ASUS Chromebook C202SA

Updated on February 4, 2026

Note: This Chromebook reached its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date in June 2022 and no longer receives Chrome OS updates. The information below is preserved for historical reference.

The ASUS Chromebook C202SA emerged in 2016 as a purpose-built educational Chromebook that prioritized durability over all else. Powered by the Intel Celeron N3060 processor with 2-4GB of RAM and 16GB of eMMC storage, the C202SA was never designed to compete on raw performance. Instead, ASUS focused on creating a device that could survive the rigors of K-12 classrooms, backpacks, and the occasionally careless student. At its original price point of $199-229, the C202SA offered schools and budget-conscious buyers a Chromebook that could take a beating while handling basic web browsing and educational applications.

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ASUS Chromebook C202SA Comparison Chart

	ASUS Chromebook C202SA	ASUS Chromebook C202SA
Price	List Price: $229.00 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: $199.00 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Model number	C202SA-YS02	C202SA-YS01
Performance Rating	2.4	1.9
Chromebook Plus	No	No
Processor	Dual-core 1.60 Ghz (max 2.48 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N3060	Dual-core 1.60 Ghz (max 2.48 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N3060
RAM	4 GB	2 GB
Internal Storage	16 GB eMMC	16 GB eMMC
Screen Size	11.6"	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768	1366x768
Screen Type	Anti-glare TN	Anti-glare TN
Touch Screen	No	No
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	11.6 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches (294.64 x 200.66 x 22.86 mm)	11.6 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches (294.64 x 200.66 x 22.86 mm)
Weight	2.2 lbs (1 kg)	2.2 lbs (1 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No
Webcam	HD	HD
WiFi	802.11 b/g/n/ac	802.11 b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2
Ethernet	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No
HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI
USB Ports	2 USB 3	2 USB 3
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No
Card Reader	SD	SD
Battery	2 cell, 38 Whrs, Lithium-ion	2 cell, 38 Whrs, Lithium-ion
Battery Life	10.0 hours	10.0 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2022	June, 2022

A Tank Built for Education

The ASUS Chromebook C202SA earned its reputation through sheer ruggedness rather than specifications. PCWorld’s Melissa Riofrio noted that “you can find a lot of low-cost Chromebooks, but you can’t find many that are as sturdy as the Asus C202S.” ASUS certified the device for flat drops up to 120 centimeters (47 inches) and side drops up to 80 centimeters (31 inches), specifications that mattered in environments where devices frequently tumble from desks or slip from young hands.

The durability extended beyond drop protection. ASUS incorporated rubber bumpers around the chassis edges to absorb impact, and the keyboard featured a mylar-lined protective plate underneath that could handle spills up to 2.23 ounces. For IT administrators managing fleets of student devices, the C202SA’s modular design proved equally valuable. Just 12 screws separated the bottom panel from the internals, making battery replacements and repairs far simpler than competitors that used adhesives and proprietary fasteners.

The 11.6-inch display with 1366x768 resolution and anti-glare coating served its purpose for document editing and educational software, though reviewers consistently noted its limitations. TechRadar’s Jacob Grana described the screen as “dull” and “glare-prone,” an ironic weakness given the anti-glare marketing. The TN panel’s viewing angles meant colors shifted noticeably when viewed from off-center positions, a frustration for students sharing their screens during group work despite the 180-degree hinge designed for exactly that purpose.

Performance Trade-offs

The Intel Celeron N3060 processor represented the C202SA’s most significant limitation. TechRadar’s benchmark testing revealed JavaScript performance roughly 60% behind the Acer Chromebook C740, a similarly-priced competitor. Real-world usage confirmed these numbers: “The browser started to lag when scrolling through websites with only six tabs open,” Grana observed. Media-rich sites and multiple video streams would overwhelm the system, making the C202SA unsuitable for anything beyond basic web browsing and lightweight educational applications.

Battery life provided a genuine bright spot, with ASUS claiming 10 hours and TechRadar measuring 8 hours and 42 minutes of real-world use. This all-day runtime meant students could leave chargers at home, and the fanless design ensured silent operation that wouldn’t disturb classrooms or libraries. Boot times impressed at approximately 9 seconds from cold start, getting students working quickly after the start of class.

The keyboard emerged as an unexpected highlight for such an affordable device. PCWorld praised the “surprisingly gentle, 2mm travel” and noted that “the fonts on the keys are even a little bigger than usual,” features that made extended typing sessions more comfortable than competitors that skimped on input quality. Both USB-A ports supported SuperSpeed (5Gbps) transfers and could be used with a USB Ethernet adapter for wired networking, while the full-size HDMI port enabled direct connection to classroom projectors without adapters.

Historical Context

The ASUS Chromebook C202SA holds a meaningful place in Chromebook history as one of the early education-focused devices that helped establish Chrome OS in K-12 schools. Its emphasis on durability and repairability influenced subsequent generations of educational Chromebooks, and ASUS expanded the rugged concept into the C213 and C214 lines with updated specifications.

However, the C202SA’s limitations became increasingly apparent as Chrome OS evolved. The 16GB storage proved inadequate once Android app support arrived, and the Celeron N3060’s modest performance couldn’t keep pace with web applications that grew more demanding each year. The device reached its Auto Update Expiration in June 2022, ending Google’s support for security updates and new features.

For those who still own a C202SA, the device can continue functioning for basic tasks, though without security updates it should not be used for activities involving sensitive data. Schools and individuals looking for similar durability should explore current Chromebooks for students that offer modern processors, larger storage, and support extending into the late 2020s.

Frequently Asked Questions