The FCC will make a final vote to reverse the net neutrality rules in December
On December 14, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote to dismantle net neutrality rules set in place by the Obama administration in 2015. The vote will be led by Chairman Ajit Pai, who introduced a plan to reclassify broadband internet access as a utility allegedly in favor of corporate and job growth. Pai introduced his plan in April, which received a 2-1 vote to advance into the planning stage, reeling in more than 22 million comments from the public.
Reversing the net neutrality rules will allow internet service providers (ISP) to possibly block or throttle specific traffic. For instance, an ISP could choose to slow the data flow of Netflix in favor of its own video streaming service. To bring its video flow back up to speed on that specific ISP, Netflix would have to pay more money for a “fast lane.” That additional fee would be felt by Netflix subscribers through an increased monthly rate.
Right now, the Obama administration’s net neutrality rules provide an even flow of data across the internet. The only speed throttling involved is tied to clamping down on pirates and on people using more than their allowed amount of monthly data. But with the net neutrality rules revoked, ISPs will be free to throttle and block content at will.
“We fully support net neutrality,” Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said a few years back. “We want to keep the internet open. Net neutrality ensures network operators don’t discriminate by limiting access to services you want to use. It’s an essential part of the open internet, and we are fully committed to it.”
Even members of the FCC are opposed to reversing net neutrality rules. FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn called the plan a “destructive path” that doesn’t place broadband subscribers first. Without the rules, affordable internet access will become more difficult to obtain by low-income Americans. The FCC majority, according to Clyburn, is siding with billion-dollar companies instead of the public interest it was established to protect.
“What consumers want is fast, affordable broadband access,” Clyburn said. “What consumers want is access to a free and open internet without fear of being throttled or assessed a toll by their broadband service provider. Sadly, what they have is an FCC majority that feels otherwise.”
Reclassifying ISPs as a “public utility” (think land-based phones) will push them under the corporate-friendly “telecommunications business” envelope. Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler used the Communications Act of 1934 two years ago to better regulate broadband providers. Up until then, broadband providers were managed under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
But even in 2015, Pai argued that the FCC had no business regulating broadband access and that the rules were unnecessary. The big tug-of-war in Washington, D.C., it seems, is that the Federal Trade Commission regulated broadband access prior to the FCC’s net neutrality rules. Thus, the bigger broadband picture is more than just net neutrality — it’s also about your privacy. The FTC said in March that the broadband classification shift from “business” to “utility” in 2015 created a privacy protection gap.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Comcast wants the FCC to pre-empt state net neutrality laws
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- Here’s everything you need to know about SpaceX Starlink
The FCC will make a final vote to reverse the net neutrality rules in December
On December 14, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote to dismantle net neutrality rules set in place by the Obama administration in 2015. The vote will be led by Chairman Ajit Pai, who introduced a plan to reclassify broadband internet access as a utility allegedly in favor of corporate and job growth. Pai introduced his plan in April, which received a 2-1 vote to advance into the planning stage, reeling in more than 22 million comments from the public.
Reversing the net neutrality rules will allow internet service providers (ISP) to possibly block or throttle specific traffic. For instance, an ISP could choose to slow the data flow of Netflix in favor of its own video streaming service. To bring its video flow back up to speed on that specific ISP, Netflix would have to pay more money for a “fast lane.” That additional fee would be felt by Netflix subscribers through an increased monthly rate.
Right now, the Obama administration’s net neutrality rules provide an even flow of data across the internet. The only speed throttling involved is tied to clamping down on pirates and on people using more than their allowed amount of monthly data. But with the net neutrality rules revoked, ISPs will be free to throttle and block content at will.
“We fully support net neutrality,” Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said a few years back. “We want to keep the internet open. Net neutrality ensures network operators don’t discriminate by limiting access to services you want to use. It’s an essential part of the open internet, and we are fully committed to it.”
Even members of the FCC are opposed to reversing net neutrality rules. FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn called the plan a “destructive path” that doesn’t place broadband subscribers first. Without the rules, affordable internet access will become more difficult to obtain by low-income Americans. The FCC majority, according to Clyburn, is siding with billion-dollar companies instead of the public interest it was established to protect.
“What consumers want is fast, affordable broadband access,” Clyburn said. “What consumers want is access to a free and open internet without fear of being throttled or assessed a toll by their broadband service provider. Sadly, what they have is an FCC majority that feels otherwise.”
Reclassifying ISPs as a “public utility” (think land-based phones) will push them under the corporate-friendly “telecommunications business” envelope. Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler used the Communications Act of 1934 two years ago to better regulate broadband providers. Up until then, broadband providers were managed under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
But even in 2015, Pai argued that the FCC had no business regulating broadband access and that the rules were unnecessary. The big tug-of-war in Washington, D.C., it seems, is that the Federal Trade Commission regulated broadband access prior to the FCC’s net neutrality rules. Thus, the bigger broadband picture is more than just net neutrality — it’s also about your privacy. The FTC said in March that the broadband classification shift from “business” to “utility” in 2015 created a privacy protection gap.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Comcast wants the FCC to pre-empt state net neutrality laws
- Google to deploy Project Loon balloons to Puerto Rico to restore cell service
- Think your ISP is cheating you? The best internet speed tests help you find out
- Verizon will start throttling smartphone video to 480p or 720p
- Here’s everything you need to know about SpaceX Starlink
Decide who sees what and when with Netgear and Circle’s parental controls
The internet is a bit like the Wild West, but much to the relief of concerned parents, there is a new sheriff in town. Netgear partnered with Circle Media Labs to provide smart parental controls of your home network. While it may not be a solution when it comes to determining what young internet users can and can’t see across the board, at the very least, it allows parents to control what goes on under their roof.
With this new partnership, Netgear’s flagship Orbi Tri-Band Home Wi-Fi systems and Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi routers will include Circle with Disney software. This, the company says, will give the heads of a household the ability to manage not only content but also the amount of time users can spend online. Everything can be controlled by the Circle app (free to download on both iOS and Android devices), and parents will be able to create individual profiles for individual family members, customizing what is available and for how long. Parents can even schedule BedTime for each family member and their unique devices, or pause internet use with the touch of a button. What’s more, Circle claims that you will even be able to keep tabs on a family member’s mobile device outside of the home through Circle Go.
Because Circle with Disney will come pre-installed on Netgear hardware, there is no need to add any additional equipment to ensure user safety. As part of the free app offerings, you will be able to set individual filter levels, pause internet access by device, user, or the whole home, see a full web history, turn on safe search, and filter out ads. If you opt for the premium service, which will set you back $5 a month, you will also be able to set time limits, BedTime, and enjoy Amazon Alexa connectivity, which will allow you to ask Alexa about your family’s usage, time limits, and more.
“We find it so gratifying that Circle is already helping so many families, and we have seen that the sooner parents are able to set some limits and reward online behaviors, the better it is for the family,” Circle Media Labs CEO Lance Charlish said in a statement. “By partnering with one of the most trusted router brands to offer our technology on their products, we are thrilled to be making Circle accessible to even more families.”
Editors’ Recommendations
- Google’s Family Link app lets parents manage their kids’ devices
- Best parental control apps for your kid’s smartphone
- The best tablets for kids whatever their age or your budget
- Teach your child how to sleep right with the new Suzy Snooze baby monitor
- ReplyASAP app for Android is a teenager’s worst nightmare
Explore the land of the dead in Pixar’s virtual reality experience, ‘Coco VR’
Pixar has a new movie out in cinemas later in November and it’s set to be accompanied by the studio’s first foray into virtual reality. Coco VR lets you experience the day of the dead firsthand, donning your headset to perform a range of activities inspired by the film.
