The Chromebook market has grown a lot over the previous few years that selecting the very best Chromebook for you may be onerous. The mixture of years value of software program updates and producers making laptops with extra energy, higher construct high quality and long battery life means there are a ton of excellent Chrome OS machines that work nicely as on a regular basis drivers. Whereas Google did make issues easier final fall by introducing the Chromebook Plus initiative (extra on that beneath), there are nonetheless a number of issues to remember when looking for a brand new Chromebook. I’ve been testing and reviewing Chromebooks for years and know what you ought to be on the lookout for, and what you’ll be able to count on out of those laptops in 2024.
Editor’s be aware (3/22/24): We’re always testing and evaluating new Chromebooks for this information, and there are two fashions on our radar for inclusion that we’re keen to check. Each Acer and ASUS supply 15-inch Chromebook Plus fashions for $399, and we predict one (or each) could possibly be good choices for somebody who needs a much bigger display screen for much less money.
What’s Chrome OS, and why would I take advantage of it over Home windows?
That is most likely the primary query about Chromebooks. There are many cheap Home windows laptops in the marketplace, so why trouble with Chrome’s working system? Glad you requested. For me, the straightforward and clear nature of Chrome OS is a giant promoting level. Chrome OS is predicated on Google’s Chrome browser, which suggests a lot of the packages you’ll be able to run are internet primarily based. There’s no bloatware or undesirable apps to uninstall such as you usually get on Home windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you’ll fully reset to manufacturing unit settings nearly as rapidly.
In fact, simplicity may even be a significant downside for some customers. Not with the ability to set up native software program is usually a dealbreaker should you’re a video editor or software program developer. However there are additionally loads of individuals who do the vast majority of their work in an internet browser.
Google and its software program companions are getting higher yearly at supporting extra superior options. For instance, Google added video editing tools to the Google Pictures app on Chromebooks – it received’t exchange Adobe Premiere, nevertheless it needs to be useful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the web final yr, one thing that ought to deliver a lot of the ability of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.
Google has additionally added assist for Android apps on Chromebooks, which significantly expands the quantity of software program obtainable. The standard varies broadly, nevertheless it means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you’ll be able to set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline watching. Different Android apps like Microsoft Workplace and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly succesful as nicely. Between Android apps and a basic enchancment in internet apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do nicely?
Put merely, internet looking and actually something internet primarily based. On-line purchasing, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many most typical each day duties individuals do on Chromebooks. As you would possibly count on, additionally they work nicely with Google companies like Pictures, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Preserve and so forth. Sure, any pc that may run Chrome can do this too, however the light-weight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and steady platform.
As I discussed earlier than, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so should you’re an Android consumer you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You will get a lot of the identical apps which might be in your cellphone on a Chromebook and maintain data in sync between them. You may as well use some Android telephones as a safety key in your Chromebook or immediately tether your laptop computer to make use of cell knowledge.
Google continues to tout safety as a significant differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s positively an element value contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary traces of protection. Chrome OS updates obtain rapidly within the background and a quick reboot is all it takes to put in the most recent model. Google says that every webpage and app on a Chromebook runs in its personal sandbox as nicely, so any safety threats are contained to that particular person app. Lastly, Chrome OS has a self-check referred to as Verified Boot that runs each time a tool begins up. Past all this, the straightforward truth that you just typically can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for dangerous actors to entry the system.
As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is easy: When you rely closely on a selected native utility for Home windows or a Mac, chances are high you received’t discover the very same choice on a ChromeOS gadget. That’s most true in fields like photograph and video modifying, nevertheless it can be the case in regulation or finance. Loads of companies run on Google’s G suite software program, however extra nonetheless have particular necessities {that a} Chromebook won’t match. When you’re an iPhone consumer, you’ll additionally miss out on the best way the iPhone simply integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the massive draw back isn’t with the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.
Lastly, gaming Chromebooks aren’t ubiquitous, though they’re changing into a barely extra cheap choice with the rise of cloud gaming. In late 2022, Google and a few {hardware} companions introduced a push to make Chromebooks with cloud gaming in thoughts. From a {hardware} perspective, meaning laptops with larger screens which have increased refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with companies like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Recreation Move and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of these companies, however the excellent news is that enjoying fashionable video games on a Chromebook isn’t unattainable. You’ll be able to set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are pondering of once they need to sport on a laptop computer.
