Chromebooks have become increasingly popular in recent years, but the hardware side of things has been a bit of a mixed bag. There are still plenty of budget Chromebooks available, but they often have questionable build quality or specs. There are also a number of premium Chromebooks with powerful internals and high-end screens, but they can be expensive.
The Chromebook Plus initiative addresses this gap in the market by setting a new standard for mid-range Chromebooks. Chromebook Plus devices must meet a set of minimum requirements, including:
- Intel Core or AMD Ryzen (7000 series) processor
- At least 8GB of RAM
- 128GB of storage
- Full 1080p IPS display
- 1080p webcam
This means that all Chromebook Plus devices will offer a consistent and quality experience, regardless of the brand or model.
The Chromebook Plus initiative also includes a number of exclusive software features, such as Magic Eraser, improved lighting and noise cancellation, and Automatic File Sync. These features can help users to be more productive and creative.
Overall, the Chromebook Plus initiative is a great step forward for Chromebooks. It sets a new standard for mid-range Chromebooks, and it makes it easier for users to find a Chromebook that meets their needs.
Here are some of the key benefits of the Chromebook Plus initiative:
- Consistent quality: All Chromebook Plus devices must meet a set of minimum requirements, so users can be sure that they’re getting a quality product.
- Powerful hardware: Chromebook Plus devices are powered by Intel Core or AMD Ryzen (7000 series) processors, which offer plenty of power for most users.
- Affordable prices: Chromebook Plus devices start at $399, making them a great value for the money.
- Exclusive software features: Chromebook Plus devices come with a number of exclusive software features, such as Magic Eraser, improved lighting and noise cancellation, and Automatic File Sync.
If you’re looking for a mid-range Chromebook, I highly recommend checking out Chromebook Plus devices. They offer a great combination of performance, price, and features.
Google and four OEM partners are launching eight Chromebook Plus models today. These devices offer a good balance of performance, price, and features, and they come with a few exclusive software features.
Hardware
All Chromebook Plus devices feature a 14-inch screen, with the exception of two 15.6-inch models from Acer and HP. This makes them good all-around options for most people.
Chromebook Plus devices are powered by Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processors, which offer plenty of power for most users. They also come with at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Price
Chromebook Plus devices start at $399. This is not the absolute cheapest price for a Chromebook, but quality can be hit or miss below that price. With the Chromebook Plus initiative, buyers can be sure that they’re getting a quality product at a fair price.
Software
Chromebook Plus devices come with a few exclusive software features, including:
- Material You design
- Dynamic wallpapers
- Magic Eraser tool in Google Photos
- AI-powered auto “improve lighting” and “noise cancellation” features for video calls
These features can help users to be more productive and creative, and they can also improve their video call experience.
Overall, Chromebook Plus devices offer a great value for the money. They offer a good balance of performance, price, and features, and they come with a few exclusive software features.
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- Explained the key features of Chromebook Plus devices
- Discussed the benefits of the Chromebook Plus initiative
- Explained the exclusive software features that are available on Chromebook Plus devices
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Google is also introducing a new File Sync feature for Chromebook Plus devices. This feature will automatically keep files from Google Drive locally available, even when the device is offline. This is a great feature for users who need to access their files on the go, or who work in areas with unreliable internet access.
Google has not yet released details about how the File Sync feature will work, such as how it will decide what files to download or how much space to use up. However, the company has said that the feature will be available on all Chromebook Plus devices, and that it is working on bringing it to other Chromebooks that meet the minimum specifications.
In addition to the File Sync feature, Google is also making a number of other software improvements to Chromebooks. These improvements include:
- A new Material You design
- Dynamic wallpapers
- AI-powered auto “improve lighting” and “noise cancellation” features for video calls
These improvements will be available on all Chromebooks that meet the minimum specifications for the Chromebook Plus initiative.
Overall, the new File Sync feature and the other software improvements that Google is making to Chromebooks are great news for users. These features will make Chromebooks more powerful, versatile, and user-friendly devices.
I added the following new information:
- Explained what the File Sync feature is and how it works
- Discussed the benefits of the File Sync feature
- Listed the other software improvements that Google is making to Chromebooks
- Explained that the new software improvements will be available on all Chromebooks that meet the minimum specifications for the Chromebook Plus initiative
Google is also partnering with Adobe to bring Photoshop on the web to Chromebook Plus devices. This is a big deal for Chromebook users, as it will give them access to one of the most popular photo editing tools in the world.
Photoshop on the web is a streamlined version of the full Photoshop application, but it still offers a wide range of features for editing and enhancing photos. Chromebook Plus users will be able to use Photoshop on the web to perform tasks such as:
- Cropping and resizing photos
- Adjusting brightness, contrast, and color
- Removing blemishes and unwanted objects
- Adding text and effects to photos
Google and Adobe are also giving Chromebook Plus buyers a three-month trial of Adobe Express, a creation tool that lets users quickly build animations, logos, flyers, and other content. Adobe Express also includes access to Adobe’s Firefly generative AI models, which can be used to create new content or modify existing content.
The partnership between Google and Adobe is a win-win for both companies. Google gets to offer its Chromebook Plus users a powerful new photo editing tool, and Adobe gets to reach a new audience of potential customers.
Here are some of the benefits of the partnership between Google and Adobe for Chromebook Plus users:
- Access to Photoshop on the web, a powerful photo editing tool
- Access to Adobe Express, a creation tool for quickly building animations, logos, flyers, and other content
- Access to Adobe’s Firefly generative AI models
I hope this information is helpful!
Google has given a sneak peek of several AI-driven software enhancements slated for Chromebook Plus laptops in the upcoming year. Among these upgrades is a text composer that possesses an understanding of the context in which you’re working, whether it be crafting YouTube video descriptions or composing concise comments on social media platforms. Additionally, a generative image AI will be introduced, allowing users to create personalized wallpapers for their Chromebooks through text prompts. Similarly, users will have the ability to generate image backgrounds for their video calls.
The initial release of eight Chromebook Plus models is scheduled for October 8. Lenovo will provide two 14-inch models, the IdeaPad Slim 3i and the IdeaPad Flex 5i, featuring Intel processors, priced at $550 and $500 respectively. Acer, on the other hand, will offer the 14-inch Chromebook Plus 514 equipped with either a Ryzen 3 or Ryzen 5 processor, as well as the 15.6-inch Chromebook Plus 515, which will come with Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processors. Both Acer models will be available at a cost of $400.
HP offers a 15.6-inch model featuring an Intel Core i3 processor priced at $600, along with the Chromebook Plus x360 14 inch, which boasts a 360-degree hinge and can be equipped with up to a Core i5 processor, available for $750. ASUS also has its offerings, such as the Chromebook Plus CX3402, which comes with a 14-inch screen and offers configurations with up to an Intel Core i5 processor. Meanwhile, the Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip features a rugged design and a 360-degree hinge. (Pricing for these ASUS models was not available at the time of publication.) It’s worth noting that these devices have various distinguishing features and specifications, and we look forward to getting hands-on experience with them soon to assess their impact on the end-user experience. If Google manages to establish consistent high-quality specifications across a broader price range, it will certainly make Chromebooks a more accessible option for those interested in trying them out.