“Pixar and Disney take human imagination and render it larger than life,” Coco VR producer Marc Sondheimer said in an interview published on the Oculus blog. “VR is the natural next step in our evolution, letting people experience these worlds in living color.”
The experience begins in the home of Miguel, the protagonist of Coco. As he’s called away by his mother, you fall into a trance, where you meet a skeleton called Ceci who helps you customize your avatar with a variety of different clothing options.
From there, you are given the freedom to explore the virtual environment at your own pace. The Land of the Dead bears all the artistic flourishes that it boasts in the movie, inspired by traditional Mexican artwork and, of course, the type of celebrations we associate with Día de los Muertos.
Teleporting around the town square will lead you to a swathe of different diversions. An elevator can be used to gain a better view of your surroundings, while a theme park-inspired ride will let you get a glimpse of the whole square. Alternatively, you can just try on a selection of hats and items of facial hair and take some silly selfies.
There is also an art studio where you can pore over concept art and other imagery. It’s jam-packed with information about the traditions that inspired the movie, according to Road to VR.
Pixar’s output carries a prestige beyond most animated movies, so it’s no surprise to see that every effort has been made to imbue this tie-in with a similar level of quality. The team Coco VR, Magnopus, also produced the well-received Memory Lab experience that was released in support of Blade Runner 2049.
Coco VR is available now via the Oculus store for free. A version optimized for Gear VR is set to launch alongside the movie on Wednesday, November 22.
No room for an aquarium and a garden? Malawi compact ecosystem gives you both
If you live in an apartment, particularly if it’s in an especially sought-after part of the country, chances are that space is at a premium. Forget the sprawling balconies and foosball tables shows like Friends promised us, in real life you’re far more likely to be choosing between a sofa and a decent-size bed. That’s where a nifty new product called Malawi comes into its own.
Malawi, the first product made by startup Just Grow, is a miniature garden and aquarium in one. Turning both into a compact ecosystem that consumes less space than a microwave, it’s the perfect conversation starter for the modern home. Oh, and did we mention that maintaining it takes just a couple minutes per day? That’s about the length of time it’ll take you to read this story.
“Malawi is the ultimate indoor gardening experience,” Djimo Serodio, founder and CEO of Just Grow, told Digital Trends. “It scales down an emerging sustainable agriculture technology — aquaponics — into an elegant statement piece. Malawi is a garden powered by an aquarium. A pump cycles water from the aquarium to the garden, where bacteria convert fish waste into plant food. Plants are always watered and fertilized while the tank stays naturally clean. No water changes, no synthetic filters to replace, and no mess.”
The Mozambique-born Serodio said he learned about aquaponics after working in the sustainable agriculture industry, starting during his university years. He was impressed by their low maintenance and high productivity, but found that most existed at commercial scale, rather than being suitable for the home. “I founded Just Grow to bring this technology to more people by scaling down aquaponics from farm to apartment applications,” he said. “Our ideal customers are those limited in time and space, living amid more gray than green in cities.”
If you’re interested in getting your hands on a Malawi fish tank/garden, you can currently pre-order one on Indiegogo. Prices start at $279, which will net you a fish tank, aquarium light, grow bed, wire cleaner, pump, cycling starter kit, owner’s manual, and more. Growing can commence as of May 2018, when the product is expected to start shipping.
Editors’ Recommendations
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- Grow Duo adds some 21st-century brains to your old-fashioned garden
- Moai is like a Roomba for your fish tank that also live-streams underwater video
- Martians may call these massive domed greenhouses “home”
- GardenSpace will water your garden and keep away pests with its robotic head
OnePlus 5 vs. OnePlus 5T: Is it worth making the upgrade?
The OnePlus 5T is finally here, and as the name suggests, it’s a revised version of the OnePlus 5 released earlier this year. This time around, OnePlus put a lot of focus into embracing the popular “bezel-less” design, as you’ll see some pretty thin edges around the 6-inch screen.
Those with the original OnePlus may be wondering whether or not they should upgrade, so what are the differences? Is the OnePlus 5T the better phone? We pit OnePlus 5 vs. OnePlus 5T to find out.
Specs
OnePlus 5
OnePlus 5T
Size
154.2 x 74.1 x 7.25 mm (6.07 x 2.92 x 0.28 in)
156.1 x 75 x 7.3 mm (6.15 x 2.95 x 0.29 in)
Weight
5.39 ounces (153 grams)
5.7 ounces (162 grams)
Screen
5.5-inch AMOLED
6.01-inch AMOLED
Resolution
1,920 x 1,080 pixels (401 pixels per inch)
2,160 x 1,080 pixels (401 ppi)
OS
Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Storage
64GB or 128GB
64GB or 128GB
SD Card Slot
No
No
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM
6GB or 8GB
6GB or 8GB
Connectivity
GSM / CDMA / LTE
GSM / CDMA / LTE
Camera
Front 16MP, Rear Dual 16MP and 20MP
Front 16MP, Rear Dual 16MP and 20MP
Video
4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 60fps, 1080p at 30fps, 720p at 30fps, slow motion 720p at 120fps
4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 60fps, 1080p at 30fps, 720p at 30fps, slow motion 720p at 120fps
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5
Yes, version 5
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity
Gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity,
Water Resistant
No
No
Battery
3,300mAh
3,300mAh
Charger
USB Type-C
USB Type-C
Quick Charging
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
No
No
Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store
Color offerings
Black, gray
Midnight Black
Availability
Unlocked, OnePlus
OnePlus
DT Review
4 out of 5 stars
Hands-on review
Perhaps surprisingly, the OnePlus 5 and the OnePlus 5T are largely the same under the hood. They both are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, which is the same processor in phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and the Google Pixel 2 XL, and both offer options for either 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage or 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s no MicroSD card support in either of these phones, so if you’re buying one you’ll want to get the amount of storage you want.
Both use the latest Bluetooth 5 standard, and feature NFC. These are both excellent-performing phones, and they’re capable of handling anything you throw at them — just like any other Android flagship smartphone. This one’s a tie.
Winner: Tie
Design, display, and durability
The design and display are two main points of difference between these two phones. For the OnePlus 5T, OnePlus has jumped on the “bezel-less” screen bandwagon — where the edges flanking the screen are minimized. That means the screen size is now 6-inches, but the overall phone’s body isn’t much bigger than the 5.5-inch OnePlus 5.
The edge-to-edge design looks great and it’s pretty similar to phones like the Huawei Mate 10 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. But because of the larger display and smaller bezels, the aspect ratio is now 18:9, and OnePlus also moved the fingerprint sensor to the rear like many Android phones. This is a big change for OnePlus fans, but don’t worry, there’s another way to unlock the phone on the 5T — facial recognition. That’s right, you can unlock your phone at lightning fast speeds on the OnePlus 5T, but you should know it’s not as secure as Apple’s Face ID on the iPhone X.
The 2,160 x 1,080 pixel resolution on the 5T is slightly higher too, though the OnePlus 5 may look slightly sharper because both phones have the same pixel density — 401 pixels-per-inch. The OnePlus 5 has a 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution, with a 5.5-inch screen. It doesn’t look as contemporary as the OnePlus 5T, because of its chunky edges around the screen. Otherwise, the rear of both phones look exactly the same (minus the fingerprint sensor).
As far as durability goes, there’s no water-resistance on both the OnePlus 5 or OnePlus 5T. The good news? Unlike most 2017 smartphones, there’s no glass back so you have less of a chance of cracking it.
The larger display, while keeping a similar frame, and the modern design mean the OnePlus 5T wins this one.
