What exactly does the Ninkear A15 Pro have to offer? First of all, a 16-inch display with 2560 x 1600 pixels (called 2.5K by the manufacturer), which gives a 16:10 aspect ratio. The screen, according to the manufacturer's declarations, also boasts a high refresh rate of 120 Hz, 100% sRGB gamut coverage and a fairly typical maximum brightness of 350 nits. Under the hood is an AMD Ryzen 5 7430U processor with an integrated AMD Radeon Graphics card supported by 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1 TB SSD. The whole thing is enclosed in a metal casing. So it's a pretty solid specification, although you have to remember that the heart here is a several-year-old low-voltage processor from the Barcelo family, so there's no reason to expect performance miracles. The Ninkear A15 Pro is priced by the manufacturer at 549 EUR, but our domestic stores offer it for 2149 PLN, and probably when hunting for a bargain, you can buy it even cheaper.
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What comes Inside A 15Pro Device
Processor
The Ninkear A15 Pro is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 7430U processor, which is a low-voltage chip from the end of 2023 from the Barcelo R family. There is also a 16 MB L3 cache on board, and the default TDP is 15 W. The whole thing is manufactured in 7 nm by TSMC.
Graphics card
AMD Ryzen 5 7430U also offers an integrated Radeon™ Graphics card with 7 graphics cores. Its maximum clock speed is 1800 MHz. This iGPU is based on the older Vega 8 architecture, not RDNA, which powers the newer APUs of this manufacturer, so there is no need to count on graphics performance that will allow for more advanced games or applications.
Memory
Another sign of cost cutting are RAM modules from the bush company (Skihotar) based on older DDR4 chips from SK Hynix and with a speed of only 2666 MHz. Fortunately, we can easily expand the factory 16 GB (e.g. to 32 GB), because we get a free SDIMM slot, although at today's RAM prices it will not be a cheap option.
Data carrier
Savings were also made in the field of storage, as the budget Faspeed F8 SSD was used here. Do you know? Neither do we, but it's a PCIe 3.0 drive, reaching decent speeds for this standard, but we remind you that the current generation is based on PCIe 5.0, so you could expect at least something cheaper with PCIe 4.0 here. Fortunately, it is a 1 TB drive, and if necessary, we can add a second one, because inside there is one free slot for M.2 2280 media.
Wireless Connectivity Module
In terms of the network card, instead of the typical Intel chip, we get the Realtek 8852BE network adapter, which provides support for both Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax). Theoretically, it is a similar class network to the AX201 and the tests seem to confirm this, as the Realtek card achieves transfer speeds of up to 1120 Mbps. Thus, we get support for speeds far beyond the capabilities of a typical Kowalski link.
Software
The PC runs on the Windows 11 Pro operating system, and Ninkear doesn't preinstall virtually any bloatware, which is a pleasant surprise.
Exterior construction and workmanship
Chinese manufacturers can surprise with the content even in the case of their budget products, and it is no different in this case, because in the box, in addition to the laptop itself and a small power supply (practically like a smartphone), we will also find a mouse, a pad under it and a set of keyboard stickers dedicated to different language versions (Poles do not have specific keys, so we don't have to stick anything on them). We'll come back to accessories, but first, let's take a look at the laptop.
Ninkear opted for a minimalist design with rounded edges and a steel-silver color, which is probably a reference to the design used by an extremely popular American company. In this case, however, it is difficult to consider it a disadvantage, although the A15 Pro is certainly not an eminently original design.
What is more important, however, is that the laptop case, both the lid and the chassis, are made of metal alloy, which is rather rare in this segment. This, of course, translates positively into the rigidity of the structure, although the working panel is already plastic, which makes the keyboard bend under pressure, although not excessively. The bezels around the screen are not excessively thick (but unfortunately, not very careful gluing draws attention), and the whole thing measures only 362 × 251 × 19 mm, so we are dealing with a pretty slim design for a 16-inch laptop, and lightweight, because the equipment weighs 1.8 kg. The hinges run smoothly and seem solid, although they do not allow you to open the lid in the range of 180 degrees (only about 130 degrees).
In general, the appearance and workmanship of the laptop do not reveal its budget pedigree at the first contact (you have to take a closer look), because we tested much more expensive models, which performed worse than the A15 Pro in this respect. In practice, however, it turned out to be quite good and suitable for ordinary web surfing or typical everyday use. Just like the rubber pad, which has a texture imitating leather - although it is very small by today's standards (approx. 22.5 x 19 cm).
