ASUS ROG FX503: A Powerful and Affordable Gaming Laptop

The ASUS ROG FX503 is a gaming laptop that has gained a reputation for being a powerful and affordable option in the crowded gaming laptop market. The laptop boasts a range of features that make it a popular choice among gamers, including a 15.6-inch Full HD display, 7th generation Intel Core processors, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10-series graphics, and a slim and lightweight design. The laptop is also equipped with a red-backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting technology, which provides gamers with precise and responsive keystrokes. With its impressive specifications and competitive price point, the ASUS ROG FX503 is a compelling option for anyone looking for a high-performance gaming laptop. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the ASUS ROG FX503, evaluating its design, performance, keyboard and touchpad, battery life, connectivity, price, and value proposition.

Design and Build Quality

The ASUS ROG FX503 features a sleek and minimalist design that is both eye-catching and practical. The laptop is primarily made of plastic, but it feels sturdy and well-built. The lid has a brushed aluminum finish that gives it a premium look and feels, while the interior is mostly made of black plastic with red accents. The laptop has a slim profile, measuring 24.9mm thick, and it weighs just under 2.2 kg, making it a portable option for gaming on the go.

One of the standout features of the design is the red-backlit keyboard, which is designed specifically for gamers. The keys have a good amount of travel, and they offer a satisfying tactile feedback. The keyboard also features anti-ghosting technology, which ensures that each keypress is registered accurately, even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously. The touchpad is located below the keyboard and is responsive and accurate, with multi-touch support for gestures.

In terms of ports, the ASUS ROG FX503 has a good selection of connectivity options. On the left side of the laptop, there is a Gigabit Ethernet port, a USB 3.1 Type-C port, an HDMI 1.4 port, and a mini DisplayPort 1.2 port. On the right side, there are two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, an audio combo jack, and an SD card reader.

Overall, the ASUS ROG FX503 has a well-designed and well-built chassis that is both stylish and functional. While the laptop is mostly made of plastic, it feels sturdy and durable, and the keyboard and touchpad are well-designed for gamers. The range of ports is also impressive, providing plenty of connectivity options for various devices and peripherals.

Display and Audio

The ASUS ROG FX503 is equipped with a 15.6-inch Full HD display that offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The display has an anti-glare coating that reduces reflections and eye strain, making it easier to use for extended periods. The colors are vibrant and accurate, and the brightness is adequate for use in various lighting conditions. The viewing angles are good, allowing for easy viewing from different angles without significant color distortion or loss of brightness.

For audio, the ASUS ROG FX503 has two speakers located at the bottom of the laptop. The speakers deliver decent audio quality for a laptop in this price range, with a reasonable amount of volume and clarity. However, like most laptop speakers, they lack depth and bass, and external speakers or headphones are recommended for an immersive gaming experience.

To enhance the audio experience, the laptop also features the ASUS SonicMaster and ROG AudioWizard software. These software packages allow users to fine-tune the audio settings to suit their preferences, with different presets for gaming, movies, and music.

In summary, the ASUS ROG FX503 has a good quality Full HD display that delivers vibrant colors and good viewing angles. While the audio quality from the built-in speakers is decent, it may be inadequate for a fully immersive gaming experience, and external speakers or headphones are recommended. The inclusion of the SonicMaster and ROG AudioWizard software provides a range of customization options to enhance the audio quality to the user's preference.

Performance

The ASUS ROG FX503 is a powerful gaming laptop that delivers excellent performance for its price range. The laptop is powered by a 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor with a clock speed of 2.8 GHz, which can be boosted up to 3.8 GHz using Intel Turbo Boost Technology. The processor is paired with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which can be expanded up to 32GB for users who require more memory for heavy multitasking or demanding applications.

For graphics, the laptop is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card with 4GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM. The graphics card is capable of handling most modern games at medium to high settings with smooth frame rates. The laptop also features an advanced cooling system that includes dual fans and heat pipes to keep the system cool during intense gaming sessions.

The storage options on the ASUS ROG FX503 are impressive, with a 128GB SSD and a 1TB HDD. The SSD provides fast boot times and quick access to frequently used applications, while the HDD provides ample storage space for games, media, and other files.

