What you must know
- Google has partnered with Acer, ASUS, HP, and Lenovo to launch new Chromebook Plus fashions.
- These all meet Google’s minimal necessities for a Chromebook Plus gadget.
- Pricing begins at $399, and all of those will likely be obtainable beginning on October 8.
It is one factor for Google to announce its new Chromebook Plus initiative, however with out the assistance of OEM companions, we might most likely nonetheless be questioning precisely what the purpose was. As we noticed final 12 months with the shock launch of gaming Chromebooks, Google is partnering with the likes of Acer, ASUS, HP, and Lenovo to launch a lineup of Chromebook Plus laptops so that you can select from.
All of those choices meet the minimal necessities that Google has laid out for the Chromebook Plus program. This contains pricing that begins at $399, together with that includes a Full HD IPS show, a 1080p webcam, and not less than 8GB of RAM. So, in the event you’re questioning what Chromebook Plus fashions you must contemplate, we have rounded all of them up.
Acer
Acer is popping out swinging for the fences with two new Chromebook Plus fashions, beginning with the Chromebook Plus 515. That is the bigger of the 2, because it includes a 15.6-inch FHD show and in addition provides essentially the most flexibility with six totally different processor configurations to select from. In the event you’re a fan of choices, the Chromebook Plus 515 will most likely be the way in which to go.
That is to not say that the Chromebook Plus 514 is a slouch by any means. However as a substitute of counting on Intel for its processing prowess, this 14-inch Chromebook is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 3 7320C or Ryzen 5 7520C. You may nonetheless stand up to 512GB of storage, all-day battery life, and all the nice options coming to ChromeOS.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Acer Chromebook Plus 515 | Acer Chromebook Plus 514 |
|---|---|---|
| Show | 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS; 250 nits; Touchscreen optionally available | 14″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS; 16:10; 250 nits |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-1215U / Core i3-1305U / Core i3-1315U / Core i5-1235U / Core i5-1335U / Core i7-1355U | AMD Ryzen 3 7320C / Ryzen 5 7520C |
| RAM | 8GB / 16GB LPDDR5X | 8GB / 16GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 128GB UFS; 256GB / 512GB NVMe SSD | 128GB UFS; 256GB / 512GB NVMe SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Webcam | 1080p FHD | 1080p FHD |
| Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Kind-C; 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Kind-A; 1x HDMI 1.4; 1x 3.5mm audio combo jack | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Kind-C; 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Kind-A; 1x HDMI 1.4; 1x 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack |
| Battery | As much as 10 hours | As much as 12 hours |
| Dimensions | 14.2 x 9.39 x 0.79-inches | 12.56 x 8.96 x 0.84-inches |
| Value | $399.99 | $399.99 |
ASUS
ASUS is getting in on the enjoyable with two new fashions of its personal, beginning with the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34. This gadget includes a 14-inch touchscreen show and as much as Intel’s Core i7-1255U processor. Not solely will you might have loads of energy, however the CX34 additionally options a big selection of ports, as much as 10 hours of battery life, and begins at simply $399.
The corporate can be launching its ASUS Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip. Nonetheless, ASUS didn’t share the ultimate spec sheet for the gadget forward of the announcement.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 |
|---|---|
| Show | 14″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS; 250 nits; Touchscreen choice |
| Processor | twelfth Gen Intel Core i3-1215U / Core i5-1235U / Core i7-1255U |
| RAM | 4GB / 8GB / 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB UFS; 512GB M.2 SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6; Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Webcam | 1080p FHD w/ Webcam Protect |
| Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Kind-C; 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Kind-A; 1x HDMI 1.4; 1x 3.5mm audio combo jack |
| Battery | As much as 10 hours |
| Value | $399 |
HP
Whereas we give HP a number of reward with reference to how unbelievable its Dragonfly Professional Chromebook is, the corporate additionally has some fairly nice choices that will not break the financial institution. Just like the others launching new fashions, HP is releasing each a 15.6-inch and 14-inch Chromebook Plus laptop computer.
