ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)

Starry Hope Rating
3.5

Updated on

Photo of ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) is a convertible laptop with a 15.6-inch touch screen, unique design, and solid performance. Powered by AMD’s dual-core, 2.6GHz Ryzen 3 3250C processor, it comes with up to 8GB of memory and up to 128GB of eMMC storage. The Chromebook features an aluminum lid and plastic bottom, styled in a nearly black hue Asus calls Mineral Gray. It measures 0.73 by 14.1 by 9.5 inches and weighs 4.3 pounds. The display can be folded back into easel, tent, or tablet modes, providing versatility.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Good performance with multiple browser tabs and videos playingWebcam quality is poor
Comfortable keyboard with good travelScreen brightness is only 250 nits
Large, smooth touchpadPerformance drops significantly when not plugged in
Very high quality screenHeavier than most Chromebooks

Related Videos

ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) Comparison Chart

ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)

ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)

ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)

ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)

Price

List Price: $499.99

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List Price: $489.99

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Model numberCM5500FDA-DS344TCM5500FDA-IN588T
Performance Rating3.54.8
Chromebook PlusNoNo
ProcessorDual-core 2.60 Ghz (max 3.50 Ghz)
AMD Ryzen 3 3250C Processor
Dual-core 2.60 Ghz (max 3.50 Ghz)
AMD Ryzen 3 3250C Processor
RAM4 GB8 GB
Internal Storage64 GB eMMC128 GB eMMC
Screen Size15.6"15.6"
Screen Resolution1920x10801920x1080
Screen TypeIPSIPS
Touch ScreenYesYes
Stylus / PenNo Stylus SupportNo Stylus Support
Dimensions
width x length x thickness
14.08 x 9.48 x 0.73 inches
(357.63 x 240.79 x 18.54 mm)
14.08 x 9.48 x 0.73 inches
(357.63 x 240.79 x 18.54 mm)
Weight4.3 lbs (1.95 kg)4.3 lbs (1.95 kg)
Backlit KeyboardYesYes
Webcam720p HD720p HD
WiFiWiFi 6WiFi 6
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0
EthernetNoNo
Cellular ModemNoNo
HDMIFull-Size HDMIFull-Size HDMI
USB Ports1 USB 3, 2 USB-C1 USB 3, 2 USB-C
Thunderbolt PortsNoNo
Card ReadermicroSD Card ReadermicroSD Card Reader
Battery3 cell, 57 WHrs, Li-ion3 cell, 57 WHrs, Li-ion
Battery Life10.0 hours10.0 hours
FanlessYesYes
Auto Update
Expiration Date
June, 2031June, 2031

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More About ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) is equipped with a USB 3.2 Type-C port, a USB 3.2 Type-A port, an audio jack, a volume rocker, and a power button on the left side. On the right side, there is another USB-C port, the HDMI port, and a microSD card slot. The WASD keys are outlined in orange, as on some gaming laptops, and this Chromebook is trying to be just that.

The 1080p IPS screen is rated at only 250 nits of brightness, but it looked bright enough in testing, with white instead of dingy backgrounds and decent contrast. However, the webcam is of poor quality, so blurred that you won’t recognize yourself. The Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 offered assorted launch promotions, including 12 months of Google One 100GB cloud storage and three months of YouTube Premium and Canva.

In terms of performance, the Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 didn’t slow or stutter, even with numerous browser tabs open and a couple of videos playing. The battery life is eight and a half hours of video playback, which isn’t especially impressive but will get you through a few classes on campus or a Google Slides presentation at a client’s office. For more options suited to academic use, see our guide to the best Chromebooks for college students.

Reviewers’ Opinions

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) has garnered attention from various tech reviewers, each highlighting different aspects of this Chromebook.

Eric Grevstad from PCMag appreciates the Chromebook’s design, performance, and value. He notes, “The Flip CM5 has an aluminum lid and plastic bottom, styled in a nearly black hue Asus calls Mineral Gray.” He also praises the device’s performance, stating it didn’t slow or stutter even with numerous browser tabs open and a couple of videos playing. However, he criticizes the webcam quality, describing it as “so blurred you won’t recognize yourself.”

