Working for a gaming website has its perks; I’ve had a chance to trial a host of powerful gaming laptops, but they can be a pain to take to conventions and other gaming events. They’re a bit cumbersome, making them less than ideal for carrying as luggage. Something like the ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405) Laptop is much more suited for this.

We were supplied with the highest-performing configuration, boasting an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 258V, with 8 cores, 8 threads, and up to 4.8GHz speeds, as well as 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD, and the Intel Arc 140V GPU. It’s built into a very slim and stylish aluminium chassis that holds what I’m considering a full-sized ¾ keyboard in that the keys are nice and large, but you don’t have a number pad.

While typing out some of my more recent reviews, I noticed that the keys had a nice tactile feel, something I wasn’t expecting from a non-gaming laptop, but it felt as natural as using my normal desktop PC. The touchpad is very similar in this respect. It takes up a significant portion of the lower panel, and I found it very responsive to touch. Even touchpad gestures were recognised with incredible accuracy, and there was a very satisfying click when I depressed the lower corners for a mouse click; I just wasn’t a fan of how much travel the mouse clicks required for them to register.

As a device designed for business use, including a 14-inch 2.5K 144Hz monitor on the ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405) Laptop feels a little overkill. It’s great if you’re using it for entertainment while you’re couped up in a hotel room or stuck on a flight. It’d be OK to use for editing photos with an sRGB rated at 100%, but the overall performance means that it isn’t ideal for rendering video, and I wouldn’t bother using it to play video games.

An Intel AI Boost NPU delivers up to 47 TOPS, making it the first ASUS Copilot+ PC for work. It comes preloaded with ASUS AI ExpertMeet to help improve the online meeting experience with AI noise-cancelling audio and AI Camera through the included Full High-Definition camera. It can also deliver AI-powered summaries and automatically add translated subtitles to calls, and as an on-device AI assistant, data is more secure, helping to alleviate privacy concerns.

Continuing with device security, the Full High-Definition camera comes with an IR function for Windows Hello, offering the ability to log in just by glancing at the webcam, and Adaptive Lock puts the system to sleep when it notices that you’re not at your computer. Additional security features include the ability to log in using your fingerprint, combined with FIDO2 authentication to help reduce the workload, and a list of other features too long to add to this review.

Following the “designed for business policy,” the ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405) Laptop has undergone rigorous in-house testing. The ASUS Superior Durability test simulates real-world use.

At the same time, MIL-STD-810H military-grade engineering ensures durability during environmental extremes, so you can rely on the ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405) Laptop to be ready to work when and wherever you are. These tests include being subjected to sand and dust, shock and vibration, extreme highs and lows, and being at altitude.

When in an office, you can connect to an external monitor, either using the HDMI 2.1 port or either of the two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, both of which support display and power delivery. The Internet is delivered through a WiFi 7 (802.11be) (Triple-band) card, and audio can be connected through either Bluetooth 5.4 or the 3.5mm combination audio socket. Rounding it off, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports can connect external storage or peripherals like a mouse and keyboard. 

Prioritising security, reliability, and portability, the ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405) Laptop is built with business in mind. Onboard AI assistants and a host of security features ensure that your data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, while rigorous testing and high-grade components deliver a reliable device in a portable package. You can feel safe in the knowledge that the ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405) Laptop will keep your data safe and be ready when and wherever your business takes you.

Written by: Mathew Lindner