This is the new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, and this is the new Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11. Both are this fall, along with some fresh Chrome OS updates to help boost your productivity and just generally potentially make life easier with the power of Google’s Gemini AI.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
Let’s start with a look at the new hardware. It’s been a minute since Samsung released a new Chromebook, and I’ve always been a fan of them. However, they can certainly be hit or miss. Google says the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is the thinnest Chromebook Plus ever at 11.8 mm. So I’m at least hoping Samsung solved for any potential cooling issues. It’s also extremely light at about 2.5 lb or about 1.2 kg.
Display and Specifications
It has a bright 15.6 in OLED display, though the 16:9 aspect ratio is a little dated. Inside, you get an Intel Core i3-1000U processor, 8 gigs of memory, and 256 gigs of storage. Samsung says it offers up to 13 hours of battery life. The price is $700, which is on par with other premium Chromebooks like this.
New Keyboard Layout
Probably the most important thing about this one is that it’ll be the first with a new keyboard layout that replaces the launcher/search key with a quick insert key. Pressing it pulls up a context menu with options related to what you’re doing. If you’re in an email, for example, you can press it, and you get some emoji options or access to files or a recent photo. All you have to do is click to add. It’s integrated at the OS level, giving you options for whatever app you’re in or what’s in your browser window.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11
At the other end of the size spectrum is the updated 11-in Lenovo Duet, which Google said is probably the best-selling Chromebook of all time. I wouldn’t be surprised if that were true, given what you get for $350.
Build and Features
The new Duet is built around a 2K 16:10 touchscreen with a new MediaTek processor, up to 8 gigs of memory, and 128 gigs of storage. It now has a spill-proof chassis and a detachable keyboard, and the rear cover was also redesigned so it can stand horizontally and vertically. It works with any USI 2.0 pen, but you’ll probably find a bundle with Lenovo’s pen that magnetically attaches to the back next to the 8-megapixel camera. There’s also a 5-megapixel one in front with a physical privacy shutter. Google also said it improved palm rejection, so if you’re looking for something like this for entertainment and not taking or drawing and productivity, the Duet is one to look for.
Chromebook Plus Additions
Now about the OS additions for Chromebook Plus models. For the most part, they are things Google announced for Chromebook Plus models earlier this year, but they’re now available. There are essentially three key ones: Help Me Read, Live Translate, and Live Transcription.
Help Me Read and Live Translate
Help Me Read uses Gemini AI to summarize written content, whether that’s a website, presentation, or a PDF. More importantly, you can use Gemini for natural language follow-up questions about the content, letting you drill down to find the info you’re after. Live Translate generates Google AI-translated captions for audio and video, but it does it at the OS level. That means it’ll work with any service, app, or website. You can translate a Zoom conversation just as easily as a YouTube video.
Live Transcription and Additional Features
Then there’s the recorder app with live transcription, which can also be used with any service. You can record a conversation in Zoom, for example, and it will transcribe on the fly. It can detect different speakers, and it’s searchable. This has been on Pixel devices for years, but it’s nice to have it built in, so I don’t have to pull my phone out and put it next to a speaker to record.
Other OS Additions
There are a few other additions that you’ll see in all Chromebooks, not just Plus models. The best one of those for me is the update to Focus Mode. It integrates with your Google Tasks list, so you can pop it open, set the length of time you’ll need to focus, select the task, pick sounds or music to help you concentrate, and also toggle on Do Not Disturb to shut off notifications. You’ll also find more Google Drive integration in the Tote and launcher interfaces and a welcome recap that shows you what you worked on the last time you were on the Chromebook.
Conclusion
So there you have it: two new devices and some helpful OS additions for Chromebook Pluses and all Chromebooks. I’m excited to see Live Translate and Transcribe finally arrive, but let me know what you think in the comments about the deeper AI integration into Chrome OS. You can read more about these devices and other Chromebooks on www.cet.com.