The VivoBook series of ASUS has carved quite a reputation for being mobile, competent, and well-suited to a modern-day population that likes a good bang for its buck. The newest ASUS VivoBook F441BA-DS95 that now comes equipped with an AMD A9 processor is a worth-your-notice addition to the series, offering 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and Radeon R5 graphics at an incredibly tempting price of $497.00.
The AMD processor—or accelerated processing unit—definitely plays a role in making this laptop available at such a loot, for APUs from AMD are reputed for being highly affordable and known to be steadily catching up with the performance of their well-established competitors in the market (Intel). Let’s find out what you can look forward to in this newest VivoBook.
Table of Contents
The AMD A9 Processor: What to Expect
Ever since Advanced Micro Devices came up with its innovative APUs—combination packages of the CPU and the Radeon graphics processors on one die—the processor market has witnessed a shift. AMD processors are astoundingly cheap—a great deal cheaper than Intel processors. While their performance is arguably lower than that of Intel contemporaries, AMD has established itself as a bright candidate for the spot of an affordable-and-reliable computing partner. The new ASUS VivoBook is also fueled by an AMD processor, and this lends it both a future-facing outlook and an attractive price point.
The ASUS VivoBook F441BA-DS95 laptop comes with an AMD A9- 9425 processor that runs at 3.1GHz but can be boosted up to 3.7GHz. While the RAM support is 8GB (DDR4), the storage space is 256GB. Note that while 4GB of the RAM is integrated, the remaining 4GB is through SODIMM. The storage space, on the other hand, is SSD. As is typical with AMD processors, the graphics (Radeon R5) are integrated into the chipset to make one whole, functional unit. The VivoBook runs Windows 10 which proves to be beneficial in upping your productivity as you proceed with your day, surfing the internet, browsing the photo gallery, and working on documents for school or work.
- Read: 5 Best AMD Ryzen Laptops 2018 for Powerful Everyday Computing & Gaming
Not surprisingly, the performance of the AMD A9 processor may not be as blazing fast as you have experienced in a more expensive laptop that runs an eighth-generation Intel Core processor. However, for its price range, the A9 turns out to be reasonably good if you’re looking to work on day-to-day computing tasks. With standard usage, you may find the performance of an AMD A9 at par with the i3 (or, at a stretch, even the i5). However, this is not a processor designed for hyperthreading (it has only two cores), and if you need a computer to handle complex image editing or extensive number crunching, this VivoBook is likely to slow down.
The manufacturer does not state the battery backup you can expect on this laptop. However, with conventional usage, it is expected to last from 4-6 hours, powering up quickly as soon as it is plugged in.
Display & Graphics
The ASUS VivoBook F441BA has a standard display—full High-Definition with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080. It is a 14” laptop, thereby suitable for everyday pursuits. Externally, this VivoBook retains the classic brushed finish that its contemporaries have. The chassis feels metallic, and the overall look is quite stylish. It helps that the laptop looks sleek and immersive when you tune in to audio and video, especially on the go.
Since this laptop has integrated graphics (Radeon 5), you miss out on the brilliance that a dedicated graphics card can bring to the table. The rendition of the imagery (in coloring and brightness) may not be gaming-grade, but it is not disappointing either.
Connecting to the Wireless & Devices/Peripherals
Device support has rarely been a concern with the VivoBook, and this newest addition also does a satisfactory job of offering you plug-in provisions. There is one USB 2.0 port, two USB 3 ports (including a Type-C USB 3.1 port), and an HDMI. Even though the laptop is inexpensive and sleek, this ample device support facilitates your connection with the world, including peers and colleagues.
Note that this laptop also supports wireless connectivity as per the 802.11bgn standards.
Completing the Multimedia Experience: The Sound System
A multimedia experience can suffer miserably if your computer lacks a good sound system. This is a territory of concern for many contemporary laptops as they end up compromising on the quality of sound in the rat race to be sleeker and thinner.
Not so for the ASUS VivoBook F441BA. It comes with a superior Sonic Master audio that uses ICE power technology to elevate your auditory experience. The ICE technology uses a combination of algorithms to enhance the quality of the sound generated. This includes low/high frequencies, low volumes, and sometimes, even the dialogs in movies that otherwise are too indistinct to understand.
Portability & Durability
The VivoBook F441BA weighs about 3.9lbs and has a thickness of 1.1″. Its dimensions are 13.7 x 9.5 x 1.1”. While this is not as light as some of the feather-like models in the marketplace (weighing under 3lbs), it is quite possible to carry your VivoBook along with you, fitting it into your bag.
Since the chassis is sturdy, the durability of the device is also assured when you carry it along on your travels.
- Other Versions: ASUS VivoBook F441BA-ES91 and F441BA-DS94
The Verdict
The ASUS VivoBook F441BA-DS95 is a low-priced, portable laptop for regular computing needs that now comes with an AMD A9 processor. With this computer, you get good processing power, decent graphics, and adequate connectivity to devices as well as the wireless network (when available).
Its price makes it a happy fit to the budget of a student or a young professional or someone looking to acquire a handy, cheap machine that is a good little performer in its class.
| Specs of ASUS VivoBook F441BA-DS95 |
|
| Processor | AMD A9-9425 with up to 3.7GHz |
| Graphics | Radeon R5 (Integrated) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Display | 14″ Full-HD |
