Google launches Chromebook Plus: Higher performance, more productivity

Google’s Chromebook has long been esteemed as a paragon of affordable and reliable laptops. Over the years, we’ve witnessed manufacturers not only launching economical Chromebooks tailored for the educational sector and novice users but also introducing more upscale models, some even designed specifically for cloud gaming. Yesterday, in an official blog post, Google formally announced their intent to introduce an even more premium category of Chromebook, christened Chromebook Plus.

Google asserts that the Plus will boast twice the performance of its best-selling counterpart from the latter half of 2022, and will deliver an impeccable suite of built-in Google applications and AI experiences. Moreover, the Chromebook Plus will be equipped with productivity applications like Google Photos Magic Eraser, Adobe Photoshop, and LumaFusion to amplify user efficiency.

Furthermore, Chromebook Plus promises an exceptional video-calling experience. Google reveals that each Chromebook Plus, apart from being fitted with a 1080P camera, will harness AI technology to enhance image clarity and brightness, offering noise reduction and background blur capabilities. Notably, these features are application agnostic, enabling users to utilize them across Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other video conferencing platforms.

Detailing the hardware specifications, Google delineated a comprehensive checklist that every Chromebook Plus must satisfy:

  • CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i3, AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or higher
  • Memory: 8GB or more
  • Storage: 128GB or greater
  • Camera: Resolution of 1080P or higher, equipped with temporal noise reduction
  • Display: Full HD IPS or a superior screen

As for the models, Google, in collaboration with tech giants like Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo, has launched the inaugural batch of Chromebook Plus, with a total of eight models, commencing at a price of $399.99.