The best Chromebooks for students this 2020

If you are a student looking for a new laptop, Windows laptops and MacBooks are not your only options. For a couple of years it is possible to find Chromebook for students. (Although you don't need to be a student to enjoy a Chromebook either, by the way)

Google Pixelbook Go open and seen from above, it is on a wooden surface and on one side a dirt floor with dry leaves one of the best Chromebooks for students

We've reviewed hundreds of notebook computers here at Digital Trends, testing essential factors like overall performance, battery life, keyboard comfort, and screen quality.

We discovered that the ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 It excels at everything students need to do their jobs, including a 12-hour long-life battery, an ultra-rugged portable design, an included optical pencil, and adequate performance.

The best Chromebook for students:

Best Chromebook for Students: ASUS Chromebook Flip C214ASUS Chromebook Flip C214

ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 on a white table next to a red mug and a green lamp

Why should you buy it?Offering military-grade durability, a long-lasting battery, and an integrated stylus, it's the best choice for the Chromebook for students.

Who is it for?Students who want an exceptional rugged notebook that offers an all-day battery life with pencil input, all for an exceptional price.

Why did we choose the ASUS Chromebook Flip C214? ASUS designed the Chromebook Flip C214 as a student-centric laptop from scratch. Positioned as an option for educational institutions, the C214 features everything that makes a Chromebook ideal for students, including a battery that can last up to 12 hours on a single charge. The convenient 2-in-1 design means that students can use it as a laptop or tablet, using a pencil in any mode to take notes or sketch ideas.

The ASUS Chromebook is also built to military-grade specs, so you won't have to worry about throwing it in your bag. Each of up to 1.2 meters has been tested while powered on and the unit can withstand up to 30kg of force without damage. The laptop also has other durability features, including a rubber bumpers, a spill-resistant keyboard, and an easy-to-grip, anti-scratch rubber finish.

The entire system is backed by an Intel Celeron Dual-Core processor with 4 or 8GB internal memory, which is enough to surf the web, manage word processing, and get the job done. The 11.6-inch screen is HD + with a resolution of 768p, not the best machine for watching movies, but the resolution is more than enough to finish the task on time.

The second best Chromebook for students: Google Pixelbook Go

Google Pixelbook Go open and seen from above, it is on a wooden surface and on one side a dirt floor with dry leaves

Why should you buy it? Despite being on the more expensive side, the Pixelbook Go is the best Chromebook you can buy, making it ideal for both students and everyday users.

Who is it for? For anyone who wants the best Chromebook on the market, including students who demand the best performance.

Why did we choose Google Pixelbook Go?Without a doubt, Google Pixelbook Go is the best Chromebook you can buy right now, but it is priced much higher than our best pick. With a 13-inch Full HD display, the screen offers plenty of room for students to manage multiple windows side by side, like when researching and writing an essay. Nor will it lack computing power, thanks to the inclusion of an Intel Core m3 processor in the base model, which can reach an Intel Core i7 processor in its largest configuration. The latter option even scales the screen from Full HD to 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD), ideal for when you want to kick back with a little Netflix binge after a long day of classes.

Features we think will stand out for students include 12-hour battery life thanks to a 47W battery and the ability to charge in 20 minutes long enough to work up to two hours. If you're working in a dark conference room, Chromebook Go's comfortable backlit keyboard will allow you to continue taking notes without worry. The magnesium finish also keeps the Pixelbook light but strong, protecting it as you change from class to class.

Best Budget Chromebook for Students: Samsung Chromebook 3

Samsung Chromebook 3

Why should you buy it?Samsung offers a solid Chromebook for students looking to get the job done, all at an affordable price.

Who is it for? For students looking to buy an affordable Chromebook so they can do schoolwork without going to the bank.

Why did we choose the Samsung Chromebook 3? Chromebooks originally started out as seemingly cheap machines, but premium options on the market have helped Chrome OS become an operating system capable of more than just web browsing and word processing.

However, if you are a student who just needs to surf the web to do some research and then write an essay in Google Docs, the Samsung Chromebook 3 is here and it's affordable.

With an Intel Celeron processor with 4GB of RAM, you don't want to watch 4K UHD movies on this unit, but it certainly can help you analyze the latest novel in the English class. We would not choose a cheap laptop option.

We made sure that the Samsung Chromebook 3 was well built for its price range and also offered student-focused features. Students will benefit from the Chromebook 3's 11-hour battery which should last well in every class and conference.

The Samsung Chromebook 3 also features a lightweight design of around 2.5 pounds, making it easy to carry. The included waterproof keyboard also helps prevent damage if you spill a bottle of water during your furious studio sessions.

Overall, Samsung offers an excellent and inexpensive option for students looking to get the job done while saving a little money.

