The ASUS Chromebook C523NA is a good bet if you’re shopping for a reasonably priced Chromebook with a large display. The C523NA is powered by an Intel Celeron N3350 processor backed by 4GB of DDR RAM and 64GB of flash storage giving it sufficient horsepower for surfing the web, streaming videos, and doing most everything you’d want to do with a Chromebook. While it is not considered the best chromebook on the market, it certainly has a lot going for it. The screen of C523NA is bigger than the HP Chromebook x360 14 or the Acer Chromebook 514 which is a plus for many seniors. Chrome OS also provides a simple streamlined computing experience favored by many seniors over and above their experiences using Microsoft Windows. Check out GR’s Best Chromebook for Seniors buyer’s guide for comparison of the ASUS Chromebook C523NA against other notable Chromebook offerings.
Why We Like It – ASUS Chromebook C523NA
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA has a large display, an ample keyboard, great performance, sufficient storage, and reasonable battery life, all for a bargain basement price.
- 15.6-inch touch display
- Sturdy metal case
- Intel CPU
- Screen glare
- Keyboard not backlit
Display Type
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA is one of the few Chromebooks featuring a large 15.6-inch touch screen display. It has a super-thin narrow bezel, something ASUS calls a NanoEdge display. The accurate touchscreen has a glossy protective coating which some users say has too much reflection and doesn’t do well stopping glare (you can use our Asus Chromebook C425 Review if you want something else to compare it with). The large display is secured with two sturdy hinges that allow it to be folded flat (180 degrees), but not backwards to turn the Flip C523NA into a tablet like a so-called “2-in-1” convertible such as a Lenovo Yoga C630. The touchscreen of the Flip C523NA is good for many Android apps which are now available for download on Chromebooks.
Resolution
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA has native 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), giving it a sharp picture with good detail. White balance is warmer than some other Chromebooks, although the 231-nit screen brightness of the C523NA beats the 221-nit average of other budget Chromebooks. Colors are weaker on the C523NA than on some other displays –just 76% of the sRGB color gamut. The integrated 720p webcam is serviceable, although not particularly distinguishing.
Battery Life
The claimed battery life of the ASUS Chromebook C523NA is 10 hours, but most user comments reported far less life. Battery life always varies according to use, so typical real world battery life of around 6-7 hours of medium-to-heavy use should be expected. The C523NA also has a cooling fan so heat is not a problem. If you prefer a device with longer battery life, check out our Asus Chromebook Flip C101Pa Review.
Weight
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA weighs 3.8 pounds, although this is nicely distributed so it doesn’t feel heavy when carried. However the oversize display tends to make the Flip C523NA feel top heavy when it’s open according to some user comments.
Durability
The ASUS Chromebook C523NA is well built and sturdy, with a metal case that says this isn’t your typical budget Chromebook. The aluminum case is a bit over 14 inches wide, and the display lid is nicely rigid with no flex. Two stereo speakers are mounted on the bottom, but they don’t have much bass response. ASUS provides a one-year warranty. Google “expires” support for Chromebook models 8 years after their first introduction –the hardware keeps working but no further software updates are downloaded. ASUS introduced the C523 in 2018.
ASUS Chromebook C523NA Wrap Up
The Acer Chromebook C523NA is a terrific laptop for a modest investment. Great for most everyday tasks such as web surfing, email, word processing, video calls with family, and a myriad of other things accomplished within a Google Chrome browser. It looks and feels just like a premium Chromebook, except without the premium price tag.
