CES 2026 Chromebook Announcements: ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
Published on by Jim Mendenhall
CES 2026 arrived at a pivotal moment for Chromebooks. While the tech world buzzes about Google’s transition of ChromeOS to the Android kernel, manufacturers unveiled a surprisingly robust lineup of new devices that signal both continuity and evolution for the platform. This isn’t a platform winding down—it’s one gearing up for significant changes ahead.
The announcements from ASUS, HP, and Lenovo reveal clear trends that will define Chromebooks in 2026: widespread adoption of WiFi 7, the rise of Chromebook Plus as a meaningful tier, and manufacturers hedging their bets with both traditional Intel chips and ARM-based MediaTek processors. Let me walk you through what actually got announced and what it means for anyone considering a Chromebook this year.
ASUS Goes Bold with the Chromebook CM32 Detachable
The biggest surprise of the show came from ASUS, which unveiled the Chromebook CM32 Detachable—a device that doesn’t just compete with tablet-style Chromebooks, but genuinely pushes the category forward. This isn’t another forgettable education device. ASUS built something with specs that make you rethink what a detachable Chromebook can be.
The standout feature is the display: a 12.1-inch 2.5K (2560×1600) touchscreen running at 120Hz with 600 nits of brightness. That’s exceptionally bright for any laptop, let alone a detachable. For context, most budget Chromebooks hover around 250-300 nits, making outdoor use a squinting exercise. At 600 nits, the CM32 should remain usable even in bright sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate means smooth scrolling and responsive stylus input, which matters when you’re using the optional USI 2.0 stylus that magnetically attaches and wirelessly charges on the back of the device.
ASUS equipped the CM32 with the MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor, an octa-core ARM chip designed specifically for Chromebooks. MediaTek positions this chip as delivering 35% longer battery life compared to previous generation education chips while enabling fanless operation. ASUS claims up to 13 hours of battery life, which would make this a genuine all-day device for students or mobile workers. The device ships with up to 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 128GB of storage, which should be adequate for most ChromeOS use cases.
The hardware durability is serious. ASUS tested the CM32 to US MIL-STD 810H standards, the same military specification used for ruggedized equipment. They also offer an optional “Impact Shield” kickstand designed to absorb drops and impacts—a smart move given that detachables spend a lot of time getting picked up, flipped around, and occasionally dropped. The display itself uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with anti-fingerprint coating, providing four times the scratch resistance of standard glass.
Connectivity includes WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, making the CM32 one of the first Chromebooks to support the latest wireless standards. WiFi 7 offers significantly faster speeds and lower latency compared to WiFi 6E, though you’ll need a WiFi 7 router to take full advantage. Still, having the capability built in means this device won’t feel outdated as wireless standards evolve over its lifespan.
ASUS expects the CM32 to hit shelves in Q2 2026, though they haven’t announced pricing. Given the premium specs—that bright 120Hz display, WiFi 7, military-grade durability—I’d expect this to land somewhere in the $450-550 range. If ASUS can keep it closer to $400, this becomes one of the most compelling detachables available.
ASUS also refreshed their CM14 and CM15 traditional laptop models with the same MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor, FHD displays, and a tool-free battery system that makes upgrades and maintenance easier. These feel like safe, sensible updates for education and business buyers rather than attention-grabbing consumer devices.
HP Embraces Chromebook Plus Across the Lineup
HP took a different approach at CES 2026, announcing a refresh of their entire 14-inch Chromebook lineup with both standard and Chromebook Plus variants. The strategy here is clear: offer buyers a choice between basic functionality and Google’s AI-enhanced tier without completely redesigning the product line.
The flagship HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 targets the Chromebook Plus specification, which means it qualifies for Google’s AI features and enhanced performance guarantees. HP equipped this model with an Intel Core 3 N355 processor, 8GB of RAM, and storage options ranging from 128GB UFS to 512GB NVMe SSDs. The standout improvement is the 14-inch 2K IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio (1920×1200), which provides noticeably more vertical space compared to the 16:9 panels that dominated previous generations.
