ASUS Chromebook Plus 14" CX1405CTA-I38128 2025, Core 3, 8GB, 128GB eMMC, Misty Grey
The Intel Core 3 processor and 8GB of LPDDR5 memory deliver smooth multitasking, while the 128GB eMMC storage and ChromeOS keep boot times fast. Its 14-inch 1920x1080 IPS anti-glare display and MIL-STD 810H military-grade durability make it a sturdy, portable daily driver at 1.39kg. This Chromebook Plus is best for students or remote workers who need a secure, low-maintenance laptop for web apps, document editing, and streaming.
No current retailer price
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX14 is a fast, sturdy Chromebook that nails the basics. The Intel Core 3 and 8GB of RAM keep things snappy, and the build quality is impressive for the price. The dim screen and weak speakers are the main trade-offs, but at $106 to $330, it's a solid value for students and everyday users.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast and responsive for web-based work and Android apps 96th
- Solid build quality with military-grade durability 82nd
- Comfortable keyboard with good key travel 70th
- Excellent port selection including HDMI and Ethernet
Cons
- Dim 250-nit screen struggles in bright rooms
- Weak downward-firing speakers sound tinny
- 128GB eMMC storage is slow and cramped
- No touchscreen option
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q3 202671/100
Buyers praised the Chromebook's durability, speed, and value, but one reported poor battery life and Wi-Fi issues, and another noted gaming limitations.
- Fast performance, sturdy build, and good value for everyday tasks.
- Battery drains quickly (about 4 hours) and Wi-Fi drops constantly.
- Heavy Google Play games crash on max graphics; run fine on medium settings.
- USB-C charging compatible with phones and headphones, reducing cable clutter.
- Q2 202682/100
Buyers in Q2 2026 generally praised the Chromebook's speed, battery life, and value, especially for school and basic tasks. Some reported issues with battery life, screen freezing, and a misleading Google AI perk.
- Fast performance, long battery life, and great value for basic tasks like school, work, and media consumption.
- Google AI Pro 12-month perk advertised but not redeemable; not listed by Google as eligible.
- Some units have short battery life (~4 hours) and screen freezing with cursor disappearing.
- Speakers are weak; external headphones recommended. Printer compatibility limited with some models.
- Q1 202678/100
Buyers in Q1 2026 generally praised the Chromebook's value, speed, and ease of use for basic tasks, but some reported Wi-Fi issues, lag, and dissatisfaction with sales advice and return policies.
- Great value for the price, fast performance, lightweight, and easy to use for everyday tasks like browsing, schoolwork, and streaming.
- Wi-Fi connectivity problems, including disconnections and failure within months, causing frustration for some users.
- Performance is generally smooth, but some users experienced lag, especially with multiple tabs or demanding tasks.
- Sales staff misled some buyers about software compatibility, and return policies were restrictive, leading to dissatisfaction.
- Q4 202578/100
Buyers in Q4 2025 generally praised the Chromebook's speed, value, and ease of use, but several reported battery life falling short of advertised claims and one highlighted a misleading Google AI promotion.
- Performance and speed praised; handles multiple tabs, Android apps, and Linux well, exceeding expectations for a budget Chromebook.
- Battery life disappoints; some report under 5 hours despite 10-hour claims, leading to returns and dissatisfaction.
- Value for price is generally good, especially on sale, but some note trade-offs like dim screen, weak speakers, and non-backlit keyboard.
- Google AI Premium offer not honored; device deemed ineligible, causing frustration and a sense of bait-and-switch.
- Q3 202578/100
Buyers in Q3 2025 generally praised the Chromebook's performance, battery life, and value for school or basic use. Some noted issues with Bluetooth, keyboard, and scrolling, plus a few felt it was overpriced.
- Performance and speed praised for school, work, and casual use; snappy and responsive.
- Battery life highlighted as excellent, lasting all day or more.
- Good value for money, especially when on sale; affordable for basic needs.
- Reports of faulty keyboard, non-working Bluetooth, and slow response/scroll issues.
- Q2 202572/100
Buyers in Q2 2025 found the CX14 a solid, budget-friendly Chromebook for students and casual use, praising its screen, battery life, and build. However, some noted performance limitations, especially with RAM, and mixed feelings on keyboard and trackpad quality.
- Screen quality and brightness are consistently praised, with good viewing angles and anti-glare, making it a standout feature.
- Battery life is excellent, often lasting a full day or more, which is a major plus for school and travel.
- Performance is adequate for basic tasks, but some users report sluggishness with many tabs or after boot, and 8GB RAM is limiting for heavy multitasking.
- Keyboard and trackpad quality disappoint some: mushy keys, non-backlit, and trackpad cursor jumps or unregistered taps.
