That is also the reason for ASUS to bring the VivoPC X to the market. This sleek tower hardly even resembles a desktop and is more reminiscent of a console. A logical choice, as there will undoubtedly be enough people who will give the device a prominent place in their living room. However, the VivoPC X does not look out of place in a business environment either, unlike, for example, ASUS's ROG series, which really focuses on gaming and entertainment in terms of appearance.
Housing and connections
Although the housing resembles a lying desktop and the system can be positioned both standing and lying down by ASUS, the curves already reveal that upright is the way to install the system. A lot of attention has been paid to design. Your gaze is immediately drawn to the red stripe that runs the length of the front. On both sides, there are openings for ventilation that also have a design element.
Notably, you will find no connections at the front. ASUS has chosen to hide everything at the back. This certainly benefits the appearance of the system, but it does mean that you cannot quickly connect a USB device.
The connections at the back are well-equipped graphically with two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort. Additionally, you will find four USB 3.1 ports and two USB 2.0 ports at the back, as well as an Ethernet port. A bit strange is the choice for a 3-in-1 jack connection for audio. For a multimedia device, that is somewhat meager, so if you want to connect a high-end surround system to the VivoPC X, you will need to rely on an audio interface that you connect via USB, for example.
Specifications
The Windows 10 system runs on an Intel Core i5-7300HQ CPU and has 8GB of RAM on board. For a system like this, the graphical aspect is of course quite important, which is why ASUS has equipped it with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX1060 graphics card. What we are very pleased with is the hybrid storage. You can choose from several configurations, from a 1TB HDD with 128GB SSD to a 2TB HDD with 256GB SSD of storage. A good choice in our opinion, too often manufacturers compromise on storage, which is not unimportant within the spectrum of multimedia content.
Practicality
We immediately noticed the versatility of the system. As we mentioned earlier, the system looks great both in a living room and in an office. ASUS has taken this into account by supplying the system with a wireless mouse and keyboard. So, you won't have to deal with cables.
Also nice: you will find practically no bloatware on the VivoPC X. For a system like this, that is quite unique, as manufacturers often deliver a system like this, which is actually ready to use straight out of the box, with the necessary software to get up and running quickly. That is not the case here, so it is really a clean, self-configurable system. A plus point in our opinion. However, you will find the Sonic Suite pre-installed. This suite is aimed at gamers and allows you to configure the audio to your liking.
Graphically impressive
The meat of the VivoPC X lies in the system being virtual reality-ready. The engine behind this is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX1060 graphics card. It handles everything you throw at it with ease, regardless of which VR system you prefer.
Even if you are less charmed by virtual reality, you can still get along well with the VivoPC X. The system is equipped with G-sync technology that synchronizes the refresh rate of your monitor with the output of your graphics card. This prevents stuttering and strange frame drops, leading to a streamlined multimedia experience. Not unimportant during gaming. It is also notable how quiet the system is. Even with all the graphical power, you cannot hear the VivoPC X. Admirable in our opinion, in this regard, many other manufacturers could learn something from ASUS.
All-in-one, but not for everyone
Although the specifications of the system are fine, there is one thing with the VivoPC X. To upgrade it, you will need to be quite skilled. The system is quite closed off. Technically, it is possible to open the housing, but you need to know exactly how. ASUS has really intended the VivoPC X as an all-in-one system. If you purchase this, you are also ready to go after connecting it. This makes it much less suitable for adventurous upgraders who like to have the latest graphics card or want to expand their storage.
ASUS VivoPC X
Price: from € 999,-
OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel Core i5-7300HQ
RAM: 8GB
Graphics: On Board NVIDIA GeForce GTX1060, 3GB
Storage: up to 2TB HDD; up to 512GB SSD
Wireless: 802.11 ac; BT 4.1
Connections: 4 x USB 3.1; 2 x USB 2.0; 1 x Audio Jack 3-in-1; 1 x RJ45 LAN; 2 x HDMI; 1 x Display Port
Dimensions: 76 x 260 x 280 mm
Weight: 2.2KG
Info: Asus.nl
Peter Güldenpfennig ASUS VivoPC X
