Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Display, webcam, audio
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
The first thing I noticed about the Plus CX34’s 1080p display is the brightness level. Normally, I like to bump the brightness up on laptops because I’m a goblin in a human suit and I like to operate in darker environments. However, the display on this particular machine is very bright, even when it’s at 50 percent. It definitely seems brighter than Asus’ reported 250 nits. It’s not ideal for outdoor use, but that’s not really a deal-breaker for me. As for colors, they’re surprisingly rich! When I watched the final episode of Ahsoka, the crimson cloaks the nightsisters were wearing were both deep and luscious.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 comes with a 1080p webcam, which excites me to no end. All of the new Chromebook Plus laptops have 1080p webcams. I’m so over 720p webcams, as they’re just not sharp enough for remote or hybrid workers. As for image and video quality, it’s relatively color accurate and I didn’t appear washed out or overexposed. I work from home on a regular basis, so having a webcam that can capture clear video is important, especially when I have to hop on a work call.
The audio, however, left me wanting more. The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has downward firing speakers, which means the sound is going into either the table or your lap (depending on where you’re using the machine). It’s fine if you’re watching YouTube or a show on Netflix, but for listening to music, in which there’s a lot of highs and mids, it’s just okay. I could hear most things when the volume was turned up to 50 percent.
That said, I’m not too picky when it comes to laptop audio. If I can hear the show I’m watching without having to turn the volume up all the way, I’m good. The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is sufficient in this regard.
Should you buy the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34?
Yes, it’s a simple but speedy laptop
Credit:
Reviewed / Matthew S. Smith
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an excellent ChromeOS laptop and an easy go-to pick for anyone who doesn’t want or need a touchscreen. It delivers a pleasant keyboard and touchpad, a sharp 1080p display, lots of connectivity, solid performance, and strong battery life for just $400.
It does have flaws. The laptop’s budget-conscious design is obvious, and I’d caution against buying the laptop if you’re especially hard on your PCs. The lack of a touchscreen is also a problem, as well, because ChromeOS relies on Android app support to fill out its app roster. Many Android apps rely on touch to function.
However, most similarly priced Chromebooks share at least one, if not both, of these problems, while also trailing the CX34 in other areas. The CX34 is a close match for Chromebooks sold for several hundred dollars more—and that makes it a great value.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2023)
The Chromebook Plus CX34 is a speedy ChromeOS laptop that competes with more expensive alternatives, and an excellent budget-conscious buy.
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Meet the tester
Matthew S. Smith
Contributor
@Matt_on_tech
Matthew S. Smith is a veteran tech journalist and general-purpose PC hardware nerd. Formerly the Lead Editor of Reviews at Digital Trends, he has over a decade of experience covering PC hardware. Matt often flies the virtual skies in Microsoft Flight Simulator and is on a quest to grow the perfect heirloom tomato.
See all of Matthew S. Smith’s reviews
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Performance
Here’s how the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 fared in the five browser-based benchmarks.
- CrXPRT 2: 181
- Speedometer: 114
- Basemark Web 3.0: 1111.74
- Kraken: 466.5ms
- Jetstream 2: 250.141
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 smoked the comparable Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip, which has an AMD Ryzen 3 7320C CPU. In the Speedometer benchmark, which measures the responsiveness of web applications, the Plus CX34 earned a score of 114, beating out the CM34 Flip’s score of 73.3. The Plus CX34 also earned a higher performance score of 181 in CrXPRT 2, which measures how well the Chromebook handles everyday tasks like watching movies or doing homework. Overall, it’s speedier and more responsive than the CM34 Flip.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has a full-size, island-style keyboard, with chiclet keys and a standard Chrome OS layout. The keyboard is comfortable and responsive, with good travel and feedback. The keys are also well-spaced and large, making typing easy and accurate. The keyboard also has a backlight, which can be adjusted in three levels of brightness. The backlight is useful for typing in dim environments, and also adds some flair to the laptop.
The touchpad is located below the keyboard, and is slightly off-center to the left. The touchpad is smooth and spacious, measuring 4.1 x 2.9 inches. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures, such as tapping, scrolling, zooming, and swiping. The touchpad is also accurate and responsive, and can register your inputs without any lag or errors.
