For more than a decade, Chromebooks were stuck in a narrative loop: good for the basics, terrible for the rest. They were budget devices for students, grandparents, and anyone who just wanted a cheap web browser in a clamshell. But in 2025, that story has a new chapter, and it’s way more complicated than a yes or no verdict.

Chromebooks today, especially under Google’s new Chromebook Plus standard, are no longer just stripped-down machines for casual use. They’re sleek, responsive, and in some cases, deliver performance that rivals mid-range Windows laptops costing nearly twice as much. But that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone.

Chromebook Plus Era Is Here

If you’re shopping for a Chromebook in 2025, you’ll immediately run into Google’s Chromebook Plus label. This badge isn’t just marketing fluff. To earn it, a device must meet minimum hardware requirements: at least an Intel Core i3 12th Generation or AMD Ryzen 3 5000 series, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It also mandates a 1080p webcam and a decent display, at least Full HD IPS.

These Plus models now ship with built-in Google Gemini features such as smart writing assistance and dynamic wallpaper creation. The real leap, though, is speed. Even a $400 Chromebook Plus feels surprisingly quick, opening apps almost the moment you tap them. Wake times are nearly instant, and the lightweight nature of ChromeOS means it stays responsive even when you push it. For many users, it simply works day after day without slowing down.

Windows vs Chromebook

The most brutal showdown in 2025 happens at the $400 to $600 price point. On one side, you’ve got Chromebook Plus models with great screens, good keyboards, and 10-plus hours of real-world battery life. On the other? Budget Windows laptops that often feel sluggish out of the box, with dim TN panels, plastic builds, and mediocre battery endurance.

Yes, Windows gives you the flexibility to install any software you want. But what’s the point if the system crawls under the weight of those apps? ChromeOS can’t run full Adobe Creative Cloud or AutoCAD, but if your life lives in the browser, Docs, Netflix, Gmail, Spotify, Zoom, it feels like you’re getting a luxury experience at a budget price.

Gaming? Tread Carefully

If you’re thinking about buying a Chromebook for gaming, stop. Seriously. In a major shift, Google has announced that Steam support on ChromeOS will officially end in January 2026. That means you can’t rely on native PC gaming anymore.

However, cloud gaming is where Chromebooks thrive. Services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming run beautifully as long as you have solid internet. You can play high-end games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Halo Infinite at ultra settings because the hardware load is handled by the servers, not your Chromebook.

For casual mobile titles, the Play Store still offers access to games like Minecraft (Android edition), Roblox, and Stardew Valley. But don’t expect to install and run AAA Windows games. That door is closing fast.

Who Should Buy One?

Students: Absolutely yes, unless your major requires specialized software. Chromebooks are light, fast, last all day on a single charge, and integrate perfectly with Google Classroom and Canvas.

Home Users: Another easy yes. For web browsing, streaming, shopping, and casual work, Chromebook Plus offers a crash-free, virus-free, update-in-the-background experience that’s honestly better than most cheap Windows laptops.

Writers: Yes. If your work lives in Google Docs or Word Online, a Chromebook Plus is a reliable, distraction-free writing machine with great battery life and solid keyboards. Plus, Gemini AI can help with brainstorming, built right into the system.

Power Users & Creators: Hard no. If you need Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, AutoCAD, or heavy Excel macros, ChromeOS will make you miserable. Save up for a MacBook Air M2/M3 or a Windows laptop with at least a Core i5 and 16GB of RAM.

Preview	Product
	HP Chromebook (2024) MediaTek MT8183 – (4 GB/32 GB EMMC Storage/Chrome OS) 11MK G9 EE Chromebook…	Check Price on Amazon
	HP Chromebook X360 Intel Celeron N4020 14 inch(35.6 cm) Micro-Edge, Touchscreen, 2-in-1 Laptop (4GB…	Check Price on Amazon

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Lenovo has just introduced the Chromebook Plus 14, a new ChromeOS powered laptop. It boasts a vibrant OLED display and is the first ever Chromebook to feature an audio setup tuned with Dolby Atmos. So here are all the details.

Lenovo ChromeBook Plus 14: What does it offer?

As the name suggests, the Chinese tech giant’s latest Chromebook Plus 14 sports a 14-inch display on the front. This is a touch enabled panel with a WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200) and 60Hz refresh rate. So you can expect vibrant colors on this screen. Pairing the great visual setup, Lenovo also adds four 2W speakers that are tuned with Dolby Atmos. This collaboration makes it the first Chromebook of its kind.

Under the hood, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is equipped with the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 SoC, which is paired with an integrated ARM Mali G52 graphics and an NPU that delivers an impressive 50TOPS of performance. The processor is coupled with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS storage. It runs on the ChromeOS out of the box. Connectivity options include 1x USB-A 3.2, 2x USB-C 3.2 (DisplayPort support), a 3.5mm audio jack, WiFi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4.

Lenovo claims that the device can run for up to 12 hours on a single full charge. The Chromebook Plus 14 is built using an aluminum chassis that weighs around 1.25 kilograms. It has a starting price tag of 649.99 US Dollars and can be purchased from the brand’s official website. This announcement also arrives mere days after the company announced the Lenovo Xiaoxin desktop PC.

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Acer has introduced a new line of Chromebooks designed to improve educational experiences for K-12 students. These devices combine durability, innovative features, and cost-effectiveness to meet the needs of students, teachers, and administrators.

New Chromebook Models for Education

Acer’s updated Chromebook lineup includes the Chromebook Spin 512 (R857T), Chromebook Spin 511 (R757T), and Chromebook 511 (C737). Each model is powered by Intel N250 processors and provides features tailored for classroom use and rugged durability.

The Chromebook Spin 512 features a 12.2-inch WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The Chromebook Spin 511 offers an 11.6-inch IPS display available in either FHD (1920×1080) or HD (1366×768) resolutions. Both models are convertible with 360-degree hinges, enabling tablet mode for reading and note-taking. They are built to meet MIL-STD 810H standards, ensuring resistance to drops and rough handling. Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass reduces bacteria buildup on the touch displays. An optional USI 2.0 stylus can be stored in an integrated garage for easy access. Both devices provide up to 10 hours of battery life, and the Spin 512’s display is TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe-certified to minimize harmful blue light.

The Chromebook 511 is a compact clamshell model with an 11.6-inch LED-backlit display available in HD and FHD resolutions. It is lightweight and easy to transport, making it ideal for younger students and 1:1 programs. It includes shock-absorbent bumpers and a spill-resistant keyboard with mechanically anchored keys to withstand demanding classroom environments. This model also complies with MIL-STD 810H standards for durability.

Acer has reinforced these Chromebooks to handle heavy usage in schools. LCD panels and I/O ports are strengthened to minimize damage from rough handling. The serviceable keyboards can be replaced by removing just two screws, reducing repair time and costs. The spill-resistant design protects internal components from up to 330 ml of liquid, while rubber bumpers offer additional shock absorption to guard against drops from up to 122 cm. Modular USB Type-C ports simplify repairs and lower the total cost of ownership.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6E for fast and reliable internet access. Optional 4G LTE is available for schools without consistent Wi-Fi connectivity. The Chromebooks feature 1080p webcams with Blue Glass Lens and Temporal Noise Reduction technology, delivering high-quality visuals even in low-light settings. HDMI and dual USB Type-C ports provide flexible connection options, while screen casting is straightforward, enabling collaboration in classrooms.

Pricing and Availability

The new Acer Chromebooks will be available in North America starting in Q1 2025. The Chromebook Spin 512 will start at $529.99 USD, the Chromebook Spin 511 at $499.99 USD, and the Chromebook 511 at $429.99 USD.

(source)

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Acer has introduced the Chromebook Tab 311, a tablet designed to meet student’s needs with its durability, portability, and practical features. It’s built to handle school and everyday tasks effectively.

