Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 Review: A Smart and Affordable Choice

Chromebooks have come a long way since their debut in 2011. They are no longer just cheap and simple laptops for browsing the web and using Google apps. They have evolved into versatile and powerful devices that can handle various tasks and run different types of software, including Android apps and Linux programs. They have also become more popular and mainstream, especially among students and professionals who need a reliable and portable device for work and learning.

But with so many Chromebooks available in the market, how do you choose the right one for your needs and budget? That’s where Google’s new Chromebook Plus program comes in. This program aims to help consumers find the best Chromebooks that offer a balance of performance, features, and value. The Chromebook Plus program certifies Chromebooks that meet a minimum set of specifications, such as a 12th Gen Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 1080p display, and a 1080p webcam. These Chromebooks also come with some exclusive software features, such as offline file sync, magic eraser, and generative art.

One of the first Chromebooks to receive the Chromebook Plus certification is the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, a 14-inch laptop that costs $399. This Chromebook offers a lot of bang for your buck, with a sleek design, a solid performance, and a long battery life. In this review, we will take a closer look at the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 and see if it lives up to its Plus status.

Design and Build Quality

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has a simple and elegant design, with a matte black plastic body and a glossy white lid. The lid has a subtle marble pattern that adds some texture and style to the otherwise plain surface. The Asus logo is also engraved on the lid, along with the Chromebook Plus badge on the bottom right corner.

The laptop is fairly thin and light, measuring 0.7 inches thick and weighing 3.1 pounds. It is easy to carry around and fit in a backpack or a briefcase. The laptop also feels sturdy and durable, with no noticeable flex or creaks. The hinges are smooth and strong, allowing the lid to open and close with ease.

The laptop has a decent selection of ports, including two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one HDMI port, one microSD card slot, and one headphone jack. The USB-C ports support charging, data transfer, and display output, and the laptop comes with a 45W USB-C charger. The microSD card slot can be used to expand the storage capacity of the laptop, which is a nice option to have.

The laptop also has a 720p webcam on the top bezel of the screen, along with a dual microphone array. The webcam quality is average, but good enough for video calls and online meetings. The microphone quality is also decent, and can pick up your voice clearly and reduce background noise.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has a full-size, island-style keyboard, with chiclet keys and a standard Chrome OS layout. The keyboard is comfortable and responsive, with good travel and feedback. The keys are also well-spaced and large, making typing easy and accurate. The keyboard also has a backlight, which can be adjusted in three levels of brightness. The backlight is useful for typing in dim environments, and also adds some flair to the laptop.

The touchpad is located below the keyboard, and is slightly off-center to the left. The touchpad is smooth and spacious, measuring 4.1 x 2.9 inches. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures, such as tapping, scrolling, zooming, and swiping. The touchpad is also accurate and responsive, and can register your inputs without any lag or errors.

Display and Speakers

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has a 14-inch, non-touch, IPS display, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The display is sharp and clear, with good colors and contrast. The display also has wide viewing angles, thanks to the IPS technology. The display is suitable for various tasks, such as browsing, streaming, gaming, and working. The display also supports 3D Audio, which is a feature of some PS5 games that creates a realistic and immersive sound field around you.

The display has thin bezels on the sides and the top, which give the laptop a modern and sleek look. The display also has an anti-glare coating, which reduces reflections and glare from bright lights. The display brightness is decent, but not very high, at around 250 nits. This means that the display might not be very visible in bright outdoor settings, but it should be fine for indoor use.

The laptop has two stereo speakers on the bottom of the chassis, near the front edge. The speakers are loud and clear, and can fill a small room with sound. The speakers also have some bass and depth, which make the sound more rich and immersive. The speakers are good for casual listening, but they might not be very satisfying for audiophiles or music lovers. The speakers also have some distortion and harshness at high volumes, which can affect the sound quality.