The best Chromebooks you can buy in 2023

Choosing the best Chromebook for you, given your wants and your finances, can be onerous to do given the plethora of fashions in the marketplace as we speak. The mixture of years price of software program updates and laptop computer producers making extra highly effective and better-built laptops means there are a ton of excellent Chrome OS machines that work nicely as on a regular basis drivers. But there are some particular components to Chromebooks that you ought to hold in thoughts earlier than selecting one. We’ll assist you determine what’s the best Chromebook for you, from the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i to the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 and in between.

What is Chrome OS, and why would I take advantage of it over Windows?

That’s most likely the primary query about Chromebooks. There are loads of cheap Windows laptops in the marketplace, so why hassle with Chrome OS? Glad you requested. For me, the straightforward and clear nature of Chrome OS is a giant promoting level. Chrome OS is predicated on Google’s Chrome browser, which suggests many of the applications you can run are net based mostly. There’s no bloatware or undesirable apps to uninstall like you typically get on Windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you can fully reset to manufacturing facility settings nearly as shortly.

Of course, the simplicity can also be a serious disadvantage for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program can be a dealbreaker if you’re a video editor or software program developer. But there are additionally loads of individuals who do the vast majority of their work in a browser. Unless I must edit pictures for a evaluate, I can do my complete job on a Chromebook.

Google has additionally added help for Android apps on Chromebooks, which vastly expands the quantity of software program out there. The high quality varies broadly, but it surely means you can do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you can set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline watching. Other Android apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly succesful, as nicely. Between Android apps and a normal enchancment in net apps, Chromebooks are greater than only a browser.

What do Chromebooks do nicely?

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Put merely, something net based mostly. Browsing, streaming music and video and utilizing numerous social media websites are among the many commonest each day duties folks do on Chromebooks. As you may count on, in addition they work nicely with Google providers like Photos, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Keep and so forth. Yes, any laptop that can run Chrome can try this too, however the light-weight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and secure platform.

As I discussed earlier than, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so if you’re an Android consumer you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You can get many of the similar apps which are in your telephone on a Chromebook and hold information in sync between them. You can additionally use some Android telephones as a safety key to your Chromebook or immediately tether your laptop computer to make use of cellular knowledge.

Google continues to tout safety as a serious differentiator for Chromebooks, and I believe it’s positively an element price contemplating. The first line of protection is auto-updates. Chrome OS updates obtain shortly in 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 nicely, so any safety threats are contained to that particular person app. Finally, Chrome OS has a self-check known as Verified Boot that runs each time a tool begins up. Beyond all this, the straightforward undeniable fact that you usually can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are quite a bit fewer methods for unhealthy actors to entry the system.

As for when to keep away from them, the reply is easy: If you rely closely on a particular native software for Windows or a Mac, chances are high you received’t discover the very same possibility on a Chromebook. That’s most true in fields like photograph and video modifying, but it surely can even be the case in legislation or finance. Plenty of companies run on Google’s G suite software program, however extra nonetheless have particular necessities {that a} Chromebook won’t match. If you’re an iPhone consumer, 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 isn’t having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.

Finally, gaming is generally a non-starter, as there aren’t any native Chrome OS video games of notice. You can set up Android video games from the Google Play Store, however that’s not what most individuals are considering of once they wish to recreation on a laptop computer. That mentioned, Google’s game-streaming service Stadia has modified that long-standing drawback. The service isn’t excellent, but it surely stays the one approach to play latest, high-profile video games on a Chromebook. It’s inferior to operating native video games on a Windows laptop, however the lag points that can crop up replicate totally on Stadia itself and never Chrome OS.

There’s additionally a possible change on the horizon in that regard, as Valve and Google are working to deliver the huge Steam catalog to Chromebooks. Right now, Steam is simply out there as an early alpha on a handful of units with larger specs, but it surely works quite a bit higher than I anticipated. Of course, you’re nonetheless not going to run essentially 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. Maybe by subsequent yr, Steam will likely be supported on extra units.

What are crucial specs for a Chromebook?

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Chrome OS is light-weight and often runs nicely on pretty modest {hardware}, so crucial factor to search for won’t be processor energy or cupboard space. That mentioned, I’d nonetheless suggest you get a Chromebook with a comparatively latest Intel processor, ideally an eighth-generation or newer M3 or i3. Most non-Intel Chromebooks I’ve tried haven’t had terribly sturdy efficiency, however that’s beginning to change. Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 2-in-1 from 2021 runs surprisingly nicely on its MediaTek processor.

