Your Tech Story

Chromebooks

Chromebooks for cloud gaming

Google to introduce Chromebooks for Cloud Gaming

It’s only been a few weeks since Google announced that its cloud gaming service Stadia will be discontinued next year. And now, the company has made a new cloud gaming announcement that it is launching Chromebooks made by various manufacturers that are optimized for cloud gaming.

Chromebooks for cloud gaming
Image Source: techviral91.com

To bring users marquee titles, Google has also partnered with cloud gaming services such as Nvidia GeForce Now, Microsoft Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna. Furthermore, Acer, Corsair, HyperX, Lenovo, and SteelSeries have collaborated with the company to create “Works with Chromebook” certified peripherals for these devices.

“Chromebooks have always been known for being fast, secure, and easy-to-use devices. Since their launch more than a decade ago, we have improved their capabilities and expanded the variety of devices for people to choose from,” the company said in a blog post.

“Today, we are taking that effort a step further by introducing the world’s first laptops built for cloud gaming along with our partners Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo,” it added.

Source: business-standard.com

Hardware specifications

This first generation of Chromebooks for cloud gaming from Acer, Asus, and Lenovo includes numerous gaming-related features. High-resolution displays with refresh rates of 120Hz or higher, Wi-Fi 6 or 6E compatibility, high-quality audio, and RGB keyboards with anti-ghosting are among them. Anti-ghosting is a feature that registers all the key presses accurately even when you press multiple keys at once.

The first set of devices is priced between $399 and $799 to appeal to a wider audience. These laptops use Intel processors ranging from Core i3 to Core i7, depending on the price. Here’s a quick rundown of the three launch models’ specifications.

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook

It sports a 16-inch display with a WQXGA screen (2560 X 1500), and a 120 Hz refresh rate and has a 12th Gen Intel Core i3/i5 processor and 8 GB RAM. There are two versions with storage of variations of 256 GB/512 GB SSD and 128 eMMC. It features 4 X 2W speakers with Waves Audi and supports 2 X 2 Intel Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook contains 2 USB 3.2 gen 2 type C ports, 1 X USB 3.2 Gen 1 type A, 1 X HDMI 2.0, 1 X audio combo jack, 1 microSD card reader, and a battery backup of 71 Wh.

Acer Chromebook 516 GE

Acer Chromebook 516 GE features a display of 16-inch WQXGA screen (2560 X 1500) with a 120 Hz refresh rate. It contains a 12th gen Intel Core i5 processor with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD. It sports DTS audio with quad-force vibration cancellation stereo. Some other features are 2 X 2 Intel Wi-fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 2 x USB 3.2 gen 2type C, 1 x USB 3.2 gen 2 type A, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1x audio combo jack, 1 x Ethernet RJ-45 port and battery backup of 65 Wh.

Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip

Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip sports a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 X 1080) IPS touchscreen with 144 Hz refresh rate, 11th Gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7. It is available in 128GB/256GB/512GB SSD. It sports 2X Harman/Kardon certified speakers. Other features are 2X2 Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2 x USB 3.2 gen 2 type C; 1 x USB 3.2 gen 1 type A; 1 x HDMI 2.0; 1x audio combo jack; 1 x microSD card reader and a battery backup of 57 Wh.

Google does not currently have a set of requirements or certification for Chromebooks for cloud gaming. So, we don’t know if future devices must meet certain specifications to be included in this initiative, but Google will prioritize future devices with high refresh rate screens and good Wi-Fi connectivity.

However, the company stated that GameBench independently tested all three launch devices to ensure they provide a consistent and smooth gaming experience at 120 frames per second with a latency of less than 85ms.

All of these devices will be available for purchase in October. Acer, Corsair, HyperX, Lenovo, and SteelSeries supported accessories including headsets, mice, and controllers.

Snapdragon 7c Gen 2

Qualcomm launched Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 for Entry-Level Windows 10 Laptops and Chromebooks.

Every one of us deserves a laptop that is as connected as our smartphones. Users want greater mobility, superior performance, and the ability to work from anywhere, and the past year has only accelerated this trend. On Monday, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platform as the company’s next-generation system-on-chip (SoC) for always-on, always-connected entry-level Windows PCs and Chromebooks.

Introducing Snapdragon 7c Gen 2

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platform provides an always-on experience with the performance and battery life you demand. It requires the advanced and efficient technologies that Qualcomm Technologies has put in smartphones for years to be brought into your PC. The new Snapdragon platform is positioned as the successor to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7c, which was unveiled in 2019. The two platforms share many similarities.

Laptops with Qualcomm processors have existed in the past, but they have not been widely adopted by consumers. While those laptops have long battery lives and constant connectivity, they haven’t been able to match the performance of Intel and AMD processors. Another major issue with Qualcomm chips is compatibility (most Windows applications are designed to run on x86 or x64 systems), though things have improved with Windows on ARM.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2
Image Source: qualcomm.com

Qualcomm claims that the processor will change that perception and allow Qualcomm to compete with Intel in the entry-level laptop market. When it comes to the PC market, Intel remains the undisputed leader. Qualcomm said in a press release that the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 will be commercially available this summer. The chipset will work with devices running both Windows 10 and Chrome OS.

Battery Life and Performance

Fast, responsive performance combined with long-lasting battery life in a thin, cool, and quiet PC. Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platforms outperform competitors by up to 10% in terms of system performance. Up to 19+ hours of continuous use on a single charge is up to twice the battery life of most entry-level laptops.

Always-on, Always-connected

The Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platforms include a Snapdragon X15 4G LTE modem. This allows your laptop to switch between trusted Wi-Fi and cellular networks automatically and seamlessly, allowing you to stay securely connected virtually anywhere. Your laptop will always be up to date and ready to go when you are, thanks to connected standby and instant-on capabilities.

Advanced Audio and Video

Because of the accelerated digital transition, we are all connecting remotely more frequently for work, learning, and catching up with friends and family. Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platforms include an integrated Qualcomm SpectraTM ISP (image signal processor) for crisp, high-quality video and Qualcomm AqsticTM Audio technology for clear audio during video conferencing.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

With the fifth-generation Qualcomm Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engine, the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 can perform over 5 trillion operations per second (TOPS). AI acceleration is increasingly enabling modern experiences and security applications. On-device security can be accelerated, voice recognition improved, and computational photography used for background effects or gaze correction. Dedicated on-device AI can make these experiences a reality more quickly and efficiently.

Security at the Enterprise Level

The Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platform includes modern security features designed to protect you and your data from the chip to the cloud. A layered secure boot with multiple verifications helps ensure your device starts safely and securely from the moment you press the power button. LTE connectivity improves Wi-Fi by allowing security applications and operating systems to stay up to date against “zero-day” threats, as well as making enterprise and education laptops more visible and manageable.

Qualcomm also introduced a new Snapdragon Developer Kit for Windows 10 PCs, in addition to the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2. It was created in collaboration with Microsoft to accelerate app development for Windows 10 devices powered by Snapdragon compute platforms. The developer kit is said to be optimized for solutions such as Zoom, providing users with an alternative to low-cost Intel Atom-powered laptops. This summer, the Snapdragon Developer Kit will be commercially available on the Microsoft Store.