Customer Ratings & Reviews

Excellent. Thin, compact, lightweight, fast, easy to set up, runs with Google, easy shortcut key options, bright display, great speakers, charger is fast and compact. Clicks quietly. Retains battery life extremely well. User friendly and worth more than it’s being charged for.

I’m very happy with this Chromebook. I bought it as a Christmas gift for my 15-year-old niece, and she uses it every day for school. It’s easy to use, starts up quickly, and works great for homework, Google Classroom, browsing, and streaming. The size is perfect — lightweight and easy for her to carry around. The display is clear and comfortable for long study sessions, and the battery life easily lasts her through the school day. For the price, it’s a great value and does exactly what we needed it to do. If you’re looking for a reliable, simple laptop for a student or everyday use, this is a solid choice. I would definitely recommend it

Great Budget Chromebook with an Excellent Screen and Keyboard ASUS chose some fantastic components for this budget Chromebook. The keyboard feels premium, and the screen is much easier on the eyes compared to other budget options on the market. Performance-wise, the browser opens Google Docs almost instantly, making it excellent for writing school papers. You can also set it up in developer mode to install a Linux VM and run - Linux apps, allowing you to set it up for app development work. The CPU performance is surprisingly snappy, and the 4GB of RAM doesn't feel like a limitation at all on ChromeOS. This is a great laptop for the price. I picked mine up as an "open-box" item, and it was in excellent condition upon inspection at the store.

I purchased this laptop for school because it was cheap. The leptop itself functions excellent despite the low price tag. It has a log battery life around 4-5 hours, and is quick.

Great for portable gaming with XBOX gamepass! Great screen definition with great surround sound speakers. I also write my novels using software downloadable from the chrome extensions. Would recommend

I was very satisfied on the day I purchased my Chromebook. It works very well for my operational needs. I just wish I had purchased one with more RAM. The sales associate was very prompt and knowledgeable. I will definitely go to that Best Buy location again.

Best purchase I’ve made ; perfect for school; my daughter is so happy; very easy to work with; manageable; it works fast; I highly recommend it for school work and applications.

I love the laptop very satisfying using it for studying all services is good, also has a lot of options for entertainment as watching movies or listening to music and playing games

I was in need of a new laptop after my old one went to laptop heaven. Of course, I wasn’t financially prepared, but I decided to check out Best Buy’s website. To my surprise, they had one that fit my budget, AND the minimum specs I needed. Also, I was able to pick it up the same day after purchasing online. Thanks Best Buy! It was truly the Best Purchase of this year for me!

I love the sight of my new laptop it's everything I needed no hiccups no interruptions and fast results from a good quality brand.

This is exactly what I needed. I was able to get right to work after set up. I look forward to getting another laptop when the time comes.

It was the right price and works decent. I needed something quick for school because my old one laptop died. I would recommend this to another student. I’ve had it for about 2 months now and I haven’t had any problems so far. The only thing I’d say is the battery life isn’t as good as I expected for a new laptop.

It’s a nice computer for college work and school work.

It works as it should i kinda put a game squad warranty. I had no issues with it as of this point.

I purchased so my daughter can homeschool and this was a grea purchace. Got it through OPEN BOX. Didnt know what tha was at first till my bestfriend explained lol. Thank you bestbuy , will be purchasing more soon.

Best for the price incredible value and oerfo6and usage

as a base model Chromebook, it is very functional and is good for video conferencing on a basic level. You are getting quite a bit of basic functionality for the price.