In benchmark tests, the ASUS ROG FX503 performs well, with high scores in CPU and graphics tests. The laptop is also capable of running demanding applications and games without any significant lag or performance issues.

Overall, the ASUS ROG FX503 delivers excellent performance for its price range, with a powerful processor, dedicated graphics card, and a fast storage system. The advanced cooling system ensures that the laptop stays cool even during intense gaming sessions, making it an ideal choice for gamers who want a powerful and reliable gaming laptop.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The ASUS ROG FX503 features a well-designed and responsive keyboard that is specifically designed for gamers. The keyboard has a red backlighting that provides a striking and stylish appearance while also making it easy to use in low-light conditions. The keys have a decent amount of travel, and they offer a satisfying tactile feedback, making them suitable for both typing and gaming.

The keyboard also features anti-ghosting technology, which ensures that each keypress is registered accurately, even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for gamers who need to press multiple keys at the same time, such as when executing complex moves in games.

The touchpad on the ASUS ROG FX503 is located below the keyboard and is responsive and accurate, with multi-touch support for gestures. The touchpad has a smooth surface that makes it easy to glide your fingers across it, and it is suitable for both general use and gaming. However, for a better gaming experience, most gamers prefer using a mouse, which provides greater precision and control.

Overall, the keyboard and touchpad on the ASUS ROG FX503 are well-designed and responsive, making them suitable for both general use and gaming. The anti-ghosting technology in the keyboard ensures that every keystroke is registered accurately, while the touchpad is smooth and responsive, with multi-touch support for gestures.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The ASUS ROG FX503 comes with a 4-cell 48Wh battery that provides decent battery life for a gaming laptop. With moderate use, such as browsing the web and light productivity tasks, the laptop can last up to 5-6 hours on a single charge. However, during intense gaming sessions, the battery life can drop significantly, lasting only around 1-2 hours.

For connectivity, the laptop offers a range of options, including three USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI port, one mini DisplayPort, and an SD card reader. The laptop also features Bluetooth 4.1 and dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac for wireless connectivity.

The Ethernet port provides a reliable wired internet connection for those who require a stable and fast internet connection. The HDMI and mini DisplayPort offer the option to connect to external displays, making it ideal for gamers who want to enjoy their games on a larger screen.

Overall, the ASUS ROG FX503 offers a decent battery life for a gaming laptop, with the ability to last up to 5-6 hours with moderate use. The laptop provides a range of connectivity options, including USB 3.0, HDMI, mini DisplayPort, and an SD card reader, making it versatile and suitable for a range of uses. The Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi provide reliable wireless connectivity, while the Ethernet port offers a stable and fast wired internet connection.

Price and Value

The ASUS ROG FX503 offers excellent value for its price range, delivering powerful performance, good build quality, and a range of features that make it suitable for gaming and other demanding applications.

The laptop is competitively priced for a gaming laptop, and it offers a powerful 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card, and a fast storage system with a 128GB SSD and a 1TB HDD.

In addition, the laptop features an advanced cooling system, anti-ghosting technology in the keyboard, and a responsive touchpad, making it a reliable and high-performing gaming laptop.

The laptop is also well-built, with a durable chassis that can withstand the rigors of daily use, and a stylish design that is both functional and attractive.

Overall, the ASUS ROG FX503 offers excellent value for its price range, delivering powerful performance, good build quality, and a range of features that make it suitable for gaming and other demanding applications. It is an ideal choice for gamers who want a reliable and high-performing gaming laptop that won't break the bank.

FAQs

What is the display size of the ASUS ROG FX503?

The laptop features a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a matte finish.

Can the RAM be upgraded on the ASUS ROG FX503?

Yes, the laptop comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, but it can be upgraded up to 32GB.

What kind of games can the ASUS ROG FX503 handle?

The laptop can handle a range of modern games, including AAA titles, at medium to high settings.

Does the laptop feature a Thunderbolt 3 port?

No, the laptop does not feature a Thunderbolt 3 port.

Is the ASUS ROG FX503 suitable for video editing or other demanding applications?

Yes, the laptop's powerful processor and graphics card, combined with its fast storage system, make it suitable for demanding applications such as video editing and 3D modeling.

Does the laptop come with a warranty?

Yes, the laptop comes with a standard 1-year warranty that covers manufacturing defects.