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ebk02 Posted
When opening the Asus Chromebook, the overall appearance is excellent. Although the top and bottom look to be textured plastic, it still felt fairly rigid. There was a very little flex in the display, but almost none in the keyboard and palm rest area. The screen can lay fully flat. The screen is a 14 inch 1920 X 1080 FHD at 60Hz It is an led screen and although only rated at 250 nits, was bright enough even in a lit room. Also, it is a touch screen, and responds well to the touch input. Screen has reasonably good viewing angles, also a matte screen so it doesn't reflect. The screen coloration leans toward the red / green the “low blue light” that is common now. I tend to set backgrounds to bluish scenes which minimizes this effect. There is no provision to change color temperature, except night light setting – which removes blue light even more. I would like to see the addition of color settings in Chrome for better ability to work with photos, watch movies, etc. Trackpad was also responsive, and the “click” seemed to work across the entire bottom. Keyboard has a soft feel, and a short travel, but easy to type on. However, key back light is non-existent, so typing in a dark room may be next to impossible without a light on.... The processor is an Intel Core 5 Series 1. It is a 10 core, 12 thread processor, running at 1.4Ghz, with boost to 5Ghz. However, it does not have an NPU. Along with the 8Gb ram, this machine tears through tasks. Multiple tabs, and apps, don't seem to slow it down. The UFS storage is 128Gb, but there is no micro card slot for extra storage. You would have to use an external USB storage device. It does have 2 USB A ports, 2 USB C ports, HDMI port, and headphone jack. I charged fully, and the machine has been on for 3 hours, and still shows 100%. This is a good choice for an all day computer.... The computer is fast, lightweight, with exceptional battery life, and feels solid and well built. The major downfalls would be the lack of back lit keyboard, somewhat limited storage, and the inability to correct coloration. Still excellent for students, those needing to work all day on a single charge, etc.
Techuser Posted
Pros: • Great Ecosystem & Account Management: ChromeOS makes it incredibly easy to manage separate accounts. It’s perfect for switching between my kids' school/entertainment profiles and my own browsing needs. • Seamless Phone Sync: The integration with my phone works effortlessly—notifications, file sharing, and tab sync are super smooth. • Solid Build & Display: The chassis feels surprisingly sturdy and durable for daily family use. The matte touch screen is a huge plus—it handles glare well, but not as bright and the touch response is snappy. • Great Daily Performance: For browsing, watching videos, and basic daily tasks, it’s fast, simple, and reliable. • Comes with subscription for Google AI Pro plan for 12 months (says offer expires January 31,2027). Totally worth it. Cons: • Screen Brightness: The display isn't exceptionally bright. It’s totally fine indoors, but if you're in a very bright room or near a sunny window, you might wish it had a bit • Trackpad Gap: There is a noticeable physical gap around the edges of the trackpad. It doesn't affect functionality, but once you see you cant unsee it Bottom Line: If you need an easy-to-use, durable notebook for light family duty, streaming, and casual web browsing, this Chromebook Plus is a great choice. Despite a couple of minor design quirks, the software experience and solid build make it a great value.
jago Posted
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a solid, no-nonsense Chromebook Plus laptop that gets the fundamentals right. It is not flashy, and it comes with a few clear compromises, but it is a dependable machine for everyday users, especially if you can find it below MSRP. Design and Build The CX34 is a plastic laptop, and it does not try to hide that fact. What it lacks in style, it makes up for in durability. The chassis feels rigid, the lid has very little flex, and the hinge feels sturdy even if it is not especially remarkable. At about 3.15 pounds, it is not especially thin or light, but it is still easy enough to carry in a bag. Port selection is also a strong point, with two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Display The 14-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD IPS display is sharp and seems reasonably color-accurate to my untrained eyes. The main drawback is brightness: at about 250 nits, the screen is fine indoors but washes out quickly near bright windows or outdoors. The matte finish is a welcome touch, though, because it helps reduce glare and does not show fingerprints as easily as glossier screens. Performance The Intel Core 5 120U performs very well for everyday work. Dozens of tabs, Google Docs, YouTube, Android apps, and light photo editing all run smoothly, and the laptop feels fast and responsive in normal use. The main weak spot is storage. The 128GB UFS drive is acceptable for a Chromebook, but it is not as fast as NVMe storage, and larger file transfers make that difference noticeable. Most users will not mind, but anyone who works heavily with local files should be aware of it. Keyboard and Trackpad The keyboard has good key travel and a comfortable layout, making it suitable for long typing sessions. The major downside is the lack of backlighting, which can be frustrating in low-light environments, and the lack of a 10 key may steer some folks away from this. The trackpad is much better. It is large, accurate, and easy to click, and it feels comparable to trackpads found on some more expensive Windows laptops. Chromebook Plus Software The Chromebook Plus features are where this model earns its name. The 1080p webcam with AI noise suppression is genuinely useful for video calls and is a major upgrade over the 720p cameras found on many older laptops and the included privacy shield is a great feature as well. You also get a 12-month trial of Google Ai Pro (expires 1/2027) which is a great added feature. Battery Life Real-world battery life lands around eight to ten hours, depending on workload. That is not class-leading, but it is enough for a full day of classes, typical work, or a cross-country flight. The 45W USB-C charger also tops it up reasonably quickly. Verdict At MSRP, the CX34 asks you to pay for the Core 5 processor, solid build quality, and Chromebook Plus software features. The dim display and non-backlit keyboard are the main compromises, and they are harder to overlook at a higher price. Best for: Students, professionals, and casual users who want a fast, reliable Chrome OS laptop with good ports and a strong webcam. The CX34 is not flashy, but it is a solid, honest workhorse. Just know that you are paying a premium for the Core 5 model over cheaper Core i3 versions, while the display and keyboard remain lack advanced features.
