The laptop market in 2023 offers an impressive array of options, but three models stand out in their respective categories: the productivity-focused Asus VivoBook S 15, the gaming powerhouse HP Victus 15, and the versatile Lenovo IdeaPad. This comprehensive comparison will help you determine which device best fits your needs.

Performance Showdown

  • Asus VivoBook S 15 (2023): Equipped with 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1360P (12 cores) or AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, and Iris Xe/Radeon Graphics
  • HP Victus 15: Features 12th/13th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7, up to NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti (6GB GDDR6), and 16GB DDR4 RAM
  • Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro: Offers AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS or 12th Gen Intel Core i7, NVIDIA MX550 (2GB GDDR6) or Iris Xe, and 16GB LPDDR5 RAM

Display Quality Comparison

Model Size Resolution Refresh Rate Brightness Color Coverage
Asus VivoBook 15.6" 2880x1620 120Hz 400 nits 100% DCI-P3
HP Victus 15.6" 1920x1080 144Hz 250 nits 45% NTSC
Lenovo IdeaPad 16" 2560x1600 60Hz 350 nits 100% sRGB

Battery Life and Portability

  • Asus VivoBook S 15: 70Wh battery (10-12 hours), 1.8kg weight, 16.9mm thin
  • HP Victus 15: 52.5Wh battery (4-6 hours gaming, 8-10 normal use), 2.29kg, 23.5mm
  • Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro: 75Wh battery (12-14 hours), 1.9kg, 17.5mm

Gaming Performance Benchmarks (1080p Medium Settings)

  • HP Victus (RTX 3050 Ti):
  • Cyberpunk 2077: 45-50 FPS
  • Elden Ring: 55-60 FPS
  • Fortnite: 120+ FPS
  • Lenovo IdeaPad (MX550):
  • GTA V: 40-45 FPS
  • Valorant: 90-100 FPS
  • Minecraft: 120+ FPS
  • Asus VivoBook (Iris Xe):
  • CS:GO: 60-70 FPS
  • Dota 2: 50-55 FPS
  • Valorant: 70-80 FPS

Build Quality and Design

The Asus VivoBook S 15 features an all-metal chassis with an ErgoLift hinge (raising keyboard for better cooling), available in multiple colors. The HP Victus uses plastic with metal reinforcements and has a distinctive angular design with customizable RGB lighting. Lenovo's IdeaPad sports an aluminum top cover with plastic base, offering a more understated professional look.

Keyboard and Input Experience

  • Asus: 1.4mm key travel, backlit, 19.05mm key pitch
  • HP: 1.5mm travel, 4-zone RGB, larger arrow keys
  • Lenovo: 1.5mm travel, white backlight, excellent key stability

Connectivity Options

All three laptops feature:
- WiFi 6/6E
- Bluetooth 5.2
- USB-C (with varying capabilities)

Unique ports:
- Asus: Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, microSD reader
- HP: Ethernet port, Mini DisplayPort
- Lenovo: Full-size SD reader, 2x USB-C (both with DisplayPort)

Price Comparison (as of 2023)

  • Asus VivoBook S 15: $999-$1,299
  • HP Victus 15: $899-$1,499 (depending on GPU)
  • Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro: $949-$1,199

Who Should Buy Which?

  1. Choose Asus VivoBook S 15 if:
    - You prioritize display quality and portability
    - Need long battery life for productivity
    - Want premium build without gaming aesthetics

  2. Opt for HP Victus 15 when:
    - Gaming is your primary use case
    - You can compromise on battery life and weight
    - Need better GPU performance

  3. Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro is ideal for:
    - Users wanting a balance between work and light gaming
    - Those who prefer larger 16:10 display
    - Need all-day battery with respectable performance

Future-Proofing Considerations

The Asus and Lenovo models support faster LPDDR5 RAM compared to Victus's DDR4. However, the Victus offers better GPU upgrade options. All three should handle Windows 11 and likely the next Windows version comfortably for 3-4 years.

Final Verdict

For productivity professionals, the Asus VivoBook S 15 stands out with its stunning OLED display and lightweight design. Gamers will find the HP Victus 15 delivers the best value for performance. The versatile user who needs a jack-of-all-trades device should consider the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro with its excellent balance of features.