Finding a budget-friendly 15-inch laptop that doesn't compromise on performance and design can be a daunting task. However, the ASUS VivoBook 15 F1500EA-AS31 aims to change that narrative. This entry-level laptop combines powerful performance, a visually captivating display, and an ergonomic keyboard, making it an attractive option for those seeking an affordable yet capable device.
In this review, we will delve deep into everything you need to know about the ASUS VivoBook 15 F1500EA-AS31. Let's explore how this laptop fares in meeting the demands of everyday computing tasks and whether it can be a reliable companion for work and play. Basically, we're going to figure out if this is the budget laptop for you or if you should keep searching for a more suitable alternative. Let's get on with it!
Who's this laptop for?
The ASUS VivoBook 15 F1500EA-AS31 is a great choice for budget-conscious students who are looking to buy a solid laptop for a competitive price, professionals, and casual users who prioritize affordability without compromising on essential features. Its reliable performance, sleek design, and comfortable keyboard make it suitable for everyday computing tasks, from coursework to web browsing and media streaming, as many users have already confirmed.
Design, Display, and Keyboard
The ASUS VivoBook 15 F1500EA-AS31 boasts a sleek and modern design that catches the eye. With its slim profile, this laptop is both stylish and portable, making it convenient to carry around for work or leisure. The Indie Black color adds a touch of sophistication to its overall aesthetics.
One of the standout features of the VivoBook 15 is its 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display. The screen offers sharp details and crisp colors, enhancing your viewing experience whether you're working on spreadsheets, streaming movies, or browsing the web.
The 16:9 aspect ratio and narrow bezels contribute to the immersive feel, allowing you to fully indulge in your content. Additionally, the anti-glare coating on the display minimizes unwanted reflections and glare, ensuring that distractions are kept to a minimum.
The keyboard on the VivoBook 15 is designed with ergonomics in mind. Its full-size layout makes typing comfortable, even during long hours of use. The keys have a 1.4mm travel distance, providing a satisfying tactile response and precise keystrokes. This construction also adds durability to the keyboard, ensuring it can withstand regular use. Unfortunately, as it tends to happen amongst laptops in this price range, the keyboard is not backlit, unlike the other model within the lineup that we've recently reviewed; the Asus VivoBook 14 F1404ZA-AS51.
The combination of the sleek design, immersive display, and comfortable keyboard make the ASUS VivoBook 15 F1500EA-AS31 an appealing choice for both work and entertainment. Whether you're editing documents, watching movies, or engaging in creative tasks, the design, display, and keyboard contribute to an overall enjoyable and user-friendly experience.
Performance
The ASUS VivoBook 15 F1500EA-AS31 is equipped with an 11th Generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, which brings commendable power and efficiency to everyday computing tasks.
This dual-core processor operates at a base frequency of 3.00 GHz, allowing you to smoothly navigate through various applications, browse the web, and handle office productivity tasks with ease. Additionally, the processor features Intel Turbo Boost Technology, which can dynamically increase the clock speed up to 4.10 GHz when more demanding applications require it.
With 4GB of DDR4 RAM, the VivoBook 15 provides a decent amount of memory to handle your daily computing needs. The RAM plays a crucial role in multitasking, allowing you to run multiple applications simultaneously without experiencing significant slowdowns.
While 4GB is sufficient for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media streaming, it may feel restrictive when running resource-intensive applications or keeping numerous applications open simultaneously. If you plan on engaging in more demanding tasks, such as photo or video editing, or if you're a heavy multitasker, it's advisable to consider upgrading the RAM to 8GB or higher for smoother performance, as some users have reported doing.
Storage-wise, the VivoBook 15 features a 128GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD. This solid-state drive provides several advantages over traditional hard drives, including faster boot times, quicker application loading, and improved overall system responsiveness.
