ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 Review (2025)

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 has consistently stood out in the Chromebook market, and in 2025, it continues to hold its place as one of the most compelling options for users seeking a premium ChromeOS experience. Designed with a sleek and professional look, the CX5 blends style and substance with its robust aluminum chassis and a 360-degree hinge that enables flexible use in laptop, tablet, tent, or stand mode. The large 14-inch touchscreen and convertible design make it perfect for professionals on the go, students attending online classes, or casual users who enjoy browsing, watching media, and light productivity tasks.

What sets the CX5 apart is its powerful internal hardware, headlined by Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processors paired with 8GB or 16GB of RAM. This ensures the Chromebook doesn’t just look good, but also performs impressively in day to day use. Whether you’re editing Google Docs, jumping between browser tabs, or running Linux or Android apps, the CX5 remains smooth and responsive. It’s a reliable choice for those who want the simplicity and security of Chrome OS without sacrificing speed and functionality. All these strengths make the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 a premium yet practical device in the 2025 Chromebook lineup.

ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 design & build quality

ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 impresses right out of the box with its solid and refined build. It features a robust aluminum-alloy chassis that balances durability with elegance. The matte finish and subtle ASUS branding give it a professional and understated look, easily rivaling premium ultrabooks. At just 0.7 inches thick and weighing around 3.7 pounds, the CX5 strikes a balance between portability and ruggedness. It’s light enough to carry in a backpack yet feels sturdy enough to withstand daily wear and tear. The slim profile doesn’t compromise its structural integrity, making it suitable for students, remote workers, or frequent travelers who need a dependable and presentable machine.

The standout feature in terms of design is its smooth 360 degree ErgoLift hinge, which transitions effortlessly between clamshell, stand, tent, and tablet modes. This versatility enhances the user experience, whether you’re typing emails, delivering presentations, binge watching shows, or using the device as a tablet. The hinge holds its position firmly at any angle and adds to the overall premium feel. The design also incorporates a slight keyboard lift in laptop mode, which not only improves typing ergonomics but also boosts airflow underneath the chassis. Whether you’re working at a desk or on your lap, the Flip CX5 offers comfort, stability, and professional appeal, making it a standout choice in the Chromebook landscape.

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ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 display quality

One of the most attractive features of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 is its stunning 14-inch touchscreen display, which is available in either Full HD (1920×1080) or a sharper 2K resolution, depending on the configuration. The panel uses a 16:10 aspect ratio, which provides more vertical screen space than the traditional 16:9 layout, enhancing the experience when reading, scrolling through web pages, or working on documents. This extra space proves especially useful for productivity tasks, allowing users to view more content without excessive scrolling.

The display supports up to 300 nits of brightness, making it suitable for most indoor environments and even usable in shaded outdoor settings. The visuals are rich and vivid, with sharp text and good color reproduction that make videos, web content, and presentations pop. Touch responsiveness is fast and accurate, ensuring smooth interactions whether you’re navigating with your fingers or a stylus. The panel also features anti-glare properties that reduce reflections and eye strain during prolonged use.

Stylus support is another key feature USI (Universal Stylus Initiative) compatibility allows users to write, draw, or annotate with precision. While the stylus isn’t included in the package, it can be purchased separately and integrates seamlessly with the screen. This is particularly beneficial for students, digital artists, and professionals who prefer visual input methods. Whether you’re watching Netflix, sketching designs, or flipping through slides in tablet mode, the CX5’s display enhances the overall experience with clarity and versatility.

ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 performance & hardware specs

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 is equipped with Intel’s 11th or 12th Gen Core i3, i5, or i7 processors, depending on the chosen configuration. This variety allows users to select a model that fits their specific needs, whether it’s light web browsing or heavier multitasking. Combined with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and fast 128GB or 256GB SSD storage, the CX5 delivers responsive and snappy performance across various applications. The SSD ensures quick boot times, fast file access, and smooth overall system performance—key aspects that set it apart from many budget Chromebooks still relying on eMMC storage.

In daily use, the CX5 performs exceptionally well. It handles Google Workspace tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides with ease, even when running multiple tabs and extensions simultaneously. Video conferencing on Zoom or Google Meet remains smooth and lag-free, and Android apps from the Google Play Store launch quickly and run reliably. The inclusion of Intel Iris Xe graphics also gives the device a slight edge in light creative tasks like photo editing, streaming HD video, or playing Android games without stutter.

Benchmark results further reinforce the CX5’s high-performance credentials, placing it closer to entry level Windows ultrabooks than traditional Chromebooks. It handles Linux apps efficiently, making it a viable option for developers or advanced users who need access to terminal tools, coding environments, or lightweight IDEs. For those looking to move beyond basic web browsing and explore the full potential of ChromeOS, the Flip CX5 provides the horsepower and stability to meet that challenge.