Keyboard
The keyboard seems to have practically been carried over from the N16 Pro, which means it deserves praise. We get a typical island design, but with an unpleasant stroke, which is spongy, but this is typical for cheaper membrane tubes. Due to the fact that we are dealing with a 16-inch model, the manufacturer has even included a numeric section, and the directional arrows are of standard size and only the function keys have been reduced. The layout itself is quite well thought out and does not require a long time of getting used to, except for a short right Shift. The Power button integrated with the rest of the keyboard (here in the upper right corner) is also unfortunate. On the other hand, the white backlight looks good, the intensity of which can be adjusted (2 degrees + the option to turn it off). The manufacturer has not forgotten about the illumination of additional markings on the keys, which is quite often overlooked. Of course, there are also shortcuts with a function key (Fn).
Touchpad
The trackpad also aroused mixed feelings in us. It is quite large (approx. 141 × 95 mm), but the LPM and PPM click is a bit too stiff/hard and loud. Its plastic surface provides an average finger glide (which can sometimes get stuck, especially if it is not completely dry), but the touchpad has no problem handling gestures correctly even at the edges. In general, the touchpad does the job well, but it could be better, and it is probably not without reason that the manufacturer includes a mouse in the set.
Ports
The Ninkear A15 Pro should also be praised for the number and variety of ports. On the left side we find HDMI, one USB 3.0 and two USB Type-C, and on the right another USB 3.0, USB 2.0, a universal audio connector in minijack format (3.5 mm), a microSD memory card reader (this one, unfortunately, is very slow) and a Kensington lock. Of course, due to the economical nature of this laptop, we can't count on faster USB connectors (version 3.2 Gen 2) or charging functions for USB Type-C, not to mention the presence of a Thunderbolt interface, but it's still really good in this aspect.
Audio
However, the speakers are very poor. The equipment is equipped with two drivers of unspecified power, which are located on the bottom, in its front part (one on the left and one on the right). Unfortunately, we won't see a dedicated woofer here, and you can hear it. The sound is really fragile, lacking dynamics, detail, and power, because even at the highest volume level, it does not offer a satisfactory level. In general, it looks poor, so headphones are recommended for gaming and listening to music.
Webcam and biometric security
The webcam is also terrible, which has the quality of the previous era, which can be seen in the photo below. Webcams in laptops are usually not impressive, but despite everything, even from a budget notebook, you can expect more in this aspect. The Ninkear A15 Pro is suitable for video calls, but the image is very noisy, and gradient gradients and washed and heavily cooled colors take their toll. The fact that the equipment received a fingerprint reader should be commended. This one is quite precise, although its location (upper left corner of the touchpad) could be better thought out.
Battery life
The notebook is equipped with a 54.72 Wh (4800 mAh) cell, which is quite small for the 16-inch QHD+ model. Looping the battery life test in PCMark 10 (Modern Office), which is supposed to show the typical, albeit quite intensive use of the computer in home and office conditions, with an energy-efficient profile and 50% screen brightness, allows you to enjoy the laptop's operation for just over 6 hours. On the other hand, browsing the Internet, with the same brightness and active Wi-Fi, we managed to get to a maximum of about 6 and 40 minutes of hours. These are very average results for a typical "office building", but probably if you lowered the screen brightness even more and gave up Wi-Fi, performing only simple actions, this time would be extended.
Display
The Ninkear A15 Pro is equipped with a 16-inch display. It is a matte 16:10 IPS class matrix with QHD+ resolution (2560 × 1600 pixels) and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. The viewing angles are rather average (the image loses contrast relatively quickly), and the maximum brightness of 350 nits declared by the manufacturer is slightly different from our measurement, which showed 297 nits in SDR mode. This can make it difficult to use in slightly sunnier circumstances.
Factory Settings:
- White Point: 9054K
- White Brightness: 136.3 cd/m² (50%)
- True Contrast: 1320.5:1
- Average Delta E Error: 2.85 (for sRGB)
The coverage of the sRGB color palette is only 88% (the manufacturer promised full) with a total volume of 108.7%. For Adobe RGB spaces, it was 64.4% and 74.9%, respectively, and for the DCI-P3 gamut, it was 74.8% and 77%. These are rather poor results, but in order not to be too strict, we have to honestly admit that this type of matrices in budget models is the norm. Factory calibration also leaves a lot to be desired, because while the average Delta E error reaches only 2.85, the maximum is already 8.9, and the color temperature is as high as 9054K, which makes the white very cool and seems practically blue, so it's worth fighting it. The local gamma curve can be praised for this, and the contrast is also good for IPS, as it reaches 1320.5:1. In the tested unit, however, you can complain about the uniformity of the backlight, because the measurements indicate several percent deviations along the edges.