Software
Special ChromeOS features
As expected, the CX34 uses ChromeOS, but there are a few special software features here that you only get on Chromebook Plus models. A button in the system shelf gives you access to webcam features like background blur and lighting improvements regardless of the app. You’ll also get to see Google Drive files offline through File Sync.
Other than that, you get a magic eraser feature in the Google Photos app and access to partner apps, including a free three-month subscription for Photoshop on the Web, three months of GeForce NOW’s priority tier, and up to 25% off LumaFusion’s one-time cost of $30, all through the ChromeOS Explore app. You also get unique dynamic wallpapers and screensavers.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Specs and performance
The minimum requirement for the Chromebook Plus brand is an Intel Core i3 chip, which the CX34 has – i3-1215U, to be specific, with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. This is a win for a sub-$400 as it gives you 6 cores of great performance.
In Geekbench 6, the Chromebook CX34 offered up impressive results with 1,791 for single-core workloads and 5,172 for multi-core. We noted that very little of that test strained the machine into making much noise. Indeed, in our time using it, no amount of downloads, new windows, or applications hamper the performance or cause any significant heat out of the chassis. It is a little bit of a workhorse.
That is until we get to battery life which wasn’t especially great; under our looped video test, the CX34 lasted 7hrs and 12min. That’s less than the average work day. Admittedly, our tests our intentionally intensive, and for real-world use, the CX34 had more than enough staying power for our day-to-day workload. Only after multiple meetings did we notice the battery running out especially quickly.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Design, build quality
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
When I removed the Asus Chromebook Plus CX43 from its snow-white box, I found myself repeatedly running my hands over the glossy lid, oohing and aahing at the silky smoothness of it. It definitely feels more expensive than it really is. The 180 degree hinge that connects the display to the keyboard feels tight and secure, even when adjusting it a click or two. No floppy displays here! The keyboard deck is solid as well. I pressed down hard on the deck with both hands and noticed zero creaking, which is always a sign of a well-made machine.
Let’s talk about the pearl white color scheme for a second, which I absolutely adore. It’s definitely chic and minimalist, but it’s not so over-the-top that it’ll draw much attention. In fact, I’d say it’s the perfect look for an office environment, as it’s really sophisticated. The dark grey keys also nicely balance the white chassis.
The vent placement adds an interesting touch to the overall design, too. Unless you turn the laptop upside-down, you’ll probably miss it, but there are three vents of varying lengths on the bottom of the machine. It’s cool and stylish, but likely practical too.
Performance and Battery Life
The Intel Core i3-1215U processor in the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 gives it amazing speed and responsiveness, making it perfect for everyday tasks. It has six cores and eight threads, and its maximum turbo frequency is 4.40 GHz. It does better than the Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip with an AMD Ryzen 3 7320C CPU in browser-based tests such as Speedometer (114), Basemark Web 3.0 (1111.74), Kraken (466.5ms), and Jetstream 2 (250.141).
The Plus CX34 is faster and more responsive, as shown by its higher scores in important benchmarks. In web-based tests, the battery life lasts just over 12 hours, which is a good amount of time that can be used on the go or in the classroom, but not as long as some competitors, like the Acer Chromebook CM34 Flip.
What we don’t like
It feels flimsy
Credit:
Reviewed / Matthew S. Smith
Asus packs a lot into the inexpensive Chromebook Plus CX34, but it’s not perfect. Its budget price tag becomes obvious after a few hours with the device.
The laptop’s design isn’t the issue. It has an unusual, dappled exterior that looks gray at a distance but becomes more intriguing on close inspection. The darker gray keycaps contrast nicely with the interior and the white-gray display bezel completes the look.
Pick up the laptop, though, and it’s clear where Asus had to cut corners. The laptop feels hollow and flimsy. Opening the display results in noticeable flex across its surface, and the clamshell’s lower half bends if held from one corner. The laptop’s body creaks slightly as the display is opened or closed.
Don’t get me wrong: it’s fine for $400. Still, shoppers should be clear about what they’ll receive. The CX34 looks attractive, but its mediocre build quality ensures you’ll never forget you bought the cheap one.
It’s just a laptop
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 also keeps its price in check by sticking with a basic clamshell laptop design. It doesn’t have a fancy 360-hinge or a touchscreen, so you’re stuck using the keyboard and touchpad.
