Google is unveiling two new Chromebooks along with a suite of new AI-powered features, some of which takes cues from the Pixel family.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
The star of the show is undoubtedly the new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus. This sleek machine is eye-catching with its neptune blue color, and it’s set to become the thinnest and lightest Chromebook Plus to date, and arguably the sexiest.
Despite packing in a large 15.6″ OLED screen, the svelte Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus weighs in at a mere 2.58 pounds and measus less than half an inch thick (11.8mm). It offers 8GB of RAM, an Intel Core 3 100U (Raptor Lake-R) processor and 256GB of storage. With up to 13 hours of battery life, it will easily get you through a work day and then some.
But perhaps what really sets this Chromebook apart is the introduction of the Quick Insert key. This new feature offers instant access to AI-powered writing help, emojis, GIFs, and even your Google Drive files. Beyond the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, you can expect to see the Quick Insert key pop up on future Chromebook Plus models.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is expected to retail for around $699.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11″
A follow up to one of the most popular Chromebooks to date, for those who prefer versatility, the refreshed Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11″ is a 2-in-1 that’s very affordable. Like its predecessor, it easily transforms from laptop to tablet.
But perhaps the real game-changer here is the optimized Goodnotes app. When paired with the Lenovo USI Pen 2, this Chromebook becomes a serious digital notebook. Google is even sweetening the deal with a three-month free trial of Goodnotes.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11″ is expected to retail for around $339.
New AI Features for Chromebook Plus
Google is doubling down on AI, and Chromebook Plus users are going to be the first to get these special new AI features. The new Help Me Read feature allows you to summarize PDFs, articles, or websites with a simple right-click. You can even ask follow-up questions to dive deeper into the content.
Live Translate is another standout new feature, providing real-time captions for various content in over 100 languages. Whether you’re in a Zoom meeting, watching a YouTube livestream, or viewing a video file from a family member, language barriers shouldn’t be an issue anymore.
The Recorder app brings new levels of efficiency to note-taking and audio processing. It creates transcriptions with speaker detection and provides summaries of recorded content, making it especially invaluable for students and anyone who frequently works with audio recordings.
Video call enhancements are also on the menu. New studio-style mic improvements and built-in appearance adjustments ensure you look and sound your best, regardless of the video calling app you’re using.
AI for All Chromebooks
Even if you don’t have a Chromebook Plus, you’re not left out of the AI party. All Chromebooks will now come with chat access to Gemini, Google’s latest AI model, right from the shelf. This means you can quickly plan trips, generate unique images, and explore topics of interest without even opening your browser.
Plus, new Chromebook buyers can snag a free trial of the Google One AI Premium plan. This includes access to Gemini Advanced, a whopping 2TB of storage, and Gemini integration in Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, and more.
Productivity Boosters for Everyone
Google hasn’t forgotten about the basics. The new Welcome Recap feature greets you upon login with a visual overview of your recent activities, ensuring a seamless transition between work sessions, even across different devices.
When you need to concentrate, Focus mode has you covered. Set a dedicated time period, choose a soundscape or YouTube Music playlist, and automatically enable “Do Not Disturb” to create the perfect environment for deep work.
Lastly, Chromebooks now allow you to pin important files directly to the shelf, saving you time in your daily workflow.
With these updates, Google is clearly positioning Chromebooks as serious contenders in the productivity laptop space.
