Google has deepened its love affair with computers by launching theChromebook Plusprogram. For its part, the company is feeding sparkly exclusive features to ChromeOS and promoting apps likeAdobe Expressto participating devices. So, what about the participating devices? They’re more powerful than the ones you probably think of, but just how powerful and what can you do with them? More than you think. We’re covering the initial slate of eight (or nine) models from Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo that are hitting your local retail stockroom.
An overview of Chromebook Plus: Specs, pricing, and availability
We’ve got a comprehensive piece on the nitty-gritty of theChromebook Plusprogram, but in broader strokes covering the launch hardware, here’s what you’ll see on the spec sheets:
Of the eight devices that have been officially announced (and the one that kinda sorta was), all of them are laptops with five of them featuring 360° hinges as well as touch screens. Of the traditional laptops, three of them have a starting price of $399. The most expensive device overall approaches $800.
In the United States, you’ll find Chromebook Plus devices at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart beginning October 8. Canada and Europe will have their shelves stocked the next day on October 9. Australia and Japan are set to join the party in early 2024.
Without further ado, let’s go down the list, one by one.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
Acer’s first 14-inch Chromebook Plus model features AMD’s 7th-gen Ryzen chips, an advertised 12 hours of battery life, a MIL-STD-810H durability rating, and starts shy of $400.
Acer’s entries into the Chromebook Plus program focus squarely on good specs with a basic, but versatile experience. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is centered on AMD chips with a 14-inch 16:10 display while the Chromebook Plus 515 features Intel chips and some slightly newer PCIe storage on the upgraded configurations for some reason. Both the 514 and 515 sport ocean-bound plastic in their trackpads, some spill resistance at the keyboard level, a MIL-STD-810H rating, and $399.99 starting prices. Both Ryzen models and some Intel models will be equipped with touch displays - with that in mind, you’ll notice all the processor variations on the 515.
Acer Chromebook Plus 515
Acer slides into the 15.6-inch space for an Intel-powered Chromebook Plus. Oddly enough, some SKUs of the Chromebook Plus 515 feature newer, faster PCIe storage than the AMD-toting Chromebook Plus 514.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402
Asus’s Intel-powered Chromebook Plus CX3402 has a lie-flat display, an antimicrobial coating on the touch surfaces, and the dedicated WiFi Master connection manager.
Sticking with brands that start with the letter ‘A’ and on the island of Taiwan, Asus could be considered the odd oneoutin this early round of the Chromebook Plus push with only the Chromebook Plus CX34 or CX3402 on deck. Buyers get a 180° hinge for a lie-flat display, a backlit keyboard with 1.5mm travel and antimicrobial coating, and MIL-STD-810H rating. Asus has not responded to inquiries about the 4GB RAM configuration that goes against the 8GB minimum for the Chromebook Plus program. Pricing starts at $399.99.
$100 more and you get the Chromebook Plus CM34, the Ryzen-powered choice of the pair. It’s similarly designed and similarly equipped to the CX34.
Asus Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip
Heavy-duty Chromebook computing comes in the form of Asus’s Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip. Yes, it does flip, too.
HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch
HP’s Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch boasts standard internal specs for an affordable Chromebook Plus device - utilizing Intel’s N305 entry-level mobile-class Core i3 chip - but brings some roof-raising extra options like a 144Hz display.
HP may stand for “higher prestige” as its 15.6-inch conventional laptop elevates the starting point to $499. The HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is one of two devices in this founding class of Chromebook Plus devices to feature a display with a high refresh rate option - the highest, in fact, at 144Hz. It also has the longest advertised battery life at 13 hours of video playback. The Chromebook Plus x360 14-inch brings a fresh spin on the display and a wider berth of specifications. That said, with great power comes a higher MSRP of $699 or more. HP intends on selling some configurations direct to consumer, allotting others in the United States to Best Buy.
HP Chromebook Plus x360 14-inch
The HP Chromebook Plus x360 14-inch seems to give away all of its big talking points within its name, but you also get more powerful Intel chips than the one featured on the Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook Plus
The sleekest of its Chromebook Plus hardware, Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook Plus is meant to keep its muscle as portable as possible.
Lenovo has certainly pulled off an interesting mix with its two Chromebook Plus models. The IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook Plus is the most luxuriant conventional laptop of the entire bundle with a starting price of $549.99 while the more workhorse-esque Flex 5i and its 13th-gen Intel chips start out at $499.99.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i features 13th-gen Intel Core chips and quite the interesting mix of specs for value. It comes in two colors: Storm Grey and Stone Blue.
Lastly, we mentioned an odd oneoutearly on; call this one the odd onein. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook Plus is basically last year’sIdeaPad Gaming Chromebookthat was made available mainly in North America. Fittingly enough, this model won’t be coming to that market, but will make an appearance in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for €599. We presume the non-Plus model will be getting Chromebook Plus software updates moving forward, though. That said, the super-resolution 16-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate should appeal to your adrenaline-seeking instincts.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook Plus
Lenovo brings 2022’s IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook Plus out of North America and into the EMEA regions with a €599 starting price. With its 16-inch 120Hz display and RGB backlit keyboard, you can see why it’s been marketed as such.
One more thing…
You may have noticed that Samsung also has had two products it calls Chromebook Plus well before the launch of the Chromebook Plus program - in fact, the second iteration dated back to 2018 is actually called Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 (review via Android Police). As you might be able to guess from the inclusion of Celeron processors and 4GB of RAM (and the fact that they’re more than five years old at this point), they have nothing to do with this current scheme.
