So, you find yourself on the verge of buying a new laptop and you managed to narrow it down to two contenders. On the one hand you've got the Asus VivoBook F512JA-AS34, a solid model with a relatively good reputation that we've covered in-depth here. On the other hand, there's the recently released Asus VivoBook F515JA-AH31 we just reviewed.
They seem nearly identical but they have a decent enough price-difference to get you to stop and search online to see what people are saying about them. Am I close?
So; which one should you buy? That's what we're here to find out because while these two student laptops might not have that many differences, the ones they do have are definitely worth paying attention to. In any case to start things off in this comparison between the Asus VivoBook F512JA-AS34 VS F515JA-AH31 and figure out their differences we're going to leave you with a small table of key specs.
| F515JA-AH31 | F512JA-AS34 | ||
| Dimensions | 14.2 x 9.2 x 0.78 inches | 357.2 x 230.4 x 19.9 mm | |
| Weight | 3.97 lbs | 3.75 lbs | |
| Panel | Anti-glare | 15.6-inch | 15.5 inch Anti-glare panel | |
| Resolution | Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) | Full HD (1920 by 1080 pixels) | |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-1005G1 (2 cores up to 3.40 GHz) | Intel Core i3-1005G1 (2 cores up to 3.40 GHz) | |
| RAM | 4GB (DDR4) 3200 MHz | 8GB (DDR4) 2666 MHz | |
| Graphic Controller | Intel UHD Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | |
| Storage | 128GB (SSD) | 128 GB | |
| Drums | 2 cells (37 Wh) | 2 cells (37 Wh) | |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home in S mode | Windows 10 Home in S mode | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 5.0 USB-A 2.0 (x2) USB-A 3.2 USB-C 3.2 HDMI Audio combo connector microSD card reader HD webcam Digital microphone Fingerprint sensor | Wi-Fi 5 NO BLUETOOTH USB-A 2.0 (x2) USB-A 3.2 USB-C 3.2 HDMI Audio combo connector microSD card reader HD webcam Digital microphone Fingerprint sensor |
Asus VivoBook F512JA-AS34 VS F515JA-AH31: What's the difference between them?
In short, they have very few differences. There are a few differences when it comes to the connectivity options with the AH31 not having a microSD card reader - nor any card reader for that matter -. There's also the fact that the AS34 lacks Bluetooth support, which could be a big deal for you if you prefer to use wireless peripherals.
However, perhaps the biggest difference between these two models is the RAM. Specifically, the F515JA-AH31 features 4 GB of RAM, whilst the F512JA-AS34 packs 8 GB by default. So, what does this mean?
Well, this could be an important difference and a deal-breaker for people who want a laptop that's good for multitasking straight out of the box.
If that's your case then you'd be better served with the F512JA-AS34. On the other hand, if you're a casual user or you're planning to give this computer to someone who is going to use it to surf the web, edit some documents, chat with friends and little else then 4 GB should more than cut it.
Also, you should know that while the F515JA-AH31 arrives with 4 GB, that doesn't mean it will always have 4 GB of RAM. That's right, there's an available slot for you to place either 4 or 8 GB.
We always recommend keeping the modules of the same capacity. By following that rule you could buy a very cheap 3200 MHz SO-DIMM 4 GB RAM module and easily settle the debate between these two.
Having said that, the same remains true for the F512JA-AS34 which allows for up to an additional 4 GB DDR4 2666MHz SDRAM. Not that you'd need it as 8 GB should cut it for most people but the possibility is there nonetheless.
What about the rest of the differences between these laptops?
Aside from the RAM and the Bluetooth situations to consider there's also the quality of the webcam, with the AH31 featuring a lower-end VGA webcam instead of the HD webcam present on the more expensive AS31 model. This could be important if you do a lot of conference calls but ultimately neither of these webcams are what you'd call "good" so it's not that big of a difference.
What about the audio quality?
Audio quality on these budget laptops is pretty bad no matter which one you look at. That's why we tend to recommend getting a good and cheap external speaker such as the Tronsmart T6 Plus. A water-resistant speaker that offers 15 hours worth of battery life, several audio modes and a truly immersive audio experience with TWS technology to create a fully surround experience.
So, which one should I choose?
Ultimately, that's going to depend primarily on the kind of user you are and the kind of person. If you want the best laptop then the 8 GB AS31 will serve you better. On the other hand, if you're going to use the laptop with a few chrome tabs open and spotify, and that's pretty much the extent of "your multitasking" then I wouldn't worry too much about it and get the AH31 at a far cheaper price instead. You can always upgrade it down the line.