ASUS VIVOBOOK F202E
Price: Rs 39,990
Specs: Windows 8, 11.6" HD/GL/LED (1366x768p) display, Intel Core i3 3217U Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Intel HD Graphics 4000, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LAN, 1.38 kg
Rating: 4.5/5
In all probability the Asus Vivobook F202E will be among the first Windows 8 touch notebooks to fly off the shelves in India. The cheaper price tag does not mean Asus has really cut corners. In fact, the only thing that is small here is the 11.6-inch screen which is suddenly back in fashion thanks to the new Windows 8 devices.
The screen is good and very responsive, though you can see the membrane on it at certain angles. The viewing angles on this 1366x768p HD LED Backlit Display are good too. Powered by SonicMaster technology the sound is really top notch and you will seldom have to push the volume to max. The keypad is good, though being an 11-incher it has smaller arrow keys. The trackpad is full-size and does pinch, zoom, swipe and other Windows 8 gestures, complementing the touchscreen wonderfully well.
This little notebook is powered by an Intel Chief River Core i3 3217 processor (1.8Ghz) which is what you will need for browsing and other regular tasks. But we noticed a significant lag when we pushed the device to open high resolution pictures. Then this device is not meant for heavy duty stuff and will be found more in the hands of college students than video editors or graphic designers. For the former, that fact that this is a device that springs to a start in under 10 seconds and stays cool most of the time should be more important. The two-cell polymer battery is good and lasts five hours on a single charge, even without going into the low-brightness power saving mode.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?
Best of the affordable touch laptops, but you must like a small screen.
