First Look: Asus TUF Dash F15 Slims Down, Pumps Up Budget Gaming Laptops

Today during CES 2021, Asus unveiled its TUF Dash F15 gaming laptop, which takes the entry-level TUF line in a hip new direction.

This is a decidedly more modern approach to a budget gaming laptop, and we wanted to get a closer look ourselves. Because CES 2021 is an all-virtual event, we couldn’t see the Dash F15 in person. But we worked with Asus to bring you the next best thing. We spoke to Asus over a video call, with the Dash F15 in hand on their end, so we could get a private look and have our questions answered. You can check out our discussion and see the Dash F15 for yourself in the video below...

Traditionally representing Asus’ more budget-minded offerings, until 2021 the TUF laptop line maintained a fairly traditional design sensibility. The new TUF Dash F15 represents a shift, with this fresh laptop packaged in a slim chassis that comes in black or a more striking white.

The key takeaways, aside from the visual redesign, include a host of new component options from Intel and Nvidia. The Dash F15 includes up to an Intel Core i7-11375H CPU and an Nvidia RTX 3070 GPU, meaning pretty serious gaming power. Intel's latest "Tiger Lake" Core H processors and Nvidia's GeForce RTX 30-Series GPUs for laptops were also just announced at CES 2021, so these are the cutting-edge options for gamers.

This laptop measures 0.78 by 14.1 by 9.9 inches (HWD) and roughly 4.4 pounds, which means that power is packed into a fairly compact system. Super-premium gaming laptops are decidedly lighter and a bit thinner, but considering the difference in intended audiences, this is a nice and portable laptop. The 15.6-inch display is full HD, and it comes in 144Hz and 240Hz flavors.

You can configure the system with up to 16GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. Extra benefits include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and Thunderbolt 4 support (all thanks to the newest Intel platform).

Enjoy the video for a closer look, and check back for a full review of the TUF Dash F15 when it becomes available in Q1 of this year. We'll have one in hand for testing soon.

About Our Expert

Matthew Buzzi

Principal Writer, Hardware

My Experience

I’ve been a consumer PC expert at PCMag for 10 years, and I love PC gaming. I've played games on my computer for as long as I can remember, which eventually (as it does for many) led me to build and upgrade my own desktops to this day. Through my years at PCMag, I've tested and reviewed many, many dozens of laptops and desktops, and I am always happy to recommend a PC for your needs and budget.

The Technology I Use

The single piece of technology I use the most (by far!) is my self-built desktop. I spend a lot of my time gaming (and now, working) on this system, and I’m likely to continue upgrading it in some form forever. As it relates to my work at PCMag, it’s a vital window into keeping up to date with components, performance, and the latest titles. On the smartphone front, I’m a full-time Android user.

I’m always eyeing my next GPU upgrade, but the consistent part of my gaming setup has been a 165Hz 1440p monitor; I think this remains the sweet spot for the time being. A dual-monitor setup has been essential for work and play; my second screen is either a productivity monitor, playing videos for entertainment, or being used for console gaming, depending on the time of day.

Speaking of which, I may be primarily a PC gamer, but (like any good gaming enthusiast without enough discipline) I also own a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series S, a Steam Deck, and a Nintendo Switch 2. The PS5 and Xbox are hooked up to a living-room television for a more laid-back couch experience; I've found Gamepass to be especially handy for cooperative play and for taking my saved-game files from my desk to my couch through the cloud.

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