The HP Chromebook Plus 15.6 inch is nice for many who simply need to browse the net and perhaps play some lighter video games on a bigger display. It is powered by the Intel Core i3-N305 and is paired with 8GB of RAM and as much as 256GB of storage. Battery life can be anticipated to be excellent as HP charges it to final for as much as 13 hours.
If you would like a bit extra energy and adaptability, then the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c is the way in which to go. It has a smaller 14-inch show and depends on Intel’s Core i3-1215U or Core i5-1235U chips paired with as much as 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Battery life falls a bit brief in comparison with the Chromebook Plus 15.6, however it can nonetheless get you thru the day with out a lot of a trouble.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | HP Chromebook Plus 15.6 inch | HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c |
|---|---|---|
| Show | 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080 IPS; 144Hz; 250 nits | 14″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS; Touchscreen; 250 nits |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-N305 | twelfth Gen Intel Core i3-1215U / Core i5-1235U |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 | 8GB / 16GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB UFS | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Webcam | 1080p FHD | 1080p FHD |
| Ports | 2x USB Kind-C; 1x USB Kind-A; 1x 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack; 1x microSD card reader | 2x USB Kind-C; 1x USB Kind-A; 1x 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack; 1x microSD card reader |
| Battery | As much as 13 hours | As much as 10.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 14.28 x 9.51 x 0.78-inches | 12.33 x 8.68 x 0.71-inches |
| Value | $499 | $699 |
Lenovo
Rounding out the pack is Lenovo, with a few Chromebook Plus fashions of its personal. The ultra-popular Flex 5i is getting an enormous improve, because it’s now powered by Intel’s thirteenth Gen processors and is paired with 8GB of RAM and as much as 256GB of storage. It additionally sports activities a 14-inch touchscreen show able to reaching as much as 300 nits of peak brightness.
Lenovo’s Slim 3i Chromebook Plus can be spectacular in its personal proper, as it’s rated to final for as much as 12 hours on a single cost. The 14-inch show may be configured as a touchscreen or simply an ordinary show however can be able to reaching as much as 300 nits of brightness.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus | Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Show | 14″ 16:10 FHD IPS; Touchscreen; 300 nits | 14″ FHD IPS; Touchscreen (optionally available) ; 300 nits |
| Processor | thirteenth Gen Intel Core i3-1315U / Core i5-1334U | Intel Core i3-N305 |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4X | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128GB eMMC; 128GB / 256GB SSD | 128GB / 256GB eMMC |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 / 6E; Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6 / 6E; Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Webcam | 1080p FHD w/ privateness shutter | 1080p FHD w/ privateness shutter |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-C; 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Kind-C; 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Kind-A; 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack; 1x microSD card slot; 1x Kensington Nano Safety Slot | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Kind-C; 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Kind-A; 1x HDMI 1.4b; 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack; 1x microSD card slot; 1x Kensington Lock |
| Battery | As much as 10 hours | As much as 12 hours |
| Dimensions | 12.4 x 9.0 x 0.8-inches (315.5 x 229 x 19.7mm) | 12.8 x 8.5 x 0.8-inches (324.4 x 216.2 x 19.3mm) |
| Beginning value | $499.99 | $549.99 |
It is a begin
Trying by the listing, you might need observed that none of those Chromebooks price greater than $649. We aren’t certain whether or not this was accomplished deliberately, as this might simply be the primary part of a bigger plan to make the method of buying a Chromebook simpler.
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see if Google begins rolling out classes to assist differentiate Chromebooks primarily based on value and options. An instance of that is with Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 and even HP’s Dragonfly Professional Chromebook. Each of those fashions simply meet Google’s necessities, nevertheless it’s unknown whether or not all the distinctive Chromebook Plus options will come to these fashions.
