THE BOTTOM LINE

The Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 is a superb 2-in-1 convertible Chrome OS laptop computer with speedy efficiency, a dependable touchscreen, and an included stylus.

ASUS CHROMEBOOK FLIP CM3 SPECS

A 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook is a lovely possibility for many who can’t determine between a pill or a laptop to do their everyday web shopping and electronic mail sorting. Whereas we’ve seen some glorious premium convertible choices, just like the Acer Chromebook Spin 514, there are nonetheless loads of high-quality fashions for funds buyers as correctly. They embody the Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 (begins at $329; $429 as examined). This smooth, budget-conscious 2-in-1 convertible laptop computer delivers efficiency so good; you would possibly simply overlook you are holding one thing that prices lower than $500.

Extra Than a Primary Chromebook

The Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 makes a constructive first impression. The metallic silver of the chassis enhances the black of the keyboard and display screen bezels properly, and it seems to be pretty good-looking as each a laptop computer and a pill. Our overview unit options simply 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage, par the course for a funds Chromebook. The $329 variation of the convertible is nearly similar to our overview unit, with simply two main variations: It makes use of an older MediaTek MT8183 processor (versus the brand new MT8192/Kompanio 820 in our ticked-up tester) and comes with half the storage, chopping the 64GB of onboard storage right down to 32GB.

The CM3 uses a Mediatek processor to substitute the same old Intel or AMD choices. ARM-based processors from Mediatek and Qualcomm are often present in low-cost Chromebooks like this one and usually carry out different bottom-rung chips like the Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon. Most aren’t unbearably gradual; however, there is a palpable energy hole between them and midrange chips from AMD and Intel and a sound more giant hole between them and Apple silicon, which can be ARM-based. Nonetheless, the CM3 is among the best-performing ARM-powered Chromebooks we have examined, as you will see under.

If you have not guessed by the identity alone, the Chromebook Flip CM3 uses Google Chrome OS. If you’re already an avid Google consumer, you’ll haven’t any drawback of seamlessly syncing your Gmail, YouTube, and Google Play accounts. Whereas many Home windows apps may appear unavailable at first look, loads of Android-equivalent applications can be found to obtain from the Google Play Retailer. With just a few downloads and heavy use of browser-based apps, you’ll have the ability to match the actual performance of a funds Home windows PC.

At simply 2.5 kilos, the Asus Chromebook CM3 is a featherweight, weighing a half-pound lower than our earlier Editors’ Alternative winner, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, and virtually a full pound lighter than the HP Chromebook x360 14a. (Granted, the CM3’s display screen is 2 inches smaller than these opponents supply.) However, the compact dimension is an excessive level for individuals who are worth portability: The CM3 measures simply 0.7 by 10.6 by 8.5 inches (HWD). It will be a little bit extra unwieldy than an Apple iPad; however, remember that it is also extra versatile since it is a full-fledged laptop computer with a keyboard.

Beneath the pill, you will discover two rubber strips that hold the machine firmly planted on your desk. The 2 ErgoLift hinges maintain the keyboard and display screen collectively and easily enable 360-degree movement, offering simply sufficient resistance, so it doesn’t feel such as you’re snapping the machine in half. General, the construct’s high quality is more excellent than adequate.

Good Contact Display, Clumsy Touchpad

Turning our consideration to the display screen, you’ll discover a 3:2 LCD panel with a decision of 1,366 by 912 pixels. It is a considerably odd decision; however, higher than the 1,366-by-768-pixel rely present in most inexpensive Chromebooks on on. The rated most of 220 nits supply sufficient brightness, although a non-glossy show would’ve been most well-liked to raised filter out the glare from ambient mild. The contact display screen is fast and responsive, with a finger or the included Asus digital pen. Rounding out the display screen options is a 720p webcam tucked into the display screen’s bezel.

