ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip
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The ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip launched in late 2022 as a cloud gaming Chromebook. The pitch was a 144Hz Full HD touchscreen, an Intel Core i5-1135G7, anti-ghosting keys, and colored WASD keycaps, aimed at people streaming titles through GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna. As reviews and market reception would reveal, the execution didn’t quite match the ambition.
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ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip Comparison Chart
 ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip | ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip | ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip | |
| Price | List Price: $749.99 Amazon Prices: | List Price: $729.99 Amazon Prices: | List Price: $699.00 Amazon Prices: |
| Model number | CX5501FEA-AS562T | CX5501FEA-DH566T | CX5501FEA-I5256 |
| Performance Rating | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.1 |
| Chromebook Plus | No | No | No |
| Processor | Quad-core 2.40 Ghz (max 4.20 Ghz) Intel Core i5-1135G7 | Quad-core 2.40 Ghz (max 4.20 Ghz) Intel Core i5-1135G7 | Quad-core 2.40 Ghz (max 4.20 Ghz) Intel Core i5-1135G7 |
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Internal Storage | 512 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD |
| Screen Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | 15.6" |
| Screen Resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Screen Type | LED Backlit, 250nits | LED Backlit, 250nits | LED Backlit, 250nits |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stylus / Pen | No Stylus Support | No Stylus Support | No 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) | 14.08 x 9.48 x 0.73 inches (357.63 x 240.79 x 18.54 mm) |
| Weight | 4.3 lbs (1.95 kg) | 4.3 lbs (1.95 kg) | 4.3 lbs (1.95 kg) |
| Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Webcam | 720p HD | 720p HD | 720p HD |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Ethernet | No | No | No |
| Cellular Modem | No | No | No |
| HDMI | Full-Size HDMI | Full-Size HDMI | Full-Size HDMI |
| USB Ports | 1 USB 3, 2 USB-C | 1 USB 3, 2 USB-C | 1 USB 3, 2 USB-C |
| Thunderbolt Ports | No | No | No |
| Card Reader | microSD Card Reader | microSD Card Reader | microSD Card Reader |
| Battery | 3 cell, 57 WHrs, Li-ion | 3 cell, 57 WHrs, Li-ion | 3 cell, 57 WHrs, Li-ion |
| Battery Life | 10.0 hours | 10.0 hours | 10.0 hours |
| Fanless | No | No | No |
| Auto Update Expiration Date | June, 2031 | June, 2031 | June, 2031 |
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Gaming trim on a 2021 chassis
The physical design draws heavily from ASUS’s established Chromebook lineup, specifically the 2021 CX5/CM5 chassis. The 360-degree ErgoLift hinge allows the device to transform between laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes, though at 4.30 pounds, tablet usage becomes impractical for extended periods. The ErgoLift mechanism tilts the keyboard to a more comfortable angle in laptop mode and lifts the base for better airflow underneath. The aluminum-clad chassis looks expensive and attracts fingerprints readily.
The 144Hz refresh rate on the 15.6-inch display was the headline specification for cloud gaming, and the panel’s ghosting undercuts it. Brightness tops out between 250 and 296 nits, which makes outdoor use difficult. Expert Reviews found the display covers only 61% of the sRGB color gamut and 43% of DCI-P3, resulting in muted colors. The contrast ratio of 1,848:1 partially compensates with decent black levels, but overall display quality falls short of the gaming premium ASUS attempted to charge.
The keyboard uses white backlighting rather than RGB, with orange-accented WASD keys and no customizable lighting. Anti-ghosting registers simultaneous key presses correctly, and the full-size layout includes a numeric keypad. The Harman Kardon-tuned speakers are the standout, with deeper bass and clearer mids than typical Chromebook speakers, so the machine sounds good whether you are gaming or streaming media. Those speakers also make it a strong candidate for music production on a Chromebook using browser-based DAWs like BandLab.
The port set covers two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.0 for external displays, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The USB-C ports carry both charging and display output, which covers most docking setups. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) handles the wireless side and Bluetooth 5.0 covers controllers and headphones. There is no Ethernet jack, so a wired connection needs a USB Ethernet adapter.
The Intel Core i5-1135G7 was already a generation behind competing Chromebooks at launch, and it still runs Chrome OS workloads and cloud gaming streams without strain. With 16GB of RAM in the higher-tier models it holds multiple browser tabs, video streaming, and a cloud gaming session at once. Storage is 256GB or 512GB of SSD, without the expansion options some users prefer. Battery life runs from roughly 9 hours in video playback to 6-7 hours under heavier cloud gaming loads, short of the 10-hour figure ASUS quoted.