There’s one other potential change on the horizon, as Valve and Google are working to deliver the large Steam catalog to Chromebooks. Proper now, Steam is barely obtainable as an early alpha on a handful of units with increased specs, nevertheless it works rather a lot higher than I anticipated. You’re nonetheless not going to run probably the most demanding video games on primary laptops, however the Steam catalog is so huge that there are many titles that labored on the Chromebook I examined it with. When you’re keen on giving it a shot, you will discover the total record of supported Chromebooks and particulars on how you can strive Steam here.
What are an important specs for a Chromebook?
Chrome OS is light-weight and often runs nicely on pretty modest {hardware}, so an important factor to search for won’t be processor energy or space for storing. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final yr when it launched the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any gadget with a Chromebook Plus designation meets some minimal necessities, which occur to be similar to what I’d suggest most individuals get in the event that they’re on the lookout for a laptop computer they’ll use daily.
Chromebook Plus fashions have at the very least a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 collection processor, each of which needs to be greater than sufficient for most individuals. These laptops even have a minimal of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which ought to do the trick until you’re actually pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions must have a 1080p webcam, which is sweet in nowadays of fixed video calling, and so they additionally all must have at the very least a 1080p IPS display screen.
In fact, you will get increased specs or higher screens should you want, however I’ve discovered that principally all the things included within the Chromebook Plus goal specs makes for an excellent expertise.
Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks, and whereas that’s not precisely a spec, it’s value checking before you purchase. Final yr, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and assist for a powerful 10 years after their launch date. This support page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however a very good rule of thumb is to purchase the most recent machine you’ll be able to to maximise your assist.
How a lot ought to I spend?
Chromebooks began out notoriously low cost, with record costs usually coming in below $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being primarily fashionable netbooks to the form of laptop computer you’ll need to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, you must count on to spend at the very least $400 if you would like a strong each day driver. There are nonetheless many finances choices on the market that could be appropriate as secondary units, however Chromebooks that may be all-day, every-day laptops will value extra. However, notably, even the very best Chromebooks often value lower than the best Windows or “regular” laptops on the market.
There are many premium Chromebooks that method and even exceed $1,000, however I don’t suggest spending that a lot. Usually, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and additional space for storing. In fact, you additionally generally pay for the model title. However, the specs I outlined earlier are often sufficient.
See Additionally:
Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,920 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.52 lbs | Accessible ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, MicroSD card slot (SD 3.0), Headphone jack, Kensington Naon safety slot | Drive capability: 128GB | Battery life: 6 hours as examined
Lenovo has been making among the greatest inexpensive Chromebooks you should buy for a number of years now, and its 2023 IdeaPad Flex 5i is an inexpensive laptop computer that gives nearly all the things you may need in a primary Chromebook. The 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen is each bigger and taller than final yr’s mannequin. This implies you get extra vertical display screen actual property, which is one thing I recognize over a typical 1080p show. This Lenovo Chromebook hits the Chromebook Plus advisable specs with a Thirteenth-generation Intel Core i3 processor plus 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. That’s a bump up from the Eleventh-generation processor in final yr’s mannequin, and the RAM and storage needs to be lots.
Sadly, the battery life is pretty mediocre — I obtained about six hours of standard use out of it. My workflow features a ton of Chrome tabs, plus internet apps for issues like Slack, Todoist, Trello, Google Preserve and YouTube Music. I often take a couple of video calls through the day, so should you’re not on digital camera a lot you would possibly get a bit extra time from the laptop computer. I want it lasted longer, however I can’t knock it an excessive amount of contemplating the Flex 5i’s value.
The backlit keyboard and trackpad are excellent and really feel significantly better than I’d count on on a reasonably inexpensive machine. The keys have good journey and the trackpad is massive and responsive. Even supposing it has a 1080p webcam, I can’t say that I regarded all that nice within the video calls I took. It does the job, however not way more.
Different issues within the Flex 5i’s favor embody each USB-C and USB-A ports, a microSD card slot and a safety lock. At 3.5 kilos and 0.78 inches thick, it’s positively not the lightest or slimmest choice on the market. It’s a utilitarian slab of a laptop computer, however that’s OK. Lastly, the Flex 5i will obtain software program and safety updates till June of 2032, so you should buy this pc and have it lined for years to return.
