Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Zippy processor efficiency
- Nice keyboard
- A wide selection of connectivity choices
- Chic design
Cons
- Battery life isn’t aggressive
- The show’s 16:9 facet ratio feels just a little cramped
Our Verdict
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a strong improve over the 2023, that includes a quicker processor and a touchscreen show, with solely minor drawbacks that hardly impression the general efficiency.
Price When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Best Pricing Today
Price When Reviewed
$499
Best Prices Today: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
$399
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an efficient purchase, full cease. I do know I’m beginning robust out the gate, however with an up to date processor and a show with contact functionality, it’s a strong enchancment over the 2023 mannequin. While it does have just a few drawbacks, they’re so small they’re virtually microscopic, as they don’t take away from the general expertise.
Read on to be taught extra, then see our roundup of the best Chromebooks for comparability.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Specs
The new Chromebook Plus CX34 is a refreshed model of the 2023 mannequin. This time Asus swapped out the Intel Core i3-1215U processor for an Intel Core i5-1335U, which presents notable enhancements (we’ll get into that within the efficiency part). Other than upgrading the CPU and including contact functionality to the show, the design is similar because it was earlier than. Asus fine-tuned the within parts, however left the fresh-looking design alone.
- Model quantity: CX3402CVA-I5128
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1335U
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 8GB RAM
- Storage: 128GB (common flash storage)
- Display 14-inch 1920×1080, contact enabled, 60Hz, 16:9 facet ratio
- Networking: Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E
- Dimensions: 0.74 by 12.9 by 8.4 inches
- Weight: 3.17 lbs
- Price: $499
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Design, construct high quality
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is just about similar to the 2023 mannequin. The snowy white shell is a feast for the eyes, and the plastic exterior has a pleasant sheen to it. As far as aesthetics go, it’s enticing and trendy. Like I stated of the earlier iteration, it’s subtle sufficient for an workplace surroundings with out drawing an excessive amount of consideration. While construct high quality is suitable for a laptop computer on this value vary, I fear it’d present put on and tear over time.
I observed the lid has a slight flex to it. When I laid the laptop computer flat on a desk and pressed a finger down on the bezel, the lid gave solution to the strain. However, it’s not all dangerous. The keyboard deck feels extra strong than the lid–I didn’t hear any creaking after I utilized strain to it. The 180 diploma hinge additionally feels tight and safe, however not proscribing and stiff. The construct high quality isn’t dangerous by any means, however I’d advocate dealing with it with a delicate hand.
The upgraded processor and contact enabled show make a giant distinction, including nice worth in comparison with the 2023 mannequin, which was lacking these options.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Keyboard, touchpad
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
The keyboard is comfy to make use of for lengthy durations of time, however the omission of a backlight had me scratching my head, because it was included within the older mannequin. I desire backlit keyboards as a result of I like writing in a low-light surroundings–I just like the ambiance of it! Bright lights additionally set off migraines for me, which is another excuse why I desire a low-light surroundings. That stated, by way of utilizing the keyboard, I managed 98 phrases per minute on Monkeytype–I’m a fairly quick typist after I’m locked in.
The touchpad is nice to make use of as properly. It measures about 5 inches vast, which is a large enough measurement for somebody with smaller arms (hello!). It’s clean and responsive, and the slippery floor of the touchpad is nice for multitouch gestures like two-finger scrolls and pinches and stretches. I didn’t discover any erratic cursor motion, both.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Display, webcam, audio system
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
The 1080p show is ok for every day duties, however it’s nothing exceptional. All Chromebook Plus fashions include a 1080p show, which is the brand new normal now. While it is probably not the brightest or most vibrant of screens, I’m happy by the brand new contact perform. The 2023 mannequin didn’t have a contact show, so it is a welcome addition that provides extra worth general. The matte end additionally helps minimize down the glare from direct daylight.
My solely sticking level is with the 16:9 facet ratio. I desire shows with a 16:10 facet ratio, as that one further inch of area makes a world of distinction, particularly after I’m modifying a overview or including issues to a spreadsheet. It’s not an enormous deal breaker for me, as most laptop computer shows include a 16:9 facet ratio, however I prefer to see extra of the display screen. Oh, the show additionally folds flat for versatile viewing angles, although I didn’t use it this manner as I don’t discover it very sensible.
