ASUS Chromebook CX1 CX1500CNA: 15.6-inch Chrome OS laptop explained

The ASUS Chromebook CX1 (CX1500CNA-WS44F) is a 15.6-inch laptop running Chrome OS. It is aimed at everyday web, email, documents and streaming, on a larger screen than most Chromebooks offer. The unit described here is sold as renewed. Here is what its specs mean in practice.

What Chrome OS means for how you use it

Chrome OS is built around the Chrome browser and web apps, and typically starts quickly and needs little maintenance. Most Chromebooks also run Android apps and many support Linux tools, though that depends on the model and software version. If your work depends on specific Windows or macOS programs, check that a web or Android alternative exists.

The processor and memory

ASUS lists an Intel Celeron N3350, a two-core chip with 2MB of cache and a boost of up to 2.4 GHz. It is a low-power processor, which generally means modest heat and good battery life, and it suits light tasks such as browsing, video calls and office documents. With 4GB of RAM, keeping dozens of tabs open or running heavy web apps at once will typically feel slower.

Storage: 64GB eMMC

The storage is 64GB of eMMC, a flash memory soldered to the board. It is usually slower than a full SSD but fine for a system that keeps most files in the cloud. Chrome OS itself takes part of the space, so plan on cloud storage or an external drive for large libraries.

A 15.6-inch Full HD display

The screen is 15.6 inches at 1920 x 1080, with NanoEdge slim bezels, so the body is smaller than the screen size might suggest. A larger Full HD panel gives room to place two windows side by side, which helps with study and spreadsheets. The listing does not give brightness or panel type, so check those if screen quality matters to you.

Build and keyboard

ASUS says the laptop meets the US MIL-STD 810H military standard for durability, and describes the keyboard as spill-resistant. Those tests cover things like drops, vibration and temperature, but they do not make a laptop indestructible. The weight is given as about 3.97 lb (about 1.8 kg), and the body is roughly 14.2 by 9.8 inches and 0.7 inches thick (36 by 25 by 1.8 cm).

Battery and wireless

ASUS quotes up to 11 hours of battery life and notes that it varies with working conditions. Wireless is Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. Because this is a renewed unit, it is worth checking the battery's condition, as a refurbished battery may not match the quoted figure.

Who it suits

It suits students, families who need a shared laptop for web tasks, and anyone who wants a large screen for browsing and documents without running demanding software. It is less suited to video editing, large games or heavy multitasking.

What to check before you buy

• Software needs: confirm the apps you use work on Chrome OS.
• Condition: the unit is renewed, so check what the seller says about its state, battery and warranty.
• Updates: Chrome OS devices receive updates for a fixed period set by the maker, so check the current support end date for this model.
• Ports: the listing doesn't list the ports, so confirm that you have what you need for displays, drives or cards.
• In the box: check what is included, such as the charger.
• Storage: think about whether 64GB is enough alongside cloud storage.

The short version

• A 15.6-inch Chrome OS laptop with a 1920 x 1080 NanoEdge display.
• Intel Celeron N3350 (2 cores, up to 2.4 GHz), 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC.
• Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2 and a quoted battery life of up to 11 hours.
• MIL-STD 810H tested, with a spill-resistant keyboard, at about 3.97 lb.
• Sold as renewed, so check condition before you decide.

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