Chromebooks Formally Support Cyberpunk 2077 and Skyrim, Raising the Question: Is It Wise?
Did you know a Chromebook can run Cyberpunk 2077? It can, and you don't need to resort to services like Nvidia GeForce NOW game streaming for that, all thanks to a software called Steam for Chromebook (Beta).
Giving it a shot comes with its own set of challenges, making it more of a demonstration than an actual gaming experience. However, other games fare better.
Steam found its way to the standard version of ChromeOS in 2023. It's available on Chromebooks adhering to the Chromebook Plus standard.
This means the device should have at least 8GB RAM, an Intel Core i3 (12th Gen) or better, or its AMD equivalent, and at least 128GB storage.
These specs are typically associated with a Windows laptop, not a Chromebook.
I've got the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus for review, which is one of the most powerful Chromebooks to date. My review model sports an Intel Core i5 (120U) CPU, 256GB storage, and 8GB RAM.
By Windows standards, it's no powerhouse. But for its price, the capability of Chromebooks to run Steam and attempt to play any game you'd play on a gaming PC is one of the most intriguing developments in ChromeOS in years.
So how did it pan out?
How to Play Cyberpunk 2077 on a Chromebook
Cyberpunk 2077 was a challenge I wasn't expecting the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus to surpass, considering it does not meet the game's minimum requirements. However, the latest chipsets can still run this demanding game, without a dedicated graphics card.
Getting it to run on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is a test of patience, requiring multiple attempts to even reach the main menu.
With persistence, you can manage to get the benchmark to run, although the top average frame rate is a humble 5.44fps, when the graphics are degraded enough. This isn't playable, of course, but the inconsistent performance suggests it's likely being significantly hampered by a scarcity of video RAM.
Integrated graphics utilize system RAM as video RAM, and the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus has only 8GB of it. Official specifications suggest the game requires 12GB system RAM, in addition to a graphics card with 6GB of its own vRAM.
You could push this further by enabling Developer mode on a Chromebook, providing access to the full file system, and tweaking the game's settings files to further reduce the graphics for improved performance.
This proof-of-concept test is a powerful argument for manufacturing an even more powerful Chromebook, such as one equipped with an Intel Ultra 7 CPU and 16GB RAM. And even today's Chromebooks can make satisfactory little portable gaming machines.
If you step down to less demanding titles, you'll have a smoother experience. Subnautica runs at Low settings, hovering around 60fps, for instance.
Shooter Amid Evil performs at a steady 60fps at Medium graphics, and native 1080p resolution.
Firewatch can manage 60fps at native resolution, as long as you stick to Low graphics and avoid the Ultra setting.
Half-Life 2 can crank up the graphics to their maximum setting at native resolution for a solid 60fps.
The visually appealing, yet under-optimized, What Remains of Edith Finch, can achieve 60fps at Medium settings. Or you can boost the graphics further if you're content with a lower frame rate.
But what about something more popular? The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus can run Skyrim as well.
If you stick to the original edition, you can achieve 60fps at Low settings with 1080p resolution. Medium settings at 900p resolution is another option.
If you have the upgraded Special Edition, it's a bit more challenging. It was given a graphical upgrade, but you can still get results around 60fps with Low graphics settings at 900p resolution - sharpness isn't an option with Skyrim Special Edition.
It seems to suffer from graphical glitches currently, so the original release might be a better choice if you have a Chromebook comparable to the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus.
So are Chromebooks gaming PCs now? Not really, but Steam on ChromeOS has opened up a whole new use for these generally limited, yet lovable laptops. If your Chromebook has sufficient power, it's something I highly recommend trying, as the compatibility - even with a few little issues unmentioned here - appears to be quite remarkable.
Despite the challenges, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus managed to run 'Skyrim', providing a playable experience at lower settings. With 60fps at Low settings and 1080p resolution in the original edition, or an option of Medium settings at 900p resolution in the Special Edition, the Chromebook proved its gaming potential. Additionally, it's worth noting that the standard version of ChromeOS, including Steam, is now available on Chromebooks adhering to the Chromebook Plus standard, offering more gaming opportunities for users.
