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Chromebook Plus is Google’s branded category for Chromebooks that meet a published hardware baseline and support a growing set of ChromeOS features. Google introduced it on October 2, 2023, as a higher-performance tier developed with hardware partners. “New standard” refers to this Google-defined category—not an industry-wide standard or third-party certification.

The practical difference is a specified minimum for the processor, memory, storage, webcam, and display, alongside Google-announced software experiences. Exact configurations and feature availability still vary by model, software version, account eligibility, and region.

What is Chromebook Plus?

Chromebook Plus is a family of laptops made by multiple manufacturers, not one particular computer. Google’s October 2023 launch named Acer, ASUS, HP, and Lenovo as partners and introduced eight models. The category sets a hardware floor and groups compatible devices with ChromeOS features Google has announced for the Plus experience.

Google positioned the category as a stronger baseline for performance and built-in experiences. Its launch post said it compared performance with top-selling Chromebooks from July through December 2022, but did not publish a universal benchmark result for every task or Chromebook Plus model. That comparison should not be read as a guarantee of a particular speed advantage in a reader’s workload.

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What hardware does the Chromebook Plus baseline require?

Google’s October 2, 2023 launch announcement specified the following minimums. These are the requirements documented in that launch announcement; check the current product listing or manufacturer documentation for the exact configuration of a laptop you are considering.

Component Google’s announced baseline
Processor Intel Core i3 12th Gen or newer, or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or newer
Memory At least 8 GB RAM
Storage At least 128 GB
Webcam 1080p or better, with temporal noise reduction
Display Full HD IPS or better

The baseline is a useful starting point, not a complete buying specification. It does not settle details such as battery life, weight, ports, keyboard, touchscreen, or whether a particular display is suitable for your work. Those depend on the individual laptop.

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What features does Chromebook Plus add?

Video-call processing announced at launch

Google said Chromebook Plus would provide operating-system-level video-call enhancements, including adjustments to image clarity and lighting, background-noise cancellation, and background blur. The launch announcement said these enhancements would work with Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other conferencing apps. This describes the capability Google announced, not an independent test of every app or device.

Later AI and ChromeOS announcements

On May 28, 2024, Google announced Chromebook Plus features including Gemini, Help me write, and Magic Editor, along with other Chromebook updates. Google’s current Chromebook Plus page emphasizes AI features and notes that some features are available only on specific devices. Treat these as examples Google has announced, not a promise that every feature is available on every Plus laptop.

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  • Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
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Before relying on a particular feature, check the exact device listing and Google’s current feature information. Availability can depend on the model, ChromeOS version, account eligibility, and country.

How is a Chromebook Plus different from a Chromebook?

Chromebook Plus identifies devices that fit Google’s announced category baseline. A Chromebook that is not labeled Plus may have different hardware or features, but the category alone does not establish that every non-Plus Chromebook lacks any specific ChromeOS feature.

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What to compare What the label tells you What to verify for an individual laptop
Processor, memory, and storage The 2023 launch baseline is at least an Intel Core i3 12th Gen or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor, 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage. Exact processor model and configuration; more memory or storage may be useful for heavier multitasking or locally stored files.
Display and webcam The 2023 baseline is Full HD IPS or better and a 1080p-or-better webcam with temporal noise reduction. Exact screen and camera specifications, plus any details that matter for your viewing or calling needs.
Form factor and connections The category label does not specify a model’s size, weight, ports, or whether it is a convertible. Manufacturer documentation for dimensions, ports, keyboard, battery life, and form factor.
Software features Google has announced Plus features, including video-call enhancements and later AI-related features. Whether the feature you want is supported on that model and available with your software version, account, and region.
Price and availability The label does not establish today’s price or stock. The current price, seller, and configuration at the time you shop.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to choose a Chromebook Plus laptop

  1. Match the processor and memory to your workload. Start with the exact processor and RAM listed for the model. For multitasking or demanding browser-based work, compare configurations rather than assuming all Plus laptops perform alike.
  2. Choose enough storage for your files. The category’s announced floor is 128 GB. Consider how much work you keep on the device, especially if you need locally stored files or offline access.
  3. Check the screen and camera details. Confirm the actual display and webcam specification, then consider whether the size and form factor suit your routine.
  4. Inspect the practical details. Use the manufacturer’s listing to compare weight, ports, keyboard, and battery information. A USB-C hub or external monitor is relevant only if the exact laptop’s ports and your setup make one useful; compatibility is model-specific.
  5. Verify the features and price you care about. Check whether the particular software feature is supported on the device and available in your region, then compare current prices for the same configuration.

What did Google’s launch pricing and rollout mean?

Google said Chromebook Plus laptops would start at $399 in its October 2, 2023 launch announcement. In a May 28, 2024 feature announcement, Google described Plus laptops as starting at $350 USD. Both are dated launch-period prices, not current quotes; check sellers for present-day pricing and stock.

The 2023 post said U.S. sales through major retailers including Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and Target would begin October 8, 2023, with sales in Canada and Europe beginning October 9. Those dates describe the original rollout and do not establish current regional availability or retailer listings.

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  • Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.