Keyboard, Touchpad & Stylus Support

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 is equipped with a backlit, full sized keyboard that delivers a comfortable and precise typing experience. The keys offer generous travel and satisfying feedback, which is especially appreciated during long typing sessions. Whether you’re writing reports, responding to emails, or participating in online classes, the keyboard remains quiet and responsive. The layout is thoughtfully spaced, including dedicated function keys for Chrome OS shortcuts, which improve productivity and ease of use in everyday tasks.

The touchpad is equally impressive. It’s large, smooth, and highly responsive to both taps and multi-finger gestures. Navigation feels fluid, and actions like scrolling or switching between apps are seamless. The touchpad’s palm rejection technology minimizes accidental input, which is helpful during fast-paced work. Its glass-like surface adds to the premium feel, making it comparable to touchpads on higher-end ultrabooks.

For those who enjoy handwriting or drawing, the CX5 supports USI (Universal Stylus Initiative) styluses. Although a stylus isn’t included in the box, compatible third-party pens work effortlessly with the touchscreen. Stylus input is accurate and pressure-sensitive, making it a valuable tool for students taking handwritten notes, professionals annotating documents, or artists creating digital sketches. With its sturdy hinge and tablet-friendly design, the Flip CX5 becomes a practical and enjoyable device for creative and visual tasks, extending its appeal beyond just productivity.

Ports & Connectivity of ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5

Unlike many ultra-slim laptops that often sacrifice ports for aesthetics, the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 delivers a commendable selection of physical connections. It includes two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, one USB-A 3.2 port, a full-sized HDMI 2.0 port, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack. This well rounded port layout allows users to plug in a variety of accessories whether it’s an external monitor, a USB flash drive, a wired mouse, or a microSD card for additional storage expansion without relying on dongles or adapters.

The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 on the USB-C ports is especially notable, as it enables ultra-fast data transfers, external GPU support, and charging via a single cable. This is a rare feature in the Chromebook space and positions the CX5 as a premium device suitable for productivity-heavy workflows. Whether you’re in an office environment or working from home, the CX5’s port options ensure that you can create a seamless, clutter-free workstation setup.

Wireless connectivity is just as impressive, with the latest Wi-Fi 6 ensuring strong, fast, and stable internet connections even on busy networks. Bluetooth 5.2 provides reliable pairing with wireless peripherals such as headphones, keyboards, or mice. The combination of comprehensive wired and wireless connectivity makes the Flip CX5 extremely versatile and well-suited for modern users who demand flexibility and speed in both their home and professional environments.

ChromeOS Experience

ChromeOS has come a long way in recent years. With support for Android apps, Linux apps, and improved offline capabilities, it’s now a viable alternative for many users.

The Flip CX5 makes the most of ChromeOS’s strengths: instant boot up, automatic updates, built-in virus protection, and seamless Google ecosystem integration. It’s especially ideal for those heavily reliant on Google Workspace.

Linux support means developers and power users can run IDEs, terminal-based tools, and more further increasing the device’s versatility.

Battery Life

ASUS claims up to 12 hours of battery life, and in real-world usage, the Flip CX5 delivers between 9 to 11 hours depending on your workflow. Lighter use (browsing, video playback) leans toward the higher end, while heavier multitasking or Linux apps can reduce runtime.

It also supports USB-C fast charging (up to 45W), letting you quickly recharge to 50% in under an hour. This makes it convenient for travel or long work sessions.

Speakers, Webcam & Audio

The CX5 includes dual stereo speakers tuned by Harman/Kardon. Audio is clear and sufficiently loud, with minimal distortion even at high volumes. While bass is limited (as expected in a slim device), vocals and highs are crisp great for video calls, podcasts, and streaming.

The HD webcam performs decently in well lit environments, making it suitable for Zoom meetings and Google Meet. The built-in microphone delivers clear voice pickup with basic noise suppression.

Drawbacks & Limitations

No device is perfect, and the Flip CX5 has a few limitations:

  • At around 3.7 lbs, it’s heavier than some other convertibles
  • Stylus is not included
  • Price is close to some Windows laptops with more storage
  • Limited internal storage (though cloud storage compensates for this)

For users who demand Windows-exclusive apps or higher-end gaming, this device may fall short. But for 95% of daily productivity tasks, it excels.

Price & Availability

In 2025, the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 retails between $599 and $749 depending on configuration (CPU, RAM, storage). It’s widely available through:

It offers strong value for users who prioritize performance, build quality, and ChromeOS advantages.

Final Verdict

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (2025) remains one of the best Chromebooks available. It strikes an excellent balance between performance, design, and versatility. With premium build quality, a vivid display, robust specs, and full ChromeOS capabilities, it’s a smart investment for students, professionals, and hybrid workers.

If you’re looking for a device that can handle serious multitasking, offer flexibility for creative tasks, and still deliver all day battery life in a stylish package, the CX5 should be at the top of your list.