Finding the perfect entry-level laptop that balances performance, design, and affordability can often feel like a challenging task considering the sheer number of options from both world-renowned brands and newer less popular brands. However, within this scenario, the ACEMAGIC AX16 emerges as a promising contender that's managed to re-invent what a budget laptop should look like.
With a sleek design, a 16-inch Full HD display, and an Intel 12th Gen Alder Lake N95 processor, it aims to deliver a well-rounded computing experience. In this comprehensive review, we'll delve into every aspect of the ACEMAGIC AX16, from its design and display to its performance, graphics capabilities, connectivity options, battery life, and more. Is this going to be your next laptop? That's what we're here to find out.
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | ACEMAGIC AX16 |
| Processor | Intel 12th generation Alder Lake N95 (4 cores, 4 threads, Base: 1.7GHz, Turbo: 3.4GHz) |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4 RAM (Upgradable to 32GB) |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 SSD + 128GB TF card expansion support |
| Design & Build | 3.96 lbs weight, 0.7 inches thickness, |
| Display | 16-inch thin-bezel IPS Brightview, Full HD (1920x1200 pixels) |
| Keyboard | Solid travel distance, no backlight |
| Connectivity | 3x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x USB Type-C, HDMI, TF card reader (up to 128GB), Dual-band 2.4/5GHz WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Webcam | HD (1280 by 800 pixel resolution) |
| Battery Life | 5 to 7 hours, fast charging (full charge in 2.5 hours) |
Who's The Ideal User For This Laptop?
The ACEMAGIC AX16 - bigger brother to the ACEMAGIX AX15 - finds its sweet spot in catering to a diverse range of users, making it a versatile choice in the world of entry-level laptops.
First and foremost, students will appreciate this laptop's capabilities. Its robust performance, ample RAM, and spacious storage make it an excellent companion for academic pursuits, from researching and writing papers to running statistical analyses and coding. The 16-inch Full HD display offers a compromise between the standard 15-inch displays and the more robust 17-inch notebooks, while the long-lasting battery life allows for uninterrupted study sessions in libraries or classrooms.
Professionals who need a reliable and budget-friendly workhorse will also find the ACEMAGIC AX16 appealing. Whether you're a business consultant who relies on multitasking for data analysis, a content creator working on graphics and light video editing, or a remote worker attending virtual meetings, this laptop's performance and connectivity options have got you covered at an amazing price point.
Design, Display, and Keyboard
The ACEMAGIC AX16 effortlessly combines aesthetics and functionality in its design. The laptop's sleek grey chassis exudes a premium aura that belies its entry-level categorization. This stylish exterior not only adds to its visual appeal but also ensures durability and resistance to everyday wear and tear. Its slim and lightweight profile makes it an ideal companion for users on the go, easily slipping into a backpack for effortless portability.
One of the most interesting features of the ACEMAGIC AX16 is its 16-inch Full HD (1920 by 1200 pixels) display, framed by thin bezels with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This design choice not only enhances the laptop's overall aesthetics but also maximizes the screen-to-body ratio.
As a result, users are treated to an immersive viewing experience with minimal distractions at the edges of the display. The inclusion of an IPS panel further elevates the display quality, providing vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. Additionally, Brightview technology takes things up a notch by enhancing image clarity, making multimedia consumption and content creation an enjoyable affair. Something that's been noted by the customer reviews.
The keyboard on the AX16 is thoughtfully designed to cater to the needs of users who spend extended hours typing. The well-spaced keys provide a comfortable and efficient typing experience. Users will appreciate the satisfying tactile feedback with each keystroke, ensuring precision and reducing the chances of errors in lengthy documents or emails.
The addition of a numeric keypad is a boon for professionals who frequently crunch numbers, streamlining their workflow.
Accompanying this reliable keyboard is a responsive touchpad that is adequately sized, facilitating smooth navigation throughout the operating system and applications. Together, these design elements contribute to a user-friendly and productive computing experience, whether you're tackling work-related projects or enjoying leisurely activities on your laptop.
