The Asus L510MA-DH21 is one of the truly affordable Windows 10 laptops, that easily rivals the most affordable Chromebooks in pricing. We usually consider laptops that cost under $500 to be affordable, and the Asus L510MA we’re reviewing is just half that. Only a select few Windows 10 notebooks like the HP 14-fq0050nr cost any less, and for this price you’re getting a functional Windows 10 system with a sturdy build, robust ports, and decent battery life.
However, considering how affordable the Asus L510MA-DH21 is, it will only suffice for students and anyone looking for a basic everyday laptop, and nothing else. Think of a nice-looking laptop for writing emails, surfing the internet, reading and editing documents, or using social media.
Last year, we reviewed the Asus L510MA-DS04 and loved it for its great battery life and light and portable profile, now Asus just updated the base model with a better Pentium N5030 processor, 4GB RAM and 128GB flash storage. Let’s see what else t has to offer over its predecessor, but expect less than stellar performance when using this ultra-affordable ASUS.
ASUS LAPTOP L510 (L510MA-DH21) SPECS
| Laptop Class | Budget |
| Processor | Intel Celeron N5030 |
| Processor Speed | 1.1 GHz |
| RAM (as Tested) | 4 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | eMMC Flash Memory |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 128 GB |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 1,920 by 1,080 |
| Graphics Processor | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ac, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 14.18 x 9.31 x 0.71 inches |
| Weight | 3.46 pounds |
| Operating System | Windows 11 S |
Thrilling in Style, Lots of Ports
All the bodywork on the Asus L510MA is plastic, but the lid has a thick layer that looks and feels like an improvement over the Asus VivoBook L203MA, that had thin plastic that wouldn’t withstand classroom shoves and pushes. Even with the thicker layer, it remains pretty portable at only 3.59 pounds and 0.71-inches thick. The fanless CPU and eMMC storage are also weight savers and contribute to the portability of the package.
The 15.6-inch display, however, is bright enough for our liking. It boasts an FHD (1920 x 1080), and the matte finish is a good choice for working outdoors. This is a vibrant choice if you’re buying for word processing or web browsing, and is great for photos and videos.
Port selection is well rounded, including: USB 2.0, USB 3.2, USB Type-C, HDMI, audio jack combo and micro-SD card. Wireless connectivity comes in way of Wi-Fi 5(802.11ac), and an included webcam on the upper bezel. All of these ports will prove useful for docking all your peripherals.
Reasonable Performance for the Price
- Efficient Intel Pentium Silver N5030 Processor 1.1 GHz (4M Cache, up to 3.1 GHz, 4 cores)
- 15.6” FHD (1920x1080) Display
- 128GB eMMC Flash Storage and 4GB DDR4 RAM
With Intel Pentium processors, expectations are always low, but with today’s Pentiums matching yesteryear’s i3 CPUs in performance, we can’t ask for more. The Pentium N5030 is a slight upgrade over the previous model with more cache, but while it’s adequate to run office applications, multimedia editing and gaming will be a bit of a stretch.
This fanless CPU is ranked amongst the mid-range mobile processors, is paired with 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC storage and Intel UHD Graphics 600 chip. This is adequate enough for web browsing and office applications, and the very simplest games of course.
It runs Windows 11 Home (in S mode), but with a little more money you can get the HP 15-dy2024nr that packs better performance thanks to an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Also, if you don’t mind a Chromebook, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C433 is a great alternative, with an Intel Core m3-8100Y, 8GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage.
Again, the Asus L510MA will do the basics of running two or three apps simultaneously provided you’ll not be opening dozens of windows at the same time. The 128GB storage is a bit lean, but it is double the 64GB storage you find on most Chromebooks and competing Windows 10 notebooks.
The low power fanless CPU and low-res screen all contribute to remarkable power savings. On our review unit, you have a mid-size battery, and if you keep things light, you’re getting 11 hours of battery life. That’s excellent.
Asus L510MA-DH21 Review: Verdict
For college students and home users, the Asus L510MA packs enough features and performance than most similarly priced laptops. It boasts class-leading battery life, is very portable, timeless design and good connectivity for all your peripherals.
However, the screen’s low resolution and average keyboard hold it from earning our Editors’ Choice award for budget college laptops. A few dollars more with get you an Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-50RS or a Lenovo Flex 5, both offer better performance, full Windows 10 and better processors.
If you’re on a tight budget and strictly need a 15-inch laptop, the Asus L510MA-DH21 offers all the value you need for most college tasks.
The Review
Asus L510MA-DH21
The Asus L510MA-DH21 a truly-affordable laptop, even among budget notebooks, delivering a serviceable Windows 11 machine with good battery life and useful ports, but it does compromises on display quality to hit the sweet price point.
Recommended Configuration
ASUS Laptop L510 Ultra Thin Laptop, 15.6” FHD Display, Intel Pentium Silver N5030 Processor, 4GB RAM, 128GB Storage, Windows 11 Home in S Mode, 1 Year Microsoft 365, Star Black, L510MA-DH21
1 used from $169.00
PROS
- Sturdy build quality for the price
- Good battery life
- Backlit keyboard and number pad
- Useful connectivity selection, including USB Type-C
CONS
- Middling display quality
- Sluggish performance for non-basic tasks
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
Last update on 2024-11-21 at 17:46 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
