Hypothesis a few new breed of Chromebooks – initially known as ‘Chromebook X’ – has been circulating for some time now, and we now know that Google truly plans to make use of the moniker ‘Chromebook Plus’ for these new machines; and in reality, you would possibly have already got one.
As for precise new {hardware}, a laptop computer has been noticed that’s believed to be a part of this new Plus technology of Chromebooks: the 14-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. Or a minimum of, that’s the working title, for the reason that title was pulled from Google’s Omaha server by way of cros.tech by the stunning of us over at Chrome Unboxed.
A earlier leak coated by 9to5Google revealed that Acer, Asus, and HP all had Chromebook Plus fashions within the works, so we will now add Lenovo to that lineup. Curiously, an current Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i mannequin was additionally listed within the unique leak as a part of a small choice of laptops that may be ‘upgraded’ to Plus standing by way of a software program replace.
What’s Chromebook Plus actually all about?
The Plus specification isn’t actually something to get super-excited about – not but, anyway. It’s basically Google signaling that it desires to separate its extra premium ChromeOS laptops from the gang, with new (although as-of-yet undisclosed) minimal necessities for system efficiency and {hardware} high quality.
Most of the greatest Chromebooks would possibly already fall into this class, particularly dearer fashions just like the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook. Because the code change that initially revealed the potential of upgrading at present obtainable laptops to the Plus stage was rapidly deleted, it’s unclear whether or not we’ll truly see any current Chromebooks tackle the Plus branding.
Concerning the IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus – which is a very cumbersome title, I’ve to say – we most likely shouldn’t count on something too spectacular. The laptop computer has the codename ‘Tabor’, which doesn’t reveal a lot inside the Chromium Repositories aside from the truth that it’ll apparently have a brand new microphone mute button on the highest row of the keyboard.
Chances are high that it gained’t differ massively from the prevailing IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook – though that’s notably not an expensive laptop computer, indicating that Chromebook Plus may be extra about software program capabilities than {hardware} design necessities.
General, I’ve to concur with Robby at Chrome Unboxed: the Plus model most likely isn’t going to blow us all away, a minimum of to not begin with. However with some light encouragement (and cautious funding) from Google, we might see this new faction of Chromebooks flourish.
