The Chromebook market has grown a lot over the previous few years that selecting the perfect Chromebook for you might be arduous. The mixture of years price 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 fine Chrome OS machines that work properly 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 possibly can count on out of those laptops in 2024.
Editor’s observe (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) may very well be good choices for somebody who needs an even 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 hassle with Chrome’s working system? Glad you requested. For me, the straightforward and clear nature of Chrome OS is an enormous promoting level. Chrome OS is predicated on Google’s Chrome browser, which implies a lot of the applications you possibly can run are net primarily based. There’s no bloatware or undesirable apps to uninstall such as you typically get on Home windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you may utterly reset to manufacturing unit settings nearly as shortly.
After all, simplicity may also be a serious disadvantage for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program could be a dealbreaker should you’re a video editor or software program developer. However there are additionally loads of individuals who do nearly all 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 Images app on Chromebooks – it received’t substitute Adobe Premiere, nevertheless it ought 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 facility of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.
Google has additionally added help for Android apps on Chromebooks, which drastically expands the quantity of software program accessible. The standard varies broadly, nevertheless it means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you possibly can set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline watching. Different Android apps like Microsoft Workplace and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly succesful as properly. Between Android apps and a common enchancment in net apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do properly?
Put merely, net looking and actually something net primarily based. On-line buying, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many commonest each day duties folks do on Chromebooks. As you would possibly count on, in addition they work properly with Google providers 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 should you’re an Android person you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You will get a lot of the identical apps which are in your cellphone on a Chromebook and preserve information in sync between them. You too can use some Android telephones as a safety key on your Chromebook or immediately tether your laptop computer to make use of cell information.
Google continues to tout safety as a serious differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s positively an element price contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary traces of protection. Chrome OS updates obtain shortly within the background and a quick reboot is all it takes to put in the newest model. Google says that every webpage and app on a Chromebook runs in its personal sandbox as properly, so any safety threats are contained to that particular person app. Lastly, Chrome OS has a self-check known as Verified Boot that runs each time a tool begins up. Past all this, the straightforward reality that you just typically can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for unhealthy actors to entry the system.
As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is straightforward: In the event you rely closely on a selected native software for Home windows or a Mac, likelihood is you received’t discover the very same possibility on a ChromeOS system. That’s most true in fields like picture and video enhancing, nevertheless it may also be the case in legislation 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. In the event you’re an iPhone person, you’ll additionally miss out on the best way the iPhone simply integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the massive draw back will not be having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.
Lastly, gaming Chromebooks aren’t ubiquitous, though they’re turning into a barely extra affordable possibility 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, which means laptops with greater screens which have increased refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with providers like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Sport Go and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of these providers, however the excellent news is that taking part in fashionable video games on a Chromebook isn’t unimaginable. 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 after they wish to recreation on a laptop computer.
There’s one other potential change on the horizon, as Valve and Google are working to deliver the huge Steam catalog to Chromebooks. Proper now, Steam is just accessible as an early alpha on a handful of gadgets with increased specs, nevertheless it works quite a bit 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. In the event you’re fascinated with giving it a shot, you will discover the complete record of supported Chromebooks and particulars on find out how to attempt Steam here.
What are crucial specs for a Chromebook?
Chrome OS is light-weight and normally runs properly on pretty modest {hardware}, so crucial 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 system 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 day-after-day.
Chromebook Plus fashions have at the least a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 sequence processor, each of which ought 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 should have a 1080p webcam, which is sweet in nowadays of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all should have at the least a 1080p IPS display screen.
After all, you may get increased specs or higher screens should you need, however I’ve discovered that mainly every little thing 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 price checking before you purchase. Final yr, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and help for a formidable 10 years after their launch date. This support page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however rule of thumb is to purchase the most recent machine you possibly can to maximise your help.
How a lot ought to I spend?
Chromebooks began out notoriously low-cost, with record costs typically coming in beneath $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being primarily fashionable netbooks to the form of laptop computer you’ll wish to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, it’s best to count on to spend at the least $400 in order for you a stable each day driver. There are nonetheless many price range choices on the market that could be appropriate as secondary gadgets, however Chromebooks that may be all-day, every-day laptops will price extra. However, notably, even the perfect Chromebooks normally price lower than the best Windows or “regular” laptops on the market.
There are many premium Chromebooks that strategy and even exceed $1,000, however I don’t suggest spending that a lot. Typically, 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 generally pay for the model title. However, the specs I outlined earlier are normally sufficient.
See Additionally:
Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display measurement: 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 a number of 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 every little thing you can 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 respect over an ordinary 1080p show. This Lenovo Chromebook hits the Chromebook Plus beneficial 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 ought to be loads.
Sadly, the battery life is pretty mediocre — I received about six hours of standard use out of it. My workflow features a ton of Chrome tabs, plus net apps for issues like Slack, Todoist, Trello, Google Hold and YouTube Music. I normally take just a few video calls throughout 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 superb 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. Although it has a 1080p webcam, I can’t say that I appeared 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 possibility 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 laptop and have it lined for years to come back.
For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the best Chromebook. It’ll hit the candy spot for lots of patrons 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
- Stable keyboard and trackpad
- Mediocre battery life
- A bit heavy and chunky
Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display measurement: 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 among the finest premium Chromebook choices on the market, and the present mannequin isn’t any exception.
The Spin 714 includes 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 side ratio than you’ll get from the 1080p panels on most laptops. I’m an enormous 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 top 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 just a few methods. It includes a Thirteenth-generation Intel Core i5 processor, together with 8GB and 256GB of storage. It additionally has higher battery life in my testing — I sometimes received about 7 and a half hours when utilizing it. That’s not distinctive, nevertheless it’s in step 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 most recent Spin 714 prices $700 – not an unreasonable value for a pc with these specs and constructed high quality. In the event you’re a severe multitasker, need a greater show and keyboard, or simply need a pc that’ll final so long as attainable, the Acer Spin 714 is straightforward to suggest.
- Nice display screen
- Very clear webcam
- Loads of energy and space for storing
- Good keyboard and trackpad
- Compact design
- A bit of expensive
- Battery life is fairly common
Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display measurement: 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 gadgets appropriate for cloud gaming, however you don’t have to 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 charge. 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 one more reason avid gamers may be fascinated with 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 measurement, 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 can customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a stable and cozy keyboard for taking part in video games or simply typing up experiences. The trackpad is massive and responsive as properly.
The 516 GE solely weighs 3.75 kilos too – fairly mild for a laptop computer with a 16-inch display screen. Between the highly effective {hardware}, stable design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display screen, anybody who needs an even bigger Chromebook will probably be pleased with this mannequin. As for help, Google says the 516 GE will proceed receiving updates till June of 2032.
- Giant, high-resolution display screen with a quick refresh charge
- Loads of ports
- Intel i7 processor presents loads of energy
- Giant and spacious keyboard
- Comparatively light-weight for a large-screen laptop computer
- Not everybody will respect the gamer aesthetic
Trending Merchandise
