ASUS Chromebook Flip CX1 Convertible Laptop – Pros and Cons Review

A Versatile Budget 2-in-1

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CX1 (CX1400FKA) is a 14-inch convertible laptop that blends affordability, flexibility, and ChromeOS simplicity. It targets students, casual users, and professionals needing a lightweight device for work and entertainment. With a 360-degree touchscreen, solid build, and decent specs, it’s a compelling budget option. Here’s a detailed review of its pros and cons based on its performance and features.

PROS

Versatile 2-in-1 Design: The Flip CX1’s 360-degree hinge allows it to switch seamlessly between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes. This flexibility is perfect for various use cases—typing essays in clamshell mode, watching Netflix in tent mode, or sketching in tablet mode. The 14-inch Full HD (1920×1080) NanoEdge touchscreen is responsive, with decent color accuracy (45% NTSC) and slim bezels, enhancing immersion for videos or presentations.

Portable and Durable: Weighing just 3.59 pounds and measuring 0.73 inches thick, the CX1 is easy to carry, ideal for students or commuters. Its military-grade MIL-STD 810H certification ensures it can handle daily bumps and drops, making it a reliable choice for on-the-go use. The Transparent Silver finish adds a sleek, modern aesthetic that feels premium for the price.

Solid Battery Life: ASUS claims up to 11 hours of battery life, and real-world tests confirm 9-10 hours for mixed tasks like browsing, streaming, and document editing. This is sufficient for a full school or workday, and USB-C charging ensures quick top-ups. The battery performance competes well with other budget Chromebooks, like the Acer Chromebook 315.

Smooth Performance for Basic Tasks: Powered by the Intel Celeron N4500 processor (2 cores, up to 2.8GHz) with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB eMMC storage, the CX1 handles everyday tasks efficiently. It supports smooth web browsing, Google Docs editing, and light Android app use via ChromeOS. The 8GB RAM ensures decent multitasking, keeping multiple tabs open without significant lag, a step up from 4GB Chromebooks.

Comprehensive Connectivity: The CX1 offers a robust port selection: two USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supporting display and power delivery), two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure fast, reliable wireless connections. This versatility reduces the need for adapters, making it practical for connecting peripherals or external displays.

ChromeOS Perks: ChromeOS delivers a lightweight, secure, and cloud-focused experience with seamless Google app integration (Docs, Sheets, Drive). The inclusion of a 3-month Google One AI Premium plan (with Gemini Advanced and 2TB storage) adds value for new users. ChromeOS’s virus-resistant design and automatic updates keep the device secure and user-friendly.

CONS

Limited Performance for Demanding Tasks: The Intel Celeron N4500 is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with heavy multitasking or resource-intensive apps. Opening 10+ Chrome tabs or running multiple Android apps can cause slowdowns. It’s not suited for gaming or professional software like video editors, making it less ideal for power users compared to Chromebooks with Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processors.

Display Brightness and Quality: While the 14-inch FHD touchscreen is decent, its 250-nit brightness is underwhelming for outdoor use, and the 45% NTSC color gamut limits vibrancy for creative work. Higher-end Chromebooks, like the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, offer brighter, more vivid displays, which may be a better fit for media enthusiasts.

No Backlit Keyboard: The chiclet keyboard is comfortable for typing but lacks backlighting, a drawback for working in low-light environments. This omission is notable at this price point, as competitors like the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook include backlit keyboards, enhancing usability.

Mediocre Webcam and Audio: The 720p webcam produces grainy images, adequate for basic video calls but not ideal for professional settings. The downward-facing speakers offer clear but bass-lacking audio, which can sound muffled when the device is on a soft surface like a lap. These limitations may disappoint users prioritizing media or virtual meetings.

Final Verdict

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CX1 is a versatile, budget-friendly 2-in-1 that excels for students, casual users, and those seeking a portable device for light productivity and entertainment. Its convertible design, solid battery life, and robust connectivity make it a great value, especially with the Google One perk. However, its limited performance, average display brightness, and lack of a backlit keyboard hold it back for demanding tasks or low-light use. If you need a reliable, affordable Chromebook for basic tasks, the Flip CX1 is a strong contender. For more power or premium features, consider spending extra on models like the ASUS Chromebook Plus or Acer Chromebook Spin 714.

Recommendation: Click here to  buy one for the best price. Opt for the 8GB RAM model for smoother performance.