The Chromebook market has grown a lot over the previous few years that selecting the very best 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 lengthy battery life means there are a ton of fine 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 under), there are nonetheless a number of issues to remember when purchasing for a brand new Chromebook. I’ve been testing and reviewing Chromebooks for years and know what you need to be on the lookout for, and what you’ll be able to count on out of those laptops in 2024.
What’s Chrome OS, and why would I exploit it over Home windows?
That is in all probability 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 easy and clear nature of Chrome OS is an enormous promoting level. Chrome OS relies on Google’s Chrome browser, which implies many 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 typically get on Home windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you’ll utterly reset to manufacturing facility settings virtually as rapidly.
In fact, simplicity can even be a significant disadvantage for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program is usually a dealbreaker for those who’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 modifying instruments to the Google Pictures app on Chromebooks – it gained’t change Adobe Premiere, but it surely ought to be useful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the internet final yr, one thing that brings a lot of the facility of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.
Chromebooks can even run Android apps, which enormously expands the quantity of software program out there. The standard varies broadly, but it surely 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 normal enchancment in net apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do nicely?
Put merely, net shopping and actually something net based mostly. On-line purchasing, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many commonest each day duties individuals do on Chromebooks. As you may count on, in addition they work nicely with Google providers like Pictures, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Preserve and so forth. Sure, any pc that may run Chrome can try 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 for those who’re an Android consumer you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You may get many of the identical apps which are in your cellphone on a Chromebook and maintain information in sync between them. You can even 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 significant differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s positively an element price contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary strains 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 easy reality that you simply typically can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for unhealthy actors to entry the system.
Should you’re considering Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an effective possibility as nicely. Each Chromebook in our high picks comes with a full yr of the Google One AI Premium plan — this combines the standard Google One perks like 2TB of storage and 10 p.c again in purchases from the Google Retailer with a bunch of AI instruments. You’ll get entry to Gemini in Gmail, Docs and different apps, Gemini Superior (which runs on the 1.5 Professional mannequin) and extra. On condition that this plan is $20/month, it’s a fairly stable perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embody instruments just like the AI-powered “help me write,” the Google Pictures Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you’ll be able to create by filling in just a few prompts.
As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is easy: Should you rely closely on a selected native utility for Home windows or a Mac, chances are high you gained’t discover the very same possibility on a ChromeOS machine. That’s most true in fields like photograph and video modifying, but it surely 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 may not match. Should 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 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, meaning 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 enjoying trendy video games on a Chromebook isn’t unimaginable. You can even set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are pondering of once they wish to recreation on a laptop computer.
What are crucial specs for a Chromebook?
Chrome OS is light-weight and runs nicely on pretty modest {hardware}, so crucial factor to search for may not be processor energy or cupboard space. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final yr when it launched the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any machine 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 will use day by day.
Chromebook Plus fashions have a minimum of a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 collection 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 today of fixed video calling, and so they additionally all should have a minimum of a 1080p IPS display.
In fact, you may get increased specs or higher screens for those who 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 as nicely, 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 assist for a powerful 10 years after their launch date. This assist web page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for nearly each Chromebook ever, however a great 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 listing costs typically coming in beneath $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being basically trendy netbooks to the type of laptop computer you’ll wish to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, you must count on to spend a minimum of $400 in order for you a stable each day driver. There are nonetheless many low cost Chromebooks on the market that could be appropriate as secondary gadgets, however a great Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will price extra. However, notably, even the very best Chromebooks often price lower than the greatest Home windows laptops, and even the very best “regular” laptops on the market.
There are many premium Chromebooks that method and even exceed $1,000 that declare to supply higher efficiency and extra processing energy, 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 cupboard space. In fact, you additionally generally pay for the model title. However, the specs I outlined earlier are often sufficient.
See Additionally:
Greatest Chromebooks in 2024
Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display screen dimension: 14 inches | Display screen 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 few of the greatest reasonably priced Chromebooks you should purchase for a number of years now, and its 2023 IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an reasonably priced laptop computer that gives nearly every little thing you might need in a fundamental Chromebook. (We’re calling it the Flex 5i from right here.) 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 actual property, which is one thing I admire over an ordinary 1080p show. This Lenovo mannequin 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 within the 2022 mannequin, and the RAM and storage ought to be lots, so that you’ll get good efficiency from this machine.
Sadly, the battery life is pretty mediocre — I bought about six hours of normal use out of it. My workflow features a ton of Chrome tabs, plus net apps for issues like Slack, Todoist, Trello, Google Preserve and YouTube Music. I often take just a few video calls in the course of the day, so for those who’re not on digicam a lot you may 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 worth.
The backlit keyboard and trackpad are superb and really feel significantly better than I’d count on on a reasonably reasonably priced machine. The keys have good journey and the trackpad is giant 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 rather 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. It additionally comes with built-in Wi-Fi 6E to satisfy the most recent Wi-Fi normal. 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 purchase this pc and have it coated for years to return.
For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the best Chromebook, and the excellent news is that it’s usually on sale for fairly a bit much less. I’ve seen it as little as $350 in current months. 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 seek out at this worth level. That mentioned, it’s getting lengthy within the tooth in comparison with the remainder of our picks, so I’m conserving a watch out for an replace from Lenovo or a alternative from one other producer.
