Rockchip RK3288C Chromebooks

The Rockchip RK3288C is an ARM-based system-on-chip that became the first processor to use the 32-bit ARM Cortex-A17 architecture when it debuted in 2014. Built on a 28nm HKMG manufacturing process, this quad-core processor runs at up to 1.8 GHz and was designed specifically for mobile devices requiring a balance of performance and power efficiency. The “C” variant was created for Chrome OS devices, powering several budget Chromebooks that launched between 2015 and 2016 with original prices as low as $149. Rockchip marketed the RK3288C as delivering smartphone-like performance with significantly better battery life than Intel alternatives of the era.

The RK3288C integrates a quad-core ARM Mali-T760 MP4 GPU clocked at 600 MHz, which ARM also calls the Mali-T764. This graphics processor supports OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.0/3.1, OpenCL 1.1, and hardware video decoding for H.264, H.265, VP8, and VP9 up to 4K resolution. The processor includes a dual-channel memory controller supporting DDR3, DDR3L, LPDDR2, and LPDDR3 up to 4GB. The extremely low power consumption enabled fanless designs with completely silent operation and extended battery life. At launch, the RK3288C represented Rockchip’s push into the Western consumer market after years of dominance in Chinese tablet manufacturing.

In the Chromebook market, the RK3288C found its niche in ultra-budget devices targeting education and price-sensitive consumers. The chip powered three ASUS devices: the innovative Chromebook Flip C100PA with its metal body and 360-degree hinge, the traditional clamshell Chromebook C201, and the unique Chromebit CS10 stick PC. These devices sold in the $85-$280 range and demonstrated that ARM processors could deliver a usable Chrome OS experience. The Chromebook Flip C100PA holds historical significance as the first Chrome OS device to gain access to the Google Play Store, paving the way for Android app integration across the platform.

Performance

The Rockchip RK3288C scores approximately 7,103 on the Octane 2.0 JavaScript benchmark, the standard metric for measuring Chromebook responsiveness in browser-based tasks. This places it in the lower tier of Chromebook processors, roughly comparable to older Intel Atom chips and contemporary ARM alternatives. For context, the Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5800 scores 7,100, the Rockchip OP1 (RK3399) successor achieves 9,944, and the Intel Celeron N2840 from the same era scores 8,700. The RK3288C falls well below newer processors like the Intel Celeron N4000 (Octane: 20,000) or MediaTek Kompanio 500 (Octane: 20,000).

PassMark benchmarks rank the RK3288 around 508 points for multi-threaded performance, placing it at approximately 4700th out of 5500 CPUs tested. The Cortex-A17 architecture represented ARM’s mid-range offering for 2015, delivering roughly 60% better performance than the older Cortex-A9 design while reducing power consumption by 20% under identical workloads. In real-world testing by TechRadar, the Chromebit CS10 achieved an Octane score of 7,707, described as “zippier to navigate than Windows on the competing Intel Computing Stick.” The Chromebook Flip’s benchmark results came in at 6,795 for Octane, indicating some variance across devices.

What do these numbers mean for daily use? Reviewers consistently described RK3288C Chromebooks as surprisingly usable for basic tasks despite the modest specifications. OMG Chrome noted that benchmark results “reveal surprising results” with performance “roughly on par with Nvidia Tegra K1 Chromebooks” and nearly matching Intel Bay Trail devices. TechRadar found that “4K YouTube videos played without any stutter” thanks to hardware video decoding. However, the 2GB RAM limitation on most variants proved more constraining than the CPU itself, with Engadget reporting system lockups “when running Netflix while working in Google Docs and Slack simultaneously.” The consensus praised the RK3288C for basic browsing and single-tasking but noted struggles with demanding multitasking scenarios.

Ideal Use Cases

All Chromebooks powered by the Rockchip RK3288C have passed their Auto Update Expiration (AUE) dates. The ASUS Chromebook C201 expired in June 2020, the Chromebook Flip C100PA in July 2020, and the Chromebit CS10 in November 2020. This means these devices no longer receive Chrome OS security updates, making them unsuitable for continued use in scenarios involving sensitive data, online banking, personal accounts, or other security-critical applications. Google recommends retiring Chromebooks that have reached AUE for most typical computing tasks.

When these devices were current, they excelled in educational settings and budget-conscious deployments where all-day battery life and silent operation mattered more than raw performance. The ASUS Chromebook C201 delivered an impressive 13 hours of battery life, while the fanless design enabled completely silent classroom use. The Chromebook Flip C100PA’s 360-degree hinge and touchscreen made it particularly suitable for students working with Android apps, earning praise as “a solid Chromebook arriving with an attractive bulk price” for the education market. Engadget recommended it as “just cheap and just good enough to find a home in classrooms and tinkerers’ dens.”

For anyone considering an RK3288C device today (typically available for under $30 on the used market), these are legacy devices suitable only for experimental purposes, offline use, or as targets for installing lightweight Linux distributions. The Chromebit CS10 found an afterlife as a digital signage controller or as what one reviewer called “a sort of smart TV.” Some users have successfully installed alternative operating systems to breathe new life into these devices. However, the performance limitations that were acceptable in 2015 feel considerably more constrained against modern web applications, and the security risks from expired updates mean they should not be used for general web browsing with personal accounts logged in.

What to Look For

If you’re acquiring an RK3288C Chromebook despite the AUE limitations, understanding the differences between available models helps match the device to your experimental or offline use case. The ASUS Chromebook Flip C100PA stands out with its aluminum body, 360-degree hinge, 10.1-inch IPS touchscreen at 1280x800 resolution, and convertible form factor. The 4GB RAM variant (model C100PA-DB02) offers meaningfully better multitasking headroom than the 2GB version and originally sold for $279. Reviewers praised the Flip’s “high-end feel” and build quality despite its budget positioning.

The ASUS Chromebook C201 offered a more traditional clamshell design with an 11.6-inch TN display at 1366x768 resolution. Available in multiple colors including pearl white and light grey, the C201 emphasized portability with its 2.1-pound weight and exceptional 13-hour battery life claim. The 4GB variants (C201PA-DS02 models) cost around $179-$199 at launch and provide noticeably better multitasking than the 2GB C201PA-DS01 that sold for $169. Both lack touchscreens, making them less versatile than the Flip for experimental Android app testing.

The Chromebit CS10 represents a completely different form factor as an HDMI stick PC weighing just 0.16 pounds. It transforms any HDMI-equipped display into a Chrome OS workstation but includes only 2GB RAM and a single USB 2.0 port, requiring Bluetooth peripherals or a USB hub for keyboard and mouse. The lack of built-in display, storage limitations (16GB), and minimal RAM make it the most constrained RK3288C option. However, at typical used prices under $20, it serves as an inexpensive platform for experimenting with alternative Chrome OS configurations or lightweight Linux installations. All three devices include microSD card slots for storage expansion, support for 802.11ac WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.0/4.1 connectivity.