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The Asus Chromebook C434 is a very worthy successor to the Flip C302

I thought Asus had announced all of its Chromebook news before the Consumer Electronics Show started. They got me though: Debuting at CES 2019 is the Asus Chromebook C434 flip model but the device is still in the works. Even so, on paper, it has just about everything you’d want in a follow up to the Flip C302, from fresh new processors to a large display with minimal bezels.

Let’s hit the specs first, then discuss what they’ll mean for potential buyers as well as a few comparisons to the prior model, starting with the three fanless processor configurations:

  • Intel Core M3-8100Y, 2C/4T, 1.1GHz (4MB cache, up to 3.4GHz)
  • Intel Core i5-8200Y, 2C/4T, 1.3GHz (4MB cache, up to 3.9GHz)
  • Intel Core i7-8500Y, 2C/4T, 1.5GHz (4MB cache, up to 4.2GHz)
  • 14” LED-backlit IPS NanoEdge display, 100% sRGB, 1920 x 1080 with 5mm bezels and 360-degree hinge
  • Up to 8GB LPDDR3
  • Up to 128GB eMMC
  • MicroSD card reader, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
  • Two USB Type-C ports, one USB Type-A port (all ports are USB 3.1)
  • Backlit keyboard and multi-touch trackpad
  • HD webcam, presumably 720p based on the lack of a “FullHD” mention
  • 48 WHr battery, no estimated run-time yet
  • 3.2 pounds

About the only thing missing would be a digital stylus and support for it with the Asus Chromebook 434. I’d prefer a slightly higher resolution display, but that’s just me. I’ve also moved away from widescreen displays; not everyone else has though. That display is a big upgrade from the C302, which only showed 45% of the NTSC color gamut. This one supports 100% sRGB color, which is a huge improvement. I don’t expect this device to be used much as a tablet due to its size, weight and the rounded bottom edge: The display won’t quite fold flat against the entire base.

The processor choices are the same 8th-generation Y-Series options found in the Pixel Slate, minus the Celeron option, so the new Flip should easily handle numerous tabs, Android and Linux apps with ease, especially when paired with 8 GB of memory, although I suspect the base model will have half that.

Since I mentioned the Pixel Slate and its comparable models, which start at $799 without a keyboard, let’s think about pricing since Asus hasn’t determined that yet.

Aside from the step down from Intel U-Series to Y-Series chips, as well as screen resolution, the new Asus Chromebook C434 is similar to the Acer Chromebook Spin 13; I reviewed the $899 Core i5 model of that device and it was fantastic. I’m thinking that the similarly configured Asus Chromebook C434 models will be between $100 and $150 less than the 13 Spin. Extrapolate that out and you get $650 or so for the mid-range C434, with the base hopefully starting at $549 to $599.

If, and it’s a big if yet, that price scheme holds true when Asus starts selling this Chromebook in the coming months, you’ll be getting a lot of Chromebook for the money and you won’t need to spend $800 to $1,000 to get it. Put another way: If Asus can start this device at $549, I think it will have a huge success in the market with the Chromebook C434.

author avatar
Kevin C. Tofel

11 thoughts on “The Asus Chromebook C434 is a very worthy successor to the Flip C302

  1. Should be a winner like it’s predecessor, the c302. Looks great on paper and we can only hope it carries the spirit of what came before. Asus seen to have become my go-to OEM these days, although they don’t always get it perfectly right.

    Wonder if we’ll see a new (mk3) 10″ flip later on this year?

  2. Okay, I want one! My C302 is still streaming along without any problems whatsoever, BUT I really WANT one!

  3. Yep, that’s the one. Been waiting for it for about a year, since the C302 doesn’t support Crostini.

    I agree with Kevin here: at $549 (considering the M3 processor is paired with only 4GB), this device would be an instant hit. Even at $600 (with, say, 8GB instead) it has no real competition in the market.

    Looking forward to the full review.

  4. It’s funny, but with all the great improvements to the C302, the screen aspect ratio is still 16:9, and therefore its out of the running for me. Shame. I loved the sound of the predecessor, and this absolutely slays.
    It just isn’t for me.

    1. I’m right there with you. Nice device but widescreen doesn’t do it for me either. ?‍♂️

  5. This screen on this is 1920×1280 giving it a ratio of 3:2. Therefore not the same as the 16:9 widescreen on the C302.

  6. Asus leave c302 without Linux apps… Sure I won’t buy another Asus. will they do the same with a new one?

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