ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)
The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) is a convertible laptop with a 15.6-inch touch screen, unique design, and solid performance. Powered by AMD's quad-core, 2.1GHz Ryzen 5 3500C processor, it comes with 8GB of memory and a 128GB NVMe solid-state drive. The Chromebook features an aluminum lid and plastic bottom, styled in a nearly black hue Asus calls Mineral Gray. It measures 0.73 by 14.1 by 9.5 inches and weighs 4.3 pounds. The display can be folded back into easel, tent, or tablet modes, providing versatility.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good performance with multiple browser tabs and videos playing | Webcam quality is poor |
| Comfortable keyboard with good travel | Screen brightness is only 250 nits |
| Large, smooth touchpad | Performance drops significantly when not plugged in |
| Very high quality screen | Heavier than most Chromebooks |
More About ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)
The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) is equipped with a USB 3.2 Type-C port, a USB 3.2 Type-A port, an audio jack, a volume rocker, and a power button on the left side. On the right side, there is another USB-C port, the HDMI port, and a microSD card slot. The WASD keys are outlined in orange, as on some gaming laptops, and this Chromebook is trying to be just that.
The 1080p IPS screen is rated at only 250 nits of brightness, but it looked bright enough in testing, with white instead of dingy backgrounds and decent contrast. However, the webcam is of poor quality, so blurred that you won't recognize yourself. The Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 offers assorted offers, including 12 months of Google One 100GB cloud storage and three months of YouTube Premium, Canva, and Stadia Pro.
In terms of performance, the Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 didn't slow or stutter, even with numerous browser tabs open and a couple of videos playing. The battery life is eight and a half hours of video playback, which isn't especially impressive but will get you through a few classes on campus or a Google Slides presentation at a client's office.
Reviewers' Opinions
The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) has garnered attention from various tech reviewers, each highlighting different aspects of this Chromebook.
Eric Grevstad from PCMag appreciates the Chromebook's design, performance, and value. He notes, "The Flip CM5 has an aluminum lid and plastic bottom, styled in a nearly black hue Asus calls Mineral Gray." He also praises the device's performance, stating it didn't slow or stutter even with numerous browser tabs open and a couple of videos playing. However, he criticizes the webcam quality, describing it as "so blurred you won't recognize yourself."
Joshua Goldman from CNET also reviewed the Chromebook, highlighting its unique design and gaming capabilities. He mentions, "The Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 is different than what you might be used to seeing in the world of Chromebooks." Goldman praises the comfortable, backlit keyboard and the smooth, responsive glass touchpad. However, he points out that the display's brightness is a bit dim, making it hard to see past reflections on the glossy screen.
The YouTube channel Chrome Unboxed provides a detailed review of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 as well. The reviewer appreciates the device's aesthetic appeal and hardware but criticizes its performance when not plugged into a power source. They state, "It's a shame that you're dropping 40% performance and you notice that you feel it doesn't mean it's unusable. It doesn't mean that you can't get some stuff done when you're not plugged into the wall, but you're going to notice a performance drop off."
Customer Reviews
Customers have generally expressed positive sentiments about the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500). One reviewer found it budget-friendly, especially when purchased from an online marketplace like Amazon. However, they noted that it might be slow for gaming, which could explain some negative reviews.
Another customer, who had always been a Windows and Android user, decided to try a Chromebook for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. They appreciated the device's beautiful design, speed, clarity, and wide keyboard, which is especially beneficial for individuals with larger hands. They pointed out the screen for its visual quality and touch sensitivity, and the backlit keyboard was deemed perfect for late-night work.
The third reviewer also had a positive experience with the Chromebook, although they found it heavier than expected. They experienced some lagging on certain websites but attributed this to the sites loading numerous advertisements rather than a fault with the device. Despite these minor issues, the reviewer found the Chromebook a great fit for their needs.
Who Would Benefit from This Chromebook?
The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) would be a good fit for users who need a device for everyday tasks like browsing the web, streaming videos, and working on documents. Its comfortable keyboard and large touchpad make it a good choice for those who type a lot. However, users who need a device for more intensive tasks like gaming or video editing might look for a different Chromebook with more powerful specs.
For those concerned about the webcam quality, consider other options as well. Users who need a lightweight device for travel might also find the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) a bit heavy.
For more options, users can compare this Chromebook with others using Starry Hope's Chromebook Comparison Tool.
