What is the best Chromebook you can buy?
Chromebook laptops are computers that, instead of having Microsoft's Windows operating system installed, use Google Chrome OS, hence its name. It is often possible to find a wide variety of models with very cheap and competitive prices.
But what should you keep in mind when buying a Chromebook? The uses of the equipment can be varied: from a student who use the equipment to navigate, consult information and use G-Suite tools, to professionals or companies that use it as a sales force device.
And it is that Chrome OS offers practically the same experience under the use of the popular Chrome web browser, which surely you are already using on another PC or Windows computer, but with some additional functions.
Next, we have reviewed the best Chromebooks we have found for sale and we have classified them so you can find the best one for the tasks you are going to do with it. Depending on your budget and needs, you have a wide range to choose from.
Shopping guide for the best Chromebooks
What makes a Chromebook different?
These devices base their operation on the constant connection to the Internet, although you can also use them in mode offline. Almost all of its applications and services are on-line, but the main ones such as document handling and spreadsheets are already able to work without connection.
This simplicity allows Chromebooks to use a hardware less powerful than many other Windows laptops, without affecting the overall performance.
Can Chromebooks run Android applications?
Some do it and some do not. Obviously, you should buy a Chromebook that runs Android applications, as this greatly expands the amount of available applications that you can run.
As you read later, Google has a lot to do. Application developers have work ahead to make Android apps perfectly adapted and integrated into a Chromebook.
Some applications are not optimized to run on screens larger than those of a smartphone or tablet. This problem has been experienced for years by users of tablet, that sometimes they have found with bad adaptations and management of resolutions that do not take advantage of the quality of the screens.
However, there are many others that can serve as an example, as is the case of Netflix, which allows you to download videos and series to watch them offline. It is something that was not possible on a Chromebook before Android applications were not supported.
Thus, all the models that appear in the article run Android applications, but pay attention when you buy any of them, in order to acquire the correct model and not an earlier version that has been discontinued or does not comply with this compatibility.
- Acer Chromebook 14
- Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA
- Dell Chromebook 11 5190 2 in 1
- Google PixelBook
- HP Chromebook 11 G6 EE
- Lenovo 500e Chromebook
What happens to the Chromebook specifications?
Within what is the configuration of these Chromebook laptops, you will not find the presence of large capacity hard drives, high-end processors, and in general, neither high resolution screens (except Google PixelBook and some other).
In return, Google offers 100 GB of storage on-line with each machine, together with highly efficient mobile processors to eliminate the need to include active and noisy fans. The size of the screens usually varies between 12 and 13 inches.
One of the advantages of these Chromebook devices is that prices tend to be less than 400, and many of them sell for just over 200. Check out the models currently available on Amazon.
The new generation with higher price is usually associated with some particular feature, such as having screens with touch handling, more storage, or the occasional additional feature such as the use of digital pencil.
There are many similarities in most Chromebooks, with a keyboard layout and screen resolution that is generally standard, super fast boot times and high availability thanks to its energy efficiency and low battery consumption.
Chromebooks have come a long way to the current days. The range of screen sizes now extends from 10 to 16 inches and there are not only certain models with touch screens, but some have hinges that allow the screen to fold up to 360 in order to use it as a tablet.
For most people who only want a laptop to surf the Internet, create documents and spreadsheets, transmit videos or transfer sharing with the smallest of the house, an economical Chromebook is an excellent option.
If you intend to buy a new laptop and you are not sure why to opt for it, here we show you the best laptops of this year regardless of its platform, including Windows.
However, Chromebooks are actually designed as a second device: as a rule, you will keep a main computer or laptop for home, but nobody denies since the Chromebook is a lightweight, economical and portable alternative with a full keyboard.
Some of our guide's models are not new, but we assure you that they are still for sale and can be a good option economically speaking.
Should I buy a Chromebook?
We are not saying that Chromebooks are a perfect solution for everyone, as there are still limitations you should consider. The most significant thing is that, unlike Windows computers, Chromebooks cannot run all programs. For starters, there is no iTunes (and therefore no iPhone support).
To know the alternatives to software, check the Google Make the switch 'page, with which you can discover the equivalent of available Windows applications.
Full versions of Microsoft Office will not run on a Chromebook, although you can use the suite room Based on the web and Android applications. The suite room Google Docs is a very good alternative: your collaboration on-line It is simple and exemplary.
The support of peripherals and other devices is also unpredictable, so if you need to use printers or other external disks to do your job, you should check first if your new Chromebook has the drivers or is compatible.