Best Multimedia Chromebook for Students: Lenovo Yoga C630

Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 silver gray semi-open top view and on a green round tableMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Why should you buy it? Lenovo's Yoga C630 offers a large 15.6-inch touchscreen that outshines other Chromebooks, giving plenty of screen space to get the job done.

Who is it for? For students who need extra screen space to multitask, as well as those who want to relax after a long day of classes with a Netflix session.

Why did we choose the Lenovo Yoga C630? Lenovo offers a Chromebook aimed directly at the hearts of students looking for big screens and those who plan to watch some shows after class ends. With the most massive screen of all the Chromebooks on our list, the 15.6-inch Full HD screen allows students to multitask with ease, opening more windows than a smaller screen would allow. Do you need to work on an essay in Google Docs, extract research from the web or refer to a notes application? No need to worry, thanks to the Yoga C630. Best of all, despite the big screen, the C630 still has an impressive 10-hour battery life.

The Yoga C630 features an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, making it one of the most capable Chromebooks on our list. Of course, due to the large screen size, the unit is on the heavier side, at 4.2 pounds, although it's not an extreme weight, it's something to keep in mind if you were taking it from class to class every day. We were also thrilled to see that the C630 offers the latest AC wifi standard, ensuring you get the fastest wireless signal possible.

The best Chromebook tablet for students: Google Pixel Slate

Google Pixel Slate with its blue screen desktop in the hands of a personJulian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Why should you buy it?Google Pixel Slate offers the best Chrome OS experience in tablet form while offering useful accessories, including a keyboard and pencil.

Who is it for? For students who prefer tablets or those who will primarily perform a job with a pencil, such as majoring in art or engineering.

Why do we choose Google Pixel Slate? Pixel Slate by Google offers the best tablet experience with Chrome OS right now and is a great choice for students who want to use a stylus. The careers that come to mind include art students who may need to draw and draw, as well as engineering students who need to write down mathematical formulas.

We know that Google Pixel Slate is not technically a Chromebook; It is more of a "Chrometablet". Still, if you're considering acquiring a Chrome OS device for school, it's worth checking out if you think you would benefit from the tablet form.

Of course, you won't always use it in tablet mode, as Google offers the Pixel Slate keyboard, which turns the tablet into a normal Chromebook in no time. Whether in tablet or laptop mode, you can enjoy the tablet's integrated Intel Core m3 processor with 8GB of RAM, which you can upgrade to an Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM on high-end models.

The unit is not only powerful for any task you want to perform, but also features an excellent 12-hour lifetime battery life on the go.

It is necessary to know that the tablet is one of the most expensive options on our list, and acquiring the keyboard and the pencil will further increase the purchase price.

How we test equipment

At Digital Trends we spend time carefully researching and reviewing laptops on a variety of platforms, including Windows, MacOS, and Chrome OS. Our guide to the best Chromebooks for students was put together after careful research to ensure that every product we recommend meets the daily requirements of those who will use it.

Essential aspects such as battery life, overall performance, portability and functionality were taken into account to help you select the best option.

For Chromebooks that have entered our test facilities, we ensure that their internal components, including the processor, video card, and hard drive, are compared and meet expected performance levels.

We spend time with proven computers so we know what it's like to use them day by day, just as you would use them. All of our work results in extensive testing that you can build buyer guides you can trust to offer the best recommendations available.

Should you buy a Chromebook?

In a Windows and MacOS world, Chrome OS and Chromebook are apparently the third option. Are they good enough for you to buy? Some students will fall in love with their Chromebooks, while others will quickly become enemies. So what makes a Chromebook the perfect choice for you? The answer boils down to how you use your current computer and the applications you trust to get the job done.

While MacOS and Windows are full-featured operating systems, Chromebooks have Chrome OS, a platform based on the Chrome web browser. A great way to test whether or not you can do your daily work on a Chromebook is to see if you can do your work in a web browser. If you need apps like Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, or iTunes, then a Chromebook might not be the best option for you, at least not as your primary machine.

It's worth noting that modern Chromebooks can now run Android apps, so you can increase what you can achieve on your computer. Not all Android apps are fully optimized for Chrome OS screen size or mouse and keyboard interface, but in a pinch, they could help you achieve what you need to do.

Otherwise, you can also check some of the extensions available in the Chrome Web Store that can expand the capabilities of your new computer. If you're still not sure if a Chromebook is the right choice, buy it from a trusted website or retailer that offers a return policy.

During the return period, you can try all the functions that you would normally need to perform your typical routine. If the worst becomes worse, you can return the Chromebook if it doesn't meet your expectations.

Finally, if you think Chrome OS is not for you, we have a list of the best general laptop computers for students.

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