Best Chromebook 2023: 8 Options to Fit Any Budget

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Chromebooks are identified for his or her ease of use, portability and affordability, which means many individuals out there for a laptop computer can be higher suited with a Chromebook. Utilizing Google’s ChromeOS, Chromebooks are designed to be user-friendly for everybody. 

The perfect Chromebooks are extra reasonably priced than conventional laptops, comparable to Home windows laptops or Apple MacBooks. And since they’re secure and easier, Chromebooks are an superb present (you will get nice Chromebook offers throughout gross sales) for youths and fewer tech-savvy adults needing a easy laptop. They will additionally go well with anybody who desires a reasonable laptop computer for productiveness and leisure. 

Whereas entry-level Chromebooks do not characteristic all of the bells and whistles of extra premium fashions, they nonetheless do the job. And for these with some more money to spend, premium Chromebooks typically embrace options like touchscreens, backlit keyboards and USI pen help for notes or drawing. Now, there are even Chromebooks made for cloud gaming. Should you’re on the lookout for the perfect Chromebook 2023 has to provide, preserve studying. Additionally, when you’re unsure ChromeOS is best for you, this is how to briefly flip a MacBook or Home windows laptop computer right into a Chromebook at no cost to check it out with out the dedication.

What’s the finest Chromebook?

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is the perfect Chromebook for 2023 that we have examined. It is full-featured with a quick Twelfth-gen Intel Core i5 processor and constructed to final. It is a nice selection when you’re on the lookout for a Chromebook as your solely computing gadget. It’s dearer than the common Chromebook, although it recurrently goes on sale. If you need to spend much less regardless, think about the 17-inch Acer Chromebook 317 or the Lenovo Duet Chromebook if mobility is a priority.

Learn extra: How to Take a Screenshot on a Chromebook

The best Chromebook is still somewhat subjective, though. A lot comes down to what features you need in a Chromebook and how big of a budget you have. ClassyBuzz’s editors tested and reviewed all of the Chromebooks on this list and all offer excellent performance and features for their price. Also, if you’re considering an older or used model, check the auto-update expiration date for the model. The AUE is when ChromeOS stops receiving system updates, typically eight years, but the date differs for every model.

And if you’re still unsure if this type of laptop is right for you, here’s a breakdown of all that a Chromebook can and can’t do compared with a traditional laptop. This list of the best Chromebook models is updated periodically.

Best Chromebooks for 2023

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Acer had one of the best Chromebooks available in 2021 with the Spin 713, and now it’s repeated that success with the Chromebook Spin 714. The premium two-in-one doesn’t stray far from its predecessor in terms of what it offers — sturdy design, nice-looking display, strong performance and long battery life — but Acer did make some changes to keep it competitive, like including a USI pen that stores and charges in the 714’s body. There are less expensive options, but if you want a Chromebook that’ll last for years, this is it. Keep an eye out for a sale on this one: Its normal price is $729, but can oftentimes be found on sale for less than $600. 

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The 317 is essentially a portable all-in-one ChromeOS desktop, otherwise known as a Chromebase. The big display makes multitasking a breeze. You can stream a YouTube video in the corner while you work on a presentation and keep an eye on email or chat — all without overlapping windows. It is big and heavy compared with all the smaller Chromebooks here, so it’s not a great option if mobility is a priority. But it’s certainly small enough to move around the house, and with more than 10 hours of battery life according to my tests, you can work all day and still have time left for a video chat with family, gaming or streaming a movie. The configuration we tested sells for less than $400 but there is a version that meets our basic requirements for a Chromebook that is less than $300.

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This Lenovo 13-inch Chromebook two-in-one has a full-HD display as well as excellent performance and battery life for the money, thanks to an Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 8GB RAM and a 128GB solid-state drive. Battery life is great, too, at nearly 11 hours. 

While it’s not overflowing with extras, the Flex 5i Chromebook does have a privacy shutter on the webcam so you can physically block it when it’s not in use. The touch display is also pen-enabled so you can write or draw it with a USI pen. It is definitely one of the best Chromebook models for its price, power and size.

