Selecting the most effective Chromebooks to your wants and your finances might be onerous to do given the multitude of fashions in the marketplace in the present day.
The mixture of years price of software program updates and laptop computer producers making extra highly effective and better-built Chromebooks means there are a ton of excellent Chrome OS machines that work nicely as on a regular basis drivers.
We’ll assist you determine what’s the greatest Chromebook for you, from the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i to the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 and in between.
Disclosure This post may contain affiliate links whereas I may earn a small commission if any products are purchased through these links in this article at no additional cost to you.
Why should I use Chrome OS instead of Windows?
That’s most likely the primary query about Chromebooks. There are many cheap Home windows laptops in the marketplace, so why hassle with Chrome OS? Glad you requested. For me, the straightforward and clear nature of Chrome OS is an enormous promoting level.
Should you didn’t know, it’s based mostly on Google’s Chrome browser, which suggests a lot of the applications you’ll be able to run are net based mostly.
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 utterly reset to manufacturing facility settings virtually as rapidly.
After all, the simplicity can be a serious downside for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program could be a dealbreaker for those who’re, say, a video editor or software program developer.
However there are additionally loads of individuals who do the overwhelming majority of their work in a browser. Except I must edit images for a overview, I can do my complete job on a Chromebook.
Google has additionally added assist for Android apps on Chromebooks, which enormously expands the quantity of software program accessible. The standard varies extensively, 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’s Workplace suite and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly successful.
Between Android apps and a normal enchancment in net apps, Chromebooks are greater than only a browser.
What tasks are Chromebooks good at?
Put merely, something net based mostly. Shopping, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many most typical issues folks do on Chromebooks.
As you would possibly count on, in addition they work nicely with Google companies like Images, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Hold and so forth.
Sure, any laptop that may run Chrome can try this too, however the light-weight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and secure platform.
As I discussed earlier than, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so for those who’re an Android consumer you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms.
You will get a lot of the similar apps which are in your cellphone on a Chromebook and hold information in sync between them.
You may also use some Android telephones as a safety key to your Chromebook or immediately tether your laptop computer to make use of cellular knowledge.
Google continues to tout safety as a serious differentiator for Chromebooks, and I believe it’s positively an element price contemplating.
The primary line of protection is auto-updates. 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 reality that you just usually can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are rather a lot fewer methods for dangerous actors to entry the system.
As for when to keep away from them, the reply is straightforward: Should you rely closely on a selected native software for Home windows or a Mac, chances are high you received’t discover the very same choice on a Chromebook.
That’s most true in fields like picture and video enhancing, 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.
Should you’re an iPhone consumer, you’ll additionally miss out on the way in which the iPhone simply integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the massive draw back shouldn’t be having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.
Lastly, gaming is generally a non-starter, as there aren’t any native Chrome OS video games of word.
You’ll be able to set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are considering of once they wish to recreation on a laptop computer.
That mentioned, Google’s game-streaming service Stadia has modified that long-standing downside. The service isn’t good, nevertheless it stays the one method to play current, high-profile video games on a Chromebook.
It’s inferior to working native video games on a Home windows laptop, however the lag points that may crop up replicate totally on Stadia itself and never Chrome OS.
There’s additionally a possible change on the horizon in that regard, as Valve and Google are working to carry the huge Steam catalog to Chromebooks.
As of right now, Steam is barely accessible as an early alpha on a handful of gadgets with greater specs, nevertheless it works rather a lot higher than I anticipated.
After all, you’re nonetheless not going to run essentially 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.
Possibly by subsequent 12 months, Steam will probably be supported on extra gadgets.
What features of a Chromebook are most crucial?
Chrome OS is light-weight and often runs nicely on pretty modest {hardware}, so a very powerful factor to search for won’t be processor energy or space for storing.
That mentioned, I’d nonetheless advocate you get a Chromebook with a comparatively current Intel processor, ideally an eighth-generation or newer M3 or i3. Most non-Intel Chromebooks I’ve tried haven’t had terribly good efficiency, however that’s beginning to change.
Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 2-in-1 from 2021 runs surprisingly nicely on its MediaTek processor.
As for RAM, 8GB must be the goal, until you’re searching for a finances mannequin and know that your wants are pretty modest. Space for storing is one other place the place you don’t must spend too a lot; 64GB must be nice for nearly anybody.
Should you plan on storing a whole lot of information domestically or loading up your Chromebook with Linux or Android apps, get 128GB. However for what it’s price, I’ve by no means felt like I would run out of storage when utilizing Chrome OS.
Issues just like the keyboard and show high quality are arguably extra necessary than sheer specs. The excellent news is that you will discover inexpensive Chromebooks that also have fairly good screens and keyboards that you just received’t thoughts typing on all day.
