What are the specifications for Google’s upcoming premium Chromebook Plus, and when is its release date?
Important points
- Google has introduced its latest Chromebook Plus series, providing enhanced specifications, increased productivity, and expanded options for users who are enthusiastic about Chromebook productivity.
- The minimum hardware requirements for the Chromebook Plus include an Intel Core i3 12th Gen processor or higher, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor or higher, a minimum of 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage or more, a webcam with a resolution of 1080p or higher featuring Temporal Noise Reduction, and a Full HD IPS display or superior.
- The Chromebook Plus will also bring a range of software improvements, including the AI-powered Magic Eraser feature in Google Photos, a partnership with Adobe Photoshop and Express, upgraded webcams featuring a toolbar of AI-powered tools, and an enhanced Google Drive functionality called File Sync. Additionally, there are plans to incorporate future AI features into the Chromebook Plus.
In a highly anticipated development, Google has at last unveiled its latest Chromebook Plus series, delivering on its promise of productivity-oriented devices featuring enhanced specifications and greater user options.
The Chromebook Plus, which had been the subject of speculation for several months and initially carried the codename Chromebook X, underwent a name change in mid-2023 to the simpler “Plus,” perhaps to avoid any potential association with other brands like Musk’s “X.”
However, the newly revealed specifications of the Chromebook Plus will undoubtedly be a welcome advancement for those who have been eagerly embracing the Chromebook productivity trend, particularly given the upgraded minimum hardware requirements now stipulated by Google.
FAQ: What Is Chromebook Plus?
The Chromebook Plus represents the next evolutionary step in Chromebooks, aimed at delivering enhanced performance and reliability to the widely favored, portable productivity laptops. It seeks to establish a distinct identity for the Chromebook Plus brand by differentiating it from typical Chromebooks. This new generation of premium Chromebooks boasts higher minimum hardware specifications, improved security features, and the inclusion of specific AI capabilities.
As stated on Google’s blog, “The Keyword,” Chromebook Plus models are designed to offer “twice the performance” in addition to built-in productivity features. Crucially, they must meet certain performance standards.
The minimum hardware requirements for the Chromebook Plus are as follows:
- CPU: Intel Core i3 12th Gen or above, or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or above
- RAM: 8GB+
- Storage: 128GB+
- Webcam: 1080p+ with Temporal Noise Reduction
- Display: Full HD IPS or better display
The enhancements to a minimum of 8GB of RAM are poised to enhance functionality significantly. Furthermore, it’s important to note that these specifications represent the bare minimum, and many Chromebook Plus models are likely to surpass these requirements to provide even more robust overall performance.
Three Fresh Software Enhancements for Chromebook Plus
Google has raised the minimum hardware requirements for the Chromebook Plus, in part to facilitate improved software support.
For instance, Google Photos will now incorporate the AI-powered Magic Eraser, which had previously been introduced to all Android devices earlier in 2023. This feature automatically removes backgrounds and offers the ability to generate movies and short clips from sequences of images.
Additionally, Google has collaborated with Adobe to bring Photoshop, Express, and LumaFusion to the Chromebook Plus, providing an array of productivity and creative options for the recently launched specification. As a current promotion, Chromebook Plus purchasers will receive three months of free access to Adobe Photoshop and Express, in addition to a three-month subscription to Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming tool at the Priority tier.
Further enhancements extend to the cameras of the Chromebook Plus, further bolstering the devices’ productivity credentials. The integrated webcams in the Chromebook Plus must now meet a minimum resolution of 1080p and include Temporal Noise Reduction for enhanced clarity. Additionally, the webcam application will incorporate a useful toolbar featuring AI-powered tools such as improved lighting, noise cancellation, live captions, and blurring options, with additional features slated for future releases.
The Chromebook Plus introduces an enhanced Google Drive feature known as File Sync, which serves to maintain synchronization between your files both offline and online continuously. While it appears to share some similarities with existing Google Drive settings, a hands-on experience with File Sync is necessary before making a definitive judgment on its utility.