Based on 200 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The Intel Core 3 processor and 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM keep things snappy for a Chromebook. Web browsing, document editing, and Android apps all feel responsive, and waking from sleep is nearly instant. Our database puts the CPU in the 37th percentile, which sounds mediocre until you remember this is a Chromebook, not a gaming rig. The 128GB eMMC storage is the real bottleneck, landing in the 5th percentile. It's fine for cloud-first users, but don't expect to store a ton of local files. Heavy tasks like video editing will make this thing sweat, and the integrated Intel UHD graphics won't do you any favors there either.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel Core 3 N355 |
| Cores | 8 |
| Frequency | 1.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB |
Graphics
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Type | Integrated |
| VRAM Type | Shared |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 8 GB |
| RAM Generation | LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Storage Type | eMMC |
Display
| Size | 14" |
| Resolution | 1920x1080 (Full HD) |
| Panel | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 250 nits |
Connectivity
| USB-C Ports | 2 |
| USB Ports | 1 |
| HDMI | HDMI 1.4 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Ethernet | 1 x HDMI 1.4 |
Physical
| Weight | 1.4 kg / 3.1 lbs |
| OS | ChromeOS |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Apple MacBook Pro Core i5, this Chromebook is obviously outclassed in raw power and display quality, but it costs a fraction of the price. The Dell Latitude 7430 and HP EliteBook 845 G7 are business machines with better screens and more storage, but they're also heavier and pricier. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15 is probably the closest competitor in spirit, offering similar specs in a slightly larger package. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 has a much nicer display and build, but you'll pay for it. For pure value in the Chromebook space, the CX14 holds its own.
| Spec | ASUS Chromebook Plus 14" CX1405CTA-I38128 | Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max | Lenovo Legion 5i 83F00008US | HP OMEN Transcend | MSI Raider RAIDERGE6814247 | Alienware Aurora LAC16251-9582BLU-PUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core 3 N355 | Apple M4 Max | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 285H | Intel Core i9 14900HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 64 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 4096 | 1024 | 1024 | 2048 | 2048 |
| Screen | 14" 1920x1080 | 14.2" 3024x1964 | 15.1" 2560x1600 | 14" 2880x1800 | 16" 3840x2160 | 16" 2560x1600 |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics | Apple (40-Core) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 |
| OS | ChromeOS | macOS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight (kg) | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 2.5 |
| Battery (Wh) | - | 72 | 80 | 71 | 100 | 96 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | CPU | GPU | RAM | Ports | Screen | Portability | Storage | User Sentiment | Reliability | Social Proof | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS Chromebook Plus 14" CX1405CTA-I38128 | 36.5 | 27.7 | 22 | 45 | 30.6 | 82.1 | 5.2 | 70 | 60.4 | 96 | 0 |
| Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max Compare | 93.8 | 90.6 | 95.7 | 73.5 | 99.3 | 68.9 | 98.5 | 98.9 | 98.1 | 87.8 | 1.6 |
| Lenovo Legion 5i 83F00008US Compare | 94.6 | 87.4 | 86.4 | 97.3 | 94.4 | 56.4 | 79.3 | 70 | 81.8 | 89.3 | 27.3 |
| HP OMEN Transcend Compare | 90.1 | 92.6 | 89.7 | 89.4 | 96.5 | 72.3 | 65.2 | 81.2 | 33.4 | 97.3 | 8.4 |
| MSI Raider RAIDERGE6814247 Compare | 93.2 | 94.5 | 86.4 | 98.6 | 98 | 9.3 | 93.9 | 81.2 | 60.4 | 51.3 | 10.2 |
| Alienware Aurora LAC16251-9582BLU-PUS Compare | 97.2 | 92.6 | 86.4 | 83.3 | 90.7 | 12.6 | 89.8 | 90.8 | 4 | 98.4 | 14.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Pricing is all over the place right now. US listings range from $106 to $330 across five vendors, which is a wild spread. At the low end, this is an absolute steal. At the high end, you're getting into territory where a used MacBook or a better Windows laptop starts looking tempting. The bundled Google One AI Premium plan adds real value if you'll actually use the 2TB of cloud storage and Gemini features. For students and casual users, this is a solid deal, especially if you can snag it under $200.
Read more
Overview
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX14 is a budget-friendly Chromebook that punches above its weight for everyday tasks. You get an Intel Core 3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 14-inch 1080p display in a package that weighs just over 3 pounds. It's built for students, casual users, and anyone who lives in a browser.
ASUS is leaning hard into the Google AI angle here, bundling 12 months of Google One AI Premium and 3 months of YouTube Premium. That's a nice perk if you're into Gemini and cloud storage. But the real story is simpler: this is a fast, sturdy Chromebook that handles web work, Android apps, and light Linux tools without breaking a sweat.
Common Questions
Q: Can this Chromebook handle video editing?
Not really. The Intel Core 3 and integrated graphics are fine for light tasks, but heavy video editing will slow things down. Stick to web-based editors or short clips.
Q: Is the screen bright enough for outdoor use?
Probably not. The 250-nit display is on the dim side, so it'll be tough to see in direct sunlight or bright rooms. It's best used indoors.
Q: Does it come with any free subscriptions?
Yes. ASUS bundles 12 months of Google One AI Premium, which includes Gemini Advanced and 2TB of cloud storage, plus 3 months of YouTube Premium.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you need a bright, color-accurate display for photo or video work. The 250-nit screen and weak speakers make it a poor fit for media consumption. Also skip it if you need serious local storage or plan to run demanding software. The 128GB eMMC drive is slow and cramped, and ChromeOS limits you to web and cloud apps. If you're a gamer or a creative professional, look elsewhere.
Verdict
This is a great Chromebook for students, casual users, and anyone who needs a reliable machine for web browsing, writing, and light productivity. The performance is solid, the build quality is impressive for the price, and the port selection is genuinely useful. Just don't expect a great screen or speakers, and don't plan on doing any serious video editing. If you live in Google's ecosystem and want a lightweight laptop that just works, this is a strong pick.
Usage Scores
- Overall19.7
- AI/LLM6.1
- Gaming5.1
- Portability27.9
- Creator7.2
- Student20.9
- Business21.4
- Developer17.9
- Entertainment17.8
