Asus X553MA-BPD0705I Budget 15.6″ Laptop with Intel Pentium / 4GB / 750GB
The Asus X553MA-BPD0705I is one of the best 15.6″ laptop deals currently, since it offers decent performance and feature set for below $300.
The Asus X553MA-BPD0705I is a typical run-of-the-mill budget laptop. It has a non-touch display with the standard screen resolution of 1366-by-768 pixels and a non-backlit keyboard with numeric pad. Computing and display are powered by the Intel Pentium N3540 quad-core processor with the Intel HD series integrated graphics. It is an entry-level chip, but still suitable for flawless work on everyday tasks and noticeably faster than the common Intel Celeron budget CPUs. You can read a review of the N3540 here. 4GB of RAM is satisfactory for multitasking scenarios of the average user. If you need more, you can add an additional 4GB RAM module for a total of 8GB. The included 750GB hard drive spinning at 5,400 rpm isn’t insanely spacious and is quite slow type of storage, but it’s bigger than the usual 500GB HDDs and can serve for normal functioning of Windows and programs.
The traditional PC users will appreciate the included old-fashioned DVD burner drive, VGA video output for older external displays, TVs, and projectors, and a wired Ethernet LAN network port. The laptop also has 802.11N Wi-Fi wireless support, stereo speakers, a low-resolution VGA-quality web camera, HDMI video port, a media card reader, and a combo audio output jack. On the negative side, there are only two USB ports – one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0, and Bluetooth is missing.
Although it’s a laptop entirely made of plastics, the Asus X553MA-BPD0705I doesn’t look cheap. On contrary, it has a quite appealing appearance thanks to brushed-metal-like pattern on the palmrest and radiant metallic-looking finish on the display lid.
Asus hasn’t provided info on battery life. Given the 2-cell battery has a low capacity of just 30 WHr by 15.6″ notebooks’ standards, the battery life will be probably on the shorter side. One can assume it won’t last longer than 4-4.5 hours, although the included Pentium processor is among the most power efficient ones.
The X553MA-BPD0705I weighs in at 5.1 pounds and is 1.1″ thick, so it isn’t more portable nor much bulkier than the average 15.6″ notebook.
The laptop comes with previous-generation Windows 8.1 operating system. The good news is that you can upgrade it to Windows 10 free of charge.
For a limited time, the device will be selling with bundled free extras at Best Buy. Namely, an 8GB USB Flash drive by PNY, Logitech’s wireless optical mouse, Targus laptop sleeve, and Trend Micro Internet Security software 6-month subscription.
Here are the specs of the Asus X553MA-BPD0705I with descriptions of its features. For comparison against other laptops, you can use the "Compare Specs" button.
| Brand | Asus |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 15.6-inch This is by far the most popular laptop screen size. It provides a lot of screen real estate, while avoiding bulkiness of the 17.3" laptops. |
| Screen Resolution | 1366x768 pixels HD This is an entry-level screen resolution, oftentimes found on budget laptops. It doesn't deliver picture sharpness and space on the screen like the Full HD or higher resolution laptop displays do. |
| Touchscreen | No This laptop doesn't support touchscreen input. |
| Other Display Specs | TN type Displays based on the old TN technology lack wide viewing angles you can find on IPS screens. The colors may look washed out or inverted at certain viewing angles. |
| Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium N3540 quad-core 2.16-2.66GHz 2MB cache (User Benchmark CPU score: 21) |
| Graphics (GPU) | Intel HD integrated graphics of low-end CPUs (only for the lightest gaming) |
| System Memory (RAM) Size | 4GB RAM 4GB is a small RAM size for computing in 2023. For smooth operation of a laptop during everyday tasks, at least 8GB is recommended. |
| Data Storage | 750GB HDD This is an excellent capacity, but HDD is a slow type of storage. |
| DVD Optical Drive | DVD writer |
| Keyboard & Input | Non-backlit keyboard with dedicated number pad The keyboard has a separate numeric pad on the right side of the keyboard, but it has no keyboard backlight. Touchpad with click buttons built into the surface The left and right click buttons are built into the surface of the touchpad, as opposed to separate physical buttons. |
| Camera | Front-facing web camera Laptops usually feature a frontal webcam located on the display bezel. This laptop is no exception. |
| Speakers & Audio | Stereo speakers As usual, the device features a pair of built-in stereo speakers. Combo microphone and headphones audio jack This laptop has the ordinary 3.5mm combo audio jack that supports both headphone output and microphone input simultaneously. |
| Wi-Fi Wireless | 802.11N 802.11N is an old Wi-Fi standard, precursor of the 802.11AC and the latest 802.11AX with improved data transfer speeds and connectivity. 802.11N is rarely used in modern laptops. |
| Ethernet Network Port | Yes This laptop has an Ethernet LAN port for wired internet and networking connectivity. |
| Mobile broadband (4G LTE) | No |
| Bluetooth | No This laptop has no built-in Bluetooth module. |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 + 1 x USB 2.0 A pair of standard full-size USB ports. |
| Video Output Ports | 1 x HDMI + 1 x VGA HDMI is a widely used digital video output port. You can find HDMI-in ports on most computer monitors and TVs. VGA is an old analog type of video connectivity used on older computers, monitors, TVs, and projectors. |
| Media Card Reader | SD card reader The laptop has a slot for full-size SD memory cards, used in many digital cameras. You can also use microSD cards with a card adapter. |
| Battery | 2-Cell 30 WHr |
| Weight | 5.1 pounds |
| Height | 1.1" |
| Width | 15" |
| Depth | 10.2" |
| Windows Version | Windows 8.1 Windows 8.1 is eligible for free upgrade to Windows 10 Home. Check Windows.com for more info. |
| Warranty | 1-year A typical laptop warranty. |
User Reviews and Q&A on the Asus X553MA-BPD0705I
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Brhymer –
Please i will like to know if the graphics card of this laptop can be changed. i hardly play games on laptops except for Anno 1404 which i play to while away time. the intel HD Integrated Adapter i know isn’t enough for a game like that. thanks
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abdulganiyu –
Is Asus X553MA notebook suitable for computer science student.
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Danijel Z –
Can you tell what programs you intend to use? This particular X553MA configuration with the Pentium CPU is generally among slower laptops on the market. Some basic programs will run fine, but for anything more serious (like running different operating systems as virtual machines) you should consider at least Intel Core i3 CPU and 8GB RAM.