Google recently launched a new category in Chromebooks called Chromebook Plus. Chromebook Plus models have better specifications than normal Chromebooks and are also said to get additional features like AI capabilities and video calling. In this article, we will explain what Chromebook Plus is, what categorizes Chromebook as a Plus variant, and the differences between Chromebooks and Chromebook Plus models.
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What Is Chromebook Plus
Chromebooks usually ship with low specs as the OS is targeted towards easy day-to-day tasks and web apps. But more and more people are now using powerful apps like VS Code and Photoshop on the web. More than that, Chromebooks now also support Linux and Android apps, with some Linux apps like Krita and Luma Fusion specifically optimized for ChromeOS.
You need a much more powerful Chromebook to use these apps in a web browser while designing or creating your masterpiece. To make your purchase decision easier, Google made a checklist of specifications and set a standard.
So if any Chromebook satisfies this spec checklist, that Chromebook will be considered as Chromebook Plus. In short, if the Chromebook is classified as a Chromebook Plus version, you can be sure it can run apps like Luma Fusion and Photoshop to a certain extent. So what is this standard Google has set?
Minimum Specs Required for Chromebook Plus
Here is a checklist of the specifications that Chromebooks need to satisfy to be classified as a Chromebook Plus version.
- CPU: Intel Core i3 12th Gen or above, or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or above
- RAM: 8GB+
- Storage: 128GB+
- Web camera: 1080p+ with Temporal Noise Reduction
- Display: Full HD IPS or better display
Any previous Chromebook that satisfies all these specifications will also be considered Chromebook Plus. We have listed all the Chromebook models that will receive Chromebook Plus perks below. Before that, let’s check out what are these perks.
Pro Tip: Is your Chromebook acting slow? Here are some tips to make your old Chromebooks fast.
Perks of Chromebook Plus
So if you are getting a Chromebook Plus or already have a Plus variant, then here are all the additional perks you will get compared to normal Chromebook owners. However, most features are not available as of now, but you should get them before 2023 ends.
1. You will get OS-level AI video calling features like improved lighting, live captions, and noise cancellation. You can also customize the background blur. While some video-calling services already support some of these features, you can use them now on any video-calling app. You will be able to access these features on the ChromeOS Shelf right away when you are video calling.
2. Magic Eraser is an amazing feature on the Google Photos app on Pixel phones that can remove objects and photo bombers from your photos easily. You just select the object that you want to remove, and it will create a background with matching lighting and texture. Magic Eraser is available on Chromebook Plus laptops. Open Google Photos on the web, and you can use Magic eraser while editing photos.
3. Apart from the Magic Eraser, Google Photos will also get additional editing features like the HDR effect that enhances brightness and contrast, as well as the ability to add portrait blur to your existing photos.
4. For more professional photo editing, you can use Photoshop on the web which should run perfectly well on any Chromebook Plus laptop. Google will also give 3 months of Abode Photoshop web app and Express Premium Android subscription as a perk for Chromebook Plus users.
5. For video editing, you can use the Luma Fusion Linux app that is now optimized to work on Chromebooks, especially on Plus devices. Also, Plus users can get 25% off on LumaFusion’s one-time cost of $29.99.
6. Another way Chromebook Plus differs from Chromebook is Filesync where your Chromebook will automatically download files from your Google Drive onto your Chromebook. Chromebook Plus with more than 128GB storage should be able to do this.
7. All Chromebook Plus features will be available to the users before the end of 2023. But more features may come knocking on the door of Chromebook Plus users in the future. One is Google AI on ChromeOS. Most probably, that means Bard integration. Interested? Here are some things that Bard can do better than ChatGPT.
8. You can generate AI-powered wallpapers directly on the Wallpaper and Style app. Google says that all the images generated here are Wallpaper-worthy.
9. The same feature can be used to generate backgrounds for your video calls. Similarly, the images generated here are suitable for backgrounds in video calls.
What Chromebook Plus Devices Are Currently Available
As of Oct 4th, 2023, there are 8 models announced that will be released as Chromebook Plus computers.
- Acer Chromebook Plus 515: 15.6-inch display, intel Core i3+ processor, 8GB+ RAM, and 128GB+ storage.
- Acer Chromebook Plus 514: 14-inch display, AMD Ryzen 3+ processor, 8GB+ RAM and 128GB+ storage.
- Asus Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip: 14-inch display, AMD Ryzen 3+ processor, 8GB+ RAM and 128GB+ storage.
- Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: 14-inch display, Intel Core i3+ processor, 8GB+ RAM, 128GB+ storage.
- HP Chromebook Plus 15.6 inch: 15.60inch display, Intel Core i3+ processor, 8GB+ RAM, 128GB+ storage.
- HP Chromebook x360 14-inch: 14-inch display, Intel Core i3+ processor, 8GB+ RAM, 128GB+ storage.
- Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus: 14-inch display, Intel Core i3+ processor, 8GB+ RAM, 128GB+ storage.
- Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook Plus: 14-inch display, Intel Core i3+ processor, 8GB+ RAM, 128GB+ storage.
Most models would be available from October 8 in the US and October 9 in Canada and the UK.
Coming to existing Chromebooks, here are all the Chromebooks listed by Google that will be categorized as Chromebook Plus devices and get Chromebook Plus perks.
- Acer Chromebook Spin 514: (CP514-3H, CP514-3HH, CP514-3WH)
- Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (CP714-1WN)
- Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (CP714-2W, CP714-2WN)
- Acer Chromebook 516 GE (CBG516-1H)
- Acer Chromebook Vero 514 (CBV514-1H, CBV514-1HT)
- ASUS Chromebook CM34 Flip (CM3401)
- ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601)
- Dell Latitude 5430 Chromebook
- Dell Latitude 5430 2-in-1 Chromebook
- Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition
- HP Chromebook 15.6 15a
- HP Chromebook x360 14-inch
- HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook
- HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook
- HP Elite c640 14 inch G3 Chromebook
- HP Elite c645 G2 Chromebook
- Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook 14-inch
- IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook 14-inch
- IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16-inch
- Lenovo Slim 3i Chromebook 14-inch
- IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14-inch
- Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Chromebook
- Lenovo 5i Chromebook 16-inch
- IdeaPad 5i Chromebook 16-inch
- Lenovo 14e Chromebook Gen 3
Chromebook V2.0
Chromebook Plus branding may make purchase decisions easier for buyers and also adds new features that take advantage of the specifications. However, Chromebooks may not have all the apps that you are used to on Windows or Mac. But if you just use web apps to get your work done, Chromebooks can be your choice.
Meanwhile, we discovered some features ChromeOS has that even MacOS and Windows don’t. Intrigued? Read now to find out more.
