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The ASUS Chromebook CM14 is a budget laptop with great functionality when it comes to performance and durability, making it an ideal choice for those looking for an everyday use laptop. With a 14-inch HD anti-glare display and powered by MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, this Chromebook provides a well-popping experience for users who are using their laptops mainly for browsing the internet, productivity apps, media consumption, and minimal multitasking. In this comprehensive review, we’ll break down the key highlights, advantages, and disadvantages of the ASUS Chromebook CM14 to see if it is the right choice for you!
Design and Build Quality: Sleek, Durable, and Portable
The ASUS Chromebook CM14 is made with portability and durability in mind. The 14-inch form factor strikes a perfect balance between portability and usability — it’s large enough for smooth productivity, but compact enough to easily slip into a backpack or briefcase. It has industrial-grade (i.e., military standards), 810F-Certification which means the device has been thoroughly tested for drop resistance, temperature cycling, humidity, and vibration and can take care of the daily bumps and knocks that are inevitable during a product’s service life. Whether used in the classroom, at a coffee shop or at home, this Chromebook will be able to handle an accidental knock with ease. With this heightened build quality and military grade protection, you can safely continue your activities without worrying about damaging your laptop by accident.
The ASUS Chromebook CM14 following from mechanical protection features α spill-resistant keyboard that can hold up to 11.13 oz of liquid without causing an overwhelming effect on the internal components. This is particularly valuable to students or workers who might occasionally tip over their device while carrying a beverage. At this degree of protection, carrying it in and out of school every day will never yield any problems of functionality or endurance. A USB-C socket provides an alternative power source here if necessary; something not many other notebooks can boast compatibility with right now.
Besides being of robust construction, the CM14 features also has a special keyboard. 0.50mm away from its main body exists something called a spill-resistant surface which can bear up to 11.13 oz of water without causing any damage to its inner parts. This is very useful to students or workers who might sometimes spill their beverage on the device. With this kind of protection, the CM14 is kitchen-ready for everyday usage. The CM14 has a an HDMI interface such as is rarely seen on notebook computers. With its low impedance construction it can carry both digital and analog video; therefore no additional adapter will be needed even in the future. Besides most cases don’t require external adaptors nowadays. There is also a USB-C interface which can serve as the power source if needed.
Not many notebooks and netbooks possess such and combination of highly efficient build quality and modern technology. In addition to its strong build, the ASUS Chromebook CM14 features a spill-resistant keyboard that can handle up to 13 ounces of liquid without causing harm to the internal components. This is a particularly useful feature for students or professionals who may occasionally spill a drink on their device. With this level of protection, the CM14 is well-equipped to handle day-to-day challenges without compromising on functionality or reliability.
Furthermore, the ASUS Antibacterial Guard is equipped on the CM14 so that bacteria growth inside can be restrained by as much as 99% within 24 hours. This is especially important in naturally contagiously shared environments just like a classroom or office as it means you can always keep your Chromebook healthy and free from harmful microbes.
Display: Decent Quality for Everyday Use
The ASUS Chromebook CM14 also has a NanoEdge 14-inch HD (1366×768) anti-glare display, giving good enough visuals for web surfing, video watching, and document working. With its anti-glare coating, you can be sure that reflection is minimized and you can work comfortably in well-lit environments with less eye fatigue.
The display, while adequate enough for most day-to-day tasks, is limited to a 1366×768 resolution that may feel cramped compared to the Full HD (1920×1080), 4K, or even 2K displays that a traditional laptop may have, and if you’re a heavy content consumer, creator, or gamer, this Chromebook may lack the detail you need. However, for the average casual user this resolution will be more than enough to read, write and stream video content.
Performance: Responsive and Efficient for Everyday Tasks
To achieve this balance, the ASUS Chromebook CM14 mounts the MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor under the hood. It has 8 cores clocked up to 2.05 GHz to provide good performance for daily computing tasks. Whether you browse the web, work on documents, or attend virtual meetings, the Kompanio 520 has enough of the processing power you need to get those tasks with ease.
