The best Chromebook you can buy in 2024

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The Chromebook market has grown a lot over the previous few years that selecting one of the best Chromebook for you could be laborious. 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 fine Chrome OS machines that work effectively 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 searching for a brand new Chromebook. I’ve been testing and reviewing Chromebooks for years and know what you ought to be on the lookout for, and what you’ll be able to anticipate out of those laptops in 2024.

Editor’s word (3/22/24): We’re consistently testing and evaluating new Chromebooks for this information, and there are two fashions on our radar for inclusion that we’re keen to check. Each Acer and ASUS provide 15-inch Chromebook Plus fashions for $399, and we expect one (or each) could possibly be good choices for somebody who desires an even bigger display for much less money.

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 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 applications you’ll be able to 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’ll fully reset to manufacturing unit settings nearly as shortly.

In fact, simplicity may also be a significant downside for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program generally is a dealbreaker in case you’re a video editor or software program developer. However there are additionally loads of individuals who do the vast majority 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 Photographs app on Chromebooks – it gained’t substitute Adobe Premiere, nevertheless it must be useful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the net final 12 months, one thing that ought to deliver a lot of the facility of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.

Google has additionally added assist for Android apps on Chromebooks, which tremendously expands the quantity of software program out there. The standard varies extensively, nevertheless it means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you’ll be able to set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline watching. Different Android apps like Microsoft Workplace and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly succesful as effectively. Between Android apps and a basic enchancment in net apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.

What do Chromebooks do effectively?

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook — Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Put merely, net shopping and actually something net based mostly. On-line procuring, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many most typical each day duties individuals do on Chromebooks. As you may anticipate, additionally they work effectively with Google companies like Photographs, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Hold 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 in case you’re an Android person you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You will get many of the identical apps which might be in your cellphone on a Chromebook and preserve data in sync between them. It’s also possible to use some Android telephones as a safety key in your Chromebook or immediately tether your laptop computer to make use of cellular information.

Google continues to tout safety as a significant differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s positively an element price 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 most recent model. Google says that every webpage and app on a Chromebook runs in its personal sandbox as effectively, 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 truth 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.

As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is easy: If you happen to rely closely on a selected native utility for Home windows or a Mac, likelihood is you gained’t discover the very same possibility on a ChromeOS system. That’s most true in fields like picture and video modifying, nevertheless it may 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. If you happen to’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 large draw back is just not having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.

Lastly, gaming Chromebooks aren’t ubiquitous, though they’re turning into a barely extra affordable 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 increased 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 unattainable. You possibly can set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are considering of after they need to recreation on a laptop computer.

There’s one other potential change on the horizon, as Valve and Google are working to deliver the huge Steam catalog to Chromebooks. Proper now, Steam is just out there as an early alpha on a handful of units with increased specs, nevertheless it works loads higher than I anticipated. You’re nonetheless not going to run probably the most demanding video games on primary laptops, however the Steam catalog is so huge that there are many titles that labored on the Chromebook I examined it with. If you happen to’re curious about giving it a shot, yow will discover the total checklist of supported Chromebooks and particulars on how you can attempt Steam right here.

What are an important specs for a Chromebook?

Chromebook Plus — Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Chrome OS is light-weight and normally runs effectively on pretty modest {hardware}, so an important 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 system 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 on the lookout for a laptop computer they will use each day.

Chromebook Plus fashions have at the very least 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 need to have a 1080p webcam, which is good in lately of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all need to have at the very least a 1080p IPS display.

In fact, you may get increased specs or higher screens in case you want, however I’ve discovered that principally the whole lot included within the Chromebook Plus goal specs makes for an excellent expertise.

Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks, and whereas that’s not precisely a spec, it’s price checking before you purchase. Final 12 months, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and assist for a powerful 10 years after their launch date. This assist web page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for nearly each Chromebook ever, however a superb rule of thumb is to purchase the most recent machine you’ll be able to 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 sort of laptop computer you’ll need to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, you must anticipate to spend at the very least $400 if you would like a strong each day driver. There are nonetheless many price range choices on the market which may be appropriate as secondary units, however Chromebooks that may be all-day, every-day laptops will price extra. However, notably, even one of the best Chromebooks normally price lower than one of the best Home windows or “common” laptops on the market.

There are many premium Chromebooks that method and even exceed $1,000, however I don’t suggest spending that a lot. Usually, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and further cupboard space. In fact, you additionally typically pay for the model identify. However, the specs I outlined earlier are normally sufficient.

See Additionally:

Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Display screen measurement: 14 inches | Display screen 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 finest reasonably priced Chromebooks you should purchase for a number of years now, and its 2023 IdeaPad Flex 5i is an reasonably priced laptop computer that gives nearly the whole lot you would need in a primary Chromebook. 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 admire over an ordinary 1080p show. This Lenovo Chromebook hits the Chromebook Plus beneficial 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 in final 12 months’s mannequin, and the RAM and storage must be lots.

Sadly, the battery life is pretty mediocre — I bought about six hours of standard use out of it. My workflow features a ton of Chrome tabs, plus net apps for issues like Slack, Todoist, Trello, Google Hold and YouTube Music. I normally take just a few video calls through the day, so in case you’re not on digital camera a lot you may 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 a lot better than I’d anticipate on a reasonably reasonably priced machine. The keys have good journey and the trackpad is giant and responsive. Even supposing it has a 1080p webcam, I can’t say that I seemed 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 embrace 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 positively 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 purchase this laptop and have it coated for years to come back.

For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the perfect Chromebook. It’ll hit the candy spot for lots of patrons on the market, offering a stage of high quality and efficiency that’s fairly uncommon to search out at this worth level.

Professionals

Nice total efficiency for the value
Good show
Stable keyboard and trackpad

Cons

Mediocre battery life
A bit heavy and chunky

$499 at Amazon

Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 has lengthy been the most effective premium Chromebook choices on the market, and the present mannequin isn’t any exception.

The Spin 714 incorporates 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 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. It’s additionally a 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 unquestionably appreciated. It’s a much better digital camera than the one on our high choose.

As for the remainder of the {hardware}, the Spin 714 bests the Lenovo in just a few methods. It incorporates a Thirteenth-generation Intel Core i5 processor, together with 8GB and 256GB of storage. It additionally has higher battery life in my testing — I usually bought about 7 and a half hours when utilizing it. That’s not distinctive, nevertheless it’s according to what I’ve seen on different i5-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, nevertheless it’s there in case you want it.

The most recent Spin 714 prices $700 – not an unreasonable worth for a pc with these specs and constructed high quality. If you happen to’re a severe multitasker, need a greater show and keyboard, or simply need a pc that’ll final so long as doable, the Acer Spin 714 is straightforward to suggest.

Professionals

Nice display
Very clear webcam
Loads of energy and cupboard space
Good keyboard and trackpad
Compact design

Cons

A little bit expensive
Battery life is fairly common

$554 at Amazon

Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Acer launched the Chromebook 516 GE within the fall of 2022 as a part of Google’s push to make units appropriate for cloud gaming, however you don’t should be a gamer to understand this laptop computer. 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 another excuse players could be curious about making an attempt it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the 516 GE’s crisp and clear display and refined {hardware}.

It additionally consists of Intel’s Twelfth-gen Core i7 1240P processor, 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 you could customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a strong and comfy keyboard for taking part in video games or simply typing up studies. The trackpad is giant and responsive as effectively.

The 516 GE solely weighs 3.75 kilos too – fairly gentle for a laptop computer with a 16-inch display. Between the highly effective {hardware}, strong design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display, anybody who desires an even bigger Chromebook will seemingly be proud of this mannequin. As for assist, Google says the 516 GE will proceed receiving updates till June of 2032.

Professionals