Asus VivoBook S200E Review

Asus VivoBook S200E Review

PROS / The touchscreen is responsive and makes it feel like you are playing around on a tablet.

CONS / You can't upgrade beyond 4GB of memory.

VERDICT / The combination of a sleek, thin design and some of the newest Intel technology makes the Asus VivoBook S200E a great choice if you find yourself often on the go.

With a 3rd generation Ivy Bridge Intel CPU, the VivoBook S200E from Asus is a netbook with a powerful processor that uses less wattage and cools more easily. The slim design of this small, efficient touchscreen netbook is perfect for on-the-go scenarios, especially if you are student. This computer also features the newest integrated Intel HD graphics and earns our Top Ten Reviews Silver Award. We wish you could upgrade the memory beyond 4GB, but this netbook isn't meant to take on the extravagance of gaming or video editing. The touchscreen gives it a nice edge over the competition by offering you more precision-based navigation outside the touchpad.

Performance

The VivoBook uses a Core i3-3217U, which is part of Intel's Ivy Bridge lineup. This processor has a speed of 1.8GHz, which is faster than most of the other netbooks on our lineup. What we really like about this computer's setup is that the CPU only uses 17 watts, so this netbook uses less energy than traditional laptops, and this is great if you are trying to go green. Plus, the unit won't overheat.

Integrated into the CPU is Intel's newest HD Graphic 4000. Depending on the workload, the GPU will run some low-end programs that exhibit 3D graphics, but it won't sustain workloads involving heavy gaming or even video editing. The graphics are DirectX 11 ready, which allows for more shading and smoother animations.

Because the graphics are integrated into this small laptop's processor, the CPU and GPU share 2GB of RAM. You can upgrade to 4GB, but that's it. This is a limitation, but netbooks are meant for multitasking with spreadsheets, word processors, internet browsers and media players. We were glad to see that it has a 500GB, 5400RPM hard drive, which is plenty of space and speed for this mini laptop.

Design

The netbook has a brushed aluminum finish instead of plastic, so it doesn't feel cheap or like it will break easily. The display measures 11.6 inches and supports a resolution up to 1366 x 768 pixels. This is average for even the best mini laptops. The 135dpi won't have you editing photos or graphics on this laptop, but we noticed that movies and pictures still look good.

This is one of the few netbooks that features a touchscreen. Controlling the notebook with the touch of a finger gives you freedom from a traditional mouse or touchpad – and it's a lot more fun. The screen has a glossy finish that acts more as a tablet and works precisely without the lag. The display has sturdy hinges so the screen won't bounce when you push on the screen. The touchscreen is multi-touch capable as well. Even with an 11-inch screen, the keyboard doesn’t feel cluttered and is backlit for easy working in low light.

Features

The touchscreen pairs well with the netbook's operating system – Windows 8. There is a .9-mexapixel, 1280-by-720 webcam with decent picture quality, although images become grainy in low light. The variety of ports includes three USB 3.0 ports. These ports let you transfer data 10 times quicker than the old USB 2.0 standard. The laptop has a memory card reader along with VGA and HDMI ports, which are great for adding additional monitors to your setup.

Warranty & Support

The S200E has a one-year warranty that covers all parts. The Asus service center has a self-service center where you can download drivers, BIOS or manuals, locate service centers and check out FAQs. There is also a power supply calculator to determine which power supply you should buy if you need to purchase an additional cord or replace your current one. You can also chat live with Asus' support representatives.

Summary

The Asus VivoBook S200E is a promising netbook for classrooms and business needs. The touchscreen is precise and responsive, but it does use up more of the battery if it is enabled. Between the CPU and GPU sharing the max 4GB of memory, these netbook computers are great for simple use, but heavy use such as gaming will cause the heat output to increase and performance to decrease. However, this can be fixed easily with a BIOS update. We recommend this netbook computer for browsing the internet, working with documents and spreadsheet, and using Hulu and other media services to catch up on your shows.