While once considered a novelty item by many tech enthusiasts, Chromebooks have broken out of the “just a browser” mold and become legitimate laptops. They’re full-featured, lightweight machines that can do everything most users need them to do. Best of all, they’re more secure and often more affordable than the competition.
Because they’ve gained such popularity, there are a ton of Chromebooks to choose from at this point. There’s no shortage of choices, from the meager, bargain store devices to the ultra high-end premium segment. While that’s a good thing, it’s also hard to find the right one for you. So we’ve picked the current cream of the crop at various price points to help you narrow down that search.
Is a Chromebook Right for Me?
Before we look at some of the best ‘Books on the market today, there’s a big hurdle you need to jump: is a Chromebook even a feasible option for you?
In short: it depends.
You need to take a closer look at how you actually use your computer to make that call. The biggest question, I think, is: do you live in the browser? If Chrome is your most-used app and 95+ percent of what you do on the computer revolves around Chrome, then yeah—a Chromebook will work exceptionally well for you. There are more than likely Chrome-based apps to cover the other five percent of your computing needs, but again, that’s something you’ll need to do a bit of research on.
The other half is hardware. Think about your peripherals or anything else that you plug into the computer. Most printers and scanners will work flawlessly out of the box with a Chromebook, but you won’t be able to do certain things—like sync your iPhone data to your local hard drive, for example. No iTunes means no local access, which could be a deal breaker for some users.
Similarly, and this may go without mentioning (but I’m doing it anyway), you have to keep your expectations in check. You’re not going to do any hardcore video or image editing on a Chromebook. Not only is the hardware simply too limited for this, but there really isn’t much in the way of software right now, either. Don’t get me wrong—minor image tweaks are definitely possible (and even easy) on a Chromebook, but if you do this a lot, then you may want to look elsewhere.
Basically, if you’re going to be spending anything more than $500 on a laptop, you might be better off looking in the lower-end range of Windows machines—again, you’ll have to keep your expectations in check when it comes to raw power, but they will at least be more versatile.
With that said, Chromebooks have definitely filled another niche in the electronics market that none of us knew we wanted until Google said we could have it. These laptops are a constantly evolving lineup of affordable, rugged productivity machines that can slide out quickly from a briefcase or backpack, boot up from sleep instantly, and have us typing or swiping in seconds.
And in my experience, if a Chromebook is right for you, you’ll absolutely love it.
The Best Chromebooks on a Budget (Sub-$300)
There are a lot of affordable Chromebooks out there—some as low as $99! That said, you get what you pay for in that sub-$150 price-point, so unless you’re really looking to go budget, I’d recommend staying away from that segment of the market. When it comes to budget Chromebooks, spending a little more goes a long way. Here are the best sub-$300 arena.
ASUS Chromebook Flip C100: $260
When it comes to budget Chromebooks, the ASUS Flip C100 might just be the king. ASUS has done an excellent job of keeping the cost down where it makes sense—for example, the C100 uses a highly cost-effective Rockchip processor that gets the job done beautifully. Paired with 4GB of RAM (there is also a slightly more affordable version with 2GB of RAM, which I’d recommend against) it holds up very well to everyday tasks. ASUS also knows exactly where not to cut corners: build quality. For the price, the C100 has a surprisingly solid aluminum chassis and very robust overall build.
And it’s also more than just a Chromebook—its 10.1-inch convertible design and ability to run Android apps makes this an excellent tablet replacement as well. Admittedly, it’s slightly bulky when in tablet mode, but if you don’t have a tablet or are looking to replace and aging unit, you can easily kill two bird with one stone by just grabbing a C100.
The only place where the C100 may fall short for some users is the display size. That 10.1-inch touch panel (at 1280×800 display resolution) might make it hard to use as a full-time laptop—especially for users with less than perfect eyesight.
Acer Chromebook R11: $199-299
If you’re looking for a convertible Chromebook with a slightly larger screen, look no further than the Acer R11. This 11.6-inch Chromebook can hit full-on tablet mode (along with full access to the Google Play Store for Android apps), but still readily get your through a day of pounding keys and plugging away at spreadsheets if that’s what you need.
Its plastic shell doesn’t scream “I’m a premium budget device!” the way the C100’s aluminum shell does, but it does pack some slightly more powerful hardware under the hood—the Intel Celeron N3150 processor will go a long way in keeping sluggishness at bay, letting you do more in less time. I don’t know anyone who can’t appreciate that.
The R11’s 1366×768 touch panel should provide a little less eye strain than the C100’s display, given that it’s not only a slightly lower resolution (on the vertical axis, anyway), but it pairs that with a larger display in the first place.
There are two variants of the R11, depending on your needs: one with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage; one with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. I’m always going to recommend the latter, but at just $190 on Amazon at the time of writing, the former is definitely an appealing option.
The Best Mid-Range and Premium Chromebooks ($300+)
Budget Chromebooks are great, and they fit very well into most people’s lives—if you don’t have a high need for a laptop, the budget scene is where it’s at. But if you’re looking for more power, larger displays, and an overall nicer machine that can fill the laptop void, the list below cover the Chromebooks that fit the bill.
I decided to combine mid-range and premium Chromebooks into the same category for one primary reason: depending on the selection you make, each of these machines can go either way. For example, there are several different versions of the HP Chromebook 13, ranging in price from $499 to $819. The entry level model is a solid mid-range device, but if step it up to (and above) the $599 model, you’ve got yourself a premium Chrome OS machine.
