One a part of Google could have given up on cloud gaming, with Stadia set to be discontinued in just a few months. But on the ChromeOS group, there’s a complete new initiative to attempt to push again on the entire “you can’t game on a Chromebook” factor. Today, Google — together with a handful of {hardware} and software program companions — are saying what it calls “the world’s first laptops built for cloud gaming.” 

Stripping again the hyperbole, what does this imply in observe? After all, the entire level of cloud gaming is that you just don’t want superpowered {hardware} to take pleasure in high-quality video games — many current Chromebooks can run cloud gaming providers simply high quality. That stated, the brand new laptops introduced at this time are fairly a bit totally different than your common Chromebook. 

At a excessive stage, Google says that it centered on a handful of {hardware} options to distinguish these laptops, together with massive shows with excessive refresh charges, keyboards with anti-ghosting tech (and RBG keyboards in some circumstances), WiFi 6/6E playing cards and customarily excessive specs.

Three new laptops from ASUS, Acer and Lenovo

ASUS, Acer and Lenovo all introduced new computer systems at this time as a part of this push. First, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE encompasses a 16-inch IPS display with a 2,560 x 1,600 decision and 120Hz refresh fee, together with an RBG anti-ghosting keyboard and Twelfth-gen Intel processors (as much as a Core i7). It’s additionally geared up with a gigabit ethernet port, two USB-C ports, a USB-A port and HDMI. Finally, it has DTS audio through two upward-facing audio system and two extra downward-facing audio system on the underside of the laptop computer. Acer will provide plenty of configurations, however the first will likely be at Best Buy this month for $650 — it’ll embody a Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage through its NVMe SSD.

ASUS’ providing is a bit totally different — the Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip has a 15.6-inch show that maxes out at 1080p, however it’s a touchscreen and it has a fair increased 144Hz refresh fee. As the title suggests, the CX55 can flip round into “tablet” and “tent” modes, like many different ASUS Chromebooks. It doesn’t have RGB lighting on the keyboard, however it does have a moderately distinctive orange trim, together with across the essential WASD keys; it additionally has 1.4mm of journey.

Specs-wise, the CX55 makes use of Eleventh-generation Intel processors; you will get it with an i3, i5 or i7. The i3 mannequin is paired with Intel UHD graphics, whereas the i5 and i7 fashions use Intel’s Iris X graphics. It’ll have both 8GB or 16GB of RAM and as much as 512GB of storage. Unsurprisingly, the CX55 additionally has two USB-C ports in addition to USB-A and HDMI ports. The laptop computer will come out this month as effectively, and Google stated in a briefing that pricing would begin at $399 — we don’t know what specs that features, however it’s most likely protected to imagine it’s the i3 mannequin. 

Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook has a good bit in widespread with Acer’s machine. It has a 16-inch show with a 2,560 x 1,600 decision and 120Hz refresh fee in addition to an RGB, anti-ghosting keyboard with 1.5mm of journey. Processors embody Twelfth-generation Intel Core i3 or Core i5 choices, plus 8GB of RAM and as much as 512GB of storage (the bottom configuration begins with 128GB). The port choice is a little more restricted — it solely provides two USB-C ports, one USB-A port and a MicroSD slot. Like the opposite two laptops, the IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook will launch this month; it begins at $599.

Software, gaming providers and peripheral partnerships

Naturally, software program and recreation entry is maybe simply as vital because the {hardware} right here. As such, Google has partnerships with NVIDIA, Amazon and Microsoft to make sure its gadgets work with GeForce Now, Luna and Xbox Game Pass out of the field. The NVIDIA partnership might be probably the most vital, as the corporate is bringing GeForce Now’s high-performance RTX 3080 tier to Chromebooks for the primary time — this implies video games will play in as much as 1600p decision at 120 fps with ray tracing enabled (assuming the sport helps these specs, in fact). NVIDIA additionally made a progressive net app (PWA) so you may launch straight into GeForce Now out of your Chromebook’s dock or launcher. 

Microsoft additionally made a PWA for Game Pass, however all the things works the identical as working Game Pass on a PC — assuming you have got an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you may stream any Game Pass title to your Chromebook. Similarly, an Amazon Luna subscription offers you entry to a rotating choice of over 100 video games. 

Google can also be optimizing ChromeOS to make straight launching video games simpler. When you hit the “everything” search button in your Chromebook, you may simply sort in the secret you need to play and launch it straight, as if it have been natively put in. For starters, it will solely work with the GeForce Now catalog (in addition to apps on Google Play), however Google says it needs so as to add this search function for different providers as effectively. 

To make it possible for anybody testing these Chromebooks can begin enjoying instantly, Lenovo, Acer and ASUS are all together with a three-month subscription to GeForce Now RTX 3080 tier in addition to three months of Amazon Luna+. The ASUS choice additionally features a free SteelSeries Rival 3 gaming mouse, as effectively.

Speaking of mice, Google additionally partnered with firms like SteelSeries, Corsair and HyperX (in addition to Lenovo and Acer) to ensure their gaming-focused peripherals work with Chromebooks. This contains ensuring these peripherals can have their settings fine-tuned in ChromeOS, in some circumstances through PWAs. 

Do gaming Chromebooks have a shot?

It’s truthful to marvel how a lot traction Google’s newest initiative will get. Chromebooks have discovered lots of success in schooling and (to a lesser extent) enterprise settings, however the thought of a full-fledged push to get folks gaming on a Chromebook is a fairly main shift. That stated, I’m impressed by the pricing on these fashions — there aren’t lots of Chromebooks with massive, high-resolution screens with excessive refresh charges. Generally talking, it sounds such as you get lots of bang on your buck with these fashions in comparison with another premium ChromeOS gadgets. Naturally, these laptops are an enormous larger and heavier than the usual 13-inch Chromebook, however that’s a tradeoff which may work for some folks.

Google can also be placing an enormous promoting and consciousness push being this technique, and it’s not tied to a single product like Stadia. Given that Google is being service-agnostic, these laptops ought to present an excellent cloud gaming expertise for the foreseeable future, even when Google doesn’t persist with its cloud gaming push long run. And with different initiatives like Steam for ChromeOS shifting ahead (Google stated it ought to enter beta quickly), it is truthful to say the corporate appears centered on eradicating the longstanding notion that you may’t play video games on a Chromebook.