As you would expect on a budget laptop, there's no backlit keyboard but since that's the norm and not the exception as we've seen on the SGIN M15 Pro, SGIN X15, and HP 14-dq0040nr, to name a few, we're far from surprised.
Performance
The performance of the ACEMAGIC AX16 is where it truly shines and stands out in the entry-level laptop market. At its core, it houses the Intel 12th Gen Alder Lake N95 processor, which represents a significant leap in processing power compared to many other entry-level laptops.
This processor boasts 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 1.7GHz and the capability to turbo boost up to 3.4GHz. This impressive CPU performance outpaces its counterparts such as the Celeron N5095 we've seen on the similarly priced and almost identically specced Jumper Ezbook S5 Max
The inclusion of 16GB of DDR5 RAM ensures that the laptop has ample memory for multitasking and handling resource-intensive applications with ease. Whether you're juggling multiple browser tabs, working on complex documents, or running productivity software, this laptop's generous RAM capacity ensures smooth and responsive performance.
DDR5 RAM also brings improvements in data transfer rates, translating to snappier performance and quicker load times for applications and files. In fact, we're extremely pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of the latest RAM standard since most entry and mid-range laptops still come with DDR4 RAM. If you want to know the difference we've covered it in this article.
Storage is another area where the AX16 excels. It boasts a spacious 512GB SSD, which not only provides ample space for your files, documents, and media but also contributes significantly to the laptop's overall speed and responsiveness.
This laptop's prowess extends beyond everyday tasks. Whether you're editing photos (not professionally), working on graphic design projects, or even indulging in light video editing, the ACEMAGIC AX16 can handle it. Its processing power, combined with the abundant RAM and speedy storage, makes it a versatile workhorse for various creative and professional applications, as multiple users have confirmed.
Even when it comes to entertainment, this laptop doesn't disappoint. Streaming high-definition videos, playing casual games, or even running older, less demanding titles is well within its capabilities. The Intel UHD Graphics, while not a dedicated gaming GPU, performs admirably for the occasional gaming session or multimedia consumption.
However, this is not a gaming laptop and should not be looked at for that purpose. If that's your case or if you're planning on using it exclusively for graphic design then we would recommend getting a laptop that features a dedicated graphics card such as the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533ZW-AS94Q or going for an M1 MacBook Air, which is currently on sale.
Connectivity Options and Battery Life
The ACEMAGIC AX16 offers a fairly generous array of connectivity options. It includes HDMI Type A, three USB 3.2 ports, a single USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 128GB TF card socket. These ports ensure that you can connect a variety of peripherals, external displays, and storage devices without any hassle.
Additionally, the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0 enhances wireless connectivity, along with Dual-band WiFi ensure an optimal connection that won't leave you behind.
There's also an HD webcam with a 1280 by 800 pixel resolution. Obviously, it's not up to par with the webcams you can find on higher-end laptops but it definitely gets the job done.
Finally, when it comes to battery life, the ACEMAGIC laptop doesn't disappoint. Its 38Wh battery can keep you productive or entertained for up to 8 hours on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for on-the-go users.
Of course, this will depend heavily on your usage patterns and I always like to assume that advertised battery life and real battery life differ by about 25-30%, which would still leave us with a solid 6 hours for those power users that work on multiple things at any given time. Having said that, it should also be mentioned that the laptop reaches its full charge in just 2.5 hours.
Verdict: Should you get it?
In conclusion, the ACEMAGIC AX16 is a noteworthy entry-level laptop that strikes a fine balance between performance, design, and affordability. Its 16-inch Full HD display, sleek design, and comfortable keyboard make it an attractive option for both work and entertainment. The Intel 12th Gen Alder Lake N95 processor, paired with ample RAM and storage, ensures smooth multitasking and responsiveness.
While the integrated Intel UHD Graphics may not be suitable for demanding gaming or professional graphics work, it handles everyday tasks with ease. The laptop's connectivity options and long-lasting battery life further enhance its appeal for users on the move.
Overall, the ACEMAGIC AX16 is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and versatile entry-level 16-inch laptop without breaking the bank. Its combination of design, performance, and affordability makes it a strong contender in its category.