Key insights
- Google is expanding its AI-powered Chromebook lineup with the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus and Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11.
- Samsung's Chromebook Plus has unique features including the Quick Insert button and offers 13 hours of battery life.
- Lenovo's Chromebook Duet 11 includes a spill-proof case, USI Pen 2 support, and a free trial of the Goodnotes app.
Google is already expanding its lineup of AI-powered Chromebooks, announcing two new devices on Tuesday. The brand unveiled its first AI PC models in May, with the Chromebook Plus hardware showcasing Gemini AI features. These features include the Google One AI Premium subscription, which normally costs $20 per month. However, there is an offer for the Chromebook Plus models where the plan can be used free of charge for 12 months.
After announcing that ChromeOS is getting some big updates in the next few weeks, Google appears to be interested in fresh hardware to go along with its new software. Enter the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus and the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11. The new devices will be available from October.
Samsung's first Chromebook Plus
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus features a 15.6-inch OLED display with 400 nits of brightness. It is powered by an Intel Core 3 100U processor and has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It features a Neptune Blue colorway and an ultra-thin clamshell design, making it the thinnest and lightest Chromebook Plus yet while supporting 13 hours of battery life.
The device is Samsung's first Chromebook Plus and has many highlight features, including a quick-insert key on the keyboard. This serves as a shortcut to access commonly used computing tasks, including the latest AI features, emojis, GIFs and recently opened URLs, a built-in Google Drive search, and common computing tools like calculators, dates, and unit conversion. The feature is not application specific and can be applied to your favorite program or tool outside of the Google ecosystem, such as: E.g. Microsoft Word. Older Chromebook models can also access Quick Insert using the Launcher Key + F keyboard shortcut.
In addition to Quick Insert, Google introduced several new Gemini features that will also be rolled out to previously announced Chromebook Plus models. Help me read can process and summarize important details from PDFs, articles or websites and identify important information such as date, time and location. Live translation can recognize and translate subtitles in over 100 languages ​​on the screen in various apps, including Zoom, YouTube Livestream or Google Meet. The Recorder app can identify and tag multiple speakers in an audio recording, creating a detailed transcript of the media. New video calling features include A studio-style microphone feature that adjusts noise and room reverb, while built-in appearance effects optimize lighting and brightness. Likewise, these features work in several video calling apps.
Lenovo's pen-optimized Chromebook
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 is the latest version of one of Google's most popular Chromebook series. The device features a 10.95-inch WXGA display with 400 nits brightness. It is powered by a MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor and has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage along with 10-hour battery life support. The device comes with a leak-proof case with a stand and a magnetic keyboard so it can be used in landscape, portrait and tablet modes. The Chromebook features an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera and a slim bezel design.
Sold separately, the USI Pen 2 is optimized for palm suppression, allowing distinction between the pen and your hand without interrupting your progress. Google has also paired its Goodnotes app with the Chromebook Duet 11. The high-quality note-taking app is optimized for Chromebooks with pen functionality – and the Duet 11 will be eligible for a three-month free subscription later in October. Typically, the app is available as an annual subscription for $6.99.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 and all other Chromebooks receive features already available on the Chromebook Plus models. This includes a dedicated one Chat with Gemini Taskbar button for easy access to the chatbot. A three-month free trial of Google One AI Premium based on the latest version of Gemini Advanced. The focus Feature that creates a calming, low-distraction environment in which you can complete tasks on a timed basis. The Pen Feature that allows you to pin important files to the Chromebook shelf for easy access.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 will be available at Best Buy on October 13th for $389.99.