ASUS 12.5-inch Chromebook with triple threat of looks/power/ease of use

The differences other than the panel size of the three models are mainly processor/memory/storage. "Chromebook Flip C213NA" has a Celeron N3350 (1.1GHz) / 4GB / 32GB configuration, and the 12.5-inch "Chromebook Flip C302CA" has a Core m3-6Y30 (900MHz) / 4GB / 64GB configuration. However, this is for individuals, and some specifications change for corporations/educational institutions.

The common point of the three models is that the hinge rotates 360 degrees and can be transformed into clamshell mode, stand mode, tent mode, and tablet mode. When you actually use the "Chromebook Flip C100PA", are there many clamshell modes and tablet modes? The keyboard makes it a little thicker, but it's surprisingly easy to use in tablet mode.

The main specifications of the Chromebook Flip C302CA reviewed this time are as follows.

[Table] Specifications of Chromebook Flip C302CA

	Chromebook Flip C302CA
Processor	Core m3-6Y30 (2 cores 4 threads, 900MHz-2.2GHz, Cache 4MB, TDP 4.5W)
Memory	4GB/LPDDR3-1866
Storage	eMMC 64GB
OS	Chrome OS (Android 7.1.1)
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 515 with built-in processor, USB Type-C
Display	12.5-inch IPS type 1,920 x 1,080 dots (glossy), touch compatible
Network function< /td>	IEEE 802.11ac wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.0
Interface	USB 3.0 Type-C x 2, microSD card slot, 920,000 Pixel web camera, 2W + 2W speaker, audio input/output, keyboard backlight
Size/weight	304.4 x 210.2 x 13.7mm (width x depth) × height)/Approx. 1.2 kg Price	69,800 yen

The processor is Core m3-6Y30, with 2 cores and 4 threads and a clock from 900MHz up to 2.2GHz. Cache 4MB, TDP is 4.5W. It is a CPU that combines power and energy saving, although it has not been seen much in general notebook PCs recently.

The memory is LPDDR3-1866 and 4GB. The storage is eMMC with 64GB. Since the OS is Chrome OS, although the feeling of using the memory capacity on Windows and macOS is different, 4GB still has more room than 2GB. This is all the more so because the Android app will also run at the same time.

64GB of storage is small for a PC, but 16GB of the "Chromebook Flip C100PA" I own isn't much of a problem, so it shouldn't be a problem. With the Chrome extension, you can also mount network/cloud storage such as SMB (Windows file sharing), Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.

Graphics are Intel HD Graphics 515 with built-in processor. Output to an external display is also possible using a USB Type-C/DisplayPort adapter. The display is 12.5 type. Glossy IPS full HD (1920 x 1,080 dots). It also supports touch operation.

This touch operation support is surprisingly important, and quite a lot of Android applications cannot be operated with a keyboard or touchpad, and need to be touched on the screen. Google has been calling for support for keyboards and touchpads for a long time, but it seems that it has not penetrated easily because it is not difficult to use it on its main smartphone / tablet. This is probably why many box types are not compatible with Android.

Other interfaces are IEEE 802.11ac compatible, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0 Type-C x 2, microSD card slot, 920,000 pixel web camera, 2W + 2W speaker, voice input/output. It has a keyboard backlight. USB Type-C also serves as power supply for the main unit (either of the two can be used).

The size is 304.4 x 210.2 x 13.7 mm (width x depth x height), and the weight is about 1.2 kg. Battery life is up to 10.2 hours. The tax-excluded price is 69,800 yen.

One of the things I've been wondering about not only this unit but Chrome OS devices in general is the price. Compared to overseas models, it is set quite expensive, spoiling the original goodness of the Chromebook, which is “cheap and easy to use”. This model costs $499 for the same configuration (actually, it's even cheaper with a discount). Although the keyboard is Japanese, I think the price around 59,800 yen is still good. The other day, AMD's Ryzen Threadripper also became a problem because there was too much price difference between domestic and overseas, and it is new to remember that the price dropped (Threadripper dropped in price two weeks after its release. See AMD's official response). In Japan, various costs are different from overseas, so it may be difficult, but I would like you to do your best.

920,000 pixel web camera on the center of the panel The bottom has only rubber feet on the four corners. There is no small panel that can access memory etc. The left side is USB 3.0 Type-C, battery LED, volume ± button, power button, voice input / output, left speaker Right side is USB 3.0 Type-C, microSD card, right speaker The battery is built-in and cannot be removed. Stand mode, tent mode, and tablet mode, where you can see the overall slimness. Tablet mode also supports vertical display (automatic rotation/lockable). "Chromebook Flip C100PA" has a beta channel OS installed, so it's currently 61 series. The login panel and app launcher design is different and the translucent keyboard is an isolation type. [Alphanumeric]/[Kana] keys are the same as Mac. There are no distorted rows. The touchpad is one plate type keyboard is off / with 5 levels of keyboard backlight. The setting is done with [alt] + [brightness] keys. [Space] There is no narrow pitch except around the key, and the weight is 1,159g. The output is 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/2.25A

The housing is all silver, including the top and back. The texture is also high, and the atmosphere is similar to that of the Macbook Air. If it is a Windows machine, there may not be many products with this atmosphere at this price. The actual weight is 1,159g. It almost matches the appearance, and when lifted, it does not feel heavy or light, and the balance is good.

The front is a 920,000-pixel web camera on the center of the panel. USB 3.0 Type-C, battery LED, volume ± button, power button, voice input/output, left speaker on the left side. Place USB 3.0 Type-C, microSD card, right speaker on the right side. There is no lock port for security, which is rare for a notebook PC. The included AC adapter is a type that connects to USB Type-C.

The 12.5-inch display has high quality in terms of brightness, contrast, color development, and viewing angle. Like the texture of the housing, I have never seen anything comparable in Windows machines in the same price range. It also responds well to touch.

The keyboard is an isolation type with backlight that can be adjusted to off/5 levels of brightness. The keystroke feeling is also good. Also, as you can see (except around the [space] key), the key pitch is all about 19mm, which is very comfortable. As for Japanese, it is a mixture of macOS style and Windows style, with [alphanumeric] and [kana] keys on both sides of the [space] key. In addition, there is a [kana/alphanumeric] key on the upper left. It is a mechanism that you can use whichever you are accustomed to. Operations with the touchpad, such as the mouse cursor and screen scrolling, move as smoothly as macOS.

Although it is not fanless, the noise is at a level that does not bother me at all. No vibration. Is the heat generation just a little warm on the keyboard and on the right side? As for the sound, there are outward-facing speakers in front of the left and right, so if you listen to it from the front, the sound will escape. That said, it has a decent amount of power, and the range isn't as crunchy as a typical laptop, and it sounds solid.

As mentioned above, considering the price of 69,800 yen excluding tax, the content is quite hard. You probably won't find a Windows machine of this quality in the same price range. Although it is expensive compared to overseas prices, it is still a very cost-effective one.