ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3

Updated on January 26, 2026

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 represents one of the more compelling budget 2-in-1 Chromebooks that ASUS produced, combining a versatile 360-degree hinge with a surprisingly capable display in a compact, portable package. With its unique 3:2 aspect ratio screen, fanless operation, and impressive battery life, this Chromebook carved out a niche for students and casual users who needed a flexible device without breaking the bank. While this model has since been discontinued with its availability limited to refurbished units, it remains an interesting case study in how much capability can be packed into an affordable convertible Chromebook.

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ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 Comparison Chart

	ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3	ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3
Price	List Price: $329.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: $399.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Model number	CM3200FVA-DS42T	CM3200FM1A-DS44T-S
Perfomance Rating	3.5	3.5
Chromebook Plus	No	No
Processor	Octa-core 2.00 Ghz MediaTek Kompanio 500 (8183)	Octa-core 2.00 Ghz MediaTek Kompanio 500 (8183)
RAM	4 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	32 GB eMMC	64 GB eMMC
Screen Size	12"	12"
Screen Resolution	1366x912	1366x912
Screen Type	Glossy display, 220nits, NTSC: 50%, Screen-to-body ratio 78 %, With stylus support	Glossy display, 220nits, NTSC: 50%, Screen-to-body ratio 78 %, With stylus support
Touch Screen	Yes	Yes
Stylus / Pen	Supported	Supported
Dimensions width x length x thickness	8.5 x 10.6 x 0.66 inches (215.9 x 269.24 x 16.76 mm)	8.5 x 10.6 x 0.66 inches (215.9 x 269.24 x 16.76 mm)
Weight	2.51 lbs (1.14 kg)	2.51 lbs (1.14 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No	No
Webcam	720p HD	720p HD
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0
Ethernet	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No
HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI
USB Ports	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB-C (USB-C to HDMI adapter included)	1 USB 2.0, 1 USB-C (USB-C to HDMI adapter included)
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
Battery	2 cell, 32 Whrs, Li-ion	2 cell, 32 Whrs, Li-ion
Battery Life	12.0 hours	12.0 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2030	June, 2030

Detailed Insights into the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 distinguishes itself through thoughtful design choices that prioritize portability and versatility over raw specifications. At just 2.51 pounds and measuring 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.66 inches, this Chromebook is remarkably compact. The aluminum lid lends a premium feel that belies its budget price point, while the 360-degree hinge enables smooth transitions between laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes. The fanless design ensures completely silent operation, making it ideal for quiet environments like libraries or classrooms. Build quality is solid for the price segment, though the plastic body surrounding the chassis reveals its budget origins.

The 12-inch display with its 1366x912 resolution might seem modest on paper, but the 3:2 aspect ratio transforms the viewing experience. This taller aspect ratio provides significantly more vertical screen real estate compared to traditional 16:9 displays, making it excellent for reading documents, browsing the web, and working in Google Docs. TechRadar noted that the display offers “great display quality” despite the lower resolution, while Digital Trends called it “surprisingly nice.” The glossy panel with touch support and USI stylus compatibility adds functionality for note-taking and drawing, though screen brightness tops out at around 220-250 nits, which can be limiting in bright outdoor conditions.

Performance comes courtesy of the MediaTek Kompanio 500 (MT8183) processor paired with 4GB of RAM. This ARM-based chip was designed specifically for Chromebooks, offering decent efficiency for basic tasks while keeping temperatures and power consumption low. Benchmarks place it at the lower end of the Chromebook spectrum, with TechRadar recording a Kraken JavaScript score of 3692ms and an Octane 2.0 score of 10,303. In practical terms, this means the CM3 handles web browsing with a few tabs, document editing, and media streaming without significant issues, but loading up too many Chrome tabs or running demanding Android apps will result in noticeable slowdowns. The 64GB variant features the slightly faster Kompanio 820 processor, which provides improved performance headroom.

Connectivity options on the CM3 are functional but limited. You get a single USB Type-C port that handles charging, data transfer, and video output, along with a USB Type-A 2.0 port for legacy peripherals. ASUS includes a USB-C to HDMI adapter in the box, which is a thoughtful addition for users who need to connect to external displays. The microSD card slot provides essential storage expansion given the modest internal capacity. Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 handle wireless connectivity adequately, though the absence of Wi-Fi 6 reflects the device’s budget positioning. The 720p webcam is serviceable for video calls but nothing exceptional, and the 3.5mm combo audio jack rounds out the connectivity options, though the bottom-firing speakers are too modest for music production.

