A well-designed and highly effective high-end Chromebook

Asus isn’t any stranger to constructing a number of the finest Chromebooks, regardless of the worth or meant use case. Whether or not you’re a scholar on the lookout for a dependable Chromebook or a gamer who prefers Chrome OS, Asus has you lined. The Asus CX54 Chromebook Plus is the corporate’s newest Chromebook to hit the market and one other nice high-end various.

As a Chromebook Plus mannequin, you realize it’ll ship an ideal expertise, however Asus isn’t settling for the naked minimal with the CX54. This Chromebook provides wonderful efficiency and a unbelievable show that may please nearly anybody. General, the Asus CX54 Chromebook Plus is a strong providing that checks lots of bins however is held again a bit by its battery.

Worth, availability, and specs

The Asus CX54 Chromebook Plus was introduced in December 2023 however didn’t change into accessible for buy at retailers till Might 2024. There are a number of variations of the CX54, however the base CX5403 model is the one being reviewed right here.

The bottom mannequin has an Intel Core Extremely 5 Processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB NVMe SSD that retails for $700. You will discover the CX54 with an Intel Core Extremely 7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, however that balloons the worth all the best way as much as $1,000. It’s accessible in a single coloration, Fog Silver, and will be discovered instantly from Asus, or retailers similar to Amazon and Greatest Purchase.

What’s good in regards to the Asus CX54 Chromebook Plus?

A stupendous display and nice efficiency

As a premium-priced Chromebook, there’s lots to like in regards to the CX54. The very first thing you’ll discover is simply how gentle, compact, and strong it feels. The CX54 has an aluminum chassis that is sturdy and may final for the lengthy haul. At solely 12.35 x 8.77 x 0.67 inches and weighing 2.87 kilos, this Chromebook can simply be tossed in a bag and carried round. It’s a far cry from my every day driver, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE, and its monumental dimension.

Asus was capable of hold this laptop computer on the smaller aspect because of its wonderful 14-inch display and skinny bezels. As quickly as you flip the Chromebook on, the standard of the show is straight away obvious. The show, with a 2560 x 1600 decision, is extremely sharp and crisp. It additionally carries an anti-glare coating and a brightness of 500 nits, making it very straightforward to see in vibrant circumstances. Colours are additionally correct because the show covers 100% of the DCI-P3 coloration gamut. It doesn’t have a touchscreen, which doesn’t hassle me within the slightest, however it might be a deal-breaker for some.

So far as Chromebooks go, the Asus CX54 Chromebook Plus is a efficiency monster. Chrome OS is as quick as ever because of its 8-core, Intel Core Extremely 5 115U processor and 8GB of RAM. Throughout my testing, the Chromebook had no efficiency points or slowdowns. As I sort this evaluation, I’ve upwards of 20 tabs open, Spotify working within the background, and Google Docs open, and it isn’t even breaking a sweat. For many customers, the Core Extremely 5 processor and 8GB of RAM will likely be greater than adequate to offer a wonderful efficiency expertise.

In an age the place port choice is abysmal at finest, Asus in some way offers nearly every thing wanted on this Chromebook. You’ll get two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-A ports, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a MicroSD card reader, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. I notably like the position of a Thunderbolt port on both aspect of the laptop computer, making it straightforward to cost, no matter which aspect the plug is on.

There’s additionally a quick and correct fingerprint reader, making it a breeze to unlock the laptop computer. The audio system had been additionally respectable sounding; each loud and supplied good readability. They’re down-firing, however because of the elevate you get from the hinge mechanism, there’s some area between the laptop computer and the floor, permitting for wealthy sound from its Harman Kardon audio system.

As somebody who spends lots of time writing, I at all times admire an ideal keyboard, and the CX54 doesn’t disappoint. The chiclet-style keyboard was a pleasure to make use of and was very straightforward to see in darkish environments with its backlit keys. With 1.4mm of key journey, the keys had been responsive and had an ideal really feel, not too stiff or squishy.

What’s unhealthy in regards to the Asus CX54 Chromebook Plus?

Quick battery life and a sketchy touchpad

Whereas the Asus CX54 Chromebook Plus does a lot proper, a number of issues are holding it again. The laptop computer’s match and end are nice, however I’m not a fan of its hinge design. Once you open the lid, the show’s backside edge is available in contact with no matter floor the laptop computer is on. When it’s on a tough floor, it lifts the again of the laptop computer, permitting it to slope downwards, which is sort of good.

The primary problem is that should you use the Chromebook in your lap, the show’s edge can dig into your legs. It doesn’t damage however can change into uncomfortable, particularly should you’re sporting shorts. I a lot favor a standard hinge design much like the one on the brand new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. The laptop computer’s backside proper aspect can even get fairly heat, including to some lap discomfort.

The touchpad additionally leaves a bit to be desired. It’s loads giant and does an excellent job of monitoring gestures, however there’s a tinny click on everytime you activate it. The sound when urgent the touchpad makes this laptop computer really feel less expensive than it’s.

There was a problem with the touchpad at instances when utilizing the CX54 on one thing apart from a strong floor. The mix of the laptop computer not being on a strong floor and my palms resting on the left aspect of the touchpad would trigger the touchpad to cease performing as a big button. It was virtually as if the stress would activate the touchpad by itself, steadily inflicting points whereas typing. Repositioning the laptop computer or my fingers would treatment the problem, nevertheless it may very well be a irritating expertise.

I used to be primarily dissatisfied with the battery life on this $700 Chromebook. Asus touts lengthy battery life from its 63WHr battery, however I routinely solely managed to get between six and 7 hours of battery life relying on how onerous I pushed it. When many laptops hit 10 to fifteen hours on a single cost, I count on extra from a premium Chromebook laptop computer.

Do you have to purchase it?

Anytime you want to purchase a premium system, you must decide your use case. If you would like a laptop computer with a wonderful show, nice efficiency, and a strong keyboard, the Asus CX54 Chromebook Plus is effectively well worth the funding. However should you want a laptop computer that lasts a whole work or college day, the CX54 could not make a ton of sense. Utilizing this Chromebook on my lap additionally brought about some points, however should you sometimes use your laptop computer on a tough floor, it will not matter a lot.

Because it stands, the $700 Asus CX54 Chromebook Plus does lots proper. It’s well-built and is simple to journey with because of its small dimension. It additionally provides loads of ports, permitting you to attach varied gadgets or exterior screens with ease. Add that to the spectacular efficiency and show, and Asus has a winner on its fingers, so long as you’ll be able to deal with the quick battery life.