If you are looking to buy a cheap laptop, here we leave this link to our article on the best cheap laptops this year.
Acer Chromebook 14
Acer's commitment to a portable Chromebook with a generous display area of up to 14 inches seems very successful, within a Chrome OS ecosystem in which it seems that the small size that favors its transport is always sought.
Another point in favor that should be noted Acer Chromebook 14 It is the impressive battery that gives us generous times of use that go beyond 11 hours and 13 minutes in constant video playback mode.
The rest of the same components are somewhat more modest than the ones you can find in the last generation Chromebooks, but it is something that makes it possible for their acquisition price to be the most desirable for those looking for entry-level offers.
Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA
Asus has a habit of doing things well in the world of Chromebooks, a platform he has been supporting for several years, something that is appreciated in this Flip C302CA model. Its design is elegant, lightweight and powerful components with great battery life.
It is a system equipped with a 12.5-inch full HD multi-touch screen that can rotate on itself up to 360 to adopt 4 different modes of use, those that characterize convertible or transformable laptops within the world of mobility.
The Asus Flip C302CA It has an Intel Core m7 6-generation processor and 8 GB of RAM inside, which optimizes battery consumption to ensure up to 10 hours of use under normal use. A microSD slot and a USB-C port is all you need along with its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options.
As you can see, its price is above average, although the advantages provided by the Asus model come to justify it. If you have a high budget, the Flip C302CA is one of the best options.
Dell Chromebook 11 5190 2 in 1
The manufacturer Dell is another one that has remained faithful to Google and its operating system over the years, as it has also done on occasion with Linux operating systems, of the few that have marketed laptops with a system other than Windows
Dell Chromebook 5000 Series It tries to combine usability with robustness by also being oriented towards teaching and being part of the classrooms of children of school age. It uses an 11-inch touch screen and a hinge that rotates 360 to ensure various modes of use.
Dell boasts that it is possible to exceed 13 hours of use of the laptop in normal conditions, which will allow to face the class schedule and the possibility of doing homework later at home.
All this offered at a low entrance price that includes the software Optional Google Suite G in addition to the Classroom platform with which students can organize and stay in touch with their teachers.
Google Pixelbook
It is easy to fall in love with the elegant hardware exhibited by the Pixelbook, the Chromebook model developed by Google itself with which it intends to show the rest of the manufacturers the quality possibilities that can be achieved with this type of notebook.
However, the combination of advanced components, such as the screen, along with the Chrome OS, may not be the best combination, since the attractiveness of the low price here disappears completely when it costs more than 1,000.
And for a similar price to the Pixelbook you can find advanced equipment based on other more compatible platforms, such as Microsoft's Windows-based Surface, or Apple's MacBook Air with macOS.
In this way, the Pixelbook user profile is limited to advanced users who want to get the best Chromebook experience on a laptop. In our country, Google does not market it so you will have to resort to Alternative web pages, such as eBay.
HP Chromebook 11 G6 EE
It is a reality that Chromebooks are making their way into the educational and business sector, a profile that this model is proposed by the HP company. For this, both the Chromebook 11 G6 and the Chromebook 14 G5 have compact and resistant finishes.
Inside, they have a 7-generation Intel Celeron processor configuration accompanied by 8 GB of RAM, leaving behind the initial models that barely had 2 and 4 GB.
Its hinge allows you to rotate the screen up to 180 degrees in order to facilitate its operation with a wide range of viewing angles. You also have a USB Type-C port to charge your battery, and another port in standard USB 3.0 mode. Add 802.11ac dual band Wi-Fi communications to ensure constant connectivity.
If for something it stands out HP Chromebook 11 G6 EE bet It is for a good relationship quality and price that will make the equipment accessible to a mass public.
Lenovo 500e Chromebook
This second generation of Lenovo Chromebook focuses on bringing together the best features thinking about education and the classroom. Thanks to its 360 degree hinge, The Lenovo 500e 2-in-1 Laptop It can be used differently with your digital pen to write and take notes on the screen.
It is a compact model with 11.6-inch screen that promotes mobility, with an autonomous that can be extended at 10 hours of use with its 42 Wh battery. Storage is supported on a 64 GB eMMC drive.
Another point in favor of Lenovo e500 is its great connectivity, with 2 USB Type C ports, another 2 USB 3.0 ports, microSD card reader, headphone output and volume control. Its keyboard is waterproof and offers additional resources thinking about the area of education, as is the case of the G Suite for Education.
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