Avita Liber 14 review: Lightweight body, 14-inch full HD display, SSD storage for fast performance

Price: Rs 57,490

Rating: 3.5 stars

Specs: 14-inch IPS, 1920 x 1080 pixels, 7th gen Core i5 processor, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 256GB SSD, 720p HD webcam, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, USB Type-C port, HDMI out, 3.5mm audio jack, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 10, 1.49kg


Pros: Sturdy and lightweight, metal body, multiple stylish design available, bright full HD display, good day-to-day performance, backlit keyboard, large trackpad, good battery life

Cons: Not meant for gaming, not the latest hardware, loud fans, trackpad prone to accidental touch

Most laptops tend to look rather similar don't they? The Avita range was launched in January 2019 by a company called Nexstgo. They're hoping that the youth (or anyone who wants something that stands out) will like this multi-colour range. The company also did a design update in March 2019 with several new designs to choose from.

It becomes obvious that style is the key factor when it comes to Avita's Liber 14. Colour options include white, green, lilac, yellow and orange. If you still want more, you can choose one of the patterned top-lids. There are many options and it really makes the laptop stand out from the usual crowd. Our review unit was the Batik in Champagne Gold variant (picture above) which will instantly catch the attention of anyone passing by. It's true that you can get a skin for most laptops, but the Avita Liber pattern is a much better quality than most skins.



In terms of build quality, the sleek aluminum body feels sturdy and good to touch. At 1.49kg, the weight is just right for a 14-inch device - it's easy to carry around making it ideal for students. You get all the usual ports including a USB Type-C with PD 2.0 and 2 x USB 3.0 ports. We found it odd that the proprietary charger did not completely fit inside the connector on the laptop. Although there is no issue with charging, it is a design flaw that we could not overlook.

It has a 14-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The display impressed us with wide viewing angles, rich colours and excellent brightness levels. It does not have the slim bezels that we find on many new laptops today but it's not a deal breaker in our opinion. You get an island style backlit keyboard which we found comfortable and ergonomic for long hours of typing. The trackpad is big and covers almost two-thirds of the palmrest. While having a large trackpad seemed like a good option initially, it was often the cause for accidental taps while typing.

Hardware is one area where a lot of consumers could have concerns. The Liber 14 has a 7th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB DDR3 RAM and 256GB SSD. We found that the configuration delivers top-notch performance in day-to-day usage as well as photo editing using Adobe Lightroom. We were even able to play PUBG on the laptop using the Tencent emulator albeit on low graphics settings. The problem is that the hardware is a generation older. You can get 8th generation Intel processor and DDR4 RAM for about the same price. As for the battery, we were able to get between 6-7 hours with normal use (the company claims 10-hours though). The battery life is not bad considering the compact size, but it does not live up to the claims.

Another advantage of the Avita Liber 14 is the price. It is one of the cheapest options with a lightweight body, 14-inch full HD display and SSD storage for fast performance. For about the same price, you can get the Acer Swift 3 with an 8th gen Core i5 processor, 14-inch full HD display, sleek design and 12 hour claimed battery life (but it has 4GB DDR4 RAM). If you can spend Rs 62,990, why not get the Asus Vivobook that offers a 8th Gen Core i5, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD storage, fingerprint scanner and a 14-inch full HD display with nano-edge bezels.