Winner: OnePlus 5T
Battery life and charging
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
The two phones have exactly the same 3,300mAh battery capacity, but OnePlus said both will last the same length of time. It’s surprising, considering the OnePlus 5T needs to power a higher-resolution and larger screen, but the company is confident in its claim of offering similar battery life. We’ll have to take their word on it for now, but we’ll definitely be testing this further in our review.
You’ll find the same fast-charging technology on both phones. OnePlus’ own Dash Charge is a speedy way to juice up your phone, and it claims to give users a day’s power in half an hour of charging.
While we expect the OnePlus 5’s battery to last slightly longer, we’re going to have to wait and test the OnePlus 5T’s battery life before awarding a winner here. The difference will likely be minimal either way.
Winner: Tie
Camera
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
While you’ll find dual cameras on both phones, the OnePlus 5T makes some changes that may not necessarily be better. The main camera is 16-megapixels on both, but gone is the telephoto lens on the OnePlus 5T. Instead, there’s a 20-megapixel standard lens with a much wider f/1.7 aperture that’s meant to improve low-light photos. This lens still helps with Portrait Mode, as it helps to capture some depth, but the only other way it can be used is if you’re in a low-light environment.
Sadly, that means the OnePlus 5T does not feature 2x optical zoom. You’ll find the same 2x zoom option on the camera, but this is the inferior digital zoom.
The front-facing cameras are the same, packing 16 megapixels. We liked the camera on the OnePlus 5, and we expect a similar experience on the OnePlus 5T. Portrait Mode may not work as well, but we should see some improvement in low-light. We’ll need to test more to find out. For now, it’s a tie.
Winner: Tie
Software
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
OnePlus does have its own Android overlay, but the changes are relatively minimal and OnePlus doesn’t mess with any of Android’s core features. They do seem to make a few notable visual changes, but they are pretty small — and in our review of the OnePlus 5, we said the experience is very similar to that on the Google Pixel, except it’s more customizable.
The OnePlus 5T ships with Oxygen OS 4.7, which is based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat. OnePlus said the Android 8.0 Oreo beta will launch to consumers by the end of the year, and the official rollout will occur in the first quarter of 2018. That’s also when the OnePlus 5 will get it too, so you’re not getting any advantages here with the OnePlus 5T.
Winner: Tie
Price and availability
When the OnePlus 5 launched, it was available starting at $480, with the 8GB/128GB model coming in at $520. OnePlus has bumped the price of the OnePlus 5T a little — the phone is available starting at $500 instead of $480, and the higher capacity model will cost $560. That’s not a huge price increase, and it does make sense considering the new features.
OnePlus typically stops selling their previous device when they introduce a new phone, so you may only be able to buy the OnePlus 5 from other retailers or as a used phone. While the OnePlus 5T is slightly more expensive, given you’re going to be able to easily purchase it directly from OnePlus, we’re making it the winner.
Winner: OnePlus 5T
Overall winner: OnePlus 5T
The OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T are remarkably similar phones, but there are some clear advantages to going for the newer device — namely the better design and larger display. Not only that, but the new phone is very close to the price as the older OnePlus 5.
Editors’ Recommendations
- OnePlus 5T hands-on review
- Everything you need to know about the OnePlus 5
- The 6-inch OnePlus 5T costs $500 and you can unlock it with your face
- Here are OnePlus 5 tips and tricks to help you master the OxygenOS
- The most unusual (and most exclusive) special-edition OnePlus 5 is now for sale
Lay down a sick beat with the best laptops for music production
While there’s certainly still room in the world of music production for a jacked-up iMac, going with a laptop for your music production needs gives you the mobility of bring your portable studio with you wherever you go.
We’ve put together this guide to the best laptops for music production for that exact reason. Regardless of your choice of operating system or budget, you should be able to find something that will give the creative tools to make that next killer mixtape or album you’ve been thinking about.
MacOS vs. Windows
Apple has been the preferred choice of professional creatives for many years — and that includes musicians and music producers. While some of that has to do with the “cool-factor,” it’s also because of Apple’s continued support of its first-party creative applications. On the music production front, Apple has Logic Pro X and GarageBand, two pieces of software that have done quite a lot to democratize music-making in the world.
Logic Pro X is a professional-grade DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that costs a flat $200, frequently sees substantial updates, and doesn’t require any external interface to operate. Beyond that, all the primary DAWs support MacOS, so don’t worry if you are a Pro Tools or Ableton Live user. In addition, it should be noted that because of Apple’s reputation in this area, certain audio interfaces like the Apogee Duet 2 are exclusively Apple-based.
While you might want a MacBook just because it’s the only laptop that looks socially acceptable to have with you on stage, don’t forget that this is going to be the computer you have to use for everything else, too. If the idea of using MacOS for work or other everyday computing makes you want to gag, there are plenty of options in the Windows 10 space that will do.
Here’s our advice: If you’re in the market for a laptop to make music with, take a good hard look at the current lineup of MacBooks (and an even harder look at how much money you’ve set aside to invest) and then move on to the available Windows 10 options.
Our Pick: MacBook Pro (15-inch with Touch Bar)
Malarie Gokey/Digital Trends
Let’s get this out of the way: you probably don’t want to go with either the MacBook Air or the 12-inch MacBook if you want to get involved in music production. The 12-inch MacBook will work for dipping your toe in the water, but if you are serious about music production, you’ll want something with a little more power to handle all those tracks and plugins. So cross those both off the list and focus in on the particulars of which MacBook Pro you’re going to get.
We know it’s expensive at $2,400, but if you want what is truly the best laptop for music production, you’ll want to get the 15-inch MacBook Pro released in late 2016. When it comes to running a session with dozens of tracks and plugins actively running, you want as much processing power and RAM you can get. The 15-inch comes packed with a quad-core Intel Core i7 and 16GB of RAM. In addition, those high-quality audio files add up really fast, so the 15-inch MacBook Pro starts with 512GB of SSD memory. Get this system, and you won’t have to worry about it freezing up in the middle of your guitar player’s one-in-a-million guitar solo.
Best Windows 10 Option: Surface Book 2
Daven Mathies/Digital Trends
It may not come with access to Logic Pro X, but the Surface Book 2 will have you covered in pretty every other conceivable music production scenario. To best the 15-inch MacBook Pro, both the 13-inch and 15-inch Surface Book 2 rock the new 8th-gen. quad-core Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM. That’s the kind of performance punch you need to run large-scale audio recording sessions. We’d recommend going with the 13-inch model, since it starts at a more digestible $1,500.
It’s as portable as the MacBook Pro, and the available ports on the Surface Book 2 (2 USB-A, 1 USB-C, and an SD card slot) match what’s currently available in audio interfaces. The 2-in-1 aspect of the Surface Book 2 isn’t going to do you any favors in terms of music production (especially without a kickstand), but the detachable screen should be a nice add-on if you use the laptop for more leisurely activities when you don’t have Pro Tools loaded up.
Best Budget Laptop for Music Production: MacBook Pro 13 or Asus Zenbook UX330UA
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
If you’re putting together a mobile music workstation, you’ve got things to spend money on besides just the laptop. With that being said, you definitely don’t want to dip below a dual-core processor — and probably don’t want to do anything with less than 8GB of RAM.
If you’re dead-set on a Mac, we’d recommend the 13-inch MacBook Pro (without Touch Bar), which starts at $1,300. It has a great balance of power, affordability, design, and portability. You’re not going to miss the Touch Bar — in fact, you’ll probably be glad to have easier access to things like the physical volume keys and the Esc key.
