While I typically recommend against buying a Windows laptop with less than 16GB of RAM, there are exceptions—particularly when you can find a budget-friendly model that allows for straightforward upgrades. The Asus Vivobook 14 is currently on sale for just $210 at Best Buy, offering a staggering $220 discount off its original price of $430, which amounts to an impressive 51% off.
The Vivobook X1404ZA is a commendable entry-level laptop featuring a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a modest 128GB SSD. This configuration makes it suitable for everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light gaming. What sets this laptop apart, however, is its upgrade potential. The bottom panel is easily removable, granting you access to a DDR4 RAM slot and an M.2 Gen 4 drive, enabling you to enhance your system’s performance.
If you pair this deal with a 16GB RAM upgrade priced at just $22 and a 512GB SSD upgrade for $41, you could enhance the machine’s capabilities while keeping the total cost under $300 (before taxes). All that’s needed is a screwdriver, a little effort, and a Windows reinstallation—definitely doable!
Other noteworthy features include a 1080p non-touch screen, up to 10 hours of battery life, and an assortment of connectivity options, such as triple USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a full-sized HDMI port. The downside is the lack of USB-C charging; the laptop requires a conventional barrel charger. Still, this limitation may be an acceptable trade-off for a laptop at such a competitive price point.
Be aware that this deal is available only for a limited time today (October 30). If it sells out, you might also want to explore Best Buy’s official eBay store for availability.