DJSmooth Posted
OVERALL The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is better than I expected. Older Chromebooks felt limited, but this one is fast, simple, and capable enough for everyday use. It handles web browsing, streaming, email, cloud productivity software, video calls, online shopping, and lots of open tabs without noticeable lag. It is lightweight enough for travel but also convenient to keep nearby at home for quick tasks. It will not replace a Windows laptop for specialized software, but it is a great option for anyone whose daily use is mostly online. KEY TAKEAWAYS + Fast and responsive for everyday tasks + Comfortable, quiet keyboard and smooth trackpad + Webcam privacy shutter with visible closed indicator + Lightweight 14-inch design with useful ports + Good all-day battery life + Speakers and outdoor screen brightness are only average DESIGN AND BUILD The CX34 has a clean, modern look and feels better than many budget Chromebooks. Its 14-inch Full HD touchscreen is clear and a good size for work or streaming, while the 180-degree hinge adds flexibility. It is light and easy to carry, though there is some flex in the lid. The display works well indoors but is not bright enough for regular outdoor use. KEYBOARD, PERFORMANCE, AND FEATURES The keyboard is a highlight. The keys have a comfortable, quiet feel with just enough feedback, making it pleasant to type on during emails, searches, and longer work sessions. The trackpad is smooth and accurate, although Windows users may want to adjust the scrolling direction. Performance is strong for a Chromebook. It handled many browser tabs, streaming, Google apps, Zoom, Meet, and casual Android games without slowing down. The webcam is clear for video calls, and the physical privacy shutter is a feature I really appreciate—the red indicator makes it easy to see when the camera is covered. The port selection is also very good, including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and audio. It worked well with external storage, docks, Ethernet adapters, and monitors. BATTERY AND AUDIO Battery life is reliable for a typical workday, with around eight hours or more depending on use. USB-C charging is convenient, especially for travel. The speakers are the weakest part. They are fine for calls and quick videos, but they lack the depth needed for music or movies. Headphones or an external speaker are better if audio matters to you. CONCLUSION The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is a fast, portable, and easy-to-use laptop that offers strong value. Its comfortable keyboard, smooth performance, useful privacy shutter, solid port selection, and dependable battery life make it a great choice for students, families, travelers, and anyone who mainly uses email, web browsing, streaming, and Google apps. This is worth 4-stars. PROS - Fast everyday performance - Lightweight and travel-friendly - Comfortable, quiet keyboard - Smooth, accurate trackpad - Clear 14-inch Full HD touchscreen - Physical webcam privacy shutter - Strong selection of ports - Reliable workday battery life CONS - Screen is not ideal for bright outdoor use - Lid has some flex - Speakers are basic - Limited 128GB storage
stanmed Posted
After spending a week with the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, I can confidently say it stands out as one of the more enjoyable and budget-friendly laptops I have ever used. What immediately stands out is its speed. This Chromebook handles well anything I threw at it: dozens of open tabs, media streaming, Google Workspace applications, and casual Android games without any noticeable lag. I like the trackpad, it feels smooth and precise, while the keyboard offers a surprisingly comfortable typing experience that rivals mid-range Windows laptops. This Asus Chromebook also features an excellent webcam complete with a handy physical privacy shutter, making it great for video calls. I have used it a number of times with Zoom and Google's Meet apps and my video quality was smooth. In terms of battery life, the battery is OK, it reliably powers through a standard workday, though it doesn't offer much extra beyond that. The screen is perfectly adequate for daily indoor tasks, but I would not use it outside as its limited brightness means it struggles. While the overall build quality is respectable, there is some noticeable flex when applying pressure to the lid, not a big deal, it is not a premium built Chromebook. I thing I must mention is its audio. The audio experience is perhaps the laptop's weakest point, as the speakers are fine for quick YouTube videos but lack the depth needed for music. All in all, the CX34 model is a fast, simple, and dependable Chromebook is great for students, home schoolers and even your elderly parents. I find it to be a great choice if your daily routine revolves around checking email, web browsing, Google apps, and streaming. That is pretty much what we all do on our full-fledged PCs.
