Google launches Chromebook Plus for faster and more feature-rich laptops

Chromebooks debuted over ten years ago with the objective of offering simple PCs with dependable performance and security. Now, Google is building upon that foundation with the release of Chromebook Plus, a new category of Chromebooks designed to deliver more performance and various AI capabilities.

Google has developed Chromebook Plus, a new certification designed to assist buyers in identifying high-quality Chromebooks to purchase. The Chromebook Plus designation, similar to Intel Evo for Windows PCs, will be granted to laptops that achieve a set of standards. The idea is that even shoppers who are unfamiliar with PC specifications may see the “Chromebook Plus” logo on a laptop and know that Google recommends it.

Chromebook Plus devices must provide the following features (or better) to be classified as such:

• Intel 12th Gen Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 CPU
• A 1080p IPS panel
• A 1080p webcam
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB storage

One notable feature not mentioned in the requirements list is battery life. When The Verge asked Peter Du, a Google representative, about it, he said that “all Chromebooks are required to meet a 10-hour battery life requirement based on internal testing standards. While this is not a new requirement for Chromebook Plus, it must be followed by Chromebook Plus computers as well.”

Chromebooks with the Plus certification will have access to a few special AI-powered capabilities. These include a magic eraser tool in Google Photos (which can automatically remove background elements), improvements to lighting and noise cancellation in video conferencing, and Offline File Sync, which automatically downloads files from Drive onto your device. More features are yet to come, including AI-generated images you can design with text suggestions and a personal writing assistant, which sounds really amusing. Chromebook Plus models also get a three-month subscription to Photoshop on the Web and three months of priority access to GeForce Now.

Lenovo has previously released a few Chromebook Plus devices, such as the IdeaPad Gaming ChromeBook Plus 16, the IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus 14, and the IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook Plus 14. In addition, HP released the Chromebook Plus x360 14 and Chromebook Plus 15.6, while Acer released the Chromebook Plus 515 and 514. Google Chromebook Plus laptops are expected to become available in the coming weeks.

In addition to new Chromebook Plus devices, certain older Chromebooks will be eligible for an OS upgrade in the coming weeks that will incorporate the improved functionality present on Chromebook Plus devices. Details on eligible devices may be found HERE.

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KitGuru says: The new Chromebook Plus laptops won't start as cheap as the standard Chromebooks. However, that's to be expected considering these have minimum hardware requirements to follow (most likely to ensure they can run the new features).

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