The 360-degree hinge allows the device to function as a laptop, tablet, tent, or stand depending on your needs. HP includes a 1080p camera with a mechanical privacy shutter and dual-array digital microphones, which should deliver better video call quality than the 720p webcams still common on budget Chromebooks. Connectivity includes WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, two USB-C ports with Power Delivery, one USB-A port, and a headphone jack. Battery life is rated at up to 8 hours, which feels conservative given recent improvements in efficiency from both Intel’s newer chips and ChromeOS optimizations.
HP also announced a clamshell HP Chromebook Plus 14 with the same 2K display and specs for buyers who don’t need the convertible hinge, plus standard (non-Plus) versions of both models with Intel N250 or N150 processors and 4GB of RAM for tighter budgets. This tiering strategy makes sense: schools and price-conscious buyers get the basic models, while consumers and professionals can step up to Plus for better long-term performance.
The catch? HP hasn’t disclosed pricing or exact release dates beyond “February 2026 availability on HP.com.” Based on previous Plus models, expect the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 to start around $499-549, with the standard models beginning closer to $349-399.
These feel like safe, iterative updates rather than revolutionary designs. HP didn’t take risks here—they refined existing products with better displays and updated internals. That’s fine. Sometimes you don’t need innovation, you need reliability and a reasonable price point. HP excels at that.
Lenovo Goes Big with a 15-Inch Chromebook Plus
Lenovo took a different angle, addressing a segment that feels underserved: people who want a larger Chromebook for productivity and entertainment without stepping up to a Windows laptop. The Chromebook Plus i (15″, 10) features a 15.3-inch WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, offering significantly more screen real estate than the 14-inch models dominating the market.
The larger form factor makes sense for specific use cases. If you’re doing spreadsheet work, managing multiple documents, or just want a bigger display for streaming video, the extra screen space matters more than portability. Lenovo emphasized productivity with a full numeric keypad and a larger touchpad, making data entry and navigation more comfortable. Optional display upgrades include a 120Hz refresh rate, 100% sRGB color accuracy for creative work, and touchscreen capability. The base configuration offers 400 nits of brightness, which is good but not exceptional.
Under the hood, Lenovo equipped the device with an Intel Core 3 N355 processor (the same chip HP uses in their Plus models), 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and either 128GB or 256GB of UFS storage. Battery capacity is a substantial 65Wh, which Lenovo claims delivers up to 11 hours of use. That’s impressive given the larger display, though real-world battery life will depend heavily on brightness settings and workload.
Connectivity is thorough: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port, HDMI 1.4b for external displays, and a microSD card slot for storage expansion. A 5MP webcam with a physical privacy shutter handles video calls, paired with dual microphones. Lenovo also tested the device to MIL-STD-810H standards, which suggests this isn’t just a budget big-screen device but one built to last.
Lenovo priced the Chromebook Plus i at $469.99 with availability in Q2 2026, offered in Cosmic Blue and Luna Grey. That’s remarkably competitive for a 15-inch Chromebook Plus device with these specs. The closest competition would be larger Windows laptops at this price point, which often compromise on build quality or force you into aging hardware to hit the number.
The question is whether there’s real demand for 15-inch Chromebooks. Chromebooks have historically sold best in the 11-14 inch range where portability and price intersect. But as ChromeOS matures and remote work normalizes, a segment of buyers may prioritize screen size over ultra-portability. Lenovo is betting that market exists, and the pricing suggests they’re serious about competing for it.
The Bigger Story: Platform Transition and Industry Trends
What didn’t get announced at CES 2026 matters as much as what did. Google didn’t hold a major ChromeOS keynote or reveal details about the Android kernel transition. Manufacturers didn’t showcase radically new form factors or experimental devices. Instead, we got solid, evolutionary updates to existing product lines—a sign that the industry is in a holding pattern as the platform undergoes its biggest architectural change in years.
