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• Chromebooks

Best Chromebook 2024: The top Chrome OS laptops to buy

• Jonathan Bray
• Stuart Andrews

Built for the Internet and cloud-based apps, Chromebooks are ready for anything – and often give you more for less

Would you like a lightweight, low-cost laptop that just works? Where you’re ready to go in seconds and you’re never left waiting half an hour for an update to install? If so, you might want to think about a Chromebook. While Google-powered laptops used to be thought of as weird, slow and limiting, they’ve become powerful, practical and flexible computers, capable of handling a wide range of tasks. What’s more, they’re perfect as a secondary laptop for travelling or as a device for homework and study, particularly if the students concerned spend more time using web-based apps over traditional applications.

Below, you will find our current pick of the best Chromebooks to buy, from cool 2-in-1 convertibles to the best big-screen options. We also offer some top tips on what you should look for in a Chromebook, to ensure you’re not just picking up a bargain, but a laptop that’s going to meet your needs.

READ NEXT: The best Chromebook deals

How to choose the best Chromebook for you

What do i need to look for when buying a chromebook.

ChromeOS is designed to run on relatively low-powered hardware, so you don’t need a super-fast Core i7 or Ryzen 7 processor to get a smooth experience; even a lowly Pentium or Core i3 processor will do the job. Some of the best ChromeOS devices run on ARM-based processors, and these are becoming faster while also offering improved battery life.

You will find that most Chromebooks ship in two or more configurations and, as a rule, we would avoid older low-end models with budget Intel Celeron or Pentium Silver processors, not to mention dual-core AMD Athlon Gold or Silver CPUs.

Instead, head up the range to the Chromebooks with more modern Intel N100, Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processors. These will run web-based apps smoothly and function with a dozen browser tabs open at once without breaking a sweat. Meanwhile, the faster Core i5 and Core i7 Chromebooks deliver greater flexibility, running Linux and Android apps at lightning speeds. The latest Chromebooks with 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core CPUs are pretty speedy, even by the standards of Windows laptops, and can handle just about any application you can throw at them.

Instead, head up the range to the Chromebooks with quad-core Intel Pentium, Core i3 or AMD Ryzen processors. These will run web-based apps smoothly, functioning with a dozen browser tabs open at once without breaking much of a sweat. Meanwhile, the faster Core i5 and Core i7 Chromebooks deliver greater flexibility, running Linux and Android apps at lightning speeds. The latest Chromebooks with 12th-generation Intel Core CPUs are pretty speedy, even by Windows laptops standards, and can handle just about any application you can throw at them.

What about RAM and storage?

When it comes to RAM, 4GB is now the baseline standard and still fine for everyday browsing and running Google apps. However, if your chosen Chromebook has an 8GB option, then it’s worth paying the extra for. The Chrome browser and many websites are steadily becoming more demanding, and you will notice the difference. What’s more, you will have scope to run Linux or Android apps.

With that in mind, you might also want to think about storage. The cheapest Chromebooks still come with 64GB of eMMC storage, which won’t be a problem if you stick to web-based apps but could hold you back if you want to install Android apps or, say, work with photos or video stored locally on your laptop. A 128GB SSD will bring greater flexibility, while 256GB gives you plenty of space for media, apps and games.

Should I buy a Chromebook Plus?

“Chromebook Plus” is a new Google initiative that allows Chromebooks meeting a higher-than-normal specification to be designated as such. Chromebook Plus laptops also come with software enhancements and perks designed to showcase what today’s high-performance Chromebooks can do. Chromebook Plus units must have an Intel Core i3 or equivalent processor, 8GB of RAM and at least 128GB of storage, along with a 1080p screen and a Full HD webcam. These Chromebooks then run a special version of the Chrome OS operating system with enhanced, AI-powered wallpaper and screensavers, some useful AI features to improve video calls and meetings, plus a special version of the Google Photos app with the magic eraser tool from Google’s Pixel phones built in.

It’s worth mentioning that some of the most powerful premium Chromebooks came out before this scheme kicked in, so you don’t have to buy a Chromebook Plus to get a great mid-range or high-end Chromebook. What’s more, some of these Chromebooks are also due to get the various software enhancements. In the future, though, the “Chromebook Plus” label will be worth looking out for if you want to make sure you’re getting good performance, a decent spec and a better screen.

Does size matter?

It’s important to think about size and weight. Chromebooks work brilliantly as a secondary device that you can use when darting in and out of the office, or as a basic computer for browsing, homework and learning. You don’t need to spend much to pick up a cracking thin and light model, and the build quality is pretty good these days, too, with manufacturers moving away from cheap, plasticky efforts to more luxurious aluminium designs as you move up the price range. However, you can also get larger Chromebooks to cover working from home or everyday office use, in which case you’re wiser taking on some extra weight to get a bigger screen and keyboard.

If you’re taking the slim and light route, 2-in-1 convertibles are also worth a look. Chrome OS is steadily improving as an OS for touchscreen use, with more flexible on-screen keyboards and some interface improvements, and it’s particularly good if you get a model with a stylus or a pen. It’s also great to have a laptop you can use as a tablet for entertainment, or that you can pop on a table in Tent mode for streaming Netflix or playing a Stadia game.

Screen time

Finally, a decent display is crucial. If there’s a Full HD IPS screen option then it’s always worth paying extra for, and we’re even seeing some models with high-quality QHD or 4K/UHD displays. Kick into some serious multi-tasking, and you will be glad you invested in the extra resolution – or in a larger screen.

How we test Chromebooks

Chromebooks run quite different software to Windows and macOS laptops so we can’t run our usual suite of benchmark software on them. However, the principles remain the same.

We aim to test the performance, battery life and display quality of Chromebooks in order to give our reviewers the tools they need to deliver objective and unbiased recommendations and comparisons.

We test performance and speed using a selection of browser-based benchmarking tools, and test storage performance using an app-based tool. We test battery life using our usual video rundown methodology, by playing a low-resolution video in Chrome OS’ native video player, setting the screen at a brightness level of 170cd/m2 and turning off all wireless communications to ensure a level playing field.

And, most importantly, we also bring our many years of experience to bear in assessing the usability, ergonomics and build quality of each and every machine we review.

READ NEXT: How to convert an old laptop into a Chromebook

The best Chromebooks you can buy in 2023

1. acer chromebook spin 714: the best chromebook overall.

Price when reviewed: £699 | Check price at Amazon

If you’re a Chromebook aficionado, this is the laptop you want to buy this year. It pairs a top-quality display with a nice touchscreen and support for a stylus, too. It also delivers impressive battery life (it lasted 13hrs 19mins in our battery test) and general performance was also great.

It might be a touch more expensive than you might be used to, but this 2-in-1 makes a great case for Chromebooks as genuine Windows or macOS alternatives. As a laptop for work or for watching video and media consumption, it’s a brilliant device, and it’s our favourite overall Chromebook.

Read our full Acer Chromebook Spin 714 review for more details

Acer Chromebook Spin 714 CP714-2WN - (Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB, 256GB SSD, 14 Inch WUXGA Touchscreen Display, Google Chrome OS, Iron)

2. asus chromebook vibe cx34: the best chromebook for gaming.

Like other Chromebooks of this ilk we’ve reviewed it has a fantastic display and it pairs that with a 360-degree, 2-in-1 design and comes with a stylus in the box. It comes with either an Intel Core i5-1235U or i7-1255U CPU, 8GB of RAM and either a 256GB or 512GB SSD.

It has slightly inferior battery life and a chunkier, heavier design than the very best Chromebooks around right now, but otherwise it’s a brilliant all-round Chromebook that’s perfect for work, study and play.

Read our full Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip review

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14ALC05 Ryzen 3 4GB 128GB

3. lenovo ideapad slim 3i 14in chromebook plus: the best compact chromebook.

Price when reviewed: £379 | Check price at Argos

Lenovo’s cheap and cheerful Chromebook is about as compact as 14in Chromebooks get, with a 324 x 216mm footprint and a weight of only 1.5kg. Despite this, it meets all the requirements for a Chromebook Plus and is now being sold as such, so you can be sure it’s giving you decent bang for your buck. With no performance cores and only eight efficiency cores, its Intel Core i3-N305 CPU isn’t as speedy as a ‘proper’ Core i3 but it’s still fast enough to keep Chrome OS and your Web or Android apps running at a decent lick, particularly with 8GB of RAM onboard.

True, the keyboard isn’t one of Lenovo’s finest; there’s plenty of travel but the action is soft and inconsistent. Yet the Full HD screen puts many more expensive Chromebooks to shame, thanks to a high 329cd/m2 peak brightness level and a reasonable contrast ratio. You also get Wi-Fi 6E wireless networking and excellent 13-hour battery life. Looking for a cut-price Chromebook you can lug around all day? You won’t do much better than this.

Read our full Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 review for more details

4. Acer Chromebook Plus 514: The best value Chromebook

Price when reviewed: £399 | Buy now from Very

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 doesn’t have the 2-in-1 convertible form factor of the old Chromebook Spin 514, but it makes up for it with its Chromebook Plus enhancements and a slightly more powerful specification. This is the first Chromebook we’ve seen using AMD’s Ryzen 5 7320C processor and it’s more than capable of handling more demanding apps, including any Android or Linux apps you’re looking to install. It also has a good screen and responsive touchpad, plus a slim and light design that’s great for working on the go.

This Chromebook Plus isn’t perfect across the board, with a disappointingly dim screen, harsh sound and mediocre battery life – though it should still see you through the average day. But if you look at what you’re getting for your money, it’s hard to grumble, giving you all the goodness of Chromebook Plus with what’s still very much a budget price tag.

Read our full Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review for more details

5. Acer Chromebook Spin 513: The best Chromebook for life on the move

ARM-based Chromebooks are nothing new, but the Spin 513 is the first we’ve looked at to use Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 7c chipset. This sees the leading manufacturer of smartphone and tablet CPUs trying to break into the laptop market, and a combination of respectable speeds and a ten-hour battery life make the Chromebook Spin 513 a great choice for life on the go.

This is one of Acer’s 2-in-1 convertible models, so you can fold the screen all the way back and use it as a big tablet, or keep the screen propped up in “tent” mode for playing games or watching movies. It’s slim and weighs less than 1.3kg as well, so it won’t give you an aching back or shoulders if you need to lug it around all day.

While the keys on the keyboard don’t have much travel, it’s a very comfortable Chromebook to use, with a decent Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) screen and richer colours than you would usually find at this price point. Strapped for cash and in need of a thin, light laptop? Stop right here.

Read our full Acer Chromebook 513 review

Acer Chromebook Spin 513 CP513-1H - (Qualcomm SC7180, 4GB, 64GB eMMC, 13.3 inch Full HD Touchscreen Display, Google Chrome OS, Silver)

6. acer chromebook vero 514: best chromebook for work.

Acer sells the Chromebook Vero 514 on its green credentials, but beyond the post-consumer recycled plastics in the chassis and cardboard packaging, it’s also a brilliant business-ready option. We tested the enterprise version with a Core i7-1255U processor and it was the fastest Chromebook we’ve yet reviewed; but even the most affordable Core i3-1215U version will be fast enough for demanding web-based, Linux and Android applications, particularly with 8GB of RAM as standard.

What’s more, you get excellent connectivity, including Wi-Fi 6E support, not to mention a decent keyboard, a usable touchscreen and a superb, smooth recycled plastic touchpad. The display lets the side down slightly, with its limited brightness and subdued colours, but it’s still more than good enough for office work. If you’re looking for a Chromebook to run Google’s office apps or even one to use for study, this is a sensible, practical option with its own distinctive style – and a price you can afford.

Check price at John Lewis

7. Acer Chromebook Plus 515: The best value big-screen Chromebook

Price when reviewed: £399 | Check price at Amazon

The bigger brother to the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, the Chromebook Plus 515 improves on it with a bigger screen and a faster CPU, giving you all the performance you could need from a high-end Chromebook at a thoroughly affordable, mid-range price. The 15.6in display looks massive and delivers a higher brightness level of 283cdm 2 and slightly more contrast. What’s more, the audio is in a different league; this is one of the few budget Chromebooks you can use to  stream games, video or music without wanting to immediately don some headphones.

Performance is easily good enough for more demanding creative and productivity apps, and while the nine-hour battery life isn’t anything to write home about, it should get you through most of a working day without a recharge. Head to the Acer Chromebook 516GE if you’re looking for a premium take on the big-screen Chromebook, but if you can compromise on the all-plastic construction and basic 1080p screen, the Chromebook Plus 515 is amazing value.

Read our full Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review for more details

8. Acer Chromebook 516GE: Best Chromebook for performance

Price when reviewed: £699 | Check price at Currys

While it isn’t the lightest or most portable of Chromebooks, it’s hard to beat the Chromebook 516GE for its performance or spec – at least not without spending north of £1000. Featuring a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU and 16GB of RAM, it’s a formidably speedy Chromebook that can cope with anything from the usual web-based apps to full-on Linux applications and Android games. You can even install the beta Chrome OS version of Steam and play a range of PC classics, although more modern games may suffer compatibility issues and a lack of dedicated graphics hardware.

What’s more, the 516GE has a spectacular 16-inch screen, with a 1600p QHD resolution and 120Hz refresh that make games and video look fantastic. Throw in Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and you have a machine that’s almost unbeatable for streaming games from GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass. Factor in the good keyboard and excellent trackpad, and you have a must-have Chromebook, whether you’re interested in games or not.

Check price at Currys

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Best Chromebooks for 2023 to suit every budget

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The Chromebook, an idea cooked up by Google, used to be a strange type of computer. Only capable of running a web browser, it felt like something far too limited to be of much use. How wrong that feeling was.

Today, the Chromebook has blossomed into the perfect cheap, general use laptop for anyone who wants to visit websites, chat, make video calls, stream movies, play a few games and look at their photo collections. The reasons for this are twofold.

One is the rise of the web app, which puts a fully functional application like Zoom or Google Docs inside a web page, and the other is the newfound ability of Chromebooks to run Android apps. They’re still not going to work for things like video editing or playing the latest PC games , but anyone who wants a reasonably priced, versatile laptop will find a lot to like in a Chromebook.

As they’re still designed for use with web apps and Cloud storage, particularly Google Drive, Chromebooks tend not to have a great deal of on-board storage, and their processor and RAM specs tend to be low, both as ChromeOS is a lightweight operating system based on the Chrome web browser, and to keep the price down.

To this end, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth come as standard, as do USB ports (both Type-A and Type-C, the latter often used for charging and video output, while Micro SD card readers are common. Screens, too, sit towards the lower-resolution end of the spectrum, but you can still get a great computing experience out of one, and your wallet will thank you.

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Asus Chromebook Flip CX5

Best for : just about everyone

The Chromebook Flip is a firm candidate for the top spot on this list, as it does everything you’d want from a Chromebook, and looks good while doing it. The price may be a bit high - and gets higher if you decide to upgrade the processor to an i5 or i7, or the internal storage to 256 or 512GB - but the fact you get a 1080p 15.6in touchscreen, 8GB of RAM and a nice keyboard make it extremely attractive. The base Intel i3/128GB configuration should be perfectly fine for most users.

You can use the Flip in a standard laptop mode for productivity tasks, but when you feel it’s time to relax you can fold the hinge all the way around so it stands up on its tiptoes, or even fully flat like a tablet . These modes make it ideal for watching movies or playing Android games, while for more creative pursuits, such as viewing the photos from your digital camera , there are three USB ports for peripherals such as flash drives or your camera, and an HDMI port you can use to hook the Chromebook up to an external monitor, plus a Micro SD card slot to enhance the storage capacity.

Acer 314 14" Chromebook

Best for : extreme budget computing

Acer’s line of Chromebooks has always been a popular one, with its use of lower-powered processors such as Intel’s Celeron range leading to lower prices but, thanks to Chrome OS’s low hunger for resources, little drop in capability. This one is a bit different, as there’s a MediaTek MT8183C processor - an Arm-based chip like the ones used in Android tablets - at the heart of it, backed up by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The 14in screen has a 1080p resolution, which means you’ll get a sharp picture when streaming, but it isn’t touch sensitive.

These low specs don’t really matter, because Chromebooks are meant to be cheap and low-spec, and Chrome OS thrives with modest resources at its disposal. The MediaTek MT8183 first appeared in early 2021, has eight cores and a GPU, and is a budget processor, but draws very little power, meaning it won’t hit your battery life nearly as hard as something more hungry for electricity like an Intel processor. There’s also a version of this Chromebook with an Intel Celeron processor, but it’s more expensive.

Elsewhere, you get four USB ports, including one that can hook up to an external monitor , and a Micro SD card slot, making this an excellent budget choice.

HP 11a-na0000sa 11.6" Chromebook

Best for: carrying in your pocket

An 11-inch laptop is about as small as it’s possible to go without creating something totally unusable or having to type with your thumbs. It may be smaller than an iPad Pro, but packs a full keyboard and trackpad. You could fit it in a large coat pocket, as long as you’re sure it won’t fall out.

As an Arm-powered device you can expect the battery life to be good - HP quotes up to 15 hours’ use from a charge - and the eight-core MediaTek MTK 8183 chip provides a good balance of price and performance. There’s also 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and two USB ports plus a Micro SD card slot. The screen isn’t anything special, with a resolution of 1366 x 768, and isn’t touch sensitive.

Being a small laptop has its benefits, but means the keyboard and trackpad can be cramped and difficult to use if you’re accustomed to something larger.

HP X2 11-da0504na 11" 2 in 1 Chromebook

Best for: cloud gaming and streaming

Small but mighty, the HP X2 stands out because of its screen. It’s a touchscreen that can be detached from the keyboard to use as a tablet, and has a resolution of 2160 x 1440. That’s sometimes known as Quad HD, and sits between the 1080p and 4K standards. It’s popular with PC gamers , as it gives a sharp picture without putting the strain on the GPU that a 4K image would.

There’s not a desktop-class GPU pushing this screen, however, so it’s best used for streaming. Netflix and its ilk are going to look excellent with that many pixels squeezed into a 11-inch diagonal, but it’s cloud gaming where this device will really shine. Xbox, PlayStation and Nvidia all have subscription services that allow you to stream games through apps or web pages, the heavy processing happening in a data centre somewhere and sent to you via the internet.

The SnapDragon processor and 8GB of RAM do a good job behind the scenes, and there’s 128GB of storage too, but it’s still an 11-inch laptop, however, which means there are compromises with the size of the keyboard and trackpad. Connect a Bluetooth game controller, however, and you’ve got a neat, portable device that means you can play games anywhere there’s Wi-Fi.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 13.3" 2 in 1 Chromebook

Best for: turning into a tablet

There’s a thin line between Chromebooks and tablets, and it usually comes down to the keyboard. ChromeOS is perfectly happy being interacted with using a touchscreen rather than a trackpad, and its ability to run Android apps means it’s a versatile place to do your computing tasks.

And being able to snap the screen off your laptop and use it as a tablet only adds to that versatility. You can fullscreen an Android app and use it like that, snap two apps side by side, or watch fullscreen video with it propped up on its stand - it helps that the Duet 5 uses an OLED 1080p touchscreen, for punchy colours and good contrast. Put the keyboard back on, and you’ve got a laptop.

Inside, there’s a SnapDragon processor designed for laptops, which leads to excellent battery life of up to 15 hours as well as decent performance, plus 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (though there’s no Micro SD card slot to expand this). It weighs just over a kilogram with its keyboard, and while that keyboard may be a little flimsy, this useful balance of performance and versatility makes it easily one of the best Chromebooks out there.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 13.3" 2 in 1 Chromebook

Best for: mobile media

The Flex 51 calls itself a 2-in-1 but the screen doesn’t detach from the keyboard, instead folding back like the Chromebook Flip. This makes for a thicker, slightly awkward tablet mode, but does enable ‘tent mode’ for watching movies with the Chromebook standing upright.

The model we’ve chosen here has an 11th-gen Intel Core i3 processor inside, a more powerful chip than is usual for this type of device, something that’s reflected in the price. There is a cheaper model with an Intel Pentium processor, but expect a lower level of performance from this to match the price. Elsewhere, the specs are familiar, with 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 1080p touchscreen. There are USB ports and a Micro SD card slot for additional expansion.

A 13in screen is ideal for a portable device, as laptops this size slip into bags more easily than larger ones. It’s light, too, tipping the scales at just 1.35kg.

Acer Spin 513 LTE 13.3" 2 in 1 Chromebook

Best for: life on the road

Another folding 2-in-1 design, but this time with a Qualcomm SC7180 processor humming away inside. This is an Arm-based chip like the ones used in phones and tablets, but designed for PCs, which means you get superior battery life (Acer claims you’ll get 14 hours of use from a single charge) but still decent performance from its eight processor cores.

The rest of the specs are fairly standard for a Chromebook, with 8GBof RAM (which makes for a smoother, more responsive experience than a machine equipped only with 4), 128GB of storage, and a 1080p touchscreen. It’s an IPS LCD panel, which lifts it slightly over the more budget-friendly TN technology, but it won’t hit the heights reached by OLEDs.

An interesting bonus feature is the 4G mobile data integration, which means you can connect the Chromebook to the internet anywhere you can get a mobile signal, rather than being tied to Wi-Fi hotspots. Chromebooks are online machines by nature, though having the internal storage to cache documents and files for offline use means you can still use one if the Wi-Fi goes out. You’ll need a data plan to use the 4G connection, but the extra subscription can be worth it if you travel a lot.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 15.6" Chromebook

Best for: looking serious

Chromebooks are laptops, of course, but some of them do neat tricks like having screens that detach, or are touch-sensitive , or can fold back on themselves. Not so here. The IdeaPad, despite its name, is not a pad of any sort, but a sensible grey laptop you can pull out in a business meeting to sneakily watch YouTube. There’s a headphone socket so you don’t make too much noise.

And for the price, it’s got some rather nice specs. There’s a 1080p screen, an Intel Pentium N6000 processor from 2021 sporting four cores and a GPU, and 4GB of RAM coupled with 128GB of storage. It’s a good looking laptop too, with a plastic shell that could be mistaken for metal in a favourable light, a large trackpad, and a privacy shutter over the webcam lens, which we like to see. It’s not the thinnest or lightest laptop out there, but at 2.3cm deep and weighing less than two kilograms, it’s no bloater either.

Chromebooks are ideal for students or home computer users, especially now we fill our homes with fast Wi-Fi. Their lack of onboard storage isn’t a problem, and the ability to run Android apps (and even Linux applications if you’re a bit more confident) mean they’re extremely good general purpose laptops, perfect for younger members of the family or users less steeped in the complexity of modern PCs.

And while some Chromebooks can be very cheap, which can be a very attractive quality, we think the best Chromebooks are those that add versatility. Not just a laptop, some like the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 can be folded back to provide a tablet-like user experience, or even detached from their keyboards like the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet . These, along with Chromebooks’ ability to run Android apps, mean you can switch between tablet and laptop modes as your workflow dictates, making them great choices for general-purpose machines.

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The Best Chromebooks for Every Budget

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Best Overall Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 Read more

Best For School Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 Read more

Best Luxury Chromebook HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook Read more

Best For Power Acer Chromebook Spin 714 Read more

If you spend all day in a web browser, use Google apps, and don't need all the rest of the stuff that comes with Apple’s macOS or Microsoft’s Windows, Google’s ChromeOS operating system offers an all-you-need, nothing-you-don't computing experience. Throw in the ability to run both Android and Linux apps and you just might be able to replace your old laptop with a Chromebook.

Chromebooks have a reputation as cheap, low-end devices. While they can be that—offering exceptional bargains in many cases—that's not the end of the story. Just because you strip away the software fluff doesn't mean you have to strip away the hardware power. There are high-end Chromebooks that are mighty capable machines. In many ways, they offer the best of all worlds: good hardware, lightweight software, and everything you need for web-based work. WIRED's Gear team has been testing Chromebooks for almost a decade now. These are our current top picks.

Be sure to also read through our Best Cheap Laptops , Best Laptops , and Best MacBooks guides for more options.

Updated February 2023: We've added new Chromebooks from Asus, HP, and Lenovo.

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Best Overall

Asus has been churning out some stellar ChromeOS devices for several years now, often coming at the top of our recommendations. The trend continues with this excellent device. It has a gloriously reasonable price alongside flagship laptop looks and capabilities.

The Chromebook Flip CX5 laptop’s combination of value-for-money, pleasing design, strong performance, and daylong battery life are what make it stand out from the rest. From the ability to load up more than 30 tabs with no trouble to a keyboard that’s a breeze to use, productivity is this device’s specialty. The display isn’t top notch but, at 1080p, it's solid. There’s a good selection of ports as well, with what now seems a few luxuries present and correct here—that being a headphone jack, microSD card readers, and an HDMI. Two USB-Cs and a USB-A complete the team.

Specs to look for: Intel Core i5, 16-GB RAM, 128-GB SSD

Best For School

The Chromebook Duet range from Lenovo is great for those who want a small, no-frills device that doesn’t cost the earth—whether it’s as a first machine for a youngster or older generations looking for simplicity. It’s essentially a step up, in terms of productivity, from a straightforward cut-price tablet. The case turns this into a pint-sized laptop-like device, and offers added durability on top too. The keyboard offers comfortable typing—unless you have large hands, then you’ll find it a tad cumbersome.

You’ll find a combination of a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip and 4-GB RAM onboard. This isn’t a particularly potent team-up, but it does a perfectly passable job for those looking to stick to one or two tasks at a time and up to seven or eight tabs. When used in this way, you’ll manage a full school day’s length of work, with the battery life typically hitting around seven hours.

A surprising high point, for such a low-cost device, is the bright and detailed 2K display—great for watching video. The low point is the speakers: Bring your headphones, as they are tinny and, ultimately, unpleasant.

Specs to look for: Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, 4-GB RAM, 128-GB eMMC

Best Luxury Chromebook

This is the only laptop on this list that might be  better than our top all-around pick, the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5; however, a high price makes it a luxe option. You’ll find one of the best thin-and-light keyboards around—I happily typed on this for hours on end. The build is light while its metal composition makes for a robust and sleek-looking design. The Intel Core i5 and 8-GB RAM combo offer plenty of performance for Chrome users, letting you speedily breeze through upward of 20 tabs.

The Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is framed as a business laptop but ChromeOS holds it back a bit. The 2K display on our review model is a tad underwhelming, especially at this price, though. Further, battery life could also be better—just reaching a full day’s work when used intensely. However, hardware additions like a physical webcam shutter, HP Sure View privacy display, and SIM slot are neat inclusions for on-the-go workers.

Specs to look for: Intel Core i5, 8-GB RAM, 256-GB SSD

Best For Power

Acer’s latest and greatest Chromebook may not reach the luxe heights of some of our favorites on this list but, when it comes to getting the practicalities of productivity right, there are few better.

With a 12th Gen Intel chip onboard, this Chromebook eats up productivity tasking—opt for 8-GB RAM or more and you’ll be bouncing between 20+ tabs with ease. It’s a wonderfully compact machine too, yet the 14-inch 16:10 display is a great size. Despite this, ports are packed in, with two Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI, a USB-A, and a headphone jack. And, there’s even a super-slim stylus stowed away in the front of the laptop.

All sounds good thus far, right? But, what holds this device back is quality. The build feels cheap and the display is just  okay . The keys are small, offer little feedback, and middling travel. Battery life is good enough—on average, you should be able to stretch to a full day’s work without needing a charge. The Spin 714 will get the job done, and the full package is strong value for money, but it isn’t a joy to use. It’s functional.

Scott Gilbertson

Louryn Strampe

Reece Rogers

David Nield

Best Budget 2-in-1 Chromebook

If you want a two-in-one-style Chromebook but don't want to spring for our top picks, this HP option offers most of the same features for much less. The screen isn't as nice, and battery life is about eight hours—enough for a day's work—but you still get a great Chromebook experience. Laptop, stand, and tablet modes all work together to give you more versatility than a traditional clamshell design. But pay careful attention to which X360 version you buy. We like this 12-inch model with the 3:2 screen ratio for some extra vertical real estate when working on documents and browsing the web.

Specs to look for: Intel Celeron, 4-GB RAM, 32-GB storage

Best Google-Made Chromebook

It’s natural to want hardware made by the company that created and manages Chrome OS. If so, get the Pixelbook Go. It’s lightweight at 2 pounds, has a wonderful matte texture, and is incredibly thin. The Go is a standard clamshell laptop, but you get a 13-inch touchscreen for some added versatility. There are two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, a roomy trackpad, and a wonderfully tactile keyboard. Plus, the battery easily lasts a full workday.

If you’re not planning to use this laptop a ton, the model powered by the Intel Core m3 chip might be sufficient. But, those with anything more intense than a light workload, should snag the Core i5 with 8 gigabytes of RAM. It’s on the pricier end, but this is a Chromebook that oozes style with plenty of power to keep more than 30 Chrome tabs running smoothly.

Specs to look for: Intel Core i3, 4-GB RAM, 64-GB eMMC

Best Budget Powerhouse

This Chromebook is the more powerful cousin to the Flex 5 we've previously recommended. That's still a fine Chromebook if you're on a budget, but the base model of the Flex 5i starts with an 11th-gen Core i3 processor instead of a Celeron chip. It's been plenty speedy for browsing the web and watching videos. The 13-inch IPS display has a nice antiglare finish, which is good because the main weakness of this machine is the fact that its 250-nit brightness is just barely bright enough to use outdoors. The latest version of Chrome OS is well-optimized to work in all three two-in-one modes, and the Flex 5i is compatible with Lenovo's USI stylus ( sold separately, $40 ).

Specs to look out for: Intel Core i3, 8-GB RAM, 128-GB SSD

How to Pick the Best Chromebook

Chromebooks come in a bewildering array of configurations. Sometimes even trying to decide which options to get on a single model can be overwhelming. As a product tester, I use a spreadsheet to keep it all straight. But you shouldn't have to do that, so here are some broad specs to keep in mind.

Processor: Chromebooks use half a dozen different processors, most of which you've probably never heard of. There's a reason for that: These processors are slow, and they don't show up in Windows laptops. After trying out plenty of Intel Celeron–based machines, my recommendation is to go with something more powerful if you can afford it. The next step up from the Celeron is the Core m3, which is the best choice for most people. If you want a more powerful, future-proof machine, get an i3 or i5 chip.

We're starting to see more ARM-based Chromebooks, like the Lenovo Duet above. I haven't had any issues using ARM Chromebooks, but they aren't quite as speedy as the Intel Core chips. There are some newer Chromebooks using AMD's latest Ryzen chips, and I've had good experiences with them.

RAM: Get 8-GB of memory if you can afford it, especially if you plan to run any Android applications. When I've experienced severe slowdowns and glitches, it's almost always on a Chromebook with only 4-GB of RAM.

Screen: Get an IPS LCD display. There are still a few low-end models out there with crappier TN LCD displays, and you should avoid those. Your pixel resolution depends on the size of the screen. I have used (and recommend) some 11-inch Chromebooks that have 720p displays. Because those screens are squeezed into a small form factor, I find them acceptably sharp, but a 1080p screen will be much nicer.

Ports: Most things you do on a Chromebook are cloud-based, so you don't really need to worry too much about ports. You might want a computer that charges through a USB-C port if you'd like to be able to run your Chromebook off a portable battery/charger, but USB-C charging is available mostly in mid- and higher-priced models. It also helps to have a MicroSD slot for expanded storage if you need to download a lot of files during a typical day, but that option is also not widely available.

Eric Ravenscraft

Nena Farrell

Medea Giordano

Julian Chokkattu

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The best Chromebooks in 2024 - our top picks

The best Chromebooks are great, affordable alternatives to Windows PCs and MacBooks.

• Best overall
• Best 2-in-1
• Best tablet
• Best gaming
• Best for students
• Battery life results
• How to choose
• How we test

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best value 4. Best 2-in-1 5. Best tablet 6. Best for gaming 7. Best for DIYers 8. Best for students 9. Battery life chart 10. How to choose 11. How we test

The best Chromebooks for your needs can be hard to find because there are so many options, from cheap, low-cost Chromebooks to more powerful premium models with bigger, brighter screens, better build quality and beefier components. 