That’s not necessarily a problem. We often have complaints about the size and weight of Chromebooks that try to emulate a tablet, and the CX34 avoids these issues. The lack of a touchscreen also lets Asus stick with a semi-gloss display that shows little glare and makes the most of the display’s moderate brightness.
However, the lack of a touchscreen is important if you plan to lean on ChromeOS’ support for Android apps. This provides access to the massive library of apps available on the Google Play Store. However, many of these apps require touch input to work properly (or at all). The touchscreen’s absence means you’ll often run into roadblocks when trying to use Android apps.
ChromeOS becomes a headwind
Performance is a perk for the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 but also reveals the limitations of ChromeOS.
ChromeOS is an operating system that relies on the cloud. It embraces the use of web-based and cloud apps and offers limited local storage (just 128GB). The default ChromeOS taskbar includes a lineup of Google services like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Photos, to name a few. Apps designed to run natively on ChromeOS are rare.
That leaves the CX34’s quick processor without much to do. Yes, it’s snappy—but does it matter if you’re working in Google Sheets or a web-based photo editor like Pixlr? It could, in theory. But in practice, the lack of demanding ChromeOS apps means the Intel Core i3 rarely gets a chance to shine.
The CX34 is also threatened by inexpensive Windows alternatives like the Asus Vivobook 14 and HP 14 Laptop. These comparably priced Windows laptops offer similar or better specifications. Chromebooks do tend to offer better battery life, but Windows’ deep roster of apps makes it a more practical choice when portability isn’t a top concern.
Дизайн и клавиатура
- Вращающийся на 360 градусов экран
- Несколько красочных обрезков
- Полый трекпад
Несмотря на то, что Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip позиционируется как игровое устройство, он более сдержан, чем угловатые устройства с RGB-подсветкой, которые доминируют на нашем рынке. лучший игровой ноутбук список. За исключением клавиш WASD с оранжевыми акцентами и нескольких других оранжевых бликов по бокам корпуса, это довольно приглушенный дизайн.
Кроме экрана, конечно. Его шарнир можно поворачивать на 360 градусов, что позволяет расположить экран в положении палатки или вертикально, используя клавиатуру в качестве подставки. Это эффективный способ превратить ноутбук в монитор, не мешая выступающей клавиатуре, что позволяет поднести его прямо к краю стола. Помогает то, что петли вращаются плавно, никогда не застревают и не смещаются от заданного угла, когда я их использую.
Изображение предоставлено (проверенные обзоры)
При повороте экрана Chromebook автоматически отключает ввод с клавиатуры, избегая случайных нажатий кнопок. В сочетании с сенсорным экраном он может функционировать практически как ноутбук-планшет 2-в-1, если не обращать внимания на его изрядный вес (1,8 кг, что заметно тяжелее, чем 1,3 кг великого планшета). Хромбук Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5). Я бы не советовал использовать его исключительно для этой цели, но возможность скрыть клавиатуру может пригодиться.
Изображение предоставлено (проверенные обзоры)
Обязательна RGB-подсветка, но она достаточно приглушенная и ограниченная в диапазоне цветов и режимов освещения. Клавиши имеют достаточно короткий ход и кажутся менее мягкими, чем у многих других ноутбуков. Это удобная и отзывчивая клавиатура, которая подходит как для длительных рабочих сессий, так и для длительных игр. Сочетания клавиш вверху также довольно широкие и в полной мере используют свободное и, к счастью, незагроможденное пространство.
Еще больше раздражают усеченные клавиши со стрелками. Стрелки влево и вправо имеют половинный размер, несмотря на то, что есть место для полноразмерных клавиш, к которым может потребоваться некоторое привыкание. Пользователи Windows, которые планируют регулярно использовать Chromebook для письма, будут удивлены отсутствием клавиши DEL. Вам придется привыкнуть нажимать ALT + Backspace, когда вы хотите удалить символ, следующий за курсором. Опять же, это небольшая неприятность, но ожидайте, что потребуется некоторое время, чтобы приспособиться.
Изображение предоставлено (проверенные обзоры)
Тачпад менее впечатляющий. Несмотря на то, что он большой, отзывчивый и гладкий, он также кажется полым и издает слышимый щелчок при каждом нажатии. Это не имеет большого значения, но выделяется как странный недостаток среди остальных премиальных функций устройства.
