Back in 2023, Google launched its Chromebook Plus program, setting some ground rules for quicker, more capable Chromebooks with processors, memory, and storage comparable with those of budget and midrange Windows laptops. The Chromebook Plus CX34 by Asus was among the first laptops to ship with this branding, and it has held our Editors’ Choice award for the category—until now. Asus has an updated configuration with an upgraded Intel Core i5 processor to build on that foundation of reliable inputs and a sharp enough 1080p display. Available for just $499 at Best Buy, the second-generation Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 takes the Editors’ Choice torch into 2025, outclassing many contemporary challengers. It’s not the absolute best overall Chromebook on the market (see Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 714 for that), but it’s the best value.
Configuration and Design: Plastic Fantastic
Asus’ new Chromebook Plus CX34 spotlights Intel’s Core i5-1335U processor, a notable upgrade from prior models with Intel’s Core i3-1215U or Core i5-1235U processors. CPU aside, the Chromebook Plus CX34’s specifications are identical to the preceding model’s. The model I reviewed has 8GB of memory and 128GB of UFS storage, but upgrades to 16GB of RAM and a 256GB UFS drive are available.
This Chromebook is available at Best Buy for just $499, though I’ve seen it for as low as $369.99. The model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is more difficult to find and has an MSRP of $599.99.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
As for Asus’ design, you’ll immediately notice the CX34’s plastic exterior sheen. When opening it up, I feel a slight warp and wobble in the display lid, which readily gives way under pressure. I see the warping easily when I lay it on a desk and apply some pressure to the display lid with my thumb.
But it’s not all bad news. Asus uses plastic as an opportunity to embrace an interesting, terrazzo-like pattern that I find attractive. I also like the laptop’s white bezels, which draw attention with their chunky but approachable, playful vibe.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
It’s also a light laptop, weighing just 3.17 pounds. Its thickness is about three-quarters of an inch, close to competitors like the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, which measures 0.81 inch thick. The Chromebook Plus CX34 will fit in most bags designed to accommodate a laptop, and it won’t be a burden once stowed.
Asus’ Chromebook doesn’t skimp on ports despite its dimensions or affordable price. The CX34 has two USB Type-A ports, two USB Type-C ports, one HDMI-out, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. The USB-C connections also support DisplayPort for connecting a monitor and USB-PD (Power Delivery) for charging the laptop.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
That’s a decent range of connectivity for an affordable laptop, though Asus allowed two notable omissions: Ethernet, and a microSD or SD card reader. Most Chromebooks also ditch the Ethernet jack, but some, like the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, have a microSD reader. The Acer doesn’t have HDMI-out, so which model has the advantage depends on your needs.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Wireless connectivity is also current, with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support. Those aren’t the latest versions, but they deliver acceptable speeds, given the Asus CX34’s price and the trade-off made by most competing Chromebooks.
Now, let’s discuss displays. A few years ago, most Chromebooks had dim, disappointing 1,366-by-768-pixel screens. Times have changed, though, and today, it’s hard to find a Chromebook that doesn’t have a 1080p panel if you’re willing to spend $300 or more. (The Chromebook Plus initiative mandates at least a 1080p panel.)
That’s positive news for Chromebooks as a whole, but it makes the CX34 a bit less remarkable. In such a crowded field, this Chromebook’s display amounts to a 1080p touch screen that’s reasonably bright but lacks the vibrance, contrast, and sharpness of the best Chromebooks.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Those with superior displays, like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, are naturally more expensive. Still, shoppers should remember that the Chromebook Plus CX34’s display is comparable to the 1080p (or 1200p) displays found on dozens of midrange Chromebooks.
However, Asus’ speakers are simply disappointing. The CX34’s audio is timid, even at maximum volume, and has a muddy, harsh sound. That’s also true of several competing Chromebooks, though, so it’s not a deal-breaker.
Using the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: A Decent Daily Driver
Sitting down with the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 makes it instantly clear why last year’s model won an Editors’ Choice award. It’s a fundamentally pleasant laptop to use.
Everything starts with the keyboard. It won’t impress desktop-keyboard enthusiasts who lube their own keys (it’s a thing!), but Asus delivered a spacious layout, large keys, and a pleasant key action with decent key travel. Each key halts movement with a precise, snappy “click” that produces audible feedback.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The touchpad is also a joy to use. It measures about 5 inches wide and 3 inches deep. That’s not huge for a 14-inch laptop, but it’s an acceptable size for an affordable Chromebook. Its tracking is smooth and responsive, and its slippery feel is ideal for multitouch gestures.
