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For a moment, computers just kept getting more powerful and more powerful – until we came to a relaization that we don’t need all that power to just browse the web and run a few light tasks. The new Asus Chromebook Flip CX1 is an inexpensive compact that rus Google’s Chrome OS, and is a perfect machine for those basic computing needs.
Unlike Windows OS that you find on most mainstream PCs, Chrome OS only runs the Chrome web browser and nothing else. It’s the kinda of experience you get should you opt to confine yourself to Chrome on your regular Mac or Windows computer.
That may sound a bit tight, but Google has expanded its offering on Chromebooks to include several productivity services like Docs, sheets, and Services, the company’s direct answer to Microsoft Office apps. These apps are not as feature-rich as Microsoft Office, but it’s pretty reliable for lightweight productvity on the go, which is exactly what the Chromebook Flip is suited for.
In addition to offering a lightweight computing platfor. On the go, the Chromebook Flip is affordable, it feels and looks good thanks to its brushed aluminum exterior. Our review unit is the CX1400FKA-AS88FT, a 360-degrees convertible which features a 14-inch touchscreen, an Ingel Celeron N4500 processor, 128GB eMMC storage and 8GB RAM. As ar as features and functionalities go, this specific machine checks off a lot of boxes for the everyday person and easily worth the money. Let’s get into it.
About the Acer Chromebook Flip CX1
Here are the specs of the Chromebook Flip CX1 in this review:
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4500
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB eMMC
- Display: 14-inch 1920 x 1080
- Ports: 2 x USB-A, 2 x USB-C, 1 x 1 x headphone jack, Micro SD reader
- Webcam: 720p webcam
- Battery: Up to 11 hours
- Weight: 3.59 pounds
- Size: 12.85 x 0.73 x 9.01 inches
Design & Features
The Asus Chromebook Flip CX1’s 360-degree is what separates it from most Chromebooks. The 360-degree hinge is sturdy and durable, and our review unit doesn’t have an issue when held in tent position or presentation position. However, it feels rather odd when flipped around as a tablet – remember, this is a 14-inch device that weighs 3.59 pounds and is 0.73-inch thick.
That’s on the heavier side for a tablet, in fact, nearly three times the latest Apple iPad (1.03 pounds) and twice as much as a standard tablet.
The Chromebook Flip CX1 has an attractive black and transparent silver design that’s as eye-catching as it is stylish. The cover and underside are silver and fingerprint-resistant with embossed silver lettering that matches the silver hinge. The silver also runs around the edges, keeping an attractive design.
Inside, the keyboard deck is silver, but the keyboard keys and bezels around the display are black. The surface finish is smooth to the touch, meaning your fingers and wrists will effortlessly glide as you type on the chicklet keyboard or scroll using the touchpad.
On the Flip CX1, you do get some useful ports, including dual 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports that are split, with one on each side of the device. Both support display and power delivery, a convenience that gives you flexibility as to which side to charge the laptop. The Chromebook also has two USB 3.2 ports, an audio combo, and a Micro SD card reader.
Display, keyboard & touchpad
The Chromebook CX1400FKA-AS88FT comes with a 14-inch 1080p display, which is pretty common on Chromebooks in the ~$300 price range. It’s a touchscreen and wraps up everything with a fairly bright and vivid visual experience that’s breathtaking. The touch display is responsive, covers 93% of the sRGB color gamut, and has a peak brightness rating of 250 nits, making it more vibrant than its predecessor.
You get a comfortable typing experience on the Flip CX1’s spill-resistant keyboard. While the 1.4 millimeters of key travel is a bit short of our preferred range (1.5 to 2mm), the keys are large and nicely spaced with 71 grams of actuation force. Below the keyboard is a 4.1 x 2.4-inch touchpad with a chrome trim, which responds to swipes and gestures as you browse the web.
Performance
Our review unit, the Asus Chromebook Flip CX1 (CX1400FKA-AS88FT) is equipped with an Intel Celeron N4500 (4-core) processor, 8GB RAM and 128GB eMMC storage. While not very powerful, it still has the muscle to handle most productivity tasks, like browsing the web while running other simple tasks on the side. Don’t be surprised when this Chromebook fires a dozen Chrome tabs and streams a 1080p HD video in the background. However, you may notice some slight lag when switching between tabs, but it still does a great job overall.
In the past few years, Google’s Chrome OS has aged like fine wine, starting off as an OS targeted at K-12 and transforming into a viable alternative to Windows 10 and Apple macOS for everyday users. So far, all that change is attributed to the launch of Android app support, which gives consumers the ability to download their favorite mobile apps directly onto their laptops.
The execution has been excellent, and it even gets better as Chromebooks pack more powerful processors. Now, Chrome OS devices have a wider appeal, especially among the younger generation and college students who grew up using Google services on their smartphones. And that’s where the Flip CX1 scores by offering a sleek design and fast processor executed on a lightweight, easy-to-use operating system based on the Google Chrome browser.
Battery Life
You never worry about short battery life when using a Chromebook, but it gets exciting when a value system holds it down for a full day. That means you can attend college classes, a short movie in between, a term paper later in the day, and some juice to get you home.
Or, if you’re the working type, attend a conference or work on spreadsheets through a cross-country flight. The Asus Flip CX1400FKA-AS88F exceeds the Chromebook average (8:04) to deliver all-day battery life and some more. You’re getting up to 11 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is double what you’re getting with budget Windows laptops such as the Acer Aspire 3, which costs almost the same as the Asus Chromebook.
Should you buy the Asus Chromebook Flip CX1?
With its vibrant 14-inch touchscreen, 2-in-1 form factor, and fantastic battery life, the Asus Chromebook Flip CX1 has a lot to offer at this price point. It’s especially a great option for college students or anybody looking for an affordable, simple, everyday machine. The touchpad is responsive, and it looks more beautiful than most budget Windows laptops.
However, it’s a little heavier than most convertible laptops (most cost a lot more), and it’s not practical to use in tablet mode. Again, for the price, you can get a Windows laptop such as the Asus VivoBook Go (AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD), which gives a full laptop experience with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, offers better storage and excellent battery life, too.
That said, if you don’t mind the additional heft and limitations of Chrome OS that would make you consider a Windows alternative, the Asus Chromebook Flip CX1 (CX1400FKA-AS88FT) is a really good value buy.
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