TAIPEI, Taiwan, October 6, 2021 — ASUS today announced the ASUS Chromebook CR1 series, an all-new, education-focused Chrome OS laptop series that is available in 11.6-inch clamshell form (ASUS Chromebook CR1) for a traditional experience and a convertible design that flips to become an 11.6-inch multitouch tablet (ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1).

The new ASUS Chromebook CR1 laptops 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 and a spill-resistant keyboard. 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 Flip CR1 benefits from an optional garaged stylus and world-facing camera for innovative learning opportunities and maximum flexibility.

Rugged design: Rubber bumper, spill-resistant keyboard and military-grade toughness

ASUS Chromebook CR1 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 CR1 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 330 cc¹ without harm — so minor splashes are easily drained, cleaned and dried.

ASUS Chromebook CR1 and ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 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 is able to brush off both fingerprints and minor scuffs and scratches.

All these defenses and more besides mean that ASUS Chromebook CR1 and ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 surpass demanding U.S. military-grade MIL-STD-810H durability standards. 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: New ways to explore, plus extensive connectivity

The possibilities are limitless with ASUS Chromebook CR1 series. ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 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 Flip CR1 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 Flip CR1 provides 4G LTE² and WiFi 6, 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 life³ on a single charge, ASUS Chromebook CR1 and ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 are able to last for a full day of classes and more — empowering students to enjoy both uninterrupted learning and entertainment.

Safety first: Antibacterial protection and low blue-light emissions

To help protect users, the surfaces of these new learning-focused laptops are treated with ASUS Antibacterial Guard^4,5 , , 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 wellbeing include screens certified by TÜV Rheinland⁶ for low blue-light emissions, potentially helping to protect students’ eyes from damage during prolonged study sessions. For further enhancing eye care, ASUS Chromebook CR1 features an anti-glare display that reduces reflections to provide comfortable viewing in any lighting.

Easy maintenance: Modular construction for simple upkeep, plus zero-touch network enrollment

To keep maintenance costs to a minimum for schools, parents and students, ASUS Chromebook CR1 and ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 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. Getting studies started is simple as well: Both models feature zero-touch enrolment, which enables the device to automatically register in an IT network as soon as the user connects to the internet.

The best of Google for Education

To further empower education, ASUS Chromebook CR1 series laptops unlock the very best of Google for Education, including full access to Google Play⁷ . Chrome OS 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 favorite 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 Chrome OS with the Chrome Education Upgrade⁸ , 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 updates⁹ and built-in virus protection seamlessly keep ASUS Chromebook CR1 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.

SPECIFICATIONS¹⁰