Google confirmed in late 2025 that ChromeOS will transition from the Linux kernel to the Android kernel while maintaining the familiar desktop experience. The goal is to accelerate feature development, improve phone-laptop integration, and bring Android app compatibility to a new level. But that transition takes time, and manufacturers are clearly waiting to see how it plays out before committing to major hardware changes.
The CES 2026 announcements reveal several trends that will define the platform over the next year:
WiFi 7 is becoming standard faster than expected. The ASUS CM32 features WiFi 7, and while HP and Lenovo stuck with WiFi 6E for their mainstream models, the technology is rapidly moving from premium to mainstream. Within 12-18 months, WiFi 7 will likely become standard across most new Chromebooks, future-proofing devices as home networks upgrade.
MediaTek is making a serious play for the Chromebook market. The Kompanio 540 processor powers all three ASUS Chromebook announcements, positioning MediaTek as a viable alternative to Intel in the education and mainstream segments. The promise of better battery life and fanless operation without sacrificing too much performance could make ARM-based Chromebooks more attractive, especially as the Android kernel transition improves app compatibility.
Chromebook Plus is becoming the new mainstream. Google launched the Chromebook Plus tier in 2023 to establish a baseline for AI features and better performance, and manufacturers are responding by making Plus models their primary focus. The days of 4GB RAM and struggling processors are fading—8GB RAM, better displays, and capable processors are becoming the baseline expectations for mid-range Chromebooks.
Manufacturers are playing it safe. None of these announcements take big risks. No foldable displays, no dual-screen experiments, no radical departures from the clamshell or convertible form factors that dominate the market. That’s partly because the platform is in transition, but it also reflects a maturing market where incremental improvements and competitive pricing matter more than novelty.
Intel also introduced Wildcat Lake at CES 2026, part of the Core Ultra 300 series designed for budget laptops, Chromebooks, mini PCs, and embedded devices. This entry-level SoC replaces the older Alder Lake-N lineup and should appear in Chromebooks throughout 2026, giving manufacturers another option alongside MediaTek’s ARM offerings.
What This Means If You’re Shopping for a Chromebook
If you’re considering a Chromebook in early 2026, here’s my honest take on what these announcements mean for your decision:
Wait for the ASUS CM32 if you want a detachable. The combination of that bright 120Hz display, WiFi 7, military-grade durability, and 13-hour battery life makes this the most compelling detachable Chromebook announced in years. The only question is pricing—if ASUS can keep it under $500, it becomes a no-brainer for students, artists, and anyone who values portability and versatility. If it creeps above $550, the value proposition gets murkier compared to traditional laptops at that price.
HP’s Chromebook Plus x360 14 is the safe choice. If you want a reliable convertible Chromebook from a manufacturer with strong support and availability, this is it. The 2K display with 16:10 aspect ratio is a meaningful upgrade, and qualifying for Google’s AI features means the device should age well as ChromeOS evolves. Just know you’re paying for HP’s brand and distribution rather than cutting-edge specs.
Lenovo’s 15-inch Plus makes sense for specific buyers. If you work primarily at a desk or couch and want maximum screen space without buying a Windows laptop, the Chromebook Plus i delivers genuine value at $469.99. The full numeric keypad, large trackpad, and optional 120Hz display make this a productivity-focused device that happens to run ChromeOS. But if portability matters to you at all, you’ll find that 15-inch form factor limiting.
Consider waiting until Q3 2026. The Android kernel transition is happening this year, and while Google promises continuity, we don’t yet know how it will affect app compatibility, performance, or feature availability. If you don’t need a new Chromebook immediately, waiting until later in 2026 means buying a device designed for the new platform rather than one released during the transition.
The Chromebook market in 2026 is healthier than the doom-and-gloom headlines suggest. Manufacturers are investing in better hardware, Google is deepening platform integration with Android, and the transition to the Android kernel promises faster feature development. CES 2026 didn’t deliver revolutionary hardware, but it delivered something arguably more valuable: evidence that the platform has a roadmap and manufacturers committed to executing on it.
These aren’t the last Chromebooks. They’re the bridge to whatever comes next.