On the Windows side of things, we’d recommend the excellent Asus Zenbook UX330UA. It’s not much of a looker, nor does it feel like much of a premium device. But for the price, you won’t find more bang for your buck out there. The 2017 version comes with the 8th-gen. Intel i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, which just happens to be the same specs you find on the 13-inch MacBook Pro, a laptop that’s over $400 more expensive. Both won’t give you the sheer power that the Surface Book 2 or MacBook Pro 15-inch would provide, but should get you by a tighter budget.
Best Laptop for Live Performance: Surface Pro
Mark Coppock/Digital Trends
When it comes to manipulating sound live from the stage goes, DJs and synth players still use analog stations for that very tactile feel of controlling an instrument. However, touchscreens are becoming a viable option that recreates that feel much better than using a trackpad and keyboard. For this particular use, the Surface Pro is the most versatile computer to have with you on the stage.
You’ll probably want to spring for the Core i5 model (starting at $1,000 without the Surface Pen) to handle running tracks out of Ableton Live or MainStage. Again, you won’t be able to use Apple-specific hardware or software, but the leaned-back kickstand of the Surface Pro make it a fantastic tool in a live performance setting. It might not be ideal for the studio, but it’s a great companion for running tracks.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Apple MacBook 12-inch review
- HP Spectre x360 15 review
- The best crossovers you can buy
- The best iPhone camera accessories that money can buy
- Asus VivoBook Pro N580 review
Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA review
Research Center:
Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA
There’s a reason why Chromebooks are popular in schools — they’re lightweight, speedy, and secure. Chromebooks don’t rely on apps you download and install, leading to smaller storage capacities, and lower pricing. The Chrome OS operating system is provided free to OEMs as well, making Chromebooks extremely price-competitive in a Windows-dominated laptop market.
Enter our Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA review. This $300 mini-laptop is based on an optimized Rockchip six-core processor, 4GB of memory, 16GB of storage, and a battery promising up to nine hours of use on a single charge.
The Flip C101PA appears to be a smaller version of the Flip C302CA we reviewed in February. That model had an Intel-based processor, a larger screen, a higher resolution, and a higher price tag of $500. Asus, it seems, wants to provide the same 2-in-1 Chromebook experience for less. Like its cousin, the more affordable Flip supports Google Play and its library of Android apps. Does that make it a worthwhile alternative to a tablet?
It’s the best of both worlds
The Flip C101PA is a merging of two worlds — the web-based app productivity of Chrome OS (although some can work offline), and the locally installed apps of Android. All of this is enjoyed on a 10.1-inch screen with touch. Technically, it’s a 2-in-1 device with a 360-degree hinge enabling you to position it in four ways: Laptop, Tent, Stand, and Tablet.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Overall, it sports a rounded metal body with a silver finish. The keyboard area is silver too, complemented by black keys and a black bezel surrounding the screen. There are no sharp edges whatsoever, and you can even see a small, metallic trim running along the sides of the device. The only drawback to this compact clamshell 2-in-1 design is the bulging 360-hinge, and the gaps it creates between the screen and keyboard area.
When closed, the 2-in-1 Chromebook measures just 0.6 inches thin. We did a triple-take when FedEx delivered the unit, as we were expecting something much larger. It’s extremely small – kid-sized, you could say – but it’s a high-quality product in its presentation and overall build.
It’s more than just a tablet
You won’t find a multitude of ports here. The left side merely sports the volume buttons and the power button. On the right, you’ll see two USB 3.1 Gen1 USB-C ports, one of which is used to recharge the device.
The Chromebook Flip 101PA could easily replace your smartphone as your Facebook-trolling tool.
Other ports consist of a USB 2.0 Type-A port, a microphone/headphone combo jack, and a MicroSD card slot. Video output is handled by the two USB-C ports (HDMI, DisplayPort), so you’ll need the appropriate adapter. You can also cast the screen and its contents using a Google Chromecast device.
Because there’s no Ethernet port, you’re solely relying on a wireless connection. The label on the Chromebook’s box says it provides Bluetooth 4.0 and Wireless AC connectivity, the latter of which relies on a 2×2 setup, meaning it relies on two incoming antennas, and two outgoing. Theoretically, it’s capable of reaching speeds of 867Mbps, but the Android apps we used to monitor the connection all saw a capped speed of 100Mbps no matter what access point we used.
Get bouncy with your typing
We rather liked the keyboard, though it doesn’t provide any backlighting. It spans the entire base from left to right, and there’s no numeric keypad, enabling larger keys for your fingertips to love. Each key feels delightfully springy when pressed, and as with other Chromebooks, you’ll find device-specific commands replacing the typical function keys. These control screen brightness, volume, and help navigate through web pages.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
The touchpad is small, but that’s expected given the size of the device. There are no embedded right and left-click buttons, but rather the entire touchpad area is one large clickable surface. It supports up to three fingers, enabling gesture commands like swiping left and right, drag and drop, scrolling, and sliding. It felt a little jerky at times when moving the cursor across the screen, but worked well enough.
The display gets touchy
Of course, the Flip C101PA shines as a tablet. Once you flip the screen over into tablet mode, the keyboard shuts off.
The 10.1-inch display has a density of 150 pixels per inch, an aspect ratio of 16:10, and an out-of-the-box resolution of 1,280 x 800 (marked as “best”). The device’s settings let you scale the screen as if it were displaying 1,440 x 900, however, this only makes interface elements smaller, so more can be fit on-screen. The display’s real resolution of 1,280 x 800 does not change.
Unfortunately, the specifications don’t state what type of screen technology Asus is using in its 2-in-1 Chromebook, but clearly admits it supports only 50 percent of the NTSC color space. The color depth and richness associated with devices sporting larger, high-resolution displays just isn’t there, but you may not notice unless you physically compare the Flip C101PA’s screen next to an iPad. It does the job, and is plenty bright even in outdoor scenarios.
The audio is best in tent mode
Backing this screen are two speakers mounted on the bottom of the keyboard. The sound is good, given that the speakers are typically pointing away from your ears. The audio punches up through the keyboard, but you can’t help but get a narrow sensation when processing the audio in your brain. This is due to the dampening of the treble as the sound moves through metal and plastic before reaching your ear.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
The best non-headphone audio you’ll hear from the Flip C101PA is when the device is set to tent mode. In this case, the keyboard is positioned behind the screen, exposing the two speakers on the bottom which are then pointing in your direction.
While audio quality depends on how the device is used, we are pleased with volume and quality overall. It won’t impress audiophiles – or anyone, really – but it’s at least usable, which is better than many devices in the Flip’s category.
The processor is little, and big
Backing the big audio and 10.1-inch screen is Rockchip’s six-core RK3399 all-in-one processor. It falls within a new classification system called “OP,” which means the chip is optimized specifically for Chromebooks. Given Rockchip’s processor falls under the OP1 umbrella, we assume it’s one of the first to fit into this new classification system.
What’s interesting about this chip is that it’s based on ARM’s processor architecture called big.LITTLE. There are essentially two clusters of processor cores inside the chip: four clocked at 1.51GHz for normal, low-power use, and two clocked at 2.02GHz for high-performance scenarios. All six cores don’t work simultaneously. The two power-sucking cores kick in only when heavy processing is required.
You get the best of two worlds in a compact device — the benefits of an Android tablet, and the security of a Chromebook.
When we loaded up Geekbench 4 to test its performance, the processor scored a mere 1,333 in the single-core test. Because the benchmark is Android-based, the results can only be directly compared to processors running in smartphones. Plus, you should also consider that Android isn’t native to Chromebooks, so we may not see the processor’s full potential using the app. With that in mind, we still think the results are worth discussing.
Rockchip RK3399’s single-core benchmark fell between Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 and Samsung’s proprietary Exynos 7420 chip. It even fell behind the recent Windows 10-based Acer Switch 3, which managed a 1,385 score in Gerekbench using Intel’s Pentium N4200 processor.
