Parents looking for a sturdy first computer for their kids have a timely bargain to consider: an open-box Asus Chromebook CM30 can be purchased for $159.99, a 51% drop from its list price of $329.99.
With a detachable keyboard, a 10.5-inch touchscreen, and an aluminum chassis built to take real-world knocks, it ticks the boxes for homework, creativity, and YouTube breaks without breaking the family budget. Because open-box inventory is limited, pricing like this tends to be available only while supplies last. If you’re aiming to avoid last-minute holiday shipping crunches, this is the kind of deal worth locking in early while free shipping is available.
- Why this Chromebook is a practical choice for families
- Kid-friendly design, display size, and touch controls
- Durability, battery life, and everyday performance
- What open-box means and the warranty differences
- How this price compares with other budget options
- Security features and parental controls for kids
- Quick setup tips to prepare a Chromebook as a gift
- Bottom line: a homework-ready deal at $159.99 today
Why this Chromebook is a practical choice for families
There’s a reason schools lean on Chromebooks. Industry analysts at Futuresource Consulting have this year’s Chromebooks again leading U.S. K–12 mobile PC deployments, peaking above 70% share as districts prioritize reliability, manageability, and cost.
For home use, these strengths translate into fast startup, simple maintenance, cloud-first apps, and strong parental controls.
Kid-friendly design, display size, and touch controls
The 2-in-1 design of the CM30 transforms from laptop to tablet in seconds. Younger learners can type on the keyboard when they need to, then pop the screen off when they want to sketch, read, or reach into phonics learning apps. In other words, a convertible does the job of two devices without doubling the cost.
The 10.5-inch display is a sweet spot for youngsters: large enough for split-screen research and docs, yet small and light enough for a backpack. And it’s—please touch—a screen that mirrors their tablets’ gestures: swiping, pinching, and dragging.
Durability, battery life, and everyday performance
Durability is everything with kid gear. The CM30 boasts a military-grade aluminum chassis that can take a beating, day after day. Combined with spill-resistant accessories, you’re more likely to get the gear back at the end of the school year.
It’s rated for up to 12 hours of battery life, enough for a full day of schoolwork, after-school assignments, and goofing around. Fewer charging stops mean fewer last-minute harangues about a project due in an hour.
ChromeOS boots instantly, updates in the background, and runs the apps kids are really using: Google Classroom, Docs, Slides, and Sheets, plus often-used tools like Canva for Education and Adobe Express. The CM30’s well-engineered processor and lightweight OS are optimized for the web; it’s not a gaming rig, but it can handle the basics without complaints.
USB-C charging eliminates the need for a jumble of cables or a special adapter, saving you money on replacement chargers down the road.
What open-box means and the warranty differences
“Open-box” implies the device was previously viewed or returned in like-new condition before being reassembled. The one-year warranty distinguishes it from a generic used model, which is crucial to your well-being if the intended receiver is still honing his or her handling skills.
How this price compares with other budget options
At $159.99, this Chromebook undercuts most entry-level Windows laptops, which commonly land between $250 and $400, and it remains cheaper than many tablet-plus-keyboard bundles. As a starter computer for kids, it delivers a full keyboard, a desktop-class browser, and easy file sharing with teachers—advantages you might not get with budget tablets.
It also echoes how school works. When your child uses the same platform they have in class, there is much less friction getting work submitted, finding tasks, and resolving simple tech problems at home.
Security features and parental controls for kids
Chromebooks are known for layered security: sandboxed apps, verified boot, and automatic updating. Google has extended ChromeOS support to 10 years on eligible models, significantly enhancing long-term security and value for households that hand items down to younger siblings.
For monitoring, Google’s Family Link lets you do more than filter websites: set screen-time limits, approve app downloads, and enforce bedtime schedules. Supervised child accounts carry those rules across devices, helping you create consistent digital habits.
Quick setup tips to prepare a Chromebook as a gift
- Make a child account and link it through Family Link before wrapping.
- Pre-install essentials like Google Docs, Khan Academy, Scratch, and a note-taking app to remove setup friction on day one.
- Check the Auto Update subpanel in About ChromeOS so you understand the update window, then enable guest browsing restrictions to keep all schoolwork under the supervised profile.
- Add a shock-absorbing sleeve and clearly label the charger.
These small steps save money and headaches over the school year.
Bottom line: a homework-ready deal at $159.99 today
TL;DR: a kid-proof, homework-ready machine without the premium pricing. The $159.99 open-box Asus Chromebook CM30 is a compelling pick that fits how students learn today.
