Today, Google is unveiling two new Chromebooks — Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus and Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 11 — and they come with a little extra AI flair. Along with these new models, Google is introducing a brand-new button designed to streamline your interaction with its AI features. Meet the Quick Insert key.
So, what’s the deal with the Quick Insert key? It’s essentially taking over the role of the search or launcher button on some Chromebooks, starting with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus. With one tap, you’ll get immediate access to a range of AI-powered tools. Whether you need help drafting an email or jotting down quick notes, the “Help me write” feature is just one of the things you can trigger with this button. And in the near future, it’s expected to assist with AI-generated images too, according to John Maletis, Google’s VP of ChromeOS product, engineering, and UX.
The Quick Insert key has broader uses, like quickly pulling up a list of recently visited websites, giving you easy access to photos, videos, or even spreadsheets from your Google Drive. It’ll also help you find your favorite GIFs and emojis to drop into messages — handy for anyone looking to add a little extra personality to their chats. If this sounds familiar, that’s because Microsoft rolled out something similar earlier this year with its dedicated Copilot key for Windows’ AI features.
The new button isn’t arriving alone. It’s part of a wider rollout of AI features hitting Google’s high-end Chromebook Plus models this month. These include “Help me read,” which summarizes whatever you’re reading, and Live Translate, a nifty feature that translates captions in real time for over 100 languages. Then there’s the Recorder app, which can transcribe everything from lectures to conversations — super helpful if you’re juggling meetings or interviews.
One feature in particular, called Welcome Recap, is expected to be a game-changer. It’s coming to all Chromebooks, not just the Plus models. When you power your Chromebook back on, Welcome Recap provides a quick overview of whatever you were doing before you logged out. It even works across devices, giving you reminders like “your next video call” or instant access to a file you recently opened. And if you’re the type of person who constantly has a zillion tabs open, you’ll find this feature a lifesaver.

Now let’s talk about the devices that are putting these new AI features on full display. First up is Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus, which serves as Google’s showcase for these updates. This sleek laptop is sure to catch the eyes with its grayish-blue aluminum design. At just 2.58 pounds and 0.46 inches thick, it’s incredibly lightweight and thin, making it perfect for those always on the go.
The Galaxy Chromebook Plus features a stunning 15.6-inch OLED display, a full keyboard with a numpad, and decent specs for a mid-range machine. Under the hood, you’ll find an Intel Core 3 100U Raptor Lake Refresh processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It’s not exactly a powerhouse, but it’s more than capable of handling everyday tasks, and the 13-hour battery life should get you through a full workday.

Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 11, while missing the new Quick Insert key, still packs a punch with all the same ChromeOS AI features. This is the latest refresh of the popular detachable model from 2020, known for its versatility and portability. You can detach the magnetic keyboard when you want to use it as a tablet, or fold the rear cover to stand it up like a kickstand.

The Duet 11 has a 10.9-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 and comes with Lenovo’s USI Pen 2, which attaches magnetically to the back of the tablet. This is perfect for taking notes or sketching, and Lenovo’s advanced palm rejection tech ensures you don’t accidentally mark up the screen while using the stylus.

Under the hood, the Duet 11 is powered by a MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It’s ideal for lighter tasks like taking notes or streaming videos, and with an estimated 12-hour battery life, it’s built for all-day use. There’s also an education-focused edition of the Duet 11, which adds a durable case to protect the tablet from the inevitable bumps and drops of school life.
Both of these Chromebooks will be available this month. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 starts at an affordable $339, while Samsung’s more premium Galaxy Chromebook Plus will set you back $699.
Whether you’re writing emails, translating on the go, or just organizing your digital life, these new features are designed to make your Chromebook a more intelligent, helpful assistant.
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