AUSU is a popular brand famed for manufacturing high-end, affordable laptops. The company has a number of laptop series, such as TUF, ROG, VivoBook and ZenBook. Each one of these series serves a particular purpose and caters to the specific needs of users. The VivoBook line is known for keeping the perfect balance between performance, productivity and pricing. ASUS VivoBook X512FA is a relatively latest and high-end addition to this line.
The VivoBook X512FA is large yet smart laptop for those who need a good computing machine. The laptop features an aesthetic design with updated Ergolift hinges, a powerful CPU and 15.6-inch large display. It also comes with a relatively smaller 14-inch variant featuring almost the same specs.
We have reviewed the VivoBook X512FA-EJ1503T for its design, functionality and performance. In this article, you are about to find out the strengths and weakness of this 15″ budget laptop.
Specs Sheet
Processor: Intel Quad-Core i7-10510U (10th Gen.) / 1.8GHz Max. Turbo Speed 4.9GHz
RAM: 8GB RAM + 32GB Intel Optane Memory
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Resolution
Graphics: Intel UHD Integrated
Battery: 37Wh
Weight: around 3.85 lbs (1.75 kg)
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
SKU: X512FA-EJ1503T
On paper, the X512FA has got everything that you would expect in a VivoBook. Let’s find out whether it can handle the load and offers what ASUS claims.
Design
ASUS VivoBook X512FA is a sleek notebook, but it doesn’t carry anything fancy. Its chassis and lid is made of plastic which is durable. However, we found some flex in its keyboard deck and display. The base of the laptop is firm and we found it convenient even on a slightly uneven surface.
It is not a fingerprint magnet, thanks to the smooth matte finish on both top and bottom panels. The laptop features a classic ASUS Ergolift hinge design that lifts the main-body when you open the lid.
Display
The VivoBook X512FA comes with frameless four-sided 15.6-inch wide FHD NanoEdge display. With an amazing 88% screen-to-body ratio, the laptop boasts an ultra-slim 5.7mm bezel. The frameless display not only keeps the dimensions down to a minimum but also offer a smaller footprint than previous models.
Thanks to the Intel UHG graphics, the display offers crisp and clear output. It provides supremely immersive visual experience with lively bright colours.
Keyboard
The X512FA has an aesthetically pleasant keyboard that adds a seamless feel. It is a chiclet style keyboard with the same colour accent that we have seen on its predecessors. The keys have appropriate spacing and depth, but we assume their colour might fade with time.
Coming to the touchpad, which features the same colour treatment like the keyboard. It is a responsive touchpad that follow the commands perfectly. In addition, ASUS has introduced the fingerprint scanner on the top right corner of the trackpad. This is a security feature that works well with the ‘Windows Hello’ feature.
Connectivity
As a business laptop, ASUS VivoBook X512FA comes with a sufficient collection of ports. It features a Type-A USB, a Type-C USB along with an HDMI port, a microSd card reader, a 3.5mm audio jack and a charging port on the right side. On the left side, the laptop houses two more Type-A USB ports. However, the Type-C USB doesn’t support Thunderbolt 3 which might be an issue for some users.
Performance
Performance and specs are the best part of the VivoBook X512FA. ASUS has armed it with a 10th generation Core i7 processor that offers a base clock speed of 1.8GHz. This is a quad-core processor that runs on the Windows 10 Home OS and can deliver a maximum turbo speed of 4.9GHz.
Moreover, there is an 8GB memory paired with 512GB SSD storage to ensure smooth performance. But the best part is it 32GB Intel Optane Memory which enables high-capacity data transfer and guarantees high-speed performance.
The laptop performs well and can run heavy software without any lags. We tested its performance by running office software and opening a dozen Chrome tabs. The VivoBook X512FA didn’t hold back when we switched between software and tabs.
Battery Life
This 15.6-inch VivoBook comes with a 2 cell 37Wh battery. It is not so bad considering the competition, but we find it below average. It only lasted for 6 hours on a single charge during the test and that too on low settings. So, you may get a lower battery life than this based on brightness settings and heavy usage.
Verdict
The VivoBook X512FA-EJ1503T is a good laptop and fits the bill, thanks to its splendid features. A latest Core i7 CPU, high memory, SSD drive and a large display are its major advantages. However, its battery is not up to the mark and doesn’t offer much juice. Overall, this is a perfect choice for some who want to get the job done and doesn’t care much about portability and battery life.
