Verdict
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a implausible Chromebook for the value, with a fantastic port choice, stable efficiency and show, in addition to excellent battery life. Simply be careful for its cheaper-feeling development and end.
Professionals
- Nice keyboard and port choice
- Nippy efficiency
- Strong endurance
Cons
- Low cost-feeling development
- Primary audio system
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Lengthy-lasting battery:Its giant 50Whr battery is nice to final for between one and two days. -
Huge port choice:It additionally contains a honest quantity of connectivity choices, together with USB-A, USB-C and HDMI out. -
Nippy efficiency:The Chromebook Plus CX34 is powered by an twelfth Gen Intel Core i3 processor which presents nice relative efficiency, save for being a bit older than another choices.
Introduction
The introduction of the ‘Chromebook Plus‘ moniker might not seem to be probably the most thrilling factor on the earth, however choices reminiscent of this Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 have the potential to be one thing fairly fascinating for these in want of a extra inexpensive laptop computer.
Priced at £429/$429, this mid-range mannequin I’ve obtained right here packs intriguing {hardware}, together with an Intel Core i3-1215U processor, in addition to 256GB of UFS storage and 8GB of RAM. Towards the likes of the larger-screen Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook and the tablet-laptop-combo of the HP Chromebook x2 11 which have received plaudits themselves, Asus’ choice is competitively priced and well-specced.
I’ve been testing it for the final couple of weeks to see if it may well win out as probably the greatest Chromebooks – let’s take a better look.
Design and Keyboard
- Considerably cheap-feeling chassis
- Glorious keyboard and stable trackpad
- Nice port choice
With its cheap-feeling plastic chassis, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 doesn’t make the perfect first impression. Its lid contains a shiny and smooth-feeling plastic end which initially didn’t instil me with a lot confidence. Nonetheless, issues quickly modified once I opened the lid and truly took a better look.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a decently well-made laptop computer, particularly when taking the value into consideration. It’s a handsome choice too, with skinny bezels round its 14-inch show, in addition to its slender chassis. The gray colourway on supply right here additionally seems first rate, though additionally it is accessible in white for extra of a contemporary and virtually ultrabook-type end.
A weight of 1.4kg makes the Asus moderately hefty for a laptop computer of its dimension, though it’s straightforward to sling right into a bag and skinny sufficient to not take up an excessive amount of house. After all, it isn’t as moveable as HP’s convertible choice, however you get extra of a standard bundle right here, which can go well with some higher than a pill and folio keyboard cowl.
As for its port choice, it’s fascinating to notice that Asus has bundled just about all of them on the one facet. The Chromebook Plus CX34’s left-hand facet homes a singular USB-C for use for charging, whereas the right-hand facet contains a pair of USB-A ports, an HDMI out, a headphone jack and a secondary USB-C. For a Chromebook of its value, it’s a fantastic providing.
A Full HD webcam can be nestled within the high display screen bezel. It contains a privateness slider which can be utilized to dam the digital camera’s sight and forestall any probability of third-party snoopers.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34’s keyboard is great. It’s tactile and presents good journey, and the extra compact format on supply makes extra sense than lots of different laptops I’ve examined. Its white backlighting is sharp and vibrant and illuminates the keys nicely. It is a larger plus level than you could initially anticipate, as cheaper laptops have a tendency to supply a meagre backlight that hardly covers the keys. For a laptop computer of this dimension, the trackpad can be moderately giant and gives solid-feeling buttons, though they’re a bit stiff.
The packaging that this Chromebook is available in is just about all created from cardboard and paper, though the one piece of plastic current is on the top of the charging plug. It’s considerate packaging too, as when opened is barely raised to make it simpler to get the laptop computer out.
Show and Sound
- Good element with okay brightness
- Punchy colors
- Audio system are fairly thin-sounding
Asus hasn’t determined to spring any surprises when it comes to the show. It has caught with a tried-and-tested 14-inch Full HD IPS panel, which gives the advantage of each a good decision and display screen dimension for the productiveness workloads that this laptop computer is designed for.
In day-to-day use, the panel impressed with that mixture providing stable element. The 250 nits of brightness is okay (albeit dimmer than common) for indoor use, and the colors had been comparatively punchy, because of this being an IPS panel. Watching content material on Disney+, Amazon Prime and YouTube casually after work suited it nicely.
The audio system on the Chromebook Plus CX34 supply a good physique and lots of quantity however are a bit thin-sounding. The actual fact they’re downwards firing means they’re greatest suited to being positioned on a more durable floor reminiscent of a desk. They might sound dulled or barely muffled when on a smooth floor, reminiscent of a mattress.
Efficiency
- Nice processor for day-to-day duties
- Loads of headroom for storage and RAM
- ChromeOS will get higher with extra supported apps
Below the hood, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 options stable specs, even when the processor is now two generations outdated. It’s an Intel Core i3-1215U chip, which contains a complete of six cores, cut up between two P-cores and 4 E-cores, serving to to present this Chromebook some nice all-round efficiency.
Each in day-to-day productiveness duties reminiscent of writing articles on Google Docs, in addition to unwinding with movies after work, and in our artificial benchmarks exams, the Chromebook Plus CX34 felt nippy and admirably handled a load of Chrome tabs being open.
8GB of DDR5 RAM gives some good headroom for some multitasking throughout my time with the Chromebook Plus CX34, whereas its 256GB of UFS storage offers much more in the best way of capability than similarly-priced selections from latest years. Older fashions even went as little as 32GB and 64GB, so it’s particularly good to see even larger choices on supply right here. The addition of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 can be a pleasant contact, retaining this Chromebook well-supported with trendy requirements.
