Best Chromebooks
When it comes to portable computers that can be carried around and used in any different circumstance, laptops are definitely the most popular option.
However, if you need a cheaper computer that you will only use for operations and tasks involving Internet browsers, Chromebooks are a great alternative.
Chromebooks have a very limited usability and are much more limited in features when compared to a standard laptop, but they offer full support for light usage involving websites and social media.
If most of your time using a computer is spent on the web browser, Chromebooks can provide you with everything that you need for your work.
The chrome operating system doesn’t involve impressive hardware and great capabilities, but that is a good thing if you rarely use those advanced features.
But, it is very important to remember that the huge amount of extensions, applications and add-ons that are available for the chrome operating system can greatly improve the functionality of a Chromebook.
You should also note that all of the updates and improvements for the chrome operating system take very few seconds to complete, so you should rest easy knowing that you will have very easy and quick access to an Internet connection immediately.
Chromebook is also a very good option for students that don’t need the full flexibility and functionality for standard laptop.
Best Chromebooks for General Use
Below are some of the best chromebooks I consider best for general use, such as watching movies, browsing the web, small work task and even travel:
– ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS02
The ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS02 is the first one on our list. This is a very robust Chromebook with a very sleek design that is also reinforced by rubber wrapped edges.
This is a very sturdy and secure Chromebook that uses a very innovative nano-molding technology that ensures that all key components of the Chromebook can withstand the impact of fall or accident.
This feature coupled the reinforced rubber frame comes together to create a very durable product that is also spill resistant.
The design of this premium Chromebook is very beautiful and functional. This ASUS Chromebook model is very lightweight weighing only 2.65 pounds.
It also features a very important easy grip design with 2 grips that have been specifically and strategically placed in order to help you avoid any possible slippage accidents as well as provide better holding traction.
The battery life of this particular Chromebook is 10 hours which ensures that you will be able to finish any task that you require without having to recharge the battery. This Chromebook is also capable of computing and handling all of its tasks and features without reducing the battery life.
This provides the ability to use the Chromebook and finish any task that you require even if you’re out and on the move for the entire day.
The visual display of this ASUS Chromebook is provided by an impressive 11.6-inch-high definition screen and it also comes with an anti-glare feature. You can play movies or display images in a flawless and beautiful 1366 by 768 height definition high definition resolution.
There is also the ability to store up to 100 gigabytes of data directly on your Google Drive which has full compatibility with this Chromebook.
The Wi-Fi antenna of the ASUS C202SA-YS02 Chromebook is a latest generation piece of hardware that guarantees very strong and stable reception while also minimizing bad signal connection while you’re moving.
This is a very important feature that can help you stay connected to the Internet at all times wherever you are.
– Acer Chromebook 14
Acer Chromebook 14 is a very powerful piece of hardware that features a powerful quad core Intel Celeron processor as well as a 14-inch full high definition screen and 32 gigabytes of internal storage.
The metal chassis of this particular Chromebook is very sturdy and secure. This Chromebook also comes with a very powerful battery, built-in speakers, high definition webcam and much more.
Some of the things that make this particular Chromebook stand out from the rest of the competition are the very stylish design as well as the beautiful and immersive display.
The chassis is all metal that makes it very firm but the ultra-thin frame of this Chromebook also makes it very lightweight and able to fit in a small purse or backpack.
The battery life of the Acer Chromebook 14 is up to 12 hours which allows you to have the full Chrome OS experience and the ability to power through the entire day while working on your Chromebook in just one single battery charge.
The IPS display of this Chromebook is very impressive with a 14-inch full high definition screen that can provide a very immersive experience when it comes to displaying movies, photos, video games and anything else.
The anti-glare feature is very important when it comes to using the Chromebook outside and in the sunlight. It also reduces the strain and tiredness of your eyes with prolonged usage.
The dual-band 802 11 AC wireless connection antenna that comes with this Chromebook is pretty powerful and there is also the support of Bluetooth 4.2 technologies.
This new generation wireless allows you to have Internet speeds up to 3 times more stable and faster than some other previous generations. This makes the Acer Chromebook 14 a very stable and reliable option when it comes to streaming videos or playing games online.
– Samsung Chromebook 3 XE500C13-K02US
The next Chromebook model that we will be looking at comes from Samsung and features a very durable and compact design, a long battery life as well as some very important security features that have been built-in the Chromebook.
It weighs only 2.54 pounds and is only 0.7 inches thick which makes it very portable and easy to carry around.
