Asus announces their Chromebook Plus CX34

Google's recent step up in the Chromebook pledge to launch the 'plus' lineup, an indicator of Chromebooks that have a bit more 'beef' in them to last, really makes a move in this space.

Asus, a longtime manufacturer of some great hardware has announced their Chromebook Plus CX34 earning it's place in the Plus line up.


ASUS Announces ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

The first Chromebook Plus from ASUS is a compact and lightweight all-rounder, perfect for individuals and professionals striving for enhanced productivity 

Fremont, California (October 2, 2023) — ASUS today announced the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective all-rounder 14-inch laptop that’s ideal for users seeking enhanced productivity and creativity on the go. The very first Chromebook Plus from ASUS, the Chromebook Plus CX34 offers up to double the speed, double the memory, and double the storage [i].

“Google is excited to be working with ASUS as a critical partner on our Chromebook Plus launch,” said John Maletis, VP of Product, Engineering, UX, ChromeOS. “The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is compact yet productive, engineered to help users get more done, whether it's an enhanced video calling experience, creative work through Magic Eraser and apps like Photoshop on the Web, or sitting back and watching a movie on a crisp high-resolution screen.”

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 sports a stylish, durable design that weighs a mere 3.17 pounds. It’s available in Pearl White or Rocky Grey colorways, exuding understated modern style.

Portable productivity

Engineered with an up to Intel Core™ i5 processor, 16 GB of fast, power-efficient LPDDR5-4800MHz memory, and a large-capacity 256GB UFS storage, the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 delivers the performance and responsiveness required for seamless productivity. This helps provide ample storage for business files, schoolwork, and entertainment content.

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 also includes new features that make exploring creative endeavors more magical. The built-in Google Photos app includes enhanced features like the AI-powered Magic Eraser that easily removes unwanted background distractions and an HDR effect to enhance brightness and contrast. Users will also enjoy the revamped movie-creation tools to help them make high-quality movies with only a few easy clicks.
Additionally, supported applications like Adobe Photoshop[ii] and Adobe Express empower users to edit standout photos quickly and easily or create social graphics, flyers, and business cards. With LumaFusion, ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 assists users in transforming raw footage into stunning video with features like track layering, audio mixing, custom titling, and keyframing. Customers who purchase a Chromebook Plus device[iii] between October 8, 2023, and January 31, 2024, receive a complimentary 3-month trial to Adobe Photoshop Web. The 3-month trial membership also provides Chromebook Plus users with access to the Adobe Express Premium plan.

For fast, reliable connectivity at home, in the office, classroom, or when commuting in between, the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 includes Wi-Fi 6 technology, ensuring online content loads in the blink of an eye. This desirable connectivity is boosted further by exclusive ASUS technologies, such as ASUS WiFi Master[iv] for ChromeOS, ensuring greater speed, stability, and range — helping users to stay connected anywhere. For the times you don’t have access to Wi-Fi, File Sync on Chromebook Plus enables online and offline access to your Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Immersive and reliable

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is equipped with a gorgeous 14-inch Full HD, three-sided NanoEdge display, improving immersion and maximizing the workspace. With a 1080p webcam and built-in video call controls that automatically enhance clarity and lighting, cancel noise, and blur backgrounds, users always look and sound their best — no matter what video call app they’re using. They can also mute the mic and turn off the camera with one click for added privacy and convenience. This high-resolution camera can also be quickly hidden behind a retractable cover.

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is also built with durability in mind, with a series of structural reinforcements to boost chassis strength. The design meets the next-level and industry-leading US MIL-STD 810H durability standards[v] , which are more rigorous and demanding than ever before. Additionally, the device undergoes stringent in-house testing — including panel-pressure, shock, and drop tests — to ensure maximal toughness and shrugs off everyday knocks and bumps. Wellbeing is also a cornerstone of the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34’s design, with the keyboard, touchpad and palm rest all protected by ASUS Antimicrobial Guard.[vi] This exclusive treatment is scientifically proven to inhibit bacterial growth by up to 99% over a 24-hour period to keep the laptop hygienic.

Friendly flexibility

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 was created to be a friendly and flexible companion for college students, teachers, and busy professionals. The bright, clear 14-inch screen is attached with a strong 180° hinge that enables it to be laid fully flat — making it perfect for sharing content or collaborating on projects. The laptop also benefits from a large 5.7-inch touchpad that is optimized to provide smoother, more responsive fingertip control, making it easier to multitask and achieve more without the need for a mouse. Additionally, the 10-hour [vii] battery life is more than enough to power through a full day of work or school, with plenty to spare in the tank for some rest and relaxation.

