Chromebooks have long been known for being simple, secure, and cloud-based. But now, Google is changing what a Chromebook can do by adding AI into the system itself. The company is working with Lenovo and Acer to launch new Chromebook Plus models with faster processors and built-in AI features to help people work and create more easily.
The company is also including a free year of the Google AI Pro plan, complete with Gemini Advanced and 2TB of storage.
Chromebook Plus models come with new AI tools built directly into ChromeOS. Google’s Gemini AI powers these features to help answer questions, simplify tasks, and assist with creative work.
One new feature, Select to search with Lens, lets users highlight text, images, or videos to get quick information. It works like Google Lens and can pull up results or even help users take action, like adding an event to their calendar.
There’s also a tool called Simplify or Help me read. By selecting a body of text, users can ask the built-in AI to summarize, simplify, or rephrase the content, making dense articles or complicated subjects easier to understand.
The new Text capture tool can extract text from images, such as a document photo or presentation slide, and turn it into something you can edit or copy.
A Smart tab grouping feature helps automatically organize tasks and browser tabs. It groups related items, making it easier for users to manage their workflow and keep their desktops tidy.
The built-in Gallery app now supports AI-powered image editing. It brings automated and advanced image editing, allowing users to enhance their photos without needing third-party software.
To support all these AI features, Google has worked with Lenovo and Acer to launch a new generation of Chromebook Plus laptops. These laptops have fast processors and better displays needed to handle AI tools smoothly.
Lenovo’s new Chromebook Plus 14 is the first model in the series with an ARM-based processor, built for high performance and long battery life.
The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is powered by the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra processor, which offers up to 50 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) of AI performance. The laptop also includes up to 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
It features a 14-inch 2K OLED touchscreen, Wi-Fi 7, Dolby Atmos-tuned speakers, and weighs only 2.58 pounds.
Acer is also launching several new Chromebook Plus devices in different sizes and styles, including clamshell, convertible, and enterprise-focused devices.
These include the 14-inch Chromebook Plus 514 with Wi-Fi 7, the larger 16-inch 516 with Intel Core 7, and the 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus Spin 714, which comes with a touchscreen and stylus.
Every new Chromebook Plus comes with one year of Google’s AI Pro subscription — no extra cost. This normally $240/year plan includes access to Gemini Advanced and extra cloud storage, making it a strong part of Google’s strategy to get more people to use its AI tools.
Google is giving AI Pro away for free to make it easier for more people to try. The idea is that after using it for a year, they’ll want to keep it. It also makes people more likely to keep using other Google tools over time.
At Revolgy, we help teams make the most of Google’s tools, from choosing the right devices to setting up cloud services that work best for their needs. Reach out, and we’ll help you find the right setup for your team.