ASUS Chromebook C200
Updated on
Note: This Chromebook has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase new. Its Auto Update Expiration date was June 2019, meaning it no longer receives Chrome OS updates or security patches. The information below is kept for historical reference.
The ASUS Chromebook C200 holds a special place in Chromebook history as ASUS’s inaugural entry into the Chrome OS market. Released in 2014, this 11.6-inch clamshell laptop represented the company’s first attempt to translate their netbook expertise into the Chromebook category. Built around Intel’s Bay Trail architecture with the Celeron N2830 processor, the C200 made a deliberate tradeoff: it sacrificed processing power in favor of exceptional battery life and silent operation. This strategic choice defined both its strengths and limitations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional 11+ hour battery life | Noticeably slower than Haswell-based competitors |
| Completely silent fanless operation | Poor viewing angles on TN display |
| Lightweight at 2.5 pounds | No keyboard backlighting |
| Comfortable keyboard with good key travel | Performance struggles with multitasking |
| Fast boot times under 8 seconds | Limited to 2-4GB non-upgradeable RAM |
| Includes 802.11ac WiFi | 1366x768 resolution dated even for 2014 |
Related Videos
ASUS Chromebook C200 Comparison Chart
 ASUS Chromebook C200 | ASUS Chromebook C200 | ASUS Chromebook C200 | |
| Price | List Price: $249.00 Amazon Prices: Loading prices... | List Price: $219.00 Amazon Prices: | List Price: $329.00 Amazon Prices: |
| Model number | C200MA-DS01 | C200MA-DS02 | C200MA-EDU-4GB |
| Perfomance Rating | 1.8 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
| Chromebook Plus | No | No | No |
| Processor | Dual-core 2.16 Ghz (max 2.41 Ghz) Intel Celeron N2830 | Dual-core 2.16 Ghz (max 2.41 Ghz) Intel Celeron N2830 | Dual-core 2.16 Ghz (max 2.41 Ghz) Intel Celeron N2830 |
| RAM | 2 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB eMMC | 16 GB eMMC | 32 GB eMMC |
| Screen Size | 11.6" | 11.6" | 11.6" |
| Screen Resolution | 1366x768 | 1366x768 | 1366x768 |
| Screen Type | LED Backlit TN | LED Backlit TN | LED Backlit TN |
| Touch Screen | No | No | No |
| Stylus / Pen | No Stylus Support | No Stylus Support | No Stylus Support |
| Dimensions width x length x thickness | 12 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches (304.8 x 198.12 x 20.32 mm) | 12 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches (304.8 x 198.12 x 20.32 mm) | 12 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches (304.8 x 198.12 x 20.32 mm) |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs (1.14 kg) | 2.5 lbs (1.14 kg) | 2.5 lbs (1.14 kg) |
| Backlit Keyboard | No | No | No |
| Webcam | 720p HD | 720p HD | 720p HD |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Ethernet | No | No | No |
| Cellular Modem | No | No | No |
| HDMI | Full-Size HDMI | Full-Size HDMI | Full-Size HDMI |
| USB Ports | 1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3 | 1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3 | 1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3 |
| Thunderbolt Ports | No | No | No |
| Card Reader | SD | SD | SD |
| Battery | 3 cell, 48 Whrs, Lithium-ion | 3 cell, 48 Whrs, Lithium-ion | 3 cell, 48 Whrs, Lithium-ion |
| Battery Life | 11.0 hours | 11.0 hours | 11.0 hours |
| Fanless | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Update Expiration Date | June, 2019 | June, 2019 | June, 2019 |
Related Chromebooks
-
ASUS Chromebook C203XAThe ASUS Chromebook C203XA shines with military-grade durability, an 11.6-inch anti-glare HD… -
ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1The ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 combines rugged durability with educational versatility, featuring… -
Acer Chromebook 311 (AMD)The Acer Chromebook 311 combines an 11.6-inch ComfyView screen, robust AMD processing, and 10-hour… -
Acer Chromebook Spin 11 CP311The Acer Chromebook Spin 11 combines functionality and portability with its 11.6-inch touch IPS… -
Lenovo Flex 3 ChromebookThe Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook hits the sweet spot with its 11.6-inch IPS touchscreen, 4GB RAM, and… -
Dell Chromebook 3120A rugged and affordable 11.6-inch Chromebook with Intel N100 processor, available in clamshell and…
Hardware and Performance
The ASUS Chromebook C200 runs on the Intel Celeron N2830, a dual-core Bay Trail processor clocked at 2.16 GHz with burst speeds up to 2.41 GHz. While this chip provided adequate performance for basic web browsing and document editing, professional reviewers consistently noted its limitations compared to contemporary alternatives. NotebookCheck’s testing found that the C200 performed “clearly not as powerful” as Chromebooks using Haswell-architecture CPUs, with JavaScript benchmarks showing measurable differences in real-world responsiveness.
