Quick Overview
- The Vivobook offers a more comprehensive feature set, including a fingerprint scanner for added security, a backlit keyboard for comfortable typing in low-light conditions, and a USB 3.
- If you’re looking for a basic, affordable laptop for everyday tasks and light usage, the Acer Extensa is a solid choice.
- However, if you’re willing to spend a bit more and prioritize premium features, better performance, and a more immersive visual experience, the Asus Vivobook is the superior choice.
With the ever-expanding market of budget laptops, choosing the perfect device can be a daunting task. Two notable contenders in this segment are the Acer Extensa and the Asus Vivobook. Both offer a range of features and specifications tailored to meet the needs of students, professionals, and everyday users. In this in-depth comparison, we pit the Acer Extensa against the Asus Vivobook to determine which budget laptop emerges victorious.
Design and Build Quality
Acer Extensa: The Extensa features a sleek and understated design with a plastic chassis. While it may not be the most visually striking, it offers a durable and functional build. The matte black finish resists fingerprints and scratches, ensuring a clean and professional appearance.
Asus Vivobook: The Vivobook boasts a more premium design with a metal lid and a textured plastic base. Its slim profile and lightweight construction make it easy to carry around. The ErgoLift hinge slightly elevates the keyboard when opened, providing a more comfortable typing experience.
Display
Acer Extensa: The Extensa comes with a 15.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The display offers decent color accuracy and viewing angles, making it suitable for basic tasks such as browsing the web, working on documents, and watching videos.
Asus Vivobook: The Vivobook also features a 15.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. However, it boasts a wider color gamut and higher brightness levels, resulting in a more vibrant and immersive visual experience.
Performance
Acer Extensa: The Extensa is powered by an Intel Celeron N5100 processor, which is a budget-friendly option suitable for basic computing needs. It also comes with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, providing adequate performance for everyday tasks.
Asus Vivobook: The Vivobook offers a more powerful configuration with an Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. This combination provides a noticeable performance boost, enabling smoother multitasking and handling more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Acer Extensa: The Extensa has a 3-cell, 48Wh battery that provides up to 7 hours of battery life on a single charge. This is sufficient for most users to get through a full day of light usage without needing to recharge.
Asus Vivobook: The Vivobook comes with a 2-cell, 37Wh battery that provides up to 6 hours of battery life. While this is slightly less than the Extensa, it still offers decent battery performance for its size and weight.
Features
Acer Extensa: The Extensa includes a basic set of features, including a webcam, microphone, and speakers. It also has a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, as well as two USB 3.0 ports and an HDMI port.
Asus Vivobook: The Vivobook offers a more comprehensive feature set, including a fingerprint scanner for added security, a backlit keyboard for comfortable typing in low-light conditions, and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port that supports both charging and data transfer.
Price
Acer Extensa: The Extensa is typically priced between $250 and $350, making it one of the most affordable budget laptops on the market.
Asus Vivobook: The Vivobook is slightly more expensive, with prices ranging from $350 to $500. However, it offers a more premium build quality, a better display, and a more powerful configuration.
Verdict: Which Budget Laptop Is Right for You?
Both the Acer Extensa and the Asus Vivobook offer compelling options for budget-conscious consumers. However, the best choice for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.
If you’re looking for a basic, affordable laptop for everyday tasks and light usage, the Acer Extensa is a solid choice. It offers a durable build, a decent display, and sufficient performance for most users.
However, if you’re willing to spend a bit more and prioritize premium features, better performance, and a more immersive visual experience, the Asus Vivobook is the superior choice. Its metal construction, wider color gamut display, and more powerful processor make it a more versatile and capable laptop for both work and play.
Ultimately, the decision between the Acer Extensa and the Asus Vivobook comes down to your budget, priorities, and individual preferences. By carefully considering the factors discussed in this comparison, you can make an informed decision and choose the best budget laptop for your needs.
What You Need to Know
1. Which laptop has a better processor?
The Asus Vivobook has a more powerful processor (Intel Core i3-1115G4) compared to the Acer Extensa (Intel Celeron N5100).
2. Does either laptop have a backlit keyboard?
Yes, the Asus Vivobook features a backlit keyboard for comfortable typing in low-light conditions.
3. Which laptop offers the longest battery life?
The Acer Extensa has a slightly longer battery life (up to 7 hours) compared to the Asus Vivobook (up to 6 hours).
4. Does either laptop have a fingerprint scanner?
Yes, the Asus Vivobook includes a fingerprint scanner for added security.
5. Which laptop is more affordable?
The Acer Extensa is typically more affordable than the Asus Vivobook, with prices starting at $250.