Best Chromebook Laptops
By Mick
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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Chromebooks have gained popularity for their simplicity, affordability, and focus on web-based tasks, making them ideal for students, casual users, and anyone who primarily uses their laptop for browsing, email, and light productivity. Running on Google’s Chrome OS, these devices offer fast startup times, long battery life, and automatic updates that keep them secure with minimal effort. Many Chromebooks now support Android apps, further expanding their functionality. When choosing a Chromebook, consider the processor, RAM, and storage, as these impact performance and multitasking. Screen size and quality are also important, especially for extended use. We tested several Chromebooks to find the best options for different needs and budgets.
HP Chromebook 14
We think the HP Chromebook 14 is a solid choice for students and casual users who need a budget-friendly laptop for basic tasks.
We think the HP Chromebook 14 is a solid choice for students and casual users who need a budget-friendly laptop for basic tasks.
The HP Chromebook 14 impressed us with its sleek design and portability. We found it easy to slip into a backpack and carry around all day. The 14-inch HD screen was bright and clear, making it great for watching videos or working on documents.
We liked the keyboard, which felt comfortable for typing long essays or emails. The trackpad was responsive and supported multi-touch gestures, which made navigating Chrome OS a breeze.
Battery life was a standout feature. We got through a full day of work and play without needing to charge. When we did need to plug in, fast charging got us back up and running quickly.
For basic web browsing, document editing, and video streaming, this Chromebook handled well. We did notice some slowdown when we had lots of tabs open, but that’s expected at this price point.
The 64GB of storage filled up fast, so we relied on cloud storage for most of our files. The built-in speakers were okay for video calls, but we used headphones for better sound when watching movies.
While not the most powerful laptop out there, we think the HP Chromebook 14 offers good value for students or anyone who needs a simple, reliable computer for everyday tasks.
ASUS CM14 Flip Chromebook
We recommend the ASUS CM14 Flip Chromebook for students and casual users seeking an affordable, versatile laptop with good battery life.
We recommend the ASUS CM14 Flip Chromebook for students and casual users seeking an affordable, versatile laptop with good battery life.
The ASUS CM14 Flip Chromebook is a solid choice for everyday tasks. We found its 360-degree hinge really handy, letting us switch between laptop and tablet modes easily. This came in handy when we wanted to watch videos or take notes with the optional stylus.
Battery life impressed us during our tests. We got through a full day of work without needing to plug in. The MediaTek processor handled basic tasks well, though we noticed some slowdown with lots of tabs open.
We appreciated the laptop’s durability. The spill-resistant keyboard gave us peace of mind when using it near drinks. The military-grade construction also felt sturdy enough to withstand daily wear and tear. While the 14-inch screen is a good size, we wish it had a higher resolution than 1366×768. Text and images looked a bit fuzzy compared to Full HD displays.
HP 14″ Chromebook (2023)
We think this HP Chromebook is a good budget option for basic computing tasks, offering decent performance in a compact package.
We think this HP Chromebook is a good budget option for basic computing tasks, offering decent performance in a compact package.
We tested the HP 14″ Chromebook and found it to be a solid choice for everyday use. The Intel Celeron N4120 processor handled basic tasks well, like web browsing and document editing. We liked how quickly it booted up and how smoothly it ran multiple Chrome tabs.
The 4GB of RAM was enough for light multitasking, but we noticed some slowdown when pushing it too hard. The 64GB eMMC storage filled up fast, so we recommend using cloud storage or an SD card for extra space.
We appreciated the lightweight design – at just 3.35 pounds, it’s easy to carry around. The battery lasted about 9 hours in our tests, which is great for all-day use. The keyboard felt nice to type on, though we missed having a backlight for low-light situations.
The 14-inch screen is a good size for work and entertainment. Its 1366×768 resolution isn’t the sharpest, but it’s fine for most tasks. We wish it had a touchscreen, which would make using Android apps easier.
For the price, this Chromebook offers good value. It’s a nice pick for students, casual users, or anyone who mainly works online. Just keep in mind its limitations – it’s not for heavy computing or lots of local storage.
