Google introduces Chromebooks geared for cloud gaming

It has only been a matter of a few weeks since Google announced that it would be discontinuing Stadia, its cloud gaming service, next year. A new cloud gaming announcement has also been made by the company: It is launching Chromebooks from various manufacturers that are optimized for cloud gaming.

In addition, the search engine giant has teamed up with cloud gaming services like Amazon Luna, Microsoft Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Nvidia GeForce Now to bring popular games to users. In addition, the company has developed "Works with Chromebook"-certified peripherals for these devices in collaboration with accessory manufacturers such as Acer, Corsair, HyperX, Lenovo, and SteelSeries.

Hardware 

There are a lot of gaming-related features in this first set of Chromebooks made by Acer, Asus, and Lenovo for cloud gaming. These include RGB keyboards with anti-ghosting (a feature that accurately registers all key presses even when you press multiple keys at once), high-quality audio, and high-resolution displays with refresh rates of 120Hz and above.

The first set of gaming Chromebooks is priced between $399 and $799 to appeal to a wider audience. These laptops use any Intel processor from Core i3 to Core i7, depending on the price. A brief summary of the specifications of the three launch models follows.

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming ChromebookProcessor: 

Display: 16-inch WQXGA screen (2560 x 1500) with a refresh rate of 120 Hz

Processor: 12th Generation Intel Core i3/i5

RAM: 8 GB 

Storage: 512GB or 256GB SSD;eMMC with 128 GB:

Audio Connectivity: on four 2W speakers:2 Intel Wireless 6E;

Five Bluetooth ports: Two USB 3.2 type C ports; one (1) USB 3.2 type A; 1 x HDMI 2.0;one combo audio jack; One microSD card readerAcer Chromebook 516 GE's 

Battery:71 Wh 

Acer Chromebook 516 GE

Display: Processor: 16-inch WQXGA screen (2560 x 1500) with a refresh rate of 120 Hz

Processor: Core / i5 RAM of the 12th Generation

RAM: 8 GB RAM

Storage: 256GB SSDDTS 

Sound: Stereo vibration cancellation with four forces 

Connectivity: 2 Intel Wireless 6E;Ports for Bluetooth 5.2:Two USB 3.2 type C ports; one (1) USB 3.2 type A;1 x HDMI 2.0;one combo audio jack One microSD card reader

Battery: 65Wh 

Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip 

Display: 15.6-inch FullHD IPS touchscreen with a refresh rate of 144 Hz

Processor: 11th Generation Intel Core i3/i5/i7

RAM: 8GB/16GB RAM

Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB SSD

Audio: Two certified Harman/Kardon speakers 

Connectivity:2×2 Wi-Fi 6;Five Bluetooth 5

Ports: Two USB 3.2 type C ports; one (1) USB 3.2 type A;1 x HDMI 2.1; one combo audio jack; One Ethernet RJ-45 port

Battery: 57Wh At this time, 

Chromebooks for cloud gaming do not meet any specific requirements or require certification from Google. So, we don't know if future devices need to meet certain requirements to be included in this program, but Google will insist that future devices at least have good Wi-Fi connectivity and screens with a high refresh rate.

However, the company claims that Gamebench has independently tested all three launch devices to ensure that they provide a consistent and smooth gaming experience at 120 frames per second with a latency of fewer than 85 milliseconds. In October, each of these devices will be available for purchase.

Headsets, mice, and controllers from Acer, Corsair, HyperX, Lenovo, and SteelSeries are among the supported accessories.

Software and Gaming 

Google has partnered with Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon to provide the highest quality support for their cloud gaming services Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now, and Luna in order to bring cloud games to these three launch devices. The company stated during the briefing that they would have loved to include Stadia on the list (sad reactions only).

You can run GeForce Now's highest performance tier RTX 3080, which supports resolutions up to 1600 x 900, frame rates up to 120 fps, and features like ray tracing for a rich visual experience, on these gaming Chromebooks. On the first devices, GeForce Now will come pre-installed, and purchasers will receive a free subscription for three months to RTX 3080.

With this subscription, you can play free games like Fortnite, Genshin Impact, and League of Legends, as well as Cyberpunk 2077 and Control.

A web app that can be installed will allow Xbox Cloud Gaming to function on these devices. Forza Horizon 5, Deathloop, Flight Simulator 5, and Gears 5 are now available through the Xbox Game Pass subscription.

Customers based in the United States will also receive a three-month subscription to Amazon's Luna gaming service, which includes games like Sonic Mania, and Devil May Cry 5.

The Chrome OS team is also introducing a new feature for these new Chromebooks that allows users to search for GeForce Now and Google Play games directly from the search bar, which can be accessed by clicking the everything button in the bottom left corner. In the future, the company intends to include additional services in the search function.

It also said that this game search feature is only available on gaming Chromebooks at the moment, but it doesn't rule out making it available on Chromebooks that don't play games.

The road ahead 

In their briefing, executives from Google and its partner organizations for the program frequently talked about how these machines can be useful for casual gamers, who might not want to spend the time or money to buy a console or build a gaming rig.

In a statement, John Maletis, VP of Chrome OS Product, Engineering, and UX.

Given that this launch was announced a few days after Stadia was shut down, a lot of people will rightly be skeptical about the program's cognitive potential. It is clear that Google enjoys serving as a building block for others. Google's sole function in this program is to distribute Chrome OS.

It allows laptop manufacturers to reach a more casual gaming audience with less expensive machines than gaming laptops; Reaching a wider audience is the goal for gaming services; Additionally, it serves as a foster platform for gaming for Google. Hardware designed specifically for cloud gaming is getting more and more attention.