Google adds Gemini to Chromebook Plus devices

Google announced Tuesday that it will add Gemini and AI features from its other devices to its Chromebook Plus laptops, including several Asus and HP brands already on the market and brand new ones from Acer. These and future Chromebook Plus laptops will support new features such as Google’s “Help Me Writing” tool and the ability to create custom wallpapers using generative artificial intelligence. Magic Editor in Google Photos is also coming to Chromebook Plus, which has also started appearing on older Android devices.

The company previously announced that it would integrate Gemini with the desktop Chrome browser, so it’s no surprise that it would be built into the Chromebook Plus, which is typically more powerful (and more expensive). Chromebooks. Google has added a Gemini icon to the app shelf for faster and easier access. It also offers anyone who purchases the new Plus laptop 12 free months of Google One AI Premium, which includes access to Gemini Advanced, 2TB of cloud storage, and Gemini integrated with Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail.

Google is also rolling out new features available for both Chromebook Plus and standard Chromebooks: a QR code setup process that will let your Android phone directly share Wi-Fi and login information with your new Chromebook, the ability to create GIFs from screen recordings, and a built-in view Google Tasks.

Acer today also announced two new Chromebook Plus devices, both with Gemini and other AI features: the refreshed Chromebook Plus Spin 714 and Chromebook Plus 516GE – a gaming Chromebook.

The Spin 714 is a 2-in-1 laptop that can be configured with one of two Intel Core Ultra 7 processors or one of two Core Ultra 5 processors and up to 16 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage. All configurations feature a 14-inch 1200p touchscreen display with optional stylus support; 1440p webcam and 10-hour battery life.

Acer’s gaming Chromebook Plus 516 GE supports the same Google AI and Gemini features as the Spin 714, but has a 16-inch 1600p 120Hz IPS display; RGB keyboard, pre-installed GeForce Now service, 1080p webcam, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G Ethernet port.

Configurations include an Intel Core 7 150U or Core 5 120U processor and up to 16GB of memory, 2TB of storage, and 10 hours of battery life. It’s worth noting that while this laptop will work with Google AI and Gemini features, both the Core 7 150U and Core 5 120U don’t have NPUs, which means they won’t be as agile for AI tasks on the device as well as more equipped devices.

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 will be available in North America and EMEA from May for USD 749.99 and EUR 979.00 respectively. The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE will be available in North America in May, starting at $699.99.

The same Gemini tools and features and other Google AI tools and features will be available on the refreshed versions of the HP 14 and x360 Chromebook Plus, as well as the Asus CX34 and ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus.

The HP Chromebook Plus 14 has an Intel Core 13-N305 processor (this one also has no NPU), 8 GB of memory, up to 256 GB of storage, Intel Wi-Fi 6E or MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 adapter, adapter 14-inch 1080p IPS display with brightness 300 nits (the non-touch version has 250 nits), a 1080p webcam and a battery life of up to 11 hours. The HP Chromebook Plus x360 14, the above 2-in-1 clamshell version, has the same specifications except battery life (up to 10 hours) and a 250-nit touchscreen.

ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus from Asus has an Intel Core Ultra 5 125U processor, 8GB memory, 128GB storage (PCIe Gen 3 or 4), and a 1600p non-touch display with up to 500 nits brightness. The Chromebook Plus CX34 is equipped with an Intel Core i3-1215U processor (this also has no NPU), up to 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage, and an optional 14-inch 1080p touchscreen display.

All four Chromebook Plus laptops are available for purchase.

Google also said it will bring more ChromeOS features to Chromebook Plus devices throughout the rest of the year. This includes the company’s AI facial and gesture tracking tool “Project Gameface,” which was made available to Android developers in early May, and Gemini’s “Help me read” tool, which is designed to summarize PDF files and respond to additional questions. Chromebook Plus devices will also get a new Focus feature with Do Not Disturb mode and the ability to share open windows and programs across all devices, regardless of operating system.