As for RAM, 8GB needs to be the goal, until you’re searching for a finances mannequin and know that your wants are pretty modest. Storage area is one other place the place you don’t must spend too a lot; 64GB needs to be high-quality for nearly anybody. If you plan on storing a whole lot of recordsdata domestically or loading up your Chromebook with Linux or Android apps, get 128GB. But for what it’s price, I’ve by no means felt like I would run out of storage when utilizing Chrome OS.

Things just like the keyboard and show high quality are arguably extra essential than sheer specs. The excellent news is that you can discover cheaper Chromebooks that also have fairly good screens and keyboards that you received’t thoughts typing on all day. Many low cost Chromebooks nonetheless include tiny, low-resolution shows, however at this level there’s no purpose to accept something lower than 1080p. (If you’re searching for an especially moveable, 11-inch Chromebook, although, you’ll most likely find yourself with a lesser display.) Obviously, keyboard high quality is a little more subjective, however there are many reasonably priced choices that supply sturdy typing experiences.

Google has an Auto Update coverage for Chromebooks, and whereas that’s not a spec, per se, it’s price checking earlier than you buy. Basically, Chromebooks get common software program updates routinely for about six years from their launch date (although that can differ from system to system). This help web page lists the Auto Update expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however a superb rule of thumb is to buy the latest machine you can to maximise your help.

How a lot ought to I spend?

Chromebooks began out notoriously low cost, with listing costs typically coming in beneath $300. But as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being primarily fashionable netbooks to the type of laptop computer you’ll wish to use all day. As such, costs have elevated a bit over the previous few years. At this level, you ought to count on to spend no less than $400 if you desire a stable each day driver. There are nonetheless many finances choices on the market which may be appropriate as sofa machines or secondary units, however Chromebooks that can be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will value a bit extra.

There are additionally loads of premium Chromebooks that method and even exceed $1,000, however I don’t suggest spending that a lot. Generally, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and further cupboard space. Of course, you additionally typically pay for the model title. But, the specs I outlined earlier are often sufficient.

Right now, there really aren’t too many Chromebooks that value that a lot. The Google Pixelbook Go comes in $999 and $1,399 configurations, however the extra reasonably priced $650 and $850 choices will likely be simply nearly as good for practically everybody. Samsung launched the $1,000 Galaxy Chromebook in 2020; this luxurious system does nearly all the pieces proper however has horrible battery life. Samsung shortly discovered from that mistake and is now providing the Galaxy Chromebook 2 with extra modest specs, however vastly higher battery life at a extra reasonably priced value . For essentially the most half, you don’t must spend greater than $850 to get a premium Chromebook that’ll final you years.

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Best total: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i

Lenovo has been making a few of the best Chromebooks you can buy for a number of years now and, extra just lately, it has as soon as once more made the best possibility for most individuals. The IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook is actually an upgraded model of the mannequin we beneficial final yr, and there are a number of notable enhancements. The 13.3-inch, 1080p touchscreen is extraordinarily shiny and pretty sharp; I want it had a taller side ratio than 16:9, however the sort of display may be very commonplace in Chromebooks. This Lenovo Chromebook runs on a Eleventh-generation Intel Core i3 processor and consists of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage; each of these are double what final yr’s mannequin supplied. Eight hours of battery life is fairly good for a laptop computer in this value vary, and the backlit keyboard is superb for such an reasonably priced system. The key caps really feel a little bit small beneath my fingers, however that’s the one actual grievance I’ve.

The Lenovo Flex 5i is not out there immediately from Lenovo, however you can generally discover it on Amazon for about $400 (as of this writing, it’s promoting for $409; after I purchased it, it was priced at $390). That’s an excellent worth.

Other issues in the Flex 5i’s favor embody that it has each USB-C and USB-A ports, a microSD card slot and a safety lock. At three kilos and 0.66 inches thick, it’s not the lightest or slimmest possibility on the market, but it surely’s completely affordable contemplating the worth. Finally, the Flex 5i will obtain software program and safety updates till June of 2029, so you can buy this laptop and have it coated for years to come back.

Ultimately, the Ideapad Flex 5i hits the candy spot for a big majority of Chromebook consumers on the market, offering a degree of high quality and efficiency that’s fairly uncommon to search out at this value level. That mentioned, given this laptop computer has been out for over a yr now, we’re maintaining an eye fixed out for a substitute from Lenovo, in addition to comparable choices different producers launch.

One to look out for is Lenovo’s Chromebook 5i, which the corporate just lately launched. Right now, it’s solely out there with an Intel Pentium Gold processor and 4GB of RAM; in my testing, that wasn’t sufficient energy by fashionable requirements. The system froze up far too typically, and the IdeaPad Flex 5i with its i3 processor was clearly quicker at all the pieces I attempted. But Lenovo says it’ll supply the Chromebook 5i with as much as an Intel i5 processor, which ought to make the laptop computer price testing.

