ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6” (E1504FA-AB34) Review: A Dependable Budget Companion
Introduction: Striking a Balance
In a market saturated with high-end premium ultrabooks and bulky gaming rigs, ASUS continues to deliver solid value for the everyday user with its Vivobook Go 15.6” (Model: E1504FA-AB34). This slim, lightweight machine is positioned as an affordable workhorse, blending modern components like the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor and LPDDR5 RAM with a robust feature set, including military-grade durability and essential privacy features.
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| ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6” (E1504FA-AB34) Review: A Dependable Budget Companion |
This review dives deep into what makes the Vivobook Go 15 a compelling choice for students, home users, and professionals seeking a reliable and budget-friendly Windows 11 laptop.
Design and Portability: Lightweight and Enduring
The Vivobook Go 15 embraces a clean, minimalist aesthetic in its sleek black chassis. Despite its 15.6-inch screen size, the laptop manages to maintain a slim and portable profile, making it easy to slip into a backpack for a commute or a day of classes.
A key highlight of its design is the inclusion of Military Grade Durability (US MIL-STD 810H). While the chassis is predominantly plastic (which is typical for this price point), this certification offers peace of mind. It suggests the laptop has undergone rigorous testing against vibration, temperature extremes, and altitude, providing an extra layer of protection against the typical wear and tear of daily life.
The 15.6-inch screen is framed by relatively thin bezels, achieving a decent screen-to-body ratio. The construction also features a 180° lay-flat hinge, a practical detail that simplifies screen sharing and collaboration in meetings or study groups.
Display and Visual Experience: Standard and Functional
The laptop features a 15.6-inch Full HD (FHD) display with a resolution of $1920 \times 1080$. While some premium Vivobook Go variants may offer the stunning visual quality of an OLED panel, the standard FHD display in this specific model (E1504FA-AB34) is a conventional anti-glare panel.
Clarity: The FHD resolution is sharp enough for browsing, document work, and streaming.
Anti-Glare: The anti-glare coating is effective at reducing reflections, which is crucial for working under bright office lights or near a window.
Color and Brightness: At this price point, the display is best described as functional. It is perfectly suitable for general productivity and casual media consumption but may not be bright enough for comfortable outdoor use and lacks the color accuracy required for professional graphic design or photo editing.
Performance: Modern Speed for Everyday Tasks
The heart of the E1504FA-AB34 is the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad Core Processor. This is a modern, low-power CPU built on the "Zen 2" architecture, which offers a significant uplift in efficiency and responsiveness compared to previous generation budget processors.
| Component | Specification | Benefit |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (Quad Core) | Efficient performance for multitasking and productivity. |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 | Faster data transfer speeds than DDR4, aiding responsiveness. |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | Quick boot times and fast application loading. |
| OS | Windows 11 Home | Modern interface and improved security features. |
The combination of the Ryzen 3 CPU and 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM is the engine that drives this laptop’s key strength: snappy day-to-day performance. Users can expect smooth handling of typical student or office workloads, such as running multiple browser tabs, using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel), attending Zoom/Teams calls, and streaming video.
The 256GB SSD ensures the system boots up in seconds and applications launch almost instantly, eliminating the sluggishness often associated with older laptops equipped with traditional hard drives.
Note on Performance: While excellent for productivity, the integrated AMD Radeon Graphics and the budget-oriented CPU mean this machine is not designed for intensive tasks like demanding PC gaming, professional video editing, or complex 3D rendering.
Battery Life and Features: Focus on Convenience
Fast Charging and Endurance
ASUS includes a Fast Charging capability, allowing the laptop to reach a significant charge level (typically 60%) in under an hour. This feature is invaluable for users constantly on the move who need quick power boosts between classes or meetings. The low-power Ryzen processor also contributes to respectable overall battery life, ensuring you can get through a standard workday without constantly hunting for an outlet.
Security and Privacy
For privacy-conscious users, the Webcam Shield is a welcome physical feature. This integrated slide cover physically blocks the HD webcam when not in use, providing guaranteed privacy and eliminating the need for sticky notes or tape.
The laptop comes preloaded with Windows 11 Home, offering a clean, modern, and intuitive user experience right out of the box.
Conclusion: Value Proposition
The ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6” (E1504FA-AB34) successfully meets its goal of delivering a high-value, dependable laptop for the budget-conscious consumer.
👍 The Pros
Strong Value: Excellent specifications (Ryzen 3 7000 Series, 8GB LPDDR5, 256GB SSD) for an entry-level price.
Portability & Durability: Slim design backed by US MIL-STD 810H military-grade testing.
Modern Responsiveness: Fast SSD and LPDDR5 RAM ensure a snappy, lag-free experience for daily tasks.
Privacy Features: Includes a physical Webcam Shield.
Convenience: Features fast charging and a 180° lay-flat hinge.
👎 The Cons
Display Quality: The standard FHD panel is functional but lacks the brightness and color vibrancy of premium screens (like OLED).
Storage Size: 256GB SSD may be limiting for users with large media libraries; external storage may be necessary.
Performance Limits: Not suitable for heavy gaming or professional content creation.
The Verdict: The Vivobook Go 15 is an ideal choice for students, casual home users, and office workers who prioritize reliability, speed for basic productivity, and budget efficiency. If you need a trustworthy, feature-rich machine to handle emails, documents, video calls, and web browsing without breaking the bank, the E1504FA-AB34 stands out as a top contender.