![]() The quad-core, eight-thread "Tiger Lake" Core i7-11375H in our Dash F15 test unit may seem like an odd choice for a gaming laptop when six-core chips like Intel's familiar 10th Generation "Comet Lake-H" Core i7-10750H are common in its price range. Testing the TUF Dash F15: Only the Latest Silicon Need Apply The air intakes for its twin cooling fans are visible under the bottom panel. The TUF Dash F15 also keeps its temperatures in check the chassis warmed up but was always cool enough to touch during my gaming sessions. Silent it isn't, but the noise is unlikely to attract glances from those around you. ![]() I had no trouble using them for casual gaming since the TUF's fan noise is well controlled. This notebook's speakers project respectably loud and clear (if bass-shy) sound from under the palm rest. Inside, the TUF Dash F15 has an Intel AX201 card that supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5. The left-side ports are bunched up against the front of the chassis, though this appears to have been unavoidable since a cooling vent occupies the rear half. Other connectivity includes three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, headset and Ethernet jacks, and a full-size HDMI 2.0b video output (which is good for 4K on an external monitor at 60Hz). The plug for the latter is somewhat awkwardly located in the middle of the laptop's left edge. You can use the port to charge the notebook, though Asus' proprietary AC adapter must be connected for full performance. The TUF Dash F15's port selection is above average thanks to the Thunderbolt 4/USB-C port on its left side. My only wish-list item is that the lid tilted back more, but its maximum angle is fine for desktop use. Though its brightness is only average, its good contrast and rated 100 percent coverage of the sRGB gamut make for a colorful, engaging picture. The IPS panel has wide viewing angles and a glare-killing matte surface. The TUF's screen checks all the boxes for competitive gaming: full HD (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) native resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, a rated 3-millisecond response time, and adaptive sync technology to eliminate frame tearing. The pad's ample size, smooth surface, and communicative clicking action make using it a pleasure. The app also lets you disable the buttonless touchpad, but anyone who does that is missing out. The latter provides system monitoring, keyboard controls (such as the ability to disable the Windows key), and display color settings. Its turquoise-only backlighting shows nicely through the clear WASD cluster.Ī quartet of shortcut buttons at top left includes volume up and down, microphone off, and one to launch Asus' Armoury Crate control panel. In better news, the island-style keyboard has ample key travel and satisfying feedback. Strangely, Asus didn't make accommodations for a webcam, though there is a dual microphone array for voice chats. Its side and top screen bezels are appreciably minimal, though the bottom one could be thinner. The TUF Dash F15 is of average size and weight at 0.78 by 14.2 by 9.9 inches (HWD) and 4.4 pounds. The TUF logos that decorate the lid are showy and bold without being polarizing. The metal lid backing is another nice touch it, too, is impressively rigid. The smooth plastics making up its base are reassuringly thick and strong. Though Asus' TUF ("The Ultimate Force") brand prioritizes performance and value over flashy design, the Dash F15 delivers a premium look and feel. Still, the TUF Dash F15 is still a respectable pick, especially in its lesser-priced Best Buy configurations. Its most glaring omission is a webcam, though its gaming performance is not necessarily better than that of last-generation laptops. It also isn't lacking for practicality with its quiet fans, comfortable keyboard, and lengthy-for-its-class battery life. Its pairing of Intel Core i7 "Tiger Lake-H" silicon-the company's newest mobile CPUs for power laptops-and a brand-new 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 mobile GPU produced triple-digit frame rates in our testing, with its 240Hz-refresh-rate screen more than keeping pace. ![]() For $1,699 as tested (models start at $1,099), this 15.6-inch gaming laptop performs on par with systems from last year that were much higher-priced. Asus' new TUF Dash F off to a good start for watchers of mobile gaming hardware.
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