Many low-cost Chromebooks nonetheless include tiny, low-resolution shows, however at this level there’s no cause to accept something lower than 1080p. (Should you’re searching for a particularly transportable, 11-inch Chromebook, although, you’ll most likely find yourself with a lesser display.)
Clearly, keyboard high quality is a little more subjective, however there are many reasonably priced choices that supply robust typing experiences.
Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks, and whereas that’s not a spec, per se, it’s price checking before you purchase. Mainly, Chromebooks get common software program updates robotically for about six years from their launch date (although that may fluctuate from system to system).
This support page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however a superb rule of thumb is to purchase the most recent machine you’ll be able to to maximise your assist.
What amount could I invest in Chromebooks?
Chromebooks began out notoriously low-cost, with checklist costs usually coming in beneath $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being primarily trendy netbooks to the type of laptop computer you’ll wish to use all day.
As such, costs have elevated a bit over the previous couple of years. At this level, you must count on to spend at the least $400 if you need a stable each day driver.
There are nonetheless many finances choices on the market which may be appropriate as sofa machines or secondary gadgets, however Chromebooks that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will price a bit extra.
There are additionally loads of premium Chromebooks that method and even exceed $1,000, however I don’t advocate spending that a lot.
Usually, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and further space for storing.
After all, you additionally typically pay for the model title. However, the specs I outlined earlier are often sufficient.
Proper now, there truly aren’t too many Chromebooks that price that a lot. Google’s Pixelbook Go is available in $999 and $1,399 configurations, however the extra reasonably priced $650 and $850 choices will probably be simply pretty much as good for almost everybody.
Samsung launched the $1,000 Galaxy Chromebook in 2020; this luxurious system does virtually every thing proper however has horrible battery life.
Samsung rapidly discovered from that mistake and is now providing the Galaxy Chromebook 2 with extra modest specs, however vastly higher battery life at a extra reasonably priced worth .
For essentially the most half, you don’t must spend greater than $850 to get a premium Chromebook that’ll final you years.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is the ideal laptop amongst Chromebooks.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i
The Ideapad Flex 5i hits the candy spot for a big majority of Chromebook patrons on the market, offering a stage of high quality and efficiency that’s fairly uncommon to seek out at this worth level.
Lenovo has been producing among the greatest Chromebooks you should purchase for a number of years now, and in 2022 it has as soon as once more made the most suitable choice for most individuals.
The IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook is actually an upgraded model of the mannequin we beneficial final 12 months, and there are a number of notable enhancements.
The 13.3-inch, 1080p touchscreen is extraordinarily vibrant and pretty sharp; I want it had a taller side ratio than 16:9, however the sort of display may be very common in Chromebooks.
It runs on a 11th-generation Intel Core i3 processor and consists of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage; each of these are double what final 12 months’s mannequin supplied.
The eight-hour battery life is fairly good for a laptop computer on this worth vary, and the backlit keyboard is superb for such an reasonably priced system. The important thing caps really feel somewhat small beneath my fingers, however that’s the one actual grievance I’ve.
The Flex 5i is not accessible instantly from Lenovo, however you’ll be able to generally discover it on Amazon for about $400 (as of this writing, it’s promoting for $409; once I purchased it, it was priced at $390). That’s an excellent worth.
Different issues within the Flex 5i’s favor embody that it has each USB-C and USB-A ports, a microSD card slot and a safety lock. At three kilos and 0.66 inches thick, it’s not the lightest or slimmest choice on the market, nevertheless it’s completely cheap contemplating the worth.
Lastly, the Flex 5i will obtain software program and safety updates till June of 2029, so you should purchase this laptop and have it coated for years to come back.
In the end, the Ideapad Flex 5i hits the candy spot for a big majority of Chromebook patrons on the market, offering a stage of high quality and efficiency that’s fairly uncommon to seek out at this worth level.
That mentioned, given this laptop computer has been out for over a 12 months now, we’re conserving an eye fixed out for a substitute from Lenovo, in addition to comparable choices different producers launch.
One to look out for is Lenovo’s Chromebook 5i, which the corporate just lately launched. Proper now, it’s solely accessible with an Intel Pentium Gold processor and 4GB of RAM; in my testing, that wasn’t sufficient energy in 2022.
The system froze up far too usually, and the IdeaPad Flex 5i with its i3 processor was clearly sooner at every thing I attempted. However Lenovo says it’ll supply the Chromebook 5i with as much as an Intel i5 processor, which ought to make the laptop computer price trying out.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 as an upgrade
Final 12 months, Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook 2 was one in all my suggestions for folks searching for a extra premium Chromebook.