- Good general efficiency for the value
- Good show
- Strong keyboard and trackpad
- Mediocre battery life
- A yr older than our different picks
Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display screen dimension: 14 inches | Display screen decision: 1,920 x 1,080 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.15 lbs | Accessible ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, HDMI port | Drive capability: 128GB | Battery life: As much as 11 hours
When Google first launched the Chromebook Plus line virtually a yr in the past, fashions with that designation began at $400 — however since, issues have gotten inexpensive. Acer’s just-released Chromebook Plus 514 hits all the important thing specs, together with a Thirteenth-gen Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and a 1080p show and webcam. None of that is something to put in writing house about, however you’re getting plenty of worth for a laptop computer priced at $380. It additionally contains the aforementioned AI options and a yr’s price of the $20/month Google One AI Premium plan, which features a beneficiant 2TB of cloud storage to your images, Drive and Gmail information.
Design-wise, the Plus 514 is fairly fundamental, but it surely will get the job performed; it’s your normal laptop computer with a 14-inch show. It’s neither overly skinny (.81 inches) or mild (3.15 kilos), however these specs are completely affordable for a sub-$400 laptop computer. (It’s really ever-so-slightly lighter than the extra premium Spin 714.) Similar goes for the display — it’s a touchscreen, and its 1,920 x 1,080 decision is ok, however I do miss the additional vertical pixels you’ll get with our different picks on this information. The show is in any other case good, and the keyboard and trackpad are likewise greater than ok for a laptop computer at this worth.
Total, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a stable possibility if price is your foremost concern — but it surely’s additionally price noting that the Lenovo mannequin we picked as the very best general Chromebook is usually on sale, generally for beneath $400 as nicely. In that case, the value distinction between the 2 laptops is shut sufficient that it’s price springing for the higher show you’ll get with the Lenovo. However I’ve additionally seen the Plus 514 promoting for as little as $330, which is a good deal for a succesful Chromebook.
- Cheap
- Efficiency, specs and constructed high quality are all good for this worth
- Strong show and webcam
- 1080p show generally feels cramped
Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display screen dimension: 14 inches | Display screen 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 best premium Chromebook choices on the market, and the most recent mannequin launched this spring is not any exception. The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 includes a 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen. Just like the display 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 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. It’s additionally a bit bit brighter than the display 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 digicam that doesn’t scale back you to a blurry spot is certainly appreciated. It’s a much better digicam than the one on our high decide, too.
As for the remainder of the {hardware}, the Spin 714 bests the Lenovo in just a few methods. It options Intel’s newest Core Extremely 5 115U processor, together with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of native storage. It additionally has higher battery life in my testing — I sometimes bought about eight hours utilizing it beneath my regular workload. That’s not distinctive, but it surely’s in keeping with what I’ve seen on different Intel-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 desires to make use of a 3-plus pound pill, but it surely’s there for those who want it. That mentioned, for a $700 laptop computer, it’s comparatively skinny (.7 inches) and light-weight (3.2 kilos), so for portability functions, it’s arduous to complain. However Acer has been utilizing this identical fundamental design for just a few generations now, so I’m beginning to assume they may redesign the chassis for the subsequent mannequin.
The newest Spin 714 prices $700 – not an unreasonable worth for a pc with these specs and constructed high quality. Should you’re a critical multitasker, need a greater show and keyboard, or simply need a pc that’ll final so long as doable (Google says it’ll obtain software program updates via June of 2034), the Acer Spin 714 is straightforward to suggest.
- Nice display
- Clear webcam
- Loads of energy and cupboard space
- Snug keyboard and trackpad
- Just a little expensive
- Mediocre battery life
Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display screen dimension: 16 inches | Display screen 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 first launched the Chromebook 516 GE within the fall of 2022 as a part of Google’s push to make gadgets appropriate for cloud gaming and simply up to date it for 2024. The excellent news is that you simply don’t have to be a gamer to understand the Chromebook Plus 516 GE. 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 one more reason players is perhaps considering making an attempt it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the Plus 516 GE’s crisp and clear display and refined {hardware}.
It additionally contains Intel’s Core 5 120UL chip, 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 that you would be able to customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a stable and comfy keyboard for enjoying video games or simply typing up studies. The trackpad is giant and responsive as nicely.
The 516 GE weighs 3.8 kilos – fairly mild for a laptop computer with a 16-inch display. We haven’t examined the 2024 mannequin but, so I can’t verify the battery life; Acer claims 10 hours, a determine that’ll certainly dip for those who’re doing greater than watching movies or informal net shopping. Between the highly effective {hardware}, stable design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display, anybody who desires a much bigger Chromebook will doubtless be pleased with this mannequin. As for assist, Google says the Plus 516 GE will obtain updates till June of 2032.
- Massive, high-resolution display with a quick refresh fee
- Loads of ports
- Core 5 chip supplies loads of energy
- Massive and spacious keyboard
- Comparatively light-weight for a big-screen laptop computer
- Not everybody will admire the gamer aesthetic