Aside from the obvious—larger screens, premium build quality, etc.—the most notable differences you’ll find in this premium line will be what’s under the hood: processors and RAM. While the ARM-based chips found in most cheaper Chromebooks can get the job done for a lot of people, the more advanced processors found in the ‘Books you’ll see below pack a much bigger punch. While many of them are still using ARM chips, these aren’t of the smartphone-in-your-computer variety—these are often designed from the ground up with Chromebooks in mind. That means they’re made to push more power while still staying cool—you know, exactly what you want in a laptop. And of course, the Intel mobile chips used in Chromebooks are the same ones that you’ll find in many current Windows laptops, and the already-impressive performance is going to be further enhanced when you toss one of those into a lightweight Chromebook.
Further, the RAM issue is still at play here, just like on a more traditional PC. In short, the more RAM you have, the more tasks you can run at the same time. If you’re like me, it’s nothing to have 20+ Chrome tabs open at one time—that can be a lot on just 4GB of RAM, which is why I’d highly recommend looking more towards something with 8GB. But, on the other hand, if you’re a two-to-three tab kind of person, 4GB should be more than enough.
HP Chromebook 13: $499+
When it comes to customization and getting as much or little Chromebook as you need, the HP Chromebook 13 can most likely be your answer. All the models in the line have the same aluminum body and QHD (3200×1800) display resolution, but the innards change fairly dramatically from there—the entry model packs a Intel Pentium processor, while the high-end unit gets upgraded to a beefy Intel Core m5 chip.
The one downside that I can see in the Chromebook 13 is RAM: there’s only a 4GB option. I would like to see 8GB in a model like this, especially when you get into the premium prices. 4GB has been sort of the standard when it comes to Chromebooks for a while now, and with the changing landscape of the web and users’ needs, I’m ready for 8GB to take its place.
If you’re the type to pick and choose your hardware, HP has you covered with its Chromebook13 as well. There’s a customization option that will let you pick the processor—everything from the Pentium 4405Y to a monstrous Core M7 (which adds $1615 to the price!)—as well as display resolutions (FHD or QHD).
You can also tack on some of HP’s accessories, which includes an awesome Chromebook Dock that allows the Chromebook to essentially become a desktop workstation—complete with dual monitors, ethernet, and USB-C. Swoon.
For more information or to order the HP Chromebook 13,
Samsung Chromebook Plus/Pro: $449/???
Announced at CES 2017, this duo is hot off the presses—but don’t discredit them because they’re not even available yet, because these are a pair of mean machines. Both the Pro and Plus models feature nearly identical hardware specs, including a 12.3-inch 2400×1600 touch panel, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a stylus that strongly resembles Samsung’s famous S Pen.
Why the stylus? Well, because these two convertible machines are “built for the Google Play Store.” Much like the smaller ASUS Flip C100 and Acer R11, these are laptops and tablets in one with full access to Android’s Play Store, and at just 2.38 pounds are actually light enough to fit the bill.
The primary difference between the Pro and Plus models will be the processor: the Plus comes with a Samsung-designed hexa-core ARM processor, while the Pro packs an Intel Core m3 chip. The price of the former will come in at $449, though pricing on the latter hasn’t been announced as of yet.
While both the Pro and Plus models look solid, there are a couple of things Samsung should get a slap on the wrist for: no 8GB RAM option and limiting both devices to 32GB of storage. These are premium Chromebooks designed to provide a premium experience, which can be hard to do with limited specs. Still, the processors should help provide a better experience than the smaller, more affordable Chromebooks we looked at above, so there is that.
ASUS Flip C302: $499+
Another CES newcomer, the Flip C302 is the bigger, more powerful brother the Flip C100. This gorgeous machine takes all the great things about the C100—the aluminum build and convertible design—and brings it into a larger, 12.5-inch form factor. There will be two versions that sport Intel Core m3 and m7 processors, respectively. It’s also the only Chromebook on this list to feature up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, both of which are highly desirable qualities.
Unlike some of the other premium options here, ASUS has opted to stick with an FHD (1920×1280) display resolution, which is honestly probably for the best—the fewer pixels, the better performance and battery life you’ll get. While I’m sure QHD panels are nice, I will openly admit that they could be overkill on such relatively small displays. I realize there are a lot of opinions on this subject, however, so I’m just going to stop there.
To offset the comparatively lower display resolution, the C302 does have some other unique features, like an ambient light sensor. Much like your phone, the C302’s display will automatically adjust brightness according to the lighting in the room—an admittedly nice feature to have, I think. It also has a backlit keyboard, which the Samsung units are surprisingly (and disappointingly) lacking.
Pricing for the Flip C302 will start at $499 for the Core m3 model with just 4GB of RAM, with no word on how much the m7/8GB model will run. For more information on the C302, head here, or go here to buy the m3/4GB model from Amazon. Again, we’ll update as more information about the m7/8GB model becomes available.
Note: Since the m7/8GB ASUS Flip C302 and Samsung Chromebook Pro aren’t yet available for purchase or pre-order, both are subject to change by the manufacturer. We will update here if the hardware specifications change once each product has actually made it to market.
If you’ve been holding out for a new laptop and considering a Chromebook as your next machine, there’s never been a better time to make that leap. All the premium features available on these modern Chromebooks make them excellent choices for almost everyone, especially those who want powerful simplicity and an always up-to-date, secure system. For what it’s worth, I’ll be waiting for the ASUS Flip C302—it looks like the best machine of the bunch to this writer.
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