Большой набор портов позволяет легко подключать несколько периферийных устройств. По его сторонам вы найдете два USB-C порты (удобно, когда вам нужно зарядить Chromebook и оставить подключенным другое устройство) Порт USB-A, HDMI, аудиоразъем 3,5 мм и кардридер microSD, что является редкостью среди современных устройств. ноутбуки.
Благодаря превосходной веб-камере этот Chromebook можно использовать для рабочих звонков. Несмотря на то, что он записывает только с разрешением 720p, четкость превосходна, цвета выделяются, и он блестяще справляется с низким освещением. По сравнению с зернистой камерой на моем Ноутбук Surface Go, конкуренции нет.
Производительность
Хорошо за свою цену
Мой Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 оснащен процессором Intel Core i3-1215U 12-го поколения в сочетании с 8 ГБ оперативной памяти и 128 ГБ флэш-памяти. Всего процессор имеет шесть ядер, два ядра производительности и шесть ядер эффективности, и работает на максимальной частоте 4,40 ГГц. Это существенное отличие от других бюджетных Chromebook, которые обычно оснащены процессорами Intel Celeron серии N, которые не получают преимуществ от этих ядер производительности и эффективности. Google утверждает, что производительность Core i3 может быть почти вдвое выше, чем у аналогичного бюджетного Chromebook.
Это действительно может быть правдой, поскольку тесты приближают это к гораздо большему количеству Chromebook и Ноутбуки с Windows с процессорами Core i5 и Core i7, но вам все равно придется держать ожидания под контролем. Хотя это быстрый Chromebook, он не предназначен для высококачественного редактирования видео или серьезных игр в Steam, поскольку он по-прежнему оснащен графикой Intel UHD. Это обычный Chromebook для повседневного просмотра веб-страниц, легких игр со старыми играми или быстрого редактирования видео в Luma Fusion.
Для того, как большинство людей будут использовать свой Chromebook, производительности Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 будет более чем достаточно. Он без проблем обрабатывал более 10 вкладок в Chrome (с несколькими приложениями Android в фоновом режиме). Даже запуск приложений Linux, таких как GIMP, работал нормально. Играю в игру для Android, например ГТА: III также добился гладких результатов, хотя это было неудобно из-за отсутствия сенсорного экрана. Шахтерское ремесло тоже поехал без проблем. Но как только я активизировался и опробовал бета-версию Steam, дела пошли не так уж хорошо. Когда я попробовал Counter-Strike: Глобальное наступление, и мне пришлось снизить настройки до низких и средних, чтобы получить хороший игровой процесс.
|
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (процессор Intel Core i3-1215U) |
Acer Chromebook Enterprise Vero 514 (Intel Core i7-1255U) |
Framework для ноутбука Chromebook Edition (Intel Core i5-1240P) |
Chromebook HP Elite Dragonfly (Intel Core i5-1245U) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Geekbench 5 (одиночный/мульти) |
Н/Д |
1,566/5,922 |
1,457/7,352 |
Тест не запустился |
|
Geekbench 6 (одиночный/несколько) |
1.821/5,022 |
1,776/5,177 |
Не запускал тест |
Не запускал тест |
|
Спидометр 2.0 |
152 |
164 |
156 |
Не запускал тест |
|
Jetstream 2 (чем выше, тем лучше) |
230.18 |
238.192 |
326.426 |
201 |
|
Результаты теста Kraken Javascript (чем ниже, тем лучше) |
480,8 мс |
452,7 мс |
480,7 мс |
524 мс |
|
Аквариум WebGL (20 000 рыб) |
60 кадров в секунду |
60 кадров в секунду |
60 кадров в секунду |
60 кадров в секунду |
|
Октановое число (чем выше, тем лучше) |
80,926 |
84,108 |
83,052 |
79,782 |
Графика Intel UHD ограничивает истинные возможности этого Chromebook, а также 8 ГБ ОЗУ и хранилище UFS. Более быстрый традиционный SSD мог бы принести пользу этому устройству для задач высокого класса. Тем не менее, он отлично подходит для нетребовательных задач и повседневных задач, таких как просмотр веб-страниц, использование приложений Android и работа с Linux.
