If you are an Android fan, and like its simplicity, but still want something more, Chromebook might be what you are looking for. Although Chromebook isn’t a regular laptop and has its limitations, it can be a nifty thing. Its lightweight Chrome OS is designed to support the Google Play apps (at least all the latest Chromebook releases are, or will be in the close future), and work with the web-based services providing a great tool for both your work and pleasure.
Finding the best Chromebook for your needs can be a tricky task, but great things always deserve a bit more effort, therefore – enjoy the ride.
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How to Choose the Best Chromebook
As mentioned, a Chromebook isn’t a notebook. It is more of a smartphone that looks like a laptop. It is heavily dependent on the internet because the majority of apps and services need web connectivity. Also, CAD, Adobe Photoshop, and similar, more complex applications will be a “Mission Impossible” on a Chromebook.
Keep that in mind when you are deciding whether or not you are going to purchase it. Luckily, there are devices for every pocket and every purpose. Just pay attention to a couple of important details before you start looking for the best Chromebook for your needs.
Screen
Screen resolution, its size, whether it’s a touchscreen or not, are all important aspects of your device. Resolution of 2.400 x 1.600p will provide a great experience when playing videos, although even the FHD of 1.920 x 1.080p will be more than enough for the majority of the videos.
14” or 15” in size will provide a more comfortable use of multiple windows, while 11” in size will deliver more portability and ease when carried around. Same goes for the touchscreen that guarantees easier and faster use of a Chromebook.
Performance (Processor and Memory)
When talking processors, more GHz’s is always better, but don’t forget about the cache that is equally important as a processor’s speed. More megabytes in that department will provide a faster responsiveness and completion of the tasks. Celerons are the weakest processors but are enough for modest requirements. Ordinary work asks for m/i3’s Pentiums, while high performance requires m/i5s or m/i7s.
Multi-cores will allow for a simultaneous use of multiple applications, while more GB of memory allows for more fluid work. For instance, 1080p YouTube videos will suffer from a 2GB’s of RAM, but the 720p ones will go smoothly.
Storage
If you are not a fan of games that can be 2GB in size or more, and you have a huge collection of music that needs to be with you 24/7, even 16GB of storage will be enough. Don’t forget that many of the applications are online-based and don’t require a big storage space and that Google provides additional 100GB of storage on Google Drive for every newly bought Chromebook.
If your budget allows it, go for bigger numbers; if not, calculate. Keep in mind that everything between 32GB and 64GB of storage is normal. The presence of an SD card slot is also a handy thing that can give you additional 64GB of storage or more, so think through all the options.
Connectivity
The presence and number of an HDMI or USB connectors maybe aren’t crucial but can prove to be, if you are planning to connect your Chromebook to another device, or other devices to it – such as a mouse or an external hard drive. The more options you have, the better, right?
2-in-1
If your work asks for a practicality of a tablet, but also a presence of a regular keyboard, a 2-in-1 feature is what you should look for. On the other hand, if you are old-school, and have no real need for additional portability that a tablet delivers, the choice should be pretty simple.
Battery life
When talking about battery life, it can be put into one sentence: between 7 and 8 hours of work is expected, and everything above 9 hours is excellent.
Price
Luckily, Chromebooks are relatively cheap. Yes, there are ones for above $1000, but the majority is in the budget category, in the range from 200 to 300 dollars. It is all up to your budget and demands. There is a choice for every pocket.
Best Chromebooks
Google Pixelbook Go
For People Who Are Constantly on the Move
Being extremely lightweight, it’s more than easy to carry around, no matter how dynamic your day is. Plus, it can stay unplugged for up to 12 hours, eliminating the need to carry a charger if you have some shorter task on the move to complete.
With its 8th Gen Intel Core, it delivers efficiency and responsiveness. Making sure versatile consumers are covered – those who watch videos or listen to music, those who video-chat or edit photos, the manufacturer implemented it with dual stereo speakers and up to 8.3 million pixels.
Making sure things are kept on track all the time, there’s a built-in anti-virus software along with the Titan C security chip. This ensures the protection of your data. Plus, updates on the OS are done automatically, delivering ultimate security and the latest features.