Now that Samsung usually sells the system for $550, it’s a wonderful all-purpose suggestion if you need one thing extra svelte and classy than Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5i.
The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is infinitely extra trendy than most different Chromebooks, with a vibrant metallic pink end and glossy design. Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook 2 fixes among the critical flaws we recognized within the unique Galaxy Chromebook.
Particularly, the 2020 Galaxy Chromebook had horrible battery life and price $999; this 12 months’s mannequin might be discovered for $550 and may final seven hours off the charger.
That’s not nice, nevertheless it’s much better than the awful 4 hours the unique supplied.
Samsung lower a number of corners to decrease the Galaxy Chromebook 2’s worth. Most noticeable is the 1080p 13.3-inch touchscreen, down from the 4K panel on the older mannequin.
The excellent news is that the show is among the many greatest 1080p laptop computer screens I’ve seen in a very long time, and the decrease decision helps the battery life, too.
Together with that glorious display, the system additionally has a really comfy keyboard, although I want the trackpad was somewhat larger.
The Galaxy Chromebook 2 can be a bit thicker and heavier than its predecessor, nevertheless it’s nonetheless moderately compact.
At 13.9mm thick and a pair of.7 kilos, it’s noticeably smaller than the Lenovo.
The Galaxy Chromebook 2 has a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is loads. This all provides as much as a laptop computer that isn’t as bold as the primary Galaxy Chromebook, however one that’s a lot simpler to advocate.
As an alternative of pushing to have the most effective display within the thinnest and lightest physique with a sooner processor, Samsung pulled every thing again a bit to make a better-priced however nonetheless premium laptop computer.
On condition that the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is nicely over a 12 months previous now, I wouldn’t advocate spending $700 on it – however for those who can catch it on sale for $550 (as it’s proper now), it’s a stable choice.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 as a top choice among Chromebooks
Acer’s Spin 714 is overkill for many, however for those who’re a critical multitasker, need a greater show and keyboard, or simply need a pc that’ll final so long as doable, it is simple to advocate.
Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 is an evolution of the Spin 713 that I beneficial final 12 months.
Acer made a number of tweaks to the method, however you’re nonetheless getting a well-built, highly effective laptop computer that received’t flip any heads with its design however will get the job executed nicely.
I liked the show on the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, and sadly the one on the Spin 714 isn’t fairly as thrilling. It’s a 14-inch, 1900×1200 touchscreen; that works out to a taller 16:10 side ratio than you’ll get from the 1080p panels on most different Chromebooks.
I’m an enormous fan of taller laptop computer screens – however the Spin 713 had a 13.5-inch display that had an excellent taller 3:2 side ratio and a better decision.
I can’t assist however surprise if Acer discovered that folks nonetheless choose a widescreen show. If that’s the case, the Spin 714’s show is a pleasant center floor.
Placing apart these comparisons to final 12 months’s mannequin, the Spin 714’s display continues to be very good – it may possibly get uncomfortably vibrant if that’s your factor, and the bezels are skinny.
It’s not almost as pixel-dense because the Spin 713, nevertheless it’s nonetheless loads sharp.
Between the additional vertical top and the marginally bigger display, the Spin 714’s show is a pleasure to make use of.
As for the remainder of the {hardware}, the 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor is greater than sufficient energy for many duties, and the keyboard and trackpad are stable, if not the most effective I’ve used earlier than.
The identical might be mentioned for battery life: I bought about seven hours utilizing the Spin 714 in my regular each day routine – not distinctive, however according to what I’ve seen on different Chromebooks with an i5 processor.
Rounding out the {hardware} is 8GB of RAM and a beneficiant 256GB of space for storing. From a assist perspective, Google will supply software program and safety updates till June of 2030.
One other bonus is that its {hardware} meets Google’s beneficial specs to run Steam, although the alpha construct continues to be restricted to seven gadgets.
So whereas it’s not formally supported but, Steam will hopefully work on this laptop computer as soon as Google and Valve begin rolling it out extra extensively.
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 significantly a fan of this – I don’t know who needs to make use of a 3-plus pound pill, however Acer did embody a built-in stylus for handwriting notes or drawing in apps just like the built-in Chrome Canvas.
The Spin 714 configuration I examined prices $730 – that’s some huge cash for a Chromebook. Nevertheless it’s not an unreasonable worth for a pc with these specs and constructed high quality. For most individuals, the Lenovo will probably be sufficient.
However, for those who’re a critical multitasker, need a greater show and keyboard, or simply need a pc that’ll final so long as doable, the Acer Spin 714 is straightforward to advocate.
