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The ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED M3500 remains an appealing entry-level creator laptop when found used or heavily discounted. Its 15.6-inch OLED display, eight-core Ryzen 7 processor, and RTX 3050 graphics make it well suited to photography, design, office work, coding, and 1080p video editing. However, the reviewed model is now an older 2021–2022 platform, and its 16 GB of soldered memory, 4 GB graphics card, glossy 60 Hz screen, limited ports, and merely adequate battery life matter more than the OLED badge.
This review covers the specific M3500QC configuration tested by AnandTech in March 2022—not every laptop sold as a Vivobook Pro 15 OLED.
ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED: specifications at a glance
| Component | Reviewed configuration |
|---|---|
| Model family | ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED M3500, AMD Ryzen 5000 series |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, 8 cores/16 threads, up to 4.4 GHz |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU, 4 GB GDDR6 |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 1920×1080 OLED, 60 Hz, glossy |
| Memory | 16 GB DDR4, soldered |
| Storage | 512 GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD |
| Battery | 63 Wh |
| Adapter | 120 W |
| Weight | Approximately 1.65 kg / 3.64 lb |
| Launch-era review price | Approximately $1,100 in March 2022 |
ASUS also sold Ryzen 5 5600H and other regional versions, while some markets listed Ryzen 9, GTX 1650, different storage, or different graphics configurations. Panel specifications, memory arrangements, and GPU power limits can also vary. Check the full model code on the seller’s listing, BIOS, or chassis label using ASUS’s official specification page.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe OLED display is the main attraction
The 15.6-inch panel runs at 1920×1080 with a conventional 16:9 aspect ratio. ASUS advertises a 0.2 ms response time, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, PANTONE Validation, high contrast, and HDR capability on applicable listings. HDR and other claims should be checked against the exact regional model.
#1 Best Overall
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- 15.6” OLED FHD 400 nits display with ultra-slim 4-sided NanoEdge bezels
- Latest Intel Core i5-11300H Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.4GHz) and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max Q graphics
- Fast storage and memory featuring 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD and 8GB DDR4 RAM, with Windows 11 Home
- Pantone Validated, DCI-P3: 100% Glossy display with 84% screen-to-body ratio
In practical use, OLED gives the Vivobook exceptionally deep blacks, vivid colors, and striking contrast. That makes photographs, video previews, illustrations, and films look considerably more impressive than they typically do on an inexpensive IPS panel. AnandTech identified the display as the laptop’s defining feature and praised its contrast and color impact.
But a wide-gamut panel is not automatically a color-accurate workflow. DCI-P3 coverage means the display can show a broad range of colors; it does not guarantee that every Windows application interprets sRGB content correctly. Unmanaged applications may make ordinary web images look oversaturated. For web or print delivery, use color-managed software, verify the active profile, and rely on a calibrated external monitor for critical work.
OLED compromises
- Glossy surface: Reflections can be distracting near windows or overhead lights.
- 60 Hz refresh: It is smooth enough for ordinary work, but not a high-refresh gaming or animation panel.
- Full-HD resolution: Good for 1080p editing, though a 4K timeline has less workspace and cannot be viewed at native resolution.
- Bright content uses more power: White web pages and office documents can reduce endurance more than dark video scenes.
- Static-image precautions: Use screen timeout, hide the taskbar when practical, enable ASUS OLED-care features, and avoid leaving fixed interface elements on screen for long periods.
On a used unit, inspect full-screen white, gray, red, green, and blue images. Look for uneven brightness, dead pixels, image retention, and persistent taskbar or application marks. OLED wear is a risk to check—not proof that every unit will develop burn-in.
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The Ryzen 7 5800H has eight cores, 16 threads, a 3.2 GHz base clock, boost speeds up to 4.4 GHz, and 20 MB of combined cache according to ASUS. The less powerful Ryzen 5 5600H version has six cores, 12 threads, and boosts up to 4.2 GHz.
AnandTech found the Ryzen 7 particularly strong in multi-threaded Cinebench, software HandBrake transcoding, and 7-Zip. Its extra cores give it a meaningful advantage over thin laptops using low-power processors from the same era.
