ASUS Vivobook 14" X1404VA 2025, Core i5-1334U, 16GB, 512GB SSD, Quiet Blue

The Vivobook X1404VA packs 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD into a 3.09 lb frame for $669, which is a genuinely good deal on paper. But the 250-nit display sits in the 33rd percentile and the 42Wh battery is underwhelming. It's a budget productivity machine that nails the basics and skimps on the screen.

The i5-1334U is a 10-core chip with 2 performance cores and 8 efficient cores, and it sits at the 39th percentile for CPUs in our database. That's not going to win any races, but it's plenty for web browsing, document editing, and video calls. The 16GB of DDR4 at 3200 MHz is the real star here. Most laptops at this price point ship with 8GB, so having 16GB means you can keep 30 browser tabs open without the system grinding to a halt. The 512GB NVMe SSD is also a solid inclusion, landing at the 37th percentile for storage, which is about average but perfectly adequate for a budget machine.

The Iris Xe integrated graphics sit at the 49th percentile for GPUs, which is middle of the pack. You can play older titles or indie games at low settings, but the gaming score of 13.2 out of 100 tells the real story: this is not a gaming laptop. The 60Hz display doesn't help matters either. For productivity tasks, though, the performance is smooth and responsive, and the 12-month warranty from the seller adds a bit of peace of mind.

Stacked against the competition, the Vivobook X1404VA is a budget workhorse in a field of thoroughbreds. The Apple MacBook Pro M5 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition both crush it on display quality, battery life, and build, but they cost two to three times as much. The Lenovo Legion 5i and Acer Predator Helios Neo are gaming machines with dedicated GPUs that make the Vivobook's 13.2 gaming score look embarrassing, but again, you're paying a premium for that power. The MSI Creator A13V is the closest in spirit, a productivity-focused laptop, but it also outclasses the Vivobook on screen and GPU. The Vivobook's only real win is price-to-RAM ratio, and that's a narrow victory.

At $669 USD, this Vivobook is a mixed bag on value. The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD combo is genuinely rare at this price, and the i5-1334U is a capable chip for everyday work. But you're paying for those upgrades while accepting a display that's below average and WiFi 5 in a world where WiFi 6 is standard. The CAD 965 and GBP 744 listings are just currency conversions of the same product, so the value proposition doesn't change across regions. If you need RAM and storage above all else, this is a decent deal. If you care about screen quality, you'll want to look elsewhere.

The ASUS Vivobook X1404VA is a budget 14-inch laptop that gets one thing very right: 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD at a price that doesn't make you wince. The Intel Core i5-1334U with its 10 cores and 12 threads handles everyday work without breaking a sweat, and the Iris Xe graphics are fine for streaming and light photo editing. But the display is where corners got cut. 250 nits of brightness and 45% NTSC color coverage put it in the 33rd percentile for screens, which means it's dim and washed out compared to most laptops we test.

At 3.09 lbs, it's easy to toss in a bag, and the port selection is actually generous for a budget machine: three USB-A ports, one USB-C, and HDMI. The 42Wh battery promises up to 6 hours, which is optimistic for real-world use. This is a machine built for students and office workers who need a reliable daily driver, not anyone who cares about color accuracy or gaming.

Anyone who cares about screen quality should look elsewhere. The 250-nit, 45% NTSC display is one of the weakest we've seen in this category, landing in the 33rd percentile. If you do photo or video work, watch a lot of movies, or just like a bright, colorful screen, this will frustrate you daily. Gamers should also skip it, the 13.2 gaming score speaks for itself. And if you need WiFi 6 for faster wireless speeds, the WiFi 5 chip here is a step behind.

The ASUS Vivobook X1404VA is a sensible purchase if your priorities are RAM, storage, and portability on a budget. The 16GB of DDR4 and 512GB SSD are the headline features, and they deliver real everyday value. But the 250-nit, 45% NTSC display is a constant reminder that corners were cut, and the 42Wh battery means you'll be hunting for outlets by mid-afternoon. If you can live with a dim screen and don't need WiFi 6, this is a solid student or office laptop. If you watch a lot of video or work near windows, the screen alone might be a dealbreaker.