Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review: A premium Chrome-powered portable?

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Two-minute evaluation

Google desires to push its Chromebook laptops somewhat upmarket and to try this it is pairing up with a number of large manufacturers. The newest member of this initiative is the brand new Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, an Intel-powered 14-inch mannequin.

Google is asking this new class of gadgets “Chromebook Plus” and it is somewhat like Intel’s Evo commonplace. The thought is to dictate some minimal requirements of efficiency and options to make sure a sure degree of person expertise. That applies to each {hardware} and software program.

On the {hardware} aspect, which means at the least an Intel Core i3 chip or an AMD Ryzen processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 1080p display screen. This Asus laptop computer meets all that with its Intel Core i3-1215U CPU, 8GB of DDR5 reminiscence, 256GB of UFS storage, and a 14-inch 1080p display screen.

As for software program, Google builds its Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps into the OS, so all of them work with no need an web connection. Meanwhile syncing each to and from Google Drive works seamlessly. Google has additionally inbuilt some additional options, together with webcam enhancements like background blurring and noise cancellation that work on the OS degree – and can due to this fact work natively with any video calling platform.

You can, after all, run most Android apps from the Google Play Store too, although the shortage of a touchscreen will be problematic for apps designed to run on smartphones. More broadly, Google is making just a few AI-related claims about these Chromebook Plus machines. But the {hardware} is nothing particular in that regard, in order that’s a little bit of a stretch.

Anyway, as a bodily specimen, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34’s all-plastic chassis feels largely sturdy barring a barely bouncy keyboard mattress. The styling is fairly bland and the display screen bezels are hardly minimalist. It’s not precisely ultra-thin or ultra-sleek, both, and there is not a lot in regards to the design that communicates the meant upmarket vibe. 

Overall efficiency is cheap from the Intel chip. But this stays an entry-level system in efficiency phrases and we will not assist considering that Chromebooks are higher suited to extra environment friendly and cheaper ARM-powered CPUs.

It’s price noting that solely the best spec mannequin comes with a correct M.2 SSDs. Our check system was specified with generic flash storage. And after all, the same old ChromeOS limitations that apply to all of the best Chromebooks stay for many who need to run Windows functions. All of which makes this a worthy sufficient system that provides cheap worth. But it is not low cost sufficient to be really compelling.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Price and availability

• How a lot does it value?  $394.99 / £429 (about AU$610)
• When is it obtainable? Available now
• Where are you able to get it? Available within the US and UK however not but listed in Australia

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 seems to be like good worth in contrast with similarly-specced Windows laptops just like the Lenovo IdeaPad 3. It meets the Chromebook Plus required specs at a reasonably interesting worth – however the lack of touchscreen performance is conspicuous in comparison with some options, just like the Acer Chromebook Spin 714.

Notionally, you are getting higher efficiency than most equally priced Chromebooks. But in observe, it is debatable how a lot CPU grunt issues on a tool like this, and a Chromebook with a lesser CPU however a touchscreen and sleeker design like Asus’s personal Chromebook Flip collection will arguably be preferable for a lot of customers. 

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Specs

While that is the one configuration at present obtainable on the time of writing, Asus will likely be providing a number of different CPU, SSD, reminiscence, and display screen choices. You will be capable to improve to 10-core Intel Core i5 and i7 chips, a touchscreen, and as much as 512GB of storage. However, probably the most vital possibility is arguably 16GB of RAM. That will turn out to be useful for anybody who likes to open a lot of browser tabs or bask in heavy multitasking.

It’s additionally price noting that you will want that 512GB storage improve to get a correct M.2 SSD. The 128GB and 256GB choices make do with generic UFS flash drives with a lot decrease bandwidth. Of course, any of those upgrades will add to the value and arguably detract from the enchantment of the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, which majors on worth.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Design

• Slightly generic design
• Sturdy construct high quality
• Good connectivity

The entire level of Google’s Chromebook Plus commonplace is to ship a brand new class of gadgets that may compete straight with full-feature Windows laptops. It’s a premium different to cheaper Chromebooks.

However, in design phrases, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has a reasonably bland and primary aesthetic. The plastic chassis is sturdy sufficient, although the keyboard mattress is somewhat bouncy. But the comparatively giant display screen bezels and barely boxy chassis do not make for a very slick or up to date vibe. That design additionally implies that this 14-inch laptop computer is not particularly compact, although at 1.44 kg (3.17 lbs) it’s fairly mild for a 14-incher.

