When it comes to computers and laptops, ASUS is one of the manufacturers many users trust. The company has produced many devices that have become the forefront of innovations, such as Zenbook and ROG--ASUS gaming laptops.
However, this doesn’t mean that ASUS moved away from creating traditional, cheaper laptops. Embracing the Zenbook concept, ASUS introduced a more affordable option, the ASUS VivoBook E203MA laptop.
In this ASUS VivoBook E12 E203MA laptop review, we will discuss its features and performance, so you’ll know if this computer is perfect for you.
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Pros & Cons Of The Asus Vivobook E12 E203MA
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Unique Features Of The Asus Vivobook E12 E203MA
As one of the leading computer manufacturers in the world, ASUS has never failed to produce quality laptops that fit all types of users and budgets.
So whether you require a device that has a lot of computing power or one that could help you with simple tasks, ASUS has something for you. For example, the Asus Vivobook E12 E203MA may be a cheaper option, but it’s still packed with features that you can enjoy.
Intel Celeron Dual Core N4000 Processor
The Asus Vivobook E12 E203MA laptop uses the power of the Intel Celeron Dual Core N4000 Processor. While it may not be the most powerful Intel processor, this basic CPU has a decently high maximum clock speed of 2.6 GHz.
It also includes a large 4 MB cache for the budget processor category, compared to a more common 1 MB or 2 MB. It also has a power-efficient design with a power consumption of 6 Watts.
This makes ASUS Vivobook E12 laptop perfect for light internet browsing with only a couple of tabs opened simultaneously, simple tasks that use Office programs, web conferencing, and watching your favorite movies.
Durable 180-Degree Hinge
This ASUS Vivobook laptop boasts a 180° hinge, allowing you to lay it flat on the table so you can easily share content with your friends and colleagues. No need to worry about breaking your laptop’s hinge because this design has been subjected to 200,000 cycles of open-and-close tests. As far as 2-in-1 laptops go, this hinge design is solid.
Thin & Lightweight Design
Laptops are made to be carried around with ease. Unfortunately, some are so heavy that carrying them around can be too tiring. Fortunately, with the Vivobook E12 E203MA, that wouldn’t be the case. It has a compact and lightweight design smaller than an A4 sheet of paper and weighs only 980g. It is also thinner than its predecessor, making it one of the thinnest 11.6-inch laptops you can find anywhere.
In addition, it is so portable that you’ll even forget you have a laptop in your bag.
Cinematic Audiovisual
The Vivobook E12 E230MA laptop uses the True2Life technology by ASUS. This makes any video you play on this laptop amazing. Furthermore, it uses an intelligent algorithm that optimizes the sharpness and contrast of every pixel in every frame of the video by 150%.
This produces incredibly vivid and realistic imagery. In addition, the ASUS Splendid display technology optimizes imagery for deeper, richer, and accurate colors on all types of content. Furthermore, this laptop also delivers impressive, crystal clear audio with its dual speakers and ASUS SonicMaster technology, producing immersive surround sound.
Ultimate Flexibility With USB-C And Other Ports
This ASUS Vivobook laptop includes a reversible USB-C (Type C) port that makes it easy to connect devices. Apart from that, it also features a USB 3.1 Gen 1 that has super-fast data transfer speeds, allowing you to transfer a 2GB file to a USB in under 2 minutes.
But don’t worry if you don’t have other USB-C devices; the E203MA also includes two standard USB 3.1 ports and one HDMI port.
Ergonomic Full-Size Keyboard
Thin and small laptops don’t usually have full-sized keyboards, but not with ASUS E12 E203MA. It features an ergonomic full-size keyboard that has 1.6mm key travel.
This ensures maximum comfort when typing.
If typing is one of the major things you do for work and school, this laptop will give you the best comfort.
Lightning Fast Dual Antenna Wi-Fi
The Vivobook E12 E203MA comes with a dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, which gives strong, stable, and fast data transmission speeds. In addition, 802.11ac Wi-Fi is less prone to interference from other wireless devices using the same bandwidth.
Asus Vivobook E12 E203MA Laptop Review
Product Specification
Operating System | Windows 10 |
Standing Screen Display Size | 11.6 inches |
Max Screen Resolution | 1366 x 768 pixels |
RAM | 2 GB DDR3 |
Memory Speed | 2.6 MHz |
Hard Drive Capacity | 32 GB eMMC |
Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, Micro SD card reader |
Battery Life | 6-8 hours |
Dimensions | 11.3 x 7.6 x 0.7 inches |
Finding a good laptop that fits a small budget can be challenging, especially if you don’t know what to look at. For example, many people would only check the price and immediately buy the computer once it fits the budget.