In the multi-core benchmark, the Chromebook only scored 3,200, putting it between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and Samsung’s Exynos 5433 processor. It fell behind the new Acer Switch 3, which reached a higher 4,502 score in Geekbench.
Of course, for $300, you likely don’t expect the Flip to be a performance monster. It’s fast enough for watching Netflix, writing documents, working on school assignments, and playing low-resolution games. It’s a tablet, not a laptop, at its core.
This flippin’ 2-in-1 lacks space
The model we tested only provided 16GB of space, 6GB of which was consumed by Chrome OS and Android. That leaves around 10GB of available space to use, so you’ll need to rely on the MicroSD card slot for additional capacity. It supports the SDXC standard, meaning you can use MicroSD cards with capacities of up to 2TB (the largest card you can buy right now is 400GB).
Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA Compared To
Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA
Acer Chromebook 14 CB3-431-C5FM
Acer Chromebook R 11
Toshiba Chromebook 2 CB35-C3350
Lenovo Ideapad 100S Chromebook
Acer Aspire Switch 10 E
Dell Chromebook 11 Touch
Toshiba Chromebook 2
Lenovo Yoga 11e Chromebook
Lenovo N20p Chromebook
Acer Aspire Switch 10
Acer C720P-2600
HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook
Acer C7 Chromebook
Samsung Series 5 550 Chromebook
That said, Chromebooks are designed for using applications based in the cloud, not installed locally on the device. The specifications show that Asus provides a 32GB version as well, but that’s still not a lot of space given the Flip C101Pa supports Android apps. Then again, 16GB of storage shouldn’t be a surprising amount given the device’s overall cost, and its tablet-based roots.
Android gaming is decent
The Flip C101PA relies on the Mali-T860 MP4 component integrated into the Rockchip processor, which is only clocked at 600MHz. You’re simply not going to run games at a 1080p resolution with this chip, but we benchmarked it anyway, to see what the integrated graphics could do.
For starters, we loaded up Epic Citadel for Android, which consists of various scenes spread out through a castle and its courtyard. It’s an older benchmark, and in 2017 isn’t visually stressful, so we’re not surprised the 2-in-1 managed an average framerate of 60 frames per second using the Ultra High settings. We saw the same framerates using the 1,280 x 752 and 1,440 x 856 resolutions.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
In 3DMark, we loaded the Ice Storm benchmark and saw 60 frames per second in the first segment, and 50.3 frames per second in the second segment. Ice Storm only benchmarks the device at 1,280 x 720 resolution, so we decided to give the Sling Shot test a try, which tests at 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. The integrated graphics choked miserably, cranking out a mere 6.9 frames per second in the first segment, and 3.1 frames per second in the second segment. Ouch.
Overall, it seems the Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA can handle some light gaming, but won’t perform well in serious titles. Given its price, though, we think modest gaming performance is excusable.
It’s a great on-the-go clamshell
Overall, you get a lot of bang for your buck for such a small, inexpensive device. The 0.6-inch thick convertible design makes the Flip C101PA highly portable, and it weighs a mere two pounds, so you’re not struggling with a bulky, heavy system. The rounded edges and metal chassis adds to its easy portability, especially for kids who are prone to dropping and bumping their devices.
It’s extremely small – kid-sized, you could say – but a high-quality product in its presentation and overall build.
By comparison, Acer’s $450 Switch 3 2-in-1 measures 0.39 inches thick without the removable keyboard, and 0.64 inches with the keyboard intact. It weighs 1.98 pounds as a tablet, and 2.76 pounds as a laptop. Outside the obvious processor and operating system differences, Acer’s 2-in-1 packs a larger screen at 12.2 inches, making it slightly less portable than the Asus Chromebook.
On the battery front, Basemark’s stressful test drained the battery over 324 minutes. Next, using the iMacro Chrome extensions – which continuously loads websites until the battery dies – the Chromebook lasted 484 minutes, over an hour longer than the larger Chromebook Flip C302CA. The Flip C101PA did a better job in our video loop test too, lasting 536 minutes versus the Flip C302CA’s 485-minute duration. It even outlasted the Acer Switch 3, which managed only 290 minutes.
Recharging the battery takes around 90 minutes.
Nope, no bloatware here
The beauty of Chrome OS is that you don’t have bloatware installed right out of the box. By default, Chromebooks include Google’s web-based applications such as Gmail, the Chrome browser, YouTube, Google Docs, and so on. Non-Google web apps include the “Legends” games from Spacetime Studios, Tweetdeck, Facebook, and so on.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Google Play is also installed on the Chromebook out-of-the-box. Android apps initially run in a smartphone-like windowed mode. You can maximize these apps to fill the entire screen, but only if you restart the app. Not all apps are optimized for tablet-sized screens — such as Titan Quest, which crammed the viewpoint and interface into one corner of the screen while leaving the remaining space black.
We experienced performance issues while using certain features of Chromebook. For instance, we wanted to check the screen’s brightness level, but the section simply wouldn’t expand to reveal its settings no matter how many times we clicked and tapped. This happened quite a few times throughout our interaction with the device, so we’re not sure if they were related to software, slow processor performance, or a combination of both.
Warranty
The label on the back of the Chromebook indicates a one-year warranty. According to Asus, this covers hardware failure and factory defects for 12 months starting from the time you purchase the product.
Our Take
The Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA is a tablet at heart despite its 2-in-1 form factor, only it’s based on the web-focused Android-loving Chrome OS platform instead of a full-fledged Android install. It competes with similar products such as the Samsung Chromebook Pro and the Acer Chromebook R 11, but serves as a great alternative to similar Windows-based devices as well. It seemingly sets out to replace your tablet and Bluetooth-based keyboard setup, or as a durable, lightweight, secure computing device for the student.
Is there a better alternative?
If you’re willing to spend the extra bucks, the larger Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA model may be a more performance-friendly option. It has the same 2-in-1 “flip” design, but packs a higher resolution and an Intel Core-branded processor to handle the load. You could even splurge on the Acer Chromebook R 13 packing a 2-in-1 form factor, a 13.3-inch FHD screen (1,920 x 1,080), and twice the storage for $400. However, based on our review score, the Flip C101PA may be a better solution than Lenovo’s IdeaPad 100S that costs a few more bucks.
Despite the underlying mobile-focused processor, the Flip C101PA competes with affordable Intel-based 2-in-1s sporting Windows 10, like Acer’s recent Switch 3. There’s a $150 difference between the two, but with Acer’s product, you’re buying into the Intel processor, screen size, screen resolution, extra storage space, detachable keyboard, and Windows 10. Meanwhile, hackers generally don’t target Chrome OS, and given the platform is free, you see lower pricetags on Chromebooks. In the case of the $300 Flip C101PA, you get Android compatibility, too.
How long will it last?
In the smartphone and tablet world, devices are obsolete just months after you buy them. This applies to mobile-focused Chromebooks, too. The device itself is a great long-term product in that it’s durable, remains updated through Google, and is highly secure. But it won’t last forever, as you’ll eventually see Android apps refusing to update because your current hardware is obsolete.
Should you buy it?
If you’re on the market for a lightweight, tablet-like device, then the Flip C101PA is a steal for $300. Despite its limitations, it delivers a good experience at its price point. It’s a simple, function device with no serious flaws, and we think that’s all most budget-conscious readers want.
Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA review
Research Center:
Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA
There’s a reason why Chromebooks are popular in schools — they’re lightweight, speedy, and secure. Chromebooks don’t rely on apps you download and install, leading to smaller storage capacities, and lower pricing. The Chrome OS operating system is provided free to OEMs as well, making Chromebooks extremely price-competitive in a Windows-dominated laptop market.
