ASUS is adding two MediaTek-based Chromebooks to its US lineup, giving schools, students and mobile workers another pair of low-cost ChromeOS machines built around battery life, detachable design and enough AI bundling to make a web-first laptop feel less bare-bones.
The new models are the ASUS Chromebook CM15, a 15.6-inch laptop, and the ASUS Chromebook CM32 Detachable, a 12.1-inch 2-in-1 tablet with a removable keyboard. Both use MediaTek’s Kompanio 540, an Arm processor aimed at efficient everyday computing rather than workstation-class performance.
That chip choice tells you the lane these devices occupy. ChromeOS hardware in this tier is mostly about browser workloads, video calls, documents, Android apps and long idle time in a backpack. The Kompanio platform keeps the machines fanless and power-conscious, while ChromeOS shifts much of the heavy lifting to web services and Google’s app stack.
Two shapes for two kinds of Chromebook buyer
The Chromebook CM15 is the conventional option: a 15.6-inch full-HD laptop with a wide-viewing-angle display, a 180-degree hinge, a webcam privacy shutter, HDMI and two USB-C ports. ASUS lists configurations with up to 8GB of memory and up to 128GB of storage. The laptop weighs 3.26 pounds and uses ports placed along the upper left edge, a small but sensible change for users who do not want cables fighting for space near the mouse hand.
ASUS says the CM15 can run for up to 12 hours on a charge, depending on configuration, software and use. The company also says the chassis uses 30% recycled plastics, ships with sustainable packaging and includes serviceable components. Its MIL-STD-810H durability claim comes with the usual fine print: the tests are run under lab conditions, vary by device and do not mean the machine is fit for military use.
The CM32 Detachable takes the more tablet-like route. It weighs 1.41 pounds, pairs with a detachable keyboard and uses a magnetic stand that can be set at multiple angles. Its 12.1-inch touchscreen has a 2.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass protection. Connectivity includes WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C, an audio combo jack and pogo pins for the keyboard. The device also has 5-megapixel front and rear cameras.
ASUS lists the CM32 with up to 8GB of memory, up to 128GB of storage and up to 12 hours of battery life. A lower configuration with 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage is planned for Walmart in mid-Q3 2026.
AI as the new Chromebook upsell
Eligible units of the US ASUS Chromebook CM15 and CM32 Detachable lineup include a three-month Google AI Pro trial and 5TB of cloud storage, according to ASUS. The offer covers access to Gemini features in Gmail, Docs and other Google services, along with image and video tools listed by Google under the AI Pro subscription.
That bundle fits the current Chromebook strategy: make inexpensive hardware look more capable by attaching cloud storage, AI writing tools and Android app access. ChromeOS still depends heavily on an internet connection for its strongest features, but the software’s automatic updates and account-based security remain central selling points for schools and organizations that need fleets of machines they can manage without turning every laptop into a science project.
The CM15 is available online through Amazon, while the CM32 Detachable is available through Best Buy. ASUS has not framed either machine as a performance laptop. These are ChromeOS devices for people who need a durable keyboard, a browser, video calls and enough battery margin to survive a school day or a mobile work shift.
