Google, along with Acer, Asus and Lenovo, are launching new Chromebooks designed specifically for cloud gaming after the company recently shut down its own Stadia cloud gaming service. For the right software, they now rely entirely on GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming – and Steam locally on the device.
Cloud Gaming Acer, Asus, and Lenovo Chromebooks
The three new Chromebooks can not only be used for cloud gaming and the function is not exclusively reserved for them, but Google and its partners only ensure that their hardware is particularly suitable for cloud gaming. Among other things, this requires a display with a speed of at least 120 Hz with a resolution of up to 1600p and Wi-Fi 6 or even Wi-Fi 6E and can also be expressed in an anti-ghosting RGB keyboard, although the lighting is optional . Google, for its part, is also adapting Chrome OS to make games faster and easier to access on Chromebooks, such as adding them to the launcher's search and offering Settings apps for gaming peripherals from SteelSeries, Corsair, and Lenovo. The cloud gaming Chromebooks are aimed at casual gamers who don't want to take the time or spend the money to put together a powerful desktop system themselves.
The new cloud gaming Chromebooks from Acer, Asus and Lenovo are scheduled to go on sale worldwide from October, with initial availability in Germany not expected until December at the earliest, which should then be widespread from the first quarter of 2023. The Acer Chromebook 516 GE, the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip and the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook have in common that they are lighter and smaller than many classic gaming laptops. More than 1,000 games are available on Chromebooks with GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Free to start with GeForce Now and a gaming mouse
At the start, buyers will also receive the GeForce Now RTX 3080 (test) premium tariff for three months and a SteelSeries 3 gaming mouse free of charge in a bundle with the Chromebooks – because hardly anyone wants to play on a Chromebook without a mouse.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is equipped with a 12th generation Intel Core i5 or i7, 8 GB or 16 GB RAM, 128 GB or 256 GB NVMe SSD and a 16-inch IPS display with 2,560 × 1,600 pixels and 120 Hz refresh rate . Acer specifies the brightness of the 16:10 screen as 350 cd/m². Depending on the model, you can choose between a Core i5-1240P or a Core i7-1260P for the processor. The Intel Iris Xe Graphics serves as the integrated GPU. In addition to Wi-Fi 6E via Intel's AX211, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth 5.2, the Chromebook offers a Full HD webcam, a 63 Wh battery, two USB-C ports (10 Gbps) with DP Alt mode, an HDMI 2.1 output, a USB-A port, a headphone/microphone combo port and a keyboard with RGB backlighting.
With dimensions of At 356.58 × 249.67 × 21.3 mm (W×D×H), the Acer Chromebook 516 GE weighs 1.7 kg.
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Acer Chromebook 516 GE (Image: Acer)
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Acer Chromebook 516 GE (Image: Acer)
The first available model (CBG516-1H-53TY) with Core i5-1240P, 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD is expected to go on sale in the US for US$650 excluding taxes . German prices are not yet available.
Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip
The Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 (CX5501) is an updated variant of the Chromebook Flip CX 5, but it still uses an 11th generation Intel Core processor. You can choose between an Intel CXore i3-1115G4, i5-1135G7 and i7-1165G7 – the latter comes with the Iris Xe Graphics, while the i3 comes with the Intel UHD Graphics. Depending on the model, 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM is installed, the NVMe SSD is available in increments of 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB. The 15.6-inch IPS display in 16:9 format offers 1,920 × 1,080 pixels, i.e. Full HD, with up to 144 Hz. Asus specifies a comparatively dark 250 cd/m² for brightness. As the suffix Flip suggests, the display can be rotated (convertible) and laid flat on the Chromebook's base.
With Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, less is offered than with Acer. The camera also only has a resolution of 720p. Two USB-C ports (10 Gbit/s), a USB-A port, an HDMI 2.0 port, a combined headphone/microphone connection and a microSD card reader are available as connections. The battery offers 57 Wh. The anti-ghosting keyboard offers background lighting, but no RGB lighting.
With dimensions of 357.6 × 240.8 × 18 .5 mm, the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip weighs 1.95 kg.
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Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5501) (Image: Asus)
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Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5501) (Image: Asus)
Prices for the individual configurations of the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip are not yet known.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook
With the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook, on the other hand, buyers can choose between an Intel Core i3-1215U and i5-1235U, i.e. processors from the 12th generation. The RAM is always 8 GB. The buyer has to be particularly careful with the SSD, because only the configurations with 256 and 512 GB use an NVMe SSD; the 128 GB version uses an eMMC. The 16-inch IPS display in 16:10 format offers 2,560 × 1,600 pixels and 120 Hz. Lenovo specifies the brightness as 350 cd/m². In addition to a 1080p camera, two USB-C ports (10 Gbit/s and DP), two USB-A ports, a combined headphone-microphone connection and a microSD card reader are offered. In addition to Bluetooth 5, Lenovo also has Wi-Fi 6E. The battery offers 71 Wh. The keyboard offers 4-zone RGB lighting.
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Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook (Image: Lenovo)
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Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook (Image: Lenovo)
The 356.5 × 253 × 19.95 mm Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook weighs 1.82 kg. Prices are not yet known.
Steam for games on Chromebook without cloud
Google will also include Steam on the new Chromebooks support, allowing games to be installed and run locally without resorting to cloud gaming and relying on an internet connection. This planned support is not new, Google announced it back in March at the Google for Games Developer Summit 2022 and Steam is already available as an alpha for Chrome OS. Games can also be played offline on the Chromebooks.
Update 10/11/2022 3:50 p.m.
Acer has announced a recommended retail price for the Chromebook 516 GE for Germany from 949 euros and expected availability from January 2023.
ComputerBase has received information about this article from Google under NDA. The only requirement was the earliest possible publication date.