Asus X540LA-SI30205P 15.6-Inch Flagship Premium Laptop (Intel Core i3-5020U 2.2GHz Processor, 4GB DDR3, 1TB HDD, Windows 10) Silver

My wife and I use computers with GNU/Linux operating systems. However, in order to update our Garmin GPSes (we have four), we need to use a computer using the Microsoft Windows operating system. Back in 2013, I bought an ASUS X502C Core i3-3217U Dual-Core 1.8GHz 4GB 500GB 15.6" LED W8 Laptop - White which fulfilled that need. However, the more I used it, the more I appreciated its physical merits (display, keyboard, sound quality, etc.) and, as we decided we needed a new computer to take with us on trips (and did not want to spend a lot of money), I decided to buy a new inexpensive Windows computer and convert the Asus X502C to Linux. This older Asus works positively great as a Linux computer. It is light in weight and is a pleasure to take on trips. Unfortunately, the computer I chose for my new Windows one was this Acer Aspire One Cloudbook, 14-Inch HD, 64GB, Windows 10, Gray (AO1-431-C7F9) includes Office 365 Personal - 1 year , a disaster if I ever saw one! (You can read my very lengthy review if you wish; it details my travails with this machine and its Windows OS from November 2015 until earlier this month.) Having the choice of just discarding this Acer Aspire One or converting it to Linux to see if I could get some use out of it, I chose the latter option. (It finally does work as a computer but the major problem with its internal battery - discussed at length in my review - persists.) Of course, for use with those Garmins, I needed a new computer with a Windows operating system. (So there went my intended savings!) Based on extensive research here on Amazon as well as other places as well as my past experience with the Asus brand (see below), I chose this Asus X540LA-SI30205P 15.6-Inch Laptop (Intel Core i3, 4GB Memory,1TB Hard Drive, Windows 10 Home), Silver . I'm glad I did (at least so far). It arrived yesterday and I went through Windows' setup procedure. I added just two (2) programs: Garmin Express and CCleaner. (I also uninstalled the MacAfee antivirus program; I do not wish to pay for any programs on this computer and, as it has essentially only one use, Windows Defender and Windows Firewall are just fine.) Though configuring, updating, and cleaning took about five hours, the computer functioned just fine and everything was finished around 9:00 PM last night. Among other things I deactivated as many of Microsoft's 'spying' settings as was possible. This morning I turned the computer on and updated all of our Garmins. The entire procedure went smoothly, something that could not be said about that Acer Aspire One. (During the eight months that the Acer was a Windows computer - and during the short periods when I actually had it in my possession and it was not at Acer's repair station - I was only able to update the Garmins once. And that updating was very troublesome; because of 'freezes' and so forth the process took two days to complete!) The keyboard on this new Asus X540LA is excellent, with a very good "feel" to it. The display is very nice; it's crisp, it is easy to read text, and viewing on it is easy on the eyes. The speed of the Intel i3 processor is very good, much better than Intel's lower lines (Pentium, Celeron, etc.), and I am pleased with its speed. It even has a built-in CD/DVD drive, something which more and more computers are eliminating. And with all that, it weighs relatively little. Obviously at this point I cannot comment on longevity. But this is my third Asus computer (the other two are still in use) and, considering my experience with this brand, I expect that this one will last just as long and will give as good service as the other ones. Naturally, should there be any problems, I shall report them here. I can recommend only one accessory: a laptop bag. This Case Logic Bryker 15.6" Laptop Bag (BRYB115) in the one I am using. It is a very nice well-designed bag. (This AmazonBasics 15.6-Inch Laptop and Tablet Bag , which I also own, is much less expensive and is also very nice.) In the mean time, if you are in need of a very good, fast, feature-laden, and lightweight computer for general use or for use when traveling, I can highly recommend this one. I thank you for reading this report and for taking my opinions into consideration. Lawrence H. Bulk ===== Update: September 29, 2016 The following is just an FYI concerning the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system, NOT the computer itself. This past Sunday the Windows 10 Anniversary Upgrade (version 1607) installed to the computer. After that upgrade was finished, I found that there was a new version of the CCleaner program. I downloaded and installed it. Within the program there was a new option: Old Windows Installation. I checked that option. Then I began the cleaning process. That process took thirty-eight (38) hours to complete! I know that that amount of time is hard to believe but it's true. Frankly, I was afraid that I had destroyed the entire operating system and I was tempted to shut off the computer. But I resisted that temptation and I'm glad I did. When all was done, I shut down the computer, waited about a minute, and then restarted it. I fully expected to see some sort of 'failure' notice. But no. The computer booted up and operated perfectly and it continues to do so. But I have to tell you that this was a 'white-knuckle' process which lasted over a day and a half. This sort of thing is just another reason why my wife and I continue to use GNU/Linux operating systems rather than Windows. Thanks again for reading this. Lawrence H. Bulk ===== Update: October 24, 2017 On Saturday, October 21, 2017, the computer downloaded the new Windows 10 Fall Creator's Update, Version 1709. After the installation was complete and the computer restarted, I started the cleaning process with the CCleaner (which is set to delete the <windows.old> files, in other words, the obsolete previous installation). This was at 5:30 PM EDT on Saturday (the 21st) afternoon. The process took SIXTY-ONE (61) consecutive hours, finishing just this morning, Tuesday (the 24th) at about 5:20 AM EDT. Oh brother!!! Then I found out that there was a newer version of CCleaner introduced just today! So I downloaded and installed that. And, after updating the one other extra program I have on this computer (Garmin Express, now version 5.7.1), I restarted the computer and ran the new CCleaner (which has some extra cleaning options). Then, of course, I "defragmented" the computer. Those two processes took about an hour and a half. When all is said and done, I essentially have a brand-new Windows 10 computer. Most people do not go through all of this rigamarole. But, with Windows keeping all of the detritus, NOT doing this is what eventually slows down your computer and you think that it's just getting old and it's time for a new one. (That, of course, is what Microsoft and the computer manufacturers WANT you to think!) Knowing about all this and doing it is all well and good as it does completely renew your computer but, if I had to have Microsoft Windows as my only operating system, well, I wouldn't even WANT to own a computer! Just give me Linux! Lawrence H. Bulk

