Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2023) Review

About the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 variant we tested is the only model currently available in North America. Asus’ website mentions an upgraded model with an Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of memory, and 256GB solid state drive. That would be impressive, but it’s not currently available.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 specs

• Price as configured: $400
• Processor: Intel Core i3-1215U
• Graphics: Intel UHD (64 EUs)
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR5
• Storage: 128TB Flash Storage
• Display: 14-inch, 1080p IPS non-touch
• Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Ports: 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 with USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
• Camera: 1080p front-facing webcam with privacy shutter
• Weight: 3.17 pounds
• Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.44 x 0.74 inches
• Warranty: 1-year limited laptop warranty

What we like

It nails the basics

Chromebooks are simple laptops, so even the most basic features contribute a lot to the overall experience. This includes the keyboard, touchpad, and display. Fortunately, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 nails all three.

Asus delivers a spacious keyboard with a comfortable layout. Keys are large and there’s significant space between them, which makes the keyboard great for touch typing. Key feel is another perk, with significant key travel and a distinct click when a key bottoms out.

Below the keyboard is a large and responsive touchpad that measures a tad over five inches wide and about three inches deep. Though not the largest in its category (more expensive laptops, like the Apple MacBook Pro 14, take that honor) it provides plenty of space for multi-touch gestures.

The display is solid, too, serving up 1080p resolution with reasonable brightness and attractive color. It’s not a jaw-dropping display: its maximum brightness of 270 nits is mediocre, and dark scenes in movies and games can look washed out. But entertainment isn’t the CX34’s goal, and the display looks good when browsing the web or working in Google Docs.

Great performance for the price

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is part of a broader Chromebook Plus push that Google announced on October 2nd, 2023. It’s mostly marketing fluff, as the so-called Plus models differ little from those that came before. Still, the CX34 is a speedy Chromebook.

Geekbench 6 achieved a single-core score of 1792 and a multi-core score of 4978 on the CX34. That’s not an unusual result for a modern Chromebook. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus achieved a score of 1831 and 4821, respectively. And several older alternatives, including the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook, Framework Chromebook, and Acer Chromebook Spin 514, can hit a multi-core score above 5000.

But the competition is more expensive. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i has an MSRP of $500 and the Framework Chromebook retails for $1,000. Acer’s Chromebook Spin 514 is usually comparable in price, though only because it’s an older model that’s on its way out. It may not even be available by the time you read this.

That puts the CX34 in a comfortable position. It’s not the quickest Chromebook, but it’s speedy, and it delivers performance comparable to more expensive rivals.

The battery lasts

Performance sometimes comes at the cost of reduced battery life, but the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 avoids that problem. It has a sizable 50-watt-hour battery with plenty of juice.

We recorded 12 hours and 35 minutes of battery life in our standard battery benchmark, which simulates heavy web browsing. That’s a solid result that defeats several alternatives including the IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. The pricey HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is the only model that lasted significantly longer in our test, enduring for more than 14 hours.

The CX34 did just as well in day-to-day use. A half-day of web browsing and document editing leaves the laptop with more than half its battery remaining. The laptop also draws little power when left idle or in sleep mode. I left it closed and fully charged: when I returned, more than 90 percent of the battery remained.

There’s tons of connectivity

Asus also over delivers on connectivity.

The Chromebook Plus CX34 has two USB-C 3.2 ports, both of which support Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate mode. That means both can be used to charge the laptop (which ships with a USB-C power adapter) or output video to a USB-C monitor (or another monitor if you have the right adapter).

That’s paired with two USB-A 3.2 ports, HDMI-out, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. This is a healthy range of connectivity for any modern laptop sold below $1,000 and exceptional for a Chromebook. Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus has one less USB-A port and no HDMI-out, for example.

Wireless connectivity is solid, too, as the CX34 supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, the most modern version of each wireless standard. This is true of many modern laptops, but it’s always a positive to see the latest wireless connectivity in a budget laptop.

What we don’t like

It feels flimsy

Asus packs a lot into the inexpensive Chromebook Plus CX34, but it’s not perfect. Its budget price tag becomes obvious after a few hours with the device.

The laptop’s design isn’t the issue. It has an unusual, dappled exterior that looks gray at a distance but becomes more intriguing on close inspection. The darker gray keycaps contrast nicely with the interior and the white-gray display bezel completes the look.

Pick up the laptop, though, and it’s clear where Asus had to cut corners. The laptop feels hollow and flimsy. Opening the display results in noticeable flex across its surface, and the clamshell’s lower half bends if held from one corner. The laptop’s body creaks slightly as the display is opened or closed.

Don’t get me wrong: it’s fine for $400. Still, shoppers should be clear about what they’ll receive. The CX34 looks attractive, but its mediocre build quality ensures you’ll never forget you bought the cheap one.

It’s just a laptop

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 also keeps its price in check by sticking with a basic clamshell laptop design. It doesn’t have a fancy 360-hinge or a touchscreen, so you’re stuck using the keyboard and touchpad.

That’s not necessarily a problem. We often have complaints about the size and weight of Chromebooks that try to emulate a tablet, and the CX34 avoids these issues. The lack of a touchscreen also lets Asus stick with a semi-gloss display that shows little glare and makes the most of the display’s moderate brightness.

However, the lack of a touchscreen is important if you plan to lean on ChromeOS’ support for Android apps. This provides access to the massive library of apps available on the Google Play Store. However, many of these apps require touch input to work properly (or at all). The touchscreen’s absence means you’ll often run into roadblocks when trying to use Android apps.

ChromeOS becomes a headwind

Performance is a perk for the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 but also reveals the limitations of ChromeOS.

ChromeOS is an operating system that relies on the cloud. It embraces the use of web-based and cloud apps and offers limited local storage (just 128GB). The default ChromeOS taskbar includes a lineup of Google services like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Photos, to name a few. Apps designed to run natively on ChromeOS are rare.

That leaves the CX34’s quick processor without much to do. Yes, it’s snappy—but does it matter if you’re working in Google Sheets or a web-based photo editor like Pixlr? It could, in theory. But in practice, the lack of demanding ChromeOS apps means the Intel Core i3 rarely gets a chance to shine.

The CX34 is also threatened by inexpensive Windows alternatives like the Asus Vivobook 14 and HP 14 Laptop. These comparably priced Windows laptops offer similar or better specifications. Chromebooks do tend to offer better battery life, but Windows’ deep roster of apps makes it a more practical choice when portability isn’t a top concern.

Should you buy the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34?

Yes, it’s a simple but speedy laptop

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an excellent ChromeOS laptop and an easy go-to pick for anyone who doesn’t want or need a touchscreen. It delivers a pleasant keyboard and touchpad, a sharp 1080p display, lots of connectivity, solid performance, and strong battery life for just $400.

It does have flaws. The laptop’s budget-conscious design is obvious, and I’d caution against buying the laptop if you’re especially hard on your PCs. The lack of a touchscreen is also a problem, as well, because ChromeOS relies on Android app support to fill out its app roster. Many Android apps rely on touch to function.

However, most similarly priced Chromebooks share at least one, if not both, of these problems, while also trailing the CX34 in other areas. The CX34 is a close match for Chromebooks sold for several hundred dollars more—and that makes it a great value.