Tivique, Acemagic and the matter of model names
The Tivique LX15 Pro is also sold under the name Acemagic LX15 Pro. Acemagic is primarily known for its mini-PCs, where the brand has been offering devices with a decent price-performance ratio for some time.
The fact that the manufacturer is now also selling laptops is therefore not entirely surprising. Technically, the leap from mini-PC to notebook is smaller than one might initially think, because Acemagic is already familiar with mobile AMD or Intel platforms.
It's important to note that not all LX15 Pro laptops are created equal. The device is offered with various hardware configurations. The base model tested here uses the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U. For an additional cost, variants with the Ryzen 5 7430U or Ryzen 7 5700U are available. Therefore, prospective buyers should pay close attention to the CPU, as significantly different devices can be found under almost identical names.
packaging and scope of delivery
The Tivique LX15 Pro arrives unassuming in a brown cardboard box. This is appropriate for the price range and perfectly acceptable. Inside the box are the notebook, a 65-watt power adapter, and a separate cloverleaf-to-Schuko power cable.
Charging is not done via USB-C, but via a classic DC barrel connector. Functionally, this isn't a problem, but USB-C with Power Delivery would have made the device significantly more versatile for everyday use.
Since the keyboard comes standard with a US English QWERTY layout, Tivique includes thin rubber overlays. These allow the layout to be visually adjusted to German, French, Spanish, or UK English.
Case, workmanship and feel
The casing is made of anthracite-colored plastic. It looks simple and unobtrusive, which I consider a positive for an inexpensive office notebook. Fingerprints are barely visible on it.
The material quality is clearly entry-level. The plastic doesn't feel cheap in the worst sense, but it's not high-quality either. During the pressure test, the casing visibly flexed slightly. The LX15 Pro isn't particularly torsionally rigid.
One small but annoying issue concerns the stickers on the left side of the palm rest, as they are almost impossible to remove without leaving residue. This isn't a major problem with a budget device, but it doesn't create a good impression.
The hinge is quite stiff. You have to hold the bottom part of the notebook when opening it; one-handed opening is practically impossible. However, the hinge opens smoothly and holds the display securely in position.
Connections
The connectivity options are decent for the price range. On the left are:
- Kensington lock, yes
- Charging port DC barrel connector
- USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
- HDMI 1.4
- USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
On the right there is:
- USB-A 2× USB 3.2 Gen 1
- microSD card reader
- 3,5 mm audio jack for headphones/microphone
The number of USB ports is pleasing. However, HDMI 1.4 is rather basic, and the lack of a USB-C charging port is a major drawback. While HDMI 1.4 is sufficient for an external Full HD monitor, it quickly becomes limited at higher resolutions and refresh rates. That said, the Ryzen 3 4300U is hardly capable of much more.
There is no LAN port. However, this is not unusual in this device and price range.
Keyboard and touchpad
The keyboard is a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad. This is practical for office applications, spreadsheets, and simple text documents. However, the default layout is US QWERTY. Touch typists can simply switch Windows to German and get used to it. But those who rely on the keycaps will need to use the rubber keyboard cover.
These keycaps are thin and fit reasonably well, but they do alter the typing feel. It becomes softer, somewhat spongy, and less direct. This is acceptable for occasional use, but anyone who writes many pages of text daily will likely prefer a keyboard with a QWERTZ layout. Another feature the keyboard lacks is backlighting.
The touchpad is a good size, but not particularly high-quality. Windows gestures generally work, but clicks don't feel very precise. For extended work sessions, I would recommend an external mouse.
Display
Tivique uses an unknown 15,6-inch IPS panel with 1920 × 1080 pixels and a 60 Hz refresh rate. This at least provides the right basic features: Full HD resolution, IPS instead of TN, and decent viewing angles.
In everyday use, the display is responsive and perfectly adequate for office applications, browsing the web, YouTube, and simple image viewing. However, the color calibration is noticeably warm, which takes some getting used to. Adjusting the color temperature, saturation, and contrast via the AMD graphics driver is recommended.
