ASUS VivoBook V551LB Pro Reviews

The well-built and attractive VivoBook V551LB-DB71T is one of the fastest mainstream laptops we've seen. It provides the latest-generation CPU and discrete graphics for under $1,000, which is not unheard-of but highly unusual. However, we suspect that some folks will find the tradeoff—the lackluster, low-res 1,366x768 screen—a deal-breaker, especially if they often use their PCs for video playback.Overlook its shortcoming for media consumption, though, and the V551LB is highly suitable for most other tasks, including some midrange multimedia authoring and processing. As is, it earns a place on mainstream shopping lists; with a 1,920x1,080 screen, it'd earn a place on our Editors' Choice list.

The VivoBook V551LB is a mixed bag of highs and lows, with very good battery life, but a sub-par screen. It has a mostly premium-feeling shell, but lacks the solid-state storage or backlit keyboard that we’ve come to expect with a system priced at near $1,000. That doesn’t make the VivoBook a bad option by any means. It’s just not the best-balanced choice for most users. If you value battery life, some gaming prowess, a nice-looking exterior, and silent operation over super-fast boot times and a well-performing, high-resolution screen, the V551LB should suit you nicely. You may want to wait to see if the price drops a bit, though. Considering how its features stack up against most other recent Ultrabooks, we wouldn’t be surprised if its price dips, especially after the back-to-school season.

The Asus VivoBook V551LB-DB71T desktop replacement laptop is deceptively sleek and slim, offering category leading performance and battery life that will carry you through the day.

The V551LB-DB71T is an overall very good laptop with nice looks and performance and battery life to match its just-under-$1,000 price tag. It's missing a couple of bells and whistles we expect at that price, though, and its display is disappointing for the money.