ASUS TUF A15: The 4-Year Review
Ryzen 5 4600H + GTX 1650. Is it still a budget king or electronic waste in 2026?
⚙️ Tech Specs
The Personal Experience
This was my first proper gaming laptop, bought back in 2021. After four years of daily abuse, I can confidently say: this thing is a tank.
For browsing and daily tasks, the 16GB of RAM keeps it snappy. Even with 20 Chrome tabs open, it doesn't stutter. I've maintained it religiously—cleaning the fans every 6 months and repasting the CPU/GPU annually. Because of that, it still runs like day one.
Gaming Performance in 2026:
Don't expect to run GTA 6 on Ultra. But for the classics? It shines. I still play GTA V, League of Legends, CS2, and Forza Horizon 5 on Medium settings without dropping frames. The GTX 1650 is aging, but for 1080p esports titles, it refuses to die.
Design & Build
It screams "Gamer," but the construction feels solid. The keyboard is a highlight for me—the membrane switches are soft, making it comfortable for both typing essays and gaming sessions. Port selection is generous too: 3x USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and Ethernet. You don't need a dongle life here.
Real World Gallery
Photos taken by me, showing the laptop after 4 years of use.
✅ The Good
- Durability: Built like a brick. 4 years later, nothing is broken.
- The Screen: 144Hz IPS is a game changer for shooters like CS2.
- Performance: Still handles everyday tasks and esports perfectly.
- Cooling: Efficient (if you clean it regularly).
❌ The Bad
- Battery Life: 2-3 hours max. You are tethered to the wall.
- Noise: Jet engine fans under heavy load.
- Portability: It's heavy (~2.3kg). Not backpack friendly.
- GPU Limits: Struggles with modern AAA titles on High settings.
Final Verdict
The ASUS TUF A15 (Ryzen 4000 series) isn't new, but it's a legend. If you find one used for a good price, it's an excellent entry-level machine for students or casual gamers. It's proof that you don't need the latest hardware to have fun.