Google Steps into AI Laptop Arena with Enhanced Chromebook Plus

Google revealed on Tuesday its latest venture into the AI-driven laptop market with the introduction of new intelligent features in its newest Chromebook Plus models.

These fresh additions include “Help Me Write,” AI-crafted videoconferencing backgrounds, Magic Editor for images, and direct home screen access to Google’s generative AI agent, Gemini.

Help Me Write leverages AI to assist users in generating text from a prompt or to revamp existing text by altering its tone, adjusting its length, or completely rewriting it.

The AI background feature is compatible with any videoconferencing software and comes with various prompts to create customized backgrounds.

Magic Editor is embedded within the Google Photos application, allowing users to tap or circle objects in a photo for editing, repositioning, or resizing, alongside providing contextual enhancements for lighting and background improvements.

On the latest Chromebook Plus, Gemini can be summoned with a simple tap on an icon on the home screen. Additionally, new Chromebook Plus users receive a 12-month complimentary trial of the advanced Google One AI Premium plan, which offers access to Gemini Advanced, 2TB of storage, and Gemini functionalities in Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, and more.

“This move signifies Google’s commitment to AI, seeking to maintain its leadership in online information access and productivity amidst challenges posed by OpenAI and Microsoft’s AI initiatives,” commented Ross Rubin, principal analyst at Reticle Research, a New York-based consumer technology advisory firm.

“Deploying these AI tools on primary platforms like Android and Chromebooks is a logical step for Google,” he added.

Refreshing the Chromebook Experience

Revitalizing the Chromebook sector was necessary, stated Mark N. Vena, president and principal analyst at SmartTech Research in Las Vegas. “The Chromebook experience had grown stale,” he explained.

“While Chromebook Plus laptops are a positive development, the Microsoft/Qualcomm strategy holds a significant edge,” he elaborated.

Recently, Microsoft disclosed its Copilot+ laptops, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus processors, featuring robust neural processing units (NPUs) for enhanced AI operations.

“Historically, the Chromebook experience has been heavily cloud-dependent,” Vena noted. “Microsoft and Qualcomm are integrating AI into their chips to offer a superior local AI experience, without needing an internet connection.

“Additionally, local processing boosts security,” he pointed out. “Despite Google’s assurances about cloud security, local processing remains unmatched in safeguarding data.

Unique AI Integration

Rubin observed that Google’s announcement pales compared to the Recall feature of CoPilot+ laptops.

Recall allows users to retrieve previously viewed content on their PCs via natural language and contextual search. For instance, a user could instruct CoPilot+ to “Find an article I read last week about Dr. Who,” and it would retrieve it. It can also search for images and screenshots based on descriptions, with added context from interactions over time.

“The Chromebook Plus demonstrates that substantial AI capabilities are feasible even without a high-speed, cutting-edge chip with a neural processing unit, a focal point of Microsoft’s launch,” Rubin noted.

“Chromebook Plus encompasses a mix of new features, some previously introduced in different forms, others borrowed from different platforms like magic photo editing, coupled with some of Google’s most integrated features to date,” he continued. “It integrates a myriad of Google products, more broadly than past efforts.

Dynamic and Versatile

Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst at the Enderle Group in Bend, Ore., critiqued the timing of Google’s announcement. “This should have been unveiled at I/O earlier this month,” he remarked. “It appears reactionary to Microsoft Build and its announcements.”

“The announcement feels rushed, likely due to Google being caught off guard by Microsoft’s expansion of Copilot,” he suggested. “Google’s smartphone innovations hold more intrigue, and bridging features between device types could significantly grow their market share.”

“While targeting the AI PCs shipping next month, Chromebook Plus notably lacks some features compared to those devices. However, they are expected to be much more affordable,” he added.

“Historically, Chromebooks have enjoyed a price advantage,” Rubin added, “But with Chromebook Plus, they are starting to compete more directly with mainstream Windows laptops.

That was reflected in two Chromebook Plus models unveiled Tuesday by Acer. The two-in-one Chromebook Plus Spin 714 will be priced at US$749.99, while the 516 GE gaming variant will retail for $699.99.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE features a gaming-focused design and employs generative AI productivity tools for creation and collaboration in ChromeOS and Adobe applications. (Image Credit: Acer)

“The diversity of these two new Acer Chromebook Plus laptops, yet both delivering an enhanced Chromebook Plus experience, highlights the power and versatility of the ChromeOS ecosystem and the significance of user-centric Chromebook Plus laptop designs,” Acer General Manager for Notebooks James Lin remarked in a statement.

Rubin concluded: “Google is nudging users towards Chromebook Plus for a superior Chromebook experience, which is also more lucrative for PC manufacturers, enabling better product margins.

Upcoming Chromebook Plus Enhancements

In its announcement, Google hinted at several new features for the Chromebook Plus:

• Help me read with Gemini, summarizing websites or PDFs with a right-click.
• Seamless continuation from where you left off every login; a screen will display previously open windows, tabs, and apps. Cross-device suggestions will guide users, allowing them to continue reading an article on their Chromebook that they started on their Android or iOS phone with a click.
• Enhanced focus with Focus mode, which allows the selection of a time window, a Google Task, and a YouTube Music playlist, automatically enabling Do Not Disturb and tracking progress.
• AI-powered hands-free control utilizing facial and gesture recognition.

“These features are fairly robust,” Enderle observed. “However, both Copilot and Gemini have encountered notable quality issues that need addressing, or the market might lose interest in this device category.”