Google are set to change Chromebooks in a massive way, with the new Chromebook Plus range promising double everything, including twice the performance, storage, and memory, backed up by Google’s AI.
For followers of Chromebooks, this is Chromebook X heard about earlier this year, which was a set of specifications to bring Chromebooks to the next generation.
See below what Chromebook Plus requires:
CPU: Intel Core i3 12th-gen or better/AMD Ryzen 3 7000 or better
RAM: 8GB or more
Storage: 128GB or more
Webcam: 1,080p or higher with temporal noise reduction
Display: 1,080p IPS or better
Additionally, a key component is Google’s AI, appearing everywhere. Webcams are equipped with AI powered noise cancellation, lighting improvements, background blur, and live captions. AI tools from Google Photos including Magic Eraser are also expected.
The new File Sync feature is claimed to be powered with AI, automatically downloading frequent documents for offline editing.
Google have also claimed it will add features similar to Microsoft Copilot, including summarising emails and documents, generating blog posts, and sprucing up content written.
The company also said it will add AI image generation, allowing users to generate their own wallpapers and video backgrounds.
The range begins with eight laptops, which will be available from retailers and online beginning October 8th (in most regions).
See below the current know Chromebook Plus devices:
HP Chromebook Plus devices
HP are launching two Chromebook Plus machines, the HP Chromebook Plus x360 and the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6 inch. The x360 is more expensive, and is a 14 inch, 2-in-1 machine with a 16:10 display supporting a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution.
Pricing is yet to be unveiled, but it can be configured with up to an Intel Core i5-1230U processor, and comes with 16GB LPDDR4x-4266 memory, and 512GB storage. The base configuration comes with 8GB memory, 128GB storage, and an Intel Core i3-1215U processor.
The Chromebook Plus 15.6 inch doesn’t have as many options for customisation, as it’s a standard 16:9 clamshell laptop with a 1,920 x 1,080 screen, equipped with an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB LPDDR5-4800 memory, and up to 256GB storage. The base model comes with 128GB storage.
Lenovo Chomebook Plus devices
Lenovo has three Chromebook Plus devices: the IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook Plus, and IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook Plus.
The bottom device, the IdeaPad Flex 5i, is a 14 inch 2-in-1, with a base configuration equipped with an Intel Core i3-1315U processor, 8GB memory, and 128GB storage. It can be configured up to a Core i5-1334U processor and a 512GB SSD.
The IdeaPad Slim 3i features an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB LPDDR5 memory, and 128GB storage, able to be configured with up to 256GB storage.
The IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook Plus will only arrive in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Acer Chromebook Plus devices
Acer has two Chromebook Plus machines, one packing an AMD Ryzen processor. The bottom of the two is the Chromebook Plus 515, coming with 128GB storage, an Intel Core i3-1215U processor, and 8GB LPDDR5X memory. It can be configured much higher, with up to 512GB storage, 16GB memory, and an Intel Core i7-1355U processor. The screen is a 15.6 inch laptop with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
The AMD model is the Chromebook Plus 514, a 14 inch laptop with a 16:10 screen. The base configuration comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 7320C processor, 8GB LPDDR5X memory, and 128GB storage. It can be configured with up to 512GB storage, 16GB RAM, and an AMD Ryzen 5 7520C processor.
Asus Chromebook Plus
Currently, there’s only one device from Asus known: the Chromebook Plus CX34. It’s a 14 inch laptop with a 2-in-1 design, and can lay fully flat. Asus claims it comes with up to an Intel Core i7 CPU. There is no known pricing or specs yet.