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Still, with two USB-C ports, two USB-A sockets, HDMI, and 3.5mm audio, connectivity is cheap. More of a spotlight is the built-in 1080p webcam. It’s a particular step above most laptop computer webcams, even on far more costly machines. It additionally has a bodily shutter for assured privateness.

That stated, the webcam does not help facial recognition and there is additionally no fingerprint reader, so safety is password-based. It’s price noting that it is a typical laptop computer with no touchscreen performance as reviewed, nor a 360-degree hinge. We’re again to that primary vibe, once more.

The trackpad in all fairness proportioned and there is nothing conspicuously unsuitable with the general design. But the vibe is barely dated and dreary. All of this implies it is arduous to get excited in regards to the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 simply based mostly on its seems to be. If worthy and workmanlike is your factor, this Asus delivers. But for those who’re anticipating Google’s new Chromebook Plus platform to routinely translate into one thing slick and premium, you may be upset.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Performance

• Intel CPU will get the job executed
• Screen and webcam are each first rate
• Google’s AI pretensions are simply that

Thanks to a correct Intel Core CPU, albeit the pretty lowly Intel Core i3-1215U with two Performance cores and 4 Efficient, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has the fundamental efficiency to tackle full-feature Windows laptops. The query is whether or not it issues.

Google is selling the offline capabilities of those Chromebook Plus gadgets, promising double the efficiency of typical low-cost Chromebooks. Google even makes a pitch for these gadgets as content material creation machines, together with video modifying.

But that is fairly unrealistic, as is the AI narrative Google is attaching to those Chromebook Plus laptops. The Intel CPU is first rate, to make certain, however it does not have any explicit AI capabilities because it lacks a devoted NPU. So, any remotely vital AI work will likely be executed within the cloud.

It’s additionally price noting that for those who’re the type of net browser that likes to have a zillion tabs open, this 8GB mannequin will not lower it and you need to go for the 16GB improve which must be obtainable quickly. As I famous earlier, you may must improve to 512GB of storage for a correct M.2 SSD versus the generic UFS flash storage on this mannequin.

But wanting working out of RAM, common system responsiveness is nice. Realistically, most individuals will use a laptop computer like this for net looking and net apps, plus some content material consumption. And they will discover it is nicely as much as the duty.

As for the 14-inch show, it presents first rate working house due to 1080p native decision. Brightness is first rate at 250 nits, and the colours are fairly vibrant. But in comparison with, say, a typical pill, it is nothing particular for picture high quality or pixel density. The built-in audio system, in the meantime, are fairly horrible. The quantity ranges are OK, however the sound high quality is horribly skinny.

That stated, one of many higher {hardware} options is the 1080p webcam. It has significantly better picture high quality than most laptops, even far costlier machines. It additionally advantages from operating-system degree processing, together with background blur and noise cancellation, which will be utilized to any video calling or conferencing software.

Overall, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has the fundamental grunt to tackle lower-cost Windows laptops due to its Intel CPU. But provided that Chrome OS will run simply as fortunately on a less expensive and extra environment friendly ARM CPU, it is arduous to see the logic in paying the Intel premium.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Battery life

• Medium-sized battery
• But first rate light-usage battery life

At 50Whrs, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 does not have the largest battery. Nor do Intel CPUs have the perfect popularity on the subject of working away from a wall outlet. But maybe due to the effectivity and minimal bloat of the Chrome OS operating system, battery life in mild utilization is first rate, with over 10 hours of film playback attainable.

You’ll get so much lower than that for those who put any actual quantity of load on that Intel CPU, so bear that in thoughts for those who’re planning to run demanding software program. But given the modest worth level, the battery life is according to expectations.

Should you purchase the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34?

Buy it if…

Don’t purchase it if…

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Also take into account

If our Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 evaluation has you contemplating different choices, listed below are two extra laptops to contemplate…  

How I examined the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

• Used for every week rather than my common laptop computer
• Office work, common net use, Android apps, media playback
• Ran the Techradar benchmark suite

I spent every week with the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 giving it full reign over my Google account and working all my common apps from net looking to photograph modifying. Of course, there was a spot of YouTubing and Netflixing, too, plus our suite of extra formal benchmarks. I additionally examined the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34’s battery life for each common utilization and light-weight content material consumption off the mains.

Along with assessing goal efficiency, the goal was to get a really feel for the way this Chromebook stands up as an all-round substitute for a standard Windows laptop computer. Just how does Google’s Chromebook Plus commonplace stack up?

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2024