Thanks to its spacious and accurate keypad, no need to make heavy moves, just a light touch, and your command will be performed. With Hush Keys and backlit keyboard, you can use it even when everyone else is asleep. Plus, it comes with a fanless design, staying cool and quiet all the way around.
Pros:
- 13.3” HD touchscreen display
- Extremely lightweight (barely 2 pounds)
- Backlit keyboard
- Built-in antivirus
Cons:
- Too much flare
- The touchscreen is of little use
Asus Chromebook Flip C434
Very Durable Chromebook
C434 features 14” FHD touchscreen with four-way NanoEdge Display, which makes the colors and screen look beautiful. The display is very durable and can be rotated for 360 degrees and used in different modes, such as tablet, tent and stand mode.
Flip C434 is powered by 3.4Ghz Intel m3-8100y processor. Along with 4GB LPDDR3 system memory and 64GB of emulated MMC storage, it is capable of providing excellent performance and good loading speed.
This 2-in-1 laptop is very light, weighing only 3 lbs, despite being made of the aluminum metal body, which makes it very durable and pretty. It comes with integrated Chrome OS and some Google Play Store apps, which is very useful to people who cannot spend too much time on getting all software packages on their own.
Pros:
- Completely foldable display
- The very good M3 processor
- Pre-installed Chrome OS
- Very light, weighing only 3 lbs
- Extremely durable, due to its aluminum build
Cons:
- Not good for too demanding work, due to shortage of RAM memory
HP Chromebook 14-db0050nr
One of the Best Chromebooks for Regular Users
HP Chromebook 14 is one of the best representatives of the Chromebook family. Compact, nicely designed and equipped with a fairly big 14” Full HD screen, AMD Dual-Core A4-9120 Processor, 32GB of storage and 4GB of RAM, this HP will guarantee for hours and hours of comfortable work and entertainment. Chromebook 14 is not a high performer, but it will do a decent job.
When its price tag of only a bit more than $200 is put into the equation, this guy shines even brighter and surely becomes the best Chromebook under $300, if not the best value for money Chromebook you can buy. The battery life is average at about 8 and a half hours, but this obviously doesn’t affect its already established popularity.
Pros:
- Amazing keyboard and trackpad
- Nice finish
Cons:
- A bit slow
- No 2-in-1 capability
Acer Chromebook 714
Stylish, Tough and Simple-to-Set-up Model
Thanks to the supreme-quality processor, it delivers fast loading time and eliminates all the lag, making it possible for you to tackle demanding projects as well. The Corning Gorilla Glass touchpad all the common commands will be smoother than you could ever have imagined- tapping, swiping, scrolling, and zooming.
If you can’t wait to have your precious five minutes of rest, and enjoy the quietness, even your Chromebook will help you, with Do Not Disturb mode to set boundaries well. On the other hand, if there’s some important task waiting for you, and you need to do it while everyone else rests, no problem, it comes with Night Light, to help you do your best.
Paying special attention to security, the model has multi-layered security. Plus, it updates automatically, keeping your device safe from malware and other common threats. Moreover, it comes with a fingerprint reader, for an even higher level of security and safety.
Knowing that people are in a hurry all day (and night long), it comes with easy set-up, making it possible to start performing your tasks in a matter of seconds. Also, you can use Google Assistant, to help you have those small missions done- setting reminders, asking questions, and whatnot.
Pros:
- Intel Pentium Gold Processor
- Military-standard tested
- Two built-in microphones
- HD webcam
- Fingerprint reader included
Cons:
- No optical drive
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
Multi-adjustable Model for More Personalized Performance
Provided with a multiverse od adjustability options, this device can be transformed into a tablet, tent, stand, laptop mode as well as in any angle in between, catering to versatile needs perfectly. That, in combination with 10th Gen Core, promises a high level of intuitiveness and responsiveness, and of course, more productivity.
Making sure optimal comfort is secured, it comes with a full backlit keyboard and a 1.4 mm key travel distance. Also, it has a lengthy battery life, so it won’t let you down in the middle of your task- it can stay in action for up to 10 hours.