Features and Performance

The Tab 311 comes with a 10.95-inch WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS touch display, offering clear visuals for studying and creative tasks. Its in-cell touch panel makes navigation simple. The tablet is powered by a MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, which is powerful enough to ensure smooth multitasking and app performance. An 8,000 mAh battery provides over 10 hours of use, lasting through the school day. It offers up to 8 GB of RAM and up to 128 GB of storage, with the option to expand up to 2 TB using a MicroSD card.

Durability and Portability

The Chromebook Tab 311 meets MIL-STD 810H standards, making it resistant to drops and everyday wear. Despite its rugged design, it is lightweight at 610 grams and slim at 9.05 mm, making it easy to carry between classes.

Accessories for Flexibility

Optional accessories include the USI 2.0 dockable stylus for note-taking and drawing, a folio keyboard for typing, and a portfolio case for added protection and adjustable viewing angles.

Connectivity and Cameras

The tablet supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for reliable connectivity. An optional 4G LTE feature provides internet access beyond Wi-Fi zones. It has dual stereo speakers, a 2 MP front-facing camera for video calls, and a 5 MP rear camera for photos and videos.

Pricing and Availability

The Chromebook Tab 311 will be available in Q2 2025 at USD 329 in North America, EUR 329 in EMEA, and AUD 349 in Australia.

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(source) 

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ASUS has introduced its Chromebook CR series, designed to handle the daily demands of K-12 students, whether they’re learning in the classroom or remotely. These laptops are built tough, with replaceable parts and rugged features to last through years of use.

ASUS Chromebook CR Series features

The Chromebook CR series is made to survive the bumps, drops, and spills that come with student life. Each laptop has a rubber bumper, a spill-resistant keyboard, and Corning Gorilla Glass touchscreens to protect against scratches and accidents. They meet or exceed MIL-STD-810H military-grade standards, meaning they can take a beating. Plus, a fingerprint-resistant finish keeps them looking cleaner, and longer.

The laptops come in 11.6-inch and 12.2-inch models with options for 180° lay-flat or 360°-flippable hinges. Convertible models (CR1104F, CR1204F) can switch between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes, making them great for group work or solo study sessions. Powered by Intel N150 and N250 processors, they’re built to match the needs of students.

The touchscreens, made with Corning Gorilla Glass, offer up to WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution and support optional USI 2.0 styluses. TÜV Rheinland-certified displays reduce blue light, helping protect students’ eyes during long study sessions. Connectivity options include WiFi 6, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and optional 4G LTE for reliable internet access. With up to 16 GB of memory and 128 GB of storage, students can easily keep up with their coursework.

The laptops include front-facing cameras in 720p HD or 1080p FHD, with some models featuring a 13MP world-facing camera for taking photos or videos in tablet mode. Built-in speakers and microphones ensure clear communication during online classes and group calls.

The Chromebook CR series includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports for data, video, and charging, along with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, HDMI 1.4b, an audio jack, and a Kensington Lock slot. An optional stylus is available for taking notes or sketching.

Some models feature ASUS Antimicrobial Guard, which coats the keyboard and other high-touch areas with a silver-ion layer to limit microbial growth. The TÜV Rheinland-certified displays also reduce eye strain by cutting down on blue light.

The modular design makes repairs and part replacements simple, so downtime is minimized. Captive screws prevent small parts from getting lost during maintenance. Chrome Education Upgrade ensures automatic updates, secure operation, and simple setup for school IT teams.

Pricing & availability

Pricing and availability details have not been announced yet, but more information is expected soon. Based on the specifications, the Asus CR series Chromebooks are likely to be reasonably priced.

(Source)

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Lenovo is expanding its Chromebook lineup with the new Chromebook Duet and Chromebook Duet EDU G2 laptops. Just recently, the brand released the Legion G7 gaming smartphone and tablets in China, and now, it has released two convertible Chromebook models in the US that have an affordable price tag. So here’s what you need to know about its specs, pricing, and more.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet Series: What makes them special?

Both the laptops are quite similar in terms of specs and features, but there are some small differences. Lenovo unveiled the Chromebook Duet series with a 10.95inch WUXGA display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 400 nits of peak brightness, TUV Low Blue light certification, and Corning Gorilla 3 for protection. Under the hood, the duo are equipped with the MediaTek Kompanio 838 SoC, which is paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage.

As the name suggests, these laptops run on the ChromeOS out of the box and promise to offer up to 12 hours of battery life. These are thin and light notebooks that measure just 510 grams in weight, measuring just 7.59mm in thickness in tablet form. Although, you would likely use this laptop with the Folio keyboard and Stand Cover.

For optics, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet and Duet EDU G2 models feature a 5-megapixel webcam and an 8-megapixel rear facing camera. Other notable features include a dual 1W SmartAMP speaker setup tuned by Waves Audio, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, two USB Type C 3.2 Gen 1 ports and a single audio/microphone combo jack.

Pricing and Availability

The company unveiled the Chromebook Duet and Chromebook Duet EDU G2 with ENERGY STAR certification and it arrives with 3 months of free subscription to Gemini Advanced. It is currently available in North America for a starting price tag of 339.99 US Dollars and 319 US Dollars respectively. Both models are on sale for a lone Luna Grey color option.

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Google has announced a new Chromebook which is the thinnest and lightest Chromebook Plus model yet. This new model is called the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus and it comes with Google AI features, including Help me read, Live Translate, and more. On a side note, Google has also announced that all Chromebooks will now feature Gemini, Google’s AI platform.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus features

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is a sleek and lightweight laptop with a 15.6-inch OLED screen, with 400 nits of brightness. The device uses an Intel Core 3 100U processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It also includes the Quick Insert key, which provides instant access to various tools like editing text, adding links, and finding emojis.

In addition to Quick Insert, Chromebook Plus laptops will have AI features like Help me read, which summarizes PDFs and articles, and Live Translate, which translates content into over 100 languages. The Recorder app also provides AI-powered transcriptions, and new video call features enhance audio and visual quality.

All Chromebooks will now feature Gemini, allowing users to chat and get help with tasks like planning trips and generating images. Google One AI Premium is also available for three months at no cost for new Chromebook purchases.

Other new features include Welcome Recap, which provides a visual overview of recent activity, and Focus, which helps users stay distraction-free. Users can also pin important files to their home screen for easier access.

As for battery life, Samsung promises up to 13 hours of run time on a single charge. This device offers a wide range of ports, including a full-sized HDMI port, a micro SD card slot, two USB Type-C ports, a USB Type-A port, and a combined headphone/microphone jack. The Chromebook is 11.8mm thick and weighs around 1.17 kg.

Pricing & availability

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is available starting at $699 in the US and will be available in some EU markets for €799.

(Source, Samsung PR)

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Samsung has not released a Chromebook for the last few years. However, a new Chromebook from Samsung is expected to launch at Google’s upcoming Chromebook Showcase in New York City on September 24th.

The next-generation Chromebook, which is expected to be called the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, is rumored to be equipped with a display with adaptive color function. The news comes from Robby Payne from Chrome Unboxed who cited Chromium Gerrit entries that suggest a feature being worked on for the device that could have the OLED panel adjusting colors and temperatures based on the surrounding environment.

This technology is expected to mark a major leap forward in the Chromebook field and may also change the way users interact with the screen. Notably, Apple uses a similar technique, which is dubbed as True Tone.

The new Chromebook will be able to intelligently sense the lighting condition of the surrounding environment and will automatically adjust the color temperature and saturation in real-time. It will ensure optimal visual comfort and clarity in a changing lighting environment.

The Galaxy Chromebook Plus is expected to accurately capture and respond to changes in external light through a built-in high-precision ambient light sensor. Samsung may also utilize the camera to detect lighting conditions.

However, there’s a catch

The report also notes that the development is specifically aimed at improving the Night Light feature. In contrast, Chromebooks generally use an adjustment slider to adjust the color temperature. So there’s a chance that the device will use this tech only for Night Light. Nonetheless, it will be a very strange move since users typically don’t need to adjust the color temperature of Night Light more than once to match their liking.

