Chromebook

More than a decade since the first low-powered but fuss-free, easy-to-use, inexpensive laptops running Chrome OS were launched, Google has now announced the Chromebook Plus program – a new performance-focused category with built-in AI.

Back in early 2021, a Californian startup launched a 13.5-inch laptop designed for easy upgrade and repair by the user. The Framework Laptop has since been updated, and now the company has expanded the idea into Chromebook territory.

Consumer electronics giant Acer has released a new Chromebook that could have you turning a little green – not with envy, but in an eco-friendly sense. The Vero 514 makes use of recycled and recyclable materials, while also embracing repairability.

Though Chromebooks can carry low price tags, they can also lack the kind of performance grunt needed by mobile professionals. Asus has launched the CX9 to give "the cloud-first workforce the ability to maximize productivity from anywhere."

Consumer electronics giant Acer was one of the first to release a laptop based on Google's Chrome operating system, which was aimed at people who work, learn and play online. Now the company is first out of the Chromebook gate with a 17-inch model.

For folks who work and play online, Chromebooks generally offer pretty good bang for buck. While most come in laptop form, the Chromebook Detachable CM3 from Asus offers a laptop, digital sketchpad and a tablet experience in one device.

Google has partnered with Parallels to bring Windows to enterprise Chromebooks, meaning business users can now run full-featured Windows apps – including Microsoft Office – and Chrome apps simultaneously.

Since it made its debut at the end of 2017, the Google Pixelbook has generally been considered the high-end Chromebook to beat – but that might have just changed with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook at CES 2020.

Asus has announced three new Chromebooks that has been ruggedized for students and its first Chrome OS tablet. The Education Series is made up of two 11.6 inch Chromebooks – one a clamshell laptop and the other a convertible – and a 14 inch version, together with a toughened up 9.7 inch tablet.

The product launches are coming thick and fast at the IFA 2018 tech showcase in Berlin this week, and Dell has taken the opportunity to take the wrappers off its most high-end Chromebook yet: the 2-in-1 Inspiron 14. Is this a competitor worthy enough to take on the mighty Google Pixelbook?

​Samsung has announced the second version of its premium Chromebook Plus convertible laptop/tablet. The V2 sees the ARM processor of old swapped out for an Intel CPU, and it gains a second camera.​

Acer and Google have unveiled the first tablet device running Chrome OS, the Chromebook Tab 10. It's aimed primarily at the education market but it marks the end of the Android tablet era for Google, as it focuses its attention on Chrome OS across both laptops and tablet devices.