Google and several computer makers are introducing a new line of Chrome OS laptops featuring Rockchip RK3288 ARM Cortex-A17 quad-core processors and low price tags.

In fact, Haier and Hisense are each launching new Chromebooks with starting prices of $149.

asus c201 chromebook_02

These aren’t the first Chrome OS laptops to feature ARM-based processors. Samsung launched a line of Chromebooks with its own Exynos processors a few years ago, and there are few models on the market right now with NVIDIA Tegra chips.

But Rockchip’s RK3288 offers reasonably strong performance at a low price point, making it an interesting choice for affordable laptops. Up until now the processor has been used primarily for Android tablets and TV boxes.

Here are some of the first Chromebooks to feature Rockchip processors.

Asus C201 Chromebook

At first glance, the Asus C201 Chromebook looks a lot like the Asus C200 Chromebook. But under the hood this model has Rockchip’s ARM-based processor rather than an Intel Bay Trail chip.

Other features include a 1366 x 768 pixel display, 16GB of storage, and a choice of 2GB or 4GB of RAM. Asus promises the laptop will get up to 13 hours of battery life.

The laptop measures 0.7 inches thick and weighs 2.2 pounds.

The Asus C201 Chromebook should be available in May for $169 and up.

Asus Chromebook Flip

Asus is also introducing a new 10.1 inch convertible Chrome OS laptop that has a 10-point touchscreen display that you can flip 360 degrees to use like a tablet.

asus chromebook flip_02

The Chromebook Flip measures 0.6 inches thick, weighs about 2 pounds, and should be available later this spring for $249 for a model with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Asus will also offer a $279 version with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.

Both models feature 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and 1280 x 800 pixel displays and Asus is promising up to 10 hours of battery life.

CTL Chromebook for Education 

CTL has been making laptops for the education market for years, but this is the company’s first Chromebook with an ARM-based processor.

ctl_02

The Chromebook for Education has 16GB of eMMC storage, stereo 1.5W speakers, an HDMI port, two USB 2.0 ports, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, a 1.3MP camera, 3400 mAh battery (for up to 9 hours of run time), Bluetooth 4.0, a microSD card slot, and a headset jack.

It weighs 2.46 pounds and measures 0.76 inches thick.

The company will offer two models, a $179 version with 2GB of RAM and a $209 version with 4GB. Education customers can add $20 to either the price and you also get Google’s Chrome Device Management license.

CTL says the Chromebook for Education is available starting today, and the 2GB model should ship in April, with the 4GB version coming in mid-May.

Haier Chromebook 11

Chinese electronics company Haier’s first Chromebook features an 11.6 inch display, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and up to 10 hours of battery life.

haier chromebook 11

The laptop has two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, headset, and SD card ports, a 720p camera, stereo speakers, and a mic.

The Haier Chromebook 11 measures 11.4″ x 8.1″ x 0.7″ and weighs about 2.5 pounds and offers up to 10 hours of battery life.

This model goes up for pre-order from Amazon today for $149.

haier chromebook 11e

Haier will also a Chromebook 11e for education. This model has a rugged, spill-resistant design, and a built-in handle. which measures 11.5″ x 8.2″ x 0.9″, weighs 2.8 pounds, and has a removable battery (which is also good for up to 10 hours of run time).

Hisense Chromebook

The first Chromebook from Hisense is another $149 laptop that goes up for pre-order today. You can pick one up from Walmart.

hisense chromebook

The laptop features 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI, two USB 2.0 ports, an SD card reader, headset jack, and 720p webcam.

If those features sound familiar that’s because you read them a moment ago when I was describing the Haier Chromebook 11. The two laptops are remarkably similar, although Hisense only promises up to 8.5 hours of battery life instead of 10.

Hisense describes its Chromebook as a premium laptop that costs just $149, highlighting the metal palm rest, full-sized keyboard, and “textured, high grip, and sturdy construction.”

The laptop measures about 0.8 inches thick and weighs 3.3 pounds.

But wait there’s more!

Asus is also introducing a new Chrome OS PC-on-a-stick called the Chromebit which should launch this summer for under $100.

And Google says new hardware is on the way from companies including Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and LG, (not necessarily featuring Rockchip processors).

Commercial products from AOPEN and other partners are also on the way, for digital signage and other application.

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11 replies on “Chromebooks with Rockchip processors are priced at $149 and up”

  1. Yes! I love the new Chromebook at $149, I might buy this Chromebook next month.

  2. Unfortunately that RK3288 chip is still using the old ARMv7 architecture with Cortex-A17 cores (meaning extremely cheap chips). Have yet to see any chip from Rockchip that uses newer and faster ARMv8 architecture like Cortex-A53 or Cortex-A57. Thus, don’t have much expectations on the performance of these cheap Chromebooks…

  3. More crappy Chromebooks, even worse processors. I’ve been holding off on buying a Chromebook until a really good one comes out. I’ve yet to see this mythical Chromebook. Well, OK, it might be the Pixel 2, but you have to be nuts to spend that much on a Chromebook.

      1. Thanks, Brad. I completely forgot about this. This is closer to what I’m looking for. I know the price is an issue for some, though. If you’re going to spend $400 on a Chromebook, why not just buy an ultrabook, as they’re similarly priced?

        Based on the plethora of reviews I’ve read in the last year, it seems Toshiba’s Chromebook 2 is the Chromebook to beat (for a reasonable price). Hoping we see some more i5 Chromebooks released this year (or an equivalent with one of Intel’s newer lower-power chipsets).

        1. For $299, you can get the Acer Chromebook 15 with IPS screen, Broadwell Celeron, 4Gb RAM and 16GB storage. That’s a better value than the Toshiba Chromebook 2.

  4. I would be curious to see that Asus Chromebook Flip dual boot Android and Chome OS.

Comments are closed.