Asus Chromebook CX1400CKA Review

The Asus Chromebook CX1400CKA is among the new range of Chromebooks that break the assumption that a Chromebook has to be a low-performance, basic laptop alternative despite being affordable. Well, we now have Intel-powered Chromebooks that cost as much as some of the best midrange laptops and offer decent performance for day-to-day tasks and excellent battery life.

For a very reasonable price, the Chromebook 14 CX1400CKA puts a lot on the table. The hardware is better than your typical standard budget laptop, the screen is bright, and the design is appealing. It has the markers of an expensive machine without actually being one.

In fact, with its starting price, the Chromebook 14 is more accessible to people with varying budgets. Not everybody will splurge on the best laptop in the market that performs and looks good; if that’s you, then the Asus Chromebook CX1400CKA is worth a long look as you shop around.

Asus Chromebook CX1400CKA Specs

• Processor: Intel Celeron N4500
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Display: 14-inch 1920 x 1080
• Ports: 2 x USB-A, 2 x USB-C, 1 x 1 x headphone jack, Micro SD reader
• Webcam: 720p webcam
• Battery: Up to 12 hours
• Weight: 1.51 kg pounds
• Size: ‎32.26 x 1.8 x 22.8 cm

Design & Features

The Asus Chromebook CX1’s design is what separates it from most Chromebooks. The 180-degree hinge is sturdy and durable, and our review unit doesn’t have an issue when held in hand or on laps. However, unlike the Chromebook Flip, it can’t be used in table or tent mode, but beyond that, it feels sturdy and looks more premium than it costs

The Chromebook CX1400CKA has an attractive black and transparent silver design that’s as eye-catching as it is stylish. The cover and underside are silver and fingerprint-resistant, with embossed silver lettering that matches the silver hinge. Silver also runs around the edges, keeping an attractive design.

Inside, the keyboard deck is silver, but the keyboard keys and bezels around the display are black. The surface finish is smooth to the touch, meaning your fingers and wrists will effortlessly glide as you type on the chicklet keyboard or scroll using the touchpad.

On the Asus Chromebook CX1, you do get some useful ports, including dual 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports that are split, with one on each side of the device. Both support display and power delivery, a convenience that gives you flexibility as to which side to charge the laptop. The Chromebook also has two USB 3.2 ports, an audio combo, and a Micro SD card reader.

Display, Keyboard & Touchpad

The Asus Chromebook CX1400CKA comes with a 14-inch 1080p display, which is pretty common on Chromebooks in the ~$300 price range. It’s a non-touchscreen and wraps up everything with a fairly bright and vivid visual experience that’s breathtaking. The display is responsive, covers 93% of the sRGB color gamut, and has a peak brightness rating of 250 nits, making it more vibrant than its predecessor.

You get a comfortable typing experience on the Chromebook CX1’s spill-resistant keyboard. While the 1.4 millimeters of key travel is a bit short of our preferred range (1.5 to 2mm), the keys are large and nicely spaced with 71 grams of actuation force. Below the keyboard is a 4.1 x 2.4-inch touchpad with a chrome trim, which responds to swipes and gestures as you browse the web.

Performance

Our review unit, the Asus Chromebook CX1400CKA-NK0380 is equipped with an Intel Celeron N4500 (4-core) processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB eMMC storage. While not very powerful, it still has the muscle to handle most productivity tasks, like browsing the web while running other simple tasks on the side. Don’t be surprised when this Chromebook fires a dozen Chrome tabs and streams a 1080p HD video in the background. However, you may notice some slight lag when switching between tabs, but it still does a great job overall.

In the past few years, Google’s Chrome OS has aged like fine wine, starting as an OS targeted at 12 and transforming into a viable alternative to Windows 10 and Apple macOS for everyday users. So far, all that change is attributed to the launch of Android app support, which gives consumers the ability to download their favorite mobile apps directly onto their laptops.

The execution has been excellent, and it even gets better as Chromebooks pack more powerful processors. Now, Chrome OS devices have a wider appeal, especially among the younger generation and college students who grew up using Google services on their smartphones. And that’s where the Flip CX1 scores by offering a sleek design and fast processor executed on a lightweight, easy-to-use operating system based on the Google Chrome browser.

Battery Life

You never worry about short battery life when using a Chromebook, but it gets exciting when a value system holds it down for a full day. That means you can attend college classes, a short movie in between, a term paper later in the day, and some juice to get you home.

Or, if you’re the working type, attend a conference or work on spreadsheets through a cross-country flight. The Asus CX1 exceeds the Chromebook average (8:04) to deliver all-day battery life and some more. You’re getting up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is double what you’re getting with budget Windows laptops such as the Acer Aspire 3, which costs almost the same as the Asus Chromebook.

Asus Chromebook CX1400CKA Review: Verdict

With its vibrant 14-inch 1080p screen, slim form factor, and fantastic battery life, the Asus Chromebook CX1400CKA has a lot to offer at this price point. It’s especially a great option for college students or anybody looking for an affordable, simple, everyday machine. The touchpad is responsive, and it looks more beautiful than most budget Windows laptops.

However, it’s a little heavier than most convertible laptops (most cost a lot more), and it lacks a touchscreen that would make it useful as a tablet. Again, for the price, you can get a Windows laptop such as the Asus VivoBook Go (Intel Celeron N4020, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC), which gives a full laptop experience with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, offers better storage and excellent battery life, too.

That said, if you don’t mind the additional heft and limitations of Chrome OS that would make you consider a Windows alternative, the Asus Chromebook CX1400CKA is a really good value buy.