Chromebook Plus: Google provides Chrome OS with more power

"Chromebook Plus" is the name of Google's new Chromebook family with more power. Compared to the previous laptops with Chrome OS, Google has increased the minimum requirements for Chromebooks Plus devices. More power and more memory also allow for more software functions. This is where Google brings AI applications and things like video and image editing into play.

Chromebook Plus: What the notebooks must offer as a minimum

A Chromebook Plus must have at least a 12th or 13th generation Core i3 or Core i5 from Intel. If a manufacturer prefers to install AMD chipsets, it must be at least a Ryzen 5000 or 7000 series. According to Google, this should correspond to a doubling of performance compared to the previous minimum requirements for Chromebooks.

These increased system requirements become more apparent with the RAM. The Chromebook Plus has at least eight gigabytes of memory. The storage space is also doubled to at least 128 gigabytes. However, this is still comparatively little for a notebook.

The webcam and display must have at least a full HD resolution to be called a Chromebook Plus.

Seven Chromebook Plus at the launch

To mark the launch of the new category, Google and the cooperating notebook manufacturers are presenting seven Chromebook Plus models. Four of them have a classic laptop design and three convertible models with a display that can be rotated 360 degrees.

The new Chromebook Plus goes on sale on 9 October. In Germany, the recommended retail price for the cheapest models is 449 euros. Google does not appear to be officially launching the devices in Switzerland.

• Acer Chromebook Plus 514: AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, Radeon 610M, 14-inch WUXGA IPS display
• Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Intel Core i3-1215U, Intel UHD, 15.6-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen (matte)
• Asus Chromebook Plus Flip CX3: Intel Core i3-1215U, Intel UHD, 14-inch Full HD IPS display
• Asus Chromebook Plus Flip CM3: AMD Ryzen5 7520C, AMD Radeon, 14-inch Full HD IPS display
• HP Chromebook Plus 15.6: Intel Core i3-N305, Intel UHD, 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display
• HP Chromebook Plus x360 14c: Intel Core i3, Intel UHD, 14 inch
• Lenovo Ideapad Chromebook Plus Flex 5i: Intel Core i5-1334U, Intel UHD, 14-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen

By the way: Older Chromebooks that fulfil the hardware requirements can also carry the Plus in their name. They will also receive a software update from 17 October, which will also bring them the new functions.

AI as a helper and video editing

Optically, Google is continuing on the path taken with Android with Chrome OS. "Material You" is the name of the design philosophy that puts you at the centre. Google understands this to mean, among other things, various customisation options for the design - which, however, still fall far short of what is possible with Windows. As an exclusive gimmick, there are wallpapers for the Chromebook Plus that adapt their lighting to the time of day.

The additional performance of the new category can also be used productively. For example, the Chromebook Plus will run the €28 video editing app "Lumafusion" and Adobe is also on board. The new computers will be able to run "Photoshop on the web", which was finalised last week, and "Adobe Express". Both paid programmes have access to AI applications such as "Adobe Firefly".

Google itself brings the Magic Eraser from the Pixel smartphones to the Chromebook Plus. The same applies to the video HDR function. For documents in Workspace, Duet AI helps with the visualisation of graphics or topics. Google now also uses AI models for lighting and sound in video calls. This should not only make you look better, but also reduce ambient noise. In addition, an AI should help decide which files and documents are downloaded to your Chromebook for offline use and which remain in the cloud.

Google has announced further AI functions for 2024. This should be able to write text in any text field, summarise the content of documents or websites or generate wallpapers. Cross-app and cross-device task management should also be possible. After all, Google is also integrating the new Chromebooks into its ecosystem: Nearby Share, Fast Pair and Phone Hub bring computers, smartphones and even headphones together.

Google's promise to provide devices with Chrome OS with updates for ten years still applies to the Chromebook Plus. These are installed inconspicuously in the background every four weeks.