When it comes to budget laptops, the users always end up buying the ones that look physically attractive because the primary use cases are documentation, browsing, and media consumption. Performance is not the top priority here in order to save some bucks on these laptops. It is time some brand changed this trend and brought performance oriented laptops into the budget segment and Asus might have just done that with Asus X507 line up.
Asus X507 line up consists of various laptops with processors ranging from Intel Celeron to Intel Pentium, up to 8th generation Intel Core i5 processors, starting at INR 21,990. Note that the performance would differ across the variants due to the difference in the processors and memory configuration.
Asus VivoBook X507UA-EJ179T Specs:
| Dimensions | 365 x 266 x 21.9 mm |
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i3 6006U Processor |
| Memory | 8GB DDR4 2400MHz SDRAM, 1 x SO-DIMM socket |
| Storage | 1TB HDD 5400RPM |
| Display | 15.6” Full HD 60Hz Anti-Glare Panel with 45% NTSC |
| Graphics | Integrated Intel HD Graphics 520 |
| WiFi | Integrated 802.11b/g/n |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, HDMI Output, microSD Card Reader |
| Weight | 1.68 Kg |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
The Asus Vivobook X507 features a plastic body yet feels premium with the brushed aluminum finish and there is no flex. Though the laptop features a 15.6-inch FHD screen, the weight is just 1.68 kg thanks to the plastic body. The design and build of this laptop are actually very good compared to some of the pricier ones in the market and kudos to Asus for bringing such a fresh design.
On the left side, we find the DC port, a USB 2.0 port, a USB 3.0 port, LED indicators for power and charging. This is followed by the microSD card slot, an HDMI port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an exhaust. The right side hosts a USB 2.0 port and Kensington Lock where Asus could have place one port from the left to make it less cluttered.
The display is a 15-inch FHD panel with narrow bezels at the sides and 75.4% screen-to-body ratio. I must say that the display is actually good and beats every other laptop in terms of viewing experience. The display features four display modes – Normal, Vivid, Eye Care, and Manual utilizing the visual optimization technology from Asus. The brightness level is high and even outdoor visibility is good, the matte finish eliminates the glossy screen issues. The only thing that needs to be improved by Asus is the viewing angle for the display.
The keyboard of the Asus X507 is a mixed bag of pros and cons. The quality of the keyboard is actually quite good when compared to other laptops in the segment. Asus has even managed to have dedicated Numpad included to make it look like a full-fledged keyboard. But this is where we feel Asus could have avoided some minor issues. The keys are well spaced for typing, but the Numpad keys feel like cramped in the small space. Additionally, there is no led indicator for Caps Lock key which is a small issue but could have been avoided. Overall, the keyboard is a sturdy one and feels good for casual typing.
The touchpad is one of the best in the segment which is very smooth and supports gestures. It also comes with Windows Precision Drivers unlike many other laptops depending on third-party drivers. The touchpad also includes the fingerprint scanner at the top right corner, which can be used for unlocking the system which is again not found in most laptops in the segment.
The variant I tested was powered by the 6th gen Intel Core i3 processor paired with 8GB of RAM. The performance was as expected by an Asus laptop which is relatively better compared to other laptops in the budget segment. Most of the day to day tasks like browsing, media consumption, and documentation is a breeze when it comes to this laptop. The integrated Intel graphics also holds up well when it comes to some casual games like CS: GO. The only issue I noticed is that, when I switched on the laptop after a gap of 5 days, the first boot was really slow, probably due to the HDD but otherwise there were no performance issues.
Asus X507 has a 3-cell 33 WHr battery which helps us to use the laptop for around 4-4.5 hours depending on the tasks executed. This is, in fact, a very good figure when compared to other laptops in the range. Asus also has provided fast charging which gets the system to 60% charge in 49 mins. The audio and the webcam are good but not great but can be ignored considering all other features.
Overall, the Asus X507 is a great line up from the company which provides features a notch above the rest of the brands in the same budget segment. Should you the buy the Asus X507? Well, that depends on the usage. If you are a casual user who wants a no-nonsense machine to browse, watch movies or play some entry-level games, then this is a really good option in the market.