Upgrade possibility: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

Last yr, Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook 2 was one in all my suggestions for folks searching for a extra premium Chromebook. Now that Samsung typically sells the system for $550, it’s a wonderful all-purpose advice if you need one thing extra svelte and trendy than Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5i.

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is infinitely extra fashionable than most different Chromebooks, with a shiny metallic pink end and modern design. This Samsung Chromebook 2 fixes a few of the severe flaws we recognized in the unique Galaxy Chromebook. Specifically, the 2020 Galaxy Chromebook had horrible battery life and price $999; this yr’s mannequin can be discovered for $550 and can final seven hours off the charger. That’s not nice, but it surely’s much better than the awful 4 hours the unique supplied.

Samsung lower a number of corners to decrease the Galaxy Chromebook 2’s value. Most noticeable is the 1080p 13.3-inch touchscreen, down from the 4K panel on the older mannequin. The excellent news is that the show is among the many best 1080p laptop computer screens I’ve seen in a very long time, and the decrease decision helps the battery life, too. Along with that wonderful display, the system additionally has a really comfy keyboard, although I want the trackpad was a little bit larger. The Galaxy Chromebook 2 can also be a bit thicker and heavier than its predecessor, but it surely’s nonetheless moderately compact. At 13.9mm thick and a couple of.7 kilos, it’s noticeably smaller than the Lenovo.

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 has a Tenth-generation Intel Core i3 processor paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is loads. This all provides as much as a laptop computer that isn’t as bold as the primary Galaxy Chromebook, however one that’s a lot simpler to suggest. Instead of pushing to have the best display in the thinnest and lightest physique with a quicker processor, Samsung pulled all the pieces again a bit to make a better-priced however nonetheless premium Chromebook laptop computer. Given that the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is nicely over a yr outdated now, I wouldn’t suggest spending $700 on it – but when you can catch it on sale for $550 (as it’s proper now), it’s a stable possibility.

Read our Full Review of Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

Premium possibility: Acer Chromebook Spin 714

Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 is an evolution of the Spin 713 that I beneficial final yr. Acer made a number of tweaks to the formulation, however you’re nonetheless getting a well-built, highly effective laptop computer that received’t flip any heads with its design however will get the job executed nicely.

I cherished the show on the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, and sadly the one on the Spin 714 isn’t fairly as thrilling. It’s a 14-inch, 1900×1200 touchscreen; that works out to a taller 16:10 side ratio than you’ll get from the 1080p panels on most different premium Chromebooks. I’m a giant fan of taller laptop computer screens – however the Spin 713 had a 13.5-inch display that had an excellent taller 3:2 side ratio and the next decision. I can’t assist however surprise if Acer discovered that folks nonetheless choose a widescreen show. If that’s the case, the Spin 714’s show is a pleasant center floor.

Putting apart these comparisons to final yr’s mannequin, the Acer Spin 714’s display remains to be very good – it can get uncomfortably shiny if that’s your factor, and the bezels are skinny. It’s not practically as pixel-dense because the Spin 713, but it surely’s nonetheless loads sharp. Between the additional vertical top and the marginally bigger display dimension, the Spin 714’s show is a pleasure to make use of.

As for the remainder of the {hardware}, the Twelfth-generation Intel Core i5 processor is greater than sufficient energy for many on a regular basis duties, and the keyboard and trackpad are stable, if not the best I’ve used earlier than. The similar can be mentioned for battery life: I acquired about seven hours utilizing the Spin 714 in my regular each day routine – not distinctive, however in line with what I’ve seen on different Chromebooks with an i5 processor. Rounding out the {hardware} is 8GB of RAM and a beneficiant 256GB of cupboard space. From a help perspective, Google will supply software program and safety updates till June of 2030.

Another bonus is that its {hardware} meets Google’s beneficial specs to run Steam, although the alpha construct remains to be restricted to seven units. So whereas it’s not formally supported but, Steam will hopefully work on this laptop computer as soon as Google and Valve begin rolling it out extra broadly.

Just because the title suggests, the Spin 714 has a 360-degree hinge which lets you use the laptop computer in pill mode. I’m not notably a fan of this convertible design – I don’t know who needs to make use of a 3-plus pound pill, however Acer did embody a built-in stylus for handwriting notes or drawing in apps just like the built-in Chrome Canvas.

The Spin 714 configuration I examined prices $730 – that’s some huge cash for even a high-end Chromebook. But it’s not an unreasonable value for a pc with these specs and constructed high quality. For most individuals, the Lenovo will likely be sufficient. But, if you’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.