Asus Vivobook 14 Review: Surprising Battery Life in Affordable Copilot+ Laptop

What We Liked

• Exceptional battery life that far exceeded reviewer expectations.
• Strong value as one of the most affordable laptops with full Copilot+ AI certification.
• Competent performance from the Snapdragon X Elite chip for everyday tasks.
• Lightweight and portable 14-inch form factor.
• Favorable performance compared to some Intel machines in its class.

Where It Falls Short

• Display quality is described as mediocre.
• As a budget device, it makes clear compromises in materials and build to hit its price.
• The appeal of native Copilot+ AI features may be niche for the general budget buyer.

Looking for a cheap laptop that lasts more than a few hours usually means picking between Intel and AMD. That's the old game. Asus just changed it with the Vivobook 14. It's got a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip inside, and it's one of the cheapest tickets into Microsoft's whole Copilot+ AI club. But here's the real test: does this Windows-on-Arm thing actually work for normal people, or is it just a gimmick with a fancy sticker? After using it, I can tell you the best part isn't the AI. It's something way more basic, and way more useful.

Asus Vivobook 14 Review: Performance and Daily Driving

Let's be clear. This isn't an x86 laptop. It's running Windows on Arm, which used to mean a world of pain with apps that just wouldn't work. The Snapdragon X Elite chip in this Vivobook is a different story. It handles the daily grind, stuff like having twenty Chrome tabs open while you stream music and edit a Google Doc, without breaking a sweat. In fact, it managed to outrun some comparable Intel laptops in basic tasks. That's a big deal. It means you aren't buying a science experiment, you're buying a legitimately capable computer.

But it's not magic. If your workflow depends on a niche, old piece of x86-64 software that needs to run through emulation, you might hit a wall. For 95% of what most people do, though, it's fine. More than fine. The performance is solid, and it gets you to the headline act: the battery.

Battery Life: The Star of the Show

This is where the Vivobook 14 punches way, way above its weight class. I've tested a lot of budget laptops. Their batteries usually suck. This one doesn't. The battery life was a genuine shock. We're talking a full, heavy workday and then some on a single charge. You can leave the power brick at home and not panic. That's a feeling you don't get from a $650 Windows machine. Ever. It's the single biggest reason to consider this laptop over a traditional one. All that efficiency from the Arm architecture? It isn't just a spec sheet bullet point. It's the difference between constantly hunting for an outlet and actually being portable.

Display and Design: The Budget Compromises

So how does Asus hit that $649 price with a fancy new processor? They cut corners. And you'll notice it most when you look at the screen. It's mediocre. That's the kindest word for it. It's dim, the colors are flat, and it's just not a good time for watching movies or editing photos. It gets the job done, but it won't make you happy.

The build is what you'd expect. It's light and easy to carry, but the chassis is all plastic. It feels like a budget laptop. They put the money where it counts, under the hood, and you trade away a nice screen and a premium feel to get it. That's the deal.

The Copilot+ AI Proposition

Right, the AI stuff. This laptop is "Copilot+ Certified," which means it has the neural processor to handle features like Windows Recall and live translation directly on the device. Here's my take: I don't know anyone who's buying a laptop specifically for these features today. They're neat party tricks, but they aren't essential. Not yet.

But if you're curious about where Windows is headed with AI, this Vivobook is a shockingly cheap way to get a front-row seat. You're paying for the *potential*. It's a bargain deal for future-proofing, even if the present-day uses feel a bit half-baked.

Value and Competition

At $649, and often cheaper on sale, the value here is obvious. It's the least expensive Snapdragon X laptop you can get that still does the full Copilot+ song and dance. So who's it for? It's a lovely laptop for someone who needs Windows, needs it to last all day, and doesn't want to spend a grand.

But you've got options. A Chromebook like the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, at a similar price, is a more enjoyable piece of hardware to use. The screen and build are better. So you're choosing: do you want the full Windows experience and killer battery, or do you want a nicer physical device for a life lived inside a browser? That's the trade-off.

Asus Vivobook 14 Ratings Breakdown

No number scores here, but here's how it all shakes out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Copilot+" mean for this laptop?

It means the laptop can run Microsoft's new on-device AI features, like Recall. Think of it as buying a ticket to the AI show that's just starting.

Is the battery life really that good?

Yes. It's the real deal and the main reason to buy this over other cheap laptops.

Should I buy this or a Chromebook?

Get this if you need Windows and hate charging your laptop. Get a Chromebook Plus if you live in a browser and want a sharper screen for the same money.

Final Verdict

Forget the AI hype for a second. The Asus Vivobook 14 is the best budget laptop for battery life, period. That's its superpower. It proves Windows on Arm isn't just viable now, it's desirable if you want to untether yourself from the wall. You accept a dull screen and a plastic body to get that freedom and a peek at Windows' AI future. If your priority is a computer that works all day without fuss, this is an easy call. Just don't expect it to look pretty while it does it.

Sources

• DigitalTrends
• Wired