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ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405) Review: Balancing Power, Portability, and Endurance

Business laptops often face a tough balancing act. Professionals want a device that’s portable enough to carry around all day, powerful enough to handle multitasking and modern AI-driven workloads, and reliable enough to serve as a daily workhorse for years. ASUS, with its long-standing ExpertBook line, has built a reputation for delivering practical, productivity-focused laptops. The latest addition, the ExpertBook P5 (P5405), continues that tradition—but with a modern twist.

This 14-inch laptop is designed to combine sleek portability, serious performance, and smart features like on-device AI acceleration and enterprise-grade security. Priced competitively in the mid-range segment, it aims to offer executives, small business owners, and hybrid workers a machine that feels premium without the sky-high price tag. Let’s dive in and see how it holds up across design, usability, and performance.

Design and Build Quality
The ExpertBook P5 makes a strong first impression. Wrapped in a Misty Grey aluminum chassis, it looks understated yet modern—clearly built with business professionals in mind rather than gamers or students. The finish resists fingerprints, and the subtle ExpertBook branding gives it a clean, corporate aesthetic.

ASUS has also focused on durability. The laptop meets MIL-STD 810H US military-grade standards, meaning it has been tested against drops, temperature extremes, and vibration. While the keyboard deck shows a little flex if pressed firmly, overall build quality inspires confidence for everyday use. The 180° hinge is another practical touch, allowing the laptop to lay flat on a table during presentations or collaborative discussions.

One of the P5’s strongest attributes is its portability. Weighing around 1.3 kg and measuring 16.9 mm thick, it’s easy to slip into a backpack or carry between meetings without adding bulk. For road warriors or those working in hybrid environments, this slim-and-light form factor makes the P5 a perfect travel companion. Despite its thinness, ASUS hasn’t sacrificed connectivity or battery capacity—a feat many ultrabooks still struggle with.

Display
The 14-inch WQXGA (2560 × 1600) panel immediately stands out. It uses a 16:10 aspect ratio, which provides more vertical space for reading documents, coding, or browsing. Colour accuracy is strong with 100% sRGB coverage, making it suitable not just for office work but also for light creative tasks.

Brightness reaches around 400 nits—adequate for most indoor environments, though not the best for working under bright sunlight. A surprise addition is the 144 Hz refresh rate, which is rare for business laptops. This makes scrolling buttery-smooth and even enables casual gaming during downtime. Combined with an anti-glare coating, the P5’s display offers a pleasant, eye-friendly experience for long hours of productivity.

Specifications
Under the hood, the ExpertBook P5 packs Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors (Series 2). Configuration includes the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V 32GB 2.2 GHz processor paired with integrated Intel Arc 140V GPU and an Intel AI Boost NPU (Neural Processing Unit) capable of up to 47 TOPS for on-device AI acceleration.

Memory is soldered LPDDR5X, available up to 32 GB, while storage is handled by dual M.2 slots, giving you the flexibility to expand storage down the line. For everyday office workloads—spreadsheets, video calls, dozens of browser tabs—the performance is snappy. Even heavier tasks like light photo/video editing or AI-assisted workflows run smoothly on the ExpertBook P5.

Thermals are well-managed, too. The fan remains quiet under most conditions, and surface temperatures never become uncomfortable, even during extended workloads.

Connectivity and I/O Ports
Despite being slim, the ExpertBook P5 offers an excellent selection of ports. This includes two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) with DisplayPort and 65W Power Delivery, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 for peripherals, one HDMI 2.1 for external displays, one 3.5 mm audio combo jack, and a Kensington lock slot for added security. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4/5.3, ensuring fast, stable connections whether you’re at the office, home, or on the move.

Webcam
ASUS equips the ExpertBook P5 with a 1080p IR camera that supports Windows Hello facial recognition. It includes a privacy shutter, a must-have for professionals. Image quality is good enough for Zoom and Teams calls, with decent color accuracy and low-light performance, though it’s not quite at the level of premium standalone webcams. ASUS also adds some AI-enhanced conferencing features—like background noise cancellation and auto-framing—that work really well.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The backlit chiclet keyboard is comfortable, offering 1.5 mm key travel and a solid typing feel that holds up well during long writing sessions. The spill-resistant design adds peace of mind in busy work environments.

The ErgoSense touchpad is large, smooth, and responsive. Gestures register accurately, and its placement makes it comfortable to use for extended periods. Unlike some ASUS laptops, it doesn’t include the integrated NumberPad feature—but that omission feels appropriate for a professional laptop where precision and simplicity matter more.

Performance
In daily workflows, the ExpertBook P5 shines. Boot times are fast, multitasking feels effortless, and the AI-ready hardware future-proofs it for emerging productivity tools. Casual gaming is possible thanks to the Arc graphics, but this laptop is clearly focused on business, not entertainment. Heat management and fan acoustics are impressive, with the system staying mostly silent during light work and only producing a gentle hum under heavy loads.

Battery
Battery life is one of the P5’s headline features. Thanks to the efficient Core Ultra chips and a sizable battery, the laptop consistently delivers 12–14 hours of real-world use—enough for a full workday and beyond. Charging is handled via USB-C with 65W fast charging, which takes the battery from empty to 50% in under 40 minutes. For professionals who are constantly on the move, this endurance is a game changer.

Verdict
The ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405) isn’t about flashy gimmicks—it’s about getting the fundamentals right for business users. It’s lightweight, durable, powerful enough for AI-enhanced workflows, and lasts all day on a charge. Add to that a bright 144 Hz display, a strong port selection, and a generous 3-year warranty, and you have a laptop that punches well above its price tag.

Yes, there are trade-offs—the display could be brighter for outdoor use, and the AI software features still feel half-baked. But overall, the ExpertBook P5 is a standout option for professionals in 2025 who want a no-nonsense machine that balances performance, portability, and value.

Price: AED 4899

Product photography by Ryan Chris

ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405) AED 4899
  • Final Rating
4

Summary

The ASUS ExpertBook P5 (P5405) isn’t about flashy gimmicks—it’s about getting the fundamentals right for business users. It’s lightweight, durable, powerful enough for AI-enhanced workflows, and lasts all day on a charge.

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Chris Fernando

Chris N. Fernando is an experienced media professional with over two decades of journalistic experience. He is the Editor of Arabian Reseller magazine, the authoritative guide to the regional IT industry. Follow him on Twitter (@chris508) and Instagram (@chris2508).

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