The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (2023) is a budget Chrome OS laptop. It's configurable with an Intel 12th Gen Core i3, i5, or i7 CPU, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of storage. It has a 1080p IPS display (with or without touch input), a centered, backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity, and a 1080p webcam. Ports include two USB-As, two USB-Cs, an HDMI (1.4), and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It's available in a white or black color scheme.
You can see our unit's specifications and the available configuration options in the Differences Between Variants section.
Our Verdict
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is decent for school use. It has a sturdy build and is easy to carry around. Its Intel CPU can easily handle general productivity tasks like web browsing and text processing. However, you can only use web apps and Android apps from the Google Play Store, so it isn't ideal for students needing specialized Windows or macOS applications. The display looks sharp, the keyboard feels spacious, and the touchpad is responsive. Unlike most Chromebooks, the battery doesn't last a full day. However, it's pretty close, so you only need to plug it in briefly.
- Easy to carry around.
- Sturdy build.
- Great 1080p webcam.
- Comfortable keyboard.
- Battery lasts less than eight hours of light use.
- Dim screen.
- Low-power CPU and integrated graphics can't handle demanding workloads.
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is bad for gaming. You can't install DirectX games on Chrome OS, and while you can play Android-based games from the Google Play Store, some might not run properly, as they're designed for Android smartphones and tablets. Also, its low-power CPU and integrated graphics can't handle demanding games, and it has a 60Hz display with a slow response time. On the upside, it doesn't get hot or loud under load.
- Doesn't get hot or loud under load.
- Low-power CPU and integrated graphics can't handle demanding workloads.
- 60Hz display with slow response time.
- No VRR to reduce screen tearing.
- Soldered RAM.
- Limited game selection.
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is mediocre for media consumption. Although it looks sharp, the display's narrow color gamut makes highly saturated colors look washed out, and its low contrast makes blacks look gray in dim settings. Also, glare may be an issue in well-lit settings, as the screen doesn't get very bright. The speakers get very loud but sound unnatural and tinny, with no bass whatsoever. Unfortunately, the battery lasts less than three hours of video playback.
- Easy to carry around.
- Sturdy build.
- Loud speakers.
- Dim screen.
- Display looks washed out.
- Battery lasts less than three hours of video playback.
- Speakers sound tinny and unnatural, with no bass.
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is mediocre for use as a workstation. Its low-power CPU and integrated graphics aren't powerful enough to handle demanding tasks, and you can only get up to 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage. Also, most professional applications don't run on Chrome OS. While sharp, the display's narrow color gamut makes it unsuitable for color-correction work. Its port selection is decent, though none of the USB-Cs support Thunderbolt 4.
- Doesn't get hot or loud under load.
- Comfortable keyboard.
- Low-power CPU and integrated graphics can't handle demanding workloads.
- Most professional software don't run on Chrome OS.
- Display isn't suitable for color-critical work due to poor color gamut.
- No Thunderbolt 4 support.
- Soldered RAM.
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is decent for business use. It feels well-built despite being entirely plastic, and it's easy to carry around, thanks to its compact design. It has a sharp display, a spacious keyboard, a responsive touchpad, and a great 1080p webcam. Its Intel CPU can easily handle general productivity tasks like text processing, spreadsheets, and presentations; however, know that you can only use web apps or Android apps from the Google Play Store, so it isn't ideal if your work requires specific Windows or macOS apps. The battery lasts a little less than eight hours of light use, so you'll likely need to plug it in for a quick charge to get through the day.
- Easy to carry around.
- Sturdy build.
- Great 1080p webcam.
- Comfortable keyboard.
- Battery lasts less than eight hours of light use.
- Dim screen.
- Most professional software don't run on Chrome OS.
- Soldered RAM.
Changelog
- Updated Jul 10, 2024: Added mention of the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2023) as an alternative with longer battery life in the Battery section.
- Updated Jan 04, 2024: Review published.
- Updated Dec 13, 2023: Early access published.
- Updated Nov 30, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (model CX3402CB) with an FHD (non-touch) display, an Intel Core i3-1215U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The display, CPU, RAM, and storage are configurable; the available options are in the table below.
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You can see our unit's label here.
Popular Laptop Comparisons
The ASUS Chromebook Plus is a decent budget laptop with a fairly good user experience overall. It has a sturdy build, a comfortable keyboard, a great webcam, and good performance. However, its battery life is significantly shorter than most Chromebooks.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best Chromebooks, the best student Chromebooks, and the best budget and cheap laptops.
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 (2023) and the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (2023) are very similar overall. The ASUS is more portable since it's a smaller 14-inch device, and it has one more USB-A port. However, the Acer has a slightly better keyboard, and its battery lasts a bit longer.
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (2023) and the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (2023) are very similar overall. The ASUS feels a bit sturdier build-wise, and it provides a snappier desktop experience, as its Intel CPUs are noticeably faster than the Acer's AMD Ryzen processors. However, the Acer's battery lasts a little over ten hours of light use, which is enough to get you through a typical day, whereas the ASUS lasts only seven hours on a full charge.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2022) is much better than the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (2023). The Acer is more versatile since it's a 2-in-1 convertible that you can use as a tablet. Additionally, it supports pen input and comes with a stylus. You can get the ASUS with a touch-sensitive display, but its limited hinge range makes it impossible to flip the screen into tablet mode. The Acer also has a brighter display, a better keyboard and webcam, and significantly longer battery life.
The ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip (2023) is better than the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (2023) for most uses. The Vibe CX34 Flip has a brighter and more colorful 144Hz display, a more comfortable keyboard, and a wider port selection. Additionally, it has longer battery life, particularly for video playback, and its 360-degree hinge lets you use it as a tablet. You can get the CX34 with a touch-sensitive display, but its limited hinge range makes it impossible to flip the screen into tablet mode.
Test Results
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