The Asus VivoBook Go L510KA-ES04 is one of the truly super-affordable Windows 11 systems, cheaper than even the most affordable Chromebooks. We consider budget laptops to cost under $500, and the L510KA model in this review (L510KA-ES04) is just below half that. Only a select few Win 11 models like the HP Stream 14 cost around the same price, and for this price, you get a surprisingly sturdy build, useful port options, and decent battery life.
Asus is a renowned brand in the laptop space with a wide range of devices, from basic to high-end productivity and gaming laptops. The screen quality on the L510KA-ES04 leaves a lot to be desired, though, and anything other than basic day-to-day tasks will be strenuous for the Intel Celeron CPU, 4GB of memory, and 64GB of storage. If you have some wiggle room in your budget, the HP 14-dq5009nr is a better choice. Still, compromises are expected, but this is among the better picks out there for under $500.
About the L510KA-ES04 laptop
Here are the specs and features on the Asus Vivobook Go:
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- RAM (as Tested): 4 GB
- Boot Drive Capacity: 128 GB eMMC Flash memory
- Screen Size: 15.6 inches
- Native Display Resolution: 1920 by 1080 pixels
- Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- Wireless Networking: 802.11ac, Bluetooth
- Dimensions (HWD): 14.18 x 0.71 x 9.31 inches
- Weight: 3.46 pounds
Design & Features
All the bodywork on the Asus L510KA-ES04 is plastic, but the lid has a thick layer that looks and feels like an improvement over the Asus VivoBook L203MA, which had thin plastic that wouldn’t withstand classroom shoves and pushes. Even with the thicker layer, it remains pretty portable at only 3.46 pounds and 0.71 inches thick. The fanless CPU and eMMC storage are also weight savers and contribute to the portability of the package.
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 the 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.
Display, Keyboard & Touchpad
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.
On the Asus laptop L510KA keyboard, you have a number pad on the right side of the main keyboard. Having a number pad may not benefit everyone, but for those studying math, science, and business, it’s a great addition to a budget laptop.
Nonetheless, the keyboard is quite basic with very light keys and very little tactile response. The Enter key alone is colored in luminescent yellow, and it does give the otherwise plain deck some little style accent.
Performance
With Intel Celeron processors, expectations are always low, but with today’s Celerons matching yesterday’s i3 CPUs in performance, we can’t ask for more. The Celeron N4020 is a slight upgrade over the base 4000 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 and is paired with 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC storage, and Intel UHD Graphics 600 chip. This is adequate for web browsing and office applications, and the very simplest games of course. For budget gaming, you can consider the Asus TUF Gaming A15, with a dedicated Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card.
Again, the Asus L510KA 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 VivoBook Go L510KA-ES04 Review: Verdict
For college students and home users, the Asus VivoBook Go L510KA-ES04 packs enough features and performance than most similarly priced laptops. It boasts class-leading battery life, is very portable, timeless design, and has 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 will get you an HP 14-dq5009nr or an Acer Aspire 5, both offer better performance, full Windows 11, and better processors.
If you’re on a tight budget and strictly need a 15-inch laptop, the Asus L510KA-ES04 offers all the value you need for most college tasks.
Recommended Configuration
ASUS 15.6” Vivobook Go Laptop, Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Windows 11 in S Mode, Star Black, L510KA-ES04
13 used from $186.99
The Review
Asus VivoBook Go L510KA-ES04
The Asus VivoBook Go L510KA-ES04 is a truly affordable Windows 11 laptop, even among budget notebooks, but it compromises on the display and processing power to deliver serviceable processing power and all-day battery life.
PROS
- Sturdy construction
- Decent performance
- Decent battery life
CONS
- Subpar display
Review Breakdown
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ARS SCORE
