ASUS Chromebook C202XA

Updated on January 26, 2026

The ASUS Chromebook C202XA is a rugged education Chromebook that earned its reputation as the “tank” of budget laptops. Built to withstand the daily chaos of classrooms, this MIL-STD-810G certified device features rubberized bumpers, a spill-resistant keyboard that can handle up to 66cc of liquid, and the ability to survive drops from up to 4 feet. While its MediaTek M8173C processor and 32GB of eMMC storage place it firmly in the entry-level category, the C202XA’s exceptional durability and modular design made it a favorite among schools and parents of young students during its production run. As a common school Chromebook, it was one of the models where students discovered the magnet trick that could put the device to sleep by triggering the lid sensor. This model is no longer available for purchase but continues to receive Chrome OS updates through June 2027.

ASUS Chromebook C202XA Comparison Chart

	ASUS Chromebook C202XA	ASUS Chromebook C202XA	ASUS Chromebook C202XA
Price	List Price: $199.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $199.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $199.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	202XA-BS01-CB	C202XA-YH02-BL	C202XA-YB04-BL
Perfomance Rating	2.6	2.6	2.6
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No
Processor	Quad-core 1.70 Ghz (max 2.10 Ghz) MediaTek M8173C	Quad-core 1.70 Ghz (max 2.10 Ghz) MediaTek M8173C	Quad-core 1.70 Ghz (max 2.10 Ghz) MediaTek M8173C
RAM	4 GB	4 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB eMMC	32 GB eMMC	32 GB eMMC
Screen Size	11.6"	11.6"	11.6"
Screen Resolution	1366x768	1366x768	1366x768
Screen Type	Anti-glare	Anti-glare	Anti-glare
Touch Screen	No	No	No
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	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)	11.6 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches (294.64 x 200.66 x 22.86 mm)
Weight	2.6 lbs (1.18 kg)	2.6 lbs (1.18 kg)	2.6 lbs (1.18 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No	No
Webcam	HD	HD	HD
WiFi	802.11 b/g/n/ac (2x2)	802.11 b/g/n/ac (2x2)	802.11 b/g/n/ac (2x2)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2
Ethernet	No	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No	No
HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI	Full-Size HDMI
USB Ports	1 USB 3, 1 USB-C	1 USB 3, 1 USB-C	1 USB 3, 1 USB-C
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No
Card Reader	SD	SD	SD
Battery	3 cell, 47 Whrs, Lithium Polymer	3 cell, 47 Whrs, Lithium Polymer	3 cell, 47 Whrs, Lithium Polymer
Battery Life	10.0 hours	10.0 hours	10.0 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2027	June, 2027	June, 2027

Detailed Insights into the ASUS Chromebook C202XA

The build quality of the ASUS Chromebook C202XA is its defining characteristic, and it shows in every design decision ASUS made. The rubberized bumpers that wrap around the entire chassis absorb impacts that would damage lesser laptops, while the reinforced corners provide additional protection against the inevitable drops that occur in educational environments. The anti-glare 11.6-inch display with its 1366x768 resolution is protected by reinforced hinges that allow the screen to fold back 180 degrees flat, preventing damage when the lid is accidentally pushed too far back. At 2.6 pounds, the C202XA is lightweight enough for younger students to carry comfortably throughout the school day.

Performance on the C202XA is adequate for basic educational tasks but shows its limitations with heavier workloads. The MediaTek M8173C is a quad-core ARM processor running at 1.7GHz with burst speeds up to 2.1GHz, paired with 4GB of LPDDR3 RAM. This combination handles web browsing, Google Docs, and educational apps without issue, but reviewers consistently noted slowdowns when opening more than 5-7 browser tabs simultaneously. TechRadar described the performance as “like its spirit animal, the tortoise, the C202 is slow, especially when it comes to juggling multiple tasks.” However, for its intended audience of elementary and middle school students, this performance level is typically sufficient.

The connectivity options on the C202XA are surprisingly comprehensive for a budget education Chromebook. You get one USB-A 3.0 port, one USB-C port that supports both charging and display output, a full-size HDMI port for connecting to classroom projectors or external monitors, an SD card reader for expanding storage, and a combo audio jack. The fanless design means the C202XA operates in complete silence, which teachers and librarians particularly appreciate. WiFi 5 (802.11ac) with 2x2 MIMO and Bluetooth 4.2 provide reliable wireless connectivity for classroom networks. For wired connections, a USB Ethernet adapter can be connected through the USB-A or USB-C port when more stable networking is needed. The spill-resistant keyboard features chiclet-style keys with 2.0mm of travel, which reviewers praised as comfortable and responsive for a device at this price point.