Lenovo has another two-in-one option on our best Chromebooks list, the Lenovo Duet Chromebook. The Lenovo Duet Chromebook is similarly priced to the Flex 5i but is a detachable two-in-one i.e. a tablet with a removable keyboard cover. If you need a Chromebook for full-day use, go with the Flex 5i. The Lenovo Duet Chromebook is better as a secondary device for on-the-go productivity tasks and entertainment. 

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This premium 13.3-inch HP Chromebook has a wide display that’s nice for video streaming and easier to fit two side-by-side windows. The two-in-one design means you can use the HP Chromebook x360 as a tablet (though it’s a bit heavy to use as a handheld device). You can also tent it, connect an external keyboard and mouse and use it as a small all-in-one computer. 

The Core i3 processor and 8GB of memory in the model we tested kept this HP Chromebook running smoothly even with a couple dozen tabs open and streaming video in the background. The Chrome OS will handle typical usage seamlessly. And this Chromebook laptop has a long battery life, lasting 10 hours and 40 minutes in ClassyBuzz’s testing. This is a higher-end configuration, though, and its regular price is $699. This laptop regularly goes on sale for less than $500, but if you like the design and don’t need its more powerful components, the Celeron version is closer to $300.

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The Lenovo Duet Chromebook (aka Chromebook Duet 3) is an superior little 11-inch ChromeOS pill with a removable keyboard and touchpad. Its small dimension and efficiency aren’t splendid for full-time use. However the Chromebook Duet 3 is an efficient decide when you’re on the lookout for an reasonably priced ultraportable gadget to get some work performed on the go, sketch or jot down notes at school, or do easy stuff like e-mail, net looking, gaming, studying and streaming video.

The unique 10-inch model of the Duet Chromebook can be nonetheless accessible for $300 or less when it’s in inventory. 

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It is uncommon for the second era of a tool to have fewer options than the unique and nonetheless be an enchancment, however that is the case for this Samsung Chromebook. Samsung dialed again on among the options and parts of the unique, making this Samsung Chromebook sequel extra reasonably priced than the first-gen mannequin. It has a touchscreen, pill capability, 8GB RAM and an Intel Core processor. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook additionally has significantly better battery life, and Samsung did all of it with out dropping all of its predecessor’s premium attraction.

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Acer’s Spin 513 is an replace of kinds to among the finest Chromebooks from 2021, the Spin 713. It is a two-in-one convertible Chromebook with a 13.5-inch show that has a 3:2 facet ratio. The additional vertical area means much less scrolling whenever you’re working. The display dimension can be shut to that of letter-size paper, making it snug for notetaking in pill mode with a USI pen. In contrast to the 713, it drops a few noncritical options like an HDMI output in favor of a extra reasonably priced worth. It has superb battery life, although, and a sturdy fanless design, making it silent — good for quiet school rooms, lectures or video calls. Additionally, make sure to get the most recent model of the Spin 513, mannequin CP513-2H, powered by a MediaTek Kompanio 1380 processor.

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Although the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is perhaps the perfect mannequin I like to recommend, the Elite Dragonfly is the last word Chromebook for enterprise customers. HP, Google and Intel set out to create a whole Chromebook for enterprise greater than two years in the past. A Chromebook that did not have simply a few vital options however the entire options enterprise customers wished. The Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is the end result, a legit ChromeOS dream machine for hybrid staff. 

It is too costly to advocate for most individuals — it begins at $1,149 and might go up to greater than $3,000 — however it’s positively among the finest you should purchase proper now. 

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Chromebook FAQs

What’s the distinction between a laptop computer and a Chromebook?

A Chromebook is a laptop computer operating on Google’s ChromeOS as an alternative of Microsoft Home windows or Apple’s MacOS. This implies Home windows or Mac software program can’t be instantly put in and run on a Chromebook. As an alternative, Chromebooks are designed to use net apps (like those for Microsoft Office 365), Android apps and Linux software. Because ChromeOS is built for efficiency and to take advantage of web or cloud services, the operating system runs well with less expensive hardware. However, while Chromebooks come in various sizes and designs, options are more plentiful with Windows laptops or Apple MacBooks, especially if you need to run demanding software. Again, ChromeOS is what really makes a laptop a Chromebook but there are some other differences to consider before you buy. 

What OS does a Chromebook use?

Chromebooks run on Google’s minimalist Chrome operating system, or ChromeOS. When ChromeOS launched more than a decade ago, it was essentially Google’s Chrome web browser. It has grown vastly in capabilities over the years but remains a simple, lightweight and secure operating system that can run briskly on even low-end components. And, even though ChromeOS can do much more today, quite a lot can be done entirely on the web these days. Take stock of everything you do on a daily basis and you may find there’s nothing you can’t accomplish with ChromeOS. 

What are the pros and cons of a Chromebook?

There are several pros to a Chromebook but one big con will instantly rule out buying one. Chromebooks are not natively compatible with Windows or Mac software. If you need to run a specific Windows or MacOS program, you cannot do so directly from a Chromebook. That said, there are ways around it, including finding a substitute web or Android app, or a Linux equivalent. 

Also, if you need advanced photo- and video-editing capabilities, you’ll want a Windows, Mac or Linux laptop. Basic photo and video editing are fine, but Chromebooks typically don’t offer the graphics performance you need for demanding tasks or, again, the option to install Windows or Mac software and games. 

One other potential negative is the Auto Update Expiration date, or AUE. Currently, non-Google hardware is only supported for so long before it stops receiving ChromeOS and browser updates, including those for security. For models released now, the date is roughly seven to eight years from the initial release of the device, but that’s not always the case. Google maintains a list of AUE dates for all models, and it’s best to examine it before you purchase a Chromebook, new or used. 

There are various professionals to a Chromebook, however the largest is the worth. Whereas premium fashions begin at round $500, you’ll find glorious choices for on a regular basis use for $200 to $300. The Lenovo Duet Chromebook, for instance, is a two-in-one Chromebook with a removable keyboard cowl so it may be used as a pill or a laptop computer and begins underneath $300. Like different laptops, although, a higher-end Chromebook usually means a greater expertise. 

Additionally, among the identical causes Chromebooks are standard for faculties and companies make them glorious household computer systems. Everybody within the household can have separate Google accounts, and signing in provides them entry to solely their stuff and never yours. Accounts for youths may be managed with Google Family Link. It is practically not possible for Chromebooks to be corrupted with viruses or different malware. And if it is not operating fairly proper, you may reset it with Chrome’s Powerwash feature and in a few minutes, the system is clear and recent. Simply signal into your Google account and the Chromebook is totally restored. 

Learn extra: How to Reset a Chromebook in Below a Minute

Can I take advantage of any USB-C charger for my Chromebook? 

Sure and no. Since 2017, new Chromebooks all cost by way of their USB-C ports. Chromebooks usually want both a 45- or 65-watt energy adapter. You may want to examine the specs on your particular mannequin to discover its energy wants, usually discovered on the underside of the Chromebook or on the producer’s website. (If it is given in volts and amps, you will get watts by multiplying the 2 collectively e.g. 15 volts x 3 amps equals 45 watts.) Utilizing a charger that does not meet the facility calls for of the Chromebook should still cost it however at a slower fee. Additionally, when you’re utilizing the Chromebook whereas utilizing a low-power charger, it would take even longer to cost totally. On the upside, Chromebooks will show a notification if the USB-C cable you are utilizing will not help the mandatory efficiency. 

How we take a look at computer systems

The evaluate course of for laptops, desktops, tablets and different computer-like gadgets consists of two components: efficiency testing underneath managed circumstances within the ClassyBuzz Labs and intensive hands-on use by our skilled reviewers. This consists of evaluating a tool’s aesthetics, ergonomics and options. A ultimate evaluate verdict is a mixture of each these goal and subjective judgments. 

The listing of benchmarking software program we use adjustments over time because the gadgets we take a look at evolve. An important core assessments we’re at the moment operating on each appropriate laptop embrace: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra. 

A extra detailed description of every benchmark and the way we use it may be present in our How We Check Computer systems web page. 

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