Chromebook

Chromebooks are a special category of small laptops designed to be easy to use, secure, compact, highly portable, and affordable. We've analyzed numerous models and concluded that they offer the best value for money.

However, as you'll see in this article, Chromebooks aren't for everyone. Their price starts at around €180 , and for that amount, you'll get a fully functional computer capable of performing the most basic everyday tasks : browsing the web, checking email, streaming video, listening to music, editing documents, and so on. But there are other functions that Chromebooks can't perform, such as tasks that require more demanding software, playing video games (for that, there are gaming laptops ), or running Windows or Apple software. As long as you keep these limitations in mind, you'll get along well with your Chromebook.

[alert-announce]If you're looking for small Windows laptops or ultrabooks , follow the link we just provided.[/alert-announce]

That said, which is the best Chromebook right now? Which device is worth investing your hard-earned money in? Well, answering that question in general terms is practically impossible, since every user's needs are different. Some will value screen quality more, others a thin and light laptop, others a comfortable keyboard, or a long battery life. For this reason, we've reviewed and compared the most interesting Chromebooks currently available. Each one has its pros and cons, and you'll find them all in this article.

The best chromebooks

Below, we've quickly listed what we consider to be the best Chromebooks currently available. Whatever your needs, you're sure to find the perfect one among them. But before we delve into each model, let's take a quick look at a comparison :

If what you're really looking for is a small and lightweight laptop that doesn't run ChromeOS but rather Windows or macOS, here's another laptop comparison for you.

Keep in mind that configurations and prices may change over time , so it's best to check the link for each model to stay up-to-date. We've listed the price of the base version of each unit, but the good news is that these laptops are priced under €500, making them great for all budgets. Let's take a closer look at the most popular models.

Best value for money: Asus Chromebook

Asus offers the most affordable Chromebooks on the market at the time of writing. Their entry-level Z1400cn starts at under $ 300, and for that price, you get a very well-rounded 11-inch laptop that is quite powerful.

It features the new generation of Intel Celeron processors (1.6 GHz, up to 2.48 GHz ) , which is what most Chromebooks of this size offer. If that's not enough for you, it also comes with 4 GB of RAM in its standard configuration. There are plenty of these in stock, and the devices aren't more expensive for it. The RAM isn't upgradeable, but the M.2 storage drive is quite easy to replace with a larger one if you want.

Features aside, the Asus Chromebook is a lightweight and well-built laptop . Its gray casing is nice, but some might find it a bit bland. We disagree that the 60692 is any less attractive than other Chromebooks on the market. On the other hand, this device has a good matte screen (TN panel, 1366 x 768 pixels), a decent keyboard and trackpad, and a good selection of ports on the sides (HDMI, one USB 2.0, one USB 3.0, and a card reader). As for battery life, it lasts for around seven hours.

In short, it's hard to say anything bad about this laptop, especially considering its price . That's for the base version; if you want the more powerful one, we recommend checking out the deals we've listed.

Speaking of the Asus Chromebook, this model is available in white or a more attractive gray , and comes standard with 32GB of storage. It still uses a TN panel, so the screen quality hasn't improved much compared to previous models (in fact, it looks worse in bright light due to reflections on the glossy surface), but if you like to clean and touch your laptop screen, this model is one of the few Chromebooks that allows you to do so.

The basic version of the Asus Chromebook has a recommended price of 350 euros, but you can find it a bit cheaper if you buy it online.

Second place: Acer Chromebook

If we had to choose the best 13,3-inch Chromebooks currently available, there would be a fierce battle between the Medion described earlier and this Acer Chromebook CB3 . It's true that it's not more expensive than the MD 60692 and is difficult to find in Europe, but in many ways it represents an improvement over the Medion model.

The base version has technical specifications such as a different processor: an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon , 8GB of RAM , and 64GB of SSD storage. For a little more money, you can get a configuration with more RAM. In daily use, the Acer is fast and even more responsive than the Asus , as long as you don't overload it, and it does so with a 9-10 hour battery life, which puts it at the top of the Chromebooks currently available on the market.

Aside from that, the Acer Chromebook CB3 has a very solid and reliable build, but it is heavier and thicker than other 13,3-inch Chromebooks (1.49 kg and 1,9 cm thick), mainly due to its large battery. The port selection is also good, with two USB 3.0 ports (while most of its competitors have one or none). Furthermore, both the keyboard and trackpad are good.

[alert-success]One of the standout models in our laptop brand comparison .[/alert-success]

As for the screen, it's average at best. The TN panel and its 1920x1080 pixel resolution put it ahead of the Acer and most small 11-inch laptops, although its glossy finish will be annoying if exposed to bright light.

In short, you should choose the Acer Chromebook CB3 if you're looking for a sturdy, fast 13,3-inch laptop with long battery life . The 4GB RAM configuration is certainly appealing, as it's not easy to find a Chromebook with a Celeron processor that offers more RAM. However, if you want a sleek and lightweight Chromebook and battery life or build quality aren't a major concerns, you'll find better, and cheaper, options.

Toshiba Chromebook (13 inches).

If you've read our Chromebook comparison, you'll see that one of these models could be perfect as a laptop for students who intend to use it for everyday tasks. In this vast array of devices, we've determined that the Toshiba Chromebook is the best in this category. It has a very light and thin design , making it perfect for carrying and traveling with you wherever you go.

This laptop for university uses the Chrome OS operating system, which is based on the Chrome web browser. For this reason, you'll need internet access to use it , but objectively speaking, we don't think it's a major problem if it's used exclusively at the university, since internet will always be available. I doubt you'll be taking it to the countryside... The price is more than reasonable for what it costs.

As for its specifications, it uses an Intel Celeron N2830 processor and 4GB of RAM, which should be enough power for essential tasks, from creating and editing to more. It's true that it doesn't have the power of some university laptops, but if you're looking for something lightweight and basic, I can recommend this one.

You'll find everything you could want, including a high-quality IPS display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and a wide variety of ports to connect this student laptop to a multitude of devices. This is something you'll appreciate given the limited internal storage, typical of Chromebooks.

Roughly, if you are a student, writer or person who wants the most basic without getting hung up, it is recommended. In the case that you do not need to install any application or program for the classes, you will not have a problem.

• Good things: Good screen. HD audio that sounds great. Low and attractive price. Battery of about 9 hours, more than the average.
• Bad things: The screen is not touch. Not suitable for very demanding use.

Bonus: The famous Macbook Air

This section is an extra because not everyone can afford it, and although we have previously listed the most outstanding ones, if you have a large budget and want the best user experience, we would definitely tell you to buy the much-talked-about Macbook.

Compared to previous laptops, the 13-inch MacBook Air comes with its own operating system , and we're telling you now, once you buy an Apple device, you won't want anything else. Yes, they're more expensive , but the features are also superior. As we said, we're mentioning it as an extra in case you want to consider it, but if you only want to use it for work or pure functionality, there's no need to spend that much.

What is there to know about small laptops?

Before going into detail, we'd like to clarify a couple of things that are important for you to know about Chromebooks so that you can make your purchase decision with all the information possible (if you already know about Chromebooks you can skip this section):

Chromebooks don't run on Windows or macOS, nor on any software designed for those platforms. Chromebooks run on Chrome OS , an operating system based on Google's Chrome browser. If you're familiar with how it works, you'll get the hang of using a Chromebook in no time. The interface is minimalist, and you won't have to deal with updates, viruses, or other hassles. You simply install the apps you want from an app store, much like you would with a tablet or smartphone.

Chromebooks are low-powered computers designed for basic tasks . They fall short when it comes to running demanding games or specialized software, as these aren't designed for Chrome OS. Furthermore, while these devices can multitask, it's best not to push them too hard if you want to work smoothly.

Chromebooks are generally small and compact laptops , with 11,6 or 13,3 inch screens, although there are some larger models.

Chromebooks are mostly internet-dependent . Both Chrome OS and most apps are cloud-based, so they need an active connection to access data on servers. However, you can also use Chromebooks offline, although with limited functionality. These devices tend to offer small storage drives (16 to 32 GB), which may be sufficient for all your files (movies, files, music, etc.). If you plan to travel a lot with your device, you should consider buying a 3G /4G model.

For all the above, you should assess whether a chromebook is the ideal computer for you or on the contrary you need a small laptop that depends to a lesser extent on the Internet and allows you to do more offline tasks.

As a very positive point is its price and it is that they cost less than many current tablets on the market and allow the use of much more professional office applications for.

Next we are going to talk about the most outstanding cheap and quality small laptop models.

Conclusion about chromebooks

After these words, let's summarize our conclusions regarding Chromebooks. If you're looking for the perfect Chromebook, forget it; you won't find it. No gadget (laptop, phone, tablet, etc.) can be. However, there are some Chromebooks that come close.

If we focus on the smaller 11-inch models, the Acer Chromebook C720 line offers a lot for a little money , which is why it's one of our recommendations. Another interesting option is the Dell Chromebook 11; it's a bit faster, more robust, and more durable, but it's much more expensive and harder to find in Europe. As for the Asus Chromebook C200, it has enough power to handle your basic tasks, and it's also a quiet and efficient laptop. Finally, the Samsung Chromebook 2 11.6 looks and feels great, but it's too expensive and underpowered to rank among the top choices.

If you're looking for a slightly larger Chromebook, our top picks would be the HP Chromebook 14, the Toshiba Chromebook CB35, and the colorful Asus Chromebook C300 (fanless) . It's also worth considering the Samsung Chromebook 2 13.3, as it boasts a wealth of features, a sleek design, long battery life, 4GB of RAM, and a 1080p display. All at a very affordable price. However, its sluggish processor might frustrate anyone seeking speed. Last but not least, there's the Chromebook Pixel, an impressive device, though perhaps a bit too basic for a Chrome OS laptop.

In short, Chromebooks seem to be great travel companions or the ideal mini-laptop for kids . They're also highly recommended for users who simply want to browse the internet, check their email, play multimedia content, and so on. Paying between €180 and €270 for one of these devices is more than justified.

Paying more isn't the answer, mainly because you can get decent Windows laptops , or even 2-in-1s like the Asus Transformer Book T100, for under €400. You could argue that Chromebooks are generally simpler to use, more compact, and less troublesome than any Windows machine, and to some extent, that would be true, but it would only be good up to a point. They still have some limitations compared to more powerful laptops.

With that, we conclude our reviews of the best Chromebooks currently available. We're constantly updating the information, so stay tuned for more. Oh! And if you found this article helpful, please share it , and of course, the comments section is open to any feedback you may have.