ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6" L1504GA-BS01-CB, Intel N100, 4GB, 128GB SSD, Mixed Black

The ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is a budget Windows laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD screen, Intel N100 processor, 4GB RAM, and 128GB storage. It's priced between CAD 350 and CAD 390, making it one of the cheapest Windows laptops available. The 4GB RAM and slow processor mean it's only suitable for very light tasks like email and web browsing. If you need more than that, save up for something with 8GB of RAM.

Let's talk about that Intel N100 processor. It's a 4-core chip running at 0.8GHz base clock, and in our database it sits at the 5th percentile for CPUs in this category. That's not a typo. Five percent of laptops in our database have a slower processor than this thing. It's designed for efficiency, not speed, which means basic tasks will work but anything beyond that is going to feel sluggish. Opening a few browser tabs, streaming a video, and typing in a document simultaneously? That's asking a lot from this chip.

The 4GB of RAM is the bigger problem. That lands at the 2nd percentile, which means almost every laptop we've tested has more memory. Windows 11 alone will eat through a good chunk of that before you even open an app. The 128GB SSD is also at the 7th percentile, so you're not storing much locally. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics sits at the 37th percentile, which is fine for video playback but useless for gaming. Our gaming score for this machine is 8.5 out of 100. You're not playing anything more demanding than Solitaire on this thing.

The competitors here are interesting because they're all in a completely different league. The Apple MacBook Pro MWP72LL/A, HP OmniBook X Flip, Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, and Acer Swift SF16-71T-70PN are all premium machines with much faster processors, more RAM, and better displays. Comparing the Vivobook Go 15 to any of them feels almost unfair. But it's worth understanding what you're giving up by saving several hundred dollars.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x and Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge both run on ARM-based Snapdragon chips, which offer dramatically better battery life and performance. The HP OmniBook X Flip adds a convertible form factor and a much nicer screen. The Acer Swift SF16-71T-70PN has a larger 16-inch display and a proper Intel Core processor. All of them will run circles around the Vivobook Go 15 in every metric we track. But they also cost two to three times as much. If you only need a basic machine for light tasks, the Vivobook Go 15 gets the job done for a fraction of the price. Just don't expect it to keep up with these premium options.

At CAD 350 to CAD 390, this is one of the cheapest Windows laptops you can buy right now. And that's the whole pitch. You're getting a 15.6-inch Full HD screen, a full Windows 11 license, and a machine that will handle basic tasks without falling over. For the price, that's not nothing. But you need to shop smart. The CAD 40 spread between listings matters. If you can find it at CAD 350, that's a much better deal than paying CAD 390 for the same open box unit.

The problem is that cheap laptops often end up costing more in the long run. With only 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, you'll likely hit the limits of this machine within a year or two. There's no room to upgrade the RAM, and the storage is UFS, not a standard NVMe drive. So you're stuck with what you get. If you can stretch your budget by another CAD 100 or so, you'll find machines with 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSDs that will last much longer.

The ASUS Vivobook Go 15 is one of those laptops that looks great on a spec sheet until you squint at the fine print. A 15.6-inch Full HD screen, Windows 11, and a sub-400 CAD price tag sounds like a steal. And for someone who just needs a basic machine for email, web browsing, and light document work, it might be. But the internals tell a different story. We're talking an Intel N100 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. That's the kind of setup you'd find in a budget Chromebook, not a Windows laptop trying to run a full desktop OS.

Who is this for? Honestly, it's for the person who needs a cheap Windows machine and knows exactly what they're getting into. Maybe a student on a tight budget, a grandparent who just wants to video call the grandkids, or someone who needs a secondary machine for travel. The 1.63kg weight and 15.6-inch screen make it a decent couch companion. But if you're expecting to multitask with more than a few browser tabs open, you're going to hit a wall fast.

The interesting thing here is the price spread. We're seeing this listed between CAD 350 and CAD 390 across four listings in Canada. That's a CAD 40 difference for the same machine, which matters when you're shopping in this price bracket. And it's a Geek Squad Certified Open Box product, so you're not even getting a brand new unit. That's not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it's worth knowing before you pull the trigger.

If you're planning to use this for anything beyond the absolute basics, skip it. Gamers should look elsewhere immediately, the gaming score of 8.5 out of 100 tells you everything you need to know. Students who need to run multiple applications or do research with lots of browser tabs will find the 4GB of RAM crippling. And anyone who needs reliable connectivity should be wary, customer reviews mention screen display issues and Wi-Fi problems that could make this machine a headache.

Instead, look for a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. You'll pay a bit more, but the difference in usability is night and day. If you're on a strict budget, consider a Chromebook instead. Chrome OS is much lighter than Windows 11 and runs far better on low-end hardware like this. You'll get a smoother experience for the same money, just with a different operating system.

If you need a cheap Windows laptop for basic tasks and you're realistic about what 4GB of RAM can do, the Vivobook Go 15 is a reasonable buy at CAD 350. It's lightweight, has a decent screen size, and runs Windows 11 out of the box. For email, web browsing, and light document editing, it'll get you through the day. Just keep your expectations in check and close those browser tabs when you're done.

For students, the 36.9 out of 100 score in our student category is a warning sign. If you're planning to run multiple apps, do research with lots of tabs open, or use any kind of creative software, this machine will frustrate you. The 40.1 out of 100 business score is slightly better, but still not great. This is a machine for someone who needs a computer, not someone who needs a workhorse. If you can save up a bit more, an 8GB RAM machine with a 256GB SSD will serve you much better in the long run.