Google announced new Chromebooks focused on gamers looking for an affordable option to play the latest titles without breaking the bank. The company is trying to show that it remains committed to cloud gaming, despite the recent shutdown of Stadia. To achieve this, Google made alliance with Asus, Lenovo and Acerthree manufacturers with expertise in gaming hardware, as well as Microsoft, NVIDIA and Amazon as cloud service providers.
The proposal is simple: three Chromebooks with flashy features that are capable of running AAA games. While powerful specs aren’t required to play in the cloud, Google has thrown in some other big features. New Chromebooks include keyboards with anti-ghosting technology and 120 Hz screens with resolution up to 1600pamong other benefits.
While an ASUS ROG or Razer Blade Stealth focuses on hardware power to deliver the best frame rate per second, Google’s bet is on software. ChromeOS has been optimized to improve performance and provide immediate access to your game library. The Game Pass, GeForce Now and Amazon Luna+ catalogs have been indexed and appear in the search engine, so you only have to type the name of the game to launch it.
Chromebooks also offer integration with dedicated peripherals, such as mice, headsets, or game controllers. Manufacturers such as Lenovo, HyperX, Steelseries or Corsair offer devices certified by Google that are compatible with their new laptops. Some of them, like Acer or Corsair, have developed web applications to configure the hardware.
New Chromebooks for gaming: features, price and availability
The idea of cloud gaming on a Chromebook is not new, as GeForce NOW It has been doing it since 2020. The important thing about these computers is that they move away from the concept of a laptop for school or office and want to look more like a laptop gamer. Companies like NVIDIA announced new options for Chromebook users to take advantage of new hardware, such as support for gaming at 1600p at 120 FPS with ray tracing enabled.
The first generation of gaming Chromebooks will be available starting this month with prices ranging from $399 to $799 in United States. In some cases, special promotions will be offered with the purchase of the laptop, such as 3 months of GeForce NOW or Amazon Luna + or a Steelseries 3 Gaming mouse. The final price will depend on the model and hardware specifications.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook | Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip | Acer Chromebook 516GE |
---|---|---|
– 16-inch 1600p (2560 x 1600 pixels) display with 120 Hz panel – Processor options up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 – Wifi 6E connectivity – 4-zone RGB keyboard with anti-ghosting technology and 1.5mm scroll | – 15.6-inch Full HD display with 144 Hz panel – Processor options up to an Intel Core i7-1164G7 at 2.8 GHz – ErgoLift 360-degree hinge to adjust the screen at any angle – Anti-ghosting keyboard with special finish on WASD keys | – 16-inch 1600p (2560 x 1600 pixels) display with 120H panel – Processor options up to an Intel Core i7-1260P – RGB anti-ghosting keyboard – Wifi 6E and Ethernet port – DTS sound support |
Can we trust Google after the Stadia fiasco?
a few days after Google will announce the end of Stadia, the arrival of new Chromebooks for cloud gaming is a bit strange. John Maletis, director of engineering and design for ChromeOS, said that since the beginning of the project it was intended to be platform agnostic for cloud gaming, and not limited to one service. However, he mentioned that he would have liked to launch the new hardware accompanied by Stadia.
The head of ChromeOS mentioned that cloud gaming is taking off and that services like GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass they have been able to capitalize on it with their business models. Maletis added that are committed to this strategy and that this is the first generation of teams. Similarly, an NVIDIA representative assured that they will continue to support cloud gaming.
Finally, Google confirmed that current Chromebooks will continue to run games in the cloud as they have done so far. OS optimization and new features like 1600p or 120Hz support will be unique to all three laptops, taking advantage of hardware features not found in any other Chromebook on the market.