With Google’s new Chromebook Plus category officially announced, setting a threshold of performance, hardware, and features one can expect to experience. With pricing starting from $399 and with models needing to feature at least 8GB of memory, 128GB of storage, 1080p webcam, FHD IPS display, and powered by an Intel i3 12th Gen or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or higher chipset, the new Chromebook Plus laptops promise to take the ChromeOS experience to new levels.
Here with the first Chromebook Plus laptops are Acer and Asus and we’ve got all the details for you after the break.
Acer
First up is Acer with the Chromebook Plus 514 and 515 laptops which go on sale this month from $399 and $449 respectively. The Chromebook Plus 515 is powered by Intel and sports a 15.6-inch FHD IPS display while the 514 is powered by AMD and offers a smaller footprint thanks to its 14-inch WUXGA IPS panel. We’ve got the full specs of the base models for you below:
Chromebook Plus 515 (CB515-2H/T)
- 12th or 13th Gen Intel Core processors
- 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display (touch optional)
- 8GB-16GB LPDDR5X memory
- 128GB-512GB storage
- 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction, blue glass lens and a privacy shutter
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- WiFi 6E
- Ports: Two USB Type-C, one USB 3.2, one HDMI and headphone/speaker jack
- Entry-level config: Chromebook Plus 515, model CB515-2H-31NY: 12th Gen Intel Core i3 1215U processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB universal flash storage, non-touch 15.6-inch display; available in Oct for an MSRP of $399.99.
Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-3H/T)
- AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors
- 14-inch WUXGA 1920×1200 IPS display (touch optional)
- 8GB-16GB LPDDR5X memory
- 128GB-512GB storage
- 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction, blue glass lens and a privacy shutter
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
- WiFi 6E
- Ports: Two USB Type-C, one USB 3.2, one HDMI and headphone/speaker jack
- Entry-level config: Chromebook Plus 514: model CB514-3H-R6G5: AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, 8GB RAM, 128GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, non-touch 14-inch display; available in Oct for an MSRP of $399.99.
- Step-up config: Chromebook Plus 514, model CB514-3HT-R8C2: AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, 8GB RAM, 256GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, touch 14-inch display; available in Oct for an MSRP of $449.99.
Asus
Next up is Asus with its Chromebook Plus CX34 whose base model is powered by Intel’s 12th Gen i3-1215U processor, up to 16GB of Memory, and at least 128GB of UFS storage. There’s a 14-inch FHD IPS 3-sided NanoEdge display with an optional touchscreen, and the laptop also benefits from a 180° hinge which allows it to lay fully flat. Asus claims a 10-hour battery which should get you through the normal work/school day.
The Chromebook Plus CX34 meets MIL-STD 810H durability standards, and also benefits from the Asus Antimicrobrial Guard coating the keyboard, touchpad and palm rest to protect agains bacterial growth. A pair of fully-functional USB-C ports are present alongside a HDMI 1.4 port and an integrated 3.5mm headphone & mic combo socket.
The Chromebook Plus CX34 goes on sale on October 8th at Best Buy and Amazon starting from $399.
