Tablets designed to run the Chrome operating systems have had a rocky road, especially compared to the runaway success of Chromebook laptops[1]. Like Chromebox desktops, Chromebook tablets are few and far between, with occasional big splashes[2] only to fade away as they fail to connect with the market.
One of those splashes came last year with Lenovo's release of the Duet[3], a 10-inch tablet running Chrome and including a detachable keyboard for under $300. It's been well received enough that it's apparently spurred a competitor in the Asus Chromebook Flip CM3000, a similar system that the company didn't announce along with its new Chromebook[4] and Chromebox[5] offerings at CES a couple of weeks ago. (That compares to two years ago, when Asus did unveil the Chromebook Tablet CT100[6] at CES.) However, some Internet sleuthing from the likes of Chrome Unboxed[7] has unearthed its existence through listings on various online retailers[8], complete with leaked images and specs.
The CM3000 appears to share many features with the Duet, from bundled detachable keyboard to ARM-based processor to full HD touchscreen display. It does uses a a slightly different MediaTek processor than the Duet (MT8183 compared to Helio P60T), however, and comes with a slightly larger screen (10.5-inch versus 10.1-inch). It also seems to include a USI pen whereas the Duet has USI pen support but you have a purchase the digital stylus separately.
The inclusion of the pen may be part of why the CM3000 is being listed for a higher price at German e-tailer Saturn (449 euros), but not what translates to a difference of over $100. Of course, without an official statement from Asus, it's hard to