Acer 516 GE Gaming Chromebook
We think this Chromebook is a solid choice for cloud gaming enthusiasts who want a powerful, versatile laptop.
We think this Chromebook is a solid choice for cloud gaming enthusiasts who want a powerful, versatile laptop.
We tested the Acer 516 GE Gaming Chromebook and were impressed by its performance. The 16-inch screen is a standout feature, with crisp visuals and smooth motion thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate. We played several cloud games and the colors popped, making our gaming sessions feel immersive.
The Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM handled multiple tabs and apps with ease. We ran several Chrome windows alongside cloud gaming platforms without any slowdowns. The keyboard felt great to type on, and the RGB lighting added a fun touch to our gaming setup.
We did notice the 256GB SSD filled up quickly when we downloaded offline games and files. The laptop’s price might also give some buyers pause, especially since it’s meant for cloud gaming. You’ll need to factor in the cost of subscriptions to services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW to get the most out of this machine. Despite these drawbacks, we think the Acer 516 GE is a top pick for anyone seeking a powerful Chromebook for both work and play.
Acer Chromebook Plus 14
We think this Acer Chromebook is a great choice for most people looking for a reliable and versatile laptop.
We think this Acer Chromebook is a great choice for most people looking for a reliable and versatile laptop.
We’ve been using the Acer Chromebook Plus 14 for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The 14-inch Full HD touchscreen is bright and responsive, making it easy to work on documents or browse the web. We found the Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM handled multiple tabs and apps without a hitch.
The 512GB SSD provides plenty of space for files and apps. We like the bonus docking station that adds another 160GB of storage. It’s a nice touch that sets this Chromebook apart from others we’ve tested.
Battery life is solid. We got through full workdays without needing to plug in. The keyboard feels comfortable for long typing sessions. While it’s a bit heavier than some ultra-portable options, we think the extra heft is worth it for the larger screen and more powerful components.
Acer 311 Chromebook
We think the Acer 311 Chromebook is a solid choice for basic tasks and web browsing on a budget.
We think the Acer 311 Chromebook is a solid choice for basic tasks and web browsing on a budget.
We spent some time testing out the Acer 311 Chromebook, and we found it to be a capable little machine for everyday use. At just 2.65 pounds, it’s easy to toss in a bag and take anywhere. The 11.6-inch screen is small but crisp enough for web browsing and document editing.
In our battery tests, we were impressed with how long the Acer 311 lasted on a single charge. We easily got through a full workday of intermittent use without needing to plug in. The Chrome OS boots up quickly and runs smoothly for basic tasks.
We did notice some limitations during our hands-on time. The 4GB of RAM and Intel Celeron processor handle simple tasks fine, but start to slow down with lots of browser tabs open. The 64GB of storage fills up fast too. Still, for the price, we think this Chromebook offers good value for students or anyone needing an affordable secondary computer.
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Student Laptop
We think this budget-friendly Chromebook is a decent choice for students and casual users, but it may not satisfy power users.
We think this budget-friendly Chromebook is a decent choice for students and casual users, but it may not satisfy power users.
We tested the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 and found it to be a mixed bag. The 15.6-inch Full HD screen is nice and bright, making it easy to work on documents or watch videos. We liked the large display for multitasking.
The 12GB of RAM is a standout feature at this price point. We were able to keep many browser tabs and apps open without slowdowns. The combination of a 256GB SSD and 128GB eMMC storage gave us plenty of space for files and programs.
Typing on the keyboard felt okay, but we noticed some flex. A few owners have reported keyboard problems, so keep that in mind. The trackpad worked well enough for basic tasks.
Performance from the Intel Celeron N4500 processor was adequate for everyday use like web browsing and word processing. But we noticed some lag when running more demanding apps or having lots of tabs open. Power users might find it frustrating.
One annoyance was getting the laptop out of Windows 11 S Mode. We had to contact Microsoft support to disable it. Once that was done, we could install regular Windows programs.