Enter our Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA review. This $300 mini-laptop is based on an optimized Rockchip six-core processor, 4GB of memory, 16GB of storage, and a battery promising up to nine hours of use on a single charge.
The Flip C101PA appears to be a smaller version of the Flip C302CA we reviewed in February. That model had an Intel-based processor, a larger screen, a higher resolution, and a higher price tag of $500. Asus, it seems, wants to provide the same 2-in-1 Chromebook experience for less. Like its cousin, the more affordable Flip supports Google Play and its library of Android apps. Does that make it a worthwhile alternative to a tablet?
It’s the best of both worlds
The Flip C101PA is a merging of two worlds — the web-based app productivity of Chrome OS (although some can work offline), and the locally installed apps of Android. All of this is enjoyed on a 10.1-inch screen with touch. Technically, it’s a 2-in-1 device with a 360-degree hinge enabling you to position it in four ways: Laptop, Tent, Stand, and Tablet.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Overall, it sports a rounded metal body with a silver finish. The keyboard area is silver too, complemented by black keys and a black bezel surrounding the screen. There are no sharp edges whatsoever, and you can even see a small, metallic trim running along the sides of the device. The only drawback to this compact clamshell 2-in-1 design is the bulging 360-hinge, and the gaps it creates between the screen and keyboard area.
When closed, the 2-in-1 Chromebook measures just 0.6 inches thin. We did a triple-take when FedEx delivered the unit, as we were expecting something much larger. It’s extremely small – kid-sized, you could say – but it’s a high-quality product in its presentation and overall build.
It’s more than just a tablet
You won’t find a multitude of ports here. The left side merely sports the volume buttons and the power button. On the right, you’ll see two USB 3.1 Gen1 USB-C ports, one of which is used to recharge the device.
The Chromebook Flip 101PA could easily replace your smartphone as your Facebook-trolling tool.
Other ports consist of a USB 2.0 Type-A port, a microphone/headphone combo jack, and a MicroSD card slot. Video output is handled by the two USB-C ports (HDMI, DisplayPort), so you’ll need the appropriate adapter. You can also cast the screen and its contents using a Google Chromecast device.
Because there’s no Ethernet port, you’re solely relying on a wireless connection. The label on the Chromebook’s box says it provides Bluetooth 4.0 and Wireless AC connectivity, the latter of which relies on a 2×2 setup, meaning it relies on two incoming antennas, and two outgoing. Theoretically, it’s capable of reaching speeds of 867Mbps, but the Android apps we used to monitor the connection all saw a capped speed of 100Mbps no matter what access point we used.
Get bouncy with your typing
We rather liked the keyboard, though it doesn’t provide any backlighting. It spans the entire base from left to right, and there’s no numeric keypad, enabling larger keys for your fingertips to love. Each key feels delightfully springy when pressed, and as with other Chromebooks, you’ll find device-specific commands replacing the typical function keys. These control screen brightness, volume, and help navigate through web pages.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
The touchpad is small, but that’s expected given the size of the device. There are no embedded right and left-click buttons, but rather the entire touchpad area is one large clickable surface. It supports up to three fingers, enabling gesture commands like swiping left and right, drag and drop, scrolling, and sliding. It felt a little jerky at times when moving the cursor across the screen, but worked well enough.
The display gets touchy
Of course, the Flip C101PA shines as a tablet. Once you flip the screen over into tablet mode, the keyboard shuts off.
The 10.1-inch display has a density of 150 pixels per inch, an aspect ratio of 16:10, and an out-of-the-box resolution of 1,280 x 800 (marked as “best”). The device’s settings let you scale the screen as if it were displaying 1,440 x 900, however, this only makes interface elements smaller, so more can be fit on-screen. The display’s real resolution of 1,280 x 800 does not change.
Unfortunately, the specifications don’t state what type of screen technology Asus is using in its 2-in-1 Chromebook, but clearly admits it supports only 50 percent of the NTSC color space. The color depth and richness associated with devices sporting larger, high-resolution displays just isn’t there, but you may not notice unless you physically compare the Flip C101PA’s screen next to an iPad. It does the job, and is plenty bright even in outdoor scenarios.
The audio is best in tent mode
Backing this screen are two speakers mounted on the bottom of the keyboard. The sound is good, given that the speakers are typically pointing away from your ears. The audio punches up through the keyboard, but you can’t help but get a narrow sensation when processing the audio in your brain. This is due to the dampening of the treble as the sound moves through metal and plastic before reaching your ear.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
The best non-headphone audio you’ll hear from the Flip C101PA is when the device is set to tent mode. In this case, the keyboard is positioned behind the screen, exposing the two speakers on the bottom which are then pointing in your direction.
While audio quality depends on how the device is used, we are pleased with volume and quality overall. It won’t impress audiophiles – or anyone, really – but it’s at least usable, which is better than many devices in the Flip’s category.
The processor is little, and big
Backing the big audio and 10.1-inch screen is Rockchip’s six-core RK3399 all-in-one processor. It falls within a new classification system called “OP,” which means the chip is optimized specifically for Chromebooks. Given Rockchip’s processor falls under the OP1 umbrella, we assume it’s one of the first to fit into this new classification system.
What’s interesting about this chip is that it’s based on ARM’s processor architecture called big.LITTLE. There are essentially two clusters of processor cores inside the chip: four clocked at 1.51GHz for normal, low-power use, and two clocked at 2.02GHz for high-performance scenarios. All six cores don’t work simultaneously. The two power-sucking cores kick in only when heavy processing is required.
You get the best of two worlds in a compact device — the benefits of an Android tablet, and the security of a Chromebook.
When we loaded up Geekbench 4 to test its performance, the processor scored a mere 1,333 in the single-core test. Because the benchmark is Android-based, the results can only be directly compared to processors running in smartphones. Plus, you should also consider that Android isn’t native to Chromebooks, so we may not see the processor’s full potential using the app. With that in mind, we still think the results are worth discussing.
Rockchip RK3399’s single-core benchmark fell between Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 and Samsung’s proprietary Exynos 7420 chip. It even fell behind the recent Windows 10-based Acer Switch 3, which managed a 1,385 score in Gerekbench using Intel’s Pentium N4200 processor.
In the multi-core benchmark, the Chromebook only scored 3,200, putting it between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and Samsung’s Exynos 5433 processor. It fell behind the new Acer Switch 3, which reached a higher 4,502 score in Geekbench.
Of course, for $300, you likely don’t expect the Flip to be a performance monster. It’s fast enough for watching Netflix, writing documents, working on school assignments, and playing low-resolution games. It’s a tablet, not a laptop, at its core.
This flippin’ 2-in-1 lacks space
The model we tested only provided 16GB of space, 6GB of which was consumed by Chrome OS and Android. That leaves around 10GB of available space to use, so you’ll need to rely on the MicroSD card slot for additional capacity. It supports the SDXC standard, meaning you can use MicroSD cards with capacities of up to 2TB (the largest card you can buy right now is 400GB).
Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA Compared To
Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA
Acer Chromebook 14 CB3-431-C5FM
Acer Chromebook R 11
Toshiba Chromebook 2 CB35-C3350
Lenovo Ideapad 100S Chromebook
Acer Aspire Switch 10 E
Dell Chromebook 11 Touch
Toshiba Chromebook 2
Lenovo Yoga 11e Chromebook
Lenovo N20p Chromebook
Acer Aspire Switch 10
Acer C720P-2600
HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook
Acer C7 Chromebook
Samsung Series 5 550 Chromebook
That said, Chromebooks are designed for using applications based in the cloud, not installed locally on the device. The specifications show that Asus provides a 32GB version as well, but that’s still not a lot of space given the Flip C101Pa supports Android apps. Then again, 16GB of storage shouldn’t be a surprising amount given the device’s overall cost, and its tablet-based roots.