The upcoming Galaxy Chromebook Plus is expected to boast a 15.6-16-inch OLED screen, which is not common in Chromebooks.

(Source | Via)

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Acer upped the Chromebook game on May 28th with the launch of two new models: Chromebook Plus Spin 714 and Chromebook Plus 516 GE. Both boast powerful Core Ultra processors, making a statement that Chromebooks can be productivity and even gaming powerhouses.

The 14-inch Chromebook has a 1920×1080 touchscreen display with a QHD camera

This 14-inch Chromebook packs a punch with a Core Ultra 7 165U processor, ideal for tackling demanding tasks. The 1920 x 1200 IPS touchscreen display offers stunning visuals with 340 nits brightness and 100% sRGB color gamut, perfect for both work and entertainment. Additionally, the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 boasts two Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfer, a 53Wh battery for extended use, and a QHD camera for clear video conferencing. The convertible design with a flip touch screen further enhances its flexibility.

Gamers rejoice! The Chromebook Plus 516 GE prioritizes a fantastic gaming experience. This 16-inch Chromebook features a high-resolution 2560 x 1600 display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for seamless visuals. The Core i7 150U processor delivers the power needed to run games smoothly, while the 100% sRGB color gamut ensures vibrant visuals. Immerse yourself in the game with the four-zone backlit keyboard and a long-lasting 65Wh battery. The inclusion of a 2.5GbE wired network port further enhances connectivity. Continuing Google‘s push for Chromebooks as capable gaming laptops, the Chromebook Plus 516 GE boasts support for popular cloud gaming platforms like NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna.

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(VIA)

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HP has just unveiled a lineup of not one, or two, but four new 14-inch Chromebooks, all powered by Intel‘s latest Alder Lake-N processors. Offering a range of features and price points to suit different needs, these Chromebooks cater to students, casual users, and even those seeking a more premium experience.

Users can choose between multiple storage variants and even CPUs

The top-of-the-line model is the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14-inch. This versatile Chromebook boasts a powerful Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB of LPDDR5 memory, and either 128GB or 256GB of UFS storage. The 14-inch IPS touchscreen display offers a crisp Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and supports multi-touch functionality. It also features a 1080p webcam for clear video calls, perfect for online learning or working remotely.

For those seeking a balance of performance and affordability, the HP Chromebook x360 14-inch offers two configurations. Both models sport the same 14-inch Full HD touchscreen display and a 720p webcam. Users can choose between an Intel N100 or N200 processor, paired with either 4GB or 8GB of memory and 64GB or 128GB of storage.

The final offering is the HP Chromebook 14-inch. This non-convertible Chromebook shares many similarities with the x360 version, including the display, webcam, and battery life. The key difference lies in the processor options, with the Chromebook 14-inch offering the same Intel N100 or N200 choices but without the flexibility of a 360-degree hinge.

Pricing starts at a budget-friendly $300 for the base HP Chromebook x360 14-inch, making it a great option for students or casual users. The HP Chromebook Plus x360 14-inch, with its more powerful processor and features, starts at $599.99. All models are available for purchase, with the exception of the Chromebook x360 14-inch (N100 processor) which arrives later this month.

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(Via)

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Chromebooks have gained popularity due to their affordability and user-friendly interface. However, users have faced challenges in managing apps across different platforms, including web apps, Android apps, and Linux apps, due to the need to navigate through various sources like the Chrome browser, Google Play Store, and sometimes the command line for Linux apps. This creates a fragmented and often confusing experience, especially for new users.

Streamlining Chromebook App Discovery

To address this issue, Google is introducing a new app store for ChromeOS called the “App Mall.” This initiative aims to simplify the app discovery and installation process by providing a centralized platform for users to find and install a wide variety of apps.

According to code snippets found in Chrome, the functionality is hidden behind a flag in Chrome settings, but it points to a website called “discover.apps.chrome.” While the website isn’t live yet, it hints at the upcoming online store.

While it’s still early days, and specific details about the types of apps that will be featured in the “App Mall” are not fully disclosed, it is anticipated that at least Android and web apps, including games, will make the cut. This speculation is buoyed by the current capability of Chromebooks to discover certain apps through the built-in “Explore” app, suggesting that the “App Mall” will likely expand on this foundation to offer a more comprehensive discovery experience.

This consolidation could significantly enhance the user experience, making it easier and more intuitive for Chromebook owners to uncover new apps and games, thereby maximizing the utility and versatility of their devices.

Google is also working on its Chrome browser as they have recently introduced three new generative AI features in its latest release (M121) for users in the U.S. on Mac and Windows PCs. These features include AI Tab Groups for organizing open tabs automatically, Custom Themes with AI for creating personalized themes using a text-to-image diffusion model, and “Help Me Write,” an AI-powered writing assistance tool set to launch in the next release.

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(Via)

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Lenovo has introduced the Chromebox Micro, a device that’s smaller than most in its category. With dimensions measuring a mere 163 x 79 x 20mm (6.4″ x 3.1″ x 0.8″), this ultra-compact ChromeOS running device offers a form factor resembling two smartphones stacked on top of each other. Set to hit the market in the first quarter of 2024, the Lenovo Chromebox Micro is priced at an attractive $219 and up.

The Chromebox Micro offers an Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 8 GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC storage

Lenovo showcased this mini device positioned as an “ultra-thin and affordable media player” at the Digital Signage Experience show. The Chromebox Micro runs on an Intel Celeron N4500 processor, boasting a 6-watt, 2-core, 2-thread configuration based on the Intel Jasper Lake Architecture. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage. Encased in a fanless metal chassis, the Chromebox Micro promises silent 24/7 operation. The ventless encasing makes it resistant to dust.

The device is equipped with a thoughtful array of ports, including 2 x USB Type-C, 2 x USB Type-A, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Ethernet, and 1 x 3.5mm audio. Weighing a mere 450 grams (~1 pound), it’s designed for flexibility, with the option to mount it to the back of a display. Lenovo has further collaborated with a display maker to offer 15.6″ and 21.5″ displays tailored for use with the Chromebox Micro, featuring cut-outs in the back for easier mounting.

Although the Chromebox Micro stands out with its combination of compact size and functionality, it’s worth noting that the Asus Chromebit still holds the title of the smallest ChromeOS computer. Launched in 2015 as a $100 Chromebox-on-a-stick, the Chromebit was designed to plug directly into the HDMI port of a display. Google also reveals plans to collaborate with additional manufacturers to bring more affordable, compact, enterprise-grade Chromeboxes to the market.

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Google is making a major push for Chromebooks with its Chromebooks Plus initiative. Among the various brands that have unveiled their offerings, Acer has announced the new Chromebook Plus 515 and Chromebook Plus 514 laptops. So here are all the details.

Acer Chromebook Plus 515

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is the larger of the two models. It sports a 15.6-inch IPS display that has a Full HD resolution. Users can choose between a touch enable or regular panel and anti-glare support. Under the hood, Intel’s 13th Gen and 12th Gen Core processors are offered, up to a Core i7. The Intel processor is paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB of SSD. It even supports fast charging and promises around 10 hours of battery life.

Notably, the laptop comes with military grade durability with the U.S. MIL-STD 810H compliant design. Its body is also made with eco-friendly materials and sustainable packaging. For connectivity, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 offers WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, HDMI port, USB 3.2 Type-A port, and dual USB 3.2 Type-C ports. Other notable features include energy efficient design, a 1080p webcam, DTS audio, and AI-powered Google and Adobe features.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

Similar to the Plus 515, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 features the same military grade durability and environmentally friendly material, and sustainable packaging. Furthermore, it also sports a 14-inch display that offers Full HD resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, anti-glare coating, and an optional touchscreen option. Under the hood, the device is equipped with up to an AMD Ryzen 7520 C-Series processor and RDNA 2 graphics. This chipset is paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage.