Dell Inspiron 16 5635
We think this laptop is a solid choice for users who want a big screen and good audio in a mid-range package.
We think this laptop is a solid choice for users who want a big screen and good audio in a mid-range package.
We tested the Dell Inspiron 16 5635 and were impressed by its audio quality. The up-firing speakers sent sound right at us, making music and videos more fun. We liked how clear phone calls sounded when we used the Bluetooth to connect our phone.
The 16-inch screen is big and bright. We found it gave us more space to work compared to 15-inch laptops with 16:9 screens. It was nice to see more of our documents and web pages without scrolling.
We appreciate the FHD webcam for video chats. The privacy shutter is a smart touch for when we’re not using it. The AI noise reduction worked well to cut down background noise during calls.
The laptop feels fast for everyday tasks. But with only 8GB of RAM, we noticed some slowdowns when we had lots of browser tabs open. Gamers might want something with better graphics.
Dell’s onsite service is a plus. They’ll come to fix issues if needed. We think this laptop is good for students or office workers who want a big screen and don’t need tons of power.
Acer 15″ Chromebook (2024)
We think this Acer Chromebook is a solid budget option for basic computing needs.
We think this Acer Chromebook is a solid budget option for basic computing needs.
We’ve spent some time with this Acer Chromebook, and it’s clear it’s aimed at users with simple computing needs. The 15-inch screen is a standout feature, giving plenty of space for web browsing and document editing. We found the display to be crisp and clear, even if it’s not the highest resolution out there.
In our tests, the battery lasted through a full day of light use. We were able to work, stream videos, and browse the web without needing to plug in. The laptop is also surprisingly light for its size, making it easy to carry around.
On the downside, the 64GB of storage filled up quickly when we tried to save files locally. The Intel Celeron processor handled basic tasks fine, but we noticed some lag when trying to run multiple apps at once. The keyboard wasn’t the most comfortable for long typing sessions, with keys that felt a bit cramped.
Lenovo 14″ Touchscreen Chromebook
We think this Lenovo Chromebook is a solid choice for students and casual users seeking an affordable, versatile laptop.
We think this Lenovo Chromebook is a solid choice for students and casual users seeking an affordable, versatile laptop.
We tested this Lenovo Chromebook for a few weeks and found it to be a capable machine for everyday tasks. The 14-inch touchscreen is bright and responsive, making it easy to scroll through web pages or interact with apps. We liked how light and slim it felt when carrying it around.
The MediaTek processor handled basic web browsing, document editing, and video streaming without issues. Battery life was impressive – we often got through a full day of use without needing to recharge. The built-in webcam worked well for video calls, though the quality was just okay.
We did notice some limitations. The 64GB of storage filled up quickly, so we had to rely on cloud storage. With only 4GB of RAM, we saw some slowdowns when running multiple tabs and apps. For most basic tasks it was fine, but power users might find it underwhelming. Still, for students or anyone needing an affordable internet-connected device, this Chromebook fits the bill nicely.
Buying Guide
When shopping for a Chromebook, we recommend considering these key factors:
Processing Power
Look for processors that can handle your needs:
- Entry-level: Intel Celeron or MediaTek
- Mid-range: Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3
- High-performance: Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7
RAM
We suggest at least 4GB of RAM for basic use. 8GB or more is better for multitasking.
Storage
Chromebooks often have limited storage. 32GB is enough for basic use. 64GB or more gives you more flexibility.
Display
Screen size and quality matter. We recommend:
- 11-13 inches for portability
- 14-15 inches for productivity
- 1080p resolution for crisp visuals
Battery Life
Look for 8+ hours of battery life for all-day use.
Build Quality
Check for sturdy construction and durable materials.
Connectivity
Make sure it has the ports you need:
- USB-C for charging and data transfer
- HDMI for external displays
- MicroSD slot for extra storage
Price
Set a budget based on your needs. Chromebooks range from $200 to $1000+.
We recommend trying out different models in person if possible. This helps you get a feel for the keyboard, trackpad, and overall build quality.