Asus CX 14” FHD Chromebook Laptop Intel Celeron 4GB Memory 64 GB eMMC – Misty Grey This is a perfect Chromebook as a starter plus computer for any age, but especially for a younger student wanting to learn computing and develop artistic computer skills. After reading about this 2025 Chromebook model, I decided it was perfect for my granddaughter as her first personal computer. She is in a select advanced creative learning fifth-grade class in a strong school district and would like to have something more on which to learn programs and develop skills than just her tablet. There are a lot of PROS to this computer as a selection for her first computer. First, one of the absolute best features is that it is built on Chrome OS, Google’s operating system. With Chrome OS, setting up the computer is super simple. All that is needed to set up the computer is her Gmail address and password. The Gmail email address and password are central and basic to activating this as her new personal computer. Once the Gmail address is entered into the setup, the user can make a 6-digit password that will then serve as the login on the computer in the future, with no need for a lot of password memory. Another PRO to selecting this Chromebook is that Chrome OS is set up to not allow viruses. Of course, this can always happen, but Google has not had any instances where a virus has entered the Chrome OS system since February 2024. This eliminates the need for additional virus protection programs, continuous updates for virus protection, and the annual renewal cost. But, one of the very best features of this computer when selecting it for a younger person’s very first personal computer, is that when you set it up and initially turn it on, you will be asked whether you wish to set the computer up for personal use, work use, or child use. After this selection is made, the computer automatically installs all the programs specific to the choice you initially made. There is no need to go through every aspect of the computer and determine how to set it up, this is automatic through the Chrome OS. Once activated and set up for Child use, or for any of the three choices, the Chrome OS system will keep the computer updated automatically based on the initial choice you made on how you wanted to customize the personal computer. Being able to set the computer up specifically for Child Use helps keep the younger person on task with using the computer for learning, building computing skills, and expanding their creativity, but it also relieves anxieties the parent or guardian has about worries about how to child-proof internet sites, etc. You can still go in under the account and set up Parental Controls on time limits, amount of time, and when the computer can be used, etc. As an educator, I know that children’s learning potential is stifled by parents’ lack of technological knowledge and fears of not being able to protect their children from the internet. Because of these fears, too often parents and guardians postpone computer introduction for their children, and in this fast-paced technological world, that just makes the student’s future fall behind in reaching their full potential. These fears can be tremendously mitigated by just setting the computer up under Child Use and letting the system automatically update this setting. Once I selected the initial choice, with my internet, it only took 12 minutes to download all that was needed and have the computer personalized and ready to use. As needs change, the computer can later be reactivated under another choice by just resetting the entire computer and setting it up again. With this model, the user receives 3 months of Gemini Advanced (AI features) and 2 TB of cloud storage, which is significant, at no cost. Thereafter, there is a charge for these additional services after 3 months. Technical specifications of this computer include the following aspects. The computer is built on an Intel Celeron processor N4500 and has Intel UHD Graphics built into the system. The System Memory or RAM is 4 gigabytes (built on type LPDDR4X, which is often used for high power and low power consumption), and the total Storage Capacity of the computer is 64 gigabytes. The system storage used for running applications and storing the operating system information is eMMC (embedded Multimedia Card), which is a stable type of system memory. For just a few dollars more, there is a model that has increased RAM (System Memory) and increased Storage Capacity. However, without the need to perform advanced graphics, there is not a need for higher RAM and with the use of the Cloud for additional storage (if needed), 64 GBs should be ample for learning and performing all types of task and work, and for saving those things she wants to file away or keep working on. The Display is based on LED, which gives the picture high color contrast and superior brightness. The anti-glare screen resolution of 2K gives a much sharper picture than HD, and works well for streaming videos, basic gaming, paint and color programs, basic creative drawing programs, and general overall tasks. Fourteen inches is considered a medium-sized computer, and the screen size on a 14” computer gives a good viewing experience that also allows the computer to fit easily into a normal-sized backpack. The screen resolution is 1920x1080 (Full HD). Additional features of this computer include Google Assistant and a 180-degree hinge for setting the computer at different viewing angles. Connections are plenty with a 1 x HDMI 1.4 connection, 1 x USB A 3.2, and 1x USB C3, a headphone jack, WIFI, (AX wireless internet connection), and Bluetooth. The computer also has a built-in microphone, a 720-p front-facing camera, and a USB-C 45-watt power supply. The 3-cell battery is expected to last up to 10 hours, but that always varies based on whether the computer is used for constant streaming, computer work, gaming, or a combination of all types of computer use. The computer is made of military grade material, and this model is light grey, which almost resembles silver. Energy Star Certified, the computer has a Warranty that covers parts and labor for 1 year from purchase. Another reason that I like this computer as a beginning personal computer is that it is exceptionally light and easy to manage. It only weighs 3.06 lbs. and is only .78 “thick. It is 12.78” w x 8.44” h, certainly a nice size for packing and carrying in a backpack. CONS include no backlit keyboard, no numeric pad to the right (which is fading industry-wide). Still numerical numbers grace the top row of the keyboard as they have traditionally done since the typewriter. As she progresses, especially if she moves into learning more about graphics, she will need higher RAM and higher system memory, and I cannot give this model 5 stars only for these reasons. But for now, this is a smart choice as a computer for her to download the applicable Apps of programs she wishes to learn and start improving her creative art skills, typing abilities, have fun with casual gaming, and develop basic computing skills. It is an excellent choice for a basic or first computer, and most especially for a younger person’s first computing experience.