Connectivity options include WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, HDMI port, USB 3.2 Type-A, and dual USB 3.2 Type-C ports. It sports a 1080p webcam on the front and the body comes with MIL-STD-810H7 military-grade standard. Other notable features include AI-powered Google and Adobe features, DTS Audio, energy efficient and minimalistic design. This model also supports fast charging and offers up to 12 hours of battery life.

Pricing and Availability

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 (CB515-2H/T) will be available in North America and the EMEA region in October. In the US, the laptop starts from 399 US Dollars while it has a EMEA starting price of 499 Euros. On the other hand, the Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-3H/T) has a starting price tag of 399 US Dollars and 479 Euros in the US and EMEA respectively. The new Chromebooks will go on sale in October in both markets.

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Lenovo has introduced the IdeaPad IP Flex 5 Chrome 14IAU7 (Plus), the latest addition to their Chromebook lineup. It prioritizes a balance between performance and portability. Let’s check out the key features of this new lineup.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook Key Features:

The Flex 5 Chromebook features a 14-inch IPS touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The laptop offers versatile functionality with support for four modes: laptop, tent, stand, and tablet, thanks to its 360° hinge. The screen offers 300 nits brightness, an 800:1 contrast ratio, a 45% NTSC color gamut for vivid visuals, and a 60Hz refresh rate for smooth on-screen motion.

The model maintains a slim and portable design, measuring 19.8mm in thickness and weighing 1.58kg. It offers a variety of ports, including two USB-C ports, a USB-A port, a microSD card slot, and a headphone/microphone combo jack, enhancing connectivity and allowing for the attachment of various peripherals.

As for technical specs, the laptop features Intel’s 13th generation U-series processors, with options ranging from the dual-core i3-1315U to the more powerful quad-core i5-1334U, providing choices for users with different processing requirements.

The Chromebook includes 8GB of LPDDR4x-4266 RAM for efficient multitasking and responsiveness. It offers various storage options, including 128GB eMMC 5.1, as well as larger and faster choices like 256GB or 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSDs.

The Chromebook includes stereo speakers (2W x2) that are optimized with Waves MaxxAudio®, enhancing audio quality. Alongside it also sports a 1080p webcam with fixed focus. Under the hood, the laptop is equipped with an integrated Li-Polymer 51Wh battery.

Lenovo has also recently launched the IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook, featuring a 14-inch touchscreen display and powered by an Intel Core i3-N305 processor.

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Lenovo continues to expand its product family. The company, which operates in a variety of markets, is particularly notable for its products for gamers. For example, the company recently unveiled the Y900K, the world’s first water-cooled gaming laptop. However, its focus on gaming products does not mean that users who want something simpler are being neglected. In line with this, Lenovo has introduced the IdeaPad Slim 3i, a 14-inch Chromebook. Here are the details…

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook Specs

For those who don’t know, a Chromebook is a laptop computer that runs the ChromeOS. This operating system is lightweight and especially designed for cloud computing. This means that Chromebooks are designed to be used primarily with web-based applications and services, such as Google Docs, Gmail, and YouTube. So, the answer to the question of why people would buy such a computer is quite simple. Chromebooks are typically more affordable than traditional laptops. This makes them even more useful for students in particular. Lenovo, aware of the situation and wanting to take advantage of the back-to-school season, quietly launched the IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook.

When we look at the display features of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook, we see a 14-inch screen, which is similar to most other Chromebook models on the market. This screen uses an IPS panel and has a 1920×1080 FHD resolution, as well as touchscreen. Given that ChromeOS’s interface resembles that of Android, having a touchscreen is a significant advantage. Of course, the IdeaPad Slim 3i aims to provide not just ease of use but also good performance. To achieve this, it is powered by Intel’s Alder Lake-N series Core i3-N305 processor.

In addition, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage are also among the device’s stand-out features. At first glance, this amount of storage may not seem sufficient to you. However, as we mentioned at the beginning of our article, the main purpose of Chromebooks is to be cheap and to run on relatively weak hardware. In fact, considering this, we can even say that the hardware is at a good level. It also has a 57 Wh battery and comes with a 45W USB Type-C power adapter, although you can also use up to a 65W adapter for faster charging.

When it comes to design, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook has a fairly standard look. On the left side, there is a USB-C port for charging the laptop, a standard USB 3.2 Gen Type-A port, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which is a dying technology. On the right side, there is a second Type-A port, an HDMI port, and a Kensington lock. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook measures 324 x 216 x 19 mm and weighs 1.5 kg.

Price and Availability

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook is currently available for purchase in the US for $415. This price is for the model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It is possible that lower-cost models will be available in the future.

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With the massive success of Chromebooks in the market, it appears that Apple might be planning on rivaling this segment as well. A new report hints that the brand could be working on more affordable MacBook models that will rival the Chromebooks. So here are all the details.

Apple MacBooks might soon be more affordable

As of right now, the Cupertino based giant’s MacBook Air is its cheapest laptop offering. But it appears that another entry-level lineup of notebooks might be in the works. According to a DigiTimes report, industry sources close to the matter have claimed that Apple is planning on releasing low-cost MacBooks. These will arrive with an affordable price tag, which could help make them better compete against the Chromebooks.

For those unaware, Chromebooks have seen massive growth in recent years, especially due to their applications in the education segment. The lower pricing and functionalities make them the perfect fit for students and others who do not require beefy specs on their laptops. While the MacBook is a popular notebook series, it isn’t as accessible as the cheaper Chromebooks.

But the company might be working on changing this soon with its new affordable MacBooks. The report claims that the upcoming lineup will be distinct from the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro series. Although, the iPhone maker will continue to feature its iconic metal build design on the new MacBook series. At the moment, Apple is expected to launch its M3-powered Macbook Pro and MacBook Air in October.

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The Chromebook community is abuzz with excitement as Google has announced its latest update, ChromeOS M115. Packed with a whole variety of features, this update promises to improve the Chromebook experience and make it way better. Tech enthusiasts must be eager to explore the enhancements and improvements in the new update.

The Backlight Signature feature will let users use their signatures with just a tap

One of the standout features of ChromeOS M115 is App Streaming, enabling users to complete quick tasks with ease. By streaming their Android phone’s apps directly onto their Chromebook, users can effortlessly reply to messages, monitor ride-share and delivery statuses, and efficiently manage their shopping lists. With App Streaming, the lines between smartphone and Chromebook functionality blur, making multitasking more seamless than ever before.

To take advantage of this exciting feature, Chromebook users need to ensure that Phone Hub is enabled. Following the simple steps outlined in the Help Article will ensure a smooth setup process. Also, the new and improved Shortcut App is pretty exciting. The redesign introduces a refreshed navigation and UI, making it even easier for users to find and access their favorite features. Additionally, the in-app search functionalities have been enhanced, streamlining the user experience and saving time.

With the Shortcut App’s new visualization, users will have an aesthetic and user-friendly interface. The Backlight Signature feature allows users to add their signatures to PDFs with just a tap. Furthermore, these signatures can be saved for future use, making document signing an easy process. No more printing, signing, or scanning – the new ChromeOS M115 update will make some users very happy.

As with any major update, ChromeOS M115 will be progressively rolled out over the coming days. Some users might not see the update immediately, but rest assured, it will be available soon.

Google encourages users to provide feedback on their experience with ChromeOS M115. Community feedback plays a vital role in further improving and fine-tuning the Chromebook ecosystem. If users encounter any bugs or issues, they are encouraged to create new threads on the Google Chromebook Community forum.

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Technology companies have many projects that don’t meet expectations. For example, Google’s ChromeOS and Samsung’s DeX have not been as successful as they hoped. However, there are rumors that Samsung is working on a new device that combines DeX and ChromeOS. This could be a way for both companies to achieve the success they want. Here are the details…

Rumors Hint at Samsung’s DeX-ChromeOS Hybrid Notebook, Powered by Exynos

DeX is a platform that allows users to connect their Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets to a monitor or TV to create a desktop-like experience. When connected to a larger display, DeX expands the phone’s screen and provides access to a full-size keyboard and mouse. ChromeOS on the other hand is a lightweight operating system that is designed for Chromebooks, which are typically budget-friendly laptops. Now, the power of these two products is merging.

