Asus Chromebook Plus CX14: A Budget Chromebook That Feels Even Cheaper

Chromebook manufacturers are relatively few, but Asus has always been one of the key players. Most of its models target the lower price segments, though it also offers a few premium options. When I contacted Asus to request review units, however, this was the only model available: the Asus Chromebook Plus CX14.

This is clearly an entry-level device. Priced at around $520, it competes on paper with similarly affordable options like Acer’s Chromebook 514.

However, when it comes to build quality and overall feel, it falls noticeably short.

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Cheap Design, Solid Durability

The CX14 features coarse matte gray plastic surfaces and a small, cramped trackpad with an uncomfortable texture. There’s no keyboard backlighting either—something even some budget competitors offer.

The chassis shows visible seams between panels, and the surface finish feels like a failed attempt to mimic the ceramic aluminum used in Asus’ premium laptops. It doesn’t quite succeed.

That said, ergonomics are still decent, and the build is sturdy enough to handle everyday use. It’s clearly designed to be durable, even if it lacks refinement.

Basic Performance—Nothing More

The laptop is powered by an Intel Core 3 N355 processor. With its eight modest cores, it handles everyday browsing and light apps reasonably well—as long as you don’t push it too hard.

It comes with:

• 8GB LPDDR5 RAM (fast)
• 128GB eMMC storage (slow)

This combination creates a mixed experience. Some tasks feel responsive, while others—especially those involving storage—can be noticeably sluggish.

Display: Decent Head-On, Limited Otherwise

You get a 14-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display, which is sharp enough for everyday use. Unlike some competitors using IPS panels, this appears to be a VA panel, which introduces more noticeable shifts in contrast and color when viewed from different angles.

The upside? When viewed straight on, the display actually looks quite good, with strong contrast and relatively deep blacks.

The downside is that colors appear somewhat washed out, making photos, videos, and games less vibrant. Combined with the weak graphics performance, this isn’t a machine designed for entertainment.

Surprisingly Good Speakers

One pleasant surprise is the audio quality. The speakers perform better than expected for a budget laptop. While not hi-fi by any means, they deliver a balanced sound with decent mids and even some noticeable bass when streaming music.

Voice reproduction is clear, making video calls a comfortable experience.

The built-in microphone captures your voice well but also picks up a fair amount of background noise. Meanwhile, the 1080p wide-angle webcam offers acceptable quality—slightly washed-out colors and some motion blur, but good enough for everyday use.

Connectivity and Battery Life

All ports are located on the left side and include:

• 2x USB-C
• 2x USB-A
• HDMI
• Headphone jack

You can also connect external displays via USB-C, and like most Chromebooks, charging is handled through USB-C.

Battery capacity isn’t specified, but in real-world use, it comfortably lasts a full workday of browsing, streaming, and emailing. However, don’t expect much more than that—you may need to recharge if you plan to use it late into the night.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This article may contain affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Final Verdict

Overall, it’s difficult to give the Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 a high rating. Yes, it’s affordable and gets the job done for users with modest expectations—but it feels cheaper than it should.

There are competing models that are not only slightly less expensive but also offer a better overall experience.

Specifications

• Product Name: Asus Chromebook Plus CX14
• Tested: February 2026
• Model: CX1405CTA-S60246
• Manufacturer: Asus
• Processor: Intel Core 3 N355 (8 cores, 1.8–3.9 GHz)
• GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR5
• Storage: 128GB eMMC
• Display: 14″ VA, 1920×1080, 60Hz, 300 nits, matte
• Webcam: 1080p
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3
• Ports:
  • 2x USB-C (with DisplayPort)
  • 2x USB-A
  • HDMI
  • Headphone jack
• OS: Chrome OS
• Battery Life: ~8 hours (mixed usage at 200 nits)
• Size: 32.45 × 21.44 × 2 cm
• Weight: 1.38 kg
• Price: ~$520

Performance Benchmarks

• Geekbench 6 (Single-core): 1,176
• Geekbench 6 (Multi-core): 4,388
• Geekbench 6 (GPU): 5,870
• Storage Read Speed: 185 MB/s
• Storage Write Speed: 116 MB/s

Rating: ⭐ 2.5 / 5

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Decent speakers for the category
• Solid durability
• Full-day battery life

Cons:

• Cheap build quality and materials
• Weak performance for demanding tasks
• Slow eMMC storage
• Washed-out display colors
• No keyboard backlight