Product
The ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA is a solid, no-nonsense budget Chromebook that delivers reliable everyday performance for web browsing, Google Workspace tasks, and media consumption. At Check price, it offers genuinely good value for students, light home users, and anyone who lives mostly in a browser. Just don't expect it to multitask heavily or run Android apps without the occasional hiccup.
- Exceptional battery life that matches or beats manufacturer claims
- Completely fanless and silent in all conditions
- Large 15.6" FHD screen at a budget price
- 4GB RAM limits heavy multitasking
- 64GB storage is tight without cloud or MicroSD expansion
- No keyboard backlight
Exceptional battery life that matches or beats manufacturer claims
4GB RAM limits heavy multitasking
Completely fanless and silent in all conditions
The full review
5 min readMost budget laptops make promises they can't keep. They look fine on the spec sheet, feel cheap in your hands, and leave you reaching for the charger by lunchtime. The ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA is different, and I'll tell you why upfront: if you know what a Chromebook is and what it's for, this one is genuinely good value. If you're expecting a Windows replacement that handles everything, walk away now.
I've been using this machine for several weeks across a mix of settings: home desk, kitchen table, a couple of train journeys, and a few long afternoons in coffee shops. The ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA with its 15.6" Full HD screen, Intel Celeron N5095 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB eMMC storage running Google Chrome OS is a straightforward machine built for a specific job. And mostly, it does that job well.
Who Is the ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA Actually For?
Chrome OS is the key thing to understand here. It's not Windows. It's not macOS. It's Google's browser-based operating system, and it's genuinely brilliant if your workflow fits it. Google Docs, Sheets, YouTube, Netflix, email, video calls, light photo editing in the browser. All of that works well. But if you need Photoshop, specific Windows applications, or anything that requires real processing grunt, this isn't your machine.
That's not a criticism of the CX1505CTA specifically. It's just the reality of the platform. And once you accept that, this laptop starts to look very appealing indeed.
Performance: Honest Expectations Required
Right, let's be straight about the Intel Celeron N5095. It's not fast. Not by any modern standard. But here's the thing: Chrome OS doesn't need fast. The operating system is lean, the browser is optimised, and for the tasks this laptop is designed for, the Celeron gets the job done without drama.
Day-to-day browsing with five to eight tabs open felt fine. Google Docs loaded quickly, YouTube played without buffering, and video calls on Google Meet were perfectly usable. Where it starts to show strain is when you pile on the tabs. Get to fifteen or twenty tabs, add a video call, and you'll notice things slow down. The 4GB of RAM is the real bottleneck there, not the processor.
Android apps work, because Chrome OS supports them through the Play Store. But some apps clearly aren't optimised for the platform, and a few heavier ones were sluggish. Stick to web-based tools and you'll be much happier.
🌡️ Thermal Performance
The CX1505CTA is completely fanless, which is a big deal. No fan noise ever. The chassis stays cool to the touch during normal use, and even under sustained load it never got uncomfortable on the lap. This is one of the genuinely impressive things about this machine.
🔊 Acoustic Performance
This is one of the best things about the CX1505CTA. It is completely silent, always. Perfect for libraries, quiet offices, and late-night use without disturbing anyone. If fan noise in meetings has ever annoyed you, this machine is a breath of fresh air. Literally.
🖥️ Display Analysis
The 1080p screen is genuinely fine for everyday use. Text is sharp, YouTube looks good, and you can comfortably have two documents side by side. The TN panel means colours shift if you're viewing from an angle, which is noticeable when showing someone else your screen. Brightness is the main limitation. Indoors it's comfortable, but take it to a sunny café and you'll be squinting. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing.
Battery Life: The Star of the Show
The USB-C charging is a nice touch too. You can top it up from a phone charger in a pinch, though it'll be slow. The included charger is compact enough not to be a burden in a bag.
📦 Portability Assessment
At 1.7kg, this isn't the lightest 15-inch laptop around, but it's not uncomfortable to carry either. I took it on a couple of train journeys and it sat fine on a fold-down tray table. The 15.6" screen size means it's more of a commuter laptop than an ultra-portable, but the battery life means you're not hunting for sockets.
⌨️ Keyboard & Trackpad
The keyboard is one of the nicer surprises here. It's not going to win awards, but for a budget machine it's genuinely comfortable to type on for long stretches. The Chrome OS function row takes a day or two to get used to if you're coming from Windows, but it makes sense once you're in the ecosystem. The lack of a backlight is a shame, but it's a cost-cutting measure you'd expect at this price.