With a first-rate display screen, high quality, and a responsive touchscreen, the Asus Chromebook CM3 already looks like a winner; however, there are just a few low factors, together with the clumsy touchpad. It isn’t somewhat as unhealthy because of the dismal one you will discover on the HP Chromebook 11a; however, the CM3’s pad continues to be spotty at most significant and irritating to make use of. Even after messing around with the sensitivity choices, it simply did not monitor my gestures as quickly as I needed it to. It produces delicate actions, a chore, forcing you to depend on the contact display screen or an exterior mouse for more considerable precision. Fortunately, the keyboard doesn’t endure the identical destiny. The keys of the chiclet keyboard are spaced simply far sufficient aside so it does not feel too cramped, and it even supplies some satisfying suggestions while typing. A row of system instructions strains the highest of the keyboard, and the oversize Management and Alt keys are at all times a plus to have on smaller machines. Overall, we didn’t have a lot of situations with utilizing the keyboard throughout testing.

The Chromebook’s audio system, tucked simply beneath the keyboard, ships crisp and clear sound, particularly at total quantity. I did discover that the chassis vibrates barely when listening at the total amount; nevertheless, it was nothing too distracting.

So far as I/O ports are involved, the machine doesn’t have an incredible amount; however, its selection is shocking. On the correct facet, you’ll discover a lone USB Sort-C port alongside quantity management buttons and an influence button.

You will discover a headphone jack, a USB-A port, one other USB-C port, and a microSD card reader on the left facet. A complete of two USB-C slots is beneficial and a pleasing shock to search out on a funds machine, although you will have to make use of one of many USB-C ports for charging.

Testing the Asus Chromebook Flip CM3: Robust ARM-ing the Competitors

The Chromebook Flip CM3 has confirmed itself to be a powerful machine up to now; however, how does its efficiency examine with that of different Chromebooks? To seek out out, we pitted it in opposition to the Acer Chromebook Spin 311, the Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3, the HP Chromebook 11a, and the HP Chromebook x360 14a on our benchmark exams. Whereas not all of those Chromebooks on this lot are 2-in-1 convertibles, they all share comparable specs and beginning costs.

Test System Configurations

The following benchmark is we run the browser-based Basemark Net 3.0, which assesses how properly a PC can run net purposes. The CM3 does properly right here; however, it comes up quickly compared to the HP Chromebook x360 14a.

Whereas we usually run UL’s PCMark benchmark throughout our Home windows PC test, for Chromebooks, we deploy the Android model, downloaded straight from the Google Play Retailer. Each exam simulates on regular basis workflows like phrase processing, net shopping, and knowledge evaluation and provides a total efficiency rating. The CM3 comes out on prime as soon as once more, a testimony to its spectacular ARM-based processor, with the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 not too far behind. 

Our subsequent test additionally involves us straight from the Google Play Retailer. The Android model of Geekbench 5 is somewhat regularly like its Home windows cousin: a CPU-centric test designed to simulate real-world purposes starting from PDF rendering and speech recognition to machine studying. The Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 blows the competitors out of the water on this test, simply claiming the highest spot.

Everybody knows that Chromebooks are usually not highly effective gaming laptops; however, we stopped working the following benchmark, GFXBench 5.0, a cross-platform GPU benchmark that stress-tests each low-level, high-level sport routine. The CM3 did do the perfect; however, each machine on this test carried out poorly in the 1440p Aztec Ruins test and the 1080p Automotive Chase test. If you’re trying to do some gaming on the go, your greatest guess is a Home windows-based devoted gaming laptop.

Our ultimate test places the battery using the wringer. We run a 720p video of the open-source Blender film Tears of Metal with brightness at 50%, audio quantity at 100%, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off until the system faucets out. If the pc does not have sufficient storage to carry the video file, we play it from an exterior solid-state drive.

Whereas the CM3 got here out on prime on virtually every test to date, it buckles beneath the stress of video playback, tapping out correctly earlier than the 7-hour mark.

A Finances Baron

There’s no higher feeling than discovering a diamond within the tough, and the Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 would possibly simply be that diamond for these on the lookout for an inexpensive however successful laptop computer that may additionally perform as a pill. Spectacular efficiency makes this Chromebook a pleasure to make use of, even when the touchpad, distractingly shiny show and quick battery life steal a few of its thunder.

Whereas there are many premium Chromebook choices to think about, just like the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, if you’re on funds, you’ll be able to go incorrect with the Asus Chromebook Flip CM3. Regardless of its shortcomings, it’s short an excellent purchase and may please college students, academics, and standard web customers on the lookout for a reasonably priced web machine.

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