I’m writing this review using the Asus Chromebook and I’ve been using the device for almost a week now. I am quite amazed by the performance of the device. If this laptop were running Windows, I wouldn't expect such a smooth experience with the same processor and memory specs. Chrome OS plays a large part in making this laptop a joy to use for both entertainment and light work, and Asus just follows suit. TLDR; this is a great value chromebook. At such a low price point, this chromebook laptop offers a lot. It does not feel and look cheap at all, in fact, the design is geared toward a professional and business look. The laptop is light, and has an attractive grey silvery color. The finishing surface is smooth, and it is well made and appears to be durable to withstand daily use and commute. The screen can unfold to a flat position and the hinge appears to be robust and sturdy enough. The Chromebook laptop has both USB-C DP and USB-A ports, which are rated at 5 GBPS speed. It also has an HDMI port and a headphone jack. As always, the laptop supports both Bluetooth and Wifi connections. There’s an onboard 64GB storage, which is good for downloading files directly to the chromebook. Because this is a chromebook device, the laptop needs to be connected to the internet at all times in order to use Google docs and sync your work realtime to the cloud. The chromebook comes with free three months of Google AI plan and 2 TB of cloud storage, which is a great value because typically they would cost $19.99 per month. The subscription also applies to existing Google One subscribers. No subscription is required to use this chromebook optimally, but the Google AI is indeed a very useful and attractive feature. I’m pleasantly surprised by the quality of the screen. It is bright, sharp, colorful and has enough contrast to make watching Netflix an enjoyable experience. Sound quality is decent, which is typical for a laptop at the given price range. The speakers’ volume is loud enough though it would have been better if it were slightly louder, and audio quality is surely still enjoyable for listening to music or listening to podcasts as long as we keep our expectations in check. Both Bluetooth audio connection and headphone jack works well. Quire surprisingly headphone jack connection gives plenty of volume, which is about as loud as my external audio processing device (DAC) could get. So, kudos to Asus for making wired headphone users being well taken care of. This laptop is well-suited for light tasks within the Google Docs and Chrome OS app ecosystem. The typing experience is smooth and responsive, with a comfortable keyboard layout and touch that feels similar to a Windows laptop. The touchpad offers a responsive experience and it works similarly like using a Macbook. At 80% battery capacity and 100% screen brightness, the laptop gives me more than 5 hours of use and that makes the laptop great for daily use. The laptop has an instant-on feature that feels similar to using a Macbook. This is not your kid’s school chromebook, there’s a night and day difference and I just wish that the school would allow my kid to replace his school chromebook with this Asus one. Pros: Zippy for lightwork Screen quality Good battery life, great for daily use. Headphone jack gives plenty of volume. Cons: Audio volume could be slightly louder when using built-in speakers.

