ASUS Chromebook CM30 Detachable CM3001: 10.5-inch 2-in-1 explained

The ASUS Chromebook CM30 Detachable (CM3001) is a compact 10.5-inch touchscreen that works as a tablet or, with its detachable keyboard, as a small laptop. It runs ChromeOS and is aimed at study, note-taking, browsing and media on the move. Below is what its specs mean.

A tablet that becomes a laptop

The tablet detaches from the keyboard, and a magnetic stand cover holds it upright. That gives the usual modes: laptop with the keyboard, tablet on its own, and propped up for video. ASUS lists the tablet at a starting weight of 1.34 lb (about 0.6 kg) and 0.58 inches (about 1.5 cm) thick. The keyboard is a soft-touch type with 1.5 mm of key travel. Note that ASUS lists the stand cover, stylus and protective case as optional accessories, and the box contents as the Chromebook and power adapter.

Display

The touchscreen is 10.5 inches at 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) with a glossy finish. ASUS quotes 400 nits of brightness and 118% sRGB coverage. A 400-nit panel is typically bright enough for well-lit rooms and shaded outdoor use, and a 16:10 shape gives a little more vertical space for reading and documents than a 16:9 screen.

Processor, memory and storage

The MediaTek Kompanio 520 is an eight-core processor at up to 2.0 GHz with ARM Mali-G52 MC2 graphics. It is built for efficient, light tasks such as web apps, video, and Android apps. It is paired with 4GB of LPDDR4X memory and 64GB of eMMC storage. That suits everyday use; very heavy multitasking or large local libraries are beyond its design.

Battery and charging

The 38 Wh battery is rated by ASUS at up to 12 hours, which will vary with brightness and workload. Charging is by a 45W USB-C adapter (15V/3A) through the single USB 3.0 Type-C port, which also supports display output.

Stylus

A USI 2.0 stylus is supported as an optional accessory. ASUS says its fast-charging stylus gives 45 minutes of use from 15 seconds of charging. It suits note-taking and sketching, and since it is optional, check what comes in the box.

Connectivity and cameras

Wireless is Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, dual band) with Bluetooth 5.4, and 4G LTE is listed for select regions, so check that your area and carrier are supported. There is a 3.5 mm combo audio jack, built-in microphone and speakers, and 5MP front and rear cameras.

Durability and materials

ASUS says it meets the US MIL-STD 810H standard, and uses 30% recycled aluminium. It also lists ENERGY STAR 8.0 and EPEAT Gold certification.

Who it suits

It suits students, commuters and travellers who want something lighter than a laptop that still has a keyboard, and families who want a simple device for browsing, reading, and video.

What to check before you buy

• Accessories: the stand cover and stylus are listed as optional, so confirm what you are getting.
• Ports: there is one USB-C port, so a hub may be needed for other devices.
• LTE: check regional and carrier support before relying on it.
• Typing: a compact keyboard with a soft finish may feel different from a full-size one.
• Updates: ChromeOS devices have a fixed support period, so check the end date for this model.
• Storage: 64GB eMMC is modest.

The short version

• A 10.5-inch Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) touchscreen 2-in-1 running ChromeOS.
• MediaTek Kompanio 520, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, Wi-Fi 6 and select-region 4G LTE.
• Detachable keyboard and magnetic stand cover; USI 2.0 stylus supported.
• Up to 12 hours quoted, MIL-STD 810H tested, about 1.34 lb starting weight.

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