It includes an entry-level 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage — also standard on budget Chromebooks. 4GB of RAM helps it smoothly switch between apps for light workloads, but expect some stuttering if you try to run a bunch of heavy apps or have lots of browser tabs open. If you tend to keep several tabs open or use heavy apps, you might want to see if a Chromebook with more RAM will better suit your needs.
Storage — 64GB eMMC is more than enough for simple things — to save documents, download a few apps, or keep a few media files, That being said, Chromebooks are built specifically for Cloud computing, meaning that the device would prompt the user to store a majority of files and data inside Google Drive or a cloud based alternative. It features a MicroSD card reader which makes it possible to expand the storage as needed.
The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 in the CM14 provides faster and more stable internet connectivity, which is essential for users who work from home, attend virtual meetings, or stream media regularly. Bluetooth 5.3 support is also valuable, letting you connect to multiple peripherals without hassle, including wireless keyboards, headphones and many other devices.
Camera and Audio: Great for Video Calls and Multimedia Consumption
Featuring a high-definition webcam, the ASUS Chromebook CM14 is perfect for video calls, online classes, and virtual meetings. The webcam also comes with face lighting adjustment, which automatically adjusts your lighting according to the best video quality. It is particularly useful if you are in a dark room, with the feature ensuring that you appear clear and well lit during video calls.
Aside from the camera, ASUS Chromebook CM14 also has a physical webcam shield to help you physically block the camera when it’s not in use. This functionality is becoming even more important amid growing privacy concerns, allowing users to feel peaceful when they aren’t using a device for video calls.
The CM14 comes with bottom-firing speakers for clear sound while you watch videos, listen to music or attend virtual meetings. Although sound audio is not high quality, it works for casual listening. Headphones or a speaker would be the best option for those that desire a more in-depth listening experience.
Port Selection and Connectivity: Versatile and Convenient
The ASUS Chromebook CM14 offers a good selection of ports and connectivity options, making it versatile enough to handle various devices and peripherals:
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A for connecting external drives, mice, and other peripherals
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (supports display output and power delivery) for fast data transfer and charging
- 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack for connecting headphones or speakers
- MicroSD card reader for expanding storage
- 1 x Kensington lock slot for added security
The inclusion of USB-C ports is particularly useful for users who want to connect the Chromebook to external monitors, charge the device, or transfer data quickly. The addition of Wi-Fi 6 also ensures fast and stable internet connections, which is essential for remote work, streaming, and online gaming.
Battery Life: All-Day Usage
Battery life is one of the key advantages of Chromebooks, and the ASUS Chromebook CM14 does not disappoint. Thanks to the efficient MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor and ChromeOS’s lightweight nature, users can expect 10 to 12 hours of continuous use on a full charge. This makes the CM14 an excellent option for students, professionals, or anyone who needs a laptop that can last throughout the day without constantly needing to recharge.
Final Thoughts: Is the ASUS Chromebook CM14 Worth It?
The ASUS Chromebook CM14 is a well-rounded laptop that is affordable, performative, and durable. Matter, providing a 14-inch HD display, a MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, MIL-STD 810H military-grade certification, and long battery life as extremely solid options for users needing an affordable Chromebook for simple tasks like internet browsing, office productivity, and video streaming.
The CM14 falls into the latter category perfectly: the 1366×768 HD display and 4GB RAM are, on first glance, limiting your potential audience to budget users, though those who don’t need demanding specs may prioritize the CM14 anyway. And its spill-resistant keyboard, antimicrobial guard and privacy webcam shield add to the device’s worth, making it an excellent everyday computer that is both reliable and hygienic.
The ASUS Chromebook CM14 is a great option for anyone in the market for an affordable, functional, and more than capable Chromebook to get the essentials done at home or on the go.
Pros:
- Durable, military-grade build with spill-resistant keyboard
- Antimicrobial Guard for hygienic use
- Long-lasting battery life (up to 12 hours)
- Excellent port selection with USB-C support
- Affordable price point under $300
Cons:
- Limited display resolution (1366×768)
- 4GB RAM may not be sufficient for heavy multitasking
The ASUS Chromebook CM14 proves that an affordable price tag doesn’t have to mean compromising on performance and durability. It’s a solid option for anyone looking for a reliable, everyday device for school, work, or casual use.
