Microsoft Vivobook ASUS0 Vivobook Go 14 L410 Ultra Thin Review

So you're looking at the ASUS Vivobook Go 14. It's a 14-inch Windows laptop that costs around $278, and it's one of the most affordable new laptops you can find. People searching for a 'cheap laptop for basic tasks' or a 'budget student laptop' will probably come across this one. It's got a 14-inch 1080p screen, an Intel Celeron processor, and 4GB of RAM. That's the core of it. If you just need a simple machine for web browsing, documents, and maybe some YouTube, this is what you get for under $300. But you have to know what you're signing up for.

Let's be real about performance. The Intel Celeron processor here is a single-core chip running at 1.3GHz. In our benchmark comparisons, its CPU performance lands in the 2nd percentile. That means it's slower than 98% of other laptops we track. For basic stuff like opening a few browser tabs or a Word document, it's okay, but it will feel sluggish. The integrated graphics are in the 18th percentile, so don't even think about gaming or photo editing. The 4GB of RAM is also in the 2nd percentile, which is a major bottleneck. Having more than a couple of apps open will slow this thing to a crawl. It's good for one thing at a time.

At $278, the value proposition is simple: it's the cheapest ticket into a new, name-brand Windows laptop. You're paying for the bare minimum. The problem is, spending just a bit more, maybe around $400-$500, opens up a world of used or refurbished laptops with much better processors (like an older Core i5) and 8GB of RAM. Those will feel infinitely faster and last you years longer. This Vivobook's value is only there if your budget is absolutely locked at $300 and you refuse to buy used.

The competitors listed, like the MacBook Pro or high-end gaming laptops, aren't even in the same universe. That's a weird list. For a real comparison, look at other budget options. A used Lenovo ThinkPad from a few years ago at this price will have a better keyboard, more ports, and a much faster processor. Even something like the base model Chromebook often provides a smoother experience for these basic tasks because ChromeOS is lighter than Windows 11 on 4GB of RAM. If you need Windows specifically, this Vivobook is competing against its own severe limitations more than other products.

Should you buy the ASUS Vivobook Go 14? Only in one very specific case: if you need a brand new Windows laptop right now and you absolutely cannot spend one dollar over $300. For everyone else, the answer is no. The performance is just too poor. The 4GB of RAM is a deal-breaker for running Windows 11 smoothly. It's good for a grandparent who checks email once a week, or as a dedicated machine for a single, simple task. For a student or anyone who needs to have a browser and a document open at the same time, it will be a frustrating experience. Save up a little more or look at the used market.