Asus Expertbook B7 Flip review: a compact laptop with added versatility

While Asus is commonly known for its Zenbook and ROG line of products, it also has a range of commercial laptops that embody the strengths of the technology brand. The Expertbook B7 Flip is an ultralight convertible laptop with a 360-degree hinge that allows you to flip the device into a screen-only tablet mode.

We spent some time with the laptop, testing out its productivity benefits, and here’s what we found…

Asus Expertbook B7 Flip features

The headline features of the B7 Flip include its convertible form factor, battery life, and stylus support with a wide touchscreen.

Weighing around 1.43kg and equipped with a 14-inch display, it’s a lightweight device that’s compact and easy to travel with. Added benefits include its plentiful I/O ports, Wi-Fi 6 and 5G support, and durable chassis.

In terms of specifications, the device we reviewed included an Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and 16GB of RAM. For its display, the laptop included a 14-inch 16:10 (1920 x 1200 pixels) touch screen.

Laptop performance

To test its performance, we used the laptop for some general office work such as word processing, as well as light photo and video editing.

The typing experience on the laptop is smooth and comfortable, with its ErgoLift hinge providing a natural angle when typing.

The device performs capably in tablet mode as well, but with the added ease of using the included Asus Pen to unlock the benefits of a smart stylus. We often used the device folded backwards when going through notes for radio shows and writing up quick notes.

This stylus can be propped on the side of the screen, where a magnet is included, so that you don’t misplace it while working. However, we wouldn’t suggest keeping the pen attached to the side when travelling or carrying the laptop as it can detach easily when in motion.

In terms of benchmarking, we ran the device through the PCMark 10 Extended test. This benchmark measures the laptop’s performance in a variety of tasks, such as essentials, productivity, digital content creation, and gaming.

The Expertbook B7 Flip scored a total score of 4687, which places its overall performance above the average office laptop and slightly below a gaming laptop.

Where it shone were the essentials, productivity, and digital content creation tests. This makes the laptop great for responsive app launching, video conferencing, word processing, photo editing, and even simple video editing.

In our experience, the laptop was able to start up and process edits and filters on GIMP seamlessly, while general office work was a breeze.

It also performs well when it comes to streaming media to watch, with its various hinge modes allowing you to adjust the format of the device to whichever is best suited for the situation.

While this version didn’t come with an OLED, the display’s anti-glare coating and 500 nits of brightness mean that you can enjoy crisp, clear streaming even in bright environments.

Expertbook B7 Flip battery performance

So while it scores well in the performance criteria for a professional laptop, how well does its battery last?

The Expertbook B7 Flip has a 63Wh battery, which provides up to 12 hours of battery life depending on what you’re using it for.

When it comes to general work, the laptop lasts you throughout the day. It also retains its charge well when hibernating, so you don’t have to worry about closing it and coming back to an empty battery.

We put it through a local video playback test, and it took just under 10 hours for the battery to drain.

This means that whether you’re browsing or streaming, you’ll get a great chunk of time that the laptop can go without charging.

Review verdict: Is the Asus Expertbook B7 Flip worth it?

The B7 Flip is perfect for those who want a versatile form factor in their laptop, as well as great performance for general office tasks.

The only drawback is that this comes at a high price, with the laptop starting at R31,999 in South Africa.

But for professionals and office workers who need a reliable, portable, and convenient form factor for their laptop, the Asus Expertbook B7 Flip delivers an exceptional option.

From hybrid workers to freelancers and office employees, the laptop offers benefits for every type of worker.

Its performance and battery life add to the already appealing touchscreen and convertible format of the device.

If you want to find out more, you can find the device on the Asus South Africa Store.

Read more: Asus Vivobook 15 OLED review: Premium visuals at a lower price