For maximum convenience, the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is crammed with connectivity. Two full-function reversible USB-C® ports make it easy to charge the laptop or to connect it to peripherals and external displays. USB-C® also empowers superfast data-transfer speeds — making it possible to transfer a 2 GB video file to a USB drive in under two seconds. The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 also features two standard USB 3.2 ports, an HDMI 1.4 port, and an integrated 3.5 mm headphone/mic combo socket.

Management capabilities for businesses

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 comes with management capabilities as part of the Chrome Enterprise Upgrade package, adding even more features to empower ambitious businesses. Chrome Enterprise Upgrade unlocks the built-in business capabilities of ChromeOS devices, with zero-touch enrollment enabling devices to be drop shipped straight to employees in an easy three-step process. This option also adds advanced security controls that include the ability to disable or remotely wipe devices, force re-enrollment, and enable sign-in restrictions to ensure data stays in the right hands. It also includes managed updates, insightful reports, and crash reports.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX3402 will be available on October 8, 2023, starting at MSRP $399.99 in stores at Target and online at the ASUS Store, Amazon.com, and Costco.com. 
Additional configurations, including the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX3402 for Enterprise and ASUS Chromebook CX3402 for Education will be available in Q4 2023. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.


SPECIFICATIONS[viii]

Processor
 
Intel® Core™ i5-1235U processor 1.2 GHz (12MB cache, up to 4.2 GHz, 10 cores)
Intel® Core™ i3-1215U processor 1.0 GHz (12MB cache, up to 4.2 GHz, 6 cores)


 
Operating system
 
ChromeOS
ChromeOS with Chrome Enterprise Upgrade


 
Display
 
14.0" FHD (1920 x 1080) Value-IPS AG, 250nits, NTSC45%, Non touch

 
Cameras
 
1080p FHD camera
Webcam Shield

 
Memory &
storage

 
Up to 16 GB LPDDR5 4800 MHz
128 GB/256 GB UFS

 
Wireless
 
Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth® 5.2 Wireless Card

 
Connectivity
 
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (Full function)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
1 x HDMI 1.4
1 x 3.5 mm audio combo jack


 
Battery
 
50 Wh, 3-cell, Li-Polymer

 
Colors
 
Pearl White and Rocky Grey
 
Size
 
12.9 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches

 
Weight
 
3.17 lbs

 
Keyboard and touchpad

 
backlit keyboard with anti-ghost and 1.4 mm key travel; spill-resistant to 2 oz*
*Quantity used during testing, with duration of 3 minutes.


 
AC adapter

 
USB Type-C®, 45 W; Output: 15 V DC, 3 A; Input: 100~240 V AC 50/60 Hz universal

 
 
[i] When compared to top-selling Chromebooks from July 2022 to December 2022.
 
[ii] Subscription required.
 
[iii] Terms & Conditions apply. See chromebook.com/perks for full offer details. Limited time offer. Applicable while supplies last.
 
[iv] Devices with this certification offer enhanced WiFi stability when a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interference is present, allowing users to stream smoothly when they are up to 225 meters away from a router.
 
[v] The testing regime includes the requirements of both military-grade standards and ASUS quality tests and varies depending on device. MIL-STD-810 testing is conducted on selected ASUS products only. Note that the MIL-STD-810 testing helps to ensure the quality of ASUS products but does not indicate a particular fitness for military use. The test is performed under laboratory conditions. Any damage caused by attempts to replicate these test conditions would be considered accidental and would not be covered by the standard ASUS warranty. Additional coverage is available with ASUS Premium Care.
 
[vi] The antimicrobial treatment is tested by an independent third-party laboratory according to the ISO 22196 standard (measurement of antibacterial activity on plastics and other non-porous surfaces), using bacterial cultures that include Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with an antibacterial activity (R) result of R > 2. R = 2 indicates a 99% reduction in bacterial activity compared to an untreated surface.
 
[vii] Based on Chromium OS power Load Test. Battery performance is based on a mix of standby, web browsing and other uses. Charging time requires the battery to be at least 5% charged, with the device inactive and using the included charger. Actual battery life depends on usage, specifications, applications, and environment, among other factors.
 
[viii] Specifications, content, and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment, and other factors. Full specifications are available at http://www.asus.com.

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