The most effective Chromebook you should buy in 2024

The Chromebook market has grown a lot over the previous few years that selecting one of the best Chromebook for you will be exhausting. The mix of years price of software program updates and producers making laptops with extra energy, higher construct high quality and long battery life means there are a ton of fine Chrome OS machines that work nicely 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 need to be searching for, and what you possibly can anticipate out of those laptops in 2024.

What’s Chrome OS, and why would I take advantage of it over Home windows?

That is in all probability 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 easy and clear nature of Chrome OS is an enormous promoting level. Chrome OS relies on Google’s Chrome browser, which implies a lot of the applications you possibly can run are internet based mostly. There’s no bloatware or undesirable apps to uninstall such as you typically get on Home windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you’ll utterly reset to manufacturing unit settings virtually as shortly.

After all, simplicity may even be a serious disadvantage for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program generally is a dealbreaker in the event 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 internet browser.

Google and its software program companions are getting higher yearly at supporting extra superior options. For instance, Google added video editing tools to the Google Images app on Chromebooks – it received’t change Adobe Premiere, but it surely needs to be helpful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the web final yr, one thing that brings a lot of the ability of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.

Chromebooks may run Android apps, which tremendously expands the quantity of software program accessible. The standard varies extensively, but it surely means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you possibly can set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline watching. Different Android apps like Microsoft Workplace and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly succesful as nicely. Between Android apps and a common enchancment in internet apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.

What do Chromebooks do nicely?

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

Put merely, internet searching and actually something internet based mostly. On-line purchasing, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many most typical day by day duties individuals do on Chromebooks. As you may anticipate, in addition they work nicely with Google companies like Images, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Preserve and so forth. Sure, any laptop that may run Chrome can do 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 the event you’re an Android person you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You may get a lot of the similar apps which can be in your cellphone on a Chromebook and hold information in sync between them. You too can use some Android telephones as a safety key to your Chromebook or immediately tether your laptop computer to make use of cell knowledge.

Google continues to tout safety as a serious differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s undoubtedly an element price contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary strains 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 nicely, 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 easy truth that you just usually can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for dangerous actors to entry the system.

In case you’re enthusiastic about Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an efficient possibility as nicely. Each Chromebook in our high picks comes with a full yr of the Google One AI Premium plan — this combines the same old Google One perks like 2TB of storage and 10 p.c again in purchases from the Google Retailer with a bunch of AI instruments. You’ll get entry to Gemini in Gmail, Docs and different apps, Gemini Superior (which runs on the 1.5 Professional mannequin) and extra. Provided that this plan is $20/month, it’s a fairly stable perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embody instruments just like the AI-powered “assist me write,” the Google Images Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you possibly can create by filling in a number of prompts.

As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is easy: In case you rely closely on a selected native utility for Home windows or a Mac, chances are high you received’t discover the very same possibility on a ChromeOS machine. That’s most true in fields like picture and video modifying, but it surely 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. In case you’re an iPhone person, you’ll additionally miss out on the best way the iPhone simply integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the massive draw back is just not having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.

Lastly, gaming Chromebooks are usually not ubiquitous, though they’re turning into a barely extra cheap 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, meaning laptops with larger screens which have increased refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with companies like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Sport Move and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of these companies, however the excellent news is that enjoying trendy video games on a Chromebook isn’t unattainable. You too 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.

What are an important specs for a Chromebook?

Chromebook Plus — Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Chrome OS is light-weight and runs nicely on pretty modest {hardware}, so an important factor to search for won’t be processor energy or space for storing. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final yr when it introduced the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any machine with a Chromebook Plus designation meets some minimal necessities, which occur to be similar to what I’d advocate most individuals get in the event that they’re searching for a laptop computer they’ll use each day.

Chromebook Plus fashions have not less than a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 sequence processor, each of which needs to 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 should have a 1080p webcam, which is sweet in lately of fixed video calling, and so they additionally all should have not less than a 1080p IPS display.

After all, you will get increased specs or higher screens in the event you need, however I’ve discovered that principally all the pieces included within the Chromebook Plus goal specs makes for an excellent expertise.

Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks as nicely, and whereas that’s not precisely a spec, it’s price checking before you purchase. Final yr, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and help for a powerful 10 years after their launch date. This support page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however rule of thumb is to purchase the most recent machine you possibly can to maximise your help.

How a lot ought to I spend?

Chromebooks began out notoriously low cost, with record costs typically coming in below $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being basically trendy netbooks to the type of laptop computer you’ll need to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, you must anticipate to spend not less than $400 if you’d like a stable day by day driver. There are nonetheless many low cost Chromebooks on the market that could be appropriate as secondary units, however Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will price extra. However, notably, even one of the best Chromebooks often price lower than the best Windows laptops, and even one of the best “common” laptops on the market.

There are many premium Chromebooks that strategy and even exceed $1,000 that declare to supply higher efficiency and extra processing energy, however I don’t advocate spending that a lot. Typically, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and additional space for storing. After all, you additionally generally pay for the model title. However, the specs I outlined earlier are often sufficient.

See Additionally:

Finest Chromebooks in 2024

Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Display measurement: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,920 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.52 lbs | Accessible 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 buy for a number of years now, and its 2023 IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an reasonably priced laptop computer that gives nearly all the pieces you possibly can need in a primary Chromebook. (We’re calling it the Flex 5i from right here.) The 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen is each bigger and taller than final yr’s mannequin. This implies you get extra vertical display actual property, which is one thing I admire over a regular 1080p show. This Lenovo mannequin hits the Chromebook Plus really useful 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 within the 2022 mannequin, and the RAM and storage needs to be a lot, so that you’ll get good efficiency from this machine.