Battery life stands out as one of the CM3’s strongest features. The 32 watt-hour battery might seem modest, but the efficient ARM processor and lower-resolution display combine to deliver impressive endurance. Digital Trends measured nearly 12.5 hours in web browsing tests, while TechRadar found 7 hours 38 minutes in their more demanding movie playback test. Real-world usage typically falls somewhere between these figures depending on brightness settings and workload. For students and travelers, this means confident all-day usage without needing to carry a charger. The included compact charger uses USB-C Power Delivery and can fully charge the device in approximately two hours.

Reviewer Insights on the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3

Professional reviewers consistently praised the CM3’s value proposition while acknowledging its performance limitations. The consensus across multiple reviews positions this Chromebook as an excellent budget choice for students and light users, though not suitable for power users or demanding workflows.

TechRadar’s Assessment

TechRadar’s John Loeffler awarded the CM3200 a score of 3.5 out of 5 stars, noting that “it isn’t a very powerful 2-in-1 laptop by any means, but it’s powerful enough, and comes with some quality features that make it one of the best budget laptops around.” Despite poor benchmark results, TechRadar found that in practical use, “we didn’t encounter nearly as many performance slowdowns as we’d expected” and that the device was “perfectly capable of browsing, streaming, and getting some work done in the cloud without any real issue.” Battery life testing revealed 7 hours and 38 minutes on TechRadar’s movie test, which while not class-leading, provides enough runtime for a typical school or work day.

Digital Trends’ Perspective

Mark Coppock at Digital Trends gave the CM3 a score of 7 out of 10, emphasizing that it “makes the right sacrifices for a cheap student laptop.” The review highlighted exceptional battery performance, with the device lasting almost 12.5 hours in web browsing tests, a remarkable figure given the 32 watt-hour battery. Digital Trends particularly praised the touchpad and active pen support, calling them “excellent” for the price point. The main criticisms centered on the cramped keyboard and occasionally finicky touch display, both consequences of the compact form factor.

Chrome Unboxed’s Take

Perhaps the most enthusiastic review came from Robby Payne at Chrome Unboxed, who initially dismissed the CM3 but later revised his opinion after spending more time with the device. His December 2023 review, testing the Kompanio 820 variant, declared “I was wrong: the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 is quietly great.” He praised the “really good performance” and noted that “the 12-inch 3:2 IPS screen is actually quite good, plenty sharp at this size, and it feels pretty awesome in tablet mode as well.” At around $229 for the updated model, he concluded “you simply can’t go wrong with this one.”

YouTube Reviewer Perspectives

YouTube reviewers have provided additional long-term perspectives on the CM3. MergeDroid offered months of hands-on testing in their review “ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 Review: Best Small Chromebook?”, highlighting the model variant differences and noting the excellent value at refurbished prices around £124. They particularly appreciated the lightweight design and 3:2 display. More recently, TechSnacker tested the CM3 in 2024, demonstrating that it can handle light gaming like Genshin Impact at 30fps and finding it suitable for student use at refurbished pricing around $170.

Customer Reviews of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3

Amazon customer reviews for the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 paint a picture of satisfied budget buyers who understood the device’s intended use case. The 64GB model (B09QFF6CD5) earned a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from 166 reviews, indicating strong overall satisfaction despite the modest specifications.

Customers consistently praised the portability and build quality, with many reviewers appreciating the aluminum lid and compact size for travel and commuting. The 3:2 display aspect ratio received particular attention, with users noting how much better it is for productivity compared to wider screens at this size. Battery life was another frequent positive, with numerous customers reporting all-day usage for light tasks. The included stylus support proved valuable for note-taking, though some reviewers noted that the optional ASUS USI pen required separate purchase depending on the bundle.

Common complaints centered on the limited storage and RAM configurations. The 32GB model in particular drew criticism for filling up quickly with Android apps and files, requiring reliance on microSD expansion or cloud storage. The non-upgradeable 4GB RAM was mentioned as a limitation by users who found the system slowing down with multiple apps open. The keyboard cramped hands for some users with larger hands, and a few reviewers noted that the bottom-firing speakers were adequate but not impressive.

Conclusion

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 succeeded in its mission to deliver a versatile, portable, and affordable 2-in-1 Chromebook for students and casual users. Its standout features, including the 3:2 aspect ratio display, excellent battery life, and premium-feeling aluminum lid, elevated it above typical budget Chromebooks. While performance limitations and the cramped keyboard prevented it from being suitable for demanding users, those who understood its intended purpose found an excellent value proposition.

Now discontinued and available only through refurbished channels, the CM3 remains relevant for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize portability and versatility over raw power. With Auto Update Expiration dates extending to June 2030 for the original model and August 2031 for the Kompanio 820 variant, refurbished units continue to offer years of software support. For students, travelers, or anyone seeking a capable secondary device, the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 at refurbished prices represents genuine value in the used Chromebook market.

Frequently Asked Questions