ASUS VivoBook 15: A top-rated laptop under €700

It is difficult to navigate the budget laptop market. Although there are many cheap laptops with attractive prices, not all of them live up to the advertised performance and features. Manufacturers have been quick to respond to the increasing demand for extra devices to help with school work and office work. ASUS is a top choice when it comes to affordable laptops. The VivoBook line delivers a solid set of features at an affordable price. To find out if the VivoBook 15 is worth the money, I have been testing it for the past few weeks.

The VivoBook 15’s lightweight plastic chassis weighs in at 1.6kg for a 15-inch laptop. Although it is a little heavy, you can’t complain at this price. Both the lid and base are surprisingly strong and don’t feel hollow like other budget options. The design isn’t too simple or too bold, and the Slate Grey color does an excellent job hiding fingerprints.

ASUS offered many ports including USB-C3.1, two USB 2.0, USB 3.1 and USB-A 3.1. There was also HDMI, 3.5mm audio and a microSD Card reader. It was easy to install benchmarking software using a microSD card. The HDMI port can be used for connecting to an external monitor or TV. The USB-C port does not support power delivery, so you will need to use the barrel charging port.

The bezel surrounding the display, including its bottom, is quite thin, giving the laptop a modern look. It returned 67% sRGB and 50% AdobeRGB color reproductions. These are unacceptable results for a premium laptop that is used for special work, but they are acceptable for a budget laptop. You get an FHD resolution, up to 250 nits brightness and a matte finish. This screen is sufficient for general productivity and schoolwork.

The keyboard, touchpad and camera of the VivoBook 15 are far better than I expected for a laptop costing this much.

This keyboard is amazing. Although I don’t like the small chiclet shape, the 1.4mm key travel and three-stage backlight more than make up the difference. This laptop is great for writing drafts and essays. Individual navigation keys are very appreciated. Although the touchpad is small, it clicks smoothly and without any dead spots. Although it may not feel as solid or as well-made as Ultrabooks’ touchpads, it isn’t prone to shaking.

Although I don’t like the idea of embedding the fingerprint reader in the touchpad, it is an option that I do appreciate here. It works perfectly in practice, allowing for quick and secure logins via Windows Hello. This is an excellent feature for anyone who will be working in public areas or offices.

It’s a 720p front-facing camera that is quite impressive. During video meetings, no one noticed the switch. It is certainly comparable to (if not superior) my Dell XPS 13 camera. It lacks privacy shutter, which is the only problem.

The 10th Gen Core i3-1005G1 is a solid performer, feeling sharp when focusing on one task at a given time. The dual cores can suffer when you start throwing multiple requests at them, so it’s best to reserve the laptop for lighter tasks. Don’t expect it to be a gaming laptop. The Intel UHD graphics are not powerful enough to run any other games.

The back cover can be removed to reveal a SODIMM RAM slots for DIY upgrades. 4GB RAM is soldered and a 4GB module is installed at the factory. The VivoBook 15 doesn’t come loaded with bloatware as some budget computers. A McAfee antivirus program can be quickly removed, as well as an ASUS app for system support and diagnostics.

What I don’t like

The VivoBook 15 has its price tag, but there are some issues. However, these should not be a deciding factor in your purchase decision. The battery life was the first to be mentioned. It lasted for just five hours and 37 seconds in PCMark’s Modern Office rundown testing. This is a reasonable time for a Core i3 with FHD display. However, the average laptop user will reduce that to around four and a quarter hours per day. If you are going on a short trip, the AC adapter will be necessary. The AC cable’s short length is an inconvenience.

Although the laptop’s sound quality isn’t the best, it is still clear and without any buzzing. Although you won’t be able entertain a crowd with music, you can still hear video chats and have clear audio. The included M.2 SATA SSD can be slow. For better performance, you can upgrade the M.2 SATA SSD by yourself. You can also fit a 2.5-inch SATA SSD, or HDD into the available space. However, there is no hookup. This will likely need to be set up from the factory.

Is it worth it?

This is the best product to buy if you are looking for a…

• A laptop for less than $700
• A comfortable touchpad and keyboard are essential
• A 15-inch screen with FHD resolution is what you want

This product is not recommended for purchase if…

• You are looking to play games or do specialized work with your laptop
• You need battery life that lasts all day (8+ hours).
• A 15-inch laptop should be as slim and light as possible

It’s all about weighing the pros and cons of each option and choosing the best device for you. The VivoBook 15 has a good mix of performance and features. It does have its flaws.