The Asus VivoBook is one of our favorite notebook series, because it delivers an ultrabook-like performance, thinness, an admirable feature set, and aluminum chassis at an affordable price. One of the models is the S300CA-BBI5T01, offering a 13.3-inch touch-enabled screen, the 3rd Gen Intel Core i5-3337U processor with two cores, 4GB of RAM, and a 500GB hard drive for $600.
Similarly specced touchscreen ultrabooks are around $800 and their main advantage hardware-wise is storage speed, since they offer solid state drives or hybrid HDD/SSD at least. One of the good examples is the Samsung NP540U3C-A03UB.
Back to the Asus S300CA-BBI5T01, it’s worth noting that the screen resolution is 1366 x 768, as expected for an inexpensive ultraportable. It was also predictable that graphics relies on the non-gaming Intel HD 4000 and that there’s no built-in optical drive due to its thin-and-light design. When it comes to the CPU, the i5-3337U doesn’t belong to the latest 4th Generation family, but it’s still a pretty much capable chip for daily work and even video and photo editing.
The laptop has a profile height of 0.9″ and weighs 3.9 pounds, so it’s a highly portable little machine, convenient for those who travel a lot. While we are at mobility, it isn’t known how long the battery lasts but the fact is that it’s a Lithium-Polymer unit with a decent capacity of 44 Whrs, similar to those in ultrabooks running about 4.5-5 hours on a single charge with light Wi-Fi web browsing use.
The base of the laptop around its chiclet non-baclit keyboard and large seamless touchpad is silver, while the lid is dark gray. Both surfaces are constructed of aluminum. The bottom is made of plastics. It doesn’t provide upgrade doors for RAM and HDD and the battery isn’t user-removable.
For other (less interesting) specs, please check out the specs sheet below. Let’s just mention as the most important, there USBs, HDMI, stereo speakers, and webcam.
Update: A new version of the laptop is available. It’s the Asus Q301LA-BHI5T02.
Asus S300CA-BBI5T01 Specifications
- Display: Touchscreen, 13.3″, 1366×768 resolution, glare-type
- Processor: 3rd Genertion Intel Core i5-3337U “Ivy Bridge” dual-core ULV, clock speed at 1.8GHz-2.7GHz, 3MB cache
- Graphics: Intel HD 4000 integrated
- Memory: 4GB DDR3 at 1,600MHz, not user-upgradeable
- Storage: 500GB HDD at 5,400 rpm
- Optical drive: none
- Webcam: HD
- Audio: Stereo speakers
- Network: 802.11b/g/n Wireless, Gigabit LAN
- Input: Keyboard with chiclet-style keys, single-piece multi-touch touchpad
- Ports and Slots: 1 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x VGA, multi-format card reader
- Battery: 4-cell 43Wh Lithium-Ion, “up to 4.37 hours”
- Dimensions: 0.9″ x 13″ x 9.2″
- Weight: 3.9 pounds
- OS: Windows 8
- Warranty: 1-year
É possível ultilizar um adptador EXP GDC Beast para placa de vídeo externa no S300CA-BBI5T01, aumentando a mémoria Ram?
pls can kindly tell me the current price this S300CA, and for ppl like me that lives in Nigeria where do you think I can get d system under addordable price (brand new one)?
Is it possible to expand existing Memory: 4GB DDR3 at 1,600MHz to 8GB by any means?
No, sorry. The S300CA series laptops have their RAM soldered on the motherboard.
what if the ram gets bad after some time how will i get it replaced ?
The memory in my Q301LA-BS511T was upgraded from 6 GB to 12 GB by removing the 2 GB expanded stick with an 8 GB. The memory is under the silver cover on the mother board.
Can you share a website or video, showing the RAM expansion option. I would like to upgrade mine from 4GB to 8GB
How does the S300CA-BBI5T01 Asus compare to the Q301LA-BHI5T02 since they are selling for the same price at best buy? I just bought the S300CA-BBI5T01 and was wondering if I should return it. Also, for a little larger screen size is it worth it to get the S400CA-DH51T despite lower processor speeds, etc?
Since they have the same price, I would go for the Q301LA-BHI5T02 (https://laptoping.com/asus-q301la-bhi5t02-cheap-touch-ultraportable.html). It’s actually an updated version of the S300CA and has a newer i5-4200U (https://laptoping.com/intel-core-i5-4200u-cpu-specs-and-benchmark.html) CPU with faster integrated graphics. Raw CPU speed is similar, but the i5-4200U is more power efficient. You’ll probably have somewhat longer battery life with the Q301LA, although it has a slightly smaller battery of 38Wrh (versus 43-44Whr on the S300CA). In other aspects, the laptops are almost identical. The S400CA is also very similar with a slightly larger screen, but the same screen resolution, so you won’t get much more space on your Windows Desktop with it. If a 14″ laptop is an option for you, I would like to suggest the Lenovo IdeaPad P400 Touch – 59371991 (https://laptoping.com/lenovo-p400-touch-59371991.html) with a “full” i5 CPU and better 1600 x 900 resolution for only $530. Another good choice is the Lenovo IdeaPad U430 Touch – 59371574 (https://laptoping.com/lenovo-ideapad-u430-touch-59371574-ultrabook-specs-review.html) with the i5-4200U and also 1600x900j for $700. In addition, both Lenovos have keyboard backlight, which is missing on the Asus.
Thank you so much for your advice! I really appreciate it.
Is it simple to upgrade from original HDD to faster SSD ??
How can I replace the original HDD, is it screwed somewhere in the case ??
Thanks !!
did you get an answer? i bought ssd and soom will deliver.
it is very easy. you replace the hdd with an ssd and install a fresh windows on the ssd or use a hdd cloning software and you will have on the ssd a perfect copy of the windows that you had on the hdd. please be advised that ssd’s are more expensive than hdd’s, so you will need to buy an ssd that will allow you to copy at least windows files and everything else that you have installed in windows. so before you buy the ssd, transfer all files that are not necesary for windows (pictures, videos, music, etc..) to another partition or hard drive, and then whatever is left will have to match the ssd capacity, plus at least 50GB that will be used for future windows updates and newly installed programs. i have a 240GB ssd running on the notebook, and it is plenty. 120GB should work.
can you download spotify and skype for free on this laptop?
Yes, you can download both Spotify and Skype for free, just like on any other Windows laptop.