Android gaming is decent
The Flip C101PA relies on the Mali-T860 MP4 component integrated into the Rockchip processor, which is only clocked at 600MHz. You’re simply not going to run games at a 1080p resolution with this chip, but we benchmarked it anyway, to see what the integrated graphics could do.
For starters, we loaded up Epic Citadel for Android, which consists of various scenes spread out through a castle and its courtyard. It’s an older benchmark, and in 2017 isn’t visually stressful, so we’re not surprised the 2-in-1 managed an average framerate of 60 frames per second using the Ultra High settings. We saw the same framerates using the 1,280 x 752 and 1,440 x 856 resolutions.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
In 3DMark, we loaded the Ice Storm benchmark and saw 60 frames per second in the first segment, and 50.3 frames per second in the second segment. Ice Storm only benchmarks the device at 1,280 x 720 resolution, so we decided to give the Sling Shot test a try, which tests at 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. The integrated graphics choked miserably, cranking out a mere 6.9 frames per second in the first segment, and 3.1 frames per second in the second segment. Ouch.
Overall, it seems the Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA can handle some light gaming, but won’t perform well in serious titles. Given its price, though, we think modest gaming performance is excusable.
It’s a great on-the-go clamshell
Overall, you get a lot of bang for your buck for such a small, inexpensive device. The 0.6-inch thick convertible design makes the Flip C101PA highly portable, and it weighs a mere two pounds, so you’re not struggling with a bulky, heavy system. The rounded edges and metal chassis adds to its easy portability, especially for kids who are prone to dropping and bumping their devices.
It’s extremely small – kid-sized, you could say – but a high-quality product in its presentation and overall build.
By comparison, Acer’s $450 Switch 3 2-in-1 measures 0.39 inches thick without the removable keyboard, and 0.64 inches with the keyboard intact. It weighs 1.98 pounds as a tablet, and 2.76 pounds as a laptop. Outside the obvious processor and operating system differences, Acer’s 2-in-1 packs a larger screen at 12.2 inches, making it slightly less portable than the Asus Chromebook.
On the battery front, Basemark’s stressful test drained the battery over 324 minutes. Next, using the iMacro Chrome extensions – which continuously loads websites until the battery dies – the Chromebook lasted 484 minutes, over an hour longer than the larger Chromebook Flip C302CA. The Flip C101PA did a better job in our video loop test too, lasting 536 minutes versus the Flip C302CA’s 485-minute duration. It even outlasted the Acer Switch 3, which managed only 290 minutes.
Recharging the battery takes around 90 minutes.
Nope, no bloatware here
The beauty of Chrome OS is that you don’t have bloatware installed right out of the box. By default, Chromebooks include Google’s web-based applications such as Gmail, the Chrome browser, YouTube, Google Docs, and so on. Non-Google web apps include the “Legends” games from Spacetime Studios, Tweetdeck, Facebook, and so on.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Google Play is also installed on the Chromebook out-of-the-box. Android apps initially run in a smartphone-like windowed mode. You can maximize these apps to fill the entire screen, but only if you restart the app. Not all apps are optimized for tablet-sized screens — such as Titan Quest, which crammed the viewpoint and interface into one corner of the screen while leaving the remaining space black.
We experienced performance issues while using certain features of Chromebook. For instance, we wanted to check the screen’s brightness level, but the section simply wouldn’t expand to reveal its settings no matter how many times we clicked and tapped. This happened quite a few times throughout our interaction with the device, so we’re not sure if they were related to software, slow processor performance, or a combination of both.
Warranty
The label on the back of the Chromebook indicates a one-year warranty. According to Asus, this covers hardware failure and factory defects for 12 months starting from the time you purchase the product.
Our Take
The Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA is a tablet at heart despite its 2-in-1 form factor, only it’s based on the web-focused Android-loving Chrome OS platform instead of a full-fledged Android install. It competes with similar products such as the Samsung Chromebook Pro and the Acer Chromebook R 11, but serves as a great alternative to similar Windows-based devices as well. It seemingly sets out to replace your tablet and Bluetooth-based keyboard setup, or as a durable, lightweight, secure computing device for the student.
Is there a better alternative?
If you’re willing to spend the extra bucks, the larger Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA model may be a more performance-friendly option. It has the same 2-in-1 “flip” design, but packs a higher resolution and an Intel Core-branded processor to handle the load. You could even splurge on the Acer Chromebook R 13 packing a 2-in-1 form factor, a 13.3-inch FHD screen (1,920 x 1,080), and twice the storage for $400. However, based on our review score, the Flip C101PA may be a better solution than Lenovo’s IdeaPad 100S that costs a few more bucks.
Despite the underlying mobile-focused processor, the Flip C101PA competes with affordable Intel-based 2-in-1s sporting Windows 10, like Acer’s recent Switch 3. There’s a $150 difference between the two, but with Acer’s product, you’re buying into the Intel processor, screen size, screen resolution, extra storage space, detachable keyboard, and Windows 10. Meanwhile, hackers generally don’t target Chrome OS, and given the platform is free, you see lower pricetags on Chromebooks. In the case of the $300 Flip C101PA, you get Android compatibility, too.
How long will it last?
In the smartphone and tablet world, devices are obsolete just months after you buy them. This applies to mobile-focused Chromebooks, too. The device itself is a great long-term product in that it’s durable, remains updated through Google, and is highly secure. But it won’t last forever, as you’ll eventually see Android apps refusing to update because your current hardware is obsolete.
Should you buy it?
If you’re on the market for a lightweight, tablet-like device, then the Flip C101PA is a steal for $300. Despite its limitations, it delivers a good experience at its price point. It’s a simple, function device with no serious flaws, and we think that’s all most budget-conscious readers want.
Lenovo’s VP of Design on how the retro ThinkPad lured in millennials
Lenovo has recently updated some of its PC lines, particularly with its latest refresh, which includes the Yoga 720 and brand-new Yoga 920. Look closely, and you’ll see some consistent design choices, such as a revamped keyboard that offers up a better layout, and some aesthetic cues that point to a simpler and more user-friendly design philosophy.
These design elements are no accident. They’re part of a continued and concerted effort to produce products that are simpler, more useful, and more refined. We spoke with Brian Leonard, Vice President of the Lenovo Experience Design Group, to delve into the ideas that are driving his team.
How did you get started in computer design and what’s been your history ending up at Lenovo doing what you’re doing?
I grew up in an IBM family, mom and dad. When I was in college I took an internship at IBM and everything around me was about white boxes and beige, and that was the time when we started the first conceptual work on what was a ThinkPad. I fell in love with ThinkPad at that moment, and a couple of years later I ended up at IBM. I worked on servers, and desktops, and peripherals, and was around ThinkPad a lot, and I spent 10 years at IBM. And then I left and went to a competitor for 10 years, did a lot of things there.
What Laptop Magazine/Getty Images
I recently came back, about 2 years ago, and rejoined Lenovo, because I saw a lot of change inside Lenovo after the acquisition and was really interested in this customer perspective and being focused on who the customers are and their needs, pain points, and desires. I assumed leadership working with David Hill, and then he retired back in the summer. We’ve been prepping for this kind of transition over the last couple of years.
What are some of your favorite designs over the year, either things that you’ve contributed to you, or anything in the industry that’s particularly impressed you?