That translates into a credible machine for batch photo exports, software encoding, code compilation, large spreadsheets, multitasking, audio projects, and 1080p video editing. It can still feel responsive for everyday work, but its 2022-era performance should not be treated as equivalent to a current professional workstation.
Rank #2
- [High-Performance for Professionals] Powered by the latest Intel Core 7 150U processor and 16GB DDR5 RAM, this laptop ensures seamless multitasking for demanding business applications, while the 1TB SSD provides lightning-fast boot times.
- [Intuitive Touchscreen Display] Featuring a 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) NanoEdge touchscreen, it offers an interactive experience; the 180° lay-flat hinge makes sharing ideas and collaborating with colleagues effortless in any professional setting.
- [Enterprise-Grade System & Security] Running Windows 11 Pro for advanced multitasking and management, secured by a Fingerprint Reader for instant biometric access and a physical webcam privacy shield to ensure your professional privacy remains uncompromised.
- [Backlit KB & Numeric Keypad] Boost your efficiency with a Non-RGB backlit keyboard and a dedicated numeric keypad for fast data entry; includes 1x Type-C and 3x Type-A ports for comprehensive connectivity to all your peripherals.
- [Exclusive PCO Cooler Bundle] This premium package includes a high-efficiency PCO cooler to maintain optimal thermal performance during intensive workloads, ensuring your system stays cool and stable. Bundle with PCO cooler.
RTX 3050: useful acceleration, limited headroom
The reviewed laptop uses an RTX 3050 Laptop GPU with 4 GB of GDDR6 memory. ASUS lists configurations with power behavior around 35 W, or up to 50 W with Dynamic Boost, and NVIDIA Max-Q technology. Laptop RTX 3050 performance varies substantially with power limits and cooling.
The discrete GPU is a major step above integrated Vega graphics. It supports CUDA, NVENC, hardware ray tracing, and applications that can use NVIDIA acceleration. AnandTech recorded a clear advantage in GPU-assisted HandBrake work and found the graphics hardware valuable for creator workloads.
Good fits
- Photoshop and Lightroom acceleration
- 1080p Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve projects
- GPU-accelerated effects and exports
- Basic Blender work
- Casual or moderate 1080p gaming
- Applications supported by NVIDIA Studio drivers
Where it runs out of room
- 4K multicamera editing
- Large After Effects compositions
- Complex Blender scenes
- Newer games at high settings
- AI applications that need more than 4 GB of VRAM
- Professional GPU rendering performed continuously
The RTX name should not be mistaken for high-end performance. In modern creative software, the 4 GB VRAM ceiling is often more important than the presence of ray tracing hardware.
16 GB soldered RAM is the biggest long-term limitation
The reviewed configuration has 16 GB of memory soldered to the motherboard. There is no practical upgrade path beyond the factory capacity, making this a central buying consideration rather than a minor specification detail.
Sixteen gigabytes is sufficient for office work, study, photo editing, moderate multitasking, and many 1080p projects. It becomes restrictive with 4K editing, large Photoshop files, virtual machines, 3D work, motion graphics, or a browser full of tabs running beside several creative applications.
For a laptop intended to last several more years, newer alternatives with 32 GB RAM are generally safer if their price is close.
Rank #3
- [Next Gen AI Powerhouse] Experience the future of computing with the Intel Core i9-13900H processor, optimized for Next Gen AI workloads and seamless multitasking. Whether you are running complex simulations or AI-enhanced creative software, this 14-core powerhouse delivers elite-level performance that leaves standard laptops behind.
- [Enhanced Thermal Management] Stop worrying about thermal throttling during intense tasks. This exclusive bundle includes a PCO Cooler, specifically selected to complement the Vivobook's sleek design. Together with the internal cooling system, it ensures your i9 processor maintains peak frequency for longer durations, solving the common "overheating" complaint of high-performance laptops.