🔧 Build Quality
It's plastic. Of course it's plastic at this price. But it doesn't feel cheap and nasty. The lid has some flex if you press it, but the keyboard deck is firm and the hinge feels like it'll last. I've seen more expensive laptops with worse build quality. It's not going to survive being sat on, but it'll handle daily bag life without issue.
🔌 Ports & Connectivity
The port selection is decent for a budget machine. Two USB-C ports (one each side, which is handy), two USB-A ports, a microSD slot, and a headphone jack. No HDMI is the main omission, so you'll need a USB-C adapter for an external monitor. WiFi 5 rather than WiFi 6 is fine for most home networks but worth noting if you have a newer router setup.
📷 Webcam & Audio
The webcam is 720p, which is fine for Google Meet and Teams calls. Don't expect it to make you look great in a professional video call, but it does the job. The speakers fire downward, which is a bit rubbish on a soft surface like a bed or sofa, but on a desk they're perfectly acceptable for background music or YouTube. Not impressive, but not embarrassing either.
How Does It Compare to the Competition?
| Feature | ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook 15 | HP Chromebook 14 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Check price | ~£180 | ~£160 |
| CPU | Intel Celeron N5095 | MediaTek MT8183 | Intel Celeron N4020 |
| GPU | Intel UHD 605 | Mali-G72 MP3 | Intel UHD 600 |
| Display | 15.6" / 1080p | 15.6" / 1080p | 14" / 1080p |
| Battery Life | 10-13 hrs | ~10 hrs | ~9 hrs |
| Weight | 1.7 kg | 1.8 kg | 1.5 kg |
| Best For | All-day use, students | Budget multimedia | Portability priority |
At the budget end of the market, the CX1505CTA punches above its weight. The larger 15.6" screen, solid battery life, and fanless operation make it one of the more compelling options in this price bracket. You're not getting premium materials or cutting-edge performance, but you're getting a genuinely usable machine that does what it promises.
ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA: Final Verdict
For more on what Chrome OS can and can't do, ASUS's official product page has the full spec breakdown worth checking before you buy.
What works. What doesn’t.
5 + 4What we liked5 reasons
- Exceptional battery life that matches or beats manufacturer claims
- Completely fanless and silent in all conditions
- Large 15.6" FHD screen at a budget price
- USB-C charging on both sides, compact charger
- Boots fast, stays snappy for Chrome OS tasks
Where it falls4 reasons
- 4GB RAM limits heavy multitasking
- 64GB storage is tight without cloud or MicroSD expansion
- No keyboard backlight
- Screen brightness struggles outdoors
Full specifications
6 attributes| CPU (Idle) | 28°C |
|---|---|
| CPU (Light Use) | 38°C |
| CPU (Full Load) | 62°C |
| Keyboard Surface | 30°C |
| Underside (Lap) | 32°C |
| Palm Rest | 27°C |
If this isn’t right for you
2 options
7.5 / 10acer Chromebook Plus 514 CB514-5H Laptop - Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB, 256GB SSD, Integrated Graphics, 14" WUXGA, Chrome OS, Iron
£338.42 · acer
7.5 / 10Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet | 11 Inch FHD+ 1200p Laptop | MediaTek Kompanio 838 | 4GB RAM | 128GB eMMC | Chrome OS | Luna Grey USI Pen 2 | Folio Stand + Folio Keyboard
£269.99 · Lenovo
Frequently asked
5 questions01Is the ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA good for gaming?+
Not really. The Intel Celeron N5095 and 4GB RAM are fine for casual browser-based games and lighter Android games from the Play Store, but anything demanding will struggle. It's not designed for gaming and shouldn't be bought for that purpose.
02How long does the ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA battery last?+
In real-world testing, we got between 10 and 13 hours depending on the task. Web browsing and video playback hit the higher end, while heavier use with multiple Android apps dropped it to around 7 hours. This is one of the best battery performers in its price range.
03Can I upgrade the RAM or storage in the ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA?+
No. The 4GB RAM is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. The 64GB eMMC storage is also fixed, but you can expand storage using a MicroSD card, which is a cheap and easy solution. Cloud storage via Google Drive is the primary intended solution.
04Is the ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA good for students?+
Yes, it's one of the better student options at this price. Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, and video calls all work well. The all-day battery means you're not hunting for sockets between lectures. Just make sure your coursework doesn't require Windows-specific software.
05What warranty applies to the ASUS Chromebook 15 CX1505CTA?+
Amazon offers 30-day returns if you change your mind. ASUS typically provides a 1-year manufacturer warranty covering hardware defects. Always check the current warranty terms on the ASUS UK website at time of purchase.
