- CPU: Intel Core i3 12th gen or above, AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or above
- RAM: 8GB or more
- Storage: 128GB or more
- Webcam: 1080p or higher with Temporal Noise Reduction
- Display: Full HD (1080p) or better, maybe even with higher refresh rates
- Connectivity: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 or higher
So in theory, a Chromebook Plus product would more or less have considerably better innards than a typical Chromebook within the same product tier. That being said, due to Google’s initially confusing marketing criteria for the “Plus” designation, a prospective buyer should look at the overall package of the specs, instead of looking at individual components.
Additional Perks
Many Chromebook Plus products also generally have additional productivity and media consumption features. For example, USI stylus compatibility might be the critical difference between a Chromebook and a Chromebook Plus model of the same average specs.
Form factors should also be considered when trying to differentiate between the two product types. After introducing the Chromebook Plus designation, designs with convertible features, such as flippable touchscreens, often make the cut as an upgraded “Plus” model.
If nothing else, build quality could also contribute to the distinction. For example, if the model was built with premium materials plus good heft, and yet still designated as a Chromebook (rather than a regular laptop), then it is very likely that it also holds the “Plus” designation.
Lastly, Chromebook Plus models are well-advertised to offer better battery life. The minimum target battery life on a single full charge is typically set at 10 hours or so.
It wouldn’t be 2024 if we didn’t mention AI, and this is where Chromebook Plus devices score another benefit in the form of getting a year’s worth of Google One AI Premium Plan worth $19.99 monthly bundled in for no extra cost.
Chromebook Plus Certification
If your Chromebook was released before 2023 or does not have the “Plus” designation on the get-go, don’t worry. So long as your particular unit matches or exceeds the above specs, your product is still categorically treated as a Chromebook Plus product.
For example, the Acer Spin 714 (2023) uses a more powerful Core i5-1335U CPU with 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD. At launch, it was only considered a regular Chromebook but was later redesignated as a Chromebook Plus product via update eligibility. This was initially confusing because there were models considerably weaker than this model (the Core i3-1215U-powered Asus CX34, for example) that immediately got the “Plus” designation.
In any case, all of the Chromebooks that pass the specification requirements are also considered Chromebook Plus products and thus are qualified for its future updates, such as the previously demoed AI-powered features.
Still a Chromebook Nonetheless
To recap, Chromebook Plus is a new designation for Chromebooks today that requires a modern, entry-level full laptop CPU, at least 8GB of RAM, 128GB of (non-eMMC) storage, and sports a Full HD display. Newer products would immediately use the designation if eligible, while older ones are only categorized technically (but would still receive the same updates).
Despite having the minimum specs to run a full OS, don’t treat Chromebook Plus units as true locally operating machines. Even with traditional offline modes for native apps, they are still just as heavily reliant on online features and cloud storage for optimal functionality as any regular Chromebook. You have many more ways to get native local access to files this time, at least.
