Windows 8 continues to grow in popularity as it is updated, upgraded, and bugs and annoyances are fixed. There are also fewer and fewer laptops available that still offer Windows 7 as an option, so laptop manufacturers need to do what they can to make Windows 8 more appealing to new computer purchasers. One simple way to do this is by showcasing the best part about Windows 8, which is the ease with which it functions on touchscreen laptops.
The VivoBook line from Asus has been one of the leading choices for people that want affordable touchscreen computers, and the ASUS VivoBook S400CA-RSI5T18 is one of their best entries yet. It is ideally sized with a 14-inch screen, it has a fast hybrid hard drive, an excellent processor and a terrific battery life. So if these are characteristics that you want from your new computer, continue reading below.
Navigate this article
| Grid of specs and features | Pros of the computer | Cons of the computer |
| Performance | Portability | Connectivity |
| Conclusion | Similar Laptops |
Specs and Features
ASUS VivoBook S400CA-RSI5T18 |
|
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5 3317U 1.7 GHz |
| Hard Drive | 500 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive, 24 GB Solid-State Drive |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR3 |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 hours |
| Screen | 14.0″ LED backlit HD (1366×768) capacitive touch panel |
| Keyboard | Standard chiclet keyboard |
| Total Number of USB Ports | 2 |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 1 |
| HDMI | Yes |
| Graphics | Intel UMA |
Pros of the ASUS VivoBook S400CA-RSI5T18
- Excellent price
- i5 processor is very powerful
- Hybrid hard drive allows for fast boot and data load times
- Lightweight and thin
- Great keyboard
Cons of the ASUS VivoBook S400CA-RSI5T18 Laptop
- Only 2 USB ports
- No DVD/CD drive
- No 10-key numeric keypad
- No backlit keyboard
Performance
This computer is built to appeal to the power user that wants a fast, capable laptop that will allow them to stay productive while they are on-the-go. This gorgeous 14-inch touchscreen laptop features the i5 processor, which is well-suited to run image-editing programs, multitask common applications with ease, and even do a little light gaming. The hybrid hard drive offers the ideal combination of performance, storage capacity and price, which gives you the benefits of both solid-state drives and traditional hard drives, without the drawbacks inherent with each option.
One very important thing to note about the ASUS VivoBook S400CA-RSI5T18 is that it is essentially an ultrabook, which means that is does not include a CD or DVD drive, in an effort to reduce weight and increase battery performance. DVD drives are less and less useful these days, however, and you will find that you can download nearly any item that you would have been using a physical disc for anyway.
Portability
As mentioned above, this VivoBook can be compared to Ultrabooks, which is a distinction that usually comes with a higher price tag. Fortunately, however, this laptop is very well-priced, yet offers a 4.0 lb weight, 5 hours of battery life, and is less than 1-inch thin. The Wi-Fi connection is solid and will allow you to connect to nearly any wireless network, and you even get an RJ-45 port if you are in an office or hotel room and only have the option of connecting to a wired network.
The touchscreen option can also be helpful when you are traveling around, as it provides additional functionality that you may have trouble replicating with a trackpad instead of a traditional mouse. The 14-inch screen size is also the perfect compromise between the convenience of a 13-inch laptop and the increased screen size of a 15-inch option. I’ve found that the 14-inch models fit pretty well on smaller desks and airline seat trays, which has often been a problem for 15-inch models.
Connectivity
An important part of any laptop is the number of ports and network connection options it has. The ASUS VivoBook S400CA-RSI5T18 is well-equipped in this case, and includes the followingg connection option:
- 802.11 b/g/n WiFi
- Wired RJ45 ethernet port
- (1) USB 3.0 port
- (1) USB 2.0 ports
- HDMI port
- 2 x Audio jacks: Audio in/Mic out
- SD card reader
- 1.0 MP webcam
Conclusion
Getting a laptop like this is a solid step toward ensuring that your computer will be compatible with current technology for years to come. Laptops are moving away from heavy optical drives and toward lightweight touchscreen options with fast processors and equally fast hard drives. There are not a lot of other laptops in this price range that can match the full suite of features that this Vivobook is carrying, and the checklist of features on this computer is basically everything that most people want from their new computer.
If you need to travel occasionally, either for work or school, and are concerned with laptop portability, but don’t want to sacrifice performance, then this VivoBook is a perfect choice.
Read more about the ASUS VivoBook S400CA-RSI5T18
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Similar Laptops
The ASUS VivoBook S400CA-RSI5T18 is among the best option for people that are looking for a powerful i5 laptop in this price range, but there are other options to consider. Check out a few of the laptops below.
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