The ASUS Vivobook 16 Comes With 27 Hours Of Battery Life, But It Has A Few Caveats
Priced at RM2,999, ASUS claims its latest AI laptop can last up to 27 hours on a single charge.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 16 May 2025, 04:23 PM
There's something oddly comforting about using a laptop that doesn't spend half its life clinging to a charger
That's what first struck me about the ASUS Vivobook 16 (A1607QA).
Released in February 2025 and priced at RM2,999, ASUS claims its latest AI laptop can last up to 27 hours on a single charge. I didn’t hover with a timer, but I easily managed two full days of use — writing and sending emails, writing articles, attending video calls, and editing photos on Canva — before the Vivobook 16 tapped out.
When you do need to top up, it charges to 50% in around 30 minutes. For commuters, coffee shop regulars, or anyone working away from a plug socket, that's genuinely useful.
The design of the Vivobook 16 is... restrained, in a good way. It's the kind of laptop you can pull out in a client meeting without drawing side-eyes.
No shiny gimmicks. It's built from plastic, yes, but feels sturdy and well-assembled.
ASUS says it's been tested to military-grade durability standards. I didn't drop it (intentionally), but it never once felt fragile.
Typing on the ErgoSense keyboard is surprisingly satisfying, and the large trackpad gives your fingers room to roam. I did notice that it requires more pressure than expected to click. It's one of the few reminders that this is a sub-RM3,000 device.
Inside, there's a Snapdragon X processor paired with 16GB of RAM, which means multitasking is smooth for the most part
The Vivobook 16 handled everything I threw at it. From spreadsheets and web apps to Spotify and Zoom, it was able to take them on without complaint.
And features like Windows Copilot and the automatic lock when you step away feel less like futuristic flourishes and more like practical tools you'll quietly come to rely on.
That said, the Vivobook 16 comes with some compromises. The 16-inch display is serviceable, but not dazzling.
Colours appear muted and brightness is limited. If your work involves photo editing or design, you'll notice the lack of colour accuracy. For browsing, streaming, and docs, it's perfectly fine. But it won’t wow you.
There's also the architecture issue. The ARM-based chip means not all Windows apps are guaranteed to run smoothly, or at all. Most people won't run into this, but if your workflow relies on older software or less mainstream tools, it's worth double-checking compatibility first.
At RM2,999, the Vivobook 16 (A1607QA) is designed to be a reliable, lightweight workhorse. And for many, it hits the mark.
Its exceptional battery life, practical design, and fluid everyday performance make it a compelling choice for professionals who need a dependable laptop without the constant tether of a charging cable.
It's not perfect. But if your days are built around productivity, not pixel-perfect visuals or gaming benchmarks, this could be exactly what you've been looking for.
