Introduction
The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is a 2-in-1 Chromebook that was released in 2016. It was one of the first Chromebooks to feature a 360-degree hinge, allowing it to be used as a laptop, tablet, or tent. The C302CA was praised for its sleek design, solid build quality, and excellent battery life. However, it was also criticized for its high price and mediocre performance.
In this review, we will take a closer look at the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA, examining its design, features, performance, and battery life. We will also compare it to other Chromebooks on the market and discuss its pros and cons.
Design and Features
The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is a beautiful Chromebook with a sleek and minimalist design. It features a thin and light aluminum body that feels premium in hand. The lid is made of brushed aluminum, which gives it a sophisticated look. The Chromebook is available in two colors: silver and dark gray.
The C302CA has a 12.5-inch touchscreen display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. The display is sharp and vibrant, and it offers excellent viewing angles. It also features Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for added durability.
The Chromebook Flip C302CA is powered by an Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor, which is a dual-core processor clocked at 1.1 GHz. It also has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
The keyboard on the C302CA is comfortable to type on, and the keys have a good amount of travel. The touchpad is also responsive and accurate. The Chromebook Flip C302CA has two USB Type-C ports, one USB 3.0 port, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack.
Performance
The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is a powerful Chromebook that can handle most everyday tasks with ease. The Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor is more than capable of handling web browsing, word processing, and light photo editing. However, the C302CA is not as powerful as some other Chromebooks on the market, such as the Acer Chromebook Spin 713.
For example, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, which is also powered by an Intel Core processor but is a newer model, is significantly faster and offers more RAM.
The C302CA's performance is hindered by its limited RAM (4GB). It may struggle with multitasking and demanding apps.
Battery Life
One of the biggest selling points of the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is its excellent battery life. Asus claims that the C302CA can last up to 10 hours on a single charge. In our testing, we found that the battery life is indeed impressive, lasting for around 8 hours with mixed use. This is more than enough battery life for a full day of work or school.
Ports and Connectivity
The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA offers a good selection of ports, including two USB Type-C ports, one USB 3.0 port, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. This provides ample options for connecting to peripherals and external displays.
The C302CA also supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0 for connectivity.
Cameras
The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA has a 2MP front-facing camera for video conferencing. The camera is not particularly good, and it produces grainy and low-resolution images. However, it is sufficient for basic video calls. It also has a 5MP rear-facing camera for taking pictures. The quality of the photos is also average, but it can be used for basic snapshots.
Software and User Experience
The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA runs Chrome OS, which is a lightweight and user-friendly operating system. Chrome OS is designed to be simple to use and is perfect for everyday tasks. It also offers access to thousands of apps and extensions through the Google Play Store.
One of the biggest advantages of Chrome OS is its security features. It automatically updates in the background to keep your device protected from malware and viruses.
Chrome OS has a relatively simple UI that is intuitive and easy to navigate. The Chromebook Flip C302CA offers a great user experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Sleek and stylish design: The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is a beautiful Chromebook with a sleek and minimalist design.
- Excellent battery life: The C302CA offers impressive battery life, lasting for around 8 hours with mixed use.
- Solid build quality: The Chromebook Flip C302CA is made of high-quality materials and feels well-built.
- Comfortable keyboard and touchpad: The keyboard and touchpad are both comfortable to use.
- Good selection of ports: The C302CA has a good selection of ports, including two USB Type-C ports, one USB 3.0 port, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack.
- 360-degree hinge: The 360-degree hinge allows the Chromebook Flip C302CA to be used as a laptop, tablet, or tent.
- Great user experience: Chrome OS is a lightweight and user-friendly operating system that offers a great user experience.
Cons:
- High price: The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA was initially priced at a premium compared to other Chromebooks on the market.
- Mediocre performance: While the C302CA can handle most everyday tasks, its performance can be underwhelming for more demanding tasks.
- Average camera quality: The cameras on the C302CA are not particularly good, and they produce grainy and low-resolution images.
- Limited RAM: The 4GB of RAM can be limiting for multitasking and demanding apps.
Conclusion
The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is a good Chromebook, but it is not without its flaws. Its sleek design, excellent battery life, and comfortable keyboard make it a great option for students and casual users. However, its high price, mediocre performance, and average camera quality make it less appealing to power users and professionals.
If you are looking for a stylish and well-built Chromebook with excellent battery life, the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is a good option. However, if you need a more powerful Chromebook, there are better options available on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Does the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA have a touchscreen?
A1: Yes, the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA features a 12.5-inch touchscreen display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Q2: What is the battery life of the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA?
A2: Asus claims that the C302CA can last up to 10 hours on a single charge. In real-world testing, it typically provides around 8 hours of mixed use.
Q3: What ports does the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA have?
A3: The C302CA has two USB Type-C ports, one USB 3.0 port, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack.
Q4: Is the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA good for gaming?
A4: The C302CA is not recommended for gaming. While it can handle casual games, it is not powerful enough for demanding games.
Q5: What is the difference between the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA and the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA?
A5: The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA and the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA are both 2-in-1 Chromebooks with similar features. The main difference is that the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA has a 1080p display, while the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA has a 720p display. The C302CA also has a slightly faster processor.
Recommendations
If you are looking for a Chromebook with excellent battery life and a sleek design, the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is a good option. However, if you need a more powerful Chromebook with better performance, there are better options available on the market. Here are a few alternatives:
- Acer Chromebook Spin 713: The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a more powerful Chromebook with a 13.5-inch display, Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a longer battery life. It is more expensive than the C302CA, but it offers better performance and a larger display.
- Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5: The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is a more affordable Chromebook with a 13.3-inch display, Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a good battery life. It is a good option for users who need a reliable Chromebook at a lower price.
- Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go: The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go is a budget-friendly Chromebook with a 14-inch display, Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, and a decent battery life. It is a good option for users who are looking for a Chromebook with a larger display and a good battery life.
The Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA is a good Chromebook for those who need a stylish and well-built device with a great battery life. However, if you are looking for a more powerful Chromebook, there are better options available on the market.