The ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA is an affordable, mid-range laptop that aims to provide a balance between performance, portability, and value. Featuring a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an Intel Core i3-1215U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB PCIe SSD, this model is designed for everyday tasks like web browsing, word processing, and light multimedia work. Running on Windows 11, it promises a modern computing experience. But how does it perform in real-world scenarios? Let’s dive in and find out.
Design and Build Quality
When it comes to design, the ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA doesn’t stray too far from the classic Vivobook aesthetics. The laptop sports a sleek, minimalist design with a brushed metal finish on the lid, giving it a premium feel despite its budget-friendly price tag. The build quality is solid, with minimal flex in the keyboard deck and display, which is reassuring for a device in this price range.
The laptop weighs approximately 1.7kg and has a thickness of around 19.9mm, making it relatively easy to carry around. It’s not the lightest or thinnest laptop out there, but it’s certainly portable enough for students and professionals who need a device they can take to class or meetings.
The hinge mechanism is smooth, allowing the display to be opened with one hand, which is always a nice touch. The laptop’s overall design is understated, with no flashy RGB lighting or bold logos, making it suitable for both work and casual use.
Display
The 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display is one of the highlights of the ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA. The screen offers sharp and clear visuals, which are more than adequate for tasks like browsing the web, streaming videos, and working on documents. The Full HD resolution ensures that text appears crisp, and images are well-defined.
However, the display’s color accuracy and brightness levels are where some compromises are evident. The colors tend to be a bit on the cooler side, and the brightness maxes out at around 250 nits, which might make it difficult to use in bright outdoor environments. The viewing angles are decent, thanks to the IPS panel, but there’s noticeable color shift when viewing from extreme angles.
For everyday tasks, the display performs well, but creative professionals who require precise color reproduction for photo or video editing might find it lacking. The matte finish on the screen helps to reduce glare, which is a welcome feature for those who work in well-lit environments.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard on the ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA is comfortable to type on, with well-spaced keys and decent key travel. The keys have a slightly concave shape, which helps with finger placement and overall typing accuracy. The keyboard is backlit, with three levels of brightness, making it easy to type in low-light conditions. However, the backlighting is only available in a single white color, which might be a limitation for some users.
The touchpad is generously sized and supports multi-touch gestures, which work smoothly. It’s responsive and accurate, allowing for easy navigation through Windows 11’s interface. The touchpad also includes a fingerprint sensor in the top right corner, which integrates with Windows Hello for quick and secure logins. This is a nice feature to have on a laptop at this price point.
One downside to note is the lack of a dedicated number pad, which might be a dealbreaker for users who frequently work with spreadsheets or numeric data. Instead, ASUS has opted for a more compact keyboard layout to keep the laptop’s size manageable.
Performance
The ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA is powered by an Intel Core i3-1215U processor, which is part of Intel’s 12th generation Alder Lake series. This is a dual-core, four-thread processor with a base clock speed of 1.2GHz and a turbo boost of up to 4.4GHz. While it’s not the most powerful processor in the market, it’s more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and light multitasking.
The 8GB of RAM is adequate for most users, providing smooth performance during regular use. However, power users who frequently run multiple applications or work with large files might find it limiting. Unfortunately, the RAM is soldered to the motherboard, meaning it cannot be upgraded, which could be a drawback for those looking to future-proof their device.
The 512GB PCIe SSD provides fast boot times and quick access to files and applications. The storage capacity is sufficient for most users, offering enough space for documents, photos, and a modest collection of videos and games. The SSD’s performance is solid, with read and write speeds that ensure smooth operation without any significant bottlenecks.
In terms of graphics, the laptop relies on the integrated Intel UHD Graphics, which is suitable for basic tasks and light gaming. It can handle casual games like “League of Legends” or “Minecraft” at lower settings but isn’t built for AAA gaming or heavy graphics workloads. Users looking to do video editing or more demanding graphical tasks would likely need to look for a laptop with dedicated graphics.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial aspect of any laptop, especially for users who need a device that can last through a full day of work or classes. The ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA comes with a 37Wh battery, which is fairly standard for a laptop in this category.
In real-world usage, the battery life is decent but not outstanding. With regular tasks such as browsing the web, watching videos, and working on documents, the laptop can last around 6 to 7 hours on a single charge. This is adequate for most users, but those who need a full day of use without access to a power outlet might need to carry the charger with them.
When performing more demanding tasks, such as streaming HD videos or running multiple applications simultaneously, the battery life can drop to around 4 to 5 hours. The laptop does support fast charging, which allows the battery to reach 60% in about 49 minutes, so you can quickly top up the battery during breaks.