- [Immersive Visuals & Security] The 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) non-touch display offers crisp, glare-free visuals for work or streaming. Integrated with a secure Fingerprint Reader for instant login and a high-quality Webcam with a privacy shield, it provides the perfect balance of professional utility and personal data protection.
- [Versatile Connectivity Hub] Equipped with a comprehensive I/O suite to eliminate the need for extra dongles. Features include 1 x USB Type-C port, 2 x USB Type-A 3. X ports for high-speed data, 1 x USB 2.0 port for peripherals, and a dedicated HDMI port for 4K external displays. A 3.5mm Audio Port is also included for lag-free sound.
- [Optimized for Mobile Productivity] Designed for the modern professional, featuring a Backlit Keyboard for low-light environments and a precision touchpad. With 32GB DDR4 RAM and a massive 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD, you have the speed to boot in seconds and the space to store your entire digital life, all wrapped in a sophisticated Blue chassis.
Storage is fast, but 512 GB is easy to fill
The review unit used a PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSD. This platform does not provide PCIe 4.0 storage support, although the tested SK Hynix drive performed well in PCMark’s storage testing. PCIe 3.0 is not the important weakness here: capacity is.
Windows, applications, camera originals, video footage, preview files, and project caches can consume 512 GB quickly. Plan for an external SSD for active projects and backups. Choose one based on sustained write performance, capacity, warranty, thermal behavior, and the actual USB speed of the laptop. Verify the exact M3500 submodel before assuming the internal M.2 drive’s replacement options or supported capacity.
Design, keyboard, webcam, and ports
At approximately 35.98×23.53 cm and 1.89–1.99 cm thick, the Vivobook Pro 15 is relatively light for a 15-inch laptop with discrete graphics. The 1.65 kg chassis is portable, though the 120 W charger adds noticeable travel weight. A full-size keyboard with number pad is useful for spreadsheets and numeric entry; the trade-off is a slightly offset main keyboard layout. AnandTech also praised the keyboard and enlarged touchpad.
The webcam is a weak point. Secondary coverage has criticized its image quality, so frequent video callers should budget for an external webcam, USB microphone, or audio interface. Front lighting helps, but it cannot turn the built-in camera into a professional conferencing device.
Connectivity is less flexible than the creator label suggests. High-speed USB and HDMI ports are concentrated on the right, alongside the power connector, while the left side has two USB 2.0 ports. HDMI is used instead of DisplayPort. Before buying, confirm:
- The exact USB-C specification.
- Whether USB-C supports DisplayPort output or charging.
- The HDMI version and supported resolution/refresh combinations.
- Whether your monitor or dock requires DisplayPort.
- Whether the exact regional model includes an SD or microSD reader.
Battery life and fan behavior
The laptop has a 63 Wh battery. AnandTech found bright web workloads relatively demanding, partly because OLED panels consume more power when displaying mostly white content. Movie playback performed better, particularly with dark scenes. Its test unit charged to 50% in about 38 minutes and reached full charge in approximately 145 minutes under the publication’s test conditions.
Rank #4
- 15.6” 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED 16:9 aspect ratio with ultra-slim NanoEdge bezels, 120Hz refresh rate, 0.2ms response time, 600nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 1,000,000:1 Contrast ratio, VESA CERTIFIED Display HDR True Black 600
- Intel Evo Platform - The perfect combination of performance, responsiveness, and battery life. Enjoy amazing performance with the 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor. Experience vivid colors with Intel Iris Xe graphics. Stay productive with fast-charging, long-lasting battery.
- Latest Intel Core i9-13900H Processor 2.6 GHz (24MB Cache, up to 5.4 GHz, 14 cores, 20 Threads) and Intel Iris Xe graphics
- The laptop comes with Fast storage and memory featuring 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD and 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, Windows 11 Home
- The laptop comes with Extensive connectivity with 1x Thunderbolt 4 supports display / power delivery, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, USB 2.0 Type A, 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, HDMI 1.4, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5 (*USB transfer speed may vary. Learn more at ASUS.com)
Those are historical test results, not a promise for every unit. Runtime depends on brightness, browser, Windows power mode, display content, GPU selection, and battery health. A used battery may hold substantially less than its original capacity. Expect the best office endurance with dark mode, lower brightness, balanced power settings, and integrated graphics. Rendering, gaming, and GPU-accelerated exports will drain it much faster.
