ASUS VivoBook 14 Laptop Review Powerful 12th Gen Intel Processor and Massive Storage

Description

A Sleek Workhorse: ASUS VivoBook Business Laptop Review

Design and Portability
The ASUS VivoBook Business Laptop immediately caught my attention with its Quiet Blue finish. It’s subtle yet stylish, and the slim profile of just 0.7 inches makes this laptop incredibly portable. Weighing only 3.09 pounds, carrying it around feels effortless, whether I’m heading to a meeting or working from a café. The 14-inch FHD display with thin bezels offers a clean and modern look, and although it’s not the brightest at 250 nits, it delivers crisp visuals with its 1920×1080 resolution. I do wish the 45% NTSC color gamut was higher, as colors sometimes appear less vivid, particularly when editing photos or watching detailed videos. It’s a minor compromise for a laptop in this category.

Key Benefits

• Lightweight and slim design, perfect for portability.
• The Quiet Blue color gives it a professional yet unique aesthetic.
• Thin bezels enhance the screen’s modern appeal.

Performance That Packs a Punch
This laptop isn’t just about looks; it’s powered by a 12th Gen Intel i3-1215U processor with 6 cores. The 2 Performance-cores and 4 Efficient-cores, coupled with a base clock speed of 2.0GHz, can handle most tasks without breaking a sweat. While testing it, I noticed a significant boost in speed, especially when the Intel Turbo Boost Technology pushed the clock speed up to 4.4GHz. Everyday applications like Microsoft Office, Zoom, and even light photo editing ran seamlessly.

The 40GB DDR4 RAM is a standout feature. Multitasking is a breeze—I had over a dozen tabs open alongside video streaming and experienced no lag. The 1TB PCIe SSD offers a ton of storage and lightning-fast read/write speeds, which made booting up and launching applications feel almost instantaneous. However, this setup isn’t meant for heavy gaming or 4K video editing, given the Intel UHD Graphics are integrated and not dedicated.

Positives

• The 12th Gen Intel processor delivers smooth performance for day-to-day tasks.
• Multitasking is effortless with the 40GB RAM.
• 1TB SSD storage ensures ample space and rapid file access.

Limitations

• The integrated graphics may not suit gamers or professionals requiring high-end rendering.
• 45% NTSC color gamut limits the vibrancy of visuals.

Connectivity and Ports
One of the things I love about this laptop is the array of ports it comes with. It has 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 1 USB 2.0 Type-A port, and an HDMI v1.4 slot. I found this particularly useful when connecting multiple devices like an external monitor or USB drives. The MediaTek Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure fast and stable wireless connections. Streaming HD videos or transferring files between devices was seamless, and I didn’t encounter any noticeable drops in connectivity.

The 720p HD webcam with a privacy shutter is a thoughtful feature, especially for those working remotely. It’s not the sharpest camera, but it gets the job done for video calls. The SonicMaster built-in speaker provides decent audio quality, though bass lovers might find it lacking depth.

Battery and Daily Usability
I tested the 3-cell 42Wh battery, which promises up to 8 hours of usage, and it largely delivered. Whether I was working on documents or catching up on Netflix, the battery held up well. That said, if you’re running more demanding software, expect the battery life to drop a bit. Charging is straightforward with its coaxial plug power jack, though a USB-C charging option would’ve been a welcome addition.

Areas for Improvement

• USB-C charging would enhance convenience for modern users.
• Battery life can dip with heavy multitasking or resource-intensive software.

Competitive Options
When it comes to competitors, the Acer Aspire 5 and HP Pavilion 14 are worth considering. The Acer Aspire 5 offers slightly better color accuracy, making it attractive for content creators, but it falls short with only 16GB of RAM. On the other hand, the HP Pavilion 14 features a sleeker design and a sharper webcam but lacks the massive 1TB SSD storage this laptop provides. The ASUS VivoBook excels in multitasking capabilities and storage, making it ideal for professionals or students handling multiple programs simultaneously.

True Value
For the features offered, the ASUS VivoBook Business Laptop strikes a balance between performance and affordability. The generous RAM and SSD storage, combined with a durable yet lightweight build, make it a solid choice for anyone needing a reliable machine for work or study. While it’s not the cheapest option, the price-to-quality ratio justifies the investment, especially if you’re someone who prioritizes multitasking capability and portability.

This laptop feels like a dependable companion for everyday productivity, with just a few minor compromises.

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