Skip to main content

Asus is partnering with Google for the education-focused Chromebook C202

At CES today, Asus revealed that it will be collaborating with Google on “improving education and the quality of the classroom,” of which the newly announced Chromebook C202 will play a pivotal role.

The Chromebook C202, Asus says, is a “rugged” PC, unsurprisingly featuring Chrome OS “built to withstand the rigors of educational use.”

It’s a lightweight laptop with durability to boot, thanks to its rubber bumper which wraps around the entire notebook, with reinforced corners for extra protection. The C202 also brings with it a spill-resistant keyboard, a scratch-resistant finish, and a shock-proof SSD. It’s even been exposed to military-grade reliability tests in case you’re looking for a laptop for a fourth-grader who has not yet overcome the impulse to physically channel their anger.

It’s a low-cost notebook with low specs to match. The 11.6-inch 1,366 x 768 anti-glare display with an Intel Celeron N3060 processor and 2-to-4GB of onboard memory isn’t going to impress anyone with basic PC smarts, but clearly that’s not Asus’ audience with this device. This is likely geared towards grade school students looking to do the bulk of their work online, especially with that measly 16GB of eMMC local storage space.

Additional features include a built-in SD card reader, an HD webcam, 802.11 a/b/g/n or 802.11ac (Wi-Di) + BT4.2 networking protocols, an HDMI 1.4 port, a headphone jack, two USB 3.0 ports, and an AC adapter with a power cable.

The Chromebook C202 also boasts an industry-first in modular design, which allows users to easily remove components like the keyboard, power socket, and battery for replacement or repair. The notebook can in fact be taken apart completely, Asus says, in “a few easy steps using only simple tools.” Luckily, that probably won’t need to happen, given the PC’s sturdy design and extensive 10-hour battery life.

While release date and pricing information aren’t available yet, Asus advises you to “contact your local Asus representative for further information,” (whatever that means).

Editors' Recommendations

Gabe Carey
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…
Google Screencast rethinks screen recordings on Chromebooks
google screencast rethinks screen recordings chrome os

Google wants you to rethink the way you do screen recordings on your Chromebook, especially when it comes to classroom and education scenarios.

Coming in ChromeOS 103 is a new system app known as Screencast, which can take what you record on your screen to a newer, more interactive level in more ways than one.

Read more
Google teases a true video editor for its Chromebooks
Luma Fusion Running on Chrome OS

Chromebooks might have better battery life, security, and performance when compared to MacBooks and Windows PCs, but video editing has always been their weakness. That might soon change, though, as Google recently teased a true video editor for Chrome OS during the annual I/O developer conference.

As mentioned at around the 18-minute mark in a "what's new in Chrome OS" video, Google says it is planning to bring LumaFusion to Chromebooks. This video editor is already quite popular on iOS, yet Google says it has worked closely with the developer of the app to create a "powerful multi-track video editing experience on Android optimized for large screens" on Chrome OS.

Read more
All the new Chromebook features quietly announced at Google I/O
A beta showing off Google's plans for Android and Chromebook app streaming.

At the annual Google I/O developer conference, Google announced several new features coming to Chrome OS later this year. The majority are designed to bring Android phones and Chromebooks closer together with cross-device synergies like communication and app streaming.

As discussed in a 23-minute-long breakout session video, one of the top talked-about features coming to Chrome OS soon is Camera Roll. With this one, you can open and share recent photos from your Android phone on your Chromebook. It will be coming "later this year" and will live in the Chrome OS Phone Hub. From there, you can simply drag and drop the listed photos as needed.

Read more