Samsung is rumored to be working on a new device that combines its DeX platform with Google’s ChromeOS. The device, which is rumored to be called the DeXbook, is said to be powered by an Exynos chip and could be announced alongside a new Exynos-powered Galaxy Book for Windows on Arm.

As you know, Exynos is Samsung’s own mobile processor. It is typically used in its Galaxy smartphones and tablets, but it has also been used in some of its laptops. The Exynos chip is said to be more power-efficient than Intel’s chips, which could make the DeXbook a more attractive option for users who are looking for a long-lasting battery life. But when it comes to performance, that’s not the case.

The DeXbook is still a rumor at this point. However, if Samsung does decide to release this device, it could be a very compelling option for users who are looking for a versatile and powerful laptop.

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Back in 2021, a feature leaked on the internet that hinted towards synchronization between applications on ChromeOS and Android. Now, almost two years later, a refined version of the feature has made its way into the ecosystem.

App Streaming only works with Android 13 and older versions

The tech giant has now introduced App Streaming Originating to Chromebooks running ChromeOS 114. This feature enables Chromebook users to access and utilize various Android apps from their phones within a dedicated window on their devices. With App Streaming, Google continues its efforts to enhance device interoperability and provide users with a seamless and integrated app experience.

To access the App Streaming feature, Chromebook users must meet a few prerequisites. Firstly, they need to switch to the Beta Channel and install ChromeOS 114, the latest update. Additionally, Phone Hub, the integration platform between Android phones and Chromebooks, must be set up. However, it is crucial to note that App Streaming is currently compatible only with the “Pixel 4A and higher” running Android 13 or later. Non-Pixel users can still enjoy this feature with the Xiaomi 12T, 12T Pro, 13, and 13 Pro, also running Android 13 or later.

According to Google’s support document, both the phone and Chromebook must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network and in close proximity to each other to enable App Streaming. The arrival of App Streaming with the ChromeOS 114 Canary build has given users a glimpse into the future of app integration. Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance cross-device functionality and enable smoother user experiences are commendable.

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At the Next@Acer 2023 event, the Taiwanese PC maker announced its latest premium convertible ChromeOS-powered laptop. Officially called the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 2023 arrives with multiple upgrades over the 2022 model.

First and foremost, the notebook is powered by 13th Gen Intel U series processors. It can be availed in either Core i3, i5, or i7 variants.

The processors are paired with either 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB LPDDR4X RAM. Whereas, on the storage front, it uses a 128GB PCIe Gen3 NVMe SSD or 256GB / 512GB / 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD.

Further, the laptop comes with a QHD (2K) webcam, which is a first for an Acer Chromebook, The device also offers a fingerprint sensor that was not available on its predecessor.

The notebook sports a 14-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels (WUXGA) and 340 nits peak brightness level. The 360° touch screen panel has a 16:10 aspect ratio and covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut. It also supports USI stylus input.

The product is MIL-STD 810H-certified for durability. It houses dual upward-firing stereo speakers and dual microphones. Its connectivity options include WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 2 x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB Type-A, an HMDI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Last but not least, the device weighs about 1.37kg and it is backed by a 56 Wh battery, which is rated to last for up to 10 hours.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 2023 will be available in North America from May starting at $699. On the other hand, it will cost €999 in EMEA and will go on sale in this region in July.

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Ahead of MWC 2023, Lenovo announced a bunch of laptops. However, only one of them is a ChromeOS device. This device officially goes by Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook.

The latest Chromebook from the company is a 14-incher. It is powered by an ARM-based MediaTek chipset, and thus, it offers a longer battery life.

Let’s check out its entire specs along with pricing and availability.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook Specifications

The latest ChromeOS-powered laptop from Lenovo is built around a 14-inch display with a 170° hinge. The screen comes in three variants: HD (1366 x 768 pixels) TN, FHD (1920 x 1080 pixels) TN, and FHD (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS touchscreen.

The notebook is powered by a MediaTek Kompanio 520 chipset. The silicon is paired with 4GB/8GB LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB/128GB eMMC storage. It is rated to last for up to 13.5 hours on a full charge.

The device arrives with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. It also comes with 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and 2 x 2W speakers.

Last but not least, it weighs 1.3 kg and arrives with a webcam shutter and a dedicated mute key.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Price and Availability

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 will start at €349 in Europe. It will be available for purchase starting in May. Customers will be able to pick it up in either Cloud Grey or Abyss Blue color options.

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Google is apparently working on bringing a new feature that will allow users to create custom keyboard shortcuts on Chromebooks. This function will be offered via the ChromeOS itself, so here are all the details.

The feature was spotted by About Chromebook‘s Kevin Tofel. He spotted that the ChromeOS 111 beta has a keyboard shortcut editor, although, the feature doesn’t currently work. Furthermore, one can also get access to this feature by enabling flags with names like “enable-shortcut-customization-app” and “improved-keyboard-shortcuts.” The settings app will then show you a list of shortcuts that are available in different parts of the OS and applications. One can even find default keybindings for the users.

This is still just in an experimental build but allows users to add alternative shortcuts. The report further added that you can even set shortcuts, however, these keys are not working yet. These settings even lets you reset the shortcuts to default settings. It is still unclear when the Search engine giant will offer this feature on a stable build of the ChromeOS. But, it is currently believed to arrive sometime in the coming months.

In other words, we can also expect to see the feature arrive in the beta versions soon. WE can expect it to roll out to beta users in the next couple of weeks, since the feature appears to be mostly ready. So stick around for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.

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IDC’s latest report on the worldwide tablet market showed that tablet shipments had a slight decline of 3.3% YoY in 2022, with 45.7 million units sold in 4Q22. The tablet market has been on a two-year growth streak, but it has now come to a halt. Despite the decline, tablet shipments are still higher than pre-pandemic levels. On the other hand, Chromebook shipments saw a significant drop in 4Q22. Here are the details…

Worldwide Shipments of Tablets and Chromebooks Declined Sharply in 2022, According to IDC Tracker

Chromebook shipments saw a significant drop in 4Q22, with 24.3% YoY decline and 3.6 million units sold. The full-year 2022 saw a 48% decline in Chromebook shipments after experiencing an 180.5% growth in 2021.

Apple and Samsung continued to lead the tablet market, with Apple’s market share increasing by 10 percentage points in 4Q22 due to the launch of several new products. Samsung’s focus on its premium tablet lineup also helped drive shipment volume. Amazon, on the other hand, saw reduced shipments due to a soft demand, despite the fourth quarter being its best shipment quarter.

Huawei and Lenovo were in a statistical tie for the fourth position, with Huawei seeing an increase in large-screen tablet sales in China, and Lenovo’s shipments declining due to the end of several commercial projects. As the tablet market faces saturation and an economic downturn, vendors will need to focus on the commercial segment to drive sales.

IDC analyst Anuroopa Nataraj stated that vendors will need to rethink their product portfolios to cater to consumers, education, and corporate to drive demand and keep up with the changing market dynamics.

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MediaTek is one of the leading players when it comes to the choice of processors for entry-level Chromebooks. Now, the company is doubling down in this segment with the launch of two new chips — MediaTek Kompanio 520 and MediaTek Kompanio 528.

Both these new chipsets come with improved support for the display, better power management, upgraded imaging capabilities, and a few other things for the Chromebooks.

MediaTek’s Kompanio 520 and 528 chips use two ARM Cortex-A76 cores from eight total cores. The 520 has a clock speed of 2.0GHz, while the 528 has a clock speed of 2.2GHz. Along with that, the chips also come with an upgraded dual-core GPU and integrated APU for improving AI-powered performance.

Coming to the improved display support, the new MediaTek Kompanio 520 and Kompanio 528 have support for Full HD+ display with 2520 x 1080 pixels screen resolution and support to add a secondary Full HD display with 1920 x 1080 pixels screen resolution.

