ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6” (E1504FA-AS54) Review: The Go-To Budget Companion
The ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6” Slim Laptop (model E1504FA-AS54) presents itself as a compelling option in the competitive budget-to-mid-range laptop market. Designed for students, casual users, and remote workers who prioritize portability, durability, and essential performance, this Cool Silver machine packs an AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, all running on Windows 11 Home. But does it successfully balance cost with capability? Let's dive into the details.
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| ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6” (E1504FA-AS54) Review: The Go-To Budget Companion |
💻 Design and Portability: Lightweight and Sleek
Right out of the box, the Vivobook Go 15 lives up to its "Slim Laptop" designation. Its lightweight and compact chassis, finished in the sleek Cool Silver, makes it highly portable and easy to carry around all day. For students rushing between classes or remote workers moving between offices and cafes, this is a significant advantage. The overall build quality, while predominantly plastic, feels surprisingly sturdy for a budget laptop.
A notable design feature is the 180° lay-flat hinge. This allows the screen to be fully opened, making it perfect for collaborative work or sharing content with a group around a table.
💪 Durability: Built to Last
One of the standout selling points of the E1504FA-AS54 is its Military Grade Durability certification. This means the laptop has been engineered and tested to withstand various environmental and physical stresses, such as vibrations, extreme temperatures, and minor drops.
While no laptop is indestructible, this certification provides a strong peace of mind, especially for users who are constantly on the move. For a device positioned for students and mobile professionals, this level of resilience is a substantial value-add, separating it from many fragile competitors in its price segment.
🚀 Performance: Ryzen Power for Everyday Tasks
Under the hood, the laptop is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor. This is an efficient, modern CPU (part of AMD's Mendocino family) that features 4 cores and 8 threads.
For Everyday Use: Paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a fast 512GB NVMe SSD, the system offers snappy performance for general use. Tasks like web browsing, streaming video, word processing, and using cloud applications are handled smoothly. The fast SSD ensures quick boot times and rapid loading of applications and files.
Multitasking: The 8GB of RAM is generally sufficient for moderate multitasking, though power users or those who keep dozens of tabs open might find it a limiting factor, especially since the RAM is soldered and not upgradable.
Integrated Graphics: The integrated AMD Radeon Graphics can handle light photo editing and some less demanding or older games, but this is certainly not a machine for serious gaming or heavy graphic design work.
🖼️ Display and Multimedia
The laptop features a 15.6-inch display with a typical Full HD (1920x1080) resolution.
In terms of quality, the display is adequate for casual viewing and productivity. However, based on reviews of similar Vivobook Go models, it often uses a standard panel (not OLED like some premium Vivobooks) with limited color accuracy and brightness, and sometimes narrow viewing angles. This is a common trade-off for an affordable laptop, but it’s an important consideration for creative professionals.
On the audio front, the built-in speakers are generally suitable for video calls and casual content consumption. The Webcam Shield is a welcome security and privacy feature, allowing users to physically cover the 720p webcam when it's not in use.
🔋 Battery Life and Features
Battery performance is a strong suit for the Vivobook Go 15. The efficient Ryzen 5 7520U processor contributes to a long battery life, often capable of lasting through a full workday of light to moderate use.
Furthermore, the inclusion of Fast Charging technology means you can quickly recharge the battery when you’re low on power, spending less time tethered to a wall socket—a crucial convenience for a truly mobile device.
🔌 Connectivity and I/O
The port selection is decent, providing essential connectivity:
USB Type-A ports (including an older USB 2.0 port)
A modern USB Type-C port
An HDMI output (usually HDMI 1.4)
A 3.5mm audio jack
The connectivity is generally based on Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), not the newer, faster Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, which is another area where cost-saving is apparent.
👍 The Verdict: A Value-Focused Mobile Workhorse
The ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6” (E1504FA-AS54) is an excellent choice for users on a budget who need a reliable, portable, and durable everyday laptop.
What We Liked:
Superb Portability: Slim, lightweight design.
Military-Grade Durability: Provides peace of mind for mobile use.
Responsive Performance: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U and 512GB SSD offer smooth operation for daily tasks.
Practical Features: Fast Charging, 180° hinge, and Webcam Shield enhance user experience.
Excellent Value: Strong specifications for its price point.
Areas for Improvement:
Display Quality: Likely a non-OLED panel with modest brightness and color reproduction.
RAM Limitation: 8GB is soldered and non-upgradable, which may limit longevity for heavy multitasking.
Wi-Fi Standard: Uses Wi-Fi 5 instead of the latest Wi-Fi 6.
In conclusion, the ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is a highly practical and budget-friendly workhorse. It shines as a dependable companion for students and casual remote workers who need a robust machine for essential computing, offering a compelling blend of durability, efficiency, and modern style. If you can overlook the potential display limitations and the non-upgradable RAM, the E1504FA-AS54 is one of the best value-for-money options available today.