Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
In early October, Google announced its next generation of productivity laptops: the Chromebook Plus series. There has been a lot of hype around these machines, as they have been touted as more powerful than last year’s models and including several AI-based features.
One of these new devices is the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34. If this is what the future holds, then I believe the future looks very bright because this is a great mid-range product. Here is the result of my test
Opening the Chromebook Plus CX34 for the first time, you’ll notice that it has a unique build; the exterior is entirely plastic. At first I was worried that this laptop would be fragile, but to my surprise, it’s actually quite sturdy. It is a durable plastic, but soft to the touch. Plus, Asus’ machine is lightweight, weighing just over 1.4kg, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
A Thought on the Touchpad
At the bottom of the laptop is the heatsink, which helps keep the internal components cool. Thanks to the way the screen opens, the Chromebook is pushed slightly upwards, which also helps with good air circulation. This is an appreciable detail.
The keyboard consists of backlit chiclet keys. Typing on the keys is pleasant on the hands, thanks to their rubber coating and their 1.4 mm travel. The latter allows for quick and comfortable typing. The keyboard is also supported by anti-ghosting software, the latter ensuring that words and characters, even if typed quickly, are taken into account and sent.
I should point out that the keyboard is only a small part of the laptop. In fact, it does not extend from end to end of the board. Presumably Asus made this decision so that the touchpad takes up more space. Personally, I prefer a larger keyboard because I find this type of layout more comfortable to use. However the format of the Asus keyboard is not that bad, but it took a little getting used to.
The screen looks great thanks to its high resolution
The 14” screen also has a lot to offer, displaying Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). The screen-to-panel ratio is 80%, which means the remaining 20% is the frame. I guess Asus made the decision regarding the frame to ensure the laptop is sturdy. Thinner edges could have made the whole thing more fragile.
Fortunately, the screen looks great thanks to its high resolution. And it has an anti-glare coating, so you can use it outdoors without having to deal with annoying light reflections.
For video calls, you have a Full HD webcam that ensures you look great during meetings. Several AI-powered features improve camera performance and cancel out any background noise, meaning your voice is crystal clear. The speakers are fine for video calls, but their lackluster performance is most noticeable when listening to music or watching a movie. There is almost no bass output!
Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
ZDNET’s purchasing advice for the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
I highly recommend the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, especially if you want a laptop that will appreciate in value over time. In the same announcement in early October, Google revealed that the Chromebook Plus series would get other AI features. Including a writing assistance tool to improve short texts. You’ll even get your own custom wallpaper generator in the settings menu. It’s unclear exactly when these updates will roll out, but it will be sometime in 2024
My review unit was equipped with an Intel Core i3-1215U processor, 8 GB of RAM and a storage size of 128 GB. It can be found from €450. Personally, I would not buy this model due to its small storage space. I would suggest buying the 256 GB version.
It looks like there might be a third model later. An official Asus product page mentions that it is supposed to have a touchscreen. It’s unclear when the touchscreen CX34 will launch, so keep an eye out for that.
Source: “ZDNet.com”