Cooling system analysis, throttling, temperature and operating culture
To get inside the Ninkear A15 Pro laptop, you need to unscrew eleven Phillips screws (it's worth noting that those in the upper corners have longer threads). Removing the bottom of the case is very simple, because the manufacturer did not use latches. Inside, a one-way cooling system awaits us, consisting of a single fan, two heat pipes and a heat sink. What is pleasing is that we get two SO-DIMM slots for RAM and the same number of M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, so there is room for hardware upgrades in the future.
How does the cooling system perform in practice? It probably won't come as a surprise that such a modest cooler is sufficient for this APU from AMD. During load, the CPU hits 25 W for a while, but quickly this value drops and stabilizes around 13 W. When all cores are loaded, they initially accelerate to about 4 GHz, but after a while the speed drops to about 3 GHz.
It is also worth noting that the notebook has a problem with passing the stress test in 3DMark, which checks the stability of the components.
Operating culture and housing temperatures
When it comes to the operating culture and the temperature of the case, there is no reason to complain. Under load, the laptop is audible, but it emits a noise level of 34.5 dB(A), so not much above the ambient noise recorded in our test conditions. Temperatures during operation at the highest speed reach 40.6°C on the front panel, at the central point of the keyboard, while on the back, in place of the air vents, the equipment heats up to 52.5°C, which means that the laptop is warm, but not yet hot. Besides, such values only occur after a long and high load on the CPU.
Performance
As you can see in the charts below, the Ninkear A15 Pro doesn't impress in terms of performance, but we also didn't expect anything more from the Ryzen 5 7430U with such a low power limit. We are talking about a level around Intel's low-voltage 12th generation in terms of CPU capabilities, and GPU even slightly weaker. This means that if we want to play something more demanding than typical mobile titles, we have to take into account lowering the resolution to 720p and the details to low. However, it is not gaming equipment in any way, so it may not matter much to the potential recipient. However, to be fair to the Ninkear A15 Pro, in typical everyday use, the laptop performed really well and we did not have the impression of dealing with equipment from a bygone era. It may not be as responsive as models on the latest generation chips, but taking into account its target group and price, we can talk about satisfactory performance. The only question is, how will it perform after a long time?
Conclusion
The Ninkear A15 Pro is a laptop that very clearly shows where the manufacturer was looking for savings, but at the same time it can positively surprise in several key aspects. At a price of just over PLN 2000, we get a 16-inch notebook in a metal case, with a high screen resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels, a 16:10 aspect ratio and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is still rare in this price segment. In addition, there is a 1 TB SSD, 16 GB RAM (expandable), a reasonable number of ports and pure Windows 11 Pro without unnecessary software.
The Ninkear A15 Pro is a laptop that very clearly shows where the manufacturer was looking for savings, but at the same time it can positively surprise in several key aspects.
Trade-offs, on the other hand, are inevitable. The Ryzen 5 7430U is an old design, and its low power limits translate into average performance under longer loads. The speakers and webcam are also very poor, and the battery life also leaves something to be desired for office and multimedia equipment. The touchpad and accessories added to the set are also not of the highest quality, and with a close inspection, you can see some stumbling blocks in the workmanship. Ultimately, the Ninkear A15 Pro is a proposition for people who are looking for a cheap, large laptop for everyday work, studying, browsing the Internet and occasional multimedia consumption, and at the same time appreciate a solid body and a large, high-resolution screen. It is not a device for gamers, creators or demanding users, but as a budget "home workhorse" it can defend itself, especially if you manage to buy it in a good promotion.
Pros & Cos
Ninkear A15 Pro advantages:
- Metal Housing (Cover & Bottom Panel)
- QHD+ 120Hz screen
- Price
- Mouse and mouse pad included
- Nice work culture
- Nice clavitaura
- Low component and chassis temperatures
Ninkear A15 Pro - cons:
- Ryzen 5 7430U is already quite an old chip
- Very budget SSD
- DDR4 memory chips from bush
- Low maximum screen brightness
- Very weak webcam and speakers
- Upon closer inspection, you can see imperfections in workmanship (e.g. leaking glue around the frame surrounding the screen)
- Poor touchpad