One of the primary drivers I came back for was that I wanted to work on ThinkPad. We just went through the 25th anniversary of ThinkPad. People talk about what’s next, why do they always look the same? Well, that history of design is really a one-two punch between design and engineering. Good design is so much part of a brand that they’re hard to separate. We can’t just take a left turn and start making something very, very different, but I think it lets us focus on what the purpose of those devices are and how we make improvements versus saying “Hey, what’s the next new design fad or the next design trend.” [ThinkPads] are the perfect purpose-built machines, the best notebooks in the world. I really enjoyed that.
ThinkPads are the perfect purpose-built machines, […] the best notebooks in the world.
The team that I cover now [handles] all of the commercial design, all of the consumer design, and we have some great brands. My team did the Yoga 920, as well as other products. That was really about making a much simpler statement and design, and really cleaning up and focusing on the quality, and elevating that product to be what we knew it could be. That’s a lot of fun too.
The Yoga 920 is a very understated design compared to some of your competitors, but it’s a machine that you can take into a boardroom and set down on a table and work without drawing undue attention to yourself. Is that kind of what you guys were going for with that machine?
To me, what’s going on in the world is things are getting much simpler. It used to be that we wanted to design notebooks that screamed, “Hey look at me, I’m special.” But I think the understated design really lets you, when you get into that two-three foot zone next to the notebook, it lets you focus and see the quality of the finishes and how everything is assembled (with) all of the Think products. Now that we start to look at consumer (products) we ask, “How do we bring more purpose and more value and really elevate the brand with those types of things?” versus “This year it looks like this, next year it looks like something completely different.” I think it is part of our strategy, and I think that understated design is really part of getting back to the moment of simplicity. It’s something that you’ll see if you look at the Yoga 720s and on down the line, and even inside the IdeaPad, that’s a big focus for us.
You spoke earlier about the 25th anniversary ThinkPad, and just how iconic the ThinkPad design really is. What Lenovo has managed with ThinkPad is to keep it current and modern, and yet you know what a ThinkPad is when you see it. That seems like a fine balance to walk in terms of design.
It is, and some people think, “Is it limiting?” To me, it’s not, because it puts us in a frame of mind, and that’s what ThinkPad design is all about. It’s a frame of mind, and it’s about simplicity and focusing on the things that really matter. It lets us explore how we evolve this and make this more special, make it a better device, focus on weight, and thinness, and spend our time in those areas and work on being concerned about what’s really going to resonate with the customer, versus just simply aesthetics. To me, the aesthetics of these things should be a natural part of the product experience, not the focal part of the product experience.
How has that 25th anniversary ThinkPad been received in the market so far?
Really, really well. A couple of things that we did… One, we wanted to be focused on delivering something that would be in reach of a wide audience, and we tried to keep the price point under control. We could have easily done something that was so unique that nobody could afford it, and that was one thing that we did not want to do. We brought back the seven-row keyboard, dedicated volume/mute controls, some of the design details like the blue enter key and the wave detail underneath the cursor controls. It really resonates well with our superfans, and as we are focusing more on our customers and delivering customer relevant differentiation, it’s really (intended) for those superfans.
It’s interesting because with that seven-row keyboard — and it kind of goes back a couple of years in notebook design with the key design where it’s not what we would call and island-style key — it’s more of a traditional keyboard, and yet it still looks really modern. We just haven’t looked at one in a while. I’ve been carrying one for a couple of weeks and it’s fantastic. I really enjoy taking a step back, it’s quite fun.
Has it given you any ideas about returning to the truly iconic ThinkPad keyboard? Things have changed a bit, things have gotten thinner, the shallower travel, things like that. Are you thinking now we’ll go ahead and stick the ThinkPad keyboard back in the machines?
You know, that’s a little tough to answer. But it does make me realize that over the years, we’ve moved away from or lost (some things) that we brought back in that. I’m like, “How did we get there,” and it makes you head-scratch and start doing some conceptual work, and change the conversation with what you’re doing today. Which I think is always interesting.
What do you think of Windows on ARM processors (such as those from Qualcomm), and what that’s going to allow you to do?
You know, I think that we’ve seen a really big change in commercial products over the past 5-6 years. It used to be that a commercial product had everything including the kitchen sink, because people were buying one system for everybody. And then we’ve seen those definitions get challenged, and commercial devices get thinner and thinner and thinner, and are now at the same level as consumer. And consumer has been throwing everything off-board to make the thinnest device they possibly could. And now they’re kind of at par.
And so, now, what’s the difference between those two devices? And when do we stop? When is enough? And we’re starting to figure out that, okay, now we really have to pump the breaks and make sure that we do have good battery life, we do have the full connectivity, we still have to have the best keyboard in the world, and people still need connectors. So, it’s going to be interesting how we get to the next level and Windows on ARM could help us get some smaller engines inside that kind of power the experience.
For myself, I’m really more focused on what I call the “dashboard,” which is the things that I see, meaning the display, which is the center of the experience, and then how do I control it with the keyboard and the trackpoint and the touchpad. That’s really where we want to spend our time, because that’s kind of what’s most important for the user.
I’ve seen a few manufacturers talk about how Millennials are growing up, and they’re going into the business world, and they’re dragging along an aesthetic preference. Nobody used to care what the work PC looked like, but it appears to be now that people are, in the business world, more concerned about what the machine looks like. I wondered if you were seeing any impact from that demographic change.
You know, we talk about it a lot, and we’ve got a lot of Millennials designing our machines and working on the teams. It’s interesting, the perspective they bring, and I think a lot of times we think about Millennials as, “Hey, it’s gotta be a silver thing,” and that’s not really what we see from our research and when we talk to users.
We thought about how were we going to reach Millennials and […] ThinkPad is a great tool to reach them.
They have a high focus on what the device can do for them, the quality of it. They never want to skip a beat or have to worry about the thing breaking down. They want to know exactly how it’s going to behave when they open it and close it, that it fits seamlessy into their lives.
One of the things that was interesting is that when we were working on the retro ThinkPad, and we were doing all of our surveys trying to figure out what were the right features for that anniversary product, the average age for the respondent on that wasn’t an older crowd, it was actually an age group that was smack in the Millennial crowd. And I thought, wow, that’s really interesting. We thought about how were we going to reach the Millennials, and, you know, ThinkPad is a great tool to reach them.
Speaking of customer feedback, there are obvious examples of where you’ve responded to the customer. I’m sure, for example, when you moved the webcam above the display on the Yoga 920, that was probably based on some customer feedback you received about the webcam being on the bottom of the display. What other kinds of examples of where customers have driven changes can you think of?
Well, I think that if you look at the Yoga 920, and you look at the keyboard, it looks as you would expect. If you look at the Yoga 910, the right shift key was small. Somewhere along the line, we made a mistake and when we redid the consumer products for the “20” series, and the Yoga 920 is in that timeframe, we demanded that we go back and fix that keyboard. And we did.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
Another thing in the 20 series that I was not happy with was the touchpad buttons, and the experience of that. So, I made it a big deal that we need to make these fundamentals of computing at every price point as flawless as possible. And that was coming from the design team and the user experience team in response to customers. So, every day we’re trying to be focused on making great things and making them better.
To wrap up, what do you see as some of the more important design trends going forward? What do you see as important in the next couple of years?
The human interaction element is interesting to me. I think we’re getting to a point where we’ve given up on — our competitors have, everybody has — quality of space, and keyboard thickness, and things like that. I think those elements, and especially in ThinkPad, are part of the experience, and so we see people not just using them for work, they’re using them for entertainment. And so I think voice, sight, pens, displays are the most important parts of the notebook. As is your content, whether you’re creating or consuming or whatever you’re doing, that’s important. Sound, I think is important, as well as pen — we’re all trying to figure out how to get these analog things that we do every day with sight, sound, touch, and interactions, into a digital world much easier.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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