Chromebook Plus Will Soon Incorporate Built-in AI Tools
However, Google’s efforts go beyond establishing minimum specifications and introducing new productivity features for the Chromebook Plus. The company has also disclosed its intention to roll out a series of new AI features for the Chromebook Plus, extending into 2024 and beyond, with a primary focus on simplifying users’ lives by leveraging Google’s AI technology. As an example, Google is working on implementing a generative AI tool that will assist users in crafting posts or generating snippets when needed.
We’re simplifying the process of composing and refining concise content across the websites you access on your Chromebook Plus. By simply right-clicking, you can receive assistance in fine-tuning your text or injecting some creativity into your words, whether you’re crafting a restaurant review, a social media update, or a YouTube video description.
At launch, Chromebook Plus laptops will feature a dynamic desktop wallpaper tool that changes four times daily. In a forthcoming update, Google aims to transform this into a generative AI tool, enabling users to input prompts and receive unique desktop backgrounds. An illustrative example provided by Google is “cats in the style of Van Gogh,” but if this tool resembles text-to-image AI technologies such as Midjourney or DALL-E, the possibilities and prompts could be virtually limitless.
When Will Chromebook Plus Be Released? Which Models of Chromebook Plus Are Offered?
Google is set to formally introduce the Chromebook Plus on October 8, 2023. However, a handful of Chromebook Plus models have already begun to make their way into the market. Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo, for instance, have already unveiled new Chromebook Plus hardware:
| Model | CPU | Integrated Graphics | Screen | RAM | Storage | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus | Up to Intel Core i5-1334U | Up to Intel Iris Xe | 14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen | 8GB LPDDR4x | Up to 512GB PCIe SSD | $499 |
| Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook Plus | Intel Core i3-N305 | Intel UHD | Up to 14-inch 1920×1080 touchscreen | 8GB LPDDR5 | Up to 256GB eMMC | $549 |
| Asus Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip | AMD Ryzen 3+ | TBD | 14-inch IPS | 8GB+ | 128GB+ | $499 |
| Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 | Up to Intel Core i7-1255U | Up to Intel Iris Xe | 14-inch 1920×1080 IPS touchscreen | Up to 16GB LPDDR5-4800 | Up to 512GB PCIe 3.0 SSD | $399 |
| Acer Chromebook Plus 514 | Up to Ryzen 5 7520C | AMD Radeon 610M | 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS | Up to 16GB LPDDR5x | Up to 512GB PCIe 3.0 SSD | $399.99 |
| Acer Chromebook Plus 515 | Up to Intel Core i7-1355U | Intel UHD | 15.6-inch 1920×1080 IPS | Up to 16GB LPDDR5x | Up to 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD | $399.99 |
| HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch | Intel Core i3-N305 | Intel UHD | 15.6-inch 1920×1080 IPS @ up to 144Hz | 8GB LPDDR5-4800 | Up to 256GB UFS | $499 |
| HP Chromebook Plus x360 14-inch | Up to Intel Core i5-1235U | Up to Intel Iris Xe | 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS touchscreen | Up to 16GB LPDDR4x-4266 | Up to 512GB PCIe SSD | $699 |
FAQ: Should I Buy a Chromebook Plus?
We haven’t had the opportunity to conduct a hands-on review of the Chromebook Plus yet, so the verdict remains pending. Nevertheless, considering the commitment to elevating minimum hardware standards, enhancements to productivity tools, and integration of AI capabilities, the Chromebook Plus specifications hold promise as an attractive choice for consumers.
In theory, this could streamline the process of identifying Chromebooks with the desired specifications, as the Plus models are positioned to become the premium, go-to option.
One notable omission pertains to the Chromebook Plus minimum hardware specifications: there’s no mention of a corresponding minimum standard for battery performance. If the new Chromebook Plus specification incorporates more robust hardware, one would hope that battery life and capacity receive a similar boost to ensure uninterrupted operation throughout the day.
Given that productivity has always been a primary focus in Chromebook development, it’s reasonable to assume that this aspect has been taken into account, but it is somewhat peculiar that it wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the official announcement.