Однако вся эта мощность означает, что время автономной работы немного ухудшается. Хотя Asus заявляет о 10 часах, мне удалось набрать только половину этого времени. Это зависит от того, как вы будете использовать свой Chromebook, но у меня он был с экраном с приличной яркостью 80%.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Design, build quality
IDG / Ashley Biancozzo
When I removed the Asus Chromebook Plus CX43 from its snow-white box, I found myself repeatedly running my hand over the glossy lid, sighing at its silky smoothness. That’s for sure feels It is more expensive than it really is. The 180-degree hinge that connects the display to the keyboard feels tight and secure, even when adjusting it with a click or two. There is no floppy display! The keyboard deck is also solid. I pressed hard on the deck with both hands and saw zero cracking, which is always a sign of a well-built machine.
Let’s talk about the pearl white color scheme for a second, which I absolutely love. It’s definitely chic and minimalistic, but it’s not so much that it draws too much attention. In fact, I’d say it’s the perfect look for an office environment, because it’s really sophisticated. The dark gray keys also balance the white chassis nicely.
The vent placement also adds an interesting touch to the overall design. Unless you turn the laptop upside down, you might miss it, but the bottom of the machine has three vents of varying lengths. It’s cool and stylish, but also potentially practical.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Design, construct high quality
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
After I eliminated the Asus Chromebook Plus CX43 from its snow-white field, I discovered myself repeatedly operating my arms over the shiny lid, oohing and aahing on the silky smoothness of it. It positively feels dearer than it truly is. The 180 diploma hinge that connects the show to the keyboard feels tight and safe, even when adjusting it a click on or two. No floppy shows right here! The keyboard deck is strong as properly. I pressed down arduous on the deck with each arms and observed zero creaking, which is all the time an indication of a well-made machine.
Let’s discuss concerning the pearl white colour scheme for a second, which I completely adore. It’s positively stylish and minimalist, but it surely’s not so over-the-top that it’ll draw a lot consideration. In truth, I’d say it’s the proper search for an workplace atmosphere, because it’s actually refined. The darkish gray keys additionally properly steadiness the white chassis.
The vent placement provides an fascinating contact to the general design, too. Until you flip the laptop computer upside-down, you’ll in all probability miss it, however there are three vents of various lengths on the underside of the machine. It’s cool and classy, however doubtless sensible too.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Description
Use Chromebooks. All of the Plus systems, including the CX34, meet basic hardware requirements for better features and performance than most ChromeOS laptops have offered. These include bigger, brighter 1080p displays, more RAM, and a new version of the ChromeOS software. We were impressed by the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, though, because it had all of these features and was very cheap.
During a time when many companies have raised prices for little or no reason, the new Chromebooks look like a much better deal. Chrome OS lets users easily navigate apps and enjoy cloud computing. The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a cutting-edge, user-friendly device for students, professionals, and creatives.
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 Review: Display
There is a 14-inch fullHD (1920 x 1080) display included on this Chromebook. Now, do keep in mind that both touch-responsive and non-touch-responsive displays are on offer (I couldn’t find the touch-responsive model in the US). The model that I reviewed has a touch-responsive display, while the one linked for purchase above the review has a non-touch-responsive display. Other than that, the two displays are identical, as far as I can tell. We’ll talk about the touch aspect in the next paragraph. Now, let’s get back to the specs. This display has a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a screen-to-body ratio of around 80% (counting in the bezels around the display, of course). The display gets up to 250 nits of brightness at its max, which is not a whole lot. We’ll talk more about that later on, and the same goes for the ‘Anti-glare’ display tag that this laptop has. Let’s delve into the touchscreen aspect first.
The display is not exactly color-accurate, but the touch response is good
There’s not much to say about touch response other than that it’s sufficiently good. It’s not great, but it’s not bad either. It does the trick, though I have to say I didn’t use it much. I only used it for a day, for testing purposes, and then completely forgot about it. Touchscreen displays on laptops don’t make much sense to me if those displays don’t fold over entirely so that you can use the device as a tablet. And those use cases are also only for some people. This display does not fold over entirely. Also, using laptop displays as touchscreens only makes them smudgy, and… you get the point. Either way, for people who want that aspect, it’s here… if you get the right model.