Sean Posted
In our local school district Chromebooks are required and are available to be issued to students. Not really a fan of how involved these have become with schooling but if my kids are going to use one I'd rather they use their own and have a device that is more usable. This Asus CX34 offers a few upgrades over the standard issue Chromebooks. The most noticeable is the screen. The Asus screen actually gets bright enough to be usable, no more eyestrain and struggling to read text on the screen. Helping my kids with their homework on the issued device was unbearable. Backing up the improved screen are speakers that you can actually hear as well. They aren't the best laptop speakers I've every heard, but they are more than good enough for listening to lessons and the occasional youtube video. Intelligibility is very good and they do not sound tinny or cheap. The Asus also is noticeably faster than other Chromebooks I've used. Not that these need to be powerhouses, but the i3 handles all the required tabs and productivity apps that students need opened at once very well. If you're looking for a solid upgrade to the super cheap issued Chromebooks, this is definitely worth a look.
Rudeney Posted
First of all, I am a big fan of Asus products. I use their laptops, keyboards, monitors and routers, and I have never been disappointed. My main laptop that I use every day is an Asus ProArt, but I was looking for something smaller and more portable for travel, specifically with good battery life. Since most of my applications are web-based, I decided to look into a Chromebook because they tend to have great battery life with less weight. When I came across this Asus CX34 Chromebook Plus, I did not hesitate to order it. This Asus Chromebook has a nice, modern design. The textured surfaces give it a luxurious feel. It’s lightweight without feeling “cheap”. The full HD screen is bright and clear, with excellent touch response. I like that the screen’s hinge allows for a 180-degree range so it can be opened fully flat if desired. The built-in sliding privacy cover for the camera is a nice touch. The keyboard has a decent feel, though it does lack backlighting, which is a bit disappointing. The touchpad mouse works well after I reversed its default setting for vertical scrolling direction as it was backward from what I am used to in a Windows environment. There is plenty of connectivity with two USB-C “Thunderbolt” ports that also support charging. It has two USB-A ports, an HDMI port and a 2.5mm audio jack. I connected a port replicator “mini-dock” to one of the Thunderbolt ports and although I received a warning about it having an unsupported device, it worked perfectly, supporting the USB ports, hardwired Ethernet connection and external HDMI monitor. I also tried a external touchscreen monitor on one of the Thunderbolt ports and it worked perfectly. I was able to get over 8 hours of heavy use with about an hour’s worth of charge remaining. Recharging only takes a few hours with a capable fast charger, but it can be charged using any USB-C power cord. I am a longtime Windows user, but I also use Android phones and tablets, so the transition to the Asus CX34’s Chromium OS was not difficult. It only has 128GB of storage, but since most of my apps use cloud storage, that’s not a problem. And of course I can connect storage to any of the USB ports if needed. I did end up connecting an external Bluetooth mouse, which works well and make this Chromebook much more usable. Overall, I am very happy with this Asus CX34 Chromebook Plus. It’s well-made and is very portable. The Intel Cor 5 processor and 8GB of RAM makes it fast and very capable. Other than not running native Windows apps, it’s an easy replacement computer for my needs when traveling. It’s well-made and a decent value. I highly recommend this Asus Chromebook.