Beforehand, I’d additionally bemoaned concerning the lack of compatibility with ChromeOS, however with apps reminiscent of Steam and Photoshop making their means over, it makes the change to a Chromebook a bit extra interesting. After all, a Home windows laptop computer will mean you can do much more with lots extra apps supported, however it’s good to see ChromeOS making some headway.
Software program
- Magic Eraser is unbelievable
- Offline File Sync proved useful
- AI video calling options are handy
The most important change with your complete Chromebook Plus lineup, such because the Chromebook Plus CX34, is its noteworthy software program touches. The most important certainly one of these is maybe the introduction of Magic Eraser. It’s a characteristic beforehand unique to Pixel telephones, which robotically erases issues from pictures. It really works by figuring out objects within the background, placing a gray define round them, after which clicking on them to take away them from the picture nearly immediately. It’s an unbelievable piece of package.
Offline File Sync is extra of a useful quality-of-life characteristic than a life-altering addition, however it’s nonetheless helpful nonetheless. It robotically downloads information from Google Drive as a background job so you need to use them offline. I’ve had this enabled in any case for my very own Drive account, and it’s a giant assist once I’m writing one thing on Docs after which the Wi-Fi at dwelling goes down, so then I don’t lose the work I used to be in the course of.
Enabling it on the Chromebook Plus CX34 is a little bit of a faff, requiring you to undergo the Superior settings to show it on. Nonetheless, as soon as enabled, it’s one thing you possibly can merely overlook about, and also you’ll have all of the information you need strewn up in entrance of you.
Google has additionally bundled in some handy AI video calling options designed to enhance the general expertise and your individual visibility. They’re designed to supply one-click options to typical issues individuals expertise when video calling, reminiscent of dodgy lighting or background noise. To fight this while you’re on a name, buttons come up on the backside of the display screen: ‘Enhance Lighting’ and ‘Cancel Background Noise’. These do precisely as you’d anticipate, and make an inexpensive try to enhance the standard of your video name. Handily, the options work with Google Meet and Zoom, amongst others.
In the end, there’s additionally assist for web-based Photoshop, which is a somewhat watered-down model of Adobe’s inventive picture enhancing suite. It’s nonetheless a pleasant inclusion although, as you get the options that most individuals, myself included, will use. These embrace marquee instruments and light-weight adjustment, in addition to Adobe’s new Contextual Activity Bar which gives useful choices on what step to do subsequent. The intelligent AI Generative Fill and Generative Develop instruments additionally make their means over to this browser-based model of Photoshop. These have made headlines not too long ago, and in follow are hit-and-miss with the prompts you present. It’s not one thing I can essentially see myself utilizing daily.
Battery Life
- Lasted for 11 hours 43 minutes within the battery check
- Able to lasting between one and two working days
The nice occasions hold rolling for the Chromebook Plus CX34, with some high quality endurance. In dialling the brightness all the way down to half and operating a video loop check, it lasted for eleven and three-quarters hours or so. This suits in nicely in opposition to the competitors and beats Asus’ personal claims of as much as ten hours fairly significantly.
That consequence was with the keyboard backlighting off, although. Turning that up, in addition to the brightness, will cane the battery and make it final for much less time. Nonetheless, you must be capable to get between one and two days of informal use out of the Chromebook Plus CX34, even when a bit little bit of hypermiling is required.
Newest offers
Must you purchase it?
You need nice efficiency for the value
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 impresses with its stable efficiency for productiveness workloads and good spec sheet, which matches Chromebooks which might be a bit dearer.
You desire a sleeker-looking machine
Whereas the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 presents a good bit of energy, its chassis feels cheaper than you could anticipate. In order for you one thing that appears extra fashionable, try our Greatest Chromebook information.
Ultimate Ideas
The introduction of the Chromebook Plus vary at first to me appeared like a little bit of a gimmick. Nonetheless, utilizing the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 proves they genuinely are appetising choices for these wanting a fantastic all-round Chromebook expertise.
The Chromebook Plus CX34 presents port choice, with wise placement, in addition to a superb keyboard with nice white backlighting. Its trackpad can be of a good dimension, whereas the show on supply is nice sufficient for day-to-day workloads with cheap brightness and element. The battery life on supply can be glorious.
For those who’re after a stable all-round standard Chromebook for an inexpensive value, this Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a superb selection for the value. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook presents the identical spec sheet, however simply with an even bigger display screen for lots extra, whereas the likes of the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (2022) carry 2-in-1 performance. For extra choices, try our Greatest Chromebook information
How we check
Each laptop computer we overview goes by a sequence of uniform checks designed to gauge key issues together with construct high quality, efficiency, display screen high quality and battery life.
These embrace formal artificial benchmarks and scripted exams, plus a sequence of real-world checks, reminiscent of how nicely it runs standard apps.
We used as our important laptop computer for at the least per week.
Examined the efficiency by way of each benchmark exams and real-world use.
We examined the battery with a benchmark check and real-world use.
FAQs
Chromebook Plus is a brand new vary of Chromebooks that Google has launched that are designed to fulfill new necessities, together with minimal {hardware} necessities and assist for apps reminiscent of Photoshop.
No, however the Chromebook Plus CX34 comes with a flip-down hinge so the laptop computer can lay flat.
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Convertible?