However, this isn’t a good practice. A laptop is an investment, no matter how much money it costs you. Therefore, you need to look at its specs and performance to check whether it fits your needs.
To help you out, we have reviewed the Asus Vivobook E12 E203MA laptop, so you won’t need to do more research.
Design & Display/Screen
When it comes to design, you can see that the Vivobook E12 is a budget laptop. There’s nothing wrong with its quality; you just know that it’s not a high-end device from the onset.
However, it does look better than many budget computers.
It comes in a variety of colors--white, pink, and blue--with a subtle honeycomb pattern with the ASUS logo in the center.
But be warned, the lid is a fingerprint magnet, requiring you to constantly wipe it off.
The inside design is as dull as its lid, where the 11.6-inch display is surrounded by a thick, drab bezel with a deck that’s made of gray plastic. When it comes to the screen, it features a cinematic visual with a 1366 x 768 display.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing exceptional with the display. Something that isn’t surprising with its price tag. The E12 E203MA display covers only 74% of the sRGB color gamut and has an average of 202 nits of brightness, dimmer than its competitors.
Performance Features
If you are looking for a basic laptop for school and light office tasks, this is something that you should consider. It’s lightweight with a performance that won’t fail you for simple tasks.
However, if you’re a heavy gamer that requires a more powerful device, you better look at something else. While you can use it for gaming, it won’t give you the best experience and may even hinder your performance.
To provide you with a more detailed view, we have listed the important specs you should look at for better gaming:
Keyboard & Touchpad
As mentioned, this Asus Vivobook features an ergonomic full-size keyboard that has surprisingly long key travel. The keys are made of cheap plastic, but it provides comfort, especially if you type many documents all through the day.
However, the 11.6-inch body doesn’t allow for a lot of room in your hands. But, it wouldn’t be so much of a problem, so don’t worry too much about that.
It features a 4.1 x 2.4-inch touchpad, which allows you to perform Windows 10 gestures. This means that you can swipe apps down into the taskbar with three fingers and tap four fingers to open the Action Center. However, the touchpad itself feels a little cheap, just like the deck, but it works just fine.
Connectivity
There’s nothing exceptional with the connectivity of the Asus E12 E203MA. For example, all its USB ports are compliant with the 3.1 Gen1 standards. It also features a USB-C, HDMI port, and Bluetooth connection.
If you want to expand the internal memory of your Asus laptop, you can use the microSD card reader slot. This slot has a reading speed of 9.9 MB/s, outperforming its competition.
But compared to all notebooks available, its SD card’s performance is still below average. However, it has dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, giving you a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection.
Battery Life & Energy Consumption
Unfortunately, this Vivobook won’t last all day on one charge, so if you’re heading out, make sure to bring your charger with you. The battery can last more than 6 hours when using it for web browsing and streaming. Other budget laptops perform better than the E12 E203MA, but there’s nothing more to expect with its price.
Audio
Even with dual speakers and ASUS SonicMaster technology, the Asus Vivobook E12 E203MA laptop delivers mediocre volume, and a sound spectrum lies in the upper mids. The speakers are small, but they are well suited for the occasional playback of media content.
However, the audio isn’t loud enough in noisy environments. It has a 3.5mm jack for connecting to external speakers and headphones.
Accessories
You can use almost all types of computer accessories with the Asus E12 E203MA. Don’t like the trackpad? You can connect a wired or wireless mouse. Do you find the keyboard too small? An external keyboard is an answer. Need an extra screen? You can connect an external monitor using the HDMI port. You can also add a speaker through the 3.5mm jack.
Maintenance
There is no special care or maintenance required for this Asus laptop. However, since the cover is fingerprint-magnet, you might need to remove them now and then. Apart from that, you just need to care for it like you normally care for a traditional computer.
Price & Warranty
The Asus Vivobook E12 E203MA laptop is currently priced at around $230, but it depends on where you buy this device. It comes with Windows 10, that's why you won't find any Asus software in it.
Remember, this laptop comes with Windows 10 Home, unlike other portable budget models that come with Windows 10 S. However, some bloatware comes pre-installed on the computer, including Drawboard PDF, Candy Crush Soda Saga, March of Empires: War of Lords, Autodesk SketchBook, and Bubble Witch 3 Saga.
Every VivoBook E203MA comes with a one-year warranty. However, this warranty is only applicable for any customer damage such as a cracked screen or water damage.
Who Is The VivoBook E12 Best Suited For?
If you require a basic computer for school or home, this is perfect for you. It can work well with light web surfing and video streaming. It is also ideal for people who type a lot of documents and are required to bring their laptop wherever they go. Light researching and basic photo editing also work in this Vivobook.
Who Is It Not Suitable For?
If you need a powerful computer, this isn’t for you. The specs are only good for basic tasks, and heavy programs such as Adobe Premiere and 3D rendering apps won’t run properly on this device.
If you’re a gamer who plays in high settings, look for another option because this laptop can’t handle heavy gaming. Lastly, if you need computing power for work, this isn’t for you.
Comparing With Other Laptops (Is The Asus Vivobook E12 Good?)
Asus Vivobook E12 Vs Vivobook L203MA
- Efficient Intel Celeron N4000 Processor (4M...
- 11.6” HD (1366 x 768) Display
- 64GB eMMC Flash Storage
- 4GB LPDDR4 RAM
These two Vivobooks are pretty similar when it comes to specifications. Both are running in Intel Celeron Dual Core N4000 with 11.6 inches display. However, the Vivobook E12 wins because of its weight and affordability. If you want a budget laptop, you can’t go wrong with these two.
Asus Vivobook E12 Vs Lenovo Ideapad 120S
- Windows 10 Home
- Intel Celeron N3350 Processor
- 14" Display 2GB memory 32GB eMMC flash memory
- Bluetooth HDMI output DVD/CD drive not...
When it comes to display, the Lenovo Ideapad 1205 has a better GPU. It also has a bigger screen compared to Vivobook E12. However, the Asus Vivobook E12 E203MA laptop is cheaper with more memory and storage. If you prefer a better display, Lenovo 120S is a better choice. But if you’re a bit short on cash, go for the Vivobook E12. You can also read our complete Asus vs Lenovo guide here.
Asus Vivobook E12 Vs HP Stream
- STUDY, STREAM, SHARE: Between home, school...
- KEEP YOUR PROJECTS SAFE: Experience peace of...
- OFFICE 365 FOR ONE YEAR: Get full access to...
- PROCESSOR: Intel(R) Celeron(R) N...
Performance-wise, the Asus Vivobook E12 wins the game. It has a better processor, but it isn’t that much more powerful when compared to the HP Stream’s CPU. However, HP Stream is cheaper and lighter compared to Vivobook. So if you still need something more affordable than the Vivobook E12, the HP Stream is a good option. You can also check out our more detailed review of Asus vs HP here.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Can you upgrade the RAM of the Asus Vivobook E12?
Unfortunately, you can’t upgrade the RAM of the Asus Vivobook E12. If you want a higher RAM, it is best to choose another laptop.
Does ASUS VivoBook E12 have a touchscreen?
No, this Vivobook is not a touchscreen. However, other Vivobook laptops have a touchscreen.
Can the Vivobook E12 run Linux?
Yes, you can install Linux on this laptop.
What is the difference between Chromebook and VivoBook?
The main difference between the two laptops is their operating system. Chromebook runs on ChromeOS, Google's operating system. Meanwhile, Vivobook uses Microsoft Windows 10 as its OS.
Is the Asus VivoBook a good laptop for students?
It is a good laptop for students if you mainly need a computer for research and typing papers. However, if you need to run heavy programs such as video and photo editors, you need to consider a different computer.
Conclusion
The Asus VivoBook E12 E203MA laptop doesn’t have powerful specs or any exceptional features. For example, it doesn’t have an impressive display or long battery life.
However, it has three features that make it stand out in the competitive market: affordable, portable, and solid Wi-Fi connection. In addition, it runs on Windows 10, which is already an advantage to most Chromebooks that run on ChromeOS.
- Intel Celeron Dual Core N4000 Processor...
- 11.6-Inch HD LED backlight display (1366 x...
- Thin and lightweight design: 0.7" Thin and...
- 64GB eMMC flash storage and 4GB DDR3 RAM for...
Holly Curell is a US-based freelance writer & editor extraordinaire. With over a decade of writing technical manuals, blog articles, & even company communications, Holly has a passion for providing value to readers on everything she knows about tech-related topics. When she’s not writing, Holly enjoys reading, hiking, wine, & wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s. Holly is currently based out of North Carolina, where she lives with her husband Ken & their three children.