Google will unveil two new Chromebooks and a host of new AI features in a fairly massive software update rolling out over the next month These will not only make the best Chromebooks even better, but will also put something like Apple Intelligence on Mac and Copilot in Google's sights

And even better? While some of the more advanced AI features will only be available on Chromebook Plus laptops, many of the things we really enjoyed in Gemini and the updates earlier this year will be available on all Chromebook models Let's get right to it

Let's start with the new laptops Lenovo is refreshing its impressive Chromebook Duet 11 with a new MediaTek processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage

On top of that, the beautiful 11-inch WUXGA display is touch-enabled with an optional pen, and with Goodnotes optimized for stylus-enabled systems, you now have the perfect place to jot down notes The Duet 11 will be available starting this month for $349

Perhaps more interesting, however, is Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook Plus It's a sneak peek at the hardware design standards Google might expect for future AI capabilities, besides the 05-inch thin frame, gorgeous 156-inch OLED panel, Intel Core 3 Raptor Lake CPU, and 13 hours of battery life, There are new keys on the keyboard

The Mountain View staff calls this the “Quick Insert” key, which opens a context-aware menu that presents the most relevant options for the next step, depending on where you are: in Google Docs? Help me write or Emoji options will appear; if you open it in Google Drive, you will have instant access to a consolidated search of all your files

This is a sort of supercharged Copilot key, which may help you work more efficiently The eye-catching Galaxy Chromebook Plus will cost $699 and will be available this month

Already have a Chromebook? Cool! Here are some of the new features that will be added via automatic updates this month

And one last thing, Google is offering standard Chromebook buyers 3 months free access to the Google One AI premium plan; if you buy a Chromebook Plus, you get 12 months

When it comes to updating Chromebooks, Google has always done these smaller updates rather than a grand annual update So while they may not get the attention of almost theatrical releases like they do elsewhere, with each upgrade, the Chromebook is becoming one of the best low-cost AI laptops you can buy

If I were to recommend myself for the future (if anyone at Google is reading this), something like Help me see (voice instructions and voice prompts telling you where the cursor is) would be a huge step forward in AI accessibility!