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Most of us have wondered if our laptops could be more helpful, and anyone who’s tried Artificial Intelligence tools like Chat GPT knows they can be clunky to access. What if you could skip going to third-party websites and still get all of that AI juice right at your fingertips, right where you’re working? Writing help inside your Doc. Photoshopping smarts right on screen? Or an assistant that can generate a spreadsheet, list or roundup of research without you ever needing to hunt the web. That's the premise of Google’s new lineup of Chromebooks that have a whole host of helpful features built-in: Meet the new Chromebook Plus laptops.
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What is a Chromebook & how does it compare to Chromebook Plus?
In a nutshell a Chromebook has been a way to get a cheap laptop that can manage simply the basic tasks many of us do you like email, and online surfing. They have tended to have slower processors, less memory, and less local storage than other laptops, so much of what they do is online-based by design.
What makes a Chromebook a Chromebook Plus?
The new Chromebook Plus takes the low cost idea, and turns it on its head, since it offers way more in terms of specs and speed, and keeps the price extremely low.
Now with double the performance, best-in-price screens and cameras, as well as the standard built-in Google apps plus all new and powerful AI capabilities, Chromebook Plus is a new take on hardware performance with powerful software apps and tools. All at a rather startling starting price of $399US.
Offline File Sync
One of the complaints about the Chromebook experience has been that you don't have access to files if you're not online. Google addresses this to some extent with a feature called offline file sync. When you're setting up your Chromebook, or after the fact, you can choose which files to keep locally on your device so they are always accessible to you. Even without an Internet connection.
Video calling enhancements at system level
With Chromebook Plus you now get easy access to things like muting, and camera on/off, right on the lower navigation bar. Plus there's also options for background blurring as well as noise cancelling for busy environments and even a toggle to use AI to improve your lighting.
Adobe Express with AI
Easy-access AI assistance is one of the biggest innovations in laptop technology in … decades. And in the Chromebook Plus, one of the most notable ways to see it in action is to try out Adobe’s Creative Cloud apps including the on-device Adobe Express. You can design content like flyers, TikToks and resumes and get easy AI assistance thanks to what Adobe calls Firefly.
Adobe Express for Graphic Design (with Adobe Firefly AI)
Overall review: ASUS Google Chromebook Plus
Overall, it’s been quite a while since I've been hands-on with a Chromebook, and I have to say there's been a lot of significant changes now that we have Chromebook Plus. I think Google has been listening to consumer complaints about these devices and is doing its absolute best to address those while still keeping the laptop simple, uncomplicated and affordable.
On the Pro side, you’re getting double everything now- twice the processing power, twice the speed, double the memory, and twice the resolution for a clearer screen over older Chromebooks. The addition of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite on the web is significant and actually goes a long way towards making this device even more useful.
It’s easy to use, boot up fast and easy to configure and personalize. I’m also excited for the arrival of the built-in AI writing assistant.
When it comes to the cons, your biggest issues might be the things that make a Chromebook a Chromebook; the fact you’ll need to prep for going offline, and understanding that some features are limited if you’re off Wi-Fi… but really, how often are we off or far from Wi-Fi nowadays?
To be clear, a Chromebook is not yet a total Windows or Apple replacement. And it can't be the machine that holds thousands of files ready at the click of a trackpad.
But I have to say with what you CAN do with a Chromebook Plus, and the host of improvements made is impressive. If you’re the type of person who keeps minimal files, uses Gmail, and uses a laptop for personal email and surfing the web, and the odd creative project, this is an ideal machine, since it can now also give you access to AI tools to help, and a portal to more creative platforms like Lumafusion Editor and Adobe that can make your Chromebook Plus even more useful than you’d think.
15 окт 2024
