Looking for something a bit more powerful than a tablet, but don’t want a bulky laptop? A Chromebook may be the device you’re looking for. If you’re invested in the Google ecosystem, ChromeOS is the way to go, and it is quite easy to use. It doesn’t have the same software compatibility as other, more popular operating systems. In fact, Chromebooks were originally conceived as machines that would run only Chrome and be used for online-based services.
But the devices have become so much more. They can now run Android apps that you can download from the Google Play Store, and you can even use Crostini or Crouton to install and run Linux applications. Whatever your needs, a Chromebook can likely help, and here are the best options to buy right now.
Navigate this guide:
- Best overall: ASUS Chromebook CX9
- Best 3:2 display: Acer Chromebook Spin 713
- Best 2-in-1: HP Chromebook x360 14c
- Best detachable: Lenovo Chromebook Duet
- Best Chrome OS experience: Google Pixelbook Go
- Best Chromebook on a budget: Acer Chromebook 514
- Best for kids: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go
- Best display on a Chromebook: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
- Best value: ASUS Chromebook Flip C436
Best overall: ASUS Chromebook CX9
Powered by the latest 11th Gen Intel Core processors with up to Intel Iris Xe graphics, ASUS Chromebook CX9 delivers performance and responsiveness to empower users with the ultimate device for productivity and portability. You can configure the CX9 with up to 16GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage. Even though it’s thin and light, ASUS Chromebook CX9 offers comprehensive IO ports for frequent business use. You get two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI port, a single USB3.2 GEN2 port, microSD slot, and a Kensington lock slot for security.
The ASUS NumberPad is an LED-illuminated numeric keypad that’s perfect for crunching numbers, built right into the touchpad. Tap the NumberPad icon on the top right of the touchpad to turn it on, and tap the icon on the left to toggle between two brightness settings. This is a standout feature that you won’t find on any other Chromebooks. Add in an amazing display, fingerprint sensor, and webcam shield, and you have the best overall Chromebook you can buy today. The price may seem a bit high at $1149 for the i7 model, but if you compare to other Chromebooks with similar specs—this is a steal.
- The ASUS Chromebook CX9 is a powerhouse in every sense. You can get up to a core i7 Tiger Lake processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage. If you want to get even fancier, there's a 4K version of this Chromebook releasing later this year.
Best 3:2 display: Acer Chromebook Spin 713
The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has all the bells and whistles you would expect from a premium Windows notebook, not just a Chromebook. It has a 13.5-inch 2256 x 1504 touchscreen, NVMe drive for storage, and was recently updated to offer the latest 11th-gen Intel Tiger Lake processors. Like with the previous model, Acer will offer the new 2021 version of the Chromebook Spin 713 with up to a Core i7, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
This year the notebook received Intel Evo certification, meaning that Intel says it has good performance, good battery life, and next-gen connectivity options. Other notable features include MIL-STD 810H4 military-grade durability, Wi-Fi 6, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.
- The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is one of the most powerful Chromebooks you'll be able to pick up today. With beefy specs that rival that of budget gaming laptops, performance will never be an issue.
Best 2-in-1: HP Chromebook x360 14c
Perhaps you’re looking for a powerful 2-in-1 Chromebook, but without the high price tag of the flagship HP Elite c1030? The x360 14c still features an excellent 14″ diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080) display with a maximum brightness of 250 nits. Several of the bells and whistles are also present, with a seamless metal cover, keyboard deck and audio tuned by Bang & Olufsen. The fingerprint sensor is not included on the x360 14c.
Inside you’ll still find a 10th Generation Intel Core i3 processor, with 8 GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM, but with a reduced (from the c1030) 64GB eMMc storage capacity. Enjoy a smoother wireless experience with the Wi-Fi 6 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.0 combo. The x360 features the same ports as the c1030, and also includes fast charging capability with HP advertising 90% charge in 90 minutes. At just over three and a half pounds, the x360 14c is a bit heavier but not uncomfortable to carry in a backpack. Indeed, this is one of the best HP Chromebooks you can buy overall.
The most important aspect here is price — at under $600, the x360 14c is nearly half the price of the c1030. This is the machine for you if you need top performance, but aren’t yet ready to spend $1,000 on a Chromebook.
- The HP x360 delivers a premium 2-in-1 Chromebook experience at a lower price point than the c1030. You still get a beautiful display, plenty of RAM, and fast-charging capability out of the box.
Best detachable: Lenovo Chromebook Duet
Detachable laptops differ from 2-in-1’s, wherein you can entirely remove them from their keyboard and use them as a tablet. They tend to be a lot less bulky, although they may compromise on specifications as a result. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is one of the best detachable Chromebooks on the market, though it features a MediaTek Helio P60T, 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. It has a full HD screen too, so it’s a perfect media streaming machine when it’s engaged in tablet mode.
Do you want to use it for work? Then reconnect the keyboard, and it turns back into a laptop with a fully functioning keyboard. It’s not going to be the fastest or the best, but it’ll get the job done. It’ll do it without breaking the bank too, as it starts at $230 from Lenovo’s website.
- The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is one of the best detachable Chromebooks you can buy today, and what's more, you're not going to need to break the bank to pick one up.
Best Chrome OS experience: Google Pixelbook Go
Maybe the most important part of a Chromebook to you isn’t the performance, but its endurance. The Google Pixelbook Go offers modest specifications as it’s powered by an 8th gen M3, M5, or M7. However, you do get up to 256GB of SSD storage and up to 16GB of RAM, so it’s not as if you’re going to have any noticeable lags or stutters. The base model has a 13.3-inch full HD touchscreen, though there’s a 4K screen option too. What’s more, it comes in at just over 1kg for the FHD model.
The M3 series of Intel chipsets run fanless, which means they also use a lot less power. That, coupled with the 41.41 watt-hour battery, means you’ll get up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge. When it runs out of battery, it has a 45W USB-C fast charger to quickly charge it back up. Google says 20 minutes of charge is enough for two hours of usage. With a starting price of $649, this may be well worth a look.
- The Google Pixelbook Go isn't going to be the best looking or most powerful Chromebook around, but what it will do is last you a full day of usage.
Best Chromebook on a budget: Acer Chromebook 514
If you’re looking for the best Chromebook on a budget, then look no further than the Acer Chromebook 514. As you’ve seen here, many Chromebooks like to pack everything and the kitchen sink into a specification sheet, despite ChromeOS not being all that intensive. If you’re looking for a basic media machine with a touch screen that can get the job done, then the Intel Celeron N3450-powered Acer Chromebook 514 may do the job.
Packing 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, a Full HD 14-inch touchscreen, and 64GB of eMMC storage, it’s got all the basics covered for an excellent Chromebook experience on a budget.
- The Acer Chromebook 514 is by no means the best Chromebook out there, but it doesn't have to be to get the job done on a budget!
Best for kids: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go
If you want a stylish Chromebook for under $300, Samsung has a compelling option. The Galaxy Chromebook Go is a new entry in Samsung’s Chromebook lineup. Announced just a few weeks back, this 14″ Chromebook has a solid display and attractive white on black design. This Chromebook also passed Mil-STD-810G testing, making it a very durable choice for younger children. On the inside you get an Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB eMMc storage.
Samsung also included plenty of connectivity, with 1 USB3.2 port, 2USB-C ports, microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone/mic jack. If you care about portability, this Chromebook weighs just 3.2lbs making it fairly light for a 14″ device. Since this is a newer device, you’ll also get Chrome OS updates for a long time, making this a device students can use throughout their school years.
- Samsung recently announced the Galaxy Chromebook Go and it's a beautiful device. The white on black contrast makes this one of the best looking Chromebooks under $300. You also get a quality display and a newer Intel Celeron processor inside.
Best display on a Chromebook: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
The new Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is the first Chromebook ever with a QLED panel. It offers excellent contrast and punchy colors easily making it the best Chromebook for multimedia consumption. It has a 13.3-inch Full HD (1920×1080) QLED touchscreen with stereo speakers, making it the perfect setup for media streaming. Like the previous model, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 supports the Samsung Pen stylus that can expand your productivity by letting you take down notes faster or help you with your creative side by letting you sketch with intricate detailing.
The laptop is available with either an Intel Core i3-10110U or Intel Celeron 5205U processor with up to 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for note-taking and media streaming. If you’re doing more intensive tasks, you can set up Crouton or Crostini to use some Linux applications.
- The new Galaxy Chromebook 2 is the first ever Chromebook to feature a QLED display making it a great companion for media consumption.
Best value: ASUS Chromebook Flip C436
The ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 was our choice for the best Chromebook money can buy in terms of value. But it now has an update, and it’s better than ever. The new Flip C436 comes with a slimmer magnesium chassis compared to the last model and while it retains the 14-inch full-HD touchscreen with a 2-in-1 design, the insides have been upgraded. You get the option of a 10th-gen Intel processor with either Core i3, Core i5, or even a Core i7 with up to 16GB of memory and 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD storage.
Other notable features of the Flip C436 include a backlit keyboard, a microSD card reader for expandable storage, a fingerprint scanner, and standard 45W USB PD charging.
- The new Chromebook Flip C436 offers the best value for its price and is one of the most premium Chromebooks you can buy today.
Which Chromebook should you go with? It depends on what you’re looking for of course, but you can’t deny the appeal of the Google Pixelbook Go. It may not have the best specs but with long battery life and made by Google, you know it’s going to do everything you need it to with a Chromebook. On the other hand, if you need the most premium machine, definitely check out the ASUS Chromebook CX9.
If you’re looking for more affordable options, we also have a list of the best Chromebooks for students. Need more power? Then have a look at some of the best laptops you can buy today.
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