The ASUS CX14 (C3X1405CKA) is a 14” entry level Chromebook. This CX14 is an update to ASUS’s CX lineup that started in 2024. The formula is still the same – lightweight, portable, budget friendly, and enough performance for day-to-day tasks. I have used another ASUS 14” Chromebook (CM3401) for 2 years, and it has held up well to regular usage, so I would hope for a similar outcome for this model. Specs CPU – Intel Celeron N4500 Dual Core 1.10 GHz w/ turbo boost up to 2.8 GHz Graphics - Intel UHD (Jasper Lake 16 EU) graphics Memory – 4GB LPDDR4X Screen – 14” 1920 x 1080p HD TN; 250nits; NTSC 45% Storage – 64GB eMMC Flash memory – microSD card port available for additional expansion Ports – 1X USB 3.2 type-C / 1X USB 3.2 type-A / TRRS 3.5mm Jack (headphone and mic support) Audio – dual speakers Webcam – 720p with dual microphone Dimensions – 12.8 x 8.4 x 0.7”; 3.06lb Design The design of the CX14 is basic, but clean looking. The 14” size and 3lb weight make for a very portable solution. The 14” size is perfect for when I travel/fly as anything larger doesn’t really fit on the seatback tray. The entire chassis is made mostly of silvery ABS plastic, spare the bottom which is more gray and the black screen bezel. The lid and surface around the keyboard are all soft to the touch. The bottom chassis has a light texture which improves grip. The Chromebook feels solid despite its all plastic construction. The hinge and display feel sturdy when opening the lid – I don’t feel it tweak or flex too much even when opening from one corner. The hinge opens to 180° and holds its position easily. The bezel around the screen is about 1/4”, so it has some thickness to grab onto. The CX14 does not have a numberpad, so the key spacing does not feel too tightly packed. The large trackpad measures in at 4.1 x 2.9in and matches the color of the chassis. The ports are all located on the left side of the body. This was a little surprising as I am used to seeing USB-C charging ports on both sides of Chromebooks – even the cheapest ones my kids get from school have that. Performance This is my second N4500 based Chromebook, so I know what to expect in terms of processing power. The N4500 is decently fast and can open and close programs quickly. I would expect on a Chromebook like this that the most demanding task will be streaming video and maybe a browser going at the same time. There is enough power here to handle that without bogging down. If you load up the Chrome tabs and have several applications open you will start to notice some hitches in application switching. I have played a few games on my other Chromebook which definitely drags performance down, and it was the same here. The 4GB of RAM doesn’t provide a lot of extra room for anything beyond lightweight games made for tablets/phones or older titles that have been emulated to work on ChromeOS. However, the focus of this machine really isn’t gaming so much as it is from schoolwork or web browsing. The 64GB of eMMC opens programs and files without much delay. However, there is no expansion SD slot on this Chromebook, so you will need Google Drive space or an external drive if you need to haul around more data. Display The 14” 1920 X 1080p FHD TN panel looks pretty good. It’s not an overly bright display at 250 nits, which means using in a really well lit room will cause some washing out of the image. Color reproduction was good as well - I didn’t notice any funky colors while watching videos and images looked similar when compared to other higher-quality displays. The image quality is nice and sharp, which makes working a text document a pleasant experience. Off-angle viewing was not that great, but that is to be expected out of a TN panel. It’s a nice looking display, and the 14” size provides a comfortable size for viewing most content. Keyboard and Trackpad The keyboard is a tenkeyless design – no number pad. The keys have a comfortable spacing and my fingers are easily able to navigate the keys. The keycaps are lightly textured out of a dark grey plastic, and are marked with solid white letters. The keyboard itself is not backlit, but the light of the screen is enough to illuminate the keys in a darkened room. The keys have a light actuation pressure and a very short (~0.04”) travel length. Typing on the keyboard is fairly quiet, so you won’t annoy anyone with clacking keys. I am not a huge fan of this material for keycaps as it feels cheap and reduces the overall feeling of a keyboard. The clickable trackpad works well and is surprisingly quick on the pointer speed. The trackpad has no issue discerning multitouch actions and it seems to be fairly accurate at reading my inputs. Battery Life Nowhere have I seen a stated battery life for the CX14. However, the checking the battery meter shows, at a full charge a little over 8 hours. I would bet somewhere around that figure will be the real world battery life. That figure is still dependent on the screen brightness setting and what you are doing on the Chromebook. For me an hour of Netflix with the screen brightness down dropped the battery 22%, so just a little under 5 hours of video streaming on a charge. For day to day productivity tasks I can certainly see getting around the 8 hour mark, which is pretty good on a single charge. The CX14 uses a 45W PD charger that plugs into the USB-C port, and it only takes about 1 hour 20 min to fill up the battery from below 10%.. The largest benefit to using a USB-C PD charger is the ability to use a variety of chargers or refuel with a portable battery pack. I can use my phone’s 30W charger or my tablets 65W charger without issue. The 30W charger takes a little longer to charge, but if I am traveling I can bring along 1 charger to suit my needs. Sound The sound from the speakers is decent. Voice calls sound fine as well as most speech specific audio. Music and dynamic audio from TV/movies doesn’t do too bad with mids/highs but is non-existent at the low end. That’s more or less par for the course as far as budget laptops and Chromebooks go. The speakers are plenty loud enough which is just as important. I can play music or a video and hear it over doing dishes or cooking. Webcam The webcam experience wasn’t too bad. It’s nothing super amazing, but it did much better than expected in low light. It still looks the best in a well-lit room, but overall the image looked clear. Its perfectly serviceable for meetings and video calls.leaves a little to be desired. Cons The only real knock I have against the CX14 is the lack of an SD card slot, which I mentioned already. All other Chromebooks I have owned/used with the smaller eMMC storage I have had the ability to stick a fast microSD in to greatly expand the storage and still maintain fast load speeds. The CX14’s smaller storage size will push users to rely on cloud storage for their files, which is not always ideal. There is typically a monthly cost to this storage and it requires a reliable internet connection to access. An example would be when we take a road trip. I like to load up movies on a few devices for the kids, and usually that will creep over into the expandable storage. I can’t provide a fast enough connection through my phone’s hotspot while driving across Kansas to stream Netflix. A minor complaint is the lack of USB-C on both sides of the Chromebook. I hate being locked in to having the charger on 1 side, and the flexibility both sides gives you is a small creature comfort. There is also a practical reason for wanting a second port and that is redundancy. It is not completely uncommon for a port to fail, and with a single port you are 1 failure away from having a paperweight. It’s one of the reasons kids school Chromebooks always have dual charging ports. Overall I think this is a pretty good Chromebook that has a lot going for it. I really like the 14” form factor even though I lose out on the numberpad. The size makes it significantly more portable, which is great for bringing along in the car or on work trips. The specs on the CX14 aren’t mind blowing, but its more than enough to keep the system chugging along. I never expect a Chromebook to be used for a lot of high-powered applications, so its ability to provide a good office productivity experience is what matters. I only had a few issues with the device and that was the lack of an SD slot and a second Type-C port for charging. I had zero operational issues with the Chromebook otherwise.