Sadly, the battery life is pretty mediocre — I bought about six hours of normal use out of it. My workflow features a ton of Chrome tabs, plus internet apps for issues like Slack, Todoist, Trello, Google Preserve and YouTube Music. I often take a number of video calls in the course of the day, so in the event 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 value.

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 massive and responsive. Even though it has a 1080p webcam, I can’t say that I appeared all that nice within the video calls I took. It does the job, however not way more.

Different issues within the Flex 5i’s favor embody each USB-C and USB-A ports, a microSD card slot and a safety lock. It additionally comes with built-in Wi-Fi 6E to satisfy the most recent Wi-Fi normal. At 3.5 kilos and 0.78 inches thick, it’s undoubtedly 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 buy this laptop and have it lined for years to come back.

For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the perfect Chromebook, and the excellent news is that it’s often on sale for fairly a bit much less. I’ve seen it as little as $350 in latest months. It’ll hit the candy spot for lots of patrons on the market, offering a degree of high quality and efficiency that’s fairly uncommon to seek out at this value level. That mentioned, it’s getting lengthy within the tooth in comparison with the remainder of our picks, so I’m preserving an eye fixed out for an replace from Lenovo or a substitute from one other producer.

Professionals

Good general efficiency for the value
Good show
Strong keyboard and trackpad

Cons

Mediocre battery life
A yr older than our different picks

$469 at Amazon

Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

When Google first launched the Chromebook Plus line virtually a yr in the past, fashions with that designation began at $400 — however since, issues have gotten inexpensive. Acer’s just-released Chromebook Plus 514 hits all the important thing specs, together with a Thirteenth-gen Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and a 1080p show and webcam. None of that is something to write down house about, however you’re getting a number of worth for a laptop computer priced at $380. It additionally consists of the aforementioned AI options and a yr’s price of the $20/month Google One AI Premium plan, which features a beneficiant 2TB of cloud storage to your images, Drive and Gmail recordsdata.

Design-wise, the Plus 514 is fairly primary, but it surely will get the job finished; it’s your normal laptop computer with a 14-inch show. It’s neither overly skinny (.81 inches) or mild (3.15 kilos), however these specs are completely cheap for a sub-$400 laptop computer. (It’s really ever-so-slightly lighter than the extra premium Spin 714.) Identical goes for the display — it’s a touchscreen, and its 1,920 x 1,080 decision is okay, however I do miss the additional vertical pixels you’ll get with our different picks on this information. The show is in any other case good, and the keyboard and trackpad are likewise greater than adequate for a laptop computer at this value.

General, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a stable possibility if price is your foremost concern — but it surely’s additionally price noting that the Lenovo mannequin we picked as one of the best general Chromebook is commonly on sale, generally for below $400 as nicely. In that case, the value distinction between the 2 laptops is shut sufficient that it’s price springing for the higher show you’ll get with the Lenovo. However I’ve additionally seen the Plus 514 promoting for as little as $330, which is a good deal for a succesful Chromebook.

Professionals

Cheap
Efficiency, specs and constructed high quality are all good for this value
Strong show and webcam

Cons

1080p show generally feels cramped

$325 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 most recent mannequin launched this spring isn’t any exception. The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 includes 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 side 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 snug and top quality display. It’s additionally slightly 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 scale back you to a blurry spot is certainly appreciated. It’s a much better digital camera than the one on our high decide, too.

As for the remainder of the {hardware}, the Spin 714 bests the Lenovo in a number of methods. It options Intel’s newest Core Extremely 5 115U processor, together with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of native storage. It additionally has higher battery life in my testing — I usually bought about eight hours utilizing it below my regular workload. That’s not distinctive, but it surely’s according to what I’ve seen on different Intel-powered Chromebooks.

Simply because the title 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, but it surely’s there in the event you want it. That mentioned, for a $700 laptop computer, it’s comparatively skinny (.7 inches) and lightweight (3.2 kilos), so for portability functions, it’s exhausting to complain. However Acer has been utilizing this similar primary design for a number of generations now, so I’m beginning to assume they may redesign the chassis for the following mannequin.

The most recent Spin 714 prices $700 – not an unreasonable value for a pc with these specs and constructed high quality. In case you’re a critical multitasker, need a greater show and keyboard, or simply need a pc that’ll final so long as doable (Google says it’ll obtain software program updates by June of 2034), the Acer Spin 714 is straightforward to advocate.

Professionals

Nice display
Clear webcam
Loads of energy and space for storing
Comfy keyboard and trackpad

Cons

Slightly expensive
Mediocre battery life

$699 at Best Buy

Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Acer first launched the Chromebook 516 GE within the fall of 2022 as a part of Google’s push to make units appropriate for cloud gaming and simply up to date it for 2024. The excellent news is that you just don’t must be a gamer to understand the Chromebook Plus 516 GE. For $650, you’ll get a 16-inch show with a 2,560 x 1,600 decision and a 120Hz refresh price. 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 one more reason avid gamers is likely to be enthusiastic about attempting it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the Plus 516 GE’s crisp and clear display and refined {hardware}.

It additionally consists of Intel’s Core 5 120UL chip, 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 that you could customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a stable and comfy keyboard for enjoying video games or simply typing up experiences. The trackpad is massive and responsive as nicely.

The 516 GE weighs 3.8 kilos – fairly mild for a laptop computer with a 16-inch display. We haven’t examined the 2024 mannequin but, so I can’t affirm the battery life; Acer claims 10 hours, a determine that’ll certainly dip in the event you’re doing greater than watching movies or informal internet searching. Between the highly effective {hardware}, stable design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display, anybody who desires an even bigger Chromebook will possible be proud of this mannequin. As for help, Google says the Plus 516 GE will obtain updates till June of 2032.

Professionals