ASUS Releases Convertible ChromeBook Flip C100
by Brett Howse on July 20, 2015 6:15 PM EST- Posted in
- Chromebook
- Asus
Today ASUS is launching a new Chromebook, but this one gets the flip treatment with a 360° hinge. According to ASUS, it brings together the experiences of a tablet and notebook into one device. We’ve certainly seen a lot of these on the Windows side, but for a device packing Chrome OS, this is certainly less common if not unique.
Let’s go over what is inside. ASUS turned to Rockchip for the processor on this device with the Rockchip 3288-C SoC inside. This is a quad-core design based on the Cortex A17, and clocks in at 1.8 GHz. The GPU is the ARM Mail T624, and you can get either 2 or 4 GB of system memory and 16 GB of eMMC storage. It also supports a SD/SDXC card reader if you need to add a bit more storage.
Although the internals are certainly low end, ASUS did put a multi-touch IPS display in, albeit at only 1280x800 resolution, but for the 10.1” low cost device, that is likely serviceable. There are also outputs for HDMI if necessary and of course a headset jack. There are two USB 2.0 ports for connectivity, and the battery is rated for up to nine hours.
| ASUS ChromeBook Flip C100 | |
| Processor | Rockchip 3288-C Quad-core Cortex A17 @ 1.8 GHz ARM Mali T624 GPU |
| Connectivity | 802.11ac Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Memory | 2G or 4GB DDR3L |
| Storage | 16GB eMMC |
| Battery | 2-cell up to 9 hours |
| I/O | 2 x USB 2.0 HD webcam micro HDMI Headphone/mic jack SD Card reader |
| Dimensions | 10.35" x 7.18" x 0.6" / 263 x 182 x 15.2 mm |
| Display | 10.1" 1280x800 IPS LCD with capacitive touch |
| Weight | 1.96 lbs / 0.89 kg |
| Price | $249/$299 for 2GB/4GB |
The keyboard is 97% of a full-sized notebook keyboard, so despite the small size it should be reasonable to type on.
Speaking of size, the 0.6-inch body weighs in at just under two pounds, so it should be easy to tote around. That’s nothing like what an actual tablet weighs of course, but for a small notebook it is very light.
My biggest concern with the ChromeBook Flip C100 is the operating system though. Windows devices have been sporting these convertible designs for some time, but Windows 8 was built with touch as a primary input device, and although the Windows store is not as fleshed out as the iOS tablet store, it is certainly more fleshed out that Chrome OS as a tablet OS.
If you are interested in kicking the tires on one of these, they are available now from the ASUS eStore, Newegg.com, and Amazon.com for $249 (2GB) or $299 (4GB).
Source: ASUS
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Impulses - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
The weird interplay between Chrome and Android continues... I'm still not sure what Chromium's supposed to be able to do that Android can't accomplish just as well if it's locked down. Maybe they wanna avoid the latter and any association with that kinda light model?ant6n - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
this would be more interesting with tegra x1ayqazi - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
This will get more interesting when Chrome OS can natively run Android tablet apps...GotThumbs - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
Take a look what the University of Florida (go Gators) has so thier students can run dozens of programs from Chromebooks as well as other devices.http://info.apps.ufl.edu/
<iframe width="595" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oxgNMbukwG8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
uhuznaa - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
With Android as an OS option and a 3G/LTE radio I would instantly buy one.I mean, how idiotic is an ultra-portable laptop/tablet with an OS that NEEDS network access to do basically anything and which then only comes with WiFi? And runs the only halfway mainstream OS (besides Linux) that has no version of MS Office available?
Either this is some very convoluted strategic decision by Google/Asus or they're missing some very obvious things.
damianrobertjones - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
They'll sell crap to anyone and... people will buy it as they don't know better.GotThumbs - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
Or people will NOT buy it because they are foolish enough to think bashers like you actually know something about what your talking about.The problem is...IMO, you really don't know what your talking about or even considering the actual Pros and Cons to Chromebooks.
The right tool for the job applies here. ChromeOS is very very lite and extremely low maintenance. No need to run antivirus or take time to update drivers or install dozens of OS updates.
savagemike - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
I know. I bought a Chromebook. I was such an idiot. I didn't even realize that I could be using Office for just like $100/year or so - even though I don't need it in the slightest.Also - I can't do much when offline. Well except for a whole bunch of stuff like write or code or handle some e-mails. Or watch a movie maybe.
It's totally unacceptable to me that it is only wi-fi. Last year there was a ten minute window when I wanted to use it but wasn't someplace that wi-fi was available.
Also, I used to get a nice bit of zen me-time waiting for Window and AV programs to update. This Chromebook updates in just about 11 seconds. 11 seconds? I need more me-time than that.
lmcd - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
Oh savagemike, you certainly do know how to break conventional rules. Namely by first claiming that Windows 10 needs AV tools, then implying that Windows Update takes any notable amount of time. Or maybe even your implication that any of the tasks you've named are convenient on a Chromebook.Meanwhile, you can make all of those claims about Windows RT, and look how well that went. Just as many apps (more, in fact -- the entire web + RT apps, not just the entire web), and no need for that zen me-time waiting. After all, no updates are even coming, barring one last one this September.
Not to pile it on or anything, but it even has that $100/year office for $0/year.
And that's the SKU that got rejected. You see how the Chrome ecosystem is a losing model?
Impulses - Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - link
Was the Office license in RT perpetual or just a one year sub? Either way, I agree the Chromebook model is way too limited for widespread adoption, I imagine it's great for kids, the elderly, etc but those people are already using iOS and Android for similar tasks, often at similar price points. I realize even those are "heavier" and more risk prone but still...