I am very disappointed in this laptop. Every time I do much typing on it the display goes black and then comes back on. It recognizes what I have typed while it is black but I can't tell until it comes back on. At first I thought it was just when I hit the 't' key but I am not sure. It might be a combination of keys. At any rate it is extremely annoying to the point that even though I spent $100 to get everything copied from my old laptop to this one I just want to send it back and go with a more expensive Dell. I bought this one because I needed the internal optical drive and they are hard to find these days. I have written to Asus and will wait until I hear from them to decide what to do. At this point I do NOT recommend this laptop. Update: After hearing back from Asus that I they told me I had to mail the laptop to them so they could determine what was wrong and I know what is wrong, it is defective, I am sending this back to Amazon and have ordered a Dell laptop from Dell. I wish this laptop hadn't been defective as I did like the fact that is is lighter in weight but I think that could be part of the problem. The keyboard isn't that sturdy. Update 2: I have now given this laptop 4 stars. I purchased a replacement laptop and when I took the Asus and the new laptop to have everything copied to the new one I told the guys who were going to do it about the screen going black. I told them that it at first I thought it was certain keys that it happened with but then I noticed that it happened if I rested my wrists on the edge of the laptop. Dustin noticed that I wear a bracelet on my left wrist and asked if it was a magnetic bracelet. I showed him the clasp and said that was the magnetic piece. Unbeknownst to me the part that turns the screen off is magnetic and in the area were my left wrist would be. Now I know that the screen wasn't going black but was being turned off by my bracelet whenever the bracelet moved over the magnet that turns the screen off. Personally I think that part should be in an area where a persons wrist wouldn't be over it or there is something that indicated there was a magnet in that area but that is neither here nor there. At this point I am not sure what I am going to do with the laptop since it isn't defective. I do feel the design could be better to prevent this from happening to someone else.

