ASUS Vivobook Go 15 OLED: A Comprehensive Review

In the realm of budget laptops, ASUS has set its sights on redefining expectations with the Vivobook Go 15 OLED. Priced at a competitive starting point of just ₹50,990, this laptop introduces premium features that challenge the notion of compromise in the budget-friendly category. At the heart of its appeal lies a stunning 15.6-inch Full-HD OLED display, boasting a 60Hz refresh rate, 0.2ms response time, and a peak brightness of 600, making it one of the most affordable OLED laptops in the market.

Design and Build Quality

ASUS maintains the tried-and-true clamshell design for the Vivobook Go 15 OLED. While the laptop exudes a sleek and sturdy appearance, meeting the MIL-STD 810H standards for durability, it is not without its fingerprints and smudge challenges. The plastic chassis, commendably robust, supports a backlit keyboard with three brightness levels and a responsive trackpad. The port selection, featuring USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C), USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 2.0, HDMI 1.4, a 3.5mm audio jack, and power output, adds practicality to the overall design.

Display Quality

The centerpiece of the Vivobook Go 15 OLED is undoubtedly its OLED display. Boasting 100% DCI-P3 and sRGB color spaces, alongside meeting Pantone’s stringent testing and calibration standards, this display caters to the discerning needs of content creators and media enthusiasts. With excellent viewing angles, deep blacks, and punchy colors, it excels in tasks ranging from photo editing to immersive media consumption. The affordability of this OLED laptop brings a premium display experience to a broader audience.

Performance Overview

Powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor with Radeon Graphics, the Vivobook Go 15 OLED delivers commendable performance for daily office tasks and light gaming. It smoothly handles multitasking, photo editing, document processing, and multimedia consumption. However, it’s important to note that pushing the laptop beyond its intended usage, such as demanding gaming or video editing, may result in performance limitations. The inclusion of a 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM ensures swift day-to-day operations without lag.

Shortcomings and Considerations

Battery Life

One area where the Vivobook Go 15 OLED falls short is in battery life. With approximately five hours of usage on a full charge, it meets the demands of a standard workday but leaves room for improvement. Users with extended computing needs might find the need to recharge before the day concludes.

Webcam Quality

Equipped with a 720p webcam featuring a privacy shutter, the Vivobook Go 15 OLED disappoints in terms of image quality. The photographs captured tend to be washed out, presenting a subpar experience for video calls and image capture. In an era where virtual meetings are prevalent, a higher-quality webcam would have been a valuable addition.

Keyboard Experience

The laptop’s keyboard, adhering to a standard six-row chiclet style with a right-hand side numpad, provides a functional but unremarkable typing experience. The keys exhibit shallow travel, and the response is average at best. Considering the price range, improvements in keyboard design and functionality could enhance the overall user experience.

Additional Features

While the Vivobook Go 15 OLED offers a commendable package, the absence of facial recognition or a fingerprint sensor may be noted, especially in an age where privacy concerns are paramount. The inclusion of such features would contribute to a more secure and convenient user experience.

Verdict

In conclusion, the ASUS Vivobook Go 15 OLED emerges as a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a laptop with a premium OLED display. The Ryzen 5 chip, durable build, and attractive pricing make it a noteworthy product in its category. However, for users willing to invest an additional ₹10,000, alternatives like the Mi Notebook Pro or Mi Notebook Ultra offer sleeker builds, fingerprint sensors, and higher refresh rates, presenting viable options for those prioritizing these features.

For those focused on value for money, the base Vivobook Go 15 OLED at ₹50,990 presents a decent deal. However, for an enhanced performance experience, the spec-ed out variant retailing at ₹64,990 is recommended. With its OLED display, durability, and overall feature set, ASUS has successfully carved a niche in the budget segment, providing a laptop that competes admirably with higher-priced counterparts. As the laptop market continues to evolve, the Vivobook Go 15 OLED stands out as a testament to ASUS’s commitment to delivering quality at an affordable price point.