Asus has announced a couple of high-powered Chromebook offerings at the Consumer Electronics Show. The Chromebook CX9 utilizes Intel’s latest Tiger Lake CPU, while the Chromebook Flip CM5 2-in-1 equips AMD’s new Ryzen 5 3500C processor.
If you’re looking for the best new laptops from CES, this one is worth looking into.
Asus Chromebook CX9
The Chromebook CX9 relies on Intel’s 11th-gen Tiger Lake CPUs with Intel Iris Xe graphics, up to a Core i7, to provide a powerful Chrome OS environment for professionals. A lightweight chassis and 14-inch display with NanoEdge bezels makes for a highly portable Chromebook as well, with an anti-glare Full HD display making the Chromebook CX9 more usable in brightly lit areas. A Harman Kardon-certified audio system and Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity round out the effort to create a powerful machine to optimize productivity anywhere.
The Chromebook CX9’s magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis has been subjected to the usual Asus testing to meet MIL-STD-810H military standards for durability. The laptop weighs just 2.2 pounds and is 0.63 inches thick, while still packing in Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, and HDMI ports.
Finally, Asus is providing business-grade protection by offering Titan C security for protecting passwords, encryption keys, and other sensitive information. The Chromebook CX9 includes a fingerprint sensor for password-free login and a webcam cover for enhanced privacy.
The Chromebook CX9 will be available in Q2 2021. Asus has not yet provided pricing information.
Asus Chromebook Flip CM5
The Chromebook Flip CM5 is another member of the Asus line of AMD Ryzen-powered laptops. In this case, the Chrome OS 2-in-1 utilizes the Ryzen 5 3500C processor with Radeon graphics to provide more than enough performance for the lightweight operating system. Up to 16GB of RAM can be configured, which is a significant amount for Chrome OS, and up to 512GB of SSD storage is available. Wireless connectivity is enhanced by Wi-Fi 6, and a 57 watt-hour battery promises to power the Chromebook Flip CM5 for up to 10 hours.
The design has received some attention as well. There are orange-colored WASD keys to enhance gaming, with support for NVIDIA GeForce NW and Google Stadia providing extra gaming opportunities. A Mineral Gray metallic lid adds both structural rigidity and some aesthetic flair, while a textured Obsidian Velvet palm rest material makes for a comfortable feel while working. Harmon Kardon-certified speakers and a three-sided Nanoedge display round out the announced specifications.
The Chromebook Flip CM5 will be available in Q2 2021. Pricing has not yet been announced.
