Like they told us in school, we may do as many extra-curricular activities as we please, but performing well in exams counts the most toward our report card. Absolute devotion to performance often takes a backseat in the modern world’s style and glitter, but the ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 N580GD-DB74 refuses to compromise.
This 15.6” laptop priced at $1,099.00 delivers brilliant performance and graphics, managing to look stylish and packing in impressive features at the same time. So, what all does the new VivoBook bring to the forefront?
Table of Contents
Behold the New VivoBook
At 4.4 lbs and with dimensions of 15 x 10.1 x 0.8”, this is a reasonably compact and portable laptop. Its profile is as thin as 0.8”; it sure deserves its crown of being the thinnest (and also the lightest) in the VivoBook Pro series.
The mobility, thankfully, does not come at the cost of durability. This VivoBook Pro is built from high-grade, strong aluminum milled using industry-leading manufacturing processes. The resilience of the construction becomes apparent when you carry the computer around, the design lending itself readily to life on-the-run.
Processing First
Giving the user operational efficiency and speedy response is the top priority for this VivoBook. It is fueled by an eighth-generation Intel Core i7-8750H processor (four cores) and runs Windows 10 Home. While the processing speed is 2.2 GHz, you can Turbo Boost this up to 4.1 GHz. The laptop has 8GB RAM (DDR4, 5400 RPM) and 16GB of storage.
Let’s talk about that storage again. A unique feature of this computer is that it lets you boost things with Intel Optane memory. It’s an extraordinary way to get expansive 1TB space and lightning-fast data speeds. No kidding, the data speeds (reading/writing) you get are five times that of a traditional hard drive’s! Game loading turns out to be almost five times faster too, while media loads about 1.7 times faster. This commitment to performance makes the laptop well-suited for multitasking, both for personal and professional needs.
While you’re accomplishing all that, there’s no need to fret about things getting heated up. There is an effective ASUS Hyper Cool cooling system that keeps things nice and pleasant with heat pipes and fans. The two fans run at eight different speeds—adjusting the speed intelligently—and produce negligible noise while running.
How about the juice? Well, the Lithium-Ion battery (47WHr, three-cell) of the laptop is fairly reliable. While the backup will depend on your usage, there is a smart provision if you do run out of charge: fast-charging. It takes only about 49 minutes to power up to 60 percent. This comes in really handy when you’re on-the-go.
| Specs of ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 N580GD-DB74 |
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| Processor | Intel Core i7-8750H 6-core (up to 4.1 GHz) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 4GB |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 + 16GB Intel Optane Memory |
| Storage | 1TB HDD |
| Display | 15.6″ Full-HD IPS |
Display & Graphics
In the ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 N580GD-DB74, graphics quality is almost as big a commitment as performance. It is fitted with NVIDIA GTX 1050 (discrete) with 4GB memory. The full High Definition, 
The display also supports In-Plane Switching. This ensures that your viewing angle does not distort the image (up to 178 degrees). Interestingly, while the native screen resolution is 1920 x 1080, you can use the Type-C port to connect to—wait for it—a 4K UHD display! It’s the perfect solution for work presentations, movie screenings, or even high-intensity gaming marathons.
All in all, the graphics support is genuinely topnotch, and you can comfortably use this laptop for intensive image editing or a fair amount of gaming.
The Sound of Brilliance
When you have Harman Kardon sound systems, auditory bliss is guaranteed. The VivoBook Pro 15 has two stereo speakers with 8cc chambers equipped to both increase the volume and enhance the richness of the audio (treble and bass). The speakers are at the front and deliver almost 320 percent louder audio than other computers with these configurations.
Watching movies, playing games, editing audio files and video-calling on the High Definition webcam—all these endeavors prove to be rewarding with this beauty of a machine.
Accessibility & Connectivity
Accessing this laptop is elementary: you don’t even need to type in a password. There is an inbuilt fingerprint sensor that, in conjunction with Windows Hello, gives you simple yet reliable security.
The keyboard is ergonomic and comfortable to type on. It is also wholly backlit so working in low-lighting conditions is not a challenge. The thoughtful distance between the keys—1.4mm—makes typing a more comfortable experience.
Let’s talk about the device support. The ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 N580GD-DB74 is fitted with two USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, one USB 3.1 Type-C port, an SD card reader and an HDMI. The USB 3.1 port deserves special notice: it lets you transfer data with speeds as high as 5 Gbps. Also, since the Type-C design is reversible, it is glitch-free to connect an array of devices—projectors, peripherals, the works.
Note that the VivoBook Pro 15 has adequate support for wireless connectivity too, complying with 2×2 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2.
Verdict – ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 N580GD-DB74
So, is the ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 N580GD-DB74 a competent choice for your day-to-day computing needs? Let’s just say this: the machine is more than adept not only for the ordinary, average day but for the brilliant labors of passion. It is a delight to render stunning images on the bright and gorgeous display, experience fluidity of performance even with intensive multitasking, and have the assurance of never running out of storage space.
ASUS has been doing a fantastic job of bringing out powerful laptops that are equal parts powerful and portable.