Asus also included a decent 1080p webcam with a physical privacy shutter and dual-array microphone. The camera is sharp (though, like all webcams, it requires ample lighting to look its best), and the microphone captures clear audio without much background noise. The camera and microphone are aided by video enhancement features built into ChromeOS, which can apply a background blur and improve noise cancellation, among other things.
Testing the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Still Speedy
The updated Asus Chromebook Plus CX34’s Intel Core i5-1335U processor is a 10-core chip with two Performance cores, eight Efficient cores, and Intel Iris Xe graphics. It has 8GB of RAM and a 128GB UFS drive for storage. It costs $499 at Best Buy.
These specifications are comparable with the $699.99 Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714, which we reviewed with an Intel Core Ultra 115U. The Core Ultra 115U is one generation newer than the Core i5-1335U but has just eight cores, two fewer than the Core i5-1335U.
Meanwhile, the CX34’s CPU is a clear step up from the $349.99 Acer Chromebook Plus 514’s Intel Core i3-N305. The Core i3-N305 has eight cores, but all eight are E-cores, which noticeably reduces the CPU’s performance while boosting efficiency, which will play out below. We also compared the new CX34 with the pricier and higher-power $649.99 Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE and the lower-power and sometimes-lower-price HP Chromebook Plus x360 ($599.99 list price; $319.99 on sale). This gives a full range of Chromebook competition and shows why this is the next Chromebook Plus laptop to earn the Editors’ Choice award.
Productivity and General Performance Tests
Our ChromeOS productivity tests evaluate overall system performance with four key benchmarks. First up is Geekbench 6, which reports single-core and multi-core CPU performance across multiple simulated productivity scenarios. That’s followed by PCMark for Android. Chromebooks can access the Google Play store and run Android apps; this benchmark gives a sense of their performance. Finally, we have Basemark Web 3.0 and WebXPRT 4. These popular web benchmarks are essential for a Chromebook since it relies heavily on the Chrome browser to access web apps and services.
In our benchmark suite, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 was second only to the higher-power Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE across the board. Asus’ new CX34 outpaced every other Chromebook in the comparison set, with the larger and pricier Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 coming closest to its results.
These results show that Intel’s “Raptor Lake”-generation processors still have gas left in the tank even as the computing world moves on to AI-ready hardware. When it comes to raw output, 13th- and- 14th-gen Intel hardware is still relevant. The CX34’s performance is made even sweeter by its super-competitive price. It far outperforms some budget models for a little more investment and creeps up on Chromebooks costing hundreds more.
Battery Life Test
We measure battery life by looping a locally stored 720p video (the publicly available short film Tears of Steel) immediately after removing its power cord. The video is viewed in full-screen mode, display brightness is set to 50%, and audio volume is placed at 100%. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned off, and we fully charge the laptop before the test begins.
While the 2023 Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 lasted 12 hours and 46 minutes on our test, the new model recorded nearly two hours less of a result, lasting just 11 hours. We’re chalking this up to the inherent efficiency cost of jumping from a six-core Intel Core i3 processor to a 10-core Core i5 chip. A lasting power of 11 hours isn’t terrible, but it’s certainly not competitive with laptops costing just $150 more.
As the graph shows, competing Chromebooks last more than three hours longer on a charge, though those models aren’t as powerful, as our benchmarks show. (Note how the more potent Chromebook Plus 516 GE reported an even shorter result.) The Chromebook Plus CX34 is a decent travel companion, but it’s simply not the longest-lasting Chromebook we’ve tested and a slight downgrade from the previous generation.
Verdict: The Best Deal In Chromebooks Once Again
The updated Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an excellent pick for shoppers looking to spend around $400 on a Chromebook. It provides an enjoyable keyboard and touchpad, many ports, and seriously competitive performance for way less than some competing models.
That’s not to say it’s perfect. The CX34 lost ground on battery life, and the fine display doesn’t stand out any longer. Shoppers who want the top-most Chromebook need to shell out for an Acer Chromebook 516 GE or Framework Chromebook 13 with sharper displays and larger batteries.
However, when it comes to the mix of features and performance for a specific price with mass appeal, like $500 or lower, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 remains unmatched. It’s inexpensive enough to feel like a bargain but performs well enough to feel fast, a combination that earns the latest Chromebook Plus CX34 our Editors’ Choice award.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2025)
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The Bottom Line
Asus’ update to the Chromebook Plus CX34 remains an excellent value, with a competitive processor and an approachable, comfortable design for the price.
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About Matthew Smith
