The Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 2025 is often on sale for $329.99 at Amazon, making it an appealing option for price-conscious buyers who still want more performance than a typical entry-level Chromebook. We put this 14-inch ChromeOS laptop through its paces to see how it handles everyday tasks, from web browsing and streaming to running multiple apps in parallel. Here’s what I discovered.
Asus positions the CX14 within its Plus series as a more powerful alternative to older Chromebooks, and that’s apparent from the very first moment.
With its 14-inch form factor, the Chromebook strikes a good balance between mobility and workspace. It’s large enough for comfortable multitasking, yet slim and light enough for daily transport in a rucksack.
In terms of size (325 × 214 × 20 millimeters) and weight (just over three pounds), the CX14 clearly sets itself apart from smaller 11- or 12-inch Chromebooks, which are often heavily optimized for mobility but compromise on ergonomics and screen size.
Visually, the CX14 remains pleasantly understated. Although the casing is mainly made of plastic, it feels solid and is surprisingly torsion-resistant. Asus has opted for a matt surface that hides fingerprints well and gives the device a functional, almost business-like look.
The screen bezels are narrower than on older Chromebook generations, without going to fashionable extremes. This makes the device look more modern without compromising on stability.
The keyboard is particularly impressive. It offers a clearly defined pressure point and sufficient travel, which is comfortable for longer typing sessions. This is by no means a given for a Chromebook in this price range. The generously sized touchpad responds precisely and reliably supports multi-touch gestures.
The 14-inch Full HD IPS display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels delivers decent sharpness and sufficient brightness for indoor use. Colors appear neutral, if not overly vivid–typical for a work device, less so for media enthusiasts. However, the panel is well suited for web browsing, office work, video conferencing, and streaming.
The model we tested features an Intel Core 3-N355 processor, combined with 8 GB of RAM (LPDDR5, 4,800 MHz) and 128 GB of eMMC storage. This configuration clearly sets it apart from many entry-level Chromebooks, which still come with 4 GB of RAM and slow storage. Right from the first start, it’s noticeable how quickly ChromeOS boots up and how responsive the system is in use.
The Intel Core 3-N355 is a modern entry-level mobile processor for Chromebooks, introduced in the first quarter of 2025, which operates with eight efficient Gracemont cores at up to 3.9 GHz, but has neither hyper-threading nor high-performance cores. Its eight cores without SMT and 6 MB of smart cache deliver noticeably more computing power than older N-series chips such as the N100, ensuring smooth multitasking and browser load in everyday use.
Thanks to 15 W TDP, power consumption remains low, while at the same time achieving better results than many classic entry-level CPUs, without, however, reaching high-end performance. Overall, it offers a good balance of efficiency and everyday performance for ChromeOS devices.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 does not have a dedicated graphics card; instead, graphics are handled by the processor’s integrated GPU. Specifically, the Chromebook relies on Intel UHD Graphics, which works together with the Intel Core 3-N355 chip and handles graphics and multimedia tasks. This integrated solution shares memory with the system and is well suited for everyday tasks such as video streaming, presentations or web apps, but does not deliver high-end performance for demanding 3D graphics or games.
With 8 GB of RAM, the CX14 is significantly better equipped than many older Chromebooks. Multiple browser tabs, Android apps and even Linux applications can be used in parallel without any noticeable bottlenecks. Although the 128 GB eMMC storage is not a performance driver, it offers sufficient space for offline data, apps, and Linux containers, making it significantly larger than many basic models.
The selection of ports is also suitable for everyday use: all ports are located on the left side and include USB-C for charging and data transfer, classic USB-A ports for existing accessories, and HDMI for external monitors. This allows the Chromebook to be used as a desktop workstation without the need for an additional dock.
The connectivity is very practical for a Chromebook in this class and supports wireless exchange via 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and Bluetooth 5, enabling stable, fast connections to networks, headsets, and peripheral devices.
The speakers on the Asus Chromebook deliver average laptop sound quality: they are loud enough for video conferences and simple media playback, but sound a bit tinny because they are located in the base of the case and offer little bass.
The webcam on the Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 is not top of the range, but it does the job in typical everyday scenarios. It is sufficient for better video quality during calls or streaming, but not above average.
ChromeOS makes the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX14 particularly easy to use: after switching it on for the first time, simply log in with your Google account to automatically sync your data, settings, and Chrome content.
The system updates itself automatically in the background and receives security and feature updates for years without you having to intervene. You can conveniently install applications via the Google Play Store, including Android apps and productivity tools.
In addition, Google Gemini AI Pro is included free of charge for three months, so you can try out AI-powered features right away.
The 42 Wh battery in the Asus Chromebook CX14 is on par with typical Chromebooks. In real-world web surfing tests over Wi-Fi, the device achieved over eight hours of runtime, which is sufficient for a normal working day without a power outlet and covers everyday tasks such as office work, streaming, or browsing.
However, the difference between this and the upper class is clear: Chromebooks with energy-efficient ARM SoCs can often achieve several more hours in the same scenario.
The Intel Core 3-N355 is an interesting choice. It belongs to a newer generation of efficient Intel processors and is clearly positioned above the well-known Celeron and Pentium models that have long dominated the Chromebook market.
We ran our usual series of browser-based Chromebook benchmarks, and here are the results:
These are average values at best. The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, powered by an Intel Core i5-1335U, delivers a whopping 42 percent more in Jetstream 2, reaching 316,606, with similar results in other benchmarks.
For everyday use, this means that the CX14 is ideal for home office, study, or school. The device is not designed for complex image or video editing, but it delivers impressive performance within its target class.
From my perspective as a tester, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 shows just how far Chromebooks have come. In daily use, I was particularly impressed by the responsive ChromeOS, decent battery life, and clear performance advantage over classic Celeron models. The Core 3 processor ensures that the system feels fast and stable at all times.
Even with multiple tabs open and Android apps running in parallel, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 remained pleasantly smooth in my testing. The weaknesses are manageable: the webcam is only average, the plastic casing is functional, and the display is solid but not outstanding.
Compared to more powerful Chromebook Plus models with Core i or better ARM chips, the CX14 lags slightly behind in terms of performance, but offers a very coherent overall package. For price-conscious users, I believe it is a reliable everyday companion with a clear performance leap over simple Chromebooks.
Author: Christoph Hoffmann
Source: PCWorld
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