The tradeoff for this less powerful processor was the 48Wh battery, which delivered genuinely impressive endurance. Engadget measured 11 hours and 19 minutes of continuous video playback, surpassing every competitor tested at the time. NotebookCheck pushed the boundaries further, achieving 18 hours of music streaming to Bluetooth speakers and 13 hours of offline typing. This battery life came courtesy of the efficient Bay Trail architecture and completely fanless design, which also meant zero noise during operation.
The display, however, received consistent criticism. The 1366x768 TN panel suffered from limited viewing angles that reviewers found problematic for sharing content or working in varied positions. The glossy finish created reflections in bright environments, though the screen was acceptably bright for indoor use.
Design and Build
ASUS leveraged their considerable experience building netbooks when designing the C200. The keyboard received particular praise, with Engadget noting that “the spacious keyboard feels eerily familiar” to longtime ASUS users. NotebookCheck measured 2mm of key travel and described the typing experience as comfortable and responsive. The trackpad performed adequately for single-finger navigation, though multi-finger gestures were less reliable by 2014 standards.
At 2.5 pounds and 0.8 inches thick, the C200 achieved genuine portability without feeling flimsy. The dark gray and silver aesthetic remained understated and professional, though the plastic chassis did attract fingerprints. Connectivity included one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, full-size HDMI, SD card reader, and a combo headphone/microphone jack. Without a built-in Ethernet port, users who needed a wired network connection relied on a USB Ethernet adapter. Notably, ASUS included 802.11ac WiFi support, providing future-proofing that many budget Chromebooks of the era lacked.
Reviewer Insights
Professional reviews from 2014 painted a consistent picture of the C200 as a capable basic Chromebook with one standout feature.
NotebookCheck
NotebookCheck’s comprehensive review awarded the C200 a 79% rating, praising its build quality and battery performance while acknowledging performance limitations. Their testing revealed exceptional thermal management with the fanless design, measuring surface temperatures that remained comfortable during extended use. The review noted the C200 was “good enough for casual browsing and basic web-work scenarios” but cautioned that users expecting responsive multitasking would be disappointed.
Engadget
Dana Wollman’s Engadget review provided detailed real-world testing insights. Using the C200 as a primary machine for email, messaging, and social media revealed the processor’s limitations: “Deleting emails in Gmail sometimes took longer than it should have,” and web page loading experienced noticeable delays compared to Haswell-based alternatives. The review confirmed that these issues disappeared when switching to more powerful hardware, pinpointing the Bay Trail processor as the bottleneck.
Popzara
Herman Exum’s review characterized the C200 as “a constant exercise in compromise, unless you count the excellent battery life.” Real-world battery testing achieved nearly 11 hours of mixed usage, with boot times consistently under 8 seconds. The review highlighted the keyboard as a strength but noted that video conferencing in Google+ Hangouts proved choppy, revealing the processor’s limitations with real-time video processing.
Historical Context
The ASUS Chromebook C200 launched during an important transitional period for Chrome OS. In 2014, Chromebooks were still proving their viability as a computing platform, and ASUS’s entry helped legitimize the category. The C200 competed directly with established options like the Acer C720, which offered better performance through its Haswell-based Intel Celeron processor but couldn’t match the ASUS’s battery endurance.
The C200’s legacy influenced subsequent ASUS Chromebook designs, with the company continuing to prioritize battery life and build quality in later models like the Chromebook C201 and Chromebook C202SA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still use the ASUS Chromebook C200 in 2026?
A: While the C200 can still physically function, it stopped receiving Chrome OS updates in June 2019. This means no security patches, no new features, and potentially incompatible websites as web standards evolve. Using it for any sensitive activities like online banking is not recommended.
Q: Why was the ASUS Chromebook C200 discontinued?
A: The C200 reached its Google-mandated Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date in June 2019, approximately 5 years after launch. This is standard for Chromebooks, and Google has since extended AUE periods for newer devices to 10 years.
Q: What was the battery life of the ASUS Chromebook C200?
A: The C200 achieved exceptional battery life for its time. Engadget measured 11 hours and 19 minutes of video playback, while NotebookCheck recorded 18 hours of Bluetooth music streaming. Real-world mixed usage typically delivered 10-11 hours.
Q: Could you upgrade the RAM or storage in the ASUS Chromebook C200?
A: No, both the RAM and eMMC storage were soldered to the motherboard and not user-upgradeable. The C200 was available in configurations with 2GB or 4GB RAM and 16GB or 32GB storage.
Q: What made the ASUS Chromebook C200 significant historically?
A: The C200 was ASUS’s first Chromebook, marking the company’s entry into the Chrome OS market. It demonstrated that ASUS could translate their netbook expertise into Chromebooks, paving the way for their extensive current Chromebook lineup.