One of the most practical features of the C202XA is its modular construction, designed with school IT departments in mind. The laptop can be opened with just 10 screws, and key components like the keyboard, battery, and motherboard are individually replaceable modules. This means that if a student damages one component, IT staff can swap it out in minutes rather than sending the entire device for repair. ASUS designed this with the reality of school environments in mind, where devices need to be back in service quickly to minimize disruption to learning.

Reviewer Insights on the ASUS Chromebook C202XA

Professional reviewers have consistently praised the C202XA’s durability while acknowledging its performance limitations, making it a specialized tool rather than a general-purpose laptop.

TechRadar’s Assessment

TechRadar gave the C202 series a score of 3 out of 5, with the headline “Built for spills, not for thrills.” Reviewer Jacob Grana tested the device’s durability claims and confirmed that “according to Asus’s tests, the C202 can withstand a 4-foot drop landing flat, and a 2.5-foot fall landing on its side.” However, he was less impressed with the performance, noting that “Asus’s latest Chrome OS laptop is simply underpowered, especially when compared to similarly priced Chromebooks. More so than its poor visuals and audio, the C202’s shoddy multitasking is what really holds it back.” His verdict was clear: this device is purpose-built for durability-conscious buyers, not those seeking speed or media consumption.

Laptop Mag’s Take

Laptop Mag was more positive, awarding the C202 series 4 out of 5 stars and a “Recommended” verdict. Andrew E. Freedman praised the durability and repairability, writing “This Chromebook is built to last. Drops, spills, bumps and dents can send any device to the scrap heap, but the C202 takes its lumps in stride. And, if something does manage to put it down for the count, its easy-to-repair modular design gets it back on its feet quickly.” The battery life impressed him as well, with the C202 lasting 8 hours and 23 minutes on their battery test consisting of continuous web browsing over Wi-Fi. While he acknowledged mixed performance results, the overall package earned high marks for its intended purpose.

NotebookCheck Aggregate Review

NotebookCheck compiled reviews from 8 different publications, yielding an average score of 77.5%. PC World’s 80% review highlighted that “what sets the Asus C202S apart from other like-priced models is that Asus invested in a better build and even a better keyboard, all of which improve the user experience. As a result, this is one of the very few low-cost Chromebooks I’m willing to recommend.” TopTenReviews summarized the device as “not a do-it-all PC, but this sturdy little travelling companion is a good choice” for its specific audience.

Customer Reviews of the ASUS Chromebook C202XA

Customer feedback on Amazon reflects the device’s strong reputation in educational settings, though with limited review data (only 6 reviews on the C202XA-BS01-CB variant). The device earned a 4-star average rating, with customers consistently praising the build quality and value for the price. Parents particularly appreciated the rugged construction, noting that the Chromebook survived being dropped, kicked, and having drinks spilled on it without issue.

The most common positive feedback centered on the device’s reliability in family and school environments. Customers mentioned that unlike previous laptops their children had used, the C202XA held up to rough treatment without developing issues. The long battery life was another frequently mentioned benefit, with several reviewers noting the Chromebook could last through a full school day without needing to be charged.

On the negative side, some customers found the display quality disappointing, particularly when viewing from angles other than straight-on. The limited 32GB storage was mentioned as a constraint for families who wanted to download Android apps or store files locally. However, most customers understood these as acceptable trade-offs for the durability and price point, with the consensus being that this Chromebook delivers exactly what it promises for budget-conscious schools and families.

Conclusion

The ASUS Chromebook C202XA represents a specialized approach to the budget Chromebook market, prioritizing durability and repairability over raw performance. For schools, the combination of MIL-STD-810G certification, spill-resistant keyboard, modular construction, and long battery life made it an excellent choice for equipping students from elementary through middle school. The MediaTek M8173C processor handles educational workloads adequately, though users expecting to run multiple tabs or demanding applications will notice the limitations. With Chrome OS updates continuing through June 2027, existing C202XA units remain functional for several more years, though the device is no longer available for purchase. For those seeking similar rugged education Chromebooks today, consider looking at newer models in ASUS’s education lineup or comparable options from Acer and Lenovo.

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