Asus Chromebook CM32 debuts as a 12.5-inch ChromeOS tablet with detachable keyboard

Asus has expanded its ChromeOS tablet lineup with the Chromebook CM32, marking a notable shift from its previous 10.5-inch models. This 2-in-1 device features a 12.5-inch display with 2560 × 1600 resolution, a significant upgrade from the 1920 × 1200 panels found in earlier generations. The higher resolution screen operates at 120Hz refresh rate with 600 nits peak brightness, offering improved responsiveness for stylus input and smoother visual performance compared to the 60Hz panels in predecessors.

Powering the device is MediaTek's Kompanio 540 processor, featuring two Cortex-A76 performance cores clocked at 2.6 GHz and six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores at 2 GHz, paired with Mali-G57 MC2 graphics. This represents a meaningful upgrade over the Kompanio 520 in the CM3001 (2023) and Helio P60 in the CM3000 (2021). Memory configurations include 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR5x RAM—a notable advancement from LPDDR4x in previous models—paired with either 64GB or 128GB of eMMC storage.

Connectivity sees substantial improvements with optional Wi-Fi 7 support alongside Bluetooth 5.4. The physical design includes a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port and pogo pin connector for the detachable keyboard accessory. At 279.2 × 181.4 × 7.7mm and 625 grams for the tablet alone, the CM32 maintains portability despite the larger display. The battery capacity increases to 42Wh from 38Wh in the previous generation.

The CM32 maintains camera consistency with a 5MP front-facing camera and 5MP rear sensor. Asus offers optional accessories including a stand cover and USI-compatible stylus. While pricing and availability details remain unannounced, the previous-generation CM3001 launched at $340 but frequently sells below $250, suggesting a similar market position for this upgraded model.

For developers targeting ChromeOS tablets, the CM32 brings several platform considerations:

• The higher resolution display requires adaptive UI testing beyond previous tablet dimensions
• MediaTek Kompanio 540's ARM architecture necessitates ARM-native builds for performance-sensitive applications
• Wi-Fi 7 support enables development testing for next-generation wireless capabilities
• USB-C implementation remains at Gen 1 speeds (5Gbps), limiting external storage performance

This release signals Asus's continued investment in ChromeOS tablets as productivity devices, addressing key limitations of previous models while maintaining the detachable form factor preferred by users needing both tablet mobility and occasional laptop functionality. The specifications position the CM32 as a mid-range ChromeOS option suitable for education and enterprise deployments where display quality and battery life outweigh raw processing power requirements.