In a first, Lenovo has created a 16-inch Chromebook specifically for gaming.
The company today introduced the IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook, which is slated to go on sale this month starting at $599. The device is part of a range of gaming Chromebooks that Google is also building in partnership with Acer and Asus.
The products may seem a little strange since they don't run Windows, the main OS for PC gaming. Instead, they're loaded with ChromeOS, which can install Android-based games. However, Google also designed the Chromebooks to run several cloud gaming services, which rely on streaming the gaming experience over the internet.
Specifically, the Chromebooks meet the required specifications to run GeForce Now, Microsoft’s Xbox cloud gaming, and Amazon Luna, which require a monthly subscription to stream the games. But you won't find Stadia since Google plans on shutting down the service in January.
"All cloud gaming Chromebooks have been independently tested and verified by leading game performance measurement platform, GameBench, to consistently deliver a smooth, responsive gaming experience with 120 frames per second and console-class input latency of under 85ms," Google said.
Lenovo added: “As part of the new ChromeOS software, users can easily search, click, and play games across platforms by using the Everything Button, exclusive to Chromebook devices. Gamers can then pin their favorites titles to the taskbar for fast future access.”
On top of all this, Valve is working on bringing Steam to ChromeOS. So it's possible the gaming Chromebooks could receive support to run Steam, although Lenovo couldn't confirm. Currently, only seven higher-end Chromebook models qualify to run an Alpha build of Steam for ChromeOS. These Chromebooks have Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 11th Gen Core i5 or i7 processors, and at least 8GB of RAM.
Lenovo said its own IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook features a 2,560-by-1,600 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also contains a four-zone RGB keyboard with a 1.5mm key travel.
In terms of specs, the IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook can be configured with a 12th Generation Intel Core i3-1215U CPU with six cores or a Core i5-1235U that features 10 cores and built-in Iris Xe graphics. Customers are also getting 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, a 1080 HD web camera, four built-in speakers, and a Wi-Fi 6E modem.
However, the Chromebook is sizable, weighing 4 pounds (1.82kg). According to Lenovo, the product can last up to 11 hours on a single charge. The company plans on selling the device later this month over Walmart.
The other gaming Chromebooks from Acer and Asus are already available on Best Buy for $649.99 and $699.99 respectively.