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Budget laptops face stiff competition. Big screen mobiles with crispy display, better RAM and powerful processors now perform tasks earlier dedicated to small, affordable laptops. Especially video playback and regular web-surfing. So with Asus introducing the VivoBook Max, users will obviously look for unique features. Asus says the VivoBook is part of a third-generation high-performance mainstream notebook series. The device has the 7th generation Intel Core i3 processor and 4 GB DDR4 RAM. Users can expand it up to 12 GB. In all likelihood, the users will need to upgrade the RAM because the performance clearly lags while multitasking, thanks to energy-guzzling Windows 10. But if you are not a gamer or a binge-watcher-on-the-go, the VivoBook is just enough for routine computing.
The audio department of Asus VivoBook Max is a delight given the price. Equipped with Asus’ SonicMaster technology, the laptop delivers clear and deep sound. The AudioWizard tool allows users to tweak audio settings for good, and as a result the audio is not jarring even on high-decibel duty — a faculty that underperforms in most budget laptops. The VivoBook Max has a neatly designed, ergonomic chiclet keyboard with 2.3 mm key ‘travel distance’. It makes typing smooth and hassle-free. The bigger touch pad, which Asus claims is a boon, can be a nuisance if you are not a savvy negotiator of the keyboard.
Eye-friendly display But the 15.6-inch, full HD display is a plus. It’s warm enough and smooth on the iris. The viewing angles are good and the picture-modes (especially the eye-care mode) delivers good results. The screen could have had some improvements as it gathers fingerprints, forcing you to clean it every now and then. Granted, this is not a touch-screen device, but users generally expect a better screen. Asus claims the SuperBatt technology in the notebook offers three times longer battery life, but our experience shows this department needs more improvement. The battery drains out pretty fast, especially when you play games or watch video. That said, the device does not heat up even during high usage. That’s an advantage in this price range.
The VivoBook Max is lighter than many of its peers thanks to a lightweight chassis. But the body is slippery and the edges can turn tricky if you are not careful. Nobody these days expects a laptop to take great photos; the VivoBook’s camera performance is average like in many budget laptops, but the CD drive comes as a surprise. It works smooth and we were able to run pretty old CDs and DVDs in it.
Verdict The Asus VivoBook Max is an affordable laptop that delivers a decent performance despite some lags owing to OS woes. Impressive display and immersive audio make it a value-for-money deal.
Price: Starts at ₹31,990
Pros: Display, sound, neat keyboard
Cons: Disappointing battery, lags at times
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