Biggest mistake I have made buying a laptop, started out nice but it might as well be a paper weight, speakers failed, card reader failed, screen failed, screen only works when plugged into power, Avoid this laptop at all cost! Update, So two weeks in, and some how I squeezed the case, I heard/felt something pop a little and now the speakers are louder, weird. Also the scrolling on the mouse pad stops working completely if I put the laptop to sleep and wake it back up, I have to restart it to get it to work, which does not make me happy since this thing is only a few weeks old to me. Will be contacting Asus. This is a good laptop on a budget, looks and feels like a higher end laptop. I added 8gb or RAM totaling 12g, the 1TB of "Storage" is a split with 2 HDDs. My complaints so far is Windows 10 takes some getting used to. The Date on mine was set to October 2015, and would not allow me to visit any web pages due to certificates, took a bit to figure out but just change the date on the laptop should work fine. The 2 biggest complaints I have is the speakers are horrible, I have tried what I could find to make them louder but to put it simply, If I need to hear something playing on the laptop I have to use head phones or mute everything else, If someone is watching tv, even on low it drowns out the volume of the laptop. The speakers are mounted under the laptop, boggles my mind of why you would put down facing speakers, with low volume output as it is on a laptop. My 2nd biggest complaint is the lack of a scroll bar on the touch pad, instead you have to do the two fingers scroll on the touch pad, thats just personal preference to me, I prefer a scroll bar. Update, 1 Year later and I can no longer run on battery power, anytime the battery is used for longer then ten mins, the screen flutters while doing anything on the laptop. Other issues are when using the HDMI port, the speakers are disabled, and when I disconnect from and HDMI source, the laptop requires restarting for the speakers to work. Even though I can go in and they are set to default, and show that they are working, they do not produce sound unless a restart is preformed. Was hoping to get one year without major issues.

Amazing product for the money!! I was looking at buying a Desktop replacement, used to own a Toshiba and it was running on it's last legs, the processor just wasn't strong enough after 4 years of use to handle basic Youtube videos in HD. So I elected to upgrade before it died during a crucial project. So basically right now there are several top brands in laptops in terms of brand quality, reliability, costumer satisfaction etc - the top three brands are 1. Apple (duh right?) 2. Dell - Which made a MAJOR push in the laptop industry in the last five years, their company motto was to put more effort into laptops, I know because my friend works there. In an age of netbooks and tablets, they're pushing hard to take over laptops. 3. Asus - Asus has been around for a while and has always been top 5 in quality and reliability, I've never had the pleasure of owning one of their machines but now I do. I was deciding honestly to get the Asus F555LA-AB31 15.6-Inch Laptop. The processor was solid for basic home use (not crazy gaming) and for Microsoft Office. That laptop was also super high in ratings across the board, and one of Amazon's best sellers. I think it was #116 in laptop sales rank. Can't go wrong with that model for sure. But I saw this one, running a bigger hard drive AND a newer model AND it weighed less AND cheaper (For now) So out of the box reviews - Week 1 Fantastic - the machine is the quietest laptop I've ever owned, there isn't an internal fan and the laptop never runs hot. The webcam is just fine, and a way better upgrade than the laptop I had before. The sound also was very nice, I didn't experience any distortions and the sound was loud enough. I tested all the pots, the USB 3.0 was awesome, I was able to transfer files from my portable hard drive in half the time. Moreover, I tested out the HDMI and connected it to my TV and ran a movie - the screen didn't transfer over in correct ratios, and this seems to be an issue with most laptops I've tested so just a FYI, it's not just this laptop. The screen is good but not as vibrant as the Dell I used to own that's for sure. (However that Dell was WAY more expensive and failed in a couple of years). The laptop measure 1 inch thick and looks like a very high end laptop - which is an absolute plus. The battery runs about 2.5-3 hours depending on what you're doing on it which isn't a big deal for me but might be a deal-breaker for those who need 7 hours of battery life to type during class. Some small Cons: One thing I have to note is that the mouse is a bit sensitive, I've definitely accidentally touched it a few times while typing - I need to change the sensitive settings on it for sure. Another thing I've noticed is that the keypad isn't very quiet, if you're typing next to someone trying to sleep, it might not work out for that person, I believe someone else noticed the same thing in their review, the bounce of the keypad is slightly higher than most of the other laptops I've used, but overall not a big issue. Week one out of the box I was getting all my files in order, installing programs, updating programs, and uninstalling bloatware that Asus preloaded. It did take a little bit to uninstall all the Asus preloaded "bloatware." I did a bunch of research before uninstalling to make sure I wasn't doing something that made my programs not work. There's great forums for this sort of stuff out there. Just look up the name of all the Asus programs that came with your computer, and google will tell you whether it's safe to uninstall. The computer took a while running multiple processes in the background to upgrade everything, and uninstall everything, sometimes it did run a little slow and i had to check the task manager to make sure there wasn't a bunch of malware on the computer that I installed accidentally. It's now day 7 of my computer use, so far zero issue with dramatic memory/CPU usage from any of my programs. I will get extra memory to put in this laptop immediately, I've noticed that almost half of my RAM was being used running programs sometimes and that's only going to get worse with time and more updates for programs. The extra memory isn't easy to install like the other laptops I've owned but I've taken apart plenty of laptops before and it also shouldn't be an issue. Look on Youtube for a how-to guide. Overall - for it's money - YOU WILL GET NOTHING BETTER IN THE MARKET. I honestly believe that. You can get a cheaper laptop maybe, but it wouldn't have all the specs this one has and it definitely won't have the brand quality of ASUS attached to it. I did a TON of research before I bought this laptop and from what I can see, it's mostly an overseas model, not too many US consumers has purchased it and made it as popular as the F555LA-AB31 and I'm glad. I love finding deals and steals in the market and this one is a definite steal.

