Following the announcement that Android apps are coming to ChromeOS we are expecting Chromebooks to become a little more popular with both Android enthusiasts and everyday consumers. While we still haven’t had our first taste of Google Play on Chrome OS anticipation is high that Android Apps on Chrome OS can deliver an enhanced experience.
Asus have been a long time supporter and manufacturer of Chrome OS devices, indeed supplying one of the three compatible devices that will run the M53 dev option with Google Play when it is released. the Chromebook Flip. Enter the Chromebook C301 – at least Asus’s have some logic to their Chromebook naming convention.
The Asus C301 is a 13.3″ FHD Chromebook with 4GB of RAM and a rather disappointing 16GB of internal storage. Take a look at the full specs below.
| Screen | 13.3 ” FHD (1920 x 1080) LCD @ 165 dpi |
| Touch screen | No |
| Processor | Intel® Celeron® Quad-Core N3160 Processor |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 16GB |
| SD Card | Yes |
| WebCam | HD (720) |
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 |
| Ports | 2 x USB 3.0 1 x HDMI 3.5 mm Headphone jack |
| USB C | No |
| Battery | 48 Whrs |
| Dimentions | 32.9 x 23 x 2.2 cm |
| Weight | 1.35 KG |
Australia has had a rocky start to Chromebooks, especially with retail availability. Asus have been one of the OEM’s who have trickled in their Chromebook line into Australia, but getting your hands on one can still be a bit tricky. We have reached out to Asus Australia to see if there are any solid plans to market the C301 on our shores, we’ll update you if we heard back.
The big question is what hardware configurations will give us the best mix of ChromeOS and Android app experience? Do you need a touch screen? Will 16GB of local storage be enough? Will 4GB of storage and a Celeron processor cut the mustard? At this stage, we just don’t know what the post Play Store introduction on ChromeOS experience will be like.
If we had to guess this device doesn’t look like it was made to form part of the new premium Chrom eOS future, and looks more like a solid but typical Chromebook refresh, still it looks nice.
Are you now looking more seriously at getting into ChromeOS now the promise of Android apps and a consistent app ex[erience is coming to the platform? Let us know in the comments.
I have been using a hp14 chromebook for the last 2 years and has not missed a beat. It replaced my Nexus 10 and my 5yr old dell pc and runs as fast as the day I brought it. I doubt I would use the playstore and install apps as I prefer using websites and don’t play games however it’s good that the playstore will be coming which will increase demand and hopefully availability. I’ve bee looking to upgrade for the last 6 months but it looks impossible to buy a decent spec chromebook in Australia even though we are… Read more »
I’m very interested, but I’m going to wait and see how Android apps run on the current spec Celeron machines before heading down the upgrade path, although I do think an i3 wouldn’t hurt in the slightest.
With 320GB SSD storage and 8GB RAM, I’m ready and waiting 🙂
Even if 32gb is the standard, that will be enough to run what you need and not hord stuff on your device. Now that play store is coming I’m hoping to see more i3 models come out.
I guess now the days of cheap Chromebooks will be a thing of the last. We want to run our favourite apps on them, they need to have the grunt to do so.. $$$
I’m seriously considering a chromebook now that they’ll have android apps, the major obstacle is that the selection here in straya is abysmal
why is it we get the lowest end crappiest models?
There’s a thing called the internet which abounds with online shopping resources. Why does one have to restrict one’s self to any one country? I am in Japan and order from Hong Kong, U.S., and yes, even Australia once. The world is your shopping center. Not some national (or continental) borders. Simple.
Gee thanks, I never thought of that, maybe I’ve read all the reviews and the only one I’m prepared to buy sight unseen is the pixel which is more than I’m prepared to pay, or maybe I’m restricted by my companies buying policies on where I can purchase. Both true.
Anyway with a chromebook/laptop it’s not just price (which i have a clear idea of) it’s about what I want to do with it so I have to be able to hold it and know that I will be comfortable using it.
Bought both my Pixels sight unseen. Love them both, top notch devices.