What you need to know
- Acer, ASUS and HP have all announced a total of six new Chromebooks.
- These include five Chromebook Plus models and even a ChromeOS tablet.
- Prices for the different devices start at $299 for the ASUS Chromebook CM30 and go up to $699 for the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714.
We’ve been wondering where all the new Chromebooks have been hiding since there aren’t many new devices on store shelves. Well, the wait is now over as Acer, ASUS and HP announce six new options.
Starting with Acer, the company is updating two of its best offerings, including the Chromebook Plus name. The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 features the same great 2-in-1 design and build quality we’ve come to know and love. However, in addition to a slight name change, it is also one of the first Chromebooks to be powered by Intel’s Core Ultra processor.
Last year’s Spin 714 largely remained at the top of the best Chromebooks list, and we hope this trend continues. Along with the Intel Core Ultra 5, the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has a 14-inch touchscreen, a 1440p QHD webcam and plenty of port selection.
When it comes to big-screen Chromebooks, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE was easily one of our favorites. Even with the gamer aesthetic, this was a powerhouse of a machine, and now the Chromebook Plus 516 GE is here. It still retains many of the same design choices and features that made its predecessor so popular.
It’s still the perfect Chromebook for cloud gaming, thanks to its beautiful 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 120 Hz, screen. Although Acer has chosen not to use the latest Intel Core Ultra chips, the Chromebook Plus 516 GE is no slouch as it is powered by Intel’s 13th generation. Both Chromebooks will be available this month, with prices starting at $699 or $699.$749.
ASUS is next and comes in hot with two new Chromebooks. The Chromebook Plus CX34 is the company’s flagship option for those who want a traditional 14-inch Chromebook. It is powered by the 13th generation Intel Core i5 and can be configured with or without a touchscreen.
You could say the star of the show is the Chromebook CM30, giving us the first consumer ChromeOS tablet since Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 3. The CM30 comes with a magnetic stand cover and keyboard, making it easy to switch from steering from an email to playing a game in no time. There’s also a USI stylus in the garage, ideal for jotting down notes or using the CM30 as a drawing tablet.
Another entry comes from the ASUS camp, as the ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus is finally available. It debuted early this year, as it was the first Chromebook announced with Intel’s Core Ultra processors. However, it is still not for sale, but that is no longer a problem.
Currently, there is only one configuration available, which includes the Intel Core Ultra 5 SoC, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. The CX54 Chromebook Plus costs $799 and is the only place you can get it directly from ASUS. We hope not only to get our hands on one, but also that it finds its way to more retailers.
The package is completed with a pair of Chromebooks from HP. While we don’t yet have a successor to the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, HP isn’t just sitting there with nothing new to show off. The company’s popular 2-in-1 is now called the HP Chromebook Plus x360, while still sporting a 14-inch touchscreen. And while the x360 won’t wow you in terms of performance, the x360 makes up for it with a long-lasting battery and HP Fast Charge.
Last but certainly not least is the HP Chromebook 14, which we already expect to be one of the best student Chromebooks with a price tag of $249. As the name implies, it has a 14-inch screen, complete with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a 1080p webcam “enhanced by Temporal Noise Reduction.” This is also expected to be a battery champ, as HP estimates it will last more than 12 hours on a single charge.