This Samsung Chromebook comes at a very affordable price and has all the features and options necessary to allow you to surf the Internet as well as work on documents and even stream media like videos, images and much more.
The main aspect of this particular Chromebook product is the simplicity as well as the ease-of-use that it provides.
Additional features of the Samsung Chromebook 3 include a battery life of 11 hours, system memory that consists of 4 gigabytes as well as AC wireless compatibility.
You can also keep yourself and your Chromebook safe from all kinds of malware and viruses while surfing the web or playing video games with the help of the powerful and important security features that are built-in this Chromebook.
Durability is another very important aspect of this great Chromebook. The design is very sturdy and the keyboard is spill resistant. You can even have the ability to connect your Chromebook to your high definition TV in order to watch movies and other media on a big screen.
Connectivity to the Internet is always a very important aspect of any good Chromebook. That’s why the Samsung Chromebook 3 comes with a powerful wireless antenna that can give you a very stable and long-lasting connection to the Internet.
There is also full compatibility and extended support for all kinds of android applications and mobile devices. You can use your Chromebook to monitor calls or even read text messages through the application notifications feature of this Chromebook.
– Lenovo N23 Chromebook
The Lenovo N23 Chromebook model is another impressive and cost-effective Chromebook option available on the market. It features some very impressive specifications and options if you take the low price into account.
The visual display of this Lenovo Chromebook is an 11.6 inches high definition screen that can support a screen resolution of up to 1366 by 768 pixels. This impressive LCD display can give you great visuals and imagery.
The processor of this great Lenovo Chromebook model is a dual core Intel Celeron with the speed of 1.6 gigahertz. It also comes with the system memory of up to 4 gigabytes.
This impressive processor specification allows you to have great flexibility when it comes to using your Chromebook, allowing you to work on documents, surf the Internet and even play video games at the same time.
The wireless antenna is also very powerful. It is a new generation 802 11ac Wi-Fi wireless antenna and it also has full support of the Bluetooth 4.1 technologies. The Lenovo 80SF001US Chromebook model also comes with ports for USB 3.0 as well as USB 2.0. And if you want to connect your Chromebook to your high definition television or your monitor there is an HDMI port that allows that.
This is a very lightweight and ultrathin Chromebook that maximizes the portability and compactness of the Chromebook. You can carry it around easily as it only weighs around 2.8 pounds. It also fits in small purses and small backpacks.
The battery life of this particular Lenovo Chromebook model is a decent 10 hours. This allows you to be able to carry around all day and perform all kinds of tasks with it in a single battery charge.
The hardware specifications and assistant features of this Chromebook aren’t the flashiest or the most impressive, but taking the small price into account, this is one of the best and most cost-effective Chromebook models available on the market.
– HP 14-ak060nr Chromebook
The HP Chromebook 14-ak060nr model has a very stylish and sleek design while also featuring some impressive technical features and specifications.
This piece of hardware coupled with the Chrome operating system allows you to do tasks and operations involving file management, browsing and working on the Internet as well as streaming and playing all kinds of media.
This premium Chromebook model is equipped with a very powerful processor which will allow you to do all of the tasks that you need.
The visual design of the HP Chromebook 14-ak060nr is beautifully streamlined and very lightweight. This is an ultra-thin Chromebook that is less than an inch wide when closed.
When it comes to storage, this particular Chromebook has all the solutions you need. You will be equipped with hundred gigabytes of storage space for your files as well as 2 years of access to the Google Drive cloud storage.
The Chrome operating system is the backbone of this Chromebook and has all the tools and options necessary for essential tasks such as using the Internet, streaming and playing media files as well as a complete file management system.
The unique feature of this Chromebook that makes it stand out from the rest of the competition is definitely the HP True Vision high definition webcam.
You will be able to have video conversations over the Internet with an excellent video feed quality available to you. The True Vision high definition Webcam can also maintain high quality even in low or dim lighting.
– Dell 11 Chromebook
The next Chromebook that we will be looking at comes from Dell 11 Chromebook. This Dell model is an 11.6 inch Chromebook that features some very impressive features and specifications for its price.
This Chromebook provides unmatched durability and product stability and has been Military Standard tested for all categories of durability like pressure, impact, temperature, shock, humidity and more.
Additional support and durability is provided by the rubberized base trim as well as the LCD in order to not only be perfectly suitable for backpack carriage, but also further protect it from drops or other types of accidents.
Also, the touch screen of this Dell Chromebook is completely scratch resistant and is made of high quality material that will be able to handle any kind of swiping, stroking or tapping.
