The Chromebook market has grown a lot over the previous few years that selecting the very best Chromebook for you may be onerous. The mix 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 excellent 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 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 in search of, and what you may anticipate out of those laptops in 2024.
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 available on the market, 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 is predicated on Google’s Chrome browser, which implies many of the applications you may run are internet 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’ll fully reset to manufacturing facility settings nearly as rapidly.
In fact, simplicity may also be a serious disadvantage for some customers. Not with the ability to set up native software program is usually a dealbreaker in the event 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 online 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 Images app on Chromebooks – it received’t exchange Adobe Premiere, however it must 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 tremendously expands the quantity of software program out there. The standard varies broadly, however it means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you may 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 normal enchancment in internet apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do properly?
Put merely, internet searching and actually something internet primarily based. On-line buying, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many commonest day by day duties folks do on Chromebooks. As you would possibly anticipate, in addition they work properly with Google companies like Images, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Maintain 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 in the event you’re an Android consumer you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You may get many of the similar apps which are in your cellphone on a Chromebook and hold data in sync between them. You may also 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 undoubtedly 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 properly, 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.
When you’re curious about Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an effective possibility as properly. Each Chromebook in our high picks comes with a full yr of the Google One AI Premium plan — this combines the same old Google One perks like 2TB of storage and 10 % 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. Provided that this plan is $20/month, it’s a fairly strong perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embody instruments just like the AI-powered “help me write,” the Google Images Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you may create by filling in a number of prompts.
As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is easy: When you rely closely on a particular 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 photograph and video modifying, however it will 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. When 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 with the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.
Lastly, gaming Chromebooks usually are not ubiquitous, though they’re changing into a barely extra cheap 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 greater refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with companies like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Recreation Cross and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of these companies, however the excellent news is that taking part in trendy video games on a Chromebook isn’t inconceivable. You may also set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are considering of once they wish to sport on a laptop computer.
What are crucial specs for a Chromebook?
Chrome OS is light-weight and 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 advocate most individuals get in the event that they’re in search of a laptop computer they’ll use every single day.
Chromebook Plus fashions have no less than a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 sequence processor, each of which must 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 except you’re actually pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions must have a 1080p webcam, which is good in lately of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all must have no less than a 1080p IPS display screen.
In fact, you will get greater specs or higher screens in the event you need, however I’ve discovered that mainly every part included within the Chromebook Plus goal specs makes for an excellent expertise.
Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks as properly, 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 help web page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however a very good rule of thumb is to purchase the latest machine you may to maximise your help.
How a lot ought to I spend?
Chromebooks began out notoriously low cost, with record costs typically coming in underneath $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 need to anticipate to spend no less than $400 if you would like a strong day by 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 price extra. However, notably, even the very best Chromebooks normally price lower than the very best 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, 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 additional space for storing. In fact, you additionally typically pay for the model identify. However, the specs I outlined earlier are normally sufficient.
See Additionally:
Greatest Chromebooks in 2024
Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display measurement: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,920 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.52 lbs | Obtainable 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 reasonably priced Chromebooks you should buy for a number of years now, and its 2023 IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an reasonably priced laptop computer that gives nearly every part you may 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 screen actual property, which is one thing I recognize over a typical 1080p show. This Lenovo mannequin hits the Chromebook Plus really helpful 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 must be a lot.
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 Maintain and YouTube Music. I normally take a number of video calls in the course of the day, so in the event 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 worth.
The backlit keyboard and trackpad are excellent and really feel significantly better than I’d anticipate on a reasonably reasonably priced machine. The keys have good journey and the trackpad is giant and responsive. Even though 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 far 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 undoubtedly 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 pc and have it coated for years to come back.
For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the perfect Chromebook, and the excellent news is that it’s frequently 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 patrons on the market, offering a degree of high quality and efficiency that’s fairly uncommon to search 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 holding an eye fixed out for an replace from Lenovo or a alternative from one other producer.