This panel is sharp enough, though the colors are a bit muted
The display is sharp enough. A fullHD resolution on a 14-inch display is more than enough, regardless of what some people may say. The problems with this display are, however, its colors, and also brightness. The colors are quite muted, to the point that a white background looks like a light gray background. Orange looks like a dark orange, and so on. Why is that? Well, I’m guessing the ‘Anti-glare’ aspect has something to do with it. It’s great for reflections, but it clearly affects the colors of the display. Considering that there are no additional options for that in the ‘Display’ section of the settings, you’re stuck with what you’re getting. Keep that in mind if you plan on color-tuning something on this Chromebook or anything of the sort, it’s definitely not the best option for that. The same goes for multimedia consumption.
You can rotate this panel up to 180 degrees
The top portion of the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 can be opened up to 180 degrees. In other words, you can open this laptop so that the display lays flat with the keyboard, in case you need it to open that much. In regards to the brightness, it’s not exactly high. I’m coming from laptops that offer around 500 nits of max brightness, so that’s definitely noticeable during usage. You do have to keep in mind the price of this Chromebook yet again, however, you can’t have it all.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Should you buy it?
Definitely!
What it boils down to is this: The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a powerful, reasonably priced everyday laptop. The pearl white minimalist chassis is beautiful and sophisticated, and the 1080p display is lovely to binge watch your favorite shows on. The keyboard is effortlessly easy to get used to and the 1080p webcam will make you look good on work calls. Plus, battery life is just over 12 hours and performance is both zippy and reliable. While the audio could definitely be better, a criticism I have of most laptops, it wouldn’t dissuade me personally from buying this laptop.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an exciting debut for the new Chromebook Plus concept — and it shows that even with all these extra bells and whistles, a very nice Chromebook still doesn’t need to break the bank.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Display
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has a beautiful screen that makes using a Chromebook more enjoyable. With a Full HD resolution, the 14-inch screen produces bright and clear images that users find captivating. It’s great for work or play. The NanoEdge bezels make the experience more immersive by reducing distractions and making the most of the screen space.
The touchscreen makes interactions more flexible, whether you’re going through apps or letting your imagination run wild. The Chromebook Plus CX34’s screen is more than just pretty pictures; it’s also a way to easily switch between work and play, providing a great viewing experience that meets the needs of modern computing. The screen shows that Asus is dedicated to quality and new ideas in the Chromebook world, whether it’s for work or play.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Should you buy it?
Definitely!
What it boils down to is this: The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a powerful, reasonably priced everyday laptop. The pearl white minimalist chassis is beautiful and sophisticated, and the 1080p display is lovely to binge watch your favorite shows on. The keyboard is effortlessly easy to get used to and the 1080p webcam will make you look good on work calls. Plus, battery life is just over 12 hours and performance is both zippy and reliable. While the audio could definitely be better, a criticism I have of most laptops, it wouldn’t dissuade me personally from buying this laptop.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an exciting debut for the new Chromebook Plus concept — and it shows that even with all these extra bells and whistles, a very nice Chromebook still doesn’t need to break the bank.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Should you buy it?
Of course!
What it boils down to is this: the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a powerful, reasonably priced everyday laptop. The pearl white minimalist chassis is elegant and sophisticated, and the 1080p display is beautiful for watching your favorite shows. The keyboard is easy to get used to and the 1080p webcam will make you look good on work calls. Plus, battery life is just over 12 hours and performance is zippy and reliable. While the audio could definitely be better, a criticism I have of most laptops, it wouldn’t keep me from buying this laptop personally.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an interesting take on the new Chromebook Plus concept—and shows that even with all those extra bells and whistles, a really great Chromebook still doesn’t have to break the bank.
This review was originally published. PCWorld.com.
Navigating ChromeOS Evolution: Unveiling Google’s Transition to the Plus Niche for Budget-Conscious Consumers
In my earlier Chromebook reviews, I’d dedicate a section to ChromeOS, but lately, it felt uninspiring.
Android apps vary, some improving, others messy or removed. Browsing the Play Store resembles a graveyard with many apps “Not Available For This Device.” While ChromeOS gains support for Windows apps, accessibility remains an issue.
