Asus Chromebook CX15: Two-Minute Review
The Asus Chromebook CX1505 comes with a budget-friendly price tag, but its features and specifications aim to counter the notion that it’s a compromised device unsuitable for modern use. While the laptop looks sleek at first glance, it’s not as thin or light as its appearance might suggest. The ultra-wide display and the long support bar underneath somewhat diminish its portability.
Build quality is decent but not outstanding. The plastic chassis has some flex, falling short of the sturdiness seen in higher-end Chromebooks. However, the display benefits from a thin bezel, which helps maximize its already generous width. The keyboard feels well-built, which is fortunate since you’ll be using it extensively.
All the ports on the CX1505 are located on the left-hand side, which might be inconvenient for users who want to connect multiple peripherals. More importantly, there’s a limited number of ports—only four in total, with just two USB options (one USB Type-A and one USB Type-C). Since the USB-C port is also used for charging, it’s not always available for data transfer. Rounding out the connectivity are an HDMI 1.4 port and a 3.5mm combo audio jack, arranged in a sensible order.
Performance-wise, the CX1505 handles productivity tasks and entertainment well. However, streaming 4K content is out of reach, and it only supports light gaming with less demanding titles at low graphical settings. The large, bright display is a highlight—its width is useful for both work and entertainment, and the Full HD resolution remains sharp at this size. Colors are vibrant, making for an enjoyable viewing experience.
While the keyboard excels, the trackpad is a disappointment. It feels jerky and imprecise during slow, small movements, and the clicks lack satisfying feedback. Battery life is reasonable, lasting about seven hours in continuous movie playback, though many competitors outlast this significantly.
There was a time when Chromebooks at this price point lacked sufficient power and features. The CX1505, however, offers commendable performance and a high-quality, generous display, making it one of the best budget Chromebooks available today.
Price and Availability
The Asus Chromebook CX1505 starts at $159.99 / £249.99 / AU$499 and is currently available in multiple colorways, including green and pink. It can be configured with either 4GB or 8GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of storage. There is also an Intel Core processor version available.
This price is highly competitive within the Chromebook market, notably cheaper than the Asus Chromebook CM14—which is considered one of the best budget Chromebooks. Despite the lower price, the CX1505 performs better and offers a wider display, which enhances productivity and entertainment, although its portability is somewhat compromised.
If you’re seeking higher performance, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is a superior choice, handling a wide range of tasks, including gaming and multitasking, with ease. It’s also regarded as the best student Chromebook, although its keyboard isn’t as good as the CX1505’s.
For those wanting a more compact yet powerful option closer to the budget range, the Dell Chromebook 3120 is an excellent alternative, offering better processing power and faster memory at a slightly higher price.
Specifications
My review unit of the Asus Chromebook CX1505 was equipped with an Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.
Design
The CX1505 boasts a sleek and vibrant appearance, accentuated by its colorful finish—I found the light green particularly appealing. Rounded corners and smooth, flat surfaces further enhance its minimalist design.
Although reasonably thin, the prominent support bar underneath detracts from its sleek profile. Additionally, it’s heavier than expected, which combined with its wide frame, impacts portability.
Build quality is average. The slightly textured plastic finish is visually interesting but not the sturdiest, showing noticeable flexing under pressure. The hinge mechanism feels sturdy during operation but exhibits some looseness when set in position, which doesn’t affect functionality but may raise concerns about long-term durability.
The thin bezel around the display is a positive feature, maximizing usable screen space. The keys have subtle texturing, providing a tactile typing experience. They actuate smoothly and solidly with minimal play or uncertain feedback.
When it comes to connectivity, the CX1505 falls short. Despite its large size, it offers only four ports—all located on the left side. These include one USB-C (used for charging), one USB-A, one HDMI 1.4, and a combo audio jack. The port layout is sensible, with the power port at the back and the audio jack at the front.
Design score: 3.5 / 5
Performance
The CX1505 is capable enough for everyday tasks. It smoothly handles word processing, spreadsheet editing, and streaming of high-definition content. However, streaming anything above 1440p results in noticeable buffering.
Even with only 4GB of RAM, the Chromebook manages multiple browser tabs fairly well, with some minor lag that is not overly frustrating. More intensive multitasking, like running many apps simultaneously, leads to greater slowdowns, as expected.
Light gaming is possible, though limited. For example, Asphalt Legends runs smoothly at 30fps on medium settings, but experiences frequent stuttering at 60fps.
The display is a strong point: bright, vibrant, and sharp with its Full HD resolution on a large screen. Color reproduction is vivid, outperforming other Chromebook displays that can appear washed out. The wide aspect ratio enhances both productivity and entertainment experiences.
The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with well-damped, snappy keys that are well spaced. The wide chassis allows for a full number pad without cramping the layout.
Unfortunately, the trackpad is a weak link. Although it clicks firmly, the surface feels cheap and the gliding experience is unsmooth. Precise small movements cause lag and cursor jumps. Tap responsiveness varies and the trackpad is smaller than expected, given the available space. On the plus side, it is solidly mounted without wobble.
Connectivity is generally good but with occasional hiccups. On one occasion, Bluetooth stopped functioning, disconnecting all devices. Fortunately, toggling Bluetooth off and on quickly resolved the issue.
Performance score: 4 / 5
Battery Life
Battery life is respectable but not outstanding. In continuous movie playback, the CX1505 lasted seven hours. This is better than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 (6.5 hours) but falls short of competitors like the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 and HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, which both achieve around 11 hours. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook far outperforms with over 16 hours of battery life.
Battery life score: 3 / 5
Should I Buy the ASUS Chromebook CX1505?
Buy it if:
– You want a budget-friendly Chromebook with a large, vibrant display.
– You need a device suitable for everyday productivity and entertainment tasks.
– You value a comfortable keyboard and decent overall performance.
Don’t buy it if:
– You require extensive port options and superior connectivity.
– You want a lightweight, highly portable Chromebook.
– You need long battery life for all-day use without charging.
– You expect a high-performance device for heavy multitasking or gaming.
Also Consider
If the ASUS Chromebook CX1505 doesn’t meet your needs, here are some alternatives to consider:
– Asus Chromebook CM14: Competitive budget Chromebook with different features.
– HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch: Superior performance and multitasking capabilities.
– Dell Chromebook 3120: Compact, powerful option with faster memory.
How I Tested the ASUS Chromebook CX15
I tested the CX1505 over several days, using it for productivity, entertainment, and general browsing. My tests included word processing, spreadsheet editing, streaming HD and 4K content, mobile gaming from the Play Store, and running benchmark tests designed for Chromebooks.
With years of experience reviewing Chromebooks, tablets, and laptops tailored for productivity and gaming, I was well equipped to evaluate the CX1505’s capabilities thoroughly.
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Overall, the Asus Chromebook CX1505 presents a compelling package for a budget Chromebook with its commendable performance, vibrant widescreen display, and comfortable keyboard—though it does have some drawbacks in portability, build quality, ports, and trackpad responsiveness.
https://www.techradar.com/computing/chromebooks/asus-chromebook-cx15-review