- Good total efficiency for the value
- Good show
- Stable keyboard and trackpad
- Mediocre battery life
- A yr older than our different picks
$469 at Amazon
Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display measurement: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,920 x 1,080 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.15 lbs | Obtainable 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 nearly a yr in the past, fashions with that designation began at $400 — however since, issues have gotten cheaper. 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 jot down house about, however you’re getting loads 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.
Design-wise, the Plus 514 is fairly fundamental, however it will get the job executed; 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 cheap for a sub-$400 laptop computer. (It’s truly ever-so-slightly lighter than the extra premium Spin 714.) Identical goes for the display screen — 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 adequate for a laptop computer at this worth.
Total, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a strong possibility if price is your major concern — however it’s additionally price noting that the Lenovo mannequin we picked as the very best total Chromebook is usually on sale, typically for underneath $400 as properly. 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
- Stable show and webcam
- 1080p show typically feels cramped
$300 at Amazon
Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display measurement: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,980 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.02 lbs | Obtainable 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 top-of-the-line premium Chromebook choices on the market, and the most recent mannequin launched this spring isn’t any exception. The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 encompasses 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 an enormous fan of taller laptop computer screens, and whereas this isn’t as luxurious because the few 3:2 ratio Chromebooks available on the market, it’s nonetheless a cushty and top quality display screen. It’s additionally a bit bit brighter than the display screen on the Lenovo (340 nits vs. 300).
One noteworthy characteristic 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 cut back you to a blurry spot is certainly appreciated. It’s a much better digital camera than the one on our high decide, too.
As for the remainder of the {hardware}, the Spin 714 bests the Lenovo in a number of methods. It options Intel’s newest Core Extremely 5 115U processor, together with 8GB and 256GB of storage. It additionally has higher battery life in my testing — I usually obtained about eight hours utilizing it underneath my regular workload. That’s not distinctive, however it’s consistent with what I’ve seen on different Intel-powered Chromebooks.
Simply because the identify 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, however it’s there in the event you want it. That mentioned, for a $700 laptop computer, it’s comparatively skinny (.7 inches) and light-weight (3.2 kilos). However Acer has been utilizing this similar fundamental design for a number of generations now, so I’m beginning to assume they might redesign the chassis for the following mannequin.
The newest Spin 714 prices $700 – not an unreasonable worth 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 attainable (Google says it’ll obtain software program updates by means of June of 2034), the Acer Spin 714 is simple to advocate.
- Nice display screen
- Clear webcam
- Loads of energy and space for storing
- Comfy keyboard and trackpad
- Somewhat expensive
- Mediocre battery life
$699 at Greatest Purchase
Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display measurement: 16 inches | Display decision: 2,560 x 1,600 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.75 lbs | Obtainable 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 units appropriate for cloud gaming and simply up to date it for 2024. The excellent news is that you simply don’t must 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 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 players may be curious about attempting it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the Plus 516 GE’s crisp and clear display screen and refined {hardware}.
It additionally contains Intel’s Core 5 120UL chip, 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 that you could customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a strong and comfy keyboard for enjoying video games or simply typing up studies. The trackpad is giant and responsive as properly.
The 516 GE weighs 3.8 kilos – fairly mild for a laptop computer with a 16-inch display screen. We haven’t examined the 2024 mannequin but, so I can’t affirm the battery life; Acer claims 10 hours, a determine that’ll certainly dip in the event you’re doing greater than watching movies or informal internet searching. Between the highly effective {hardware}, strong design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display screen, anybody who desires an even bigger Chromebook will probably be pleased with this mannequin. As for help, Google says the Plus 516 GE will obtain updates till June of 2032.
- Giant, high-resolution display screen with a quick refresh charge
- Loads of ports
- Core 5 chip gives loads of energy
- Giant and spacious keyboard
- Comparatively light-weight for a big-screen laptop computer
- Not everybody will recognize the gamer aesthetic
$649 at Greatest Purchase
