When the reviewer started as a tech journalist in the early 2010s, Chromebooks were emerging as affordable options mainly for schools, priced below Windows laptops and Macs. At the time Windows dominated PCs, macOS was less widespread, and tablets were viewed primarily as oversized phones. These budget notebooks gained traction with students but later lost momentum in the broader market.
Demand rose again during the pandemic for remote learning and work. India did not become a significant market for these devices. With rising hardware costs making traditional laptops less accessible, the reviewer suggests Chromebooks could now appeal as entry-level machines for web tasks such as email, classes, banking, and video streaming.
The Asus Chromebook CM32 launched in India starting at Rs 37,990. The reviewed model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage costs Rs 48,999. It functions as both a laptop and tablet, supporting Android apps in a detachable 2-in-1 design.
The device features a premium metallic build, light weight, and compact size. Its 12.1-inch 16:10 touchscreen offers 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, up to 600 nits brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate protected by Gorilla Glass 3. Dual 5MP cameras handle video calls and scanning. Side speakers suit casual media use, and Wi-Fi 7 plus Bluetooth 5.4 provide modern connectivity. A keyboard cover offers two viewing angles, though no fingerprint sensor is included. A headphone jack and single USB-C port are present.