For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the best Chromebook. It’ll hit the candy spot for lots of consumers on the market, offering a degree of high quality and efficiency that’s fairly uncommon to search out at this value level.
- Nice general efficiency for the value
- Good show
- Strong keyboard and trackpad
- Mediocre battery life
- A bit heavy and chunky
Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,980 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.02 lbs | Accessible ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C / Thunderbolt, HDMI, Headphone jack | Drive capability: 256GB | Battery life: 7.5 hours as examined
Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 has lengthy been probably the greatest premium Chromebook choices on the market, and the present mannequin is not any exception.
The Spin 714 contains a 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen. Just like the display screen on Lenovo’s mannequin, this works out to a taller 16:10 facet ratio than you’ll get from the 1080p panels on most laptops. I’m a giant fan of taller laptop computer screens, and whereas this isn’t as luxurious because the few 3:2 ratio Chromebooks in the marketplace, it’s nonetheless a cushty and prime quality display screen. It’s additionally slightly bit brighter than the display screen on the Lenovo (340 nits vs. 300).
One noteworthy function is the 2K webcam included within the Spin 714. In a world the place we’re all doing extra video calls than we’d like, having a digital camera that doesn’t scale back you to a blurry spot is certainly appreciated. It’s a much better digital camera than the one on our prime choose.
As for the remainder of the {hardware}, the Spin 714 bests the Lenovo in a couple of methods. It contains a Thirteenth-generation Intel Core i5 processor, together with 8GB and 256GB of storage. It additionally has higher battery life in my testing — I usually obtained about 7 and a half hours when utilizing it. That’s not distinctive, nevertheless it’s consistent with what I’ve seen on different i5-powered Chromebooks.
Simply because the title suggests, the Spin 714 has a 360-degree hinge which helps you to use the laptop computer in pill mode. I’m not a fan of this convertible design – I don’t know who needs to make use of a 3-plus pound pill, nevertheless it’s there should you want it.
The newest Spin 714 prices $700 – not an unreasonable value for a pc with these specs and constructed high quality. When you’re a severe multitasker, need a greater show and keyboard, or simply need a pc that’ll final so long as doable, the Acer Spin 714 is simple to suggest.
- Nice display screen
- Very clear webcam
- Loads of energy and space for storing
- Good keyboard and trackpad
- Compact design
- Somewhat expensive
- Battery life is fairly common
Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 16 inches | Display decision: 2,560 x 1,600 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.75 lbs | Accessible ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, HDMI, Headphone jack, Ethernet | Drive capability: 256GB | Battery life: 9 hours (producer estimate)
Acer launched the Chromebook 516 GE within the fall of 2022 as a part of Google’s push to make units appropriate for cloud gaming, however you don’t should be a gamer to appreciate this laptop. For $650, you’ll get a 16-inch show with a 2,560 x 1,600 decision and a 120Hz refresh fee. NVIDIA’s GeForce Now gaming service helps as much as 4K visuals at 120Hz on its Final tier so that you’ll get to see these advantages. This laptop computer additionally helps Steam, but another excuse avid gamers may be keen on making an attempt it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the 516 GE’s crisp and clear display screen and refined {hardware}.
It additionally contains Intel’s Twelfth-gen Core i7 1240P processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Given the laptop computer’s dimension, it’s good that Acer didn’t skimp on ports right here: there’s an HDMI port, USB-C, USB-A, ethernet and a headphone jack. The keyboard has gamer-friendly LED lights you could customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a strong and comfy keyboard for enjoying video games or simply typing up stories. The trackpad is massive and responsive as nicely.
The 516 GE solely weighs 3.75 kilos too – fairly gentle for a laptop computer with a 16-inch display screen. Between the highly effective {hardware}, strong design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display screen, anybody who needs a much bigger Chromebook will doubtless be proud of this mannequin. As for assist, Google says the 516 GE will proceed receiving updates till June of 2032.
- Giant, high-resolution display screen with a quick refresh fee
- Loads of ports
- Intel i7 processor affords loads of energy
- Giant and spacious keyboard
- Comparatively light-weight for a large-screen laptop computer
- Not everybody will recognize the gamer aesthetic
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