Google adds Gemini to Chromebook Plus devices

Google announced Tuesday it’s adding Gemini and AI features from its other devices to Chromebook Plus laptops, including a few from Asus and HP already on the market and brand-new ones from Acer. These and future Chromebook Plus laptops will support new features like Google’s “Help me write” tool and the ability to make custom wallpaper with generative AI. Magic Editor on Google Photos is coming to Chromebook Plus, too, which has also started to appear on older Android devices.

The company said previously it would integrate Gemini with the Chrome desktop browser — so it’s no surprise to see it baked into Chromebook Plus, which tends to be more powerful (and more expensive) Chromebooks. Google added the Gemini icon to the app shelf for faster and easier access. It’s also offering to anyone who buys a 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 releasing new features available for both Chromebook Plus and standard Chromebooks: a QR code setup process that will let your Android phone directly share your Wi-Fi and login credentials with your new Chromebook, the ability to make GIFs from screen recordings, and a built-in view of Google Tasks.

Acer announced two new Chromebook Plus devices today as well, both of which will have Gemini and the other AI features: its refreshed Chromebook Plus Spin 714 and Chromebook Plus 516GE — its gaming Chromebook.

The Spin 714 is a 2-in-1 laptop that can be configured with one of two Intel Core Ultra 7 or one of two Core Ultra 5 processors and up to 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage. All configurations have a 14-inch, 1200p touch display with optional stylus support; a 1440p webcam, and up to 10 hours of 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; an RGB keyboard, GeForce Now preinstalled, a 1080p webcam, and Wi-Fi 6E in addition to a 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. Notably, while this laptop will work with Google AI and Gemini features both the Core 7 150U and Core 5 120U lack NPUs, which means they won’t be as nimble with on-device AI tasks as more equipped devices.

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

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

HP’s Chromebook Plus 14 has an Intel Core 13-N305 processor (this one does not have an NPU, either), 8GB of memory, up to 256GB of storage, an Intel Wi-Fi 6E or MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 adapter, a 14-inch, 1080p IPS display with 300 nits of brightness (the non-touch option has 250 nits), 1080p webcam, and up to 11 hours of battery life. The HP Chromebook Plus x360 14, or 2-in-1 version of the clamshell above, has the same specs aside from battery life (up to 10 hours) and a touch display with 250 nits of brightness.

Asus’ ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus has up to an Intel Core Ultra 5 125U processor, 8GB of memory, 128GB of storage (either PCIe Gen 3 or 4), and a non-touch 1600p display with up to 500 nits of brightness. Its Chromebook Plus CX34 has up to an Intel Core i3-1215U (this also does not have an NPU), up to 16GB of memory and 256GB storage, and a 14-inch, 1080p touch-optional display.

All four of these Chromebook Plus laptops are available to purchase.

Google also said it will release more features to ChromeOS on Chromebook Plus devices throughout the rest of the year. That includes the company’s “Project Gameface” AI face and gesture tracking, which was open-sourced to Android developers earlier in May, and Gemini’s “Help me read,” which is designed to summarize PDFs and answer follow-up questions. Chromebook Plus devices will also get a new Focus feature with a Do Not Disturb mode and the ability to share open windows and programs across all your devices, regardless of the operating system.