Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review: A notable upgrade makes a big difference

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a good buy, full stop. I know I’m starting strong out the gate, but with an updated processor and a display with touch capability, it’s a solid improvement over the 2023 model. While it does have a few drawbacks, they’re so small they’re practically microscopic, as they don’t take away from the overall experience.

Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best Chromebooks for comparison.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Specs

The new Chromebook Plus CX34 is a refreshed version of the 2023 model. This time Asus swapped out the Intel Core i3-1215U processor for an Intel Core i5-1335U, which offers notable improvements (we’ll get into that in the performance section). Other than upgrading the CPU and adding touch capability to the display, the design is the same as it was before. Asus fine-tuned the inside components, but left the fresh-looking design alone. 

• Model number: CX3402CVA-I5128
• CPU: Intel Core i5-1335U
• GPU: Intel Iris Xe
• RAM: 8GB RAM
• Storage: 128GB (universal flash storage)
• Display 14-inch 1920×1080, touch enabled, 60Hz, 16:9 aspect ratio
• Networking: Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E
• Dimensions: 0.74 by 12.9 by 8.4 inches
• Weight: 3.17 lbs
• Price: $499

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Design, build quality

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is pretty much identical to the 2023 model. The snowy white shell is a feast for the eyes, and the plastic exterior has a nice sheen to it. As far as aesthetics go, it’s attractive and modern. Like I said of the previous iteration, it’s sophisticated enough for an office environment without drawing too much attention. While build quality is acceptable for a laptop in this price range, I worry it might show wear and tear over time. 

I noticed the lid has a slight flex to it. When I laid the laptop flat on a table and pressed a finger down on the bezel, the lid gave way to the pressure. However, it’s not all bad. The keyboard deck feels more solid than the lid–I didn’t hear any creaking when I applied pressure to it. The 180 degree hinge also feels tight and secure, but not restricting and stiff. The build quality isn’t bad by any means, but I’d recommend handling it with a gentle hand. 

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Keyboard, touchpad

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The keyboard is comfortable to use for long periods of time, but the omission of a backlight had me scratching my head, as it was included in the older model. I prefer backlit keyboards because I like writing in a low-light environment–I like the ambiance of it! Bright lights also trigger migraines for me, which is another reason why I prefer a low-light environment. That said, in terms of using the keyboard, I managed 98 words per minute on Monkeytype–I’m a pretty fast typist when I’m locked in. 

The touchpad is pleasant to use as well. It measures about five inches wide, which is a big enough size for someone with smaller hands (hi!). It’s smooth and responsive, and the slippery surface of the touchpad is great for multitouch gestures like two-finger scrolls and pinches and stretches. I didn’t notice any erratic cursor movement, either.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Display, webcam, speakers

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The 1080p display is fine for daily tasks, but it’s nothing remarkable. All Chromebook Plus models come with a 1080p display, which is the new standard now. While it may not be the brightest or most vibrant of screens, I’m pleased by the new touch function. The 2023 model didn’t have a touch display, so this is a great addition that adds more value overall. The matte finish also helps cut down the glare from direct sunlight.

My only sticking point is with the 16:9 aspect ratio. I prefer displays with a 16:10 aspect ratio, as that one extra inch of space makes a world of difference, especially when I’m editing a review or adding things to a spreadsheet. It’s not a huge deal breaker for me, as most laptop displays come with a 16:9 aspect ratio, but I like to see more of the screen. Oh, the display also folds flat for versatile viewing angles, though I didn’t use it this way as I don’t find it very practical.

The 1080p webcam is suitable for work calls, but not much else. As with most built-in 1080p webcams, you need a good amount of lighting to look good. The webcam’s microphone also captures sound well enough and filters out a good amount of background noise. The built-in ChromeOS tools also allow you to blur your background or improve noise cancellation. Again, it’s fine for a work call, but if you want to look your absolute best, you should invest in an external webcam.  

Generally speaking, laptop speakers don’t impress me much (I guess I’m channeling Shania Twain here). If you consider yourself an audiophile, you might as well plug in a pair of headphones or earbuds. The Chromebook Plus CX34’s speakers are just okay, but the speakers are downward firing, so it depends on the type of surface you’ve got the laptop on. I had to boost the volume and bring the laptop closer to me in order to hear my playlist. 

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Connectivity

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 really doesn’t skimp on ports, which is great for a laptop in this price range. It features two USB Type-A, two USB Type-C, one HDMI out, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. You can also easily hook up to an external monitor, as the USB Type-C ports support DisplayPort. Most Chromebooks in this bracket don’t include an Ethernet port or a micro SD, but the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 comes with a micro SD. 

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Performance

I was impressed with the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34’s day-to-day performance. Compared to the previous model, which came equipped with an Intel Core i3-1215U CPU, the Intel Core i5-1335U CPU inside our review unit delivers faster performance because of its higher core count (10 cores) and better clock speeds (up to 4.6GHz). While the Intel Core i3-1215U CPU still performs well, the Intel Core i5-1335U CPU better handles both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. 

This is evident in the Plus CX34’s Jetstream 2 score. Jetstream 2 assesses single-threaded and multi-threaded performance by measuring JavaScript execution speeds as well as the browser’s parallel processing execution speed. Compared to the 2023 model, which had a Jetstream 2 score of 250.141, the newest iteration is approximately 26 percent faster.

The Plus CX34 also had a higher CrXPRT 2 performance score (170) than the recently reviewed Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (140). CrXPRT 2 measures overall performance by simulating real-world tasks like loading web pages, applying filters to images, playing HD videos, and so on. The higher the number, the smoother the performance. In addition to the higher CrXPRT 2 score, it also produced a great Kraken score. 

Mozilla’s Kraken benchmark gauges how well a browser can handle JavaScript execution performance. It does this by analyzing sound data, running various decryption tasks, and so on. Unlike CrXPRT 2, a lower score is more desirable here. Essentially, Kraken measures the time in milliseconds it takes for the browser to complete a series of JavaScript tasks.

The Plus CX34 beat the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 into the ground with a Kraken score of 397.4ms. That’s roughly 44 percent faster than the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, which had a Kraken score of 710.9ms. Impressive!

• CrXPRT 2: 170
• Speedometer: 344
• Basemark Web 3.0: 1,320
• Kraken: 397.4ms
• Jetstream 2: 316.606

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Battery life

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 lasted a little over 13 hours on a single charge during my battery test, though I kept the brightness low, which likely impacted the result. With the brightness turned up, real-world use is closer to seven or eight hours. That’s not a bad result by any means, but it’s not the most competitive result I’ve seen. If battery life is a priority of yours, consider the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714, which lasted a little over 15 hours.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Conclusion

Would I recommend buying the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34? Absolutely. The upgraded processor and touch-enabled display make a big difference, adding great value compared to the 2023 model, which was missing those features. The keyboard is also a joy to type on, the touchpad is responsive without being overly sensitive, and the connectivity options are plentiful. If you can accept the little quirks like the lack of keyboard backlighting and the 16:9 aspect ratio (more of a personal nitpick than a quirk), then this Chromebook is a solid choice.