ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS01 11.6-Inch Rugged Laptop: specs and who it suits

The ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS01 is an 11.6-inch laptop built to take knocks. It has reinforced rubber guards, easy-grip handles and a spill-resistant keyboard, and it runs Chrome OS. It is a light, simple machine for web browsing, documents and apps, particularly in places where a laptop gets rough handling, such as classrooms.

Rugged construction

ASUS says the body can survive a drop from 3.9 feet (about 1.2 m), and the reinforced rubber guards and grip handles are part of that. The spill-resistant keyboard is designed to resist small spills. Spill resistance typically gives you time to wipe up and turn the laptop off, not protection against being submerged, so follow the instructions on what to do if liquid gets in. The dark blue chassis measures 11.6 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches (about 29.5 x 20 x 2.3 cm).

Display and hinge

The display is an 11.6-inch HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare screen. At this size and resolution, text is readable, and the matte finish cuts reflections. The hinge opens a full 180 degrees, so the screen can lie flat, which is handy for sharing it with someone across a table.

Processor, memory and storage

The Chromebook uses an Intel Celeron N3060 dual-core processor (up to 2.48 GHz), 2GB of memory and 16GB of eMMC flash storage. Chrome OS is lightweight, so these specs are modest but typical of this kind of machine. The 16GB of storage is small, so most files are meant to live online, and ASUS notes that an additional 100GB of Google Drive space is included. Heavy multitasking with many tabs would be a stretch on 2GB of memory. There is no CD or DVD drive.

Chrome OS

Chrome OS is Google's operating system. ASUS says it boots in seconds, updates automatically and has built-in virus protection. Google apps come standard, and Google Docs, Sheets and Slides can edit and convert Microsoft Office files. The Chromebook also supports Android apps through its app library, and offline access is possible for files stored on the device. One thing to confirm is how long automatic updates will be provided for this model, since Chromebooks have a limited update period set by the maker.

Connectivity and weight

It has 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.2, an HD webcam and a TPM security chip. The weight is listed as about 2.2 lb in one place and 2.65 lb in the feature list, so expect between 2 and 3 lb. That is light enough to carry in a school bag.

Who it suits

It suits students, children, and anyone who wants a basic laptop for browsing, email, documents and streaming that can survive being carried around.

What to check before you buy

• Software: confirm the programs you need run in a browser or as Chrome OS or Android apps. Windows software won't run natively.
• Storage: 16GB is small, so plan on cloud storage or an external drive or card.
• Update support: check how long this model receives updates from Google.
• Performance: with a Celeron and 2GB, it suits light tasks, not heavy multitasking.
• Ports: check the ports against the devices you want to connect.
• School or work rules: check whether managed Chromebooks need to be enrolled.

The short version

• An 11.6-inch rugged Chromebook with rubber guards and a spill-resistant keyboard.
• HD anti-glare display and a 180-degree hinge.
• Intel Celeron N3060, 2GB RAM and 16GB eMMC storage.
• Runs Chrome OS with Google apps and Android app support.
• Light enough to carry daily; best for browsing, documents and learning.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.