Chromebooks are changing into more and more standard. Asus now provides high-performance Chrome OS {hardware}, such because the Chromebook Turn CX5 with Intel i7 processor. Then again, for the reason that machine wishes minimum sources, Chromebooks are particularly widespread within the low-budget marketplace.
Our reviewed instrument falls inside of this budget-friendly class. Priced at $299.99, the Asus CM14 (CM1402C) has steadily been to be had for as little as ~$200 from respected shops. This positions the CM14 as some of the reasonably priced notebooks, and its functionality will have to be evaluated accordingly.
The Chromebook comes with 4 or 8 gigabytes of RAM; the lesser model is what we examined. The color anthracite is the one one introduced. Asus highlights the CM14’s strong development through mentioning that it complies with explicit MIL-STD 810H necessities.
As anticipated on this worth vary, Asus has opted for a plastic casing for the CM14. The matte frame finds particular person glossy debris, offering a visually interesting glance and a just right grip because of its quite roughened floor. By contrast, the lid is solely easy, growing a visible distinction.
When the lid is closed, the show is safe from harm through a quite raised edge and particular person rubberized sections. When the Chromebook is opened on a desk, the show slides below the frame, lifting it quite, and small rubber ft offer protection to it from attainable harm.
The construct high quality is suitable; alternatively, each the lid and the frame are at risk of noticeable dents. The lid could also be vulnerable to scratches. A fascinating function of the CM14 is its talent to open the show as much as an perspective of 180 levels. Asus features a integrated webcam shutter through default.
The ports are disbursed on all sides, albeit erratically. The proper-hand facet options just one USB-C port and an LED. At the left facet, Asus has integrated some other USB-C port, a USB-A port, USB ports compliant with the USB 3.2 Gen 1 usual, providing energy supply and DisplayPort for the USB-C variations. Moreover, there’s an anti-theft instrument (Kensington Lock slot), a three.5 mm jack connection, and a slot for a microSD card. There are not any connections on the back and front.
The 2 audio system are located at the underside of the instrument, with sound simply escaping from the facet via slots within the housing.
The use of the integrated screws at the underside, the construction of the Asus Chromebook CM14 is solely obtainable. There’s a seal on one screw. Nonetheless, the reminiscence and RAM are soldered in position, and there’s no fan, restricting upkeep choices. Asus provides a 12-month guaranty.
The prolonged replace ensure is noteworthy, because the Chromebook will obtain machine updates till July 2033.
The keyboard of the Asus Chromebook CM14 follows the usual format for Chrome OS gadgets. As an alternative of the F-keys, there are particular keys for quantity, brightness, and so forth., and there’s no quantity pad. The keys measure 15 millimeters in width, and the important thing trip is first rate at 1.5 millimeters. Typing at the Chromebook is relaxed with out requiring adjustment. The CM14 lacks a backlit keyboard, and the keys sound a little rickety.
The trackpad is a spotlight. With a diagonal of 15 cm, it’s spacious, that includes a transparent force level and a comfortable are compatible with out play. The gliding houses also are commendable, and the trackpad reliably acknowledges gestures.
The show high quality obviously displays the fee vary. Asus has opted for a matte TN panel from CMN. One notable problem is the low most brightness; we measured a most of 230 cd/m². Moreover, the illumination isn’t in particular uniform, with visual brightness drops in opposition to the corners.
Clarity of the show is closely influenced through the viewing perspective. When the panel isn’t considered immediately on, colour copy and total content material show endure considerably, making content material slightly recognizable from acute angles. We noticed display screen flickering throughout our measurements, despite the fact that the excessive frequency of 24,800 Hz suggests minimum antagonistic results.
Whilst there’s important attainable for reinforcing the show, it stays consistent with the predicted requirements for its worth class. Related values are noticed within the HP Chromebook 15a, the place the middle of the display screen is quite brighter at 260 nits, however the Asus CM14’s show provides extra correct colour copy.
Whilst the colour copy covers handiest 60% of the sRGB colour area, the noticeable colour deviation impacts each the grayscale and the colours, with a transparent blue forged provide within the show.
The Asus CM14 faces demanding situations in out of doors utilization because of its low most brightness. Whilst the matte panel is helping with clarity, the show struggles even on cloudy days. The deficient viewing perspective steadiness additional hampers clarity.
The everyday use case for affordable Chromebooks comes to phrase processing and skimming. Due to this fact, we essentially assessed the functionality of the Asus Chromebook CM14 via on a regular basis use and browser benchmarks.
The Asus Chromebook CM14 is provided with a MediaTek Kompanio 520 (MT8186) because the SoC. The chip is passively cooled, getting rid of the desire for a fan. Our check instrument options 4 GB of soldered RAM.
