Asus’ new TUF fashions repair one of many largest issues with at this time’s gaming laptops

Asus has introduced upgrades to its 4 TUF Gaming fashions: the F15, F17, A15, and A17. The gadgets have new processors and GPUs inside, however what’s particularly good to see is that every one 4 fashions now have a devoted MUX change supporting Nvidia’s Advanced Optimus expertise.

Previously, these fashions have included an MUX change, which permits customers to disable their built-in graphics, however not Nvidia’s function for routinely turning it on and off. When the change is on, as a substitute of needing to route frames {that a} discrete GPU generates by its built-in GPU, a laptop computer will ship them immediately from the dGPU to its display screen (as a desktop PC does). This will meaningfully influence battery energy, so that you wouldn’t wish to do it in case you’re out and about, however it could actually considerably improve efficiency when you’re gaming.

But the ache with MUX switches previously has been that they have to be flicked manually on and off. This generally is a entire factor — it’s a must to dig by your laptop computer’s settings, and a restart is usually required earlier than the change can take impact. This is okay in case you solely use your laptop computer for gaming and simply go away the iGPU off on a regular basis, however it actually turns into a problem if it’s essential use your gaming laptop computer for a number of functions. Personally, I’ve screwed myself over on varied gaming laptops earlier than by unplugging them, forgetting to show the iGPU again on, and having the machine die whereas I used to be out on the highway.

But the 4 refreshed TUF fashions have an answer to this drawback: they help Nvidia’s Advanced Optimus. This function basically operates the MUX change for you routinely. When you’re gaming, it is going to flip the iGPU off, and if you’re finished gaming, it is going to flip it again on. This, frankly, is a really mandatory addition that I wholeheartedly welcome on any laptop computer line. But it’s particularly good to see on the TUFs, that are typically decrease priced and extra accessible than most of the high gaming laptops at this time. This function will make any gamer’s life simpler, and it shouldn’t be restricted to the costliest gadgets.

The refreshed TUF fashions are set to be accessible in Q1 of 2023.