ASUS Announces New Chromebook CR11 Series

Jakob Aylesbury / 2 years ago

ASUS today announced the ASUS Chromebook CR11 series, all-new, education-focused ChromeOS laptops available in 11.6-inch clamshell form (ASUS Chromebook CR11) for a traditional experience and a convertible design that flips to become an 11.6-inch multitouch tablet (ASUS Chromebook CR11 Flip).

The ASUS Chromebook CR11

The fresh ASUS Chromebook CR11 models are built to military-grade standards to survive the hustle and bustle of everyday life at home, outside and in the classroom, with clever protective features including an all-round rubber bumper, a spill-resistant keyboard and an optional Corning Gorilla Glass display. There’s sufficient battery life to handle a full day’s learning and beyond, plus an easy-to-service modular construction and zero-touch enrolment. In addition to all of this, the convertible ASUS Chromebook CR11 Flip benefits from an optional garaged stylus, a world-facing camera for innovative learning opportunities and maximum flexibility, and a physical webcam shutter for instant privacy.

Ultimate Rugged Design

ASUS Chromebook CR11 laptops are built to withstand everyday knocks, bumps, drops and spills without damage. So, whether it is dropped from a classroom desk or the dining table, ASUS Chromebook CR11 is built like a tank that just keeps on going. For starters, all four exterior edges and corners are protected by a tough rubber bumper, which reduces the impact of physical shocks to ensure critical components are always safe and sound. Then there is the spill-resistant keyboard, which can cope with liquid spills of up to 405 cc[ii] without harm—so minor splashes are easily drained, cleaned and dried.

ASUS Chromebook CR11 and CR11 Flip also feature a rubber safety grip on the base. This not only provides a sturdy support for the laptop but also makes it easier to grip when carrying, reducing the risk of fumbles and slips. But the protections do not end there. The keyboard is also designed to resist tampering, with a minimal gap between the edges of the keycaps and the keyboard surround to prevent the keys from being pried out. The laptops even have a tough, micro-dimpled finish that resists fingerprints, keeping them cleaner for longer.

Strong Corning Gorilla Glass ensures ASUS Chromebook CR11 Flip’s display is both tough and scratch-resistant, and able to withstand a good, hard drop every now and then. Both ASUS Chromebook CR11 and CR11 Flip have also been tested to US military-grade MIL-STD-810H durability standards.[iii] They are also rigorously tested to pass stringent ASUS quality tests, confirming that they are able to withstand drops of up to 120 cm—greater than standard desk height. The display hinge and I/O ports are also exhaustively tested to endure the stresses and strains of everyday use.

Versatile Capabilities For Learning

The possibilities are expanded with the ASUS Chromebook CR11 series. For example, the convertible model features an optional stylus that enables quick, precise movements for unleashing creativity and productivity, so students can easily take notes, sketch or jot ideas down as they occur. The stylus also quickly and automatically charges when garaged, keeping it ready for use and providing a safe place to store it.

For further enriching learning experiences, ASUS Chromebook CR11 Flip also includes a world-facing camera, positioned just above the keyboard. This empowers students to explore and learn in totally new ways, allowing them to capture photos and videos in tablet mode. To give students the very best connectivity, ASUS Chromebook CR11 Flip provides WiFi 6 technology, and both models are loaded with I/O ports. These include two USB Type-C (USB-C) ports, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a microSD card reader, an audio combo jack and a Kensington Lock slot.

With up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, the laptops are able to last for a full day of classes and more—empowering students to enjoy both uninterrupted learning and entertainment.

Everyday Hygiene and Safety

To help protect users, the surfaces of these new learning-focused laptops are treated with ASUS Antimicrobial Guard, which has been scientifically shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria by over 99% over a 24-hour period and helps to keep surfaces clean and sanitary, potentially reducing the spread of harmful bacteria via contact.

Additional features to promote user well-being include screens certified by TÜV Rheinland for low blue-light emissions, potentially helping to protect students’ eyes from damage during prolonged study sessions. For further enhancing eye care, ASUS Chromebook CR11 features an anti-glare display that reduces reflections to provide comfortable viewing in any lighting.

ASUS Chromebook CR11 even enables instant privacy, with a built-in physical webcam shutter that flips across with a quick swipe of the finger—perfect for those moments when the user needs to close off the outside world in a hurry.

Easy Maintenance

To keep maintenance costs to a minimum for schools, parents and students, ASUS Chromebook CR11 and CR11 Flip are designed for easy servicing and reduced downtime. Both benefit from a modular construction that allows key components—such as the keyboard, touchpad and panel—to be replaced in minutes using simple tools. As a final easy-maintenance touch, the underside is securely attached using captive screws, eliminating worries about losing these little parts during repairs.

The Best of Google For Education

To further empower education, ASUS Chromebook CR11-series laptops unlock the very best of Google for Education, including full access to Google Play. ChromeOS paired with the full power of Google Workspace for Education, including productivity apps such as Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Meet and more, allows users to collaborate quickly and seamlessly stay in sync with favourite apps. Plus, the Google Admin console allows for school IT staff to remotely manage a wide range of policies and settings.

Schools can unlock the full capabilities of ChromeOS with Chrome Education Upgrade, which helps to counter rising teacher workloads, free up IT resources, and give educators more time to focus on learning outcomes – without compromising security. Automatic updates[x] and built-in virus protection seamlessly keep ASUS Chromebook CR11 series laptops safe, secure and always up to date. The laptops are also built around the rock-solid security of a personal Google Account, so all private documents, emails, photos and confidential data are kept safe at all times.