Review of the Affordable Asus VivoBook 15 with Intel Core i3 12th Gen Processor
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Notebook Specification and Model
- Processor
- Memory
- Storage
- Operating System
- Design and Display
- Webcam and Audio Quality
- Keyboard and Touchpad
- Connectivity Options
- Temperature and Cooling Performance
- Gaming Performance
- Battery Life
- Conclusion
Review of the Asus Vivobook 15: A Powerful and Affordable Notebook 👨💻
The Asus Vivobook 15 is a budget-friendly notebook that offers impressive performance and a range of features. In this review, we will delve into the specifications and features of this notebook, discuss its design and display, evaluate its webcam and audio quality, assess the keyboard and touchpad, explore its connectivity options, analyze its temperature and cooling performance, examine its gaming capabilities, and finally, review its battery life. By the end of this article, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of the Asus Vivobook 15 and its suitability for your needs.
1. Introduction
Asus has long been known for producing high-quality laptops at affordable prices, and the Vivobook 15 is no exception. With its sleek design, powerful performance, and feature-rich specifications, this notebook is a strong contender in the budget segment.
2. Notebook Specification and Model
The Asus Vivobook 15 comes in various models, and the specific one we will discuss in this review is the x102 za EJ1764. Let's take a closer look at its key specifications.
A. Processor
The Vivobook 15 is equipped with a 12th generation Core i3 processor, providing excellent speed and efficiency for everyday tasks. With its 10 cores, 12 Threads, clock speed of up to 3.3 GHz, and 12 MB cache, this notebook delivers smooth multitasking and responsive performance.
B. Memory
In terms of memory, this model comes with 4 GB of DDR4 RAM soldered onto the motherboard, clocked at 3200 MHz. It also features an expansion slot that allows you to add additional RAM for increased performance. For instance, I upgraded my laptop with a 16 GB 3200 MHz RAM stick from RZ Mode, which significantly improved its overall performance.
C. Storage
The Vivobook 15 is equipped with a 256 GB NVMe SSD, ensuring fast boot times and quick access to files and applications. It's worth mentioning that the storage capacity may vary across different models in the x102 za series, with options available in either 256 GB or 512 GB. Unfortunately, there is no provision to add a 2.5-inch SATA SSD for additional storage.
D. Operating System
The x102 za EJ1764 model of the Vivobook 15 comes with Linux Kipos pre-installed. However, Asus offers various configurations with different operating systems, including Windows 11 Home. If you prefer using Windows, purchasing a version with the operating system pre-installed is generally more cost-effective than buying a Linux version and subsequently purchasing a separate Windows license.
3. Design and Display
One of the key highlights of the Vivobook 15 is its sleek design and compact form factor. With a thickness of only 2 cm and weighing just 1.7 kg, it is highly portable and ideal for users on the go. The notebook features a 15.6-inch Full HD display with slim bezels, providing an immersive visual experience. While the panel type is TN, the color reproduction and overall quality are impressive for everyday use. However, it may not be suitable for professional image or video editing work due to limitations in viewing angles.
4. Webcam and Audio Quality
The Vivobook 15 is equipped with a 720p webcam that features a privacy slider, allowing you to cover the lens when not in use. The image quality of the webcam is surprisingly good for a budget notebook, especially in well-lit environments. However, in low-light conditions, the image tends to degrade significantly. It's essential to consider the lighting conditions and adjust accordingly to achieve optimal image quality during video calls or recordings.
5. Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard on the Vivobook 15 offers a pleasant typing experience, with well-spaced keys and a dedicated numeric keypad. It features an ABNT2 layout with the question mark located beside the letter "W." To type the question mark, you need to press the altgr key along with the "W" key. The keyboard also includes shortcut keys that can be activated by holding the fn key. Overall, the keys are responsive and have a comfortable amount of travel.
The touchpad on the Vivobook 15 is reasonably sized and highly responsive. The click action is subtle and quiet, ensuring a smooth user experience.