Reviewer Insights
An 8/10 from TechCrackedWeekly, with the hinge cutting both ways
The ErgoLift hinge is the standout in the review from TechCrackedWeekly, which rated the CX55 Flip 8/10 and noted how the hinge creates better typing ergonomics while improving thermal performance. However, they criticized the stiff hinge that prevents one-handed opening and makes tablet mode awkward. “The chassis is definitely a fingerprint magnet,” they observed, recommending keeping a microfiber cloth handy. They found the 250-nit display inadequate for outdoor use but acceptable for indoor gaming sessions, ultimately concluding it is fairly priced if purchased on sale.
Expert Reviews gives four stars and faults the aging chip
Expert Reviews awarded the device 4/5 stars while describing it as “a decent mid-range Chromebook that’s been given a gaming facelift.” Stuart Andrews highlighted the adaptable 360-degree design and nearly 9-hour battery life during video playback as strengths. However, the review was critical of the aging 11th-generation Intel processor when competitors had moved to 12th-gen chips, calling the color handling “barely mediocre.” Andrews concluded that the device looks more expensive than it is, but falls short of justifying its premium gaming positioning.
The gaming label reads as disingenuous to Chrome Unboxed
Despite the 144Hz specification, the panel’s ghosting issues meant it didn’t feel as smooth as competitors’ 120Hz displays, Robby Payne wrote for Chrome Unboxed, which described the device as a “half-hearted attempt” that reuses the same chassis from 2021 models. “Slapping a sad 144Hz screen on it and calling it a ‘gaming Chromebook’ feels a bit disingenuous at best,” they wrote. Payne singled out the speakers, described as “some of the best ever put in a Chromebook.” At the original $699 price point, they recommended the Acer Chromebook 516 GE at $549 instead.
SmartBuy Reviews sticks to the cloud gaming pitch
SmartBuy Reviews ran through the gaming hardware in brief, naming the 144Hz display for smooth cloud gaming visuals, the anti-ghosting keyboard for responsive input during competitive play, and WiFi 6 connectivity for reduced streaming latency.
Worth keeping if you already own one
The gaming pitch fell apart on the display. The Harman Kardon speakers, the ErgoLift hinge, and the anti-ghosting keyboard all hold up, and the 11th-gen Intel chip is still enough for Chrome OS, but the panel’s ghosting and narrow color coverage undermined the gaming positioning. The 2021 chassis was already familiar by the time the machine shipped in late 2022, and the model is no longer sold new.
Chrome OS updates and security patches run to the Auto Update Expiration date of June 2031. The device remains fully capable for cloud gaming through GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna, and general productivity work is comfortable with the Core i5-1135G7 and the available RAM configurations. At the $499 to $549 discounts it later sold at, it was fair value for a 15.6-inch 2-in-1 with these speakers.
Anyone shopping today has better options. The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 delivers 12th-generation Intel performance in a more portable package, and gaming Chromebooks have moved on since late 2022.
The Chromebook Comparison Chart lines it up against the current gaming and large-screen models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip good for cloud gaming?
Cloud gaming was the design target, with the 144Hz display and the anti-ghosting keyboard, and it works with GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna. The display’s ghosting partially negates the high refresh rate advantage, so the gaming benefit is smaller than the specification suggests. Chrome Unboxed pointed buyers to the Acer Chromebook 516 GE instead.
How long will the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip receive updates?
Google’s Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date for the CX55 Flip is June 2031. Chrome OS updates, security patches, and new features arrive until that date, and stop after it.
Can I upgrade the RAM or storage in the CX55 Flip?
No, both the RAM and SSD storage are soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded after purchase. You’ll need to choose the right configuration at purchase time: 8GB/256GB, 16GB/256GB, or 16GB/512GB. The microSD card slot can provide additional storage expansion for files and media.
How does the CX55 Flip compare to the Acer Chromebook 516 GE?
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE offered a 12th-gen Intel processor versus ASUS’s 11th-gen, RGB keyboard lighting, a higher resolution 2560x1600 display at 120Hz with better color accuracy, and a lower launch price of $549 versus $699. The ASUS advantages were limited to higher refresh rate (144Hz vs 120Hz) and the Harman Kardon speakers.
Is the CX55 Flip too heavy for regular use?
At 4.30 pounds (1.95 kg), the CX55 Flip is heavier than most Chromebooks due to its 15.6-inch display and aluminum construction. It’s manageable for commuting and works fine on a desk, but extended tablet-mode use becomes tiring. If portability is a priority, consider a 14-inch model like the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 at 3.31 pounds instead.
Does the CX55 Flip have good speakers?
Yes. The Harman Kardon-tuned speakers are the standout feature. Chrome Unboxed called them “some of the best ever put in a Chromebook,” noting deeper sound with more body than competing models. For gaming and media without headphones, the audio quality impressed reviewers.