The full functionality of the Asus Chromebook CM14 is sufficient. It supplies sufficient energy for duties reminiscent of file writing and web surfing. Alternatively, when running with six or extra Chrome tabs open, the functionality begins to say no, and slight stutters would possibly happen.
In commonplace benchmarks, the Chromebook CM14 usually falls within the decrease midfield in comparison to different gadgets. The HP Chromebook 15a with Intel Celeron N4500 plays higher on this regard.
The inner reminiscence of the Asus Chromebook CM14 is 128 GB. The producer, alternatively, will depend on eMMC reminiscence. Throughout checking out, the switch charges are correspondingly low.
Our measured values are even not up to the SD card reader’s switch speeds. As a result of the sturdy cloud center of attention, maximum Chromebooks have slower garage, which is tolerable. Alternatively, even for a Chromebook, the Asus CM14’s speeds are deficient.
Asus has supplied the Chromebook CM14 with an built-in ARM Mali-G52 MP2 graphics unit. Whilst this GPU is solely ok for day by day duties, enjoying present video games could also be imaginable at the Chromebook, because of platforms just like the Google PlayStore or cloud products and services reminiscent of Xbox Cloud Gaming. It is value noting that positive video games, like PUBG Cell, can handiest be performed in HD solution with a excessive body price because of restrictions within the settings. Whilst playable, there is also occasional stutters.
In our commonplace benchmarks, the Asus CM14 constantly ranks on the decrease finish a few of the comparability gadgets. When operating difficult programmes, the machine displays noticeable stuttering.
The MediaTek processor within the Asus Chromebook CM14 is passively cooled. Because of this, the instrument operates with no fan or mechanical power, making sure a silent person revel in.
The MediaTek Kompanio 520 shows low functionality, however it additionally generates pleasantly low warmth. We measured a most temperature of 37.1 °C (98.78 °F) at the underside, and the highest of the Chromebook handiest reaches 30.4 °C (86.72 °F). Because of this, the pocket book by no means turns into uncomfortably scorching throughout use.
Sure impressions are given through the Asus CM14’s audio system. The midrange is well-balanced, and the output is obvious, even if they is probably not very loud at 79.5 dB. Alternatively, the Chromebook lacks important bass or low frequencies.
The ability intake of the Asus Chromebook CM14 is remarkably low. Standby intake is measured at 0.28 watts, and we recorded a most intake of eleven.1 watts. Due to this fact, the integrated 45-watt charger is greater than ok for the computer.
With our usual WLAN check, we assessed the Asus CM14’s battery existence. The Chromebook had a battery lifetime of about 12 hours and a show brightness of 150 cd/m2. Consequently, the pocket book simply lasts a running or college day. Handiest the Lenovo IdeaPad Slender 3 Chromebook with the similar chipset exceeds the CM14 when it comes to battery existence.
Regardless of being supplied with a 45-watt energy provide, the Asus CM14 takes over 100 mins to succeed in a complete price. The charging growth is as follows: it reaches 22 p.c within the first half-hour, 58 p.c after an hour, and 93 p.c after 90 mins.
In line with Asus, the CM14 is the perfect computer for everybody. It is not, but it will get numerous issues proper. The functionality equipped is sufficient for place of work programs, web surfing, and a few video games. The PlayStore and Linux container considerably expand the selection of programs.
The low functionality of the processor additionally has its benefits. Regardless of passive cooling, it does no longer get scorching, and tool intake is low. Consequently, the Chromebook CM14 completed runtimes of 12 hours durin our check.
If one can tolerate the dim show and gradual reminiscence, the Asus CM14 stands proud as a sturdy and budget-friendly Chromebook with in depth replace reinforce.
The low worth is especially glaring within the TN panel. The show isn’t in particular shiny with a median of 204 cd/m². The viewing perspective steadiness could also be deficient. No less than Asus has put in a matte panel. The values of the inner reminiscence also are expandable. Learn and write speeds are low. A ray of hope: Chromebooks retailer numerous knowledge within the cloud. Sadly, the WLAN switch charges are likewise modest.
We respect the enter gadgets of the Asus CM14. The keyboard provides a delightful key trip, and the touchpad is generously sized. Moreover, we commend the Chromebook for its in depth replace reinforce.
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slender 3 CB competes in the similar worth vary, that includes a identical processor however with stepped forward WLAN functionality. The HP Chromebook 15a, supplied with an Intel chip, delivers quite higher functionality, albeit with quite shorter battery runtimes.
The Asus Chromebook CM14 in our configured model has an RRP of $299.99 on Asus’s reliable site. Additionally it is to be had from quite a lot of shops, together with Amazon.
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