The Chromebook 11 is also available in a 2-in-1 convertible version, which lets you rotate the screen 360 degrees to use it as a tablet. However, if you think your kids will primarily be using their Chromebook as a tablet, you may want to go with the detachable Lenovo Chromebook Duet instead. If you need a machine to run statistical programs or withstand some heavy-duty workloads, this isn't for you.

Just like with the laptops, size is a crucial factor as well. You might want a larger display for more screen real estate or you might want something smaller for easier portability