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ASUS provides performance and balanced modes. Balanced is the better choice for browsing, meetings, writing, and light editing. Performance mode is appropriate for exports and rendering while plugged in, but sustained work will produce audible fan noise and heat. A thin creator laptop cannot deliver workstation output silently.
Who should buy the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED?
Good match
- Student creators: Strong CPU performance and an excellent screen for assignments, design, photography, and 1080p video.
- Photographers: Attractive contrast and wide-gamut capability, provided color management and calibration are handled properly.
- 1080p editors: The Ryzen 7 and RTX 3050 provide useful CPU and GPU acceleration.
- Freelance designers: Portable enough for travel and more powerful than ordinary thin-and-light notebooks.
- General users who value OLED: The screen makes everyday media consumption and creative preview work especially enjoyable.
Look elsewhere
- 4K editors and motion-graphics professionals: The 4 GB GPU memory and 16 GB RAM limit complex projects.
- 3D artists and AI developers: Newer GPUs with more VRAM are a better foundation.
- Competitive gamers: A 60 Hz panel and RTX 3050 are not the right combination for high-refresh gaming.
- Bright-environment users: A matte display may be more practical than glossy OLED.
- Long-term buyers: Soldered 16 GB memory reduces upgrade flexibility.
- Frequent video callers: The built-in webcam is unimpressive.
Buying one used or refurbished
The original approximately $1,100 price was AnandTech’s March 2022 review price, not a current market value. As an older laptop, the M3500 makes sense only when its asking price is clearly below newer machines offering RTX 4050- or RTX 4060-class graphics, 32 GB RAM, or a newer platform. Current inventory, condition, warranty, and resale prices require live verification.
Before purchasing, use this checklist:
- Confirm the exact model code and regional specification.
- Verify the CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD capacity, and display resolution.
- Generate a battery-health report and compare full-charge capacity with the original 63 Wh rating.
- Test the OLED with solid white, gray, red, green, and blue screens.
- Check every USB port, HDMI, audio jack, Wi-Fi, webcam, fingerprint reader, and charger.
- Run a short CPU/GPU load test and listen for abnormal fan or coil noise.
- Confirm that the original 120 W charger is included.
- Inspect the hinges, keyboard, chassis, and signs of swelling or separation.
- Confirm Windows activation and remove seller-installed management software.
- Prefer a returnable purchase, since OLED defects and battery wear are difficult to judge from photos.
How it compares with newer alternatives
Compare the Vivobook Pro 15 by capability, not simply by its OLED branding. A newer laptop with an RTX 4050 or RTX 4060 will usually offer considerably more graphics headroom. A 32 GB model is better suited to large creative projects. Matte-screen creator laptops are more comfortable in bright rooms, while gaming laptops may provide stronger GPUs but worse displays, louder cooling, and greater weight. MacBook-class systems may offer better battery behavior and quieter everyday use, but software compatibility and application support should be checked for your workflow.
Accessories can address some weaknesses: an external SSD for footage and caches, a calibrated matte monitor for color-critical work, a webcam and microphone for calls, and a USB hub if the port layout does not meet your needs. Verify USB-C display and data capabilities before choosing a dock or premium external drive.
Verdict
The ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED M3500 was a strong value-oriented creator notebook in its original class. The Ryzen 7 5800H remains capable, the RTX 3050 adds useful acceleration, and the OLED display is still its most compelling feature. But the laptop is not a modern professional workstation: 16 GB of soldered RAM, 4 GB of VRAM, a glossy 60 Hz panel, limited external-display flexibility, aging battery cells, and the older Ryzen 5000 platform define its ceiling.
Buy it today only as a discounted, used, or refurbished entry-level creator laptop—and only after checking the exact model, panel condition, battery health, ports, and return policy.
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