ASUS has now officially launched a brand new series of Chromebooks — the ASUS Chromebook CX1 series, to be exact — with three device models well suited for productivity on the go. And each of the devices is incredibly similar. With key differences in size, storage, and screen technology. As well as a focus on ergonomics and ease-of-usability in the design for the range.
Specifically, the three models in question are the ASUS Chromebook CX1 CX1100CNA, CX1400CNA, and CX1500CNA. As might be expected, the model numbers designate a size class. Starting with an 11.6-inch Chromebook, but also including a 14-inch and 15.6-inch Chromebook.
Each of the new devices is powered by an energy-efficient but still respectable quad-core Intel Celeron N3350 processor. And ASUS backed that up with 4GB RAM and Intel HD Graphics 500 on the GPU side of the equation. It also embedded a 720p webcam in the front panel, just above the screen. So each of the new Chromebooks does fit squarely in the budget category. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t ready to take on a rough workday.
In fact, Each of the Chromebooks in the new ASUS Chromebook CX1 series is also tested to US MIL-STD 810H standards. So military-grade ruggedization is absolutely a part of the package here. Internally, security is just as tight too, thanks to Google Titan C chips in both the CX1100CNA and CX1400CNA and a Google Security Chip H1 in the CX1500CNA.
Three different models help ASUS Chromebook CX1 series suit different needs
Digging deeper into what each of the ASUS Chromebook CX1 series devices has in common, it’s immediately clear that there are significant differences too. Not least of all, the three different size displays are not all built on the exact same technology. The 11.6-inch CX1100CNA, for instance, comes with an LCD panel with a peak brightness of 220 nits. That’s an anti-glare panel too with a 70-percent screen-to-body ratio.
Comparatively, the 14-inch CX1400CNA has a 77-percent screen-to-body ratio, just like the CX1500CNA. But, unlike the larger device, the CX1400CNA comes with an anti-glare or glossy panel. With the latter featuring a higher maximum brightness of 250 nits. Conversely, it’s also available in both FHD or HD resolution, compared to the CX1100CNA with an HD resolution. Or to the CX1500CNA with an FHD resolution.
Similarly, the middle-road variant features both 32GB and 64GB variants, despite each device shipping with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM. The ASUS Chromebook CX1100CNA comes with just 32GB of storage. While the larger CX1500CNA comes with 64GB.
And these devices are ever-so-slightly different in color, security, and ports too. That’s setting aside a slight difference in charging, although each ship with what should be relatively fast charging at 45W. As shown in the table below, containing all of the specs provided by ASUS.
Starting with the latter, the CX1500CNA and CX1400CNA each come with a 3.5 mm combo audio jack, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and two of the same generation Type-C ports. As well as a MicroSD card reader. The latter two Type-C ports are for both power and display output. But the ASUS CX1100CNA only ships with one of the Type-A box-style USB ports.
On security both the ASUS CX1100CNA and CX1400CNA ship with a Titan C chip. The larger ASUS CX1500CNA ships with a Google Security Chip H1.
Finally, although the two smaller devices both ship in Transparent Silver, the larger device ships in Mineral Grey.
The specs shared by ASUS are extensive
Now, ASUS has provided a wealth of details about the exact specifications for each of the three new Chromebook CX1 series devices. Those are included below, as provided by the company.
| CX1100CNA | CX1400CNA | CX1500CNA | |
| Display | 11.6” LCD; 220 nits Anti-glare display 70％ display-to-body ratio | 14″ LCD; 220 nits/250 nits Anti-glare display Glossy display 77％ display-to-body ratio | 15.6″ LCD; 220 nits Anti-glare display 77％ display-to-body ratio |
| Screen resolution | HD (1366 x 768), 16:9 ratio, NTSC: 45% | FHD (1920 x 1080), 16:9 HD (1366 x 768), 16:9 NTSC: 45% | FHD (1920 x 1080), 16:9 NTSC: 45% |
| IPS | N/A | TN Wide view | TN |
| Processor | Intel Celeron N3350 1.1 GHz (2 MB cache, up to 2.4 GHz, 2 cores) | Intel Celeron N3350 1.1 GHz (2 MB cache, up to 2.4 GHz, 2 cores) | Intel Celeron N3350 1.1 GHz (2 MB cache, up to 2.4 GHz, 2 cores) |
| Integrated GPU | Intel HD Graphics 500 | Intel HD Graphics 500 | Intel HD Graphics 500 |
| Memory/Storage | 4GB LPDDR4 32GB eMMC | 4GB LPDDR4 32GB eMMC, 64GB eMMC | 4GB LPDDR4 64GB eMMC |
| Front-facing camera | 720p HD camera | 720p HD camera | 720p HD camera |
| Wireless | WiFi 5 (802.11ac), BT 4.2 (dual band) 2*2 | WiFi 5 (802.11ac), BT 4.2 (dual band) 2*2 | WiFi 5 (802.11ac), BT 4.2 (dual band) 2*2 |
| Keyboard Type | Chiclet | Chiclet | Chiclet |
| I/O Ports | 1 x 3.5 mm combo audio jack 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (supports display, power delivery) Micro SD card reader | 1 x 3.5 mm combo audio jack 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (supports display, power delivery) Micro SD card reader | 1 x 3.5 mm combo audio jack 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (supports display, power delivery) Micro SD card reader |
| Audio | Built-in microphone Built-in speaker | Built-in microphone Built-in speaker | Built-in microphone Built-in speaker |
| Voice Control | Google Assistant | Google Assistant | Google Assistant |
| Battery | Non-replaceable 38 Wh, 2S1P, 2-cell Li-ion | Non-replaceable 38 Wh, 2S1P, 2-cell Li-ion | Non-replaceable 38 Wh, 2S1P, 2-cell Li-ion |
| AC Adapter | Type-C, 45 W AC Adapter Output: 15 V DC, 3 A, 45 W Input: 100~240 V AC 50/60 Hz universal | Type-C, 45 W AC Adapter Output: 15 V DC, 3 A, 45 W Input: 100~240 V AC 50/60 Hz universal | ø4.0, 45 W AC Adapter Output: 19 V DC, 2.37 A, 45 W Input: 100~240 V AC 50/60 Hz universal |
| Dimensions | 28.74 x 20.01 x 1.75 ~ 1.75 cm | 32.65 x 22.87 x 1.87 ~ 1.87 cm | 36.13 x 24.99 x 1.89 ~ 1.89 cm |
| Weight | 2.65 lb | 3.20 lb | 3.97 lb |
| Security | Titan C chip | Titan C chip | Google Security Chip H1 |
| Color | Transparent Silver | Transparent Silver | Mineral Grey |
| LCD Cover & Case Material | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
| Testing Standard | US MIL-STD 810H | US MIL-STD 810H | US MIL-STD 810H |
Pricing and availability details are here, but not for all of the new Chromebooks
In terms of availability and pricing, ASUS hasn’t provided too many details for the Chromebook CX1 series. At the very least, not for the ASUS Chromebook CX1 CX1400CNA or CX1500CNA. The ASUS Chromebook CX1100CNA is, conversely, already available now. And at a price point that isn’t about to break anybody’s bank account.
The smallest of the company’s latest devices comes in at an MSRP of just $229.99 on Amazon.
The other two gadgets — the 14-inch ASUS Chromebook CX1400CNA and Chromebook CX1500CNA — will land sometime in late Q2 2021.