6. Connectivity Options
When it comes to connectivity, the Vivobook 15 provides a decent range of options. On the left-HAND side, you will find a USB 2.0 port, a power LED indicator, and a charging LED indicator. On the right-hand side, there is a combo audio jack for headphones and a built-in microphone, a USB Type-C 3.2 port without video transmission capability, two USB Type-A 3.2 ports, an HDMI 1.4 port, and the power connector. Unfortunately, there is no ethernet port on this notebook, but you can use a USB network adapter if required.
7. Temperature and Cooling Performance
During regular usage, the Vivobook 15 maintains relatively cool temperatures. When idle or performing light tasks, the laptop hovers around 37°C. However, during more demanding activities such as gaming or video rendering, the temperature can increase. In my testing, I observed temperatures of around 78°C while playing GTA V and 83°C during CS:GO gameplay. It's important to note that under extreme load, such as video rendering using the processor, the temperature can reach up to 90-93°C. While this temperature is quite high, it doesn't pose significant issues as long as the laptop is not subjected to prolonged periods of intense usage.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Sleek design and compact form factor
- Good overall performance for everyday tasks
- Decent gaming capabilities with the addition of more RAM
Cons:
- Limited storage options
- TN panel with limited viewing angles
- Webcam image quality degrades in low-light conditions
- No ethernet port
8. Gaming Performance
When it comes to gaming, the performance of the Vivobook 15 exceeded my expectations. With the addition of more RAM, I was able to achieve satisfactory results in several games. When tested with the minimum 4 GB RAM, the performance was poor in GTA V, averaging around 16 FPS at Full HD resolution. However, after upgrading to 20 GB RAM, the average FPS increased to 36, allowing for smoother gameplay. Similarly, in CS:GO, the performance improved significantly, going from unplayable framerates to a range of 30-50 FPS.
9. Battery Life
The Vivobook 15 offers reasonable battery life, enabling you to work or browse the web for extended periods without frequent recharging. With moderate usage, such as web browsing and watching videos, the laptop can last up to 6-7 hours on a single charge. However, keep in mind that running resource-intensive applications or gaming will significantly reduce battery life.
10. Conclusion
In conclusion, the Asus Vivobook 15 is a highly affordable notebook that offers impressive performance and a range of features. With its sleek design, powerful processor, expandable RAM, and decent gaming capabilities, it provides excellent value for its price. While it has some limitations, such as a TN panel and limited storage options, these factors are outweighed by its overall performance and affordability. If you're on a budget and looking for a reliable laptop for everyday tasks, light gaming, and multimedia consumption, the Asus Vivobook 15 is a solid choice.
Highlights:
- Budget-friendly with powerful performance
- Sleek design and lightweight
- Responsive keyboard and touchpad
- Good webcam and audio quality for everyday use
- Decent gaming capabilities with additional RAM
Resources:
- Asus Vivobook 15 specifications
- RZ Mode 16 GB RAM
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I upgrade the RAM on the Asus Vivobook 15?
A: Yes, the Vivobook 15 has an expansion slot that allows you to add more RAM for increased performance.
Q: Does the Vivobook 15 come with a pre-installed operating system?
A: The specific model discussed in this review comes with Linux Kipos pre-installed. However, Asus offers different configurations with various operating systems, including Windows 11 Home.
Q: Can I play games on the Vivobook 15?
A: Yes, the Vivobook 15 can handle gaming to some extent. However, it is recommended to upgrade the RAM for better gaming performance.
Q: Does the Vivobook 15 have an ethernet port?
A: No, the Vivobook 15 does not have an ethernet port. You can use a USB network adapter if required.
Q: How is the battery life of the Vivobook 15?
A: The Vivobook 15 offers reasonable battery life, lasting up to 6-7 hours with moderate usage. However, running resource-intensive applications or gaming will significantly reduce battery life.
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