Adding more value to efficiency is multiple slots for various connectivity options. It comes with two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C slots, one USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A slot, along with one audio jack, ensuring a better and smoother workflow.
Thanks to enhanced stereo speakers, this one can make the world rock- for you and with you. Also, it features an impressive Full HD IPS display, delivering excellent visuals. On top of it all, you will have a wealthy library of apps at your disposal as it comes with the streamlined interface of Chrome OS.
Pros:
- Intel 10th gen Core i3
- 13-inch FHD display
- 360° convertible design
- Backlit keyboard
- Multiple connectivity options
Cons:
- The camera is not of the finest quality
Samsung Chromebook 4
Minimized Bezel for Enhanced View
Thanks to minimized bezels, this model secures truly maximized screen space, so you can immerse yourself deeply into the content you love. It comes with Intel Celeron Processor N4000, allowing you to stream, work, create, or whatever comes to your mind – wherever you happen to be.
Speaking of, it guarantees up to 10 hours of life when battery is fully charged, making it a trustworthy device to have while out and about. In case you need more energy for some extra missions, no problem-you can recharge it quickly on a USB-C charger.
It features two USB-C slots, making it possible for you to multitask. Moreover, there’s ultra-fast Gigabit Wi-Fi connection, so gigantic files will no longer be an enemy to you. Streaming or downloading, whatever you want, this model can make that happen for you.
To make your everyday duties even simpler and faster, there’s Google Assistant to do those small things for you- check the news, read the message, or anything else you want to. And finally, with automated updating and built-in virus protection, you can be sure the security is at the highest level.
Pros:
- Built-in virus protection
- Google Assistant enabled
- Military-grade durability
Cons:
- The monitor looks a bit muddy
- Little storage space
Dell Inspiron 11 Chromebook
Budget-friendly Choice with Build-in HD Webcam
With Intel Celeron N3060 Dual-Core and Intel HD Graphics 400, be sure that this product is good to have around. Even though it comes with a slightly limited space storage, it comes with multiple connectivity options – so this lack is perfectly compensated.
Having in mind that people are constantly on the go, it hosts a spill-resistant keyboard. This not only protects the rounded corners but thanks to the overall shockproof design, all the internal components are fully sheltered from damage.
Knowing that security matters a lot, it comes with built-in anti-virus protection so say goodbye to all the malware and threats. Plus, all your data are safely stored in the cloud, eliminating all the headaches, and leaving you occupied with some relaxing things.
With all the convenience offered by Google, this model provides a high level of efficiency and responds to commands almost instantly. The entire system is updated continuously, so your operating system, Google Play, and Android apps could stay synced with other gadgets you have and make it possible for you to access your data whenever and wherever you want.
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
- Built-in HD webcam
Cons:
- The mouse spontaneously disappears
- No touchscreen
Lenovo Chromebook C330
Decent Power at an Affordable Price
Not everyone can afford to pay $500+ for a device that’s mostly used for browsing and working with Google tools. So, if you’re looking for something more affordable, but equally powerful, the C330 from Lenovo is a great choice.
Equipped with 4GB PLDDR3 and 64 GB eMMC, this device is powered by a MediaTek MT8173C processor. As a result, it supports multitasking and the data is processed quickly into the storage memory.
Moreover, the 11.6-inch, 10-point touchscreen IPS display supports FHD (1366 x 768) resolution and the hinge can be folded at 360-degrees.
Overall, the device is lightweight (2.6 lbs.) and thin, even with the keyboard fully folded in tablet mode. It can be used in an office or when traveling, since it was built to support both WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1. Also, the C330 comes with USB-C, USB 3.0, and SD ports for effortless connectivity wherever you are.
Pros:
- Solid build, even though the chassis is plastic
- A wide range of available ports
- IPS display
- Good processing power for the price
- The processor is optimized for Google Play apps
- Flexible design
- Long battery life (10h+)
Cons:
- No pen
- Some apps are not compatible
- Screen resolution is not the best
- The hinge is a bit frail
Summary
Choosing the best Chromebook for your needs will be a difficult task, especially if you are not quite sure what it is that you need. So, first review the characteristics that set them apart, find ones that are important to you, and then go through our list again to find the best option.
Good luck and have fun with it!