ASUS Vivobook 14" 5Z8N Review

The HP Vivobook with an i3-1215U is a basic, portable laptop. It's got a 14-inch screen, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, which is a solid foundation for everyday stuff. It's light at 1.4kg and has modern WiFi 6, so it's easy to carry around and connect.

The Intel i3-1215U is a budget chip. It's fine for web browsing, documents, and video calls, but it's in the 19th percentile for CPU performance, so don't expect speed. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics are predictably weak, landing in the 42nd percentile. Gaming is a non-starter, scoring a dismal 12.1 out of 100. It's a machine for light tasks only.

At around $358, it's cheap. You're getting a functional Windows laptop with good RAM and storage for the price. But you're also getting slow performance and mediocre build quality. It's a trade-off.

Compared to something like an ASUS Zenbook Duo, you're giving up a lot of power and screen innovation for a much lower price. Against a Lenovo Legion Pro, there's no comparison for gaming or heavy work. Even a base model Apple MacBook Pro, while more expensive, is in a different universe for performance and build. This Vivobook is strictly for the most basic needs where budget is the only priority.

Buy this only if your budget is extremely tight and you just need a laptop for web browsing and typing. Students on a strict budget might consider it, but be ready for its limitations. For anyone who needs speed, reliability, or to do more than the basics, spend a bit more.