ASUS NovaGo Review: The Always-Connected PC Is Off To A Slow Start

The ASUS NovaGo is a laptop whose design would have looked dated even a decade ago. It’s clunky, it’s dull, and it lacks basic amenities like a backlit keyboard. But it’s a much more significant machine than it might appear. The NovaGo is one of the first Always Connected PCs, a new category of notebook that makes two huge promises: an always-on internet connection; and a battery that can go 20 hours on a charge. Sadly, the ASUS NovaGo only delivers on one of those -- and it asks a lot of sacrifices in exchange.
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MrMobile's ASUS NovaGo Review was produced following approximately two months with an ASUS NovaGo review unit (model TP370QL). The device received many software updates during the review period through the Windows Update service.
Disclosure: In a recent Instagram integration, MrMobile was sponsored by Qualcomm to promote the launch of the Always-Connected PC line at the Microsoft Store. That paid sponsorship was not related to this video review; nevertheless, as it might tend to cause the appearance of a conflict of interest, it is disclosed here.
[FOLLOW UP]
I spoke with a product manager at Qualcomm today who shed some light on a few of my reported issues, and I wanted to share them with all of you!
BATTERY LIFE: According to Qualcomm, there's a known issue affecting Windows 10 laptops that include fingerprint sensors. This issue cropped up following a recent update, and it prevents these devices from sleeping when closed (it does not appear to be unique to devices running on the Snapdragon platform). This may be the source of my battery drain problem, which was not widely reported on other ACPCs. A Windows Update is due to fix the issue "in a few days."
CAMERA LAUNCH PROBLEM: Qualcomm has not been able to reproduce my issue on its own units, and I have yet to see another report of the same problem. It may well be unique to my device, which, as mentioned in the video, is a preproduction NovaGo.
PERFORMANCE: Qualcomm says the general sluggishness I experience during use is abnormal, and it was suggested that some of the apps I'm using (which include titles such as Slack and Evernote) may be contributing factors. I intend to test another NovaGo and the HP Envy x2 to see if newer units perform better. Given what I've seen from other reviews, though, I tend to think my experience is rather typical. Additional testing with a new device will tell.
OVERALL VALUE: I asked the question many of you have: why buy an ACPC right now, given 1) the looming launch of the more-powerful Snapdragon 850, and 2) the existence of beefier notebooks that also include 4G (for example, the Surface Pro LTE). Qualcomm's response was to reinforce the Always-Connected PC's key benefits: an ACPC wakes up faster; it stays connected all the time; it lasts long enough to go a whole weekend on a charge.
From my perspective, these are indeed compelling features - a notebook that offers all the advantages of a smartphone would basically be my perfect device. As of yet, though, I haven't had that experience with my own NovaGo review unit. I'll move into my new review device shortly, and will report back on my experience with both that new NovaGo, and the HP Envy x2 ACPC.
More questions? Drop 'em here!
[PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO]
ASUS NovaGo Always Connected PC [Microsoft]:
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Windows 10 on ARM [Windows Central]:
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“A New Departure” by Vincent Tone, available at Premium Beat:
“Skyrocketing” by Vincent Tone, available at Premium beat:
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