Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 overview: A cut price laptop computer that is really quick

Finest Costs Right now: Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 CX1405CTA

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 2025 is usually on sale for $329.99 at Amazon, making it an interesting choice for price-conscious patrons who nonetheless need extra efficiency than a typical entry-level Chromebook. We put this 14-inch ChromeOS laptop computer by its paces to see the way it handles on a regular basis duties, from internet looking and streaming to operating a number of apps in parallel. Right here’s what I found.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX14: Design and workmanship

Asus positions the CX14 inside its Plus sequence as a extra highly effective different to older Chromebooks, and that’s obvious from the very first second.

With its 14-inch type issue, the Chromebook strikes a great steadiness between mobility and workspace. It’s giant sufficient for comfy multitasking, but slim and lightweight sufficient for every day transport in a rucksack.

Christoph Hoffmann

When it comes to measurement (325 × 214 × 20 millimeters) and weight (simply over three kilos), the CX14 clearly units itself aside from smaller 11- or 12-inch Chromebooks, which are sometimes closely optimized for mobility however compromise on ergonomics and display measurement.

Visually, the CX14 stays pleasantly understated. Though the casing is especially product of plastic, it feels strong and is surprisingly torsion-resistant. Asus has opted for a matt floor that hides fingerprints properly and provides the gadget a purposeful, virtually business-like look.

Christoph Hoffmann

The display bezels are narrower than on older Chromebook generations, with out going to modern extremes. This makes the gadget look extra trendy with out compromising on stability.

Christoph Hoffmann

The keyboard is especially spectacular. It presents a clearly outlined stress level and enough journey, which is comfy for longer typing periods. That is in no way a given for a Chromebook on this value vary. The generously sized touchpad responds exactly and reliably helps multi-touch gestures.

Christoph Hoffmann

Asus Chromebook Plus CX14: Options

The 14-inch Full HD IPS show with a decision of 1920×1080 pixels delivers first rate sharpness and enough brightness for indoor use. Colours seem impartial, if not overly vivid–typical for a piece gadget, much less so for media fanatics. Nonetheless, the panel is properly fitted to internet looking, workplace work, video conferencing, and streaming.

The mannequin we examined options an Intel Core 3-N355 processor, mixed with 8 GB of RAM (LPDDR5, 4,800 MHz) and 128 GB of eMMC storage. This configuration clearly units it aside from many entry-level Chromebooks, which nonetheless include 4 GB of RAM and gradual storage. Proper from the primary begin, it’s noticeable how rapidly ChromeOS boots up and the way responsive the system is in use.

The Intel Core 3-N355 is a contemporary entry-level cell processor for Chromebooks, launched within the first quarter of 2025, which operates with eight environment friendly Gracemont cores at as much as 3.9 GHz, however has neither hyper-threading nor high-performance cores. Its eight cores with out SMT and 6 MB of good cache ship noticeably extra computing energy than older N-series chips such because the N100, making certain clean multitasking and browser load in on a regular basis use.

Thanks to fifteen W TDP, energy consumption stays low, whereas on the identical time attaining higher outcomes than many basic entry-level CPUs, with out, nonetheless, reaching high-end efficiency. General, it presents a great steadiness of effectivity and on a regular basis efficiency for ChromeOS units.

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 doesn’t have a devoted graphics card; as an alternative, graphics are dealt with by the processor’s built-in GPU. Particularly, the Chromebook depends on Intel UHD Graphics, which works along with the Intel Core 3-N355 chip and handles graphics and multimedia duties. This built-in answer shares reminiscence with the system and is properly fitted to on a regular basis duties reminiscent of video streaming, shows or internet apps, however doesn’t ship high-end efficiency for demanding 3D graphics or video games.

Christoph Hoffmann

With 8 GB of RAM, the CX14 is considerably higher geared up than many older Chromebooks. A number of browser tabs, Android apps and even Linux functions can be utilized in parallel with none noticeable bottlenecks. Though the 128 GB eMMC storage just isn’t a efficiency driver, it presents enough area for offline knowledge, apps, and Linux containers, making it considerably bigger than many primary fashions.

The choice of ports can be appropriate for on a regular basis use: all ports are positioned on the left aspect and embrace USB-C for charging and knowledge switch, basic USB-A ports for present equipment, and HDMI for exterior displays. This enables the Chromebook for use as a desktop workstation with out the necessity for an extra dock.

Christoph Hoffmann

The connectivity may be very sensible for a Chromebook on this class and helps wi-fi alternate by way of 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and Bluetooth 5, enabling secure, quick connections to networks, headsets, and peripheral units.

The audio system on the Asus Chromebook ship common laptop computer sound high quality: they’re loud sufficient for video conferences and easy media playback, however sound a bit tinny as a result of they’re positioned within the base of the case and provide little bass.

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The webcam on the Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 just isn’t high quality, nevertheless it does the job in typical on a regular basis situations. It’s enough for higher video high quality throughout calls or streaming, however not above common.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX14: ChromeOS

ChromeOS makes the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX14 significantly straightforward to make use of: after switching it on for the primary time, merely log in along with your Google account to routinely sync your knowledge, settings, and Chrome content material.

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The system updates itself routinely within the background and receives safety and have updates for years with out you having to intervene. You may conveniently set up functions by way of the Google Play Retailer, together with Android apps and productiveness instruments.

As well as, Google Gemini AI Professional is included freed from cost for 3 months, so you possibly can check out AI-powered options immediately.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX14: Battery life

The 42 Wh battery within the Asus Chromebook CX14 is on par with typical Chromebooks. In real-world internet browsing assessments over Wi-Fi, the gadget achieved over eight hours of runtime, which is enough for a traditional working day and not using a energy outlet and covers on a regular basis duties reminiscent of workplace work, streaming, or looking.

Nonetheless, the distinction between this and the higher class is evident: Chromebooks with energy-efficient ARM SoCs can typically obtain a number of extra hours in the identical situation.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX14: Efficiency

The Intel Core 3-N355 is an fascinating selection. It belongs to a more recent technology of environment friendly Intel processors and is clearly positioned above the well-known Celeron and Pentium fashions which have lengthy dominated the Chromebook market.

We ran our traditional sequence of browser-based Chromebook benchmarks, and listed here are the outcomes: