Best Laptops
Best Chromebook for 2022: 8 Chromebooks Starting at Under $300
By way of value, nothing beats a Chromebook, which is all you may want if you happen to’re a pupil who requires a pc for the fundamentals or somebody who simply needs one thing to browse the web on after work. These laptops run on Google’s Chrome OS and are famend for his or her portability, lengthy battery life and affordability. Whereas it could be tempting to splurge on a high-end Apple or Home windows laptop computer, a Chromebook is probably all you need to get the job finished.
Loads of producers make Chromebooks, together with Acer, HP, Samsung and Lenovo. There are fundamental fashions which might be fantastic for e mail, on-line purchasing and streaming motion pictures and music usually priced at $400 or much less. Premium fashions begin round $500 and get you extra RAM and storage, sooner processors, higher-quality shows and higher construct high quality. You may additionally discover options like touchscreens, backlit keyboards and USI pen assist for notes or drawing.
Learn extra: The 7 Best Chromebook Deals for Students
The Chromebooks on this listing had been examined and reviewed by CNET’s editors. Whereas there needs to be a mannequin right here to satisfy your wants, if there is a particular must-have spec corresponding to an Intel Core processor, an HDMI port or SD card slot or a specific display screen measurement, you would possibly need to dig deeper into a selected Chromebook on this listing. Additionally, if you happen to’re contemplating an older or used mannequin, remember to check the auto-update expiration date for the model. The AUE is when ChromeOS stops receiving system updates and is often eight years, however the date shouldn’t be the identical for each mannequin
And if you happen to’re nonetheless undecided if such a laptop computer is best for you, here is a breakdown of all {that a} Chromebook can and can’t do compared with a traditional laptop. This listing of the most effective Chromebook fashions is up to date periodically.
Joshua Goldman/CNET
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a 10-inch pill with a removable keyboard and touchpad. This Lenovo Chromebook’s small measurement is likely to be just a little limiting as a major Chrome OS machine, although you’ll be able to hook up with an exterior show through its USB-C port. The Lenovo Duet is, nevertheless, a superb decide if you happen to’re on the lookout for an reasonably priced Chromebook for pure mobility or as a secondary machine that can be utilized in pill mode. Its small measurement is likely to be a problem, relying on what you are on the lookout for, however the portability and the environment friendly Chrome OS make it value contemplating. I would not essentially name it the most effective Chromebook in the marketplace, however for the price and comfort, it is not one to depend out too rapidly. An up to date model, the Duet 3 Chromebook, got here out in Could. It options an 11-inch 2K-resolution touchscreen, sooner Qualcomm processors, an improved keyboard (nonetheless included) and, sadly, the next beginning worth of $400.
Josh Goldman/CNET
This Lenovo 13-inch Chromebook two-in-one is a greater guess than the Duet if you happen to want a laptop computer for all-day use. It has a full HD show in addition to wonderful efficiency and battery life for the cash, because of an Intel Core i3-10110U processor, 4GB RAM and a 64GB solid-state drive. The Lenovo Flex shouldn’t be a fantastic Chromebook alternative for outside use, for the reason that show is fairly dim.
When you’re on the lookout for even higher efficiency, this Chrome OS Pill was up to date with Intel’s Eleventh-gen Core i3 processor however nonetheless has nice battery life at almost 11 hours. Now referred to as the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook, it prices a bit extra starting at $475. Lenovo additionally added a privateness shutter on the webcam so you’ll be able to bodily block it when it is not in use. It’s undoubtedly among the finest Chromebook fashions for the value, energy and measurement.
Josh Goldman/CNET
When you’d fairly have a wider display screen as an alternative of a taller one just like the Spin 713’s (under), this HP Chromebook is the best way to go. It is roughly 0.75 inch wider than a premium 13.3-inch mannequin, however that additional width makes it simpler to work in two side-by-side home windows. The 2-in-one design means you need to use the HP Chromebook x360 as a pill (although it’s kind of heavy to make use of as a handheld machine). You may also tent it, join an exterior keyboard and mouse and use it as a small all-in-one pc.
