ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 Review

If you’re a digital nomad, freelancer, or remote worker who is always on the move, the chances are you will need a laptop that can keep up with your workflow.

Whether that involves a mix of working in coffee shops, airport lounges, co-working spaces and at home, it is important to have a device that can manage their various demands.

Luckily, there are plenty of brands out there that offer options specifically for those who adopt this lifestyle. One of them is the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, which we will review in this post.

If you are not familiar with it, this device may be the affordable productivity machine you’ve been waiting for. It’s lightweight, powerful enough for everyday tasks, and built to handle a busy travel schedule without putting stress on your wallet or back.

Let’s find out more about it.

Specs Overview

Considering its price point, the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 packs quite a punch. Before we dive fully into a review of it, here’s a breakdown of its key specs:

• CPU & GPU: Intel Core i5-1335U with Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
• Storage: 128GB UFS or optional 512GB NVMe SSD
• Display: 14” Full HD (1920×1080) IPS, non-touch
• Battery Life: Rated up to 12 hours (real-world average: 10–11 hours)
• Weight & Build: 1.44kg, plastic chassis (MIL-STD-810H durability)
• Ports: 2× USB-C, 2× USB-A, HDMI, microSD, headphone jack
• OS: ChromeOS with Linux (Beta) and Google Play Store support

Thanks to these specs, the CX34 sets itself apart from many entry-level Chromebooks because it delivers a good mix of portability and performance for those who purchase one.

Portability & Build Quality

Weighing just 1.44kg, the CX34 is light enough to carry in a backpack all day without even noticing it.

Blessed with a compact footprint, it fits nicely into cramped airline tray tables, while the 180° hinge allows you to lay the screen flat when you are doing a collaboration or making a presentation.

The build is made from plastic but still feels sturdy. While the lid has a little flex, the keyboard deck is solid and reassuring to type on. It also meets MIL-STD-810H durability standards. This means it can handle the occasional bump, drop, or spill while on the road.

Although the keyboard is comfortable and well-spaced, it’s not backlit. This might be a minor gripe for those working late in dim lighting. However, the trackpad is large, smooth, and handles multitouch gestures with ease, which goes some way towards making up for it.

Battery Life

ASUS claims this device provides users with up to 12 hours of battery life. Against real-world user tests, this figure is actually not far off the mark.

Indeed, for light web browsing, Google Docs, YouTube streaming, and email, many testers have claimed to have gotten up to 10 to 11 hours per charge. That’s more than enough to get you through a full day of work without stressing about outlets.

When it does run out of juice, the CX34 charges via USB-C, which supports standard power delivery with a 45W charger. As a result, a quick top-up can give you hours of extra use. This should be music to the ears of digital nomads and remote professionals who need to stay productive between layovers or lengthy client calls.

Performance

Under the hood, the device has an Intel Core i5-1335U processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics. This configuration gives this Chromebook a real performance boost over cheaper models in its class.

You should find that opening multiple Chrome tabs, editing docs, hopping on Zoom calls, and streaming music will all happen without lag. Additionally, even light creative work is possible because tools like Figma, Adobe Express, and LumaFusion (now supported on ChromeOS) run well on it.

Subsequently, it is a great companion, in particular, for content creators who need to work in the cloud. That said, you won’t be able to do any heavy video editing or large design files. It is still a Chromebook, after all.

Generally speaking, thermals are handled well. The fan remains quiet even under pressure, and the laptop stays cool enough to use on your lap comfortably.

Best of all, in benchmark tests, the CX34 outperformed most competitors in its price range, with around 25–44% faster scores than older Chromebooks.

Display & Audio

In terms of display, the 14-inch Full HD IPS screen is bright and sharp, though we wouldn’t say it was exceptional. However, it does offer around 287 nits of brightness, which is suitable for indoor and shaded outdoor use, but not great in direct sunlight.

Overall, its colour accuracy is decent for documents, media, and web browsing, although not so much for colour-critical work like photo editing, as it covers about 60% of the sRGB gamut. On top of that, the screen is non-touch, which might disappoint some users, although on the plus side, not having this capability does bring its price down.

Its audio comes from 2W stereo speakers, which are located underneath the chassis. They get loud enough for video calls or background music. But as they lack bass, listening to your favourite songs on Spotify can sound a bit tinny at high volume. For better sound, investing in a good pair of headphones will make all the difference.

Ports & Connectivity

When it comes to ports, most people should be satisfied that the CX34 gives them everything they need without having to rely on a dongle.

With this device, you get:

• 2× USB-A for traditional peripherals
• 2× USB-C with DisplayPort and power delivery
• 1× HDMI 1.4 port for external displays
• 1× microSD card reader for extra storage
• 1× 3.5mm headphone jack

This laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. Both should provide you with fast and stable connections for cloud apps, video calls, and streaming. Therefore, for most digital nomads, this port selection means you won’t need to carry a hub unless you require Ethernet.

Software & Features

Running on ChromeOS, the CX34 offers a fast, secure, and lightweight experience for its users. Boot times are nearly instantaneous, and everything stays up to date automatically in the background.

Some of its notable pre-installed tools include Google Workspace, Adobe Express, LumaFusion, and access to the Google Play Store for Android apps. It also supports Linux (Beta) for more technical users who want access to terminal-based tools.

Webcam-wise, the CX34 includes AI-powered enhancements like background blur and noise cancellation for video calls. They work well across platforms like Zoom and Google Meet. There’s also a 1080p webcam with a physical privacy shutter, which should give you peace of mind if you are concerned about security.

Thankfully, there’s no bloatware to speak of. So, you get a clean, productivity-ready setup straight out of the box.

Pricing & Value

As of July 2025, the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is priced between $399–$599 USD. However, this depends on where you buy in the USA and what configuration you choose. If you are lucky, you can often find it on sale for $329–$439.

Compared to similarly priced models like the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 or Lenovo Flex 5i, the CX34 well and truly holds its own. Indeed, it has better port selection, competitive battery life, and a sturdier chassis than most other brands in its class.

For digital nomads who don’t need Windows or macOS and live in the cloud, this device represents excellent value for money. Essentially, you’re getting a robust, travel-ready machine with more power than most Chromebooks have in this range.

Ideal Use Cases

Overall, this laptop is probably ideal for:

• Digital nomads using Google Workspace
• Remote professionals who make video calls
• Students and freelancers who work on the go
• Creatives who do light design and video work in the cloud

However, you might want to look elsewhere if you want:

• Touchscreen functionality
• To use heavy software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve
• Require full macOS or Windows compatibility for niche apps

Pros & Cons

The CX34 delivers a lot at its price point. But like any device, there are things it can improve upon. Here is a list of its main pros and cons.

Pros:

• Lightweight and portable
• Excellent battery life
• Solid performance for ChromeOS
• Great port selection
• Durable build quality

Cons:

• No touchscreen
• Display colours are average
• No keyboard backlight

Final Verdict

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is a reliable, affordable, and travel-ready laptop that is built for the everyday productivity needs of its users.

For digital nomads, it offers everything you need. Namely, speed, battery life, durability, and enough power to manage real-world tasks.

It also does this without the price tag of a premium ultrabook, which for many people should make it a very attractive option.