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Asus has been on one thing of a roll not too long ago with regards to Chromebooks. From the very good C302CA from a couple of years, to the similarly spectacular C433TA, the logo has delivered high quality merchandise on the top rate finish of the Chromebook marketplace.
Now in 2021, a brand new price range software has arrived within the form of the C423NA. Can Asus nonetheless paintings its magic when value calls for that a couple of corners are minimize? It kind of feels it may, however no longer around the board. Battery lifestyles is not in particular spectacular, however in as regards to each different space, it is a excellent Chromebook for the cash.
Design & Construct High quality
Asus has opted to make use of a plastic case at the C423NA slightly than the aluminium one discovered on its extra top rate fashions. That is effective, because it no longer handiest helps to keep prices down, but additionally does the similar with the load. At 2.65lbs/1.2kg, it’s a computer that you simply’ll be at liberty to hold round in a bag all day with out feeling it for your shoulders.
Show
You’ll have the ability to get stuff carried out too, because the display screen provides a excellent quantity of area for writing paperwork, browsing the internet and different conventional Chromebook tasks.
There are in truth 3 other presentations to be had at the C423NA, all 14 inches in diagonal. The primary has a 1366×768-pixel solution, and the second one – the only Asus despatched for overview – being Complete HD (1920×1080). The 3rd is a Complete HD touchscreen, which clearly pushes up the cost.
The panel within the take a look at type maxed out at 250nits, which is dimmer than every other Chromebooks, however proved relatively enough even out of doors on a sunny day. This was once additionally aided by means of the matt finsh, which avoids the reflections that you simply get with shiny touchscreens.
The panel is surrounded by means of a slightly massive bezel, which on the most sensible is house to a 720p webcam this is effective for Zoom calls and different video communications when you’re in a well-lit room.
The ground a part of the bezel is thicker and bears the Asus legend in a reflective silvery plastic, plus the 2 chunky hinges which might be ‘same old’ ones slightly than the fondness 360-degree pivots put in at the C423NA’s higher-priced siblings. You’ll be able to nonetheless open it out to a 180-degree perspective, so it lies flat on a table, however it is onerous to look the purpose of doing this on any computer.
Keyboard & Trackpad
Keyboard efficiency is on-par with maximum Chromebooks, in that it’s constant and simple to kind on. The keys can really feel slightly spongy to start with, however after 5 mins all of it feels very herbal and I used to be as much as my standard typing speeds with out a effort in any respect. The chiclet taste structure is – in fact – anticipated in this day and age (this means that there are gaps between keys) and the 1.4mm go back and forth for every key offers sufficient tactile reaction to understand that you simply’ve pressed it down effectively.
The trackpad is the same story, with multi-finger gestures all responding briefly and successfully. A pleasing wonder is that the press spaces on the backside of the trackpad really feel forged and don’t include the hole ‘clicky’ sounds that may make others sound a bit of affordable. That being stated, I all the time use the tap-to-click choice that is the default on ChromeOS and located the C423NA to be very dependable on this mode.
Ports
When it comes to ports, there are greater than chances are you’ll be expecting. The C423NA provides 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (2x USB-C, 2x USB-A), 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card reader.
Audio system
Two downward-firing audio system are situated at the underside of the software, returning a tight sound that may get relatively loud if driven as much as the utmost. They are slightly missing in bass, which is to be anticipated with the sunshine weight and inexpensive value, however when you stay your expectancies in take a look at then the audio is in truth relatively excellent.Â
Efficiency
For normal Chromebook duties of viewing web pages, writing in Google Doctors, streaming video from Netflix and track from Spotify, I used to be very happy with the efficiency of the C423NA. Webpages loaded briefly, having a couple of tabs open didn’t appear to reason any slow-downs, and I used to be ready to get on with what I used to be doing with out being held again in any respect by means of the software.
That is spectacular whilst you imagine that the 1.1GHz Intel Celeron N3350 isn’t precisely anticipated to ship stellar efficiency. However, when paired with the 8GB of LPDDR4 reminiscence, the combo leads to an stress-free revel in that can make the software an ideal selection for individuals who need a knockabout system for basically on-line actions.
You gained’t have the ability to stay an excessive amount of at the 32GB of eMMC garage, however that’s no longer actually the speculation with Chromebooks. As a substitute, you believe to Google’s cloud services and products, plus the opposite apps to be had in the course of the Chrome Internet Retailer, and the 802.11ac (WiFi 5) connection supplied by means of the C423NA.
