What you need to know
- ASUS announced the BR1100 laptops for education today.
- The laptops are built to withstand bumps and drops and are spill-resistant.
- The BR1100 laptops support 4G LTE and up to Wi-Fi 6 for distance and remote learning.
ASUS announced the BR1100 laptops today. The company built the laptops for students. They are spill-resistant and support 4G LTE and up to Wi-Fi 6 for remote and distance learning. The BR1100 is available as either a traditional clamshell laptop (BR1100C) or a convertible laptop (BR1100F). Both versions look like strong contenders for our list of the best rugged laptops for students. ASUS has not shared a release date at this time, but the starting price of both devices is $329.
The BR1100 laptops have a lot of features that add up to an optimized experience for education. The laptops support a stylus, have a world-facing camera, and have keys that are difficult to pry out. They also have a status LED light to flag issues up to educators when a laptop has connectivity or power issues.
A standout feature of the laptop is how quickly it can top up its battery. According to ASUS, the laptops are "quick to charge, with a 15-second stay in the garage providing enough capacitance for 45 minutes' use." If that holds up in real-world testing, you can take a laptop that's dead and get it ready for an entire class in 15 seconds.
All versions of the BR1100 should be able to withstand some bumps and knocks that are inevitable with students. They each pass military-grade standard tests for durability (MIL-STD-810H) and should be able to withstand drops up to 120 cm (47.24 in). The edges and corners of the laptops are protected by rubber bumpers. They also have a safety grip, which makes them easier to carry.
ASUS built the laptops to work well for students in classrooms or learning remotely. They support 4G LTE and up to Wi-Fi 6. They also have plenty of ports to help connect to other devices.
ASUS BR1100 (clamshell)
| Category | BR1100C |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Celeron N4500 Processor 1.1 GHz (4M Cache, up to 2.8 GHz, 2 cores) Intel Pentium Silver N6000 Processor 1.1 GHz (4M Cache, up to 3.3 GHz, 4 cores) |
| Display | 11.6" LED-backlit HD (1366 x 768) TÜV Rheinland Eye Care certification |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro – National Academic License |
| Graphics | Intel UHD |
| RAM | Up to 8 GB DDR4 2400 MHz |
| Storage | Up to 128 GB eMMC 5.1 storage, Up to 1 TB PCIe 3.0 SSD M.2 SSD to enable optional storage |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Camera | HD with privacy shutter |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (supports charging), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI 1.4, RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5 mm audio jack, microSD, NANO SIM combo (LTE sku only) |
| Audio | 2 integrated speakers, 2 integrated microphones |
| Stylus support | No |
| Battery | 42W |
| Dimensions | 294.6 x 204.9 x 19.95 mm (11.6 x 8.1 x 0.8 in) |
| Weight | Approx 2.98 lbs (1.35 kg) |
ASUS BR1100 (convertible)
| Category | BR1100F |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Celeron N4500 Processor 1.1 GHz (4M Cache, up to 2.8 GHz, 2 cores) Intel Pentium Silver N6000 Processor 1.1 GHz (4M Cache, up to 3.3 GHz, 4 cores) |
| Display | 11.6" LED-backlit HD (1366 x 768) TÜV Rheinland Eye Care certification with touch |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro – National Academic License |
| Graphics | Intel UHD |
| RAM | Up to 8 GB DDR4 2400 MHz |
| Storage | Up to 128 GB eMMC 5.1 storage, Up to 1 TB PCIe 3.0 SSD M.2 SSD to enable optional storage |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Camera | HD with privacy shutter World-facing 13M |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (supports charging), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI 1.4, RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5 mm audio jack, microSD, NANO SIM combo (LTE sku only) |
| Audio | 2 integrated speakers, 2 integrated microphones |
| Stylus support | Yes |
| Battery | 42W |
| Dimensions | 294.6 x 204.9 x 19.95 mm (11.6 x 8.1 x 0.8 in) |
| Weight | Approx 2.98 lbs (1.35 kg) |
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The laptops also have a modular design that makes them easier to repair.
The BR1100 laptops will have a starting price of $330. They will be available from several retailers, including CDW, Insight, and more. Schools in North America also have a chance to receive a set of 30 BR1100C laptops through the ASUS Pilot the Future program.
These laptops are durable, spill-resistant, and built for students in the classroom or learning from home. They support 4G LTE and Wi-Fi 6, making them great options for in-person or distance learning.