The 1080p webcam is appropriate for work calls, however not a lot else. As with most built-in 1080p webcams, you want quantity of lighting to look good. The webcam’s microphone additionally captures sound properly sufficient and filters out quantity of background noise. The built-in ChromeOS instruments additionally let you blur your background or enhance noise cancellation. Again, it’s effective for a piece name, however if you wish to look your best possible, it’s best to put money into an external webcam.
Generally talking, laptop computer audio system don’t impress me a lot (I suppose I’m channeling Shania Twain right here). If you think about your self an audiophile, you may as properly plug in a pair of headphones or earbuds. The Chromebook Plus CX34’s audio system are simply okay, however the audio system are downward firing, so it will depend on the kind of floor you’ve obtained the laptop computer on. I needed to increase the quantity and produce the laptop computer nearer to me with a view to hear my playlist.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Connectivity
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 actually doesn’t skimp on ports, which is nice for a laptop computer on this value vary. It options two USB Type-A, two USB Type-C, one HDMI out, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. You may simply hook as much as an exterior monitor, because the USB Type-C ports help DisplayPort. Most Chromebooks on this bracket don’t embrace an Ethernet port or a micro SD, however the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 comes with a micro SD.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Performance
I used to be impressed with the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34’s day-to-day efficiency. Compared to the earlier mannequin, which got here geared up with an Intel Core i3-1215U CPU, the Intel Core i5-1335U CPU inside our overview unit delivers quicker efficiency due to its larger core depend (10 cores) and higher clock speeds (as much as 4.6GHz). While the Intel Core i3-1215U CPU nonetheless performs properly, the Intel Core i5-1335U CPU higher handles each single-threaded and multi-threaded efficiency.
This is obvious within the Plus CX34’s Jetstream 2 rating. Jetstream 2 assesses single-threaded and multi-threaded efficiency by measuring JavaScript execution speeds in addition to the browser’s parallel processing execution pace. Compared to the 2023 mannequin, which had a Jetstream 2 rating of 250.141, the most recent iteration is roughly 26 p.c quicker.
The Plus CX34 additionally had the next CrXPRT 2 efficiency rating (170) than the lately reviewed Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (140). CrXPRT 2 measures general efficiency by simulating real-world duties like loading net pages, making use of filters to pictures, taking part in HD movies, and so forth. The larger the quantity, the smoother the efficiency. In addition to the upper CrXPRT 2 rating, it additionally produced an important Kraken rating.
Mozilla’s Kraken benchmark gauges how properly a browser can deal with JavaScript execution efficiency. It does this by analyzing sound knowledge, working varied decryption duties, and so forth. Unlike CrXPRT 2, a decrease rating is extra fascinating right here. Essentially, Kraken measures the time in milliseconds it takes for the browser to finish a sequence of JavaScript duties.
The Plus CX34 beat the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 into the bottom with a Kraken rating of 397.4ms. That’s roughly 44 p.c quicker than the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, which had a Kraken rating of 710.9ms. Impressive!
- CrXPRT 2: 170
- Speedometer: 344
- Basemark Web 3.0: 1,320
- Kraken: 397.4ms
- Jetstream 2: 316.606
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Battery life
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 lasted just a little over 13 hours on a single cost throughout my battery test, although I stored the brightness low, which probably impacted the end result. With the brightness turned up, real-world use is nearer to seven or eight hours. That’s not a nasty end result by any means, however it’s not essentially the most aggressive end result I’ve seen. If battery life is a precedence of yours, think about the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714, which lasted just a little over 15 hours.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Conclusion
Would I like to recommend shopping for the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34? Absolutely. The upgraded processor and touch-enabled show make a giant distinction, including nice worth in comparison with the 2023 mannequin, which was lacking these options. The keyboard can be a pleasure to sort on, the touchpad is responsive with out being overly delicate, and the connectivity choices are plentiful. If you’ll be able to settle for the little quirks like the dearth of keyboard backlighting and the 16:9 facet ratio (extra of a private nitpick than a quirk), then this Chromebook is a strong selection.