I bought this laptop over the summer and it worked fine for a few months, but then it started randomly shutting off when I'm using it. It doesn't do this when plugged in so I think it's a battery issue. Kind of annoying to always have to have a laptop plugged in, but I haven't gotten a chance to fix it yet since I need to use it for work. I would rate lower than three starts but it was pretty cheap so I guess I got what I paid for.

PROs: Very fast for surfing. Very affordable. Responsive trackpad (which is the downfall of most cheap laptops, not this one). Comfortable keyboard - rubberized key covers (even if they are "chiclet" style they work great), good key depth and tactile response. Looks attractive. When playing 480p You Tube videos, CPU only registers 18% usage and total of 1.9 GB of RAM in use. Got this for $400 on a lightning deal. It has an Intel Broadwell series 2.2 Ghz dual core, 4 hyper thread processors CPU. It's performs plenty fast, faster than my 5 year old 3.2 Mhz AMD with SSD desktop unit. Obviously not as fast as my other "flagship" PC (i7-4790K) but hey, at this price it doesn't have to be. I feel like I got a very good value for the money spent. CONS: Bios time set wrong from the factory (set to Oct 2015). So, initially before I fixed this, was getting certificate errors. Issue fixed by rebooting and tapping "Del" key and entering BIOS , setting time correctly. This was a hassle and annoyance though. They try and foist McAfee Anti-virus on you during the Microsoft setup wizard process. I disinstalled McAfee and put Norton Security 2016 on it, much happier. Had to disable a lot of the default Microsoft snoop settings. C'est L'vie. Overall I am happy, feel I got a super deal and it has ample performance for day to day surfing use. Rarely am I waiting for anything to respond or load. DETAILS: MODEL NUMBER: ASUS X555LA-HI31103J P/N # (Part Number): 90NB0652-M28460

Updated review: I've had this computer for almost a year now and have since updated the rating from 5 to 4 stars. The computer is pretty good for the price, but I have experienced a few oddities here and there with it. Every now and then it gets very slow, but I am not too concerned about that. The battery is good, charges fast and lasts for hours. The keyboard can get very dirty and there isn't an easy way to clean it, so try not to type with sticky fingers or after eating food that produces crumbs of some kind. The display is pretty HD, sound quality is great, storage is A++. The laptop is a bit on the heavy side, but still thin. If you can deal with that, you won't notice it mucuh after you get used to it. Just keep it charged and give it moments to rest every few hours and you're good.

I bought this laptop almost on impulse just because i wanted a laptop. I had done a little research on a few laptops, and this one had the best performance for the best price, by far. There were actually a few other laptops with lesser specs than this one for MORE money. I was ecstatic when i saw this one for the price it was, and basically just sprung for it. I used this laptop for a little over a month before writing a review just to at least get a glimpse of how it runs before i went blabbing about it. But after using it, i can say to whoever else would want to buy this product, you are getting your moneys worth, and then some. The graphics are great, and the hd screen truly is hd. The speed of the computers network really depends on what kind of internet you are using, but still performs amazing. This certain model comes with a DVD/CD player, which is almost not an option on most laptops, it is almost strictly desktop. So it is quite a nice feature to have but doesnt affect you if you dont want to use it. The laptops weight is very nice; its not too heavy but still not too light, so you know it is built sturdy. The keyboard is large and easy to use and also includes a NUM pad, which is a new addition to alot of new laptops coming out. The track pad has plenty of space to move your finger around. All in all, it is an absolutely amazing device. Highly recommended by user.