ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (CX3402) Review – A Surprisingly Capable Alternative to Windows Laptops

When I first heard about Chromebooks over a decade ago, I wasn’t particularly impressed. The concept seemed too restrictive, and I doubted it had enough resources to handle real work. As someone who has used and reviewed a few laptops, I’ve always advocated for traditional Windows laptops for portable work or study.

However, the Chromebook Plus has completely changed my perspective. Not only have I warmed to the idea of these more affordable, non-Windows laptops, but I’ve also found myself genuinely productive and, surprisingly, thoroughly enjoying the experience.

What Makes a Chromebook Plus Special?

A Chromebook Plus represents an enhanced version of the standard Chromebook, featuring improved specifications across the board. You get a better display, enhanced performance through superior processors and increased RAM, an upgraded webcam, and advanced AI features. Here are some standout features every Chromebook Plus offers (coming through updates in the coming weeks):

• Help Me Read – useful summaries, Q&A on the contents anywhere you have text or content in the operating system (i.e browsing, reading PDF, etc)
• Live Translate: whatever you have on the screen, including video conferencing (in Zoom, Google Meet, etc), YouTube live stream, movie you are watching, etc to over 100 languages in real time. Ever wonder what the singer is singing on a music video you like? Now you can.
• Video call improvements: AI noise cancelling, automatically adjust lighting to any video conferencing apps
• Recorder app: Records audio but you can use AI to also create audio transcriptions of meetings, discussions, summaries, etc

These features complement the standard Chromebook AI capabilities, including

• Generative Wallpapers and Video Conferencing Backgrounds
• Help Me Write: Put generative texts anywhere (like Google Chrome but also even Whatsapp)
• Magic Editor: AI editing of an image, now works great in a laptop with keyboard and mouse
• Chat with Gemini
• etc

A significant value addition is the included 12-month Google One subscription with AI Premium Plan (2TB Cloud Storage, Gemini Advanced), normally priced at A$32.99 monthly. That’s approximately A$395 worth of value for the year, making it particularly attractive for those who regularly use AI tools for work or personal tasks.

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34: Hardware and Design

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 review unit, provided by Google Australia, comes well-equipped. It features a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U Processor (12 threads, 3.67GHz), 8GB of RAM, a 1080p FHD camera, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), and Bluetooth 5.3.

While the 14-inch FHD (1920×1080) display with 250 nits brightness and anti-glare coating might seem modest on paper, it performs impressively in real-world use, delivering sharp, bright visuals. One unique feature is the ability to fold the screen flat if you are sharing screen with a team member. This would come in handy when you are in uni doing group assignments.

Weighing just 1.44kg, it’s remarkably portable. I regularly take it to this local Melbourne cafe, where I catch up on emails while enjoying my coffee and chocolate croissant. The quick startup time and exceptional battery life (ASUS claims up to 10 hours, but you can easily get at least 7-8 hours from my experience with the machine) – make it perfect for mobile work.

Performance and Usability

The video conferencing experience has been consistently reliable. The camera quality impresses, and the AI-powered video features, particularly the lighting enhancement (which keeps your face brightly lit), work remarkably well. The included privacy shutter that you can slide open and close adds a welcome layer of security.

The keyboard delivers surprisingly comfortable typing experience, outperforming even my Dell XPS 13 (2024). The keys provide excellent tactile feedback without any stickiness. ASUS has incorporated their Antimicrobial Guard technology on the keyboard, touchpad, and palm rest, which they claim reduces bacterial growth by up to 99% over 24 hours – a thoughtful addition for hygiene-conscious users.

The keyboard is backlit though this may sound weird because the backlighting actually makes it hard to read the keys with it on if the room is bright enough, unless you crank the brightness all the way up or off completely (which is better in a well-lit room). However, if the room is dimly lit, the backlighting works wonders.

The Chromebook Plus comes with many, multiple ports like 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (also used for charging), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, and HDMI 1.4 port for external display. You can plug the charging cable, along with some peripherals like a mouse and keyboard easily. Alternatively, you can connect them via Bluetooth and leave the ports available for something else.

A Chromebook Plus Experience – How Is It?

This is my first experience with a Chromebook (or a Chromebook Plus). There are plenty of things to like here – like how fast the machine boots up, how stable and smooth everything is (that feeling when you just fresh install your Windows machine), how more affordable the machine is, and how easy it is to manage updates. A Chromebook Plus is definitely something I’d give to those who do not understand much about tech stuff like having to download and keep their drivers up to date, or in need of troubleshooting help because of weird error codes appearing.

ChromeOS demonstrates remarkable stability, and Chrome browser performance is notably snappy thanks to native integration. The ability to install Android apps and games from the Google Play Store is a nice thing to have as well. While I’ve successfully played games like Hearthstone with decent performance, it’s important to set realistic expectations – this isn’t meant to compete with dedicated gaming laptops.

For everyday tasks, the Chromebook Plus proves more than capable. Web browsing, email management, video conferencing, and document work (both online and offline) run smoothly. The additional processing power comes in handy for more demanding tasks like photo editing. Files can also be stored locally.

The main focus on AI means that you have access to Google’s Gemini any time on the Chromebook Plus to fix your photos, give you ideas on content creation, help you manage your daily productivity, and more.

There are dedicated apps like Gmail though I still somewhat prefer running Gmail on the Chrome web browser. Developers can also install Linux and Linux apps, and this is made easy. Plus, the beefier spec of a Chromebook Plus is recommended for this use.

I definitely don’t miss the Windows environment while using the Chromebook Plus and that’s a good thing. During my testing period, I’ve comfortably handled:

• Android gaming
• Email correspondence
• Web research
• Content writing with AI-assisted grammar and spell checking
• Video conferences
• Media consumption

Unless your work specifically requires high-performance laptops for more professional video editing, Windows-specific applications, or AAA gaming, the Chromebook Plus could well exceed your expectations. It’s particularly well-suited for users whose computing needs center around everyday tasks – which, realistically, describes most users today.

ASUS CHROMEBOOK PLUS CX34 REVIEW CONCLUSION

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 has completely changed my perspective on ChromeOS devices. What impressed me most was how seamlessly it handled my daily workflow – from writing and research to video calls and content creation. The combination of solid performance, excellent battery life, and genuinely useful AI features makes this a compelling package.

The hardware itself deserves praise, particularly the comfortable keyboard and variety of ports. While the backlit keys could use some refinement, and the screen’s 250 nits brightness might not suit outdoor use in Summer, these are minor quirks in an otherwise excellent device.

What really sets this Chromebook Plus apart is the value proposition. The included 12-month Google One subscription with AI Premium Plan (worth A$395) adds significant value, especially for those interested in AI-enhanced productivity. The stable performance, quick boot times, and hassle-free maintenance make this an excellent choice for students, professionals, and anyone who prioritises reliability over raw power.

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is available now for purchase at A$1,029. There are also other Chromebook Plus from different manufacturers, so make sure to check them out too if you are looking to get your own Chromebook Plus!

Disclosure: ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 review unit is supplied for reviewing from Google Australia