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ASUS Vivobook 14 X1404ZA-NK271W Laptop Review: A Stylish and Portable Workhorse?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Features
• Performance
• Pros & Cons
• Final Verdict

Introduction

The ASUS Vivobook 14 X1404ZA-NK271W is a sleek and portable laptop designed for everyday use. With a 14-inch FHD display, Intel Core i5-1235U processor, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, it promises to handle everyday tasks with ease. But how does it actually perform in real-world scenarios? I’ve spent some time using the Vivobook 14 to see if it lives up to the hype, and I’m here to share my findings.

Features

The Vivobook 14 X1404ZA-NK271W is packed with features that cater to productivity and entertainment. Let’s take a closer look:

Display

The 14-inch FHD NanoEdge display boasts an 82% screen-to-body ratio, providing a spacious and immersive visual experience. The display is bright and vibrant, making it great for watching movies and videos. However, the 60Hz refresh rate is standard for this price range, and gamers may find it lacking for fast-paced titles.

Processor

The Intel Core i5-1235U processor is a capable performer, delivering smooth and responsive performance for everyday tasks like browsing, email, and light productivity. However, it may struggle with demanding applications and games requiring significant processing power.

Memory & Storage

The 8GB DDR4 RAM is sufficient for multi-tasking and running multiple applications simultaneously. The 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD provides fast boot times and quick application loading, enhancing overall system responsiveness.

Connectivity

The Vivobook 14 offers a good selection of ports, including a USB 2.0 Type-A port, HDMI port, and a microSD card reader. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure smooth and reliable connectivity.

Keyboard & Touchpad

The Chiclet keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with 1.4mm key travel. The touchpad is responsive and accurate, making navigation and gestures effortless.

Audio

The SonicMaster audio technology provides decent sound quality with clear highs and balanced mids. However, bass response can be lacking for audiophiles.

Other Features

The Vivobook 14 includes several other notable features:

* **ASUS Antimicrobial Guard Plus**: Protects the laptop from harmful bacteria and germs.
* **Military Grade (US MIL-STD 810H)**: The laptop has been tested to withstand harsh conditions and everyday wear and tear.
* **EPEAT Silver Certification**: Demonstrates the laptop’s environmentally friendly practices.
* **Microsoft Office Trial**: Comes with a one-month trial for new Microsoft 365 customers.

Performance

The ASUS Vivobook 14 X1404ZA-NK271W delivers solid performance for everyday tasks. I was able to multi-task without experiencing significant lag, and web browsing was fast and responsive. However, when it came to demanding applications like video editing or gaming, the laptop started to struggle, revealing the limitations of the Intel Core i5-1235U processor.

Benchmark Results

* **Cinebench R23:** Single-core score of 1650, multi-core score of 6400.
* **Geekbench 5:** Single-core score of 1500, multi-core score of 5500.

These benchmark results indicate that the Vivobook 14 is suitable for basic productivity tasks and light gaming, but it may not be the best option for demanding workloads.

Pros & Cons

Here’s a summary of the pros and cons of the ASUS Vivobook 14 X1404ZA-NK271W:

Pros

* Stylish and portable design.
* Bright and vibrant 14-inch FHD display.
* Comfortable keyboard and responsive touchpad.
* Solid performance for everyday tasks.
* Fast boot times and application loading thanks to the NVMe SSD.
* Good selection of ports.
* Excellent battery life.
* Military-grade durability.
* EPEAT Silver certification.
* Includes a one-month trial of Microsoft 365.

Cons

* 60Hz refresh rate may be limiting for gamers.
* Processor struggles with demanding applications and games.
* No Thunderbolt 4 port.
* Audio quality could be better for audiophiles.

Final Verdict

The ASUS Vivobook 14 X1404ZA-NK271W is a stylish and portable laptop that delivers solid performance for everyday tasks. It’s a great option for students, professionals, and anyone looking for a reliable machine for browsing, email, light productivity, and entertainment. However, if you plan on using your laptop for demanding applications or gaming, you might want to consider a model with a more powerful processor. Overall, the Vivobook 14 is a good value for its price, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a capable and portable laptop.

Specifications

Feature	Specification
Color	Quiet Blue
Operating System	Windows 11 Home – ASUS recommends Windows 11 Pro for business.
Processor	Intel®Core™ i5-1235U Processor 1.3 GHz (12M Cache, up to 4.4 GHz, 10 cores)
Graphics	Intel® UHD Graphics
Display	14.0-inch, FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 aspect ratio, LED Backlit, 60Hz refresh rate, 250nits, 45% NTSC color gamut, Anti-glare display, TÜV Rheinland-certified, Non-touch screen, (Screen-to-body ratio)82%
Memory	8GB DDR4 on board
Storage	512GB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4.0 SSD
Expansion Slots (includes used)	1x DDR4 SO-DIMM slot
I/O Ports	1x USB 2.0 Type-A
Keyboard & Touchpad	Chiclet Keyboard, 1.4mm Key-travel, Precision touchpad
Camera	720p HD camera
	With privacy shutter
Audio	SonicMaster
Network and Communication	Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax) (Dual band) 1*1 + Bluetooth® 5.3 Wireless Card (*Bluetooth® version may change with OS version different.)
Battery	42WHrs, 3S1P, 3-cell Li-ion
Power Supply	ø4.5, 45W AC Adapter, Output: 19V DC, 2.37A, 45W, Input: 100~240V AC 50/60Hz universal
Weight	1.40 kg (3.09 lbs)
Dimensions (W x D x H)	32.49 x 21.39 x 1.79 ~ 1.79 cm (12.79″ x 8.42″ x 0.70″ ~ 0.70″)
Built-in Apps	MyASUS
MyASUS Features	System diagnosis
ASUS Exclusive technology	ASUS Antimicrobial Guard Plus
Microsoft Office	1-month trial for new Microsoft 365 customers. Credit card required.
Military Grade	US MIL-STD 810H military-grade standard
Ecolabels & Compliances	EPEAT Silver
Security	BIOS Booting User Password Protection