Asus is a distinguished name in the laptops and PC market. The laptop lineup is diverse, featuring VivoBook, ZenBook, ChromeBook, TUF, and ROG series. With the Asus VivoBook K15, the company brings a high-end OLED display to the entry-level laptop segment.
The VivoBook K15 is Asus’s first release in India with a premium OLED display. According to the company, the laptop is designed specifically for younger users and targets both students and professionals needing a device for everyday tasks.
In this review, let’s see whether the Asus VivoBook K15 with OLED display delivers the promised features and performance for its target market.
Price
The Asus VivoBook K15 starts at $305 for the base model powered by the latest 11th Gen Intel i3 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD storage. Other variants include laptops powered by Intel i5, i7, and AMD Ryzen 5 processors.
The maximum RAM available is 16GB, with storage options up to 1TB HDD and 512GB SSD. Available color options include Indie Black, Clear Silver, and Hearty Gold. The unit we reviewed comes in Clear Silver.
Here’s a list of all laptops in the VivoBook K15 series along with their specifications and pricing.
| Specs | Worth |
|---|---|
| VivoBook K15 (Intel i3 processor, 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD storage, 15.6-inch display) | $305 |
| VivoBook K15 (Intel i5 processor, 8GB RAM / 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD storage, 15.6-inch display) | $456 |
| VivoBook K15 (Intel i5 processor, 16GB RAM / 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD storage, 15.6-inch display) | $365 |
| VivoBook K15 (Intel i7 processor, 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD storage, 15.6-inch display) | $365 |
| VivoBook K15 (AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD storage, 15.6-inch display) | $425 |
Design
The VivoBook K15 incorporates a plastic chassis mixed with aluminium alloy to offer it a premium look and durable construct. The standard materials used is at par with its counterparts within the price range and it’s decent for its pricing. Even though it isn’t the lightest or the slimmest VivoBook available, the K15 is still lightweight, weighing just 1.8kg.
The bottom panel incorporates a full-size keyboard and a touchpad that also houses the fingerprint scanner. One of the key features of this laptop is the multiple connectivity ports and down-firing dual speakers. The laptop houses a 720p webcam on top of the display.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The laptop comes with a backlit keyboard that’s highly responsive and features a unique neon green outlined 'Enter' key, making it stand out. One issue I encountered was using the backspace key, as I sometimes mistyped the “+” key since the keys are closely packed. The keyboard layout could have been better spaced, especially on the right side.
Given its large 15.6-inch body, it provides adequate space for arm resting while typing. The touchpad is comfortable to use, and the fingerprint scanner responds quickly and works as expected.
Connectivity
This laptop offers ample wired connectivity options, including: one USB 3.2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C, two USB 2.0 ports, and one HDMI 1.4 port. It also features a 3.5mm audio jack and a MicroSD card reader. What’s impressive is that all these ports are fitted into a relatively thin base panel.
Audio
The audio quality of the Harman Kardon bottom-firing dual speakers is quite impressive. It’s loud and should be suitable for attending meetings and online classes. However, if you want to enjoy audio from podcasts and movies, it’s recommended to connect your headphones or external speakers.
Webcam
Don’t expect too much from the webcam as the video output appears grainy in indoor lighting. Even so, it should be adequate for video conferencing and online classes.
Display
Now let’s talk about its most valuable offering: the OLED display. With this, Asus steps ahead of its competitors by offering the best display in its price range. Most competitors offer LCDs in the affordable laptop segment.
The display supports FHD 1980x1080p resolution and is surrounded by thin side bezels, while the top and bottom bezels are noticeably thicker. It offers an impressive 85% screen-to-body ratio.
In terms of readability, it delivers excellent contrast and accurate color reproduction across various brightness levels. The colors are vibrant and the blacks are deeper. Watching your favorite video content on YouTube or other OTT platforms will be a pleasant experience thanks to the OLED panel’s 100% DCI-P3 color gamut.
The display is certified with VESA DisplayHDR 500, allowing it to reach a peak brightness of 500 nits, which is quite remarkable. The wide 178-degree viewing angle is also notable, maintaining clarity from multiple viewing positions. Additionally, it is certified with TÜV Rheinland Eye Care to help reduce eye strain during extended use.
Efficiency
The laptop we reviewed comes with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD storage. It’s equipped with integrated Intel Xe Graphics and features pre-installed Windows 10.
In real-life performance, the VivoBook K15 performs well for multitasking with light applications. It lets you complete daily tasks like web browsing, spreadsheets, writing, photo editing, and light gaming. However, it’s not ideal for heavy content editing apps like Adobe Premiere Pro due to poor rendering and visualization.
Application and software loading is fast. One of the best features is its boot time — it takes just a few seconds to reach the start menu. The power button is integrated into the keyboard, so pressing it accidentally may put the laptop to sleep. Overall, the performance is excellent for its class, with no lags or hiccups during two weeks of use. Multitasking and switching between tabs in Chrome was smooth.
Gaming
Although the Asus VivoBook K15 isn’t a gaming laptop, it delivered satisfactory performance while playing games like Valorant. It provided smooth performance and quick response time. However, it started to heat up after 45–60 minutes of gaming.
Battery
The laptop packs a 42Wh battery and includes a 65W charger. Battery life was disappointing — lasting only 3 hours in best performance mode and around 3 hours 45 minutes in battery saver mode. Charging from 5% to 100% took approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Verdict
The display, performance, and design of the VivoBook K15 are on par or better than competitors like the Mi Notebook 14, HP 15, Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, and Dell Inspiron 3501. It’s a suitable choice for students and professionals for everyday use.
The display is a key highlight, offering an excellent viewing experience. If you’re looking for an affordable laptop with a strong focus on display quality, the Asus VivoBook K15 is worth considering.
However, battery life is a concern. If you use your laptop during commutes or in places without easy access to power outlets, you may want to reconsider.
Overall, it offers great value for money for what it brings at its price point.