Hanging the Asus via our same old battery of benchmark take a look at noticed it set up 267 (Unmarried-Core) and 511 (Multi-Core) in Geekbench 5, 214 in Basemark 3.0 and 37 on Jetstream 2. Now, those are probably the most lowest ratings we’ve observed in contemporary Chromebook critiques, but it surely handiest is going to turn that benchmark checks don’t all the time inform the entire tale.
Gaming is just about out of the query, which isn’t the top of the sector because the loss of a touchscreen (in this explicit type) a no-go for any Android apps. For those who’re decided, you’ll all the time take a look at Nvidia’s GeForce Now carrier, as this handles many of the processing on far off servers.Â
Battery Existence
If there’s one space the place the Asus C423NA Chromebook disappoints slightly its with the battery lifestyles. In our same old take a look at the place we circulate a HD video till the battery is depleted, it lasted for six hours and 38 mins. Through comparability, the Acer Chromebook 13 controlled 11 hours and 52 mins (very spectacular), whilst the Lenovo Ideapad 3 (14in) persevered for 9 and a part hours. So, as you’ll see, it doesn’t honest properly in opposition to different units in its elegance.Â
Tool
ChromeOS has matured right into a forged platform over the last 10 years, to the purpose now the place it actually is a sound choice to Home windows, macOS and Linux for numerous other folks. The Google place of work suite way you’re ready to get a variety of paintings carried out, then percentage it with colleagues even if you wish to output it in Microsoft Workplace codecs, as that function is to be had.
With such a lot of lifestyles now on-line, Chromebooks have actually come into their very own. The standard caveat applies regardless that, in that when you’re reliant on a selected piece of instrument, seek to look if there’s a internet model slightly than wanting to put in it, because the latter will most likely no longer be conceivable on ChromeOS.
You’ll be able to additionally use Chromebooks offline for a variety of duties, with the Google Workplace suite being a main instance, because the software will save your entire paintings in the community then sync it whilst you get again on-line once more.
Google Assistant is every other bonus, that means you’ll regulate the software along with your voice. I used to be ready to release apps and seek for web pages at the C423NA simply by teaching the software to take action, with in fact the prefix ‘OK Google’.
ChromeOS isn’t for everybody, because the gaming facet is relatively missing and specialist instrument for picture, track or video modifying isn’t actually as much as snuff. For the general public more often than not regardless that, a Chromebook is definitely price making an allowance for.
Value & Availability
The Asus C423NA type I examined, with the Intel Celeron N3350 processor, 8GB of RAM and the entire HD show is to be had now for a particularly reasonable £319.99 in the United Kingdom and 24.999 Rupees in India direct from Asus. Our overview pattern was once supplied by means of Field and you’ll purchase software on its web site for a particularly reasonable £283.99.
It wasn’t to be had in the United States on the time of writing, however you’ll opt for the bigger C523N which has a fifteen.6in FHD show for $269.99.
This places the Asus C423NA up in opposition to the likes of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (14in) that sells for round £379/$394.99 and Acer Chromebook 14 that you’ll get for £249/$249, all of that are forged possible choices when you’re in search of an affordable every-day pc.
To peer our present select of the crop, learn the most efficient Chromebook roundup.
Verdict
The Asus C423NA Chromebook is a vintage instance of inexpensive and cheerful. It’s no longer the quickest performer we’ve ever observed however handles gentle use actually properly. The light-weight chassis and comfy keyboard/trackpad aggregate make it a tool that’s a excitement to make use of and elevate about, with the one actual drawback being the sub-par battery lifestyles, which disappoints even for this class of software.
For sheer worth, we’d most likely nonetheless counsel the Acer Chromebook 13, however (battery problems apart) the Asus C423NA is a superb computer that will likely be a effective servant for somebody in search of an affordable Chromebook that leaves out the bells and whistles.
Specifications
Asus C423NA Chromebook: Specifications
- 14in (1920×1080) LCD show with a 16:9 facet ratio
- 1.1GHz Intel Celeron N3350 processor
- Intel HD Graphics 500
- 8GB LPDDR4 reminiscence
- 32GB EMMC garage
- 802.11ac/WiFi 5
- 720p Webcam
- 2x USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1)
- 2x USB-A (USB 3.1 Gen 1)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Micro SD card reader
- Dual audio system
- 38WHr 2-cell Li-ion battery
- 1.20kg / 2.65lbs
- 322 x 228 x 16mm
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