Some innovative features are being introduced with the Dell CRM3210-1207BLK Chromebook. The 180-degree hinge allows you to better position the LCD display and allow for a fully flexible viewing experience.
There also are multi colored light signals that can be used in different circumstances as well as dual array microphones and front facing audio speakers.
Security is one of this Chromebook’s top priorities. A lot of standard Chromebooks can fall victims to hackers and viruses or adware and malware due to insufficient security measures and tools available.
However, this premium Dell Chromebook keeps your data and identity safe without the need of any additional third party software by regularly scanning your Chromebook for unwanted security risks in the cloud.
The battery life of this great Chromebook is up to 10 hours of usage on a single battery charge. This allows you to carry and use your Chromebook around all day without fearing that you won’t be able to complete your tasks due to insufficient battery life.
This Dell Chromebook also has some of the most impressive performance speeds we have seen in a Chromebook. It fully boots up in under 10 seconds and loads internet webpages in Chrome almost instantly. This is a truly impressive Chromebook.
– Toshiba CB35-B3340 Chromebook
The Toshiba CB35-B3340 is a 13.3 inch Chromebook with a full high definition screen. It’s powered by the Intel Celeron N2840 processor and features a 4 GB SDRAM memory.
You can use this Chromebook for many different tasks, including, but not limited to, editing and working with Google documents or the QuickOffice tools, you can also use an Internet version of Microsoft Office and open as well as edit MS Office files and documents.
The IPS display of this Toshiba Chromebook is a 13.3-inch full high definition screen that allows you to watch your favorite movies and TV shows in amazing quality and high detail.
Or you could connect your Chromebook to your big television set with the HDMI port and stream movies on your huge TV screen through your Toshiba Chromebook.
The collaboration with the Skullcandy Company allows this premium Toshiba Chromebook to have truly amazing audio capabilities. You will be able to listen to your favorite singers and bands with high quality sound.
The design of this particular Chromebook is very compact and lightweight. This is done in order to maximize the portability and functionality of the Chromebook.
With the sleek, ultra-thin design as well as the long-lasting battery life consisting of up to 9 hours of constant use, this makes it a very portable Chromebook that will even suit the needs of those who are on the go for the entire day and need their Chromebook by their side at all times.
Apart from all these unique and powerful features that we have covered, the Toshiba CB35-B3340 Chromebook model is also packed with all of the standard features that most Chromebooks have to offer.
But, it also provides some interesting and useful extra features and options such as the newest and most up to date virus protection, Google related applications such as Gmail, Play Store, Google Calendar and more.
– Google Chromebook Pixel
When it comes to Chromebooks and their path to mainstream popularity, the Google Chromebook Pixel is definitely one of the most iconic models that changed our perceptions of what a Chromebook is and what it should be able to offer.
This amazing Chromebook model is an excellent balance of performance and quality. And although it’s not the newest piece of hardware, free and regular Chrome OS updates keep this iconic Chromebook more relevant and functional than ever.
Chromebooks have been cursed since the very beginning by having to sacrifice comfort, functionality and power in order to maintain a price much lower than laptops.
And although a cheap, stripped down laptop replacement seems like a great deal, after a while you feel nostalgic towards a proper keyboard, a faster CPU and more features.
The Google Chromebook Pixel doesn’t have that problem. It’s a perfect mix of decent pricing, great and flexible functionalities and some of the best quality hardware specifications that have ever been seen in a Chromebook.
The back-lit keyboard of the Google Pixel is amazing. Has a very comfortable and tactile feel to it and it has always responded very well.
The design of the entire Chromebook is very elegant and beautiful. Aside from that, amazing imagery, clear texts as well as beautiful color schemes, this Chromebook model has them all in one package.
Google even gives you one terabyte of free cloud storage; an entire terabyte for free. The Google Drive is also powered with a File Manager and many other Google-related applications that you can use on your Chromebook.
Finally, the Google Chromebook Pixel is a very portable device, very thin and lightweight. The dimensions are 8.75 by 11.75 inches that makes it extremely easy to handle and carry around.
– Hisense Chromebook C12
The Hisense C12 Chromebook model is a uniquely powerful Chromebook that tries to have a great combination of simplicity, security as well as speed.
The design of the exterior of this Chromebook is very slim and quite lightweight with a very appealing silver color. This makes it a very portable device that is very easy to carry around with a weight of only 2.4 pounds.
The performance of this Chromebook is very impressive. The Hisense Chromebook C12 boots up in less than 10 seconds and all of the available applications function seamlessly and brilliantly.