However, the 128GB capacity might feel limiting if you have a large collection of files, photos, or videos. You may need to manage your storage space wisely or consider utilizing external storage options for storing additional data. Alternatively, you could also look at the Acer Swift X SFX14-42G-R607 which offers substantially more storage at a slightly higher price point.
In day-to-day usage, the ASUS VivoBook 15 F1500EA-AS31 offers snappy and responsive performance for tasks like web browsing, document editing, email management, and media consumption.
You can expect swift application launches, smooth multitasking with several lightweight applications, and the ability to handle typical office productivity software. While it may not be the best choice for resource-intensive tasks like video editing or gaming, the VivoBook 15 excels as a reliable and affordable laptop for everyday use.
Considering the affordable price point of the VivoBook 15 F1500EA-AS31, it strikes a balance between performance and cost-effectiveness.
It is an ideal option for students, professionals, or casual users who primarily engage in web browsing, document creation, media streaming, and light multitasking. If you require more power for demanding tasks or heavy multitasking, it may be worth exploring laptops with higher RAM capacities or more powerful processors. However, for day-to-day usage, the VivoBook 15's performance is more than sufficient to meet the needs of the average user.
Graphics
The F1500EA-AS31 features integrated Intel UHD Graphics, which provide satisfactory performance for light gaming and video streaming. While the laptop is not designed for gaming enthusiasts or professional graphic designers, it can handle light gaming and multimedia tasks with ease. Especially if you opt to upgrade the RAM.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The VivoBook 15 offers comprehensive connectivity options to ensure users can connect all their peripherals and devices without any hassle. It features USB 3.2 Type-A (Gen1), USB 3.2 Type-C (Gen1), HDMI, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and a microSD card reader. These ports cover a wide range of devices, allowing users to connect their external storage, displays, projectors, and other accessories seamlessly.
These are not all that many ports, but again it fall in line with what we've come to expect in a budget-laptop such as this one. There's also no ethernet port.
It goes without saying that this laptop sports WiFi 5 connectivity alongside Bluetooth 4.2 support.
When it comes to battery life, the F1500EA-AS31 provides decent endurance for everyday use. Obviously, your mileage may vary but you can expect battery life to last between four and six hours.
Special Features
One notable special feature of the VivoBook 15 is the inclusion of ASUS AI Noise-Canceling Technology. This advanced technology uses machine learning to filter out unwanted background noise during video conferences, ensuring clear and high-quality audio.
This feature enhances the remote working and video conferencing experience, it's not going to substitute a pair of professional-grade videoconferencing headphones but it's still a nice improvement over the standard audio quality amongst budget laptops.
User Reviews
Looking at customer reviews, it's clear that the ASUS VivoBook 15 F1500EA-AS31 has received positive feedback. One user mentioned that upgrading the RAM to 8GB improved the laptop's speed significantly, indicating that the performance can be further enhanced with a memory upgrade. Another user praised the laptop's affordability, Windows 11 operating system, and smooth performance, considering its 4GB RAM configuration.
It should also be noted that Windows 11 in S Mode can be easily disabled so that you may access all the standard Windows 11 features.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ASUS VivoBook 15 F1500EA-AS31 reviewed today surpasses expectations as an affordable laptop, offering an impressive combination of performance, design, and functionality being far more than a paperweight as it often happens in cheap laptops. Its sleek and modern design, coupled with a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, creates a visually immersive experience for work and entertainment. The ergonomic keyboard adds to the laptop's appeal, providing a comfortable typing experience, even during extended use.
Additionally, while the laptop's 11th Generation Intel Core i3 processor and 4GB of RAM may not be suited for resource-intensive tasks, they perform admirably in your everyday computing needs. Web browsing, document editing, and multimedia consumption are handled smoothly, resulting in a responsive user experience.
The VivoBook 15's affordability, portability, and balanced performance make it an attractive choice for students, professionals, and casual users alike. Ultimately making it a great choice for those looking to purchase a low-cost laptop for basic usage.