The Core i3 processor and 8GB of reminiscence within the mannequin we examined saved this HP Chromebook operating easily even with a pair dozen tabs open and streaming video within the background. The Chrome OS will deal with typical utilization seamlessly. And this Chromebook laptop computer has an extended battery life, lasting 10 hours and 40 minutes in CNET’s testing. It is a higher-end configuration, although, and its common worth is $699. This laptop computer commonly goes on sale for lower than $500, however if you happen to just like the design and do not want its extra highly effective elements, the Pentium Silver model is a cut price at nearer to $300.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Bored with making an attempt to work on paperwork or spreadsheets on a small widescreen show? The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 makes use of one in every of Acer’s brilliant VertiView shows, a 13.5-inch 2,256×1,504-pixel touchscreen with a 3:2 side ratio. Because the title implies, the Acer Chromebook Spin provides you extra vertical room to work in, nevertheless it nonetheless has the width of a typical 13.3-inch laptop computer with a 16:9 ratio. Between that and the battery lifetime of the Acer Chromebook, which lasted almost 13 hours in our testing, you’ll get extra work finished in a day — and it is nonetheless skinny and lightweight sufficient for an on a regular basis carry.
The newest model of this Chromebook runs on an Eleventh-gen Intel processor and was the primary to obtain Intel’s Evo verification, which implies you may be getting the absolute best cellular expertise with this mannequin. It was additionally the primary with Thunderbolt 4 assist, which helps you to hook up with a number of exterior shows and offers quick information speeds and networking.
Juan Garzon/CNET
Simply as Google’s Pixel phones supply the most effective pure Android expertise, the Google Pixelbook Go is constructed to ship the most effective of Chrome OS. The premium Chromebook starts at $839, however totally loaded with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of reminiscence, 256GB of storage and a 4K show, the overall reaches a pricey $2,299. That is so much, and greater than most individuals want. Nonetheless, the Google Pixelbook Go is a superb little Chromebook, particularly for individuals who actually need to discover all that Chrome can do, together with Linux and Android app choices.
Josh Goldman/CNET
It is uncommon for the second era of a tool to have fewer options than the unique and nonetheless be an enchancment, however that is the case for this Samsung Chromebook. Samsung dialed again on a few of the options and elements of the unique, making this Samsung Chromebook sequel extra reasonably priced than the first-gen mannequin. It has a touchscreen, pill capability, 8GB RAM and an Intel Core processor. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook additionally has a lot better battery life, and Samsung did all of it with out shedding all of its predecessor’s premium enchantment.
Josh Goldman/CNET
There are many convertible Chromebook two-in-ones, the place the display screen rotates round to the again of the keyboard so you need to use it as a pill. However Chrome tablets with detachable keyboards are nonetheless a rarity. That definitely helps the Chromebook x2 11 stand out, nevertheless it additionally deserves consideration for its premium design and options. It affords lengthy battery life and efficiency that rises (barely) above the competitors. The principle draw back is that it is costly by itself. However within the 12 months it has been out there, each HP and Finest Purchase have provided important reductions, so if you happen to’re be sure that to attend for a type of offers.
Josh Goldman/CNET
The 317 is basically a transportable all-in-one Chrome OS desktop, in any other case generally known as a Chromebase. The large show makes multitasking a breeze. You may stream a YouTube video within the nook whilst you work on a presentation and keep watch over e mail or chat — all with out overlapping home windows. It’s large and heavy in contrast with all of the smaller Chromebooks right here, so it is not a fantastic possibility if mobility is a precedence. But it surely’s definitely sufficiently small to maneuver round the home, and with greater than 10 hours of battery life in line with my checks, you’ll be able to work all day and nonetheless have time left for a video chat with household, gaming or streaming a film.
Watch this:
This is why a Chromebook is likely to be all of the laptop computer you want
5:26
The assessment course of for laptops, desktops, tablets and different computer-like units consists of two components: efficiency testing beneath managed circumstances within the CNET Labs and intensive hands-on use by our knowledgeable reviewers. This consists of evaluating a tool’s aesthetics, ergonomics and options. A remaining assessment verdict is a mix of each these goal and subjective judgments.
The listing of benchmarking software program we use adjustments over time because the units we check evolve. A very powerful core checks we’re presently operating on each appropriate pc embody: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra.
A extra detailed description of every benchmark and the way we use it may be present in our How We Test Computers web page.
Extra laptop computer and residential workplace recommendation