There is special virus protection software that comes with the Hisense Chromebook C12 model. It will regularly scan your data and keep you completely safe from all kinds of viruses, malware and security threats.
You also have the option of syncing up your Chromebook device to your Android devices and mobile phones.
You have a high-quality web camera in case you want to video call your family over the Internet. And with a battery life of almost 9 hours, you can rest easy knowing that you can use your Chromebook all day long with only a single battery charge.
Additional features include a strong and powerful quad core processor ARM Cortex-A17 1.8GHz, SD card reader, over 100 GB of free online cloud storage courtesy of Google Drive and much more.
The Chrome operating system that runs on this Chromebook can give you access to all of the applications in the Chrome web store as well as keep your devices completely synced up.
– Poin2 Chromebook 11
The final Chromebook model that we decided to showcase for you is the great Poin2 Chromebook 11 LT0101-01US model.
It is a purple and black Chromebook and Netbook with a high quality 11.6-inch screen. It is powered by a strong 1.8 GHz Rockchip RK3288 processor and has 2 GB of SDRAM.
The design of this Chromebook is very ergonomic and comfortable. It also has a very stylish feel to it and the inside coating is finished off with a premium palm rest that has been brushed with real metal.
The chassis of the Poin2 Chromebook 11 is made fully out of metal, which makes the Chromebook very durable, stable and secure.
The powerful processor and other great hardware components of the Poin2 Chromebook 11 allow it to be one of the fastest performing Chromebook’s available on the market.
The Chromebook starts up in a few seconds and all of the browsers and applications perform super-fast. It also comes with built in third party virus protection software as well as free and regular updates for the Chrome operating system, making your Chromebook long lasting and secure.
This amazing Chromebook is also one of the most lightweight models available on the market. Weighing only 2.5 pounds makes it extremely portable and able to be carried around easily and effortlessly.
The antenna is an 802.11ac WLAN that can provide you with very fast and very stable internet connections. The Poin2 Chromebook 11 also has full support and compatibility for the Bluetooth 4.0 technologies.
What to Look Out For When Choosing a Chromebook?
Chromebooks are pretty new to the PC market, so not many people will be familiar with them and what they can offer.
This section will help you better understand Chromebooks, how to use them and what features and specifications to look out for when you’re choosing which Chromebook to purchase for yourself.
These pieces of hardware are no longer just basic systems that run on the simplistic Chrome operating system. You will be surprised just how much Chromebooks have improved in recent times and now they can feature some very impressive and rich capabilities.
The newest Chromebooks allow for up to 64 gigabytes of storage as well as impressive IPS display that can provide you with very sharp imagery. There also designed in a very ergonomic way and some even have impressive premium styling that is sure to amaze you.
The market for Chromebooks is becoming more and more competitive. More advanced features and better functionalities keep getting added or improved. There are innovative features such as touch displays that allow you to fully control your Chromebook without the need of a keyboard and mouse. Additional innovative features include convertible designs that allow you to fold and set the Chromebook to whatever shape you are most comfortable with.
The internal components and hardware of the newest premium Chromebooks keep improving and now they can feature some very powerful Intel Core processors. The screen sizes also keep getting improved and now we see Chromebooks with screen sizes of up to 15 inches.
A lot of amazing and innovative features are also scheduled to be released by Google in 2017. All Chromebooks will very soon be able to run and support all Android applications. This amazing and important feature will make Chromebooks a much better and more competitive option than most tablets and smart phones.
Now we will continue with the article and showcase some of the best premium as well as budget options when it comes to Chromebooks. We have reviewed and tested many different Chromebooks and we think that we have come up with a very good shortlist of some of the best Chromebooks available.
These Chromebooks will not only offer innovative and impressive features, but they will also be packed with great hardware specifications that can even surpass some standard laptops out there.
Conclusion
We have looked at some background and history of the Chromebook. We have also gone through the reasons why you should choose a Chromebook over a laptop or an iPad and all of the advantages of the Chromebook. Please keep all of those in mind when deciding whether to go for a Chromebook purchase and which Chromebook model to buy.
We have also looked at many different Chromebook models from many different manufacturers. All of those models have been tested by us and we have chosen these to showcase as they are the best that the Chromebook market has to offer.
There are a lot of different Chromebooks, some with eye-catching unique and innovative features, some that value functionality and compactness over anything else and some that sacrifice some features and components in order to provide a very affordable budget Chromebook option. Whichever Chromebook you end up buying from this list, we guarantee that you won’t be making a mistake.