The brightness is sufficient for indoor use. It's perfectly adequate for working in an office or a well-lit study. In the dark, the brightness can be reduced sufficiently so that the panel doesn't cause unpleasant glare.
Outdoors, however, the display's usability is limited. In sunny conditions, you should definitely find a shady spot.
Webcam and speakers
Above the display is a 1 MP webcam with a resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels. The quality is predictably basic and sufficient for short video calls, but nothing more. A positive feature is the mechanical cover, which is activated by a slider to the right of the camera.
The speakers are located on the left and right sides of the casing. They are sufficient for system sounds, YouTube, and simple video calls. However, expect weak bass, limited volume, and a rather thin sound.
Internal structure and hardware
The underside can be opened using 11 screws. This is pleasingly straightforward. There is also an adhesive mesh under the plastic cover for dust protection.
Inside, you can see the 54,72 Wh battery, the small speakers on the left and right, and the actual hardware. It's a positive sign that Tivique hasn't soldered everything.
The following components are installed:
- 512GB KEYWA KY510 M.2 SATA SSD (2 slots)
- Realtek RTL8821CE WLAN
- RAM 1× 16 GB DDR4-2666 SO-DIMM (2 slots)
- Battery 54,72Wh
The free RAM slot is one of the biggest advantages. Out of the box, the memory only runs in single channel, which particularly bottlenecks the integrated Radeon graphics. Dual channel can be enabled with a second compatible 16 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM module.
The SSD is an M.2 SATA SSD, not an NVMe SSD. Realistically, you can expect roughly 450 to 550 MB/s read speeds and slightly less write speed. This is sufficient for everyday use and office applications, but modern NVMe SSDs are significantly faster.
Ryzen 3 4300U
The AMD Ryzen 3 4300U is no longer a new processor, but it remains an attractive option for a budget notebook. It has four cores, but no SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading), meaning it only has four threads. This clearly distinguishes it from higher-end Ryzen models like the 4500U, 5500U, or 5700U.
The performance is sufficient for simple everyday tasks, but its limitations become apparent with heavier multitasking. Many browser tabs, background Windows updates, and a large installation running simultaneously can all slow down the system.
In comparison to the very affordable Intel N100, N95 or N97 devices, the Ryzen 3 4300U often feels more mature in everyday use, especially when there is enough RAM.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
For its wireless module, Tivique uses the Realtek RTL8821CE. This supports Wi-Fi 5/802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2. Wi-Fi 5 is sufficient for browsing, streaming, and office applications. However, those expecting high Wi-Fi speeds, improved stability, or modern standards like Wi-Fi 6 will not find them here.
Bluetooth 4.2 is also rather old. Mouse, keyboard and headphones work, but range and efficiency are not up to current standards.
Benchmarks and Gaming
The Ryzen 3 4300U outperforms classic budget CPUs like the Celeron, N4020, N5100, or older Atom derivatives. However, it stands no chance against modern Ryzen 5 or Core Ultra notebooks. A Ryzen 5 7430U or Ryzen 7 5700U in the same chassis is more powerful, but also more expensive.
Gaming is very limited with the Tivique LX15 Pro. The integrated Radeon Vega graphics of the Ryzen 3 4300U are generally better than many older Intel iGPUs, but are further hampered here by the single-channel RAM.
Games like older strategy games, Hades, Stardew Valley, Terraria, Minecraft (with low settings), or older classics are possible. More demanding titles require 720p resolution, low detail settings, and a lot of patience.
Battery and volume
The battery, at 54,72 Wh, is adequately sized. Realistically, you can expect around 5–7 hours of runtime for office work at low brightness, about 4 hours for video streaming, and under load, the runtime quickly drops below 3 hours.
With a typical power consumption of around 15 watts, the CPU is very energy-efficient, which significantly reduces cooling requirements. As a result, the device often remains pleasantly unobtrusive in everyday use. During simple tasks such as browsing, office applications, or video streaming, the fan either runs very quietly or even switches off completely at times.
Under load, the fan spins up a bit more, but remains relatively quiet, with a slight whirring sound.