Connectivity and Ports
The ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA offers a good selection of ports, making it versatile for a range of peripherals and accessories. On the left side, you’ll find a single USB 2.0 port, which is suitable for connecting a mouse or keyboard. On the right side, there’s a USB 3.2 Type-A port, a USB 3.2 Type-C port, an HDMI 1.4 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. There’s also a microSD card reader, which is a handy addition for users who need to transfer files from cameras or other devices.
The inclusion of a USB Type-C port is particularly noteworthy, as it supports data transfer and power delivery, although it does not support video output. This limits its versatility slightly, but it’s still a useful feature for charging other devices or transferring data quickly.
The laptop also includes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi 6 ensures fast and stable internet connections, especially in environments with multiple devices, while Bluetooth 5.0 provides reliable connectivity for wireless peripherals such as headphones, mice, and keyboards.
Software and Features
The ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA runs on Windows 11, which offers a modern and user-friendly interface. Windows 11 brings several new features and improvements over its predecessor, Windows 10, including a redesigned Start menu, improved window management with Snap layouts, and better integration with Microsoft services.
ASUS also includes some of its own software, such as MyASUS, which offers system diagnostics, updates, and customer support. MyASUS also includes features like battery health charging, which allows you to set a maximum charge level to prolong battery life, and AI noise-canceling technology for clearer audio during video calls.
Another useful feature is the ASUS Splendid software, which allows you to adjust the display’s color temperature and choose from different presets for different scenarios, such as reading, watching movies, or working on documents. This can help reduce eye strain and improve the overall viewing experience.
Audio Quality
The audio quality on the ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA is adequate for everyday use, but it’s not particularly impressive. The laptop features stereo speakers located on the bottom of the chassis, which can result in muffled sound when used on a soft surface like a bed or couch.
The sound is clear enough for watching videos, making video calls, or listening to music at moderate volumes, but the bass is lacking, and the overall audio experience can feel a bit flat. The laptop does support DTS Audio Processing, which helps to enhance the audio quality, but it still falls short compared to laptops with more advanced audio systems.
For better audio quality, users might want to invest in external speakers or a good pair of headphones, especially if they plan to use the laptop for entertainment purposes.
Heat and Noise
The ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA manages heat reasonably well, thanks to its efficient cooling system. During regular use, the laptop remains cool to the touch, with only a slight warmth around the keyboard area. The cooling fan operates quietly most of the time, ramping up only when the laptop is under heavy load, such as during extended gaming sessions or while running demanding applications.
Even when the fan does kick in, the noise level is relatively low, making it easy to work or watch videos without being distracted by fan noise. The laptop’s cooling system does a good job of keeping the internal components at safe temperatures, which is important for maintaining long-term performance and reliability.
Upgradeability
One area where the ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA might disappoint some users is upgradeability. As mentioned earlier, the RAM is soldered to the motherboard, so it cannot be upgraded. This means you’re stuck with the 8GB of RAM for the lifespan of the laptop, which could be limiting for users who require more memory for their work.
The storage, however, can be upgraded. The laptop includes a PCIe M.2 slot, which can be accessed by removing the bottom panel. This allows you to replace the existing SSD with a larger one if you need more storage space. There’s also an empty 2.5-inch drive bay, so you could add a secondary hard drive or SSD for additional storage.
While the limited upgradeability might not be a concern for casual users, power users who want to future-proof their laptop or customize it to their needs might find this a drawback.
Price and Value
The ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA is priced competitively, offering good value for the features and performance it provides. It’s positioned as a budget-friendly laptop that doesn’t compromise too much on quality, making it an attractive option for students, professionals, and casual users who need a reliable device for everyday tasks.
Compared to other laptops in its price range, the Vivobook 15 offers a solid combination of a modern processor, fast storage, and a decent display. While it does have some limitations, such as the non-upgradable RAM and average battery life, these are understandable compromises given the laptop’s price point.
For users who need a laptop for basic computing tasks, the ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA delivers a balanced experience at an affordable price. It’s not a powerhouse by any means, but it’s more than capable of handling the demands of most users.
ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA 15.6
Final Thoughts
The ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA is a well-rounded laptop that offers solid performance for its price. It’s a good choice for students, professionals, and anyone who needs a reliable laptop for everyday use. While it’s not without its flaws, such as the non-upgradable RAM and average display brightness, it provides good value for money and a modern computing experience with Windows 11.
If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly laptop that can handle your daily tasks without breaking the bank, the ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA is worth considering. Just be aware of its limitations, and if you need a laptop for more demanding tasks, you might need to look at higher-end models or those with better upgrade options.
Overall, the ASUS Vivobook 15 P1504CZA is a solid performer that offers good value for money, making it a strong contender in the budget laptop market.
