Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402: An Upgrade That Doesn’t Quite Take Off

When I reached out to Asus to borrow a couple of Chromebooks for testing, none of their more premium models were available. However, I noticed that a laptop I’ve tested several times before—the Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402—had been updated with a newer, slightly more modern processor.

Asus has followed this pattern with this model for years: occasionally refreshing the processor while leaving almost everything else unchanged. That actually makes it easy to review. I already knew most of what to expect and only needed to evaluate the performance improvements. After briefly testing a display unit from a local store, it quickly became clear—everything feels familiar, and the laptop has gone from fairly fast to just a bit faster.

This is still a machine capable of handling demanding web applications, most Android apps, and even some gaming, thanks to its Intel Iris Xe graphics. If needed, you can also enable Linux compatibility mode and install full desktop applications.

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RAM Upgrade Matters More

One of the most important upgrades is the jump to 16GB of RAM, up from 8GB in previous versions. In practice, this matters more than the modest CPU performance increase. However, it also appears to have pushed the price slightly higher.

Another small improvement is connectivity, with Wi-Fi upgraded from Wi-Fi 6 to Wi-Fi 6E, adding support for the 6GHz band.

When I say “new processor,” don’t expect cutting-edge hardware. The latest chips are found in Asus’ more premium Chromebook lineup, such as the Chrome OS version of the ExpertBook, which I haven’t had the chance to test yet. Instead, this model uses a 13th-gen Intel Core i5-1334U, an incremental step up from the 12th-gen chip in last year’s version.

Solid Build, But Aging Design

The laptop is well-built, though not particularly elegant or premium-looking. The keyboard feels noticeably better than on the cheaper Asus Chromebook CX14, and you also get clear backlighting.

However, because the design itself is a few years old, it lacks some newer Chromebook features—such as the quick-insert key found on more recent models. That said, it’s not something I particularly missed.

The chassis has some sharper edges, which can make it less comfortable to carry. It’s also not especially lightweight, but in return, it’s more durable than most alternatives. It carries a MIL-STD-810H certification, although Asus doesn’t provide detailed specifics—this could include resistance to drops, temperature extremes, or vibrations.

Above-Average Display

The 14-inch 1080p IPS display offers solid baseline quality for office work. Its color coverage is close to the sRGB standard, making it suitable for movies and casual gaming.

That said, contrast is only average, and there is some light bleeding around the edges. The display looks best at higher brightness levels and in brighter scenes, while darker content reveals its limitations.

Audio comes from two downward-facing speakers. The sound is decent but lacks detail in the highs and has an overemphasized midrange. Interestingly, the cheaper Asus Chromebook CX14 actually sounds better. Still, it’s good enough for video calls or casual media playback.

The 1080p webcam performs well under proper lighting conditions but can quickly become noisy in dim environments.

Battery Life: Good, Not Great

With 10 to 13 hours of battery life depending on brightness levels, the Chromebook Plus CX3402 can comfortably last through a full workday. However, you may need to recharge in the evening.

That’s acceptable—but slightly disappointing, especially since the previous generation actually performed a bit better in this area.

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Specifications

• Product Name: Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402
• Tested: February 2026
• Model: 90NX07P2-M00PJ0
• Manufacturer: Asus
• Processor: Intel Core i5-1334U (2 P-cores up to 4.6 GHz + 8 E-cores up to 3.5 GHz)
• GPU: Intel Iris Xe
• RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X
• Storage: 128GB UFS
• Display: 14″ IPS, 1920×1080, 60Hz, 300 nits, matte
• Webcam: 1080p
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4
• Ports:
  • 2x USB-C (with DisplayPort)
  • 2x USB-A
  • HDMI
  • Headphone jack
• OS: Chrome OS
• Extras: Backlit keyboard, MIL-STD-810H durability
• Battery Life: ~12 hours (mixed usage at 200 nits)
• Size: 32.64 × 21.43 × 1.87 cm
• Weight: 1.44 kg
• Price: ~$500

Performance Benchmarks

• Geekbench 6 (Single-core): 1,822
• Geekbench 6 (Multi-core): 6,701
• Geekbench 6 (GPU): 9,911
• Storage Read Speed: 510 MB/s
• Storage Write Speed: 193 MB/s

Rating: ⭐ 3.5 / 5

Pros:

• Solid performance for Chrome OS
• 16GB RAM is a major upgrade
• Durable build quality
• Wi-Fi 6E support
• Good keyboard

Cons:

• Minimal improvements over previous versions
• Average display contrast
• Mediocre speakers
• Aging design
• Battery life could be better

Final Verdict

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402 is still a reliable and capable Chromebook, but this latest update feels incremental rather than transformative.

If you already own a previous version, there’s little reason to upgrade. But if you’re coming from an older or lower-end device, this model offers solid performance, good durability, and enough features to handle everyday tasks with ease.

That said, in this price range, competition is getting stronger—and Asus may need more than just incremental upgrades to stay ahead.