The Chromebook market has grown a lot over the previous few years that selecting the most effective Chromebook for you will be onerous. The mix of years value 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 beneath), there are nonetheless a number of issues to bear in mind when looking for a brand new Chromebook. I’ve been testing and reviewing Chromebooks for years and know what you ought to be in search of, and what you may count on 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 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 relies on Google’s Chrome browser, which implies many of the packages you may 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 may fully reset to manufacturing unit settings virtually as shortly.
After all, simplicity will even be a serious downside for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program generally is a dealbreaker for those who’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 enhancing instruments to the Google Images app on Chromebooks – it received’t substitute Adobe Premiere, but it surely ought to be useful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the net final 12 months, one thing that brings a lot of the ability of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.
Chromebooks can even run Android apps, which drastically expands the quantity of software program accessible. The standard varies extensively, but it surely 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 basic enchancment in net apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do properly?
Put merely, net searching and actually something net based mostly. On-line buying, streaming music and video and utilizing numerous 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, Preserve 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 steady platform.
As I discussed earlier than, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so for those who’re an Android person 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 as well use some Android telephones as a safety key in 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 value 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 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 fewer methods for unhealthy actors to entry the system.
Should you’re fascinated with Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an efficient choice as properly. Each Chromebook in our high picks comes with a full 12 months 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 reasonably 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 just a few prompts.
As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is straightforward: Should you rely closely on a particular native software for Home windows or a Mac, likelihood is you received’t discover the very same choice on a ChromeOS machine. That’s most true in fields like photograph and video enhancing, but it surely 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. Should you’re an iPhone person, 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 isn’t having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.
Lastly, gaming Chromebooks should not ubiquitous, though they’re changing into a barely extra affordable 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, which means laptops with greater screens which have larger refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with providers like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Sport Cross 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 trendy video games on a Chromebook isn’t unattainable. You may as well 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 properly on pretty modest {hardware}, so crucial factor to search for won’t be processor energy or cupboard space. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final 12 months 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 in search of a laptop computer they’ll use each day.
Chromebook Plus fashions have a minimum of 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 except you’re actually pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions need to have a 1080p webcam, which is sweet in today of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all need to have a minimum of a 1080p IPS display.
After all, you may get larger specs or higher screens for those who 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 value checking before you purchase. Final 12 months, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and assist for a formidable 10 years after their launch date. This assist web page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for nearly each Chromebook ever, however rule of thumb is to purchase the latest machine you may to maximise your assist.
How a lot ought to I spend?
Chromebooks began out notoriously low cost, with checklist costs usually coming in below $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: At this level, you need to count on to spend a minimum of $400 if you need a strong each day driver. There are nonetheless many low cost Chromebooks on the market which may be appropriate as secondary units, however Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will price extra. However, notably, even the most effective Chromebooks often price lower than the greatest Home windows laptops, and even the most effective “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. Typically, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and further cupboard space. After all, you additionally typically pay for the model title. However, the specs I outlined earlier are often sufficient.
See Additionally:
Finest Chromebooks in 2024
Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 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 few of the greatest inexpensive Chromebooks you should buy for a number of years now, and its 2023 IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an inexpensive laptop computer that gives nearly every part you possibly can 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 12 months’s mannequin. This implies you get extra vertical display actual property, which is one thing I recognize 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 a lot, so that you’ll get good efficiency from this machine.
Sadly, the battery life is pretty mediocre — I acquired 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 throughout the day, so for those who’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 giant and responsive. Even though 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 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 newest Wi-Fi commonplace. 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 laptop and have it coated for years to come back.
For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the best Chromebook, and the excellent news is that it’s often 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 seek out at this value level. That mentioned, it’s getting lengthy within the tooth in comparison with the remainder of our picks, so I’m preserving a watch 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 12 months older than our different picks
Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 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 virtually a 12 months 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 put in writing residence about, however you’re getting lots of worth for a laptop computer priced at $380. It additionally contains the aforementioned AI options and a 12 months’s value of the $20/month Google One AI Premium plan, which features a beneficiant 2TB of cloud storage in your photographs, Drive and Gmail information.
Design-wise, the Plus 514 is fairly fundamental, but it surely will get the job completed; it’s your commonplace 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 value.
General, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a strong choice if price is your fundamental concern — but it surely’s additionally value noting that the Lenovo mannequin we picked as the most effective total Chromebook is commonly on sale, typically for below $400 as properly. In that case, the value distinction between the 2 laptops is shut sufficient that it’s value 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 superb deal for a succesful Chromebook.
- Cheap
- Efficiency, specs and constructed high quality are all good for this value
- Stable show and webcam
- 1080p show typically feels cramped
Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 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 among the best premium Chromebook choices on the market, and the newest mannequin launched this spring is not any exception. The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 contains 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 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 prime quality display. It’s additionally a little 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 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 choose, 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 usually acquired about eight hours utilizing it below my regular workload. That’s not distinctive, but it surely’s in step 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 lightweight (3.2 kilos), so for portability functions, it’s onerous to complain. However Acer has been utilizing this similar fundamental design for just a few generations now, so I’m beginning to suppose they might redesign the chassis for the subsequent mannequin.
The newest Spin 714 prices $700 – not an unreasonable value 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 attainable (Google says it’ll obtain software program updates by means of June of 2034), the Acer Spin 714 is simple to suggest.
- Nice display
- Clear webcam
- Loads of energy and cupboard space
- Comfy keyboard and trackpad
- A bit dear
- Mediocre battery life
Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 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 just don’t should 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 fascinated with 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 you can customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a strong and comfy keyboard for taking part in video games or simply typing up stories. 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. 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 searching. Between the highly effective {hardware}, strong design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display, anybody who desires an even bigger Chromebook will possible be proud of 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 charge
- Loads of ports
- Core 5 chip offers loads of energy
- Massive and spacious keyboard
- Comparatively light-weight for a big-screen laptop computer
- Not everybody will recognize the gamer aesthetic
