with the standard IPS panel. Consequently, the OLED option would unquestionably be superior for users requiring a highly color-accurate display.

Asus demonstrates excellence in innovation, positioning its premier laptops among my most favoured in the industry. However, not all consumers wish to or need to expenditure over $1,000 on a high-end device. This is the rationale behind the availability of the Asus Vivobook 16 (2025).

The Vivobook 16, priced at $899, delivers satisfactory performance thanks to its recent Snapdragon X1-26-100 processor, offers extended battery life, features a responsive touchpad, and boasts a large display suitable for a budget laptop.

Regrettably, it will be necessary to accept a compromise regarding the display quality, which is an anticipated outcome; however, the keyboard proves to be unsatisfactory.

VivoBook 16: Specs

VivoBook 16: Design

I am concerned about budget laptops, as they frequently exhibit a tacky or cumbersome appearance. However, the Asus Vivobook 16 presents a clean design. While it may not be considered stylish per se, its dark blue chassis with smooth curves enables it to blend seamlessly into most environments. The lid is stamped with a simple yet elegant silver Asus Vivobook logo.

There shouldn’t be a question about durability, despite it being a budget laptop. Asus tested it against the MIL-STD 810H military standards, which account for drops, extreme temperatures, and other environmental conditions.

The interior is more of the same, sporting a clean dark blue colourway all around, contrasted with a black keyboard and a wide touchpad. Meanwhile, the bezels on the display are pretty thin and feature a dotted texture all around. There’s also a webcam on top with a privacy shutter.

Weighing in at 4.14 pounds and measuring 14.06 x 9.87 x 0.70~0.78 inches, the Asus Vivobook 16 is a bit heavier and bulkier compared to premium ultrabooks. But don’t worry — it’s still very portable and easily fits in most laptop bags, making it a convenient choice for on-the-go use. 

VivoBook 16: Battery Life

A significant shortcoming of a budget laptop would be its failure to sustain adequate battery life; I had concerns regarding this aspect with the Vivobook. However, it performed exceptionally well, attributable to its Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipset.

During the battery assessment, conducted through continuous web browsing over Wi-Fi at a brightness level of 150 nits, the Vivobook achieved a duration of 14 hours and 6 minutes. This performance surpasses that of both the Samsung and Lenovo devices, though it remains approximately 8 minutes behind the Acer model.

VivoBook 16: Display

Regrettably, one of the limited concessions associated with a budget laptop pertains to the display. The Vivobook’s 16-inch, 1920 x 1200, 60Hz, 16:10 display exemplifies this exception.

I recently watched the new Lilo & Stitch trailer, and I couldn’t help but notice that Stitch’s blue fur looked somewhat flat on screen, almost like he was a character from the original film’s time. The shadows in Lilo’s room were a bit dark, making it a little tricky to see the items on her shelves clearly. During noon, though, the sunlight is bright enough to beautifully highlight the strands of hair on her head, making everything so much clearer.

The Vivobook achieved 48% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and a brightness of 305 nits, which is approximately comparable to that of Acer and Lenovo. However, Samsung demonstrated higher colour coverage than most premium laptops.

VivoBook 16: Keyboard and Touchpad

My fingers examined every key on the Asus Vivobook 16 and found them to be somewhat soft and lacking in firmness. While acceptable for a budget-oriented laptop, if your primary intention is to type extensively throughout the day, it may be prudent to consider an alternative option.

I achieved a typing speed of 79 words per minute on the 10fastfingers.com typing test, which is slightly below my average of 81 words per minute. The keys are reasonably spaced, although I remain concerned by the sensation of softness when pressing them. The 3.5 x 5.3-inch touchpad is unexpectedly smooth and produces a bassy click, exceeding my expectations for a budget laptop, thus representing a noteworthy advantage.

VivoBook 16: Performance

The Asus Vivobook 16 is equipped with the entry-level Snapdragon X chipset, designated as the X1-26-100. It offers limited processing power, precluding the possibility of undertaking resource-intensive tasks. While the 16GB of RAM provides some assistance, my personal evaluation was unimpressive.

I had three tabs open when Microsoft Edge slowed down so much that I had to force quit it. But after that, I reopened a few dozen tabs and some YouTube videos, and everything ran smoothly without much slowdown. So, it looks like it’s generally fine for your regular web browsing.

It also featured a fast SSD, with performance just about 150 MB/S slower than the Aspire 14. After watching a 15-minute video, its hottest temperature reached 93°f. The temperature sensor was positioned between the F10 and F11 keys, a less-than-ideal location for monitoring temperature, but it kept the device at a comfortable temperature.

ASUS VivoBook 16: Gaming

It is probably unnecessary to state this explicitly, but I will do so nonetheless: refrain from attempting to engage in gaming on the Asus Vivobook 16. The Qualcomm Adreno integrated GPU underperforms, and the ARM architecture substantially restricts the range of compatible games, as I discovered while gaming on the Surface Laptop 7.

The device achieved only 17 frames per second on the Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm benchmark (Medium, 1080p). The minimum requirement for playable performance is 30 frames per second (fps). The IdeaPad Flex 5’s Intel Iris Xe Graphics did not perform better, and the Galaxy’s Intel Graphics was unable to run the game altogether due to its Chromebook status.

Nevertheless, if gaming is desired, the Aspire 14 achieved a playable frame rate of 54 fps during testing.

VivoBook 16: AI features

With a Vivobook’s Snapdragon X chipset, you enjoy the popular AI features of a Copilot+ laptop. These include Recall, which helps you revisit your PC history, Live Captions for real-time subtitles, and Cocreator, your creative art generator.

There are additionally two artificial intelligence features branded by Asus, specifically the AI Audio settings within the MyAsus application. These features allow users to calibrate noise-cancellation functionalities for both the speakers and the microphone.

VivoBook 16: Verdict 

The Asus Vivobook 16 (2025) provides satisfactory performance, extended battery longevity, a responsive touchpad, and a large display. While I am not entirely enamoured with the Vivobook 16, it remains a reliable Windows 11 laptop. The principal concern at present pertains to its pricing.

The Acer Aspire 14 AI is more affordable and provides a tactile keyboard along with slightly extended battery longevity.

Nevertheless, should a 16-inch budget laptop be your preference, the Vivobook 16 constitutes a suitable option.