A Chromebook is gaining in popularity, and its success can be attributed to several factors: price, battery life, and performance. Asus is not a budding manufacturer in this area and expects to get its share in the cake.
He is currently selling his new model, originally announced at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. The premium Chromebook Flip C434 offers a 360-degree hinge that lets you use your computer as a tablet. But did the Taiwanese manufacturer understand correctly? How does the Flip C434 work daily? Find out in our full review!
Rating
pros
- Elegant design
- Superior battery life
- Performance
- Connection technology
Cons
- Limited tablet mode
- High price on Chromebook
Top-class Chromebooks
Thanks to superior positioning in terms of materials, performance and finish, the Chromebook Flip C434 has a higher price than usual for a Chromebook. It will cost at least $ 569,99 for an entry-level configuration in the United States. In the UK, prices start at £ 599,99. For this price, you get a version with an Intel Core M3-8100Y processor with a clock frequency of 1,1 GHz (4 MB cache, up to 3,4 GHz), 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory.
For our review, we tested the version with the 5th generation Intel Core i8 processor, with 8 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory.
- More features than ever before: how I got to my Chromebook
Laptop and tablet
Asus does not change the formula for victory. This Chromebook Flip C434 is already replacing the superior Flip C302. Like the C302, the Flip C434 has a 360 degree hinge, which allows you to use it as a tablet. This is a dual-action system that slightly raises and tilts the keyboard to the text input position when the display rotates into laptop mode.
Although the dimensions have not changed much (15,7 mm and 1,45 kg thickness), the new Chromebook benefits from progress in terms of display. Now it offers a 14-inch diagonal without a frame, compared to 12,5 inches on the previous model. The width of the frames on the sides was reduced to 5 mm.
- Acer Chromebook 315: AMD and Chrome OS processors
Chromebook is completely made of metal
Flip C434 includes aluminum on its cover, on top and bottom of the case. The final design is uniform in appearance, regardless of whether the C434 is used in computer or tablet mode.
From a practical point of view, the Chromebook Flip C434 is one of the most prestigious Chromebooks on the market, and its 16: 9 format makes the machine compact and easy to carry in a backpack.
Therefore, it is not surprising to find a backlit keyboard with a rather long keystroke (the distance of pressing the key is 1,4 mm). For typing, I was more than happy when using the Flip C434. My only complaint is the keyboard backlight and its intensity. Sometimes, for example, the keys did not differ due to the light coming from the display. The plastic touch panel below the keyboard is large enough, but it doesn’t reach the size or smoothness of a Macbook or Matebook, but the Asus ErgoLift hinge, which raises the back of the keyboard for easier typing, is convenient.
The Chromebook Flip C434 offers connectivity options with two USB Type-C ports, as well as a USB Type-A port for external devices. This is a welcome range that means you don’t have to buy adapters or keys as accessories. Two speakers and a headphone jack are built into the base of the computer. A micro-SD slot is also included (but not protected).
Very nice screen
The IPS display on the Asus Flip C434TA is simply excellent. Its ultra-thin bezels allow you to enjoy a 14-inch screen in a 13-inch template. Its Full HD resolution (1920 × 1080 pixels) provides an excellent image. I could hope for a QHD definition, but that doesn’t bother me every day, and I need to make some concessions or take a chance when I see that the price of the Chromebook will go even further.
There is also nothing to complain about with brightness or viewing angles, which are more than enough. Its 16: 9 format is ideal for streaming video. Above, above the screen, there is a webcam that offers a fairly simple definition of HD, but which is suitable for several video calls (in any case, asking for more seems crazy to me). Finally, the screen is also touch-sensitive and its responsiveness is excellent.
Two modes in one
An interesting feature of this model is the ability to flip the display for use in tablet mode. If the idea is good, then the execution will be slightly less successful. The problem lies, in particular, in such thin borders that sometimes lead to accidental clicks, and especially to its weight, which most prevents Flip C434 when used as a tablet.
In tablet mode, there is also no multi-window mode, and you should use a virtual keyboard. Finally, many applications and games cannot be downloaded to the device, so this is not necessarily the best use for this Chromebook.
If you're looking for a tablet, I recommend you take a look at the Galaxy Tab S6 or iPad Pro.
Chrome OS on board
Not surprisingly, it was the Chrome OS operating system found in this Chromebook. The system, due to its relatively low weight, offers a smooth and mostly cloudy experience. Document storage is always possible with Chromebook's expandable memory. Some people like the simplicity and speed of Chrome OS, others don't like the lack of customization.
For more information, I suggest you read the following articles that talk more about the OS:
- How to use CrossOver to use Linux to use Windows in Chrome OS
- ChromeOS is not the future of Android tablets
- Acer Spin 13 review: universal Chromebook
Powerful engine under the hood
This premium aspect is also reflected in performance. Asus has decided to put 8th generation Intel processors here under the hood. Three configurations are available: i7-8500Y, i5-8200Y or M3-8100Y.
This convertible laptop, therefore, includes a powerful processor and RAM up to 8 GB and up to 128 GB of memory (microSD card support is up to 2 TB). My test with i5 / 8GB was flawless. It ensures smooth operation even if, in addition to Android applications, many Chrome tabs are open. You will not encounter any problems when working in the office and even when editing simple images using Gimp.
The computer is also completely silent, because it is a machine without fans. The device also does not overheat, unlike many of its competitors.
Stereo sound
As for the sound, the sound remains correct, clear and perfectly audible thanks to the two speakers that provide stereo sound. However, this is not the best computer in this area, and others are doing better. The Asus Flip C434 Chromebook just does the job. No more, no less.
9 hours battery life
Finally, let's finish this review of the Chromebook Flip C434 with one of the device’s strengths, namely its battery life. Asus promises 10 hours. In practice, I experienced more than nine
hours of trouble-free use, with a screen brightness of about 70 percent, connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and mostly without Android apps in the background.
Charging requires a USB-C charger. Allow about an hour to fully charge.
The final verdict
Yes, the Asus Flip C434 Chromebook is one of the best Chromebooks on the market. A new update from a Taiwanese manufacturer has incorporated the best features of its predecessor (C302), offering new settings that optimize its design and performance. The strength of Chrome OS and recent efforts by Google on its system make it possible to talk about the bright future of this type of computer.
However, this good result is overshadowed by two things: the tablet mode, which in the end is not very useful, and the price that dampens the enthusiasm of Chromebook users and fans ... at least in Europe.
This article was amended on September 17, 2019. This was the final version of our review from that day, but comments written during the practical period have not been deleted.