Both processors come with support for LPDDR4x RAM and eMMC 5.1 storage. In the camera department, there’s support for camera sensors up to 32-megapixel with 60fps FHD video recording. It also packs HiFi-5 DSP for improved microphone processing. For connectivity, there’s support for Wi-Fi 6 on both chips.

As for availability, the company has said that the first Chromebooks powered by the Kompanio 520 and 528 will start appearing from the first quarter of the year 2023.

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Chromebooks have mostly been sidelined in the laptop market as a third choice if you couldn’t get yourself a Windows and macOS laptop. However, with Google adding Android app support to Chromebooks, and with popular PC gaming storefront, Steam coming to Chrome OS, Chromebooks could soon be a fierce competitor in the laptop market.

To add fuel to the rise of Chromebooks, AMD themselves are looking to expand their market share in the Chromebook market share as well, because the company today has just announced its new Ryzen 5000C series of processors, designed specifically for Chromebooks.

The Ryzen 5000C processors are based on AMD’s popular Zen 3 core architecture which run on the x86 platform. The processors are quite power-efficient as they are built on a 7nm process and run at a low 15W. The Ryzen 5000C also feature upgraded connectivity as well, as all Ryzen 5000C are equipped with WiFi 6E support and support for faster charging.

Going from top to bottom, the highlight here is the Ryzen 7 5825C, where AMD claims that the Ryzen 7 CPU is the world’s first 8-core high-performance x86 processor for Chromebooks. Compared to its predecessor the Ryzen 7 3700C, the Ryzen 7 5825C offers performance of up to 107% higher in multitasking(Geekbench 5), and up to 85% higher in graphics in Motion Mark 1.2.

However, performance is not the only highlight of the Ryzen 5000C as Ryzen processors are also known for their industry-leading power efficiency. In benchmarks, AMD claims that the 15W Ryzen 5 5625C can offer up to 94%(almost double) the battery life performance of its nearest competitor, the 28W Intel Core i5-1135G7. 

In turn, with the improved efficiency engineering, AMD’s Ryzen 5000C processors have also managed to implement the instant “wake from sleep” feature into Chromebooks, like what you would see on Apple’s M1 Macbooks where you can raise and wake the laptop instantaneously.

If you are looking forward to getting yourself a Ryzen 5000C Chromebook, AMD has announced that the company has collaborated with its partners, HP and Acer to bring these notebooks to market by Q2 and Q3 of 2022.

HP Elite C645 G2 Chromebook

The first Chromebook coming to market is the HP Elite C645 G2 Chromebook. The HP Elite C645 G2 can be configured with an up to Ryzen 7 5825C processor, up to 16 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB of PCIe SSD storage. The device features 14-inch 1080p screen with touchscreen support, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 and optional LTE support for those business users who are always on the go.

Speaking of business users, the HP Elite C645 will also have a 5 MP integrated webcam, a SmartCard terminal for a CAD-capable keyboard, and an SEC fingerprint sensor for added security, to keep your confidentials safe at all times. The device will be available for sale from June onwards starting from only 559 USD.

Acer Chromebook Spin 514

Meanwhile, Acer will be introducing its latest Chromebook Spin 514, the 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook with a 14-inch touchscreen. The device can be configured with an up to Ryzen 7 5825C processor and supports up to 256 GB of PCIe Gen 3 storage. 

Connectivity-wise, the convertible has support for WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. Durability-wise, the touchscreen is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass and supports 100% of the sRGB colour gamut. And the device is rated MIL-STD 810 for military-grade durability against drops, dust and shock protection.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 will be available from Q3 2022 onwards starting from only 579.99 USD for the consumer variant and 899.99 USD for the enterprise variant.

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Lenovo announced multiple computers at MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2022. Three of them are Chromebooks, namely IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook, IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook, and IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook. We have already covered the first two convertible laptops. Hence, in this article, we take a look at the latter, which is a detachable tablet.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook Specifications and Features

The newly announced IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook by Lenovo is a toned-down version of the IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook from late last year.  The latest model arrives with a smaller LCD screen as opposed to an OLED panel, dual stereo speakers instead of quad, and lower battery life despite sporting the same chipset.

Lenovo says that the IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook is the successor of the original IdeaPad Duet Chromebook. It features the iconic dual-tone finish, which is found on almost all Lenovo tablets. It measures only 7.90mm in thickness and comes in two colors, such as Storm Grey and Misty Blue.

Just like its predecessor, the new tablet will also ship with a folio case and a detachable keyboard. In some markets, it will be also bundled with a stylus, while in others customers will have to purchase it separately.

The product flaunts an 11-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 2K pixels and a 5:3 aspect ratio. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 SoC coupled with 4GB/8GB LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB/128GB/256GB eMMC storage.

Unsurprisingly, it boots Chrome OS. But interestingly, it comes pre-loaded with Android Studio for Android app development For the unaware, this is a resource-hungry application and we are not sure how well the ARM-based chip will be able to handle it.

The detachable offers multiple connectivity options like dual-band WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, 2 x USB 3.0 Gen 1 (Type-C), and a pogo pin connector for the official keyboard accessory. Other features include dual stereo speakers, an 8MP rear camera, a 5MP front-facing camera, up to 12-hour battery life, and 45W fast charging.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook Price and Availability

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 will start at €349 (including VAT) in EMEA. It will be available starting May. We expect the device to reach other markets as well.

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Google has announced a new version of its Chrome OS, dubbed Chrome OS Flex which is now available for early access. This new operating system from the search engine giant is designed to run on old PCs and Macs.

The company is targeting businesses and schools for this new operating system and claims that it can be installed “within minutes.” Google says Chrome OS Flex can run efficiently on devices that are up to 13 years old.

The announcement of this new operating system from Google comes a few years after it acquired Neverware, a company that made Cloudready, a lightweight operating system for schools and businesses with fleets of old PCs or Macs.

Talking about the use case, Google says that the old systems could be revitalized by replacing Windows or macOS with Chrome OS Flex, a lightweight operating system that can run on weaker hardware and remain stable for years.

Interestingly, the company says that the Chrome OS Flex will get the same attention from Google as Chrome OS. It will look and feel the same as the Chrome OS available on the Chromebook as it is built from the same codebase.

However, the availability of some features may be dependent on the hardware. This means that some of the features like always-on Google Assistant and Android smartphone syncing may not be available for everyone.

The Chrome OS Flex is available for early access but the company says that it has not done any large-scale testing. Google is just giving users a chance to play around with the OS and provide feedback before it pushes it in the market.

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MediaTek, the company known for making mid-range and affordable chips is now trying to break it into the premium segment and has also revamped its lineup of chipsets to compete against market leaders like Qualcomm.

The Taiwan-based company isn’t only making smartphone chips but has also launched chips for tablets, smart TVs, routers, etc. Now, the company has announced a new chip for premium Chromebooks — MediaTek Kompanio 1380.

While MediaTek already has a presence in the Chromebook segment, it is mostly limited to entry-level or budget products. With this new Kompanio 1380 chip, the company is now trying to set foot in the premium segment.

MediaTek is claiming high performance and low power consumption with the Kompanio 1380 chipset. It features an octa-core CPU with four high-performance Arm Cortex-A78 cores with speeds up to 3GHz for improved responsiveness.

It packs a five-core Arm Mali-G57 GPU that supports fast and vivid visuals, while the quad-channel 2133MHz LPDDR4X ensures plenty of data bandwidth. There’s also a multi-core AI processor that accelerates AI-camera and AI-voice applications.

The chip supports up to two 4K 60Hz displays, or one 4K 60Hz display plus two 4K 30Hz displays. With A1 Hardware Decoding, users can stream 4K movies and TV shows. It also comes with a dedicated audio digital signal processor (DSP) that provides an ultra-low-power voice on wakeup (VoW) capabilities for voice assistants.

The new Acer Chromebook Spin 513 is the first device to come powered by this MediaTek Kompanio 1380 chipset and will go on sale from June. The company has added that more devices powered by this new processor will soon get launched in the market.