Many provide amazing battery life, and most run Android apps thanks to Chrome OS support for the Google Play Store. Oh, and if you're unfamiliar with Chrome OS, it's easy to learn, as it's a simplified alternative to Windows 11 and macOS. Chromebooks are a popular choice for students and teachers because they're typically cheap and easy to use. 

However, there's a key limitation you need to keep in mind: Everything you do on a Chromebook, unless you're emulating Android apps or one of the experts running Linux on a Chromebook, will happen in a Chrome window. And you'll almost always need an Internet connection to use a Chromebook to the fullest.

All that being said, the best Chromebooks are great laptops. Some are among the best 2-in-1 laptops , with touchscreens ideal for Android apps (which are not as good when used with a mouse and keyboard alone). And while Chromebooks are mostly seen as devices for students, the category now includes multiple elegant models that are viable replacements for business laptops.

The quick list

In a hurry? Here's a brief overview of the laptops on this list, along with quick links that let you jump down the page directly to a review of whichever laptop catches your eye.

Best Chromebook overall

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is a premium Chromebook that will get you through a day of work or school for under $500. While its 2021 internals are aging, the gorgeous QLED touchscreen and decent speakers make it feel premium. If you can find one in the Fiesta Red paint job, so much the better. 

Read more below

The best cheap Chrome tablet

Lenovo's Chromebook Duet is a great, cheap Chrome tablet which packs the utility of a Chromebook into a slick little slate that comes with a detachable keyboard included at no charge, making it a great budget Chromebook to boot.

Best 2-in-1 Chromebook

The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 delivers good battery life, great performance and a bright, colorful display for an affordable price, making it our top recommendation for those seeking a Chromebook which transforms into a tablet. 

The best Chrome tablet

The pricier Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is a well-built Chrome tablet that offers a nice screen and enough power to get work done. It's suited to browsing the web or remote learning, and the included keyboard cover is good enough for writing emails or short assignments. 

Read more below 

The best Chromebook for game streaming

Acer's Chromebook 516 GE is built for game streaming, pairing a speedy Intel CPU with a 16-inch WQXGA 120Hz display. It can't compete with dedicated gaming laptops, but its much cheaper and lighter.

Read m o re below 

The best for DIYers

The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition is a truly unique Chromebook that's designed to be easy to upgrade and repair, making it a great investment for folks who prioritize long-term value. The option to buy and hot-swap ports via the unique Expansion Card system is also unparalleled.

The best student Chromebook

This is the best Chromebook for students. Not only can it last well over 10 hours on a single charge, but it's also very budget-friendly. It's performance is also impressive for a laptop at this price point.

Alex Wawro is a lifelong journalist who's spent over a decade covering tech, games and entertainment. He oversees the computing department at Tom's Guide, which includes managing laptop coverage and reviewing many himself every year.

The best Chromebooks you can buy

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

The best overall

1. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Taking away the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook's 4K display was probably the best thing Samsung could have done to make this Chromebook a hit. Now it's way more affordable, but still sports a great QLED display and longer battery life — 7:50 vs the previous gen's 5:55. It's also going to sound great, plus its Core i3 configuration provides a ton of speed for Chrome OS.

We weren't as happy with the vertical travel in its keyboard, which is a bit shallow. This creates a slight learning curve you'll adapt to over time. But to get a Chromebook that looks this good — wow that Fiesta Red color option stands out in a sea of silver Chromebooks and PCs. Plus, at under $450, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 delivers solid value for the money. 

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 review .

2. Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Sometimes, it's amazing how much you can get for $300 or less. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet, for example, is a 2-in-1 Chromebook that offers something Microsoft's Surfaces and Apple's iPads won't: it's keyboard is included by default.  Not only do you get that value, but the Chromebook Duet's tablet display is excellent in its own right, with a surprising amount of color output and a crisp 1920 x 1200-pixel resolution.

Smaller hands may find the Chromebook Duet's keyboard a little on the tight side, but at this price, any keyboard is a surprise and a steal. Making things even better, the Chromebook Duet features ChromeOS tablet optimizations that are long overdue to take advantage of all of its screen space. On top of all of that? It lasted for 12 hours and 47 minutes, nearly 13 hours . 

Read our full Lenovo Chromebook Duet review .

The best Chrome 2-in-1

3. Acer Chromebook Spin 713

When it comes to finding a great Chromebook, you are always looking for an affordable (enough) mix of performance, design and endurance. That's due in part to its Intel Core i5-10210U CPU, which provides a ton of speed for Chrome OS (anything more would be overkill), and 8GB of RAM for managing all the Chrome tabs you can throw at it. 

Plus, its sharp 2256 x 1504-pixel screen provides bright and vibrant picture output. On top of that, it lasted 11 hours and 54 minutes on our web-browsing based battery test. The only major issue you could have with the Spin 713 is its size, but that's going to be an issue for all 13-inch laptops. 

Read our full Acer Chromebook Spin 713 review .

4. Lenovo Duet 3

The Lenovo Duet 3 (or Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3, depending on where you buy it) is a great Chrome tablet that can be yours for as low as $359. This is effectively a bigger, more expensive follow-up to the Chromebook Duet Lenovo released in 2020, a surprisingly capable and inexpensive Chrome tablet that's still on this list. 

We loved the original Duet for its great battery life, solid performance and decent packed-in keyboard cover, all of which could be had for roughly $250. Lenovo's new Duet 3 costs a bit more, but it also delivers a bigger, brighter display, more ports, and the added power of a beefier Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip. It's one of the best Chrome tablets you can buy, and the fact that Lenovo includes the keyboard cover at no extra cost helps it double as a surprisingly effective 2-in-1 Chromebook. While the original Duet further down this list is a better buy if you're short on cash, those who can afford it will be well-served by this excellent Chromebook.

Read our full Lenovo Duet 3 Chromebook review .

The best for gaming

5. Acer Chromebook 516 GE

Advancements in ChromeOS and cloud gaming services have made the idea of a "gaming Chromebook" that can play the latest and greatest games a viable option, and the Acer Chromebook 516 GE was one of the first to hit the market.

With a starting price of $649, a big 16-inch (2,500 x 1,600 pixels) display and a surprisingly low (for a 16-inch gaming laptop) weight of 3.9 pounds, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a solid big-screen Chromebook for not a lot of money.

Admittedly, the 12th Gen Intel CPU, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD in our review unit didn't give it a lot of horsepower or space to run games, but since you're meant to mostly play games via cloud gaming services like Amazon Luna, GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass you just need a rock-solid Internet connection. And since it sports an Ethernet jack (a rarity on Chromebooks) you can count on being able to plug into wired Internet for optimal gaming. 

Read our full Acer Chromebook 516 GE review .

6. Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition is a ChromeOS variant of Framework's signature 13-inch laptop, which is more repairable and upgradable than anything else on the market. Each laptop Framework ships comes with a screwdriver so you can crack open the case and swap out parts yourself, and everything from the memory to the screen bezel to the mainboard is user-replaceable.

It's not for everyone, but if you're the DIY type and love the idea of being able to tinker with your laptop's innards this is the best laptop for you. The Framework laptop is currently only available for purchase from the Framework  website , and the price tag starts at around $1k — though you can pay even less for the DIY Edition if you're willing to assemble your laptop yourself and provide your own memory, storage, operating system, and Wi-Fi card. It's a great ultraportable that doubles as a learning device you can take apart and fix or upgrade yourself.

Read our full Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition review .

6. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook

It might not have the battery life you expect from a Chromebook, but that can be excused when you take a look at how the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook breaks so many of the other typical rules of what a Chromebook should be. Its Fiesta Red chassis goes beyond eye-catching and hits drool inducing before you can say "wow that's a Chromebook?" It even comes with Samsung's S-Pen stylus, which is best used in tablet mode.

Its Core i5 CPU is so fast I watched four 1080p YouTube videos on it, without any stutter, just to see if I could. Oh, and it's crazy thin and light, competing on size and weight with the MacBook Air and the Dell XPS 13. Its best feature, though, is its gorgeous 4K AMOLED display that makes colors pop and offers bright hues. It's so great that it reminds us that Netflix needs to add Chrome support for 4K video. 

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Chromebook review .

7. Samsung Chromebook 4

The best student Chromebook, the Samsung Chromebook 4 impresses with its battery life. This laptop lasted for more than 10 and a half hours of web browsing on a single charge. The Chromebook 4’s aluminum top makes it look like a much more expensive computer — though it has a plastic base. This Chromebook’s performance is another highlight, enabling much faster multitasking than expected at this price point.

The Chromebook 4 is also lighter and thinner than competing 11.6-inch Chromebooks, though we wish its display supported touch input. Its screen is acceptable for plowing through work, but don't expect to see colors pop or a lot of detail when watching movies or bingeing on YouTube. The speakers are okay, but you may want to supply your headphones.

For students who have a limited budget, this Chromebook offers plenty for a relatively small price tag. It's ideal for learning at home, while also offering some features that you can make use of when your work is complete.

Battery benchmarks: comparison

How to choose the best laptop for you, how to choose the best chromebook for you.

Finding the best Chromebook these days begins with a simple question: do you need a touchscreen? An increasing number of Chromebooks offer 2-in-1 designs with a touchscreen, allowing you to use Android apps from the Google Play store. However, those systems tend to be on the pricier side. If you want just a basic laptop on the cheap, a Chromebook without a touchscreen is the way to go.

As for screen size, an 11-inch display is good for younger kids, but a 13-inch display is better for older students and business users on the move. If you want a Chromebook as a primary home laptop, we would opt for a 14-inch or 15-inch display.. 

Then, think about performance. Are you buying this for a kid who's got modest needs? A Pentium or Celeron processor should be enough. A Core M or Core i5 CPU is better for those who want more performance. Most budget Chromebooks start with 4GB of RAM, but we would get 8GB or more if you plan to work with a lot of tabs open. Because Chromebooks rely on the cloud, local storage isn’t that important, which is why 32GB tends to be standard. You’ll find 64GG to 128GB on more premium models.

One last thing to consider: do you need a Chromebook, or do you just want Chrome OS? Because if it's just the software you like, Google is starting to offer Chrome OS Flex , an education/enterprise-focused version of Chrome OS that you can install yourself on a Mac or PC. If you're of a technical mindset and have an old laptop that could use some up-to-date software on it, you could always give this a try.

How we tested these laptops

How we test these laptops.

To find the best Chromebook, we run every machine we review through a rigorous suite of benchmarks and real-world tests to gauge how it will perform during everyday use. 

We measure the average brightness and color quality of each laptop's display using our in-house light meter and colorimeter. For general performance, we run our machines through tests that include JetStream 2 (a Web-based benchmarking suite that runs over five dozen tests designed to measure how well systems handle the kind of applications they’re most likely to encounter on the Internet) and a custom battery test that tasks the machine with browsing the internet over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

Performance: If you're going to be spending years studying engineering, you're going to need a computer with enough power to handle anything your teachers throw at you. We recommend at least a new mid-range CPU (Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5) and at least 8 GB of RAM, though if you can afford to spend more on on a laptop with better specs it will pay off in the long run.

Graphics and gaming: Most gaming laptops come with discrete graphics cards so they can run the latest games well, but the same card can be equally vital to engineering students who will be using CAD (computer-assisted design) and 3D analysis programs. These kinds of applications really benefit from the power of a good GPU, so if you're expecting to do any graphics or 3D work it's a good idea to invest in a laptop with a discrete Nvidia or AMD graphics card.

Operating system: Laptops typically come in three flavors: Windows (most mainstream PCs), macOS (MacBooks) and Chrome OS (Chromebooks). Chrome OS isn't good for much besides web surfing, file management, and light computing, so a Chromebook isn't a great choice for serious schoolwork. However, a crafty student could install Linux on a high-powered Chromebook to turn it into a decent laptop for engineering work.

Many engineering students spend a lot of time working with specialized or self-developed software, so Windows is often preferable over macOS because it throws up fewer roadblocks when using such tools. However, even Windows can sometimes get in the way of serious engineering work, which is why many engineering students get Windows laptops and install Linux on them so they can dual-boot into either operating system.

As mentioned above, when making your buying decision be sure to consult your teachers and/or the engineering department at your school for more specific advice on what you'll need for your studies. Whichever system you decide on, it's a good idea to pair it with the best mouse for your particular work situation.

How we test the best laptops for students

To find the best laptops we run every machine through a rigorous suite of benchmarks and real-world tests to gauge how it will perform during everyday use. 

We measure the average brightness and color quality of each laptop's display using our in-house light meter and colorimeter. For general performance, we run our machines through tests that include Geekbench 5 (CPU performance), as well as various 3DMark tests to measure graphics capabilities. We also run a file transfer test to measure how fast a machine's hard drive is, and a custom battery test that has the machine browse the internet over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

Plus, we run the graphics benchmark test in Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm to get a sense of how well a laptop can handle basic games. When testing dedicated gaming laptops, we run benchmarks for a number of games such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Far Cry: New Dawn.

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Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games enthusiast with more than a decade of experience covering both for outlets like Game Developer, Black Hat, and PC World magazine. A lifelong PC builder, he currently serves as a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to keyboards and mice. 

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• Don 1234567 Re: the Samsung Chromebook 4, I'm seeing two different models of it, differing by about $15. Tough to figure out what the difference is, but they have different model numbers, and are showing different processors: Celeron N4020 vs N4000. Is that it, just the different processor? The 4020 is the cheaper one. Reply
• Senor Sopa I usually look to Tom's Guide for advice, but I wonder about your credibility when you provide 2 links under the Lenovo Duet 3 Chromebook that go to the wrong device. Both the Walmart and Microsoft links point to the Duet 3i which is not a Chromebook at all but a Windows 11 device! Reply

Senor Sopa said: I usually look to Tom's Guide for advice, but I wonder about your credibility when you provide 2 links under the Lenovo Duet 3 Chromebook that go to the wrong device. Both the Walmart and Microsoft links point to the Duet 3i which is not a Chromebook at all but a Windows 11 device!

• View All 3 Comments

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The Best Chromebook

By Kimber Streams

Kimber Streams is a writer who has been covering laptops and other tech at Wirecutter for more than a decade. They once built a fort out of keyboards.

A good Chromebook can do almost anything that a regular laptop can do, and the best models can feel better to use than their similarly priced Windows counterparts.

After testing most of the Chromebooks released over the past nine years and testing 20 models so far in 2023, we recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus . It’s an excellent laptop, with the best combination of features and price of all the Chromebooks we’ve tested, including fast performance, a spacious touchscreen, and long-enough battery life for a full day of work or classes.

Everything we recommend

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

The best chromebook.

Reliable performance, a spacious touch display, and long-enough battery life for a full workday make this model the best Chromebook for the price. But it is a bit heavy.

Buying Options

Budget pick.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

Less expensive, worse display.

This Asus model is a less expensive option that doesn’t sacrifice performance, but its non-touch display isn’t as tall, vibrant, or convenient as that of our top pick.

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16″ (82V80009UX)

A bigger screen.

This inexpensive model offers fast performance, a roomy 16-inch screen with a high refresh rate, and an RGB keyboard with a built-in number pad. But it’s huge and heavy.

Upgrade pick

Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (CP714-2W-56B2)

More portable.

This Acer model is lighter and has longer battery life and more storage than our top pick, plus a crisper 1440p webcam. But it’s more expensive.

Why a Chromebook?

Many kids already use Chromebooks at school, and these inexpensive, secure, and accessible laptops are great for pulling out of a bag and getting right to work.

Chromebooks can do almost anything that regular laptops can do, using browser-based software and services instead of Windows or macOS apps.

A great $500 Chromebook can feel faster to use—and can be lighter and more compact—than a similarly priced Windows laptop.

If you already have a desktop or laptop, a Chromebook is an excellent and affordable secondary device.

Recommended configuration

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus has a reliable keyboard and trackpad, a tall touchscreen, and surprisingly good speakers. All of those features combined with the IdeaPad Flex 5i’s reasonable price make it the best Chromebook for most people’s needs. But we wish that it were lighter—at 3.6 pounds, it’s heavy for a 14-inch laptop—and we wish that it had a couple more hours of battery life. It’ll last a full day of work or classes on a charge, but not much longer.

The best cheap Chromebook—and the next-best option if our top pick is unavailable—is the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 . It’s just as fast as our top pick and can handle everyday workloads with ease, unlike many cheap Chromebooks, which feel slow with just a handful of tabs open. The CX34 also has a comfortable, backlit keyboard, battery life similar to that of our top pick, and a light, compact body. This model’s display is fine, but it lacks touch input, it’s not as tall, and its colors aren’t as vibrant as what you can get on our top pick.

The best option if you want a big screen is the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16″ . Photos and videos look great on its gigantic 16-inch display with a high refresh rate, and the RGB keyboard is a fun extra feature. But this 4-pound laptop is inconvenient to take to work, class, or even a coffee shop—it’s best used around the house. If you need a more portable Chromebook to commute or travel with, consider our other picks instead.

It’s available in two versions. Most people should get the Core i3 model with 128 GB of eMMC storage, which is fast enough and is often cheaper. But if the Core i3 model is out of stock—or if you luck out on a great sale—the Core i5 model is also a great option.

If you want a more portable Chromebook that weighs less and offers longer battery life, as well as more storage and a crisper-looking 1440p webcam, get the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (CP714-2W-56B2) . It’s an excellent Chromebook with a reliable keyboard and trackpad and a vivid 14-inch display, but it costs several hundred dollars more than our top pick.

The research

What is a chromebook, why you should trust us, how we picked, how we tested, our pick: lenovo ideapad flex 5i chromebook plus, budget pick: asus chromebook plus cx34, a big screen: lenovo ideapad gaming chromebook 16", upgrade pick: acer chromebook spin 714 (cp714-2w-56b2), other good chromebooks, what to look forward to, the competition.

A Chromebook is a laptop that runs ChromeOS , an operating system that uses the Chrome web browser as its primary interface. Chromebooks are ideal for students and kids, but they’re also worth considering if you spend most of your computer time in a web browser, if you’re on a tight budget, or if you already have a decent desktop PC . A good Chromebook can do almost anything a regular laptop can do—as long as that task is possible in a web browser or in Android apps . And $500 Chromebooks tend to be faster, lighter, and sleeker than $500 Windows laptops. Chromebooks are also secure and easy to maintain .

But Chromebooks can’t run Mac or Windows programs, including Windows-specific games. They work best with a full-time internet connection, though you can find offline options for Gmail, Google Drive, and other apps , and Chromebook Plus models can automatically sync Google Drive files for offline use. If you use web-based email, if you can get by with Microsoft 365 , Google’s office web apps, and Android app alternatives, and if you stream your music and movies, a Chromebook should do just about everything you need it to.

Most newly released Chromebooks have 128 GB of onboard storage; Google also provides 100 GB of free online Google One storage for one year. (Once your year is up, you have to pay to keep that cloud storage. Right now, 100 GB of storage costs $2 per month or $20 per year.) Most Chromebooks also include USB ports and a microSD card slot that you can use to expand the storage.

Senior staff writer Kimber Streams has tested most of the Chromebooks released since 2014, when they began covering Chromebooks for Wirecutter. They’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of laptops, including Chromebooks, cheap Windows laptops, powerful gaming laptops, and ultrabooks.

A Chromebook doesn’t need to be exceptionally powerful or look fancy. But if slow performance, poor battery life, a horrendous screen, or a bad keyboard or trackpad gets in your way, the Chromebook has failed at its only job. Here’s what we look for:

Performance: We’ve found that fast and reliable performance for a Chromebook requires 8 GB of memory combined with an 11th-generation or newer Intel processor or a 5000- or 7000-series AMD Ryzen processor. When we used Chromebooks with lower-end processors or less memory, we encountered long, frequent delays loading tabs, typing in documents and spreadsheets, and speaking on Zoom calls. One way to guarantee that you’re getting fast-enough performance is to look for Google’s new Chromebook Plus label introduced in October 2023, though some models released before then lack the label but meet the spec requirements.

Avoid Chromebooks that run on Intel’s N-series Celeron or Pentium processors, on ARM-based processors from companies such as MediaTek or Qualcomm, or on AMD’s Athlon A4 and A6 processors; in our testing over the years, we’ve come away frustrated by their laggy, inconsistent performance. Also avoid any Chromebooks with less than 4 GB of memory, regardless of their processor.

Price: As of 2023, Chromebooks that meet our performance requirements typically cost $400 to $550. Options with better performance and more features tend to cost at least $700.

Keyboard and trackpad: Both input devices should be good enough not to get in the way of your work. A backlit keyboard is a nice luxury.

Battery life: A Chromebook should last at least a full eight-hour day of classes or work so you don’t have to hunt for an outlet or be stuck with a dead laptop.

Size and weight: The lighter and more compact a laptop is, the easier it is to carry on a plane, to a coffee shop, or to class. And for Chromebooks with 360-degree convertible hinges, being lighter makes them easier to hold in tablet mode—less than 3 pounds is ideal.

Screen: We recommend a 1920×1080 resolution or thereabouts for a 13- to 15-inch screen—higher resolutions often aren’t worth the trade-off in battery life, and lower resolutions look bad. A touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge are nice perks since Chromebooks also run Android apps, and an included stylus is a bonus.

Ports: We appreciate a Chromebook that includes both USB-C ports and traditional USB-A ports, which allows you to connect older peripherals.

Support: Google now guarantees 10 years of software updates—including new features and security fixes—for every new Chromebook. We don’t recommend any Chromebooks with a support date that expires before 2028.

We lived with each Chromebook for at least a full day of work to get a feel for the keyboard, trackpad, screen, and speakers, as well as for each laptop’s real-world performance. We checked Gmail and Google Calendar, ran Slack, streamed music, worked in large Google Drive spreadsheets and text documents, chatted on Zoom, and streamed videos from Netflix, Twitch, and YouTube. We paid attention to any performance issues that surfaced.

To quantify how fast a Chromebook felt to use, we gathered results from the Speedometer 2.0 and JetStream 2 benchmarking tools to measure performance, combining those results with what we saw in our real-world testing.

To test the battery life of each Chromebook, we set each screen’s backlight to approximately 150 nits and ran a customized version of the Chromium web-browsing battery test . It emulates typical browsing behavior by cycling through web pages, email, streaming audio, Google Docs files, and video.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an excellent Chromebook, with the best combination of features and price of all the models we’ve tested. It offers fast performance, a reliable keyboard and trackpad, a tall and spacious touchscreen, and enough battery life to last a full day of work or classes. Though we wish it were lighter—at 3.6 pounds it’s weighty for a 14-inch laptop—it’s the best Chromebook for most people’s needs.

It’s fast enough for everyday tasks. The IdeaPad Flex 5i meets all of Wirecutter’s (and Google’s) spec requirements for smooth performance. It was plenty fast enough to handle all my tabs, including Gmail, Google Calendar, Slack, YouTube Music, a YouTube video, a large spreadsheet of Chromebook test results, a long Google Doc, and five to 10 other miscellaneous retailer and laptop-maker websites. I even threw a Zoom call on top, and everything kept working just fine. This model also supports Google’s new Chromebook Plus features for improving video calls, syncing files for offline access, and more.

The battery will last a full day of work or classes, but not much longer. In our testing, the IdeaPad Flex 5i lasted 8 hours 44 minutes on a charge; that’s long enough for a day of work, but not much more. We prefer to see a couple more hours, especially since battery life degrades over time. If you need longer battery life, consider our upgrade pick instead.

It has a tall, spacious display and surprisingly good speakers. The IdeaPad Flex 5i’s 14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen has a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is especially convenient for scrolling web pages and working in long documents. It isn’t bright enough to see outdoors on a sunny day—and the glossy touchscreen is reflective—but it isn’t so dim and desaturated as to be distracting. In addition, we found the upward-facing speakers to be unexpectedly competent; the Flex 5i is a better option for watching movies and music videos than our budget pick.

You can use it as a tablet, but it’s heavy. Our top pick has a 360-degree hinge, so you can flip the screen around and use it in tablet or tent mode. But the IdeaPad Flex 5i’s weight makes it difficult to hold in tablet mode. I was able to open the lid with a single hand, but the tight hinge made the action more difficult than it should have been.

The IdeaPad Flex 5i has a mix of new and old USB ports, so it should accommodate the accessories and cables you already have. It has guaranteed update support through June 2032.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s heavy for its portable size. At 12.4 by 9.0 by 0.8 inches, our top pick is compact enough to fit into most bags to use on the go. But at 3.6 pounds, the IdeaPad Flex 5i is one of the heavier Chromebooks we’ve tested with this screen size. If you need a lighter Chromebook, take a look at our budget pick or our upgrade pick .

Its 1080p webcam is fine but could be better. The webcam produces a dim image even with Google’s new Improve Lighting feature enabled. (It does have a convenient privacy shutter to block it when you’re not using it.) Our budget pick and upgrade pick have better webcams, if you need one for frequent video calls.

The best inexpensive Chromebook, and the next-best option if our top pick is unavailable, is the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 . Unlike many cheap Chromebooks, which can struggle with basic tasks, the CX34 feels as fast as our top pick, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i. And it has a comfortable, backlit keyboard, a responsive trackpad, and a decent 14-inch 1080p display. But compared with the IdeaPad Flex 5i’s screen, the CX34’s display lacks touch input, it’s not as tall, and its colors aren’t as vibrant.

Our budget pick is just as fast as our top pick. Many cheap Chromebooks rely on slow processors or have limited memory; typically those models can’t handle a video call and an open document at the same time, or they bog down with just a handful of tabs open. But the CX34 doesn’t make any sacrifices in the performance department—our budget pick can handle everyday workloads with ease.

It’s light and compact. Our budget pick is easier to lug around because it’s about a third of a pound lighter and a bit more compact than our top pick. The CX34 lasted 8 hours 41 minutes in our battery-life test, about the same as the IdeaPad Flex 5i. Both models have enough battery life to make it through a full day of work or classes, but not much more.

Its smaller, non-touch display is a step down. The CX34’s 14-inch 1920×1080 screen is fine, but its 16:9 aspect ratio isn’t as nice as the IdeaPad Flex 5i’s taller display for working in documents or browsing the web. This model’s screen also lacks touch input, and colors look more drab and desaturated in comparison with those on our top pick’s display.

You can’t use it as a tablet. Unlike the IdeaPad Flex 5i, which has a 360-degree hinge, the CX34 can work only as a basic clamshell laptop. It’s easy to open with one hand, though.

The CX34 has a 1080p webcam with a built-in privacy shutter. Like the IdeaPad Flex 5i, the CX34 has a variety of useful ports, and it has guaranteed update support through June 2023.

If you want a big screen, the best option is the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16″ . Its 16-inch display provides more room to get work done or to enjoy streaming shows or movies, and its number pad can be useful if you do a lot of data entry. That big screen makes the whole laptop heavier and bulkier, though. If you need a more portable Chromebook to take to classes, to commute or travel with, or to occasionally cart to a café, you may want to consider our other picks instead.

Most people should get the Core i3 model with 128 GB of eMMC storage; it’s fast enough, and it’s often cheaper. But if the Core i3 model is out of stock—or you spot a significant sale—the Core i5 model is also a great option.

Its gigantic screen is ideal for working or for watching videos. The 16-inch, 2560×1600 high-refresh display gives you more room to work on documents and spreadsheets or to watch shows and movies. Its colors are vibrant, the matte display doesn’t throw distracting reflections, and the 120 Hz high refresh rate makes scrolling and other actions look extra smooth.

The customizable RGB keyboard is responsive and fun. But the backlit keys feel mushy, and the keyboard deck flexes a lot, even under light typing. This model is the only one of our current picks with a number pad, so if that feature is a must-have for you, this is the Chromebook to get. The IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook’s extra-wide trackpad is accurate, and it works well for all taps, clicks, and gestures.

It offers long battery life, but it’s large and heavy. The IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook will last a full day of work or school away from an outlet—the Core i5 model ran for 9 hours 15 minutes in our battery test, and we expect the Core i3 model to last a bit longer. But at 4 pounds, it’s the heaviest of our picks. And compared with our top pick, the IdeaPad Flex 5i, it’s much bigger overall, measuring nearly 2 inches wider and an inch deeper. This Chromebook is more convenient to use at home, rather than on the go.

Unlike our top pick, this model can’t work as a tablet. The IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook lacks a 360-degree hinge, but it’s too bulky and heavy to use in a tent mode or tablet mode, anyway. I consistently needed both hands to open it. If you want a large-screen laptop that you can open using a single hand, I suggest the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 (CB515-2H) or HP Chromebook 15a-nb0023dx .

Despite being a “gaming Chromebook,” it doesn’t have an Ethernet port. It comes with three months of Nvidia GeForce Now, but the lack of Ethernet made streaming games unreliable in our testing. It does have a variety of USB-C and USB-A ports for most other needs, though. The webcam is about as good as those of our other picks, and it has guaranteed update support through June 2032.

If you want a lighter Chromebook with longer battery life, more storage, and a more flattering 1440p webcam, we recommend the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (CP714-2W-56B2) . The Spin 714 also has a reliable keyboard and trackpad, as well as a vivid 14-inch display, but it typically costs a couple hundred dollars more than our top pick.

The backlit keyboard feels comfortable and satisfying. I enjoyed typing on it more than on our top pick’s shallower keyboard. The trackpad is on the small side, but it was responsive and accurate, and we didn’t encounter any issues with its size.

The Spin 714 is light and portable, with long battery life. In our battery-life tests, this model lasted 13 hours—the longest of any Chromebook we tested this year. That’s plenty long enough for the machine to get through a full day of work or school without needing to be plugged in. At 3 pounds, it’s more than half a pound lighter than our top pick, too.

It has an excellent display. The 14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen gets a bit brighter than that of the IdeaPad Flex 5i. And like our top pick, the Spin 714 has a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is particularly nice for browsing the web.

You can use it as a tablet or a laptop. The Spin 714’s lid is easy to open with a single hand, and similar to our top pick, it has a 360-degree hinge for tent and tablet modes. Even though the Spin 714 is significantly lighter than the IdeaPad Flex 5i, swapping between modes remains difficult because of this model’s weight and pointy hinge corners, and it’s uncomfortable to hold as a tablet.

Its 1440p webcam is a significant step up over those of our other picks. In our tests, this model’s webcam produced a brighter, more flattering image on Zoom calls. The webcam also has a physical privacy shutter to block it when you’re not using it.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 has guaranteed update support through June 2032.

If our top picks are out of stock: The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook Plus is the next best option thanks to its solid performance and long battery life. It costs a bit more than our top picks, its keys feel stiff, and our top pick’s taller-aspect-ratio display is more convenient, but the IdeaPad Slim 3i is a perfectly serviceable Chromebook.

If our budget pick is sold out: Get the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-4HT-359X) . It has reliable performance, decent battery life, and a 14-inch 1080p touch display. Compared to our budget pick, the Chromebook Plus 514’s keyboard doesn’t feel as satisfying to type on and its webcam doesn’t handle low light as well. But for a $350 Chromebook, this model provides a great value.

If our big-screen pick is unavailable: We recommend the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 (CB515-2H) or the HP Chromebook Plus (15a-nb0033dx)  instead. Both models are fast-enough, reliable Chromebooks with long battery life; get the HP model if you want a number pad, otherwise get whichever one is cheaper. Compared with the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16″ , both of these models have smaller, lower-resolution, dimmer displays with a standard 60 Hz refresh rate, and as a result, scrolling and other animations don’t look as smooth.

If you want a repairable Chromebook: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition allows you to easily replace and upgrade its individual parts, just like its Windows counterpart—which received a repairability score of 10 out of 10 from iFixit and which we recommend . Framework includes a screwdriver in the package, and QR codes conveniently placed by each internal part direct you to step-by-step replacement guides. You can add more storage and memory, replace the battery, extend the ChromeOS support date by upgrading the mainboard with a new processor, or repair anything else if it breaks.

But if Framework goes under or stops supporting this model, then it ends up just like any other Chromebook—when it breaks or its support runs out in June 2032, you’ll have to replace the whole thing. At $1,000, it’s also very pricey for a Chromebook, and its battery life is decent but not superb.

If our upgrade pick is unavailable, or if you spot a sale: The HP Chromebook Plus x360 (14c-cd0053dx)  is another excellent premium Chromebook. It has a satisfying keyboard and a spacious trackpad, but compared with the Acer Chromebook Spin 714, its battery life is shorter, it’s a bit heavier, its display doesn’t get as bright, and it’s harder to open with a single hand.

If you want a Chromebook for streaming games: The Acer Chromebook 516 GE (CBG516-1H-53TY) is the best of the so-called gaming Chromebooks because it’s the only model with an Ethernet port to provide a reliable internet connection for streaming games. It also has a vivid 16-inch, 2560×1600 display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a responsive, comfortable RGB keyboard. Every gaming Chromebook we’ve tested on Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now (Priority and Ultimate tiers) has encountered frustrating hiccups over Wi-Fi on a 500 Mbps internet plan, so we don’t recommend getting a Chromebook to stream games over Wi-Fi.

At CES 2024, Asus announced the CM30 Detachable , a ChromeOS tablet with an included keyboard case, and the ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus (CX5403) . So far the ExpertBook is only available to businesses, but we expect it to roll out for everyone else in the coming months. We plan to test both models when they’re available.

The Acer Chromebook Vero 514 (CBV514-1H-38VS) is fast enough for everyday tasks and offers long battery life, but it has a dim, non-touch screen compared to our top picks and it costs more than our budget picks.

The thin-and-light Acer Chromebook Spin 513 (CP513-2H-K62Y) has a tall, vivid touchscreen and long battery life. But this model won’t be getting Chromebook Plus features , its price has gone up, and stock has been unreliable.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-3HT-R8C2) offers fast performance but has a notably dim display with desaturated colors.

Though the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (CP514-3H-R2D2) is fast and has long battery life, it’s bulky, and it suffers from a dim display and a finicky trackpad.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (CP514-1H) is large and heavy, and its update support ends a year sooner than our top pick’s. The Acer Chromebook 514 (CB514-2H) is too slow for everyday tasks, and our review unit stopped turning on.

During our tests, the N6000 processor in the Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-3HT-P6QW) and the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (CP314-1HN-P138) struggled to support a Zoom call and document editing at the same time.

The ARM-based processor in the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 (CP513-1H-S338) faltered in simultaneously running a Zoom call and allowing work on a spreadsheet.

The Asus Chromebook Flip C433 and Asus Chromebook Flip C434 won’t get Chromebook Plus features and will stop receiving security updates years before our top picks.

At a whopping 4.08 pounds, the Asus Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip is too heavy; this 14-inch model weighs even more than our pick with a 16-inch display . The CM34 Flip is an otherwise good Chromebook with long, 13-hour battery life, fast-enough specs, and Chromebook Plus features.

The Asus Chromebook Flip CX3 is heavy at 3.64 pounds and won’t be getting Chromebook Plus features.

Upgrade options

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 has an older processor, lacks USB-A ports, and failed to last as long as the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 in our battery-life tests.

Though the Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Gen 1 Chromebook has a top-notch keyboard and trackpad, the Spin 714 is smaller, lighter, and cheaper, with longer battery life and a taller-aspect-ratio display.

The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook has a thin and light body, a vibrant 13.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, a comfortable backlit keyboard, and a huge responsive trackpad, and in our tests it offered excellent performance and plenty of battery life. But it retails for more than $1,000.

The above model’s successor, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook , also costs $1,000, plus it has mediocre battery life, lacks a headphone jack, and weighs more than our upgrade pick.

The Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5400FMA-DN388T-S) and the Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook (13″) are more expensive than the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 and will stop receiving updates a year earlier.

Google’s Pixelbook Go will stop receiving updates three years earlier than our upgrade pick.

15- and 16-inch options

The Asus Chromebook Flip CM5 (CM5500FDA-DN344T) has worse performance, a smaller screen, and a higher price than our pick, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16″ .

The Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5601) is heavier, dimmer, and more expensive than our big-screen pick.

The Acer Chromebook 315 (CB315-4HT) , the Lenovo 3i Chromebook (15″) , and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook (15″) all had too-slow processors that struggled with video calls and other simultaneous tasks in our tests.

Gaming Chromebooks

Google worked with manufacturers to design “gaming Chromebooks” that come with cloud-gaming subscriptions, high-refresh displays, and RGB keyboards. After testing these models, we don’t recommend Chromebooks as gaming devices—they’re limited to Android games (which you can play on any decent Chromebook) and game-streaming services, which are dependent on fickle internet connections. The Acer Chromebook 516 GE (CBG516-1H-53TY) is the only one with an Ethernet port, which makes it more reliable for game streaming, while the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip and Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip cost more and lack Ethernet ports. We like the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16″ more for its large screen and low price than its gaming capabilities.

Budget options

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook (13″) won’t get Chromebook Plus features, and its battery won’t last over a full day of work or classes.

Equipped with only an N100 processor and 4 GB of memory, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook (82XH0001US) had difficulty handling simultaneous tasks and video calls.

The MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor in the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (14″) and the Asus Chromebook CM14 and Asus Chromebook CM14 Flip was abysmally slow in our tests.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 512 (R853TA) is decent for young kids thanks to its durable body and spill-resistant keyboard. But it’s slow—it can handle schoolwork or a video chat, but it can’t do both at the same time gracefully. It also suffers from a terrible, low-resolution display.

The base Dell Latitude 3445 Chromebook is comparatively expensive for a machine with a low-resolution display, 4 GB of memory, and only 32 GB of local storage.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet 3 (11″) is a detachable ChromeOS tablet that comes with a keyboard, but its processor is too slow.

Budget models—including the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go and the Acer Chromebook 317 (CB317-1H-C994) —that rely on the Intel Celeron N4500 processor are too slow for even light use. We also found the MediaTek processor in the Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 (CM3200FVA-DS42T) to be exceedingly slow.

A laptop should last at least five years, so we don’t recommend Chromebooks with a support date that expires before 2028—such as the Asus Chromebook Flip C302 (C302CA-DH54) , which is still available at this writing even though it stopped receiving updates in June 2023. Even if you find one cheap, it’s a bad deal.

This article was edited by Caitlin McGarry and Signe Brewster.

Meet your guide

Kimber Streams

Kimber Streams is a senior staff writer and has been covering laptops, gaming gear, keyboards, storage, and more for Wirecutter since 2014. In that time they’ve tested hundreds of laptops and thousands of peripherals, and built way too many mechanical keyboards for their personal collection.

Further reading

The Best Laptops

by Kimber Streams and Dave Gershgorn

From budget-friendly options to thin-and-light ultrabooks to powerful gaming laptops, we’ve spent hundreds of hours finding the best laptops for most people.

The Best Laptop Under $500

by Kimber Streams

If you’re on a budget, these are the best cheap Windows laptops and Chromebooks we recommend after extensive research and hands-on testing.

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Buy a Chromebook

Google’s new Chromebook Plus label will help you find an affordable laptop that isn’t awful.

The Best Laptops for College Students

Of all the laptops we recommend, these offer the best balance of performance and a low price—and that makes them our favorite laptops for college students.

Best Chromebooks of 2024

The best Chromebooks based on our test results

• Best overall
• Best for students

Best Chromebook for business

Best Premium Chromebook

Best chromebook for gaming.

• How to find the right laptop
• How we test
• Why trust Laptop Mag

1. Best overall 2. Best for students 3. Best Chromebook for business 4. Best premium Chromebook 5 . Best Chromebook for gaming 6. How to find the right laptop 7. How we test 8. Why trust Laptop Mag

Chromebooks have come a long way since their basic beginnings. They started as simple, affordable laptops focusing on security and ease of use. While prices have risen slightly as functionality has increased, Chromebooks remain a compelling value compared to Windows and macOS machines. They boast a clean, user-friendly interface that integrates seamlessly with the Google ecosystem, and many Chromebooks offer impressive battery life. If you prioritize long battery life, be sure to check out our list of the top performers . We also have some tips on how to check your Chromebook's battery health.  

In late 2023, Google partnered with various manufacturers to launch the Chromebook Plus series. These Chromebooks boast double the processing power thanks to stricter spec requirements. Google's goal? To ensure these new Chromebooks can leverage the full potential of Google's AI capabilities. After all, in today's world, it almost feels like a computer without AI is missing a key piece.

Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly Chromebook, a powerful Plus Series model, or a high-end option for business needs, we've got you covered. Keep reading to find the perfect Chromebook for you.

The Quick List

Best Chromebook overall

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus with Google's AI-enhanced ChromeOS packs great performance into a sub-$ $500 device. During my short time with the IdeaPad Flex 5i, I pushed documents, edited mixed media, and gamed till I needed a nap. 

Read more below

Best Chromebook for students

This 15.6-inch notebook boasts powerful AI-infused performance, an entire school day of battery life, and a sturdy build. With improved ChromeOS performance and a webcam with all the capabilities of your favorite Android phone, like Magic Eraser, this Acer Chromebook Plus 515 covers all your kid's needs and then some. If they like to create content for their friends, this lightweight laptop can help them do that after they've done their homework. 

The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook goes above and beyond with excellent military-grade durability and outstanding durability. We called it the "corner office Chromebook" for good reason in our review

Best premium Chromebook

Sleek styling and good performance make the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook a compelling alternative to Windows or macOS laptops.

Yes, this is a real thing! The Acer Chromebook 516 GE was created with Nvidia GeForce Now in mind. With an Intel Core i5-1240P CPU, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD of storage, a 16-inch 2k (2560 x 1600) display, and a slick RGB keyboard.

Best Overall

1. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is the best Chromebook of 2023. It's a prodigious, potent, productive 2-in-1 Chromebook with a funky meets business casual vibe. 

This Flex 5i relies on a 13th Gen Intel Core i3 1315U CPU,   Intel UHD integrated graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage — although those specs seem minuscule, the performance will shock you. During our review, we discovered the Plus moniker seriously delivered gaming and video editing performance. 

If you're a young content creator on a budget or a small business owner, you could achieve a lot with a Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus and save money to purchase other things you need to further yourselves. 

Read our full review of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

Best for Students

2. Acer Chromebook Plus 515

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 adheres to Google’s new mantra of double power and double the performance. I could push documents, edit photos and videos while pushing out documents, and watch hours of content on my favorite streaming site. It never struggled with any of the tasks I put before it, and although the battery life is under 10 hours, which is what I was hoping for, I can’t hold that against it at all. 

For a laptop that costs under $400, you can basically do whatever your heart desires, from document pushing, video, and photo editing to even some gaming. You can get all that for just $399. Google and its OEM partners just put Apple and Microsoft on notice. Your students will love what they can accomplish with this Acer Chromebook Plus 515.

See our full Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review .

Best Chromebook for Business

3. HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook

Yes, this Chromebook means business. The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook offers all the simplicity of ChromeOS coupled with the features business customers care about. That includes excellent Intel vPro security, a Titan C chip, and a fingerprint sensor, not features you'll find on your average Chromebook. A free year of Parallels for Chromebooks gives you full access to any Windows apps if you are worried about the oft-overstated limitations of ChromeOS.

If the security and ease of management aren't enough to win you over, then consider the rest of these specs. A 13.5-inch 2K display with up to 400 nits of brightness. An easily portable 2-in-1 form factor, light 2.8-pound chassis, and optional 5G support for frequent travelers. 

At just over 9 hours in our Laptop Mag battery test, the battery life is one area that could be improved upon and as with most Intel vPro laptops you'll hope that work is covering the cost, but given what you'll save on support, it is worth the investment.

See our full HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook review .

4. HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook

If you're looking for a premium Chromebook, you won't find anything better than the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook. It's stylish, sleek, and full of metal (spiritually hard, physically light).

The $999 Dragonfly Pro Chromebook pops off with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U CPU with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD for storage. It glows with a 14-inch, 2.5K (2560 x 1600), LCD touchscreen with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a whopping 1,276 nits of brightness.

Not to mention that the Bang and Olufsen quad speakers on this Dragonfly Pro are loud and pretty darn thumpy, hitting the full range of audio tones whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie.

See our full HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review .

5. Acer Chromebook 516 GE

Gamers might scoff at Chromebooks, and for good reason – no dedicated graphics card. But with cloud gaming services like GeForce Now, the tide is turning.  So why is the Acer Chromebook 516 GE on our best student Chromebook list? Because it packs serious specs that go beyond schoolwork.  Let's face it, as a parent, I know they'll game anyway, so why not have a machine that can handle it? 

Our test unit sported a powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240P CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 8GB of RAM, and a speedy 256GB SSD. The show's real star, though, is the massive 16-inch QHD (2560 x 1600) 16:10 aspect ratio display with a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Schoolwork or gaming, this Chromebook can handle it all.

Read our Acer Chromebook 516 GE review

How to choose the best Chromebook for you

Finding the perfect Chromebook isn't a one-size-fits-all situation.  Students, businesses, and schools all have different needs.  For students who rely heavily on Google Docs , Sheets, and Slides, prioritizing a Chromebook with a long-lasting battery and a comfortable keyboard becomes crucial. Businesses seeking Chromebooks for their employees should focus on models with strong performance and features that make managing them easier, ensuring a smooth workflow. 

If you're a school looking to equip students with Chromebooks, durability, affordability, and features that support a dynamic classroom environment should be top priorities.  This guide is just the starting point - keep reading for in-depth buying tips to find the perfect Chromebook for you.

How much does a Chromebook cost?

Luckily for you, Chromebooks are known for being budget-friendly. There are some premium models out there such as the Google Pixelbook Go that command higher prices due to their long battery life and thin-bezel display. But for the most part, you can find a high-quality for under $500, such as the Dell Chromebook 3189.  

You can also snag a 2-in-1 Chrome book, which is a laptop with Chrome OS that can shape-shift into different modes, including tablet mode, such as the HP Chromebook x360 12b for under $400. A Windows 2-in-1 laptop could be double or triple that price.

Are Chromebooks portable?

When it comes to portability, we need to take a look at screen size and weight. Most fall between 11 and 13 inches, so hauling them around school or the office will be a breeze. 

How well does a Chromebook perform?

Most of the time, these are lightweight devices; Chrome OS sticks to the basics of providing your favorite Google productivity apps with a few extras (unlike Windows operating systems that can be bloatware hell). If you need additional apps, you can download them from the Google Play store. Because many applications on Chrome OS operate using the cloud, this means more free space for your laptop and speedier performance. 

Do Chromebooks have good battery life?

Chromebooks are known for their impressive battery life. Our in-house Laptop Mag Battery Test shows that Chromebooks can last an average of 10 hours on a single charge. This means you can comfortably power through a workday or school day without needing to scramble for an outlet – perfect for those long stretches in class or meetings. 

Are Chromebooks secure?

Chromebooks are a perfect fit for businesses and institutions prioritizing security. Their inherent design makes them highly resistant to malware, offering built-in protection for your employees and students. Some Chromebooks go the extra mile with biometric authentication features like fingerprint scanners, adding another layer of security for sensitive data.

How we test the best Chromebooks

Forget babying your Chromebook! Here at Laptop Mag, we put them through the ringer with our own custom Chromebook drop test . We know students and busy bees juggle these laptops everywhere, so durability is key. But toughness isn't all we check. We also delve into performance, battery life, multitasking power, and more.

Think of us as your Chromebook gym teachers – we push them to their limits! We use industry-standard benchmarks like Geekbench, but our real passion is real-world testing. Our Laptop Mag Battery Test simulates web browsing until the Chromebook cries uncle, while Geekbench helps us gauge processing muscle. We even have fancy colorimeters to measure screen quality and other tools to assess key travel and heat management. Want a deeper dive? Check out our " How We Test Laptops " page for all the nitty-gritty details.

Why Trust Laptop Mag

Laptop Mag reviews over one hundred different laptops every year, from paperweight ultralights to everyday workhorses to lumbering gaming notebooks that scorch the frame rates of even the hottest AAA games. We're not just experts in the laptop field, as we go one step further by meticulously testing smartphones, tablets, headphones, PC accessories, software, and even the latest in gaming. 

We are 100% independent and have decades of experience to help you buy with confidence. In fact, Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing products for three decades, and we continue to deliver trustworthy reviews you can rely on. 

Our experienced team of writers and editors scour the available information about the laptop and put it through its paces to determine which is best for you. But before they start, the testing team subjects each system to a rigorous regimen of synthetic and real-world tests to see how a system handles the type of work and games you’re most likely to throw at it. 

Our editorial trustworthiness is enforced by one of the world's largest technology publishers,  Future Publishing . As a company, we have unrivaled experience across every tech sector — and we're the group's specialist for all things mobile tech. 

See our Chromebook Buying Guide and our Windows 10 vs Chromebook or iPad vs. Chromebook face-off to learn more about them. And check out our best laptops deals page to make sure you get the best price before you buy.

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Mark has spent 20 years headlining comedy shows around the country and made appearances on ABC, MTV, Comedy Central, Howard Stern, Food Network, and Sirius XM Radio. He has written about every topic imaginable, from dating, family, politics, social issues, and tech. He wrote his first tech articles for the now-defunct Dads On Tech 10 years ago, and his passion for combining humor and tech has grown under the tutelage of the Laptop Mag team. His penchant for tearing things down and rebuilding them did not make Mark popular at home, however, when he got his hands on the legendary Commodore 64, his passion for all things tech deepened. These days, when he is not filming, editing footage, tinkering with cameras and laptops, or on stage, he can be found at his desk snacking, writing about everything tech, new jokes, or scripts he dreams of filming. 

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HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review: a colorful competitor

Several companies have tried pricey chromebooks with premium builds and gorgeous screens. hp’s dragonfly pro chromebook is just the latest — and it’s a solid machine, but some hiccups with battery life, weight, and connectivity keep it from being a really great buy..

By Monica Chin , a senior reviewer covering laptops and other gadgets. Monica was a writer for Tom's Guide and Business Insider before joining The Verge in 2020.

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I’m always excited to review Chromebooks like the new $999 HP Dragonfly Pro. These are devices catered to an audience of ChromeOS enthusiast professionals — people who are using Parallels and developing with Linux and maybe even gaming, people who are willing to pay top dollar for the best performance and the most premium hardware.

Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook , Lenovo’s ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook , and HP’s Elite Dragonfly Chromebook were all incredibly exciting devices to review. They had beautiful chassis, great screens, and powerful performance that aren’t abundant in the Chromebook space, and they had prestigious, well-respected branding behind them. But their battery life didn’t live up to their high price.

The first HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook I received for testing only lasted about two and a half hours to a charge. A second unit I was sent lasted much longer — about six and a half hours. That’s an improvement, but still doesn’t measure up to what I get from some of the market’s top models, such as the 11th-Gen Acer Chromebook Spin 714 and the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5. (Those are both cheaper than the Dragonfly as well, and the Spin is much lighter.) Pair that with some unfortunate port omissions, a hefty chassis, and a fairly high price for the consumer Chromebook space, and you’re looking at a device that has both quite a bit to offer and a few considerable compromises. It’s ultimately the RGB keyboard that makes the Dragonfly stand out from its peers — and that won’t necessarily be a draw for everyone.

Reviewer’s Note:  This review was originally published on March 16th, 2023. HP has since provided a new Dragonfly Pro Chromebook unit with better battery life than the unit we originally tested (though it still doesn’t reach the all-day mark under my workload) and a working RGB keyboard. The article has been updated accordingly.

The good is on the outside

Were I only evaluating the chassis, the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook would (mostly) be a slam-dunk recommendation. It has a ton of great perks.

Basically, my one hangup is the connectivity. There is no headphone jack. I think there should still be a headphone jack. People do still use wired headphones. So if you want to connect those (or an SD card, or HDMI monitor or any number of other things) you’ll need an adapter. There are four Thunderbolt 4 ports, which is otherwise a good selection.

The device also comes with an 8MP camera — stated to be the first front-facing 8MP camera, in fact, ever to appear on a Chromebook. It looks fine. I asked a co-worker for his opinion on a Zoom call, and he replied, “It looks like a webcam.” Still, you know, neat.

Speaking of video calls, the speakers on my first unit sound quite good, with a surround quality that was comparable to that of a decent external speaker. The second unit I received actually had some speaker distortion at all volume levels, which made media consumption somewhat unappealing. I have no way to know how widespread this issue is; what I know is that it showed up on one of my units and did not on the other.

Oh, and there’s an RGB keyboard, which can auto-sync to your background wallpaper (or you can set it to a color you prefer). This is a unique feature that you won’t find on more affordable competitors like the Spin 714 and the CX5. It is fairly basic as RGB keyboards go and is not as customizable as those you will find on Windows rigs, but you can have the colors match your desktop background, which is neat. The RGB did not work on the first unit I received (I tried various things, including resetting the device, to no avail), but worked just fine on the second one. So, take from that what you will.

The highlight for me, though, is probably the screen. It’s the brightest screen I’ve ever seen on a Chromebook. HP claims that it reaches 1,200 nits, and cranking it all the way up certainly caused significant pain to my eyes. The 2560 x 1600 (16:10) resolution also makes for a nice viewing experience. And the panel supports adaptive lighting based on your environment. (I didn’t really notice this happening, but perhaps that’s the point.) Again, this is a dream for movie watching and would certainly be my Chromebook of choice for outdoor work.

Humorously, this Chromebook (which is $999 for the Core i5-1235U, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage in my test unit) actually has a brighter and higher-resolution screen, higher-tech webcam, jazzier keyboard, and better port selection than the Windows version of the Dragonfly Pro, which starts at several hundred dollars more.

The issues are within

I have no complaints about the 1235U’s performance. It handled everything I needed it to. I was generally working with three to four apps open and around a dozen Chrome tabs. I continue to run into glitches here and there with ChromeOS — for example, the Spotify and Messenger Android apps were freezing all over the place, very slow to update, wouldn’t close, and wouldn’t resize — but I assume that if you’re considering buying a Chromebook, you’ve decided that you’re fine with those limitations.

The only time I heard fan noise was when I was trying to stream a Spotify playlist overtop the aforementioned load while running an external display. The keyboard was often warm, and the keys in the center occasionally toed the “uncomfortable” line, but nothing caught fire.

This Chromebook has a brighter and higher-resolution screen, higher-tech webcam, and better port selection than the Windows version of the Dragonfly Pro

As I mentioned, the first Dragonfly Pro unit I received had truly abysmal battery life. The second unit did much better, averaging just under six and a half hours. Now, there have also been a few Chrome OS updates since then, and some of the apps I use regularly have also had updates of their own, so it’s hard to know how much of this improvement was on the software side and how much can be attributed to different hardware. Regardless, I’m much happier with the second unit’s result.

Nonetheless, this battery life is still not quite what I’d consider to be all-day, and it’s dwarfed by what we see from some of our best Chromebook picks, including the CX5 and Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 5. I’m happy to see six and a half from something at, say, the Chromebook Duet 3’s $369 price, but I think a Chromebook with a thousand-dollar asking price (which is MacBook territory, and this isn’t a business oriented Chromebook where we’d expect companies to be footing the bill) should basically be exceptional in every way, and this is still an unexceptional result. Battery life is a quality-of-life issue for many people in a way few other features are.

Agree to Continue: HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook

To start using the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, you’ll need to agree to the following:

• Google terms of service
• Sync your Chromebook apps and settings and Chrome browser bookmarks, passwords, and history. (This can be reviewed following setup.)
• Google Play terms of service

You can also say yes or no to the following:

• Send ChromeOS diagnostic and usage data to Google
• Google Drive backup
• Allow apps and services with location permission to use your device’s location
• Let Assistant access a screenshot of what’s on your screen in order to provide tailored responses
• Google Assistant voice match

In total, that’s three mandatory agreements and five optional agreements to use the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook.

I’ll say this for the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook: It offers an eclectic combination of features that you won’t find in any other Chromebook on the market. The Elite Dragonfly Chromebook was good; this is equally funky but more affordable.

I love using Chromebooks like this. It’s a really nice machine, and the RGB keyboard (while basic) is a unique offering that some customers will certainly jump at. But I think to earn a $999 price (which is as expensive as any consumer-facing Chromebook I’ve tested in recent memory) it should be blowing the market out of the water in every category. The connectivity limits and the okay-but-not-great battery life, combined with the weight that is somewhat hefty for this category, mean it doesn’t quite get there for me.

Update, 1:00pm ET, May 11th, 2023:  Updated with impressions from a second unit. See reviewer’s note for more details.

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The best Chromebooks 2024

Google’s laptop-focussed operating system launched over a decade ago and ChromeOS has come a long way since then. Chromebooks are well-known for their ease of use and value for money and we’ve tested the best ones you can buy.

It’s important to be aware of the limitations of ChromeOS compared to Windows and macOS, namely its relatively limited support for third-party apps. It’s also heavily reliant on the internet and cloud storage, even if you can use them offline.

But if you just need a laptop for general everyday tasks, a Chromebook could be for you. And with most Chromebooks getting around eight years of software updates, you shouldn’t rule out some of the older models.

In this article, we’ve reviewed and ranked some of the very best Chromebooks, including from established brands such as Asus, Acer, Lenovo and HP. There’s also detailed buying advice in the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.

Chromebooks are also included in our budget laptop chart , while the main laptop guide features more premium devices. But if you’re set on Chrome OS, you’ve come to the right place.

Best Chromebook 2024

1. lenovo chromebook plus ideapad flex 5 – best overall.

• Good performance
• High build quality
• Excellent touchscreen with stylus
• Lots of storage
• Mediocre stylus performance
• Weak sound volume
• Middling battery life

Lenovo is back at the top of the pile when it comes to Chromebooks thanks to the excellent Ideapad Flex 5. It might not be perfect but no laptop is for this price.

In short, this is a well-built, modern and complete Chromebook that delivers a lot of functionality for the money. With the right hardware, it lets you take advantage of all the possibilities of the platform in an excellent way.

Part of the Chromebook Plus initiative, the Flex 5 has a lot going for it including a compact and well-made design, 256GB storage, a good selection of ports, the necessary 1080p webcam and that notorious hinge giving you lots of different modes to work with.

2. Acer Chromebook Plus 515 – Best Runner Up

• Good audio quality
• Zippy performance
• 1080p webcam
• Nice typing experience
• Average battery life for a Chromebook
• Blah design

Part of the Chromebook Plus movement, the latest 515 model from Acer is a great buy for many reasons.

Sure it’s a snooze-fest when it comes to design so go for something more flashy if that’s important to you and the battery life is nothing special.

However, it is a reliable daily performer overall and that’s what matters most here. At 13 hours of juice, it will be plenty for most users and it also has strong performance, good audio, a solid keyboard and a 1080p webcam.

3. Acer Chromebook 516 GE – Best for Gaming

• Great performance
• Excellent 16in display
• Good port selection
• Mediocre audio
• Underwhelming battery life
• Best AAA gaming experience requires subscription

Chromebooks were never traditionally designed for gaming, but Acer is one of the companies trying to change that. The 516 GE is a very impressive first attempt, combining a premium design with great performance and genuine AAA gaming.

But with only integrated Intel graphics alongside the 12th-gen processors, the latter relies on streaming games via Nvidia GeForce Now instead. Provided your internet connection is solid, the experience here is truly compelling.

With a good range of ports, impressive RGB keyboard and stunning 120Hz display, Acer is on to a winner here.

The 516 GE more expensive than many Chromebooks, but it undoubtedly justifies the extra expense.

4. Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip – Best Battery Life

• Incredible battery life
• Great display
• Impressive 1080p webcam
• Nice trackpad
• Average performance
• Poor outdoor visibility
• Relatively heavy

If battery life is your top priority, look no further than the CM34 Flip.

The 60Wh cell lasted an incredible 19 hours in our benchmark, which cycles between various real-world tasks. Depending on what you’re doing, you might be able to get two full day’s on a single charge.

Combine that with an impressive Full HD webcam, crisp 14in (1920×1200) touchscreen and that all-important 360° hinge, and Asus is onto a winner. Even the ports, keyboard and trackpad are good.

However, the CM34 Flip is held back slightly in terms of performance, even if it’s still fine for everyday tasks. And at 1.85kg, it’s certainly not the lightest Chromebook around.

But if you plan on spending a long time away from a power source, there’s no better Chromebook right now.

5. Acer Chromebook Vero 514 – Best Design

• Durable, eco-friendly design
• Solid performance
• Great webcam
• Underwhelming display
• Unreliable trackpad
• No fingerprint or face unlock

In a world where so many Chromebooks (and other laptops) look similar, the Vero 514 truly stands out. Recycled plastic can be found in the chassis, keycaps, and speakers, while all the packaging can be recycled too.

Deciding against using paint results in a unique speckled grey design, which looks good but also feels impressively durable. Combined with great performance from 12th-gen Intel CPUs and an excellent Full HD webcam, Acer is on to a winner here. There’s also a solid port selection, even if there looks to be space for a second USB-A slot.

But it’s not all good news. Below the impressive keyboard is an erratic trackpad that often has a mind of its own, while the matte display means content often looks dull and washed out, even if it is much less reflective than the usual glossy alternative. You’ll also have to get used to typing in a PIN or password, with no fingerprint sensor or face unlock available.

Whether these are dealbreakers will be up to you. But the Vero 514 is strong in so many other areas that it’s definitely worth considering.

6. Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Gaming Chromebook – Best for Cloud Gaming

• Excellent battery life
• Great cloud gaming performance
• Good connectivity
• Solid display
• Cheap design
• Not the best keyboard and trackpad
• Underwhelming webcam

As the name suggests, this version of the IdeaPad 5 is designed for gaming. Specifically, cloud gaming, where all the most popular services are supported and run well.

That’s due to some impressive performance specs, but also great connectivity options. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1 support are joined by a healthy port selection, with HDMI the only real thing missing.

The 16in, 120Hz display looks good in a range of situations, although arguably battery life is the highlight. It’ll last a full day of general use or several hours of gaming on a single charge, beating nearly all Windows gaming laptops.

A muted design means you can use it for either, but this cheap plastic build is one reason you might want to avoid it. They keyboard, trackpad and webcam could also be improved, while it’s much better value in the US than the UK.

But if you can live with a few compromises and battery life is a priority, the IdeaPad 5 Gaming Chromebook is a great choice.

7. Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 – Best Performance

• Large display
• Good battery life
• Fast performance
• Dim display
• Rough edges on faceplate
• Cramped numberpad

With unusually powerful components for a Chromebook, around Intel Core i3 and i5 processors along with 8GB of RAM, the Flip CX5 is one of the most powerful around.

This ensures smooth performance day-to-day and along with a large screen and solid battery life from a single charge, the CX5 is a great option. Add in the convertible design and it gets even better.

A dedicated numpad might be a boon for some although it is cramped in size and the display is lacking brightness stopping the CX5 from being a knockout package. It also has some build issues worth considering before hitting the buy button.

8. Lenovo Thinkpad C13 Yoga – Best Build

• Excellent build quality
• Great keyboard
• Stylus Included
• Patchy performance
• Poor battery life
• Average cameras

If you want a well-made and hard-wearing Chromebook then this ThinkPad from Lenovo will not disappoint, living up to the famous name.

This applies not only to durability but also elements like the keyboard and the Yoga part means it’s convertible, too. Furthermore, the stylus – which neatly slots into the laptop itself – will be very useful for some users.

On the flip side, the battery life is poorer than you’d expect for a ThinkPad, we experienced gaming issues and the cameras are pretty average, too.

9. Asus Chromebook C423NA – Best Value

• Inexpensive
• Attractive design
• Good keyboard
• Sub-standard battery life
• Slightly underpowered

The C423NA is another classic Chromebook from Asus, providing you with a laptop to carry out day-to-day tasks at low cost. It looks nice, is highly portable and offers a comfortable keyboard and trackpad.

It won’t be able to cope with much beyond basic tasks and the battery life is limited making it more suitable for around the home rather than on the road.

If you want a quality Chromebook that’s more affordable than the Pixelbook Go, the C423NA is a good option. 

Do Chromebooks run Android apps?

This is one of the big reasons to buy a Chromebook. All modern Chrome OS devices are capable of running Android apps, making it easy to use a specific phone app or play mobile games on your laptop. It also makes it easy to share data between devices.

However, if you’re looking at an older model, it’s worth checking whether it supports them on not before buying.

Can Chromebooks run Microsoft Office apps?

The most significant limitation of a Chromebook is that it can’t run some of the Windows software you might be used to. Full versions of Microsoft Office apps won’t run on a Chromebook, although you can use the web-based suite and Android apps.

But the free Google Workspace apps are a very good alternative, with the likes of Docs (Word), Sheets (Excel) and Slides (PowerPoint) offer everything most people are looking for.

For the alternatives to other popular software, see the Q&A section on the Chromebook website .

What specs should I look for in a Chromebook?

There are more premium Chromebooks than ever before, but that’s not what you’ll find on most Chrome OS devices.

Instead, you’ll need to get used to smaller displays and relying on cloud storage rather than storing most files locally. Google offers 100GB of Drive storage with every machine and a range of other perks with every Chromebook bought.

But entry-level processors are likely to hold you back unless you only need a Chromebook for the absolute basics. Look for a device running an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 CPU or higher, and check how recently it was released. In terms of RAM, 8GB is a good baseline to aim for.

When it comes to display, look for a Full HD (1920×1080) or higher resolution and IPS LCD panels. OLED is nice to have, but rare on Chromebooks.

These days, you can find displays ranging from 10-16in. Some offer touchscreens and 360° hinges, which allow the keyboard to be folded out of the way and it used like a tablet. But there are also a growing number of ChromeOS tablets with detachable keyboards.

Battery life is also crucial, but don’t pay too much attention to the capacity itself. Instead, look for how much usage you can expect to get from a single charge. If the manufacturer doesn’t say, read reviews to understand other people’s experience with it.

Author: Chris Martin , Reviews Editor, Tech Advisor

Tech Advisor's Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.

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• IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023)

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023) Laptop Review

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023) is a budget Chromebook. It's available with various Intel CPUs, up to an Intel Core i3-N305, a low-power processor with eight efficiency cores. You can configure the laptop with 4GB or 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. For the display, you can choose between a 768p TN or a 1080p IPS panel; the latter is available with or without touch input. It has Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity, a 1080p webcam, and a 56Wh battery. Ports include two USB-As, one USB-C with support for charging and video output, an HDMI 1.4, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

You can see our unit's specifications and the available configuration options in the Differences Between Variants  section below.

Our Verdict

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook is good for school use. It's easy to carry around, and its battery lasts over 13 hours of light use. It has a sharp, bright display, a spacious but slightly mushy keyboard, and an excellent 1080p webcam. Its Intel CPU has no problem handling nearly anything you can do on a Chromebook, but don't expect to do anything remotely intensive. Also, this laptop isn't ideal for students requiring specialized software that only runs on Windows on macOS.

• Easy to carry around.
• Long battery life.
• Sharp, bright display.
• Excellent 1080p webcam.
• CPU and GPU can't handle demanding workloads.
• Small touchpad with mediocre tracking.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook is bad for gaming. Not many games run natively on Chrome OS. You can play games from the Google Play Store, but some might not work properly, as they're designed for Android smartphones and tablets. Additionally, this laptop's low-power CPU and integrated graphics can't handle even moderately demanding games, and it's only available with slow 60Hz displays with no VRR support. On the upside, the laptop doesn't get hot or loud under load.

• Remains cool and quiet under load.
• 60Hz display with slow response time and no VRR.
• Limited game selection on Chrome OS.
• Slow storage drive.
• Soldered RAM and storage drive.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook is good for media consumption. It's very portable, and its battery lasts over twelve hours of video playback, giving you plenty of time to get through multiple movies and TV show episodes. Its 1080p display looks sharp and gets bright enough to combat glare; however, its low contrast makes blacks look gray in dim settings. Unfortunately, while the speakers get very loud, they sound tinny and unnatural, with almost no bass.

• Speakers get very loud.
• Blacks look gray in dim settings.
• Speakers sound tinny and unnatural, with no bass.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook is inadequate for use as a workstation. Its Intel CPU and integrated graphics aren't powerful enough to handle demanding tasks, and you can only get up to 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage. Also, it runs Chrome OS, so you're limited to web-based apps and Android apps from the Google Play Store. On the bright side, it doesn't get hot or loud under load.

• No Thunderbolt 4 or USB4.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook is decent for business use. It's easy to carry, and its battery lasts easily through a typical workday. It has a sharp, bright display, an excellent 1080p webcam, and a spacious, albeit slightly mushy, keyboard. Its Intel CPU can easily handle general productivity tasks like text processing, spreadsheets, and presentations; however, you'll likely experience some slowdowns if you have many things running simultaneously. You can only use web apps and Android apps from the Google Play Store on Chrome OS, so it might not be suitable if your work requires specialized programs that only run on Windows or macOS.

• 7.6 Multimedia
• 5.3 Workstation
• 7.1 Business
• Updated Dec 07, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.2 .
• Updated Nov 27, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.1 .
• Updated Oct 27, 2023: Review published.
• Updated Oct 23, 2023: Early access published.
• Updated Oct 17, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
• Updated Oct 10, 2023: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
• Updated Oct 02, 2023: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook (model 83BN0002US) with an FHD touch-sensitive display, an Intel Core i3-N305 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. The screen, CPU, memory, and storage are configurable; the available options are in the table below.

You can see our unit's label here .

Compared To Other Laptops

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook is a good budget Chromebook. Its display gets brighter than most Chrome OS devices in its class, and its battery life is also among the best. However, like most budget Chromebooks, its limited performance makes it only suitable for those with a light workload.

For more options, check out our recommendations for the best Chromebooks , the best student Chromebooks , and the best budget and cheap laptops .

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023) is better than the HP Chromebook 14 (2021) for most uses. The Lenovo has a sturdier build, a brighter display, and a better 1080p webcam. It also has a wider port selection, a faster Wi-Fi 6E wireless adapter, and better CPU performance. However, the HP has a slightly better keyboard and touchpad, and its battery lasts almost three hours longer.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023) and the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 (2023) are both budget Chromebooks. Choosing between these two laptops depends on what you care most about. The Lenovo has a sharper, brighter, and more colorful display, a better webcam, and a much longer battery life. It's also more portable since it's a smaller device. However, the Acer has a better keyboard and touchpad, and it's available with much faster CPUs, so it feels more responsive and can handle more demanding workloads.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023) and the Lenovo Chromebook C340 15 (2020) are both good budget Chromebooks. The C340 has a larger 15.6-inch screen and a full-size keyboard with a Numpad, and unlike the Slim 3i, it's a 2-in-1 convertible, so you can use it as a tablet. It also has a sturdier build and a better keyboard and touchpad. On the other hand, the Slim 3i has a brighter display, a better 1080p webcam, and a slightly longer battery life.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023) and the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 14 (2021) are both 14-inch laptops that provide a good user experience overall. The Lenovo has a brighter display, a better webcam, and a longer battery life; however, the ASUS has a sturdier build and a more responsive touchpad. You can get the Lenovo with a touch-sensitive display, but unlike the ASUS, it isn't a 2-in-1 convertible.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2022) is much better than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023). The Acer has a sturdier build, a more tactile keyboard, and a more responsive touchpad. It also has a better webcam and supports Thunderbolt 4, allowing you to transfer files quickly and connect two 4k displays with a single cable. The Acer is available with faster CPUs, so it can handle heavier multitasking and more intensive applications. Additionally, it's a 2-in-1 with stylus support, while the Lenovo is a more traditional clamshell model with touch input.

Test Results

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook has a simple design that doesn't stand out in any way. It has a gray chassis, a two-tone lid with some branding, an island-style keyboard, and a small plastic touchpad. The bezels are thin on the sides but thick at the top and bottom. You can find the speakers on the bottom of the laptop near the front and the air vents near the back.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook's build quality is decent. The lid and keyboard deck are aluminum, while the bottom is plastic. Both the aluminum and plastic feel cheap, though the finish is fairly scratch- and fingerprint-resistant. The lid, keyboard deck, and display flex quite a bit, which can be of concern, as you can feel the laptop bending when picking it up from one side. Also, there are small gaps between the display and the bezels. The feet feel sturdy and stick firmly to the bottom.

The hinges are okay. They feel relatively smooth when opening and closing the lid. Their wide range lets you tilt the screen to an almost flat position, making it easier to share content with someone opposite you. They have too much resistance to allow for a one-handed lift, but they aren't so stiff as to be annoying when opening the laptop or adjusting the screen. Stability is good; there's only a little bit of wobble when moving around or typing aggressively.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook and its power adapter are compact and lightweight.

Accessing the internals is easy. You need to remove ten Philips screws and undo the clips holding the panel with a prying tool. The screws are captive, meaning they remain attached to the panel, which makes the reassembly easier. The clips require a fair amount of effort to undo; they feel sturdy but could still break if you use too much force. Unfortunately, the memory and storage drive aren't user-replaceable, so make sure you get enough for your needs upfront.

You can see the hardware maintenance manual here .

• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook
• 45W USB-C power adapter and cord
• Documentation

Note: Some models come with a 65W power adapter.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook is available with the following displays:

• 14" TN 1366 x 768 60Hz
• 14" IPS 1920 x 1080 60Hz
• 14" IPS 1920 x 1080 60Hz Touchscreen

A 1080p (FHD) resolution looks pretty sharp on a 14-inch screen. The pixel density is just a tad below that of a 27-inch 4k display (163 PPI). Naturally, the HD (1366 x 768) panel doesn't look as sharp, as it has a pixel density of 111 PPI, which is closer to a 27-inch 1440p display. Unless you're on a strict budget, it's best to get a model with an FHD panel, not only because it looks sharper but because TN panels typically have poor viewing angles and worse color reproduction. 16:9 has been the standard aspect ratio for several years; however, it's becoming less common as manufacturers move to a taller 16:10 or even 3:2 as the preferred aspect ratio for productivity. 16:9 can feel a little too short when viewing a document or website, forcing you to scroll more often.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook is only available with 60Hz displays. The touch-sensitive FHD panel has a slow response time, resulting in visible ghosting in fast-moving scenes. The other panels will perform similarly. None of the displays support VRR to reduce screen tearing.

The touch-sensitive FHD display's contrast ratio is decent and within the typical range of most IPS panels. However, it's relatively low compared to other display technologies like VA and OLED. This level of contrast makes blacks look gray in dim settings. The non-touch IPS display will perform similarly, while the TN panel likely has a lower contrast ratio.

The touch-sensitive FHD display gets pretty bright, exceeding the advertised 300 cd/m² brightness. It's good enough for use in most indoor rooms, though you may still have some visibility issues in direct sunlight. It gets very dim at the lowest brightness setting, which is great for dark room viewing, as it helps reduce eye strain. The non-touch FHD display has the same advertised brightness, while the HD panel has an advertised maximum brightness of 250 cd/m².

The FHD display's reflection handling is good. Its matte coating works well in diffusing and reducing the intensity of bright light sources. Reflections are only problematic when viewing dark-color content. You might have a bit more trouble on the TN panel when viewing light-color content because it doesn't get as bright.

The FHD display's black uniformity is okay. There's some clouding on the left side of the screen, as well as some backlight bleed at the top and bottom edges. These uniformity issues are common on low-end devices and are only visible when viewing dark content in a dim setting. The TN panel likely has worse uniformity, similar to the Lenovo 100e Chromebook 2nd Gen (2019) .

The FHD display's horizontal viewing angle is okay. The image dims and washes out relatively quickly as you move to the side, so you need to be more or less directly in front of the screen to get the best accuracy. The TN panel likely has a narrower viewing angle.

The FHD display's vertical viewing angle is good. It's better than the horizontal viewing angle, but only slightly. The image still dims and washes out from above and below; it just doesn't happen as quickly. The TN panel is likely much worse, as TN panels typically suffer from chroma inversion.

The FHD display's out-of-the-box accuracy is okay. The color inaccuracies are relatively minor and hard to spot; however, the white balance is visibly off, especially at higher brightness levels where there's a slight greenish tint. The color temperature is only a tad warmer than the standard 6500K target, not enough to make a noticeable difference. The gamma doesn't follow the curve at all; dark scenes are too dark, while bright scenes are too bright.

The touch-sensitive FHD display has a great color gamut. It can reproduce almost all the colors in the commonly-used sRGB color space. It has good Adobe RGB and DCI P3 coverage but not enough for professional print photography or HDR video production. The non-touch IPS and TN panels have 45% NTSC coverage, which is roughly 65% sRGB, so they'll look more washed out.

The backlight technically flickers; however, the frequency is extremely high and isn't noticeable to most people. As such, we consider the display flicker-free.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook has a decent keyboard. The layout feels spacious and is easy to get used to. The keys have a fair amount of travel but are a bit mushy. They also don't feel very smooth, as there's a slight scratchy feeling in the actuation. Their operating force is on the higher side, which can cause some fatigue over time. Typing noise is very low and isn't bothersome in quiet settings; however, it may not be to your liking if you tend to rely on audio feedback when typing. You can adjust between four backlight brightness levels or turn it off completely. The backlighting is white, leaning on the cooler side.

The touchpad is passable. It's on the smaller side and doesn't track all that well, as the right edge feels less responsive than the rest of the touchpad. Gestures work as intended, but palm rejection is somewhat unreliable. Things like dragging and dropping or zooming in and out of images can be a little challenging due to the size of the touchpad.

The speakers get very loud with minimal compression at high volume levels. However, they sound tinny and unnatural, with no bass whatsoever.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook's webcam is excellent. It captures a sharp image with true-to-life colors; it's just a tad overexposed. Voices sound loud and clear over the microphone with almost no background noise. The privacy cover is only a physical switch; it doesn't turn off the camera at the software level. Some models have a 720p webcam, so check the specifications if webcam quality is important to you.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook's port selection is decent. Both USB-A ports support USB 3.2 Gen 1 data transfer speed of up to 5Gbps. The USB-C port supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 data transfer speed (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort, and Power Delivery. The latter lets you fast charge the laptop and other PD-compatible devices connected to the port.

The wireless adapter is an Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211. Some models have a MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 MT7921 adapter.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook is available with the following CPUs:

• Intel N100 (4 cores/4 threads, up to 3.4GHz, 6MB cache)
• Intel N200 (4 cores/4 threads, up to 3.7GHz, 6MB cache)
• Intel Core i3-N305 (8 cores/8 threads, up to 3.8GHz, 6MB cache)

All three are low-power CPUs from Intel's Alder Lake-N series. Unlike the higher-end hybrid processors, these chips only have efficiency cores and don't support Hyper-Threading. They can handle general productivity tasks like web browsing and video playback just fine, but don't expect to do anything remotely intensive. The performance difference between the N100 and the N200 is very minimal. If you tend to have multiple applications open simultaneously, it's best to get the top-end Core i3-N305, as its higher core count will result in a smoother experience.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook is available with integrated graphics. These GPUs can only handle light tasks like web browsing, text processing, and video playback. You can play some games from the Google Play Store, but you may have to play at a lower resolution to get smooth gameplay.

You can configure the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook with 4GB or 8GB of RAM. Unless you have an extremely light workload, it's best to get a model with 8GB of memory, as you'll get a much smoother experience when multitasking. The memory isn't user-replaceable.

You can configure this laptop with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage. The storage drive isn't user-replaceable.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook with an Intel Core i3-N305 CPU scores poorly in the Geekbench 5 benchmarks. The system still feels relatively responsive because Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system, and most tasks take place in a Chrome browser, but you'll quickly notice slowdowns if you have many things running simultaneously. The Core i3-N305 is the fastest of the three available CPUs; the N100 and N200 will be even slower. Again, unless you have an extremely light workload, go with the Core i3-N305 model.

Cinebench R23 doesn't support Chrome OS.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook isn't ideal for 3D rendering work in Blender. The CPU is far too slow, and there's no support for GPU rendering. If you need to render images, it's best to get a Windows laptop with a discrete GPU or a MacBook Pro with Apple silicon, like the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) .

The Intel Core i3-N305's integrated UHD graphics perform poorly in the Basemark GPU benchmark since it's mainly designed for light, general productivity tasks. You can play some mobile games from the Google Play Store, but you may have to play with low settings to get smooth gameplay. Even then, performance can vary depending on the game because most games from the Google Play Store are designed for Android smartphones and tablets with an ARM processor, so some may not run properly or lack keyboard, mouse, and controller support. The integrated graphics on the Intel N100 and N200 CPUs will perform even worse.

The storage drive performance is terrible. Its slow speeds make booting up, launching locally-stored apps, and transferring files take a long time. The 64GB and 256GB drives will perform similarly.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook's battery life is outstanding. You can easily get through a typical day of light use on a full charge. Models with an HD (1366 x 768) display will last even longer.

Borderlands 3 doesn't run on Chrome OS.

Civilization VI doesn't run on Chrome OS.

CS:GO doesn't run on Chrome OS.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider doesn't run on Chrome OS.

Keyboard temperature and fan noise aren't a problem at all on this laptop. The keyboard is only mildly warm under load, and the fan is barely audible.

We can't test the performance over time because UNIGINE Heaven and Cinebench R23 aren't compatible with Chrome OS. There's likely some thermal throttling on the CPU and GPU, as this is a relatively compact laptop with a single fan; however, it isn't noticeable if you only perform light tasks like web browsing and video playback.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook runs on the 64-bit version of Chrome OS. There aren't any pre-installed applications other than those that typically come with Chrome OS.

Every Chromebook has an 'expiration date' at which it stops receiving software updates. According to Google's official document , the IdeaPad 3i's end-of-life is June 2031. Google may extend this date; it's best to check their official document for any changes.

Intel's new CPUs may sound weak, but they could be great news for affordable Chromebooks

More than meets the eye

More information has been revealed about Intel 's Twin Lake processors which are all about efficiency and low power usage for budget machines. 

In fact, these are CPUs that only have efficiency cores - with no performance cores (the ones you'll find on Intel's workhorse desktop chips) - and the successor to the Intel N100 has been revealed to be the N250.

This Twin Lake CPU features four cores clocked at 1.2GHz according to a data mined leak from @InstLatX64 on X (formerly Twitter). It's expected to be a small upgrade over the previous Alder Lake-N model (N100), but no information exists about the boost clock at this time.

There is a #TwinLake (CPUID B06E0, 4c/4th, 1.2GHz, w/o HTT) among the #Intel test machines:https://t.co/v6qc33SzVDBrand string is "Intel(R) N250" https://t.co/N0Km0vgdgt pic.twitter.com/qqHTcXMAFy May 14, 2024

As spotted by Toms Hardware, it appears as though the Intel N250 will be built on the Alder Lake-S architecture, meaning it has Gracemont efficiency cores which essentially means the chip will perform similarly to a Core i3. The CPU is far from one of the best processors on the market but pricing could be its saving grace. 

That's because the Intel N100 retails for $55 and we're expecting the Intel N250 to be around the same price for the successor mobile chipset. This means that low-end Chromebooks and other laptops running with the CPU shouldn't see a price increase despite superior performance, which could make all the difference. 

For reference, we can turn our attention to the best Chromebooks at the budget end of the scale and what they offer. Those cash-strapped and wanting lightweight computing power can consider the likes of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook for $349. The kicker, however, is a weak sauce 1.1GHz Intel Celeron N4020 CPU. 

That processor is about as barebones as it gets with its dual-core design and just a 6W power usage, and boost clock of 2.8GHz. It's an ancient chip in computing terms having launched in 2019, despite being used in modern Chromebooks. In contrast, the leaked N250 boasts double the potential performance. 

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Twin Lake processors could speed up cheap Chromebooks

While Chromebooks are far from the leading-edge in terms of laptop performance, they offer low prices and lightweight applications as they are mostly web-based. However, doubling the processor's power will be noticeable, and will improve all-round performance with nippier web browsing, word processing, media playback, encoding, and more. 

The N250 is reminiscent of what we used to see from Intel quad-core processors in the time before Core i5, i7, and i9 chips hit the scene. Twin Lake looks to be a compelling improvement over Celeron which continues to cling on after all these years, and while seemingly iterative on the N100 chip, the inbound N250 should provide a solid boost. 

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Aleksha McLoughlin is an experienced hardware writer. She was previously the Hardware Editor for TechRadar Gaming until September 2023. During this time, she looked after buying guides and wrote hardware reviews, news, and features. She has also contributed hardware content to the likes of PC Gamer, Trusted Reviews, Dexerto, Expert Reviews, and Android Central. When she isn't working, you'll often find her in mosh pits at metal gigs and festivals or listening to whatever new black and death metal has debuted that week.

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Call of Duty 2024 will be an Xbox Game Pass release – report

Microsoft will unleash the next version of Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass according to new reports.

Since the Xbox-maker sealed the deal to purchase the Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard last year, gamers have been eagerly awaiting the moment Microsoft bolsters its Game Pass subscription service with the legendary first person shooter.

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Now, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal on Friday, Microsoft will announce the as yet unnamed 2024 version of the game is coming to Game Pass during an Xbox Showcase on June 9. According to the report, it’ll join Microsoft’s other first-party products as a day one Xbox Game Pass game.

It’s not clear from the report whether Microsoft plans to bestow Xbox Game Pass subscribers with this crown jewel of console gaming as part of their existing monthly dues, or whether there’ll be an additional fee.

However, given the a la carte version of the game costs £70 per unit for the Xbox Series X , it’d be a big bet from Microsoft and likely see an incredible swell of subscriptions to its all-you-can-eat subscription service.

If the company did plan to charge an extra fee to access Call of Duty, it would be unlikely to go over too well with loyal subscribers who’ve retained access during the leaner release schedules of the Xbox Series S /X era. Perhaps Microsoft could sweeten the pot by offering all of the DLC with that pack, as well as the previous versions of the game it now has ownership of?

Microsoft paid £75 billion for Activision Blizzard following a prolonged purchase process ,which brought objections from rivals and regulators around the world, who worried about the potentially negative effect on competition in the gaming market.

As a result, Microsoft agreed to keep Call of Duty available on pretty much any platform that can run it for the foreseeable future. So yes, you will be able to buy the next CoD for PS5 too!

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Acer Chromebook 315 (2023)

A big screen is the main appeal of this average chromebook.

Bottom Line

• Decent port selection
• Enough RAM for everyday tasks
• Lags behind competitors in performance, battery life
• Bland, plastic design
• Lackluster display with low brightness
• Poor webcam

Acer's no stranger to delivering budget laptops that stick to the bare essentials, selling entry-level hardware with the low-cost ChromeOS to create affordable Chromebooks . Take the Acer Chromebook 315, which has now been refreshed for several generations. The latest revision (starts at $359; $439 as tested in model CB315-4HT-P8PQ) remains firmly in the budget category, with the peak model topping out at $500. This pricing, though, puts it in competition with some impressive machines, like Lenovo's excellent 5i Chromebook , not to mention some Windows-based laptops. We find 2023's Chromebook 315 a less appealing prospect than past efforts, with underwhelming hardware relegating it, at best, to a second-tier Chromebook pick.

Design and Configurations: Keeping It Simple

The 2023 Acer Chromebook 315 keeps up Acer’s design ethos from recent years—for better or worse. It has a plastic shell that looks like it might be metal, not terribly convincing but not flimsy, either. Little is notable about the design language, lending it a generic and forgettable feeling. Hard to ignore, though, is the keyboard, which continues Acer’s use of an almost convex keycap that's far more wiggly and wobbly than a keyboard should be.

Acer's keyboard does pack a number pad to one side, a welcome feature, and Acer shrinks the arrow keys so that they’re all an even size and harder to mix up. It’s not the best layout, but it’s about as usable as it can get without taking up more space or offsetting the arrow keys. Unfortunately, you'll find no keyboard backlighting here.

Asus includes a sizable touchpad on this model that’s coated in what it dubs “OceanGlass,” recycled ocean-bound plastics. It’s actually deliciously smooth and has a soft but distinct click when depressed. It’s a pad I’d be happy to have on any other laptop, but it doesn’t get a chance to shine on this one.

At the center of the Chromebook 315 is an unexceptional display. It’s a 15.6-inch, full HD (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) touch screen with an IPS panel. Thanks to the display's anti-glare coating, it’s easy to view under a lot of different conditions, but it’s not terribly sharp for the size, and it's weak on contrast. Acer also uses thick bezels around the display, which has the unfortunate effect of making the rest of the laptop bigger than it needs to be. Much unused space on the laptop base could have been trimmed if Acer went with an updated display and slimmer bezels.

Not only is the Chromebook 315 relatively thick at 0.79 inch, but it feels heavier than it needs to be. You could forgive a powerful gaming laptop its weight because of the extra metal necessary for cooling, but this Chromebook's 6-watt chip doesn’t even have cooling vents. Still, the Acer Chromebook 315 weighs 3.65 pounds—not egregiously heavy, but certainly no lightweight.

The rest of the hardware is rounded out with a middling mix of connections. Acer includes a single USB Type-A and USB Type-C port on each side, providing a way to charge the Chromebook on either side and flexibility for peripherals. The Type-C ports are both capable of 10Gbps speeds, and the Type-A ports are 5Gbps. The left side of the laptop includes a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm audio jack, while the right side includes a Kensington cable locking slot. Wi-Fi 6 defines the wireless connection. Turning to the negative, Acer uses a not-great 720p webcam that completely overexposes even in settings that are not particularly bright. Worse even, when it’s not peaking, the image is noisy and lacking in detail.

Acer situates this Chromebook's speakers on the underside of the laptop, though it has plenty of unused space on the keyboard deck that could have housed them for better audio output.

The Chromebook 315 comes in a few different configurations with only some small variances among them. All models come with the same display, though appear to either have multi-touch or lack it on the touch screen. It’s unclear whether some models include keyboard backlighting, as it appears listed as a default on the product page yet isn’t available on our test unit.

The main differences are in memory and storage. You’ll get either 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and either 32GB or 64GB of eMMC storage. Processors vary, as well, with the cheapest configuration running on an Intel Pentium N4100 while the rest run either the Pentium N5100 or the N6000. (The latter was included in the unit tested.) A key difference between the N6000 and N5100 is in their turbo speeds (500MHz higher in the N6000, at 3.3GHz), and the Intel UHD Graphics, which has 32 execution units in the N5100 to the N6000’s 24—all running at the same speeds.

Using the Acer Chromebook 315

While the Chromebook 315's keyboard is serviceable, it’s not capable of the best typing experience. In Monkeytype , I was able to hit a typing speed of 98 words per minute with 97% accuracy, but trying to go faster often had me missing full key presses or hitting edges of neighboring keys because the shape of the keycaps doesn’t really help keep my fingers centered. The small Backspace key and unusual position of the Delete key also don’t help much with mid-stream editing. The keyboard feels soulless, an unpleasant dance partner for my fingertips.

The touchpad, on the other hand, makes this a much more pleasant machine for casual web browsing and navigation. As I’d mentioned earlier, it taps and slides with grace, and its large size makes it easy to execute multi-finger gestures like zooming, two-finger scrolling, and three-finger overviews.

Also in everyday use, the display is less delightful, though the touch screen can get the job done for some more macro navigation. Acer's screen is fairly smooth, so scrolling feels decent, and it also supports zooming. With two side-by-side windows, I can use a pinch-zoom gesture on both at the same time, which could come in handy for image work. The anti-glare filter certainly makes the display easier to see in various conditions, but the display isn’t terribly bright, maxing out at about 230 nits. So, even sitting in a dim room next to a bright window proves a bit of strain on visibility.

The Chromebook's audio chops aren’t going to work for music and cinema lovers, lacking much oomph in the low end, but its sound is reasonably pronounced and loud enough for voices to handle calls, podcasts, and educational content.

Testing the Acer Chromebook 315: Ho-Hum Performance

At $439 for our 4HT-P8PQ test model, the Chromebook 315 is far from one of the ultra-cheap Chromebooks you can find for a little more than $200. While you'll find plenty of competition in that space, the $400-$600 mid-range for Chromebooks also has its fair share of challenge. Acer even has plenty of internal competition among its different Chromebook lines, with the MediaTek-based Chromebook 514 and its more premium AMD Ryzen-based version of the Chromebook Spin 514 .

Asus and Lenovo also have compelling Chromebooks in this price range. The former's Chromebook Flip CM3 is a close match for price but goes a little more portable. Meanwhile, the 16-inch Lenovo 5i Chromebook comes in at a lower price while packing more powerful internals, a bigger screen, similar dimensions, and only a modest half-pound bump in weight.

Productivity Tests

We run three different Chromebook benchmarks that test the system in three different environments: one ChromeOS, one Android, and one online. The first, CrXPRT 2 by Principled Technologies, measures how quickly a system performs everyday tasks in six workloads, such as applying photo effects, graphing a stock portfolio, analyzing DNA sequences, and generating 3D shapes using WebGL.

Our second test, UL's PCMark for Android Work 3.0, performs assorted productivity operations in a smartphone-style window. Finally, Basemark Web 3.0 runs in a browser tab to combine low-level JavaScript calculations with CSS and WebGL content. All three yield numeric scores; higher numbers are better.

The Chromebook 315 proved itself largely more capable than the two MediaTek-powered systems, which also had half as much memory to work with, though both surprisingly came out ahead in the Basemark benchmark. This was still a decent showing for Acer given the similar pricing.

However, the Acer Chromebook 315 fell well behind the Lenovo 5i Chromebook and Acer Chromebook Spin 514. The latter’s advantage is no surprise given that machine's considerable bump in price, but Acer could not afford to fall so far behind the performance of the Lenovo 5i Chromebook while costing $30 more. Lenovo's Chromebook outpaced Acer's by a wide margin in all three of these tests.

Component and Battery Tests

We also run a pair of Android benchmarks to gauge the performance of the CPU and GPU specifically. Geekbench by Primate Labs uses all available cores and threads to simulate real-world applications ranging from PDF rendering and speech recognition to machine learning, while GFXBench 5.0 stress-tests both low-level routines like texturing and high-level, game-like image rendering that exercises graphics and compute shaders. Geekbench delivers a numeric score, while GFXBench counts frames per second (fps).

Finally, to test a Chromebook's battery, we loop a 720p video file with screen brightness set at 50%, volume at 100%, and Wi-Fi and any keyboard backlighting disabled until the system quits.

Between its performance and its battery life, the Chromebook 315 sealed its fate as a ho-hum choice. In Geekbench, it couldn't keep up with the CPUs in any of the other machines, not even the two MediaTek chipsets. Graphics performance coming from the integrated graphics kept in line with the CPU performance. It was a toss-up for the Acer Chromebook 315 against the MediaTek chipsets in the Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 and Acer Chromebook 514, but the Lenovo 5i Chromebook and Acer Chromebook Spin 514 topped the field.

It’s a shame to see the Pentium Silver N6000 performing so poorly, but the lack of action in the low-end beyond the dated "Jasper Lake" reflects that. The lacking performance might have been tolerable had the Chromebook 315 made up for it with better battery life, but no. Its runtime beat only the Asus Chromebook Flip CM3—which is considerably smaller and lighter. The rest of the machines here handily exceeded 10 hours, with the Lenovo 5i Chromebook beating the Acer Chromebook 315 by nearly five hours. Given the main advantage the Acer Chromebook 315 has over the 5i Chromebook is that it’s about a half pound lighter, you'd have little reason to consider it instead.

Of course, all this only takes into consideration the Chromebook 315's performance next to other Chromebooks. The last laptop I personally bought—the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (2022)—was $500 new with a discount I’ve seen many times since I bought it, and it tops the Acer Chromebook 315 in almost every way and feature. That’s more than enough to merit paying $60 more. 

Verdict: Not the Chromebook You’re Looking For

The Acer Chromebook 315 is an affordable and competent machine, but it’s so readily beaten by competitors like the cheaper Lenovo 5i Chromebook, or discounted Windows machines, that we see little reason to recommend it over what's already in our buying guide to the best Chromebooks . While the Chromebook 315 isn't a complete letdown in everyday use, it will likely start to show its age much sooner than rivals. Instead, look to the Lenovo 5i Chromebook for a Chrome laptop that nails the basics and then some for less than $500—or even Acer's own 500 series of Chromebooks for a bit more cash.

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About Mark Knapp

Mark Knapp has covered tech for most of the past decade, keeping readers up to speed on the latest developments and going hands-on with everything from phones and computers to e-bikes and drones to separate the marketing from the reality. Catch him on Twitter at @ Techn0Mark or on PCMag, IGN, TechRadar, T3, Business Insider, and Reviewed.

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