Just as Chromebooks continue to compete strongly with low-end Windows 10 machines, so too do manufacturers continue to push the envelope with new Chromebook designs. A recent leak indicates that Samsung has plans for a very high-end Chromebook Pro machine with some serious specs, and Samsung is not alone.
Today, some FCC information was identified that hints at a new Asus Chromebook that will fall somewhere between the lowest-end Chromebooks and the most premium, as Notebook Italia reports. Like the leaked Samsung Chromebook Pro, the Asus Chromebook C302CA as it’s currently designated will be a 2-in-1, with a 360-degree hinge allowing conversion between standard notebook and tablet formats.
Related: Samsung Chromebook Pro specs leaked
According to the FCC data, the new Asus machine will offer a 12.5-inch FullHD (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) resolution IPS touchscreen and at least an Intel M3-6Y30 Skylake processor — and so no Kaby Lake at this point. Additional specs include up to 8GB of RAM, 32GB eMMC storage, a 39kWh battery, and both 802.11AC and Bluetooth. Connectivity options could include two USB-C ports and a micro SD card reader, and Pen support is hinted at.
Asus currently offers another, decidedly lower-end 2-in-1 based on Google’s PC-like OS, the Chromebook Flip, that provides an 11-inch display, a Rockchip 3288 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage for a retail price of $249. The Chromebook C302CA, therefore, would represent a serious step up in terms of performance and design. Unlike the plastic used in the Chromebook Flip, the higher-level Asus model will utilize aluminum for a more premium feel.
As usual with such leaked information, there’s no idea when the machine might be available for purchase. Whenever it does arrive, however, it could sport a relatively premium price for a Chromebook at around $660. That would place the new 2-in-1 well outside of the entry level sought by the most budget-conscious buyers, and yet still somewhat lower than similarly configured Windows 10 machines.