Cipher469 Posted
I am a fan of Asus computer products. As such, I have high expectations of new releases. Having had the opportunity to check out the 3402, I wanted to see if Asus is still “In Search Of Incredible.” They do not disappoint. For it’s market, the 3402 offers lots of features at a reasonable price. These include: *OS: Being a Chromebook, the OS is Google Chrome. If your experience is only with Edge or another OS, Chrome might feel a bit different. However, the learning curve should not be difficult for the average user. On my primary computer, I use both Chrome and Edge. One reason is that Chrome will access an especially important business site that Edge will not. Strange, but true. *CPU: Intel 5 (13th Generation), an excellent processor. *Memory: SSD 128gb and RAM 8gb should be plenty of memory for the average user. *Connectivity: Aside from Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6, there are plenty of slots for plugins: 1 HDMI, 4 USB (2x A 3.2 and 2x C3.2). *AI: Gemini is onboard and available via the icon on task bar. This Gemini version is an improvement in capabilities. However, if you want more than the basics, there are three levels available for a monthly cost. *Battery: Fully charged usage life is projected to 10 hours of power. I used it for about 3 hours and had only put a small dent in the available time. * Screen: LED and Full HD (1920 x 1080). Visuals are particularly good. The screen can be folded flat. *Smart Lock: This is a new feature to me. My mobile phone is connected to my primary computer, and it easily connected to the Chromebook. Smart Lock takes it a step further using the phone as a lock/unlock “key.” Pretty cool. To access, click the mobile phone icon on the task bar in lower right corner of the screen. The CX3402CV is another fine computer from ASUS. However, it is not perfect. The keyboard has no backlighting. Though the keys do present numbers and letters in white, they are otherwise black keys on a black background. In dim light this can possibly create a challenge for the user. On the plus side, that matter of preference presents no adverse effect on computer operations. The Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402 would be perfect for students or anyone else who needs the portability of an especially useful laptop without carrying a lot of weight. Plus, this highly portable laptop comes with an attractive cost.
Debbi Posted
It seems like everyone knows everything these days so one of the first things I look for on any new laptop or Chromebook is a way to close the camera. I don’t want to turn it off as I may want to use during a video call but otherwise I wanted it “closed” so I don’t get surprised to be on camera when I’m not expecting it. The ASUS Chromebook CX3402 has a built in slider to cover the camera. Particularly, helpful is the large red dot letting you know the slider is closed. The next thing I look for is the feel of the keyboard. ASUS never disappoints here. I don’t know if there’s a technical term for it but I call it “bounce”. The ASUS keys have a nice bounce to them. Not a loud “clickie” sound, you hardly press the key to get the keys to type. It just has a nice, easy typing experience. When I’m on a conference call but need to look something up, the ASUS is so quiet no one knows I’m also using another machine. The picture quality on an ASUS is great. For my needs (Streaming, Internet searching/shopping, email) the performance is fine. The 14" screen is not too big, not too small, it's just right. The machine is light enough that it makes an easy travel companion. With Chromebooks no virus software is required and that’s a big plus not to have to keep that up to date and pay yearly for it. Gemini is always helpful. Setup was easy, just need a google email (gmail) account. I keep this ASUS Chromebook near my spot in the living room for whatever I might need or want to do.
MurphyR Posted
This is a perfectly capable computer which is held back only by the operating system and the built ins which are easiest to address... I've connected to a docking station and run videos on YouTube, Gmail, calendar, numerous Chrome windows, Gemini, and a game (Magic Arena) all at the same time without any significant issues. The only odd point is that the game doesn't continue to run if you click to a different window. Otherwise, the video plays without any jittering, so there are no hardware issues with multitasking. The build of the machine feels fairly cheap. I'm writing this review on it currently, and the keyboard feels a bit spongy and dull. I do prefer a mechanical keyboard, so this is very different, but it will be good if you're concerned about the volume of keys. Otherwise, feels a bit dull to use. There's also no backlight, so definitely going for any manner of premium experience here. Clicking on the track pad is similar. It's fine, it works, it's nothing great. Everything else is just a standard plastic feel, so given that this isn't a budget machine you can tell that the cost is driven by the internals, which is not the worst thing. Along these lines, the display and audio are not amazing, but are functional. When playing YouTube, the colors are rather washed out and dull when compared to the regular monitor connected through the docking station. The same can be said for the audio as well. You can hear music, but there is a lacking clarity and bass. Pretty much anything you would consider "bass" simply isn't there. You can hear the higher frequencies of bass strings being plucked, but not the resonant tones you may want. On initially setting everything up, I got about 8 hours of battery life, and it would be much better when not installing everything for the first time. You should be able to go all day on a charge as long as you're not maxing out the brightness or doing crazy gaming. All of this being said, it is a good computer to use as a portable machine if you have to, but really shines when you connect it to something like a docking station with a better monitor and speaker set-up.