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Logitech has announced a new stylus and it’s called quite simply ‘Pen’. As apparent from its colorful and friendly design, it is aimed at students part of classrooms full of Chromebooks. It also uses the Universal Stylus Initiative standard, meaning it should work flawlessly on most of the recently launched Chromebooks, that too without the need for pairing.

Moreover, Logitech says that more Chromebook manufacturers have been moving forward with the USI standard, so more models can be expected to support the stylus pen in the future.

The design is quite minimal with a triangular shape and large build that makes it easier to hold. There’s even a silicon grip which should make it more comfortable to use, especially for longer periods of time.

Up top, there’s a USB-C port using which you can fill the Pen’s battery to last for a claimed maximum of 15 days of school use. If it dies, a 30-second charge should grant 30 minutes of usage. The Pen can also be used while recharging.

Durability has been given special attention too and Logitech says that the Pen meets the MIL-STD-810G spec for toughness, meaning it will be able to survive up to four-foot drops. The Pen is also spill-resistant and there’s even a three-year warranty.

That said, the Logitech Pen isn’t up for grabs for regular customers and will not be available in stores. Instead, it can only be acquired through Logitech’s site or education tech resellers, that too only in large orders. The price per piece regardless stands at $64.99.

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ASUS announced several Windows 11-powered laptops for different use-cases at the ongoing CES 2022 and along with that, the company has also announced a new pretty powerful Chromebook.

The company has announced the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601) which comes with a bigger 16-inch display and seems quite an interesting product as far as Chromebooks are considered because of the powerful internals.

The Chromebook Flip CX5 features a 16-inch Full HD display with touchscreen support and 16:10 aspect ratio, 87 percent screen-to-body ratio. It has a 360-degree ErgoLift hinge that enables the device to be used in tablet mode.

The device is powered by the latest 12th generation Intel Core i7 processor with vPro and packs up to 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage.

It has a spill-resistant backlit keyboard with a 1.4mm key travel and a numeric keypad on the right side. There’s also a large touchpad that measures 5.84 inches diagonally.

There are also four Harman Kardon-certified speakers. As for the ports, the laptop comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI 2.0 port, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card slot.

The device has a MIL-STD 810H tested chassis and comes with support for Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity. It also features a Full HD webcam with a privacy shutter that covers the sensor when not in use.

Currently, ASUS has not revealed the pricing or exact availability for the Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601) but we expect the device to be made available in the coming months.

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Acer has launched three new Chromebooks just in time for the CES 2022 and the company says that these new devices are made for consumers who need secure, easy-to-use, and affordable devices for productivity, entertainment, and communication.

All three devices — Chromebook Spin 513, Chromebook 315, and Chromebook 314 come with different screen sizes and form factors.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 513, which carries model number CP513-2H, comes with a 13.5-inch VertiView display that offers a 2256 x 1504 pixels screen resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio. It has narrow 7.7mm bezels and thanks to the aspect ratio, there’s 18 percent more vertical screen space.

Under the hood, the device is powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 1380 chipset which comes with eight cores for enhanced multitasking and productivity and is claimed to offer exceptional performance.

It is designed in such a way that the device can be used in four different modes. It features military-grade MIL-STD 810H durability. There’s Wi-Fi 6 support as well as a USB-C port for connecting peripherals, transferring data, and charging devices.

As for the battery life, the new Acer Chromebook Spin 513 offers 10 hours of usage on a single full charge, which is a downgrade from its predecessor’s 13 hours of battery life. It is priced at $599.99 and will be available for purchase in North American from June.

Acer Chromebook 315 comes with a larger 15.6-inch Full HD IPS anti-glare display. There’s also an optional touch-screen display that allows for easy navigation, while the large keyboard has room for a dedicated numeric keypad.

It comes powered by an Intel chipset which could be the Celeron N4500, Celeron N5100, or the Pentium Silver N600. This means that the company is moving away from AMD A-series chip as when the first model was launched in 2019, it was the first Chromebook to come powered by the AMD silicon. As for the pricing, the Acer Chromebook 315 is priced at $299.99 and will so go on sale in North America later this month.

Lastly, there’s a new Acer Chromebook 314 that features a 14-inch Full HD IPS anti-glare touchscreen display with narrow 8.1mm side bezels. Similar to the 315, this one too features an OceanGlass touchpad that offers a sleek touch experience.

The device is powered by the Intel chip but the exact model number has not been revealed by the company. This one too has MIL-STD 810H ratings for durability. For connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 6 which is about three times faster than Wi-Fi 5.

It has two built-in microphones with noise-reduction technology, along with a webcam that helps in reducing distracting lighting issues. As for the battery life, the laptop offers 10 hours of usage on a single charge. This one too is priced at $299.99 and will go on sale in North America from June this year.

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Samsung is not a big name in the PC industry. But the company is known for its laptops in certain parts of the world. Apart from Windows, it also sells computers with Chrome OS pre-installed. According to new findings, the company is working on a mysterious Chrome OS product.

A report by Chrome Unboxed (via SamMobile) reveals that Samsung is readying a Chrome OS device codenamed Bugzzy. Unfortunately, only a few details are known about this product.

First and foremost, it will be powered by an Intel Jasper Laker processor. Based on this, we can expect it to be a budget model like the already available Galaxy Chromebook Go, which is codenamed Sasuke.

Secondly, the device might sport a display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. This particular screen resolution is clearly high for a Chromebook with the aforementioned chipset. Hence, it probably won’t have this display resolution.

Last and most importantly, the upcoming Samsung Bugzzy could be a detachable tablet. If this happens to be true, then it will compete against the likes of Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 and ASUS Chromebook Detachable CM3. Also, it will be the only one among the competition with X86 silicon instead of ARM.

Having said that, we expect to learn more about this Chrome OS product from Samsung before its official launch in the near future.

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Asus Chromebook CM3 which generally retails for $370  is now available at a discounted price of $269.99 only at Amazon US. This means you get $100 OFF on the Chromebook detachable CM3. 

Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3

Key Features:

• 10.5” display
• Mineral grey aluminum unibody design
• Matte black diamond-cut edges
• 7.9mm ultra-thin and lightweight
• Stain repellant cover
• Intuitive garaged USI stylus
• Battery life: 12 hours on a single charge
• Supports 45W fast charging
• MediaTek 8183 processor
• 4GB RAM + 64GB RO
• Detachable keyboard with ergo lift design
• Perfect for study, work, and play

Generally retailing for $370, you can now buy Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 at a discounted price of $269.99 only at Amazon US. This product includes a stylus and a detachable full-sized keyboard. This is a limited-time offer. So grab your discounted Chromebook CM3 asap. 

For more information on such exciting deals and offers check out our deals hub.

* Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

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On the second day of the Snapdragon Tech Summit, Qualcomm has announced a few products and one of them is the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 Computer Platform for the entry-level laptops in the market.

As the name indicates, it is a successor to the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 launched last year. The chipset is built using the 6nm process and is claimed to be offering 60 percent faster CPU performance and up to 70 percent faster GPU performance.

It packs support for 5G connectivity for sub 6GHz and mmWave with Snapdragon X53 5G Modem-RF which offers a peak download speed of up to 3.7Gbps. Thanks to Qualcomm FastConnect 6900, it offers speeds up to 2.9Gbps on Wi-Fi 6 and 6E.

The Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 comes with Qualcomm Spectra ISP that supports triple cameras up to 22-megapixel, dual cameras up to 36-megapixel and 22-megapixel, single camera up to 64-megapixel, and has support for 4K HDR video capture.

There’s also Qualcomm AI Engine which enables AI-accelerated experiences through 6.5 TOPS of performance. There is support for Qualcomm Voice Suite for AI-based Echo-cancellation and noise suppression (ECNS) to deliver clear audio.

It also supports Microsoft PlayReady 3.0 and modern video streaming services. Qualcomm says that the improved connectivity in Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 will enable fast, advanced, efficient always-connected laptops for entry-tier Windows PCs and Chromebooks. Devices powered by the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 are expected to launch in the first half of 2022.

