Google Introduces New Chromebook Plus Lineup, but Samsung is Absent
Google has launched a new line of Chromebooks called the Chromebook Plus, which aims to offer a higher standard of performance and features. All ChromeOS laptops with the Chromebook Plus branding will be required to meet specific hardware specifications as defined by Google.
These requirements include having Intel Core i3 12th Gen or above processors, or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or above processors. The laptops must also have a minimum of 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, a display with IPS technology and Full HD resolution or better, and a high-resolution web camera with Temporal Noise Reduction.
However, Google’s Chromebook Plus program includes eight new laptops from Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo, but surprisingly, Samsung is noticeably absent. This is surprising considering Samsung’s reputation for producing excellent Chromebooks, such as the Galaxy Chromebook 2 and the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360.
It is unclear why Samsung did not launch a Chromebook under the Chromebook Plus program. There are a few possible explanations. One possibility is that Google partnered with a limited number of brands for the initial phase of the program, and Samsung did not make the cut. Another possibility is that Samsung simply was not interested in creating a Chromebook Plus device at this time. Lastly, it is possible that Samsung is currently working on a Galaxy Chromebook Plus that will be released in the future.
In summary, laptops under the Chromebook Plus program will offer a certain level of performance standards set by Google. They will also support specific features that Google will roll out exclusively to devices under this program. These features include built-in Google Maps, tools for enhancing video calls, and expanded options in image editing tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Express, and LumeFusion. Google aims to make the Chromebook Plus program a way for consumers to easily recognize high-performance Chromebooks.
Although Samsung is missing from the initial launch of the Chromebook Plus program, it will be interesting to see if they join in the future and what unique features they can bring to the table.