That’s why Google’s shift to the Plus niche is intriguing. The Plus label reflects Google’s mindset, shifting away from luxury Chromebooks to cater to budget-conscious consumers. It’s not about mimicking Windows; it’s about embracing ChromeOS’s uniqueness. Google sells Chromebook Plus models, like Asus’ stellar one, leveraging its strengths: AI and simplicity.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Webcam and Audio
A 1080p webcam comes with the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, which makes me very happy. No matter which Chromebook Plus you get, it will have a 1080p webcam. There’s no way I can work from home or with a hybrid team using a 720p webcam. The picture and video quality are pretty good; the colours are pretty true, and I didn’t look washed out or overexposed. When you need to make a work call, it’s important to have a webcam that can record clear video.
The audio, on the other hand, made me want more. When you use the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, the speakers fire downward, so the sound goes into either the table or your lap, depending on where you put it. When watching a show on Netflix or YouTube, it’s fine, but when listening to music with a lot of highs and mids, it’s just okay. I could hear most things when the volume was turned up to half.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Display, keyboard and trackpad
There is a 14in FHD anti-glare display on the CX34, with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Some will see this as a dull screen and, admittedly, we haven’t been massively impressed with its color replication. In our tests, the CX34 showcased 60% for sRGB gamut color volume, which is lower than pretty much most modern laptops – anything above 90% is the standard.
However, it is worth judging this as a low-budget Chromebook, one which its users aren’t likely to use for intensive photo editing of color work. The dull screen was nice to work on – the anti-glare coating stopped rogue lights and prominent sunshine from disrupting our tasks. A touchscreen element would have been nice, but again, not having that capability is probably why the price is so low.
Look down from the screen and you may see where this laptop makes up for it; the beautiful backlit chiclet keyboard has 1.4mm travel and a nice clack to accompany your typing. It feels spongy, in the nicest way possible, and very responsive.
(Image credit: Future)
The trackpad, however, feels very stiff and its operation could be more convenient when highlighting text or copying and pasting. The reach is fine, and there are comfortable spaces on either side for resting palms, but that click action is tougher than it needs to be.
Display
Still has FHD resolution, but plenty bearable for this price
The thing with Chromebooks in this price range is that you’ll run into devices that have obscure display resolutions. Typically, you’ll see 1280×720 resolution, better known as HD resolution. Chromebook Plus changes that by promising you devices that have two times as much resolution as before. The CX34 packs in a 16:9 aspect ratio, FHD 1920×1080 resolution non-touch panel that’s still a delight to work and play on, despite the lack of touch for playing Android games.
Of course, premium Windows laptops have stopped using these FHD panels for a while now and shifted to 16:10 1920×1200 or higher panels, but you’ll only see that on really more expensive devices. It’s why I can’t knock this Asus Chromebook for its FHD panel. For $400, the FHD resolution is great, and if you want something with a better screen, there are other options that cost closer to $800 that pack in more resolution and support for touch and pen.
Despite the smaller resolution, I could still stack my Chrome browsing windows side by side with display scaling. The bezels along the side and top are all right, giving the screen an 80% screen-to-body ratio, which is more than enough for basic multitasking.
Asus claims this panel can hit 250 nits of brightness, covering 45% of the NTSC spectrum. I can’t support that since my colorimeter is incompatible with the device, but visually, I think this display is better than Asus claims. I turned up the brightness to 100%, and when looking at the default wallpaper, the orange rocks and purple hues in the sky looked pretty vibrant. Even when web browsing, the text was super crisp and clear at maximum brightness. And the new Material You effects that come with ChromeOS 117 are gorgeous. You’ll really notice the vibrancy of sliders in the quick settings area as it reflects your wallpaper color.
Do note the webcam atop the display is a 1080p webcam, which helped me look crisp and clear on my calls. The camera is backed by some AI-powered features in ChromeOS unique to Chromebook Plus, like blurring the background or improving the lighting, so I looked good even when I wasn’t in the best conditions. It’s pretty impressive that Google is able to do this on such a budget device without an NPU. If you want that on a Windows laptop, you’ll have to spend $1,000 for something like a Surface Pro 9.
I can’t forget to mention it, but Asus highlights how the display is a 180-degree lay flat screen. I’m not sure who uses a laptop like that, but it is a thing if this is important to you. Perhaps for showcasing presentations?