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Google has been working on an interesting and anticipated feature for its Chromebook for a while now. The feature in question is aimed to boost the privacy in Chromebooks and to ensure users have a shoulder surfing free experience.

According to an AndroidPolice report, it is called the Human Presence Sensor (HPS) and it aims to offer users alert to notify them that someone could be taking a peek at their notebook. This feature has been listed in the Chromium Gerrit for a while now, so the company has been working on this feature some time. Back in September, the HPS could work with the face unlock feature to help bolster the Chromebook’s security.

And now, it seems that the feature will also arrive with snooping alerts as well. Once the HPS is activated on Chromebooks, the system will notify users when someone is looking over their shoulder, which is also known as shoulder surfing. The search engine giant seeks to use the built in webcam on your notebooks to track the number of people in the frame and react according to the settings that the user has set.

Once a person looks over your shoulder, the Chrome OS offers a few options. First, users can simply be alerted to their surroundings by having a small eye icon appear in the status area of the display. This feature can even turn off notifications or automatically dim the display to prevent the person from peeking into the contents on the screen. In other words, it could be especially useful if they are working with sensitive information at a public space. Unfortunately, the feature is still a while away, and are expected to launch sometime next year.

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Google PixelBook Go laptop from the technology giant was launched around two years ago and everyone was expecting the company to launch its successor given that the original PixelBook was also launched two years prior to the PixelBook Go.

However, if you are among those who have been waiting for the PixelBook 2 or whatever the next-generation PixelBook laptop ends up being called, then you are in for a disappointment as the company has confirmed it isn’t coming until 2023.

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Asus has just quietly released three new entry level laptops that are a part of a new Chromebook series. These laptops include the Chromebook CX1 (CX1101), Chromebook CR1 (CR1100), and the Chromebook Flip CR1 (CR1100) convertible.

Each of the three new Chromebooks feature an 11.6 inch display and are positioned at the budget segment (Via Liliputing). Talking the CX1 first, the notebook is listed under the company’s series of “At home” products and features an Intel Gemini Lake processor and even arrives with a military grade durability rated design as well. On the other hand, the two Chrombook CR1 series laptops are targeted towards students and have the newer Intel Jasper lake processors.

All three models feature an 11.6 inch display along with a resolution of 1366x768px. Although, only the CX1 and CR1 feature anti glare. Meanwhile, the Flip CR1 offers a glossy touch screen and a 360 degree hinge that even supports a stylus. The maximum brightness on all three models differ, with the CX1 offering 200 nits, 220 nits on the base CR1, and the Flip variant offering the highest 250 nits. Under the hood, the CX1 is powered by either a dual core Celeron N4020 or a quad core Celeron N4120.

The two CR1 models feature the dual core Celeron N4500 or the Pentium Silver N6000 quad core processor. For memory, the CX1 is available in either 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM that is not upgradeable, while the CR1 models feature 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM that is also not upgradeable. The three new laptops all offer up to 64GB of internal storage as well. Interestingly, the Flip CR1 offers an 8 megapixel world facing camera as well as a 720p webcam, while the other two laptops only offer the webcam.

You get the usual selection of USB 3.2 Type C and Type A ports along with a headphone jack and microSD card reader on all three laptops, but for connectivity, only the CR1 series offers WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and an optional 4G LTE support. The CX1 offers the older WiFi 5 standard and up to Bluetooth 5.1. Unfortunately, the pricing of these laptops are currently unknown and it is unclear when exactly these models will be available for purchase.

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The pandemic saw unprecedented growth in Chromebook and tablet sales thanks to the boost in remote work and learning. But of course, such artificial growth wasn’t to last forever and the boost is now starting to wear off. Chromebooks and tablets recorded their first decline since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

Chromebook shipments declined 29.8% YoY (year on year) in Q3 2021 with volumes dropping to 6.5 million units while tablet shipments recorded a 9.4% YoY drop to 42.3 million units, according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.

Restrictions and lockdowns have been eased of late across the globe which has led to increased spending in other categories, in turn weakening Chromebook and tablet demand. The lifting of restrictions also means that people are resuming work in offices and students are going back to school, further cutting tablet and Chromebook demand due to decreased dependence on them.

Anuroopa Nataraj, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers says, “Chromebooks continue to increase their footprint in emerging markets such as Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan and China), Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa, but sales in these regions account for less than 13% of the overall Chromebook volume and hence are far from moving the global market.”

HP has taken the greatest hit when it comes to YoY growth, recording a decline of 66.1% in Q3 2021 when compared to the same period last year. The least affected seems to be Samsung with an actual 0.2% growth, while all of the other top 5 Chromebook sellers have seen declines. However, Samsung is the last of the top 5, with Lenovo leading with 1.5 million Chromebook shipments. Lenovo is followed by Acer, Dell, HP, and finally Samsung.

The scene in the tablet market is different with Apple not only maintaining the lead in terms of 3Q21 shipments but also recording the highest growth of 4.6%. Also recording growth is Lenovo with a figure of 2.1%. The remaining 3 brands have all seen a decline, contributing to an overall 53.1% drop in growth in 3Q21 when compared to 3Q20.

“Though reduced demand is largely to blame to for the declines in these categories, limited supply has also been a factor,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. “The combination of these two factors is likely to create opportunity for PC makers as shared components, production capacity, and freight availability could be shifted to other categories such as Windows notebooks or perhaps gaming PCs, which continue to see higher demand and greater profitability.”

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The post Chromebooks and tablets no longer selling as well as they did in the early pandemic days appeared first on Gizmochina.

Lenovo has announced a new Chromebook with a rugged design. The new computer also has an AMD processor and support for 4G but can only be purchased from the American carrier, AT&T.

The Lenovo Chromebook 300E has an 11.6-inch display that is protected by Gorilla Glass. The screen is attached to a spill-resistant keyboard via two 360º hinges that allow it to be folded back into a tablet.

Powering the Chromebook is an AMD processor, the dual-core AMD 3015Ce. This makes the new device the first AMD Chromebook with LTE according to Chrome Unboxed. The chipset draws juice from a 47Wh battery, and Lenovo promises it should last a day of school. The Chromebook has 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.

For ports, there is a USB-C power input port on the left along with a USB-A port, a microphone-headphone combo jack, and a MicroSD card slot. You also get a second USB-A port on the right along with an HDMI port. A 720p webcam sits above the display and it has a privacy shutter that you can slide in place when the camera is not in use.

1 of 2

The selling price for the Chromebook is $419.99 but buyers can opt for a 36-month payment that will have them pay $11.67 per month. Pre-order will begin on September 10 and it will be available for purchase online and in stores on September 28.

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As per a report by IDC, shipments of Chromebooks and tablets continued to grow in Q2 2021. Although the demand for these two product categories continues to exist, their growth might get impacted in the next quarter.

IDC says that the shipments of Chromebooks grew 68.6% YoY in the second quarter of 2021. On the other hand, tablet shipments increased only 4.2% YoY. Their numbers stood at 12.3 million units and 40.5 million units respectively.

Although the last quarter did not set any record like the previous quarters, the numbers are strong enough. So why could the shipments get affected? The answer is “shortage of components”.

According to IDC, Chromebooks are still in high demand. In fact, many education deals are still in the backlog. But despite that, OEMs have started prioritizing higher-margin Windows laptops due to the ongoing global component shortage.

Further, the report also states that the consumer demand for tablets might slow much faster than the Chromebooks. This should be a bigger concern for OEMs like Xiaomi, realme, OPPO, OnePlus, and vivo that are expected to release tablets in the second half of 2021.

Anyway, as per IDC senior research analyst Anuroopa Nataraj, there are still ample opportunities for tablets and Chromebooks in the education sector. Emerging markets continue to use Android tablets, whereas developed markets like the USA and Canada prefer Chromebooks. Some Asian and European regions have also started leaning towards Chromebooks lately.

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