Joshua Goldman from CNET also reviewed the Chromebook, highlighting its unique design and gaming capabilities. He mentions, “The Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 is different than what you might be used to seeing in the world of Chromebooks.” Goldman praises the comfortable, backlit keyboard and the smooth, responsive glass touchpad. However, he points out that the display’s brightness is a bit dim, making it hard to see past reflections on the glossy screen.

The YouTube channel Chrome Unboxed provides a detailed review of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 as well. The reviewer appreciates the device’s aesthetic appeal and hardware but criticizes its performance when not plugged into a power source. They state, “It’s a shame that you’re dropping 40% performance and you notice that you feel it doesn’t mean it’s unusable. It doesn’t mean that you can’t get some stuff done when you’re not plugged into the wall, but you’re going to notice a performance drop off.”

Customer Reviews of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)

Across 92 ratings on Amazon, the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) averages 4 stars, and the distribution shows a real split: 61% of buyers leave 5 stars while 23% land at 2 stars or below. The dividing line in the reviews is performance. Buyers who use it for casual browsing, email, and writing tend to be happy, and several call out the touchscreen and backlit keyboard. Joyce, a verified buyer, wrote “Was looking for a chromebook with a touch screen and backlit keyboard and the ASUS has both,” and a verified buyer writing as tiger fan framed it as a tablet substitute: “Nearly the same functionality of an iPad but at a fraction of the price. Battery last very long.”

The low-star reviews are consistent and worth taking seriously: they blame the 4GB of RAM and the Ryzen 3 processor for sluggish multitasking. Vaanth, a verified buyer who rated it 2 stars, wrote “Opening multiple tabs, especially with a couple of ‘heavy’ pages, would quickly overload the system,” and replaced it with an 8GB model that “performs like this one should have.” Even some satisfied owners concede it is not fast; verified buyer trent (4 stars) called it “Slow at times but, does what I need it to do.” If you plan to keep many tabs open, the recurring owner feedback points toward a higher-RAM configuration. Read more owner reviews on Amazon.

Who Would Benefit from This Chromebook?

The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) would be a good fit for users who need a device for everyday tasks like browsing the web, streaming videos, making music, and working on documents. Its comfortable keyboard and large touchpad make it a good choice for those who type a lot. However, users who need a device for more intensive tasks like gaming or video editing might look for a different Chromebook with more powerful specs.

For those concerned about the webcam quality, consider other options as well. Users who need a lightweight device for travel might also find the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) a bit heavy.

For more options, users can compare this Chromebook with others using Starry Hope’s Chromebook Comparison Tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the screen size of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)?

A: The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) features a 15.6-inch touch screen. It’s large enough for multitasking and comfortable for media and entertainment.

Q: What type of processor does the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) have?

A: The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 3250C Processor. This processor has 2 cores and 4 threads, with a speed of 2.60 GHz and a maximum speed of 3.50 GHz.

Q: Does the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) have a backlit keyboard?

A: Yes, the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) has a backlit keyboard. This feature is handy for typing in low-light conditions.

Q: What is the battery life of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500)?

A: The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) has a battery life of up to 10 hours. This makes it suitable for a full day of work or school.

Q: Can the storage of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) be upgraded?

A: No, the storage of the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) cannot be upgraded. It comes with either 64GB or 128GB of eMMC storage, depending on the model.

Q: Does the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) have a webcam?

A: Yes, the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) has a 720p HD webcam. However, some reviewers have noted that the webcam quality is low.

Q: Is the ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) good for gaming?

A: The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500) is not built for demanding local gaming; its dual-core Ryzen 3 3250C and integrated Radeon graphics are modest. It can handle light Android games and cloud game streaming over its Wi-Fi 6 connection. For more on gaming options, see our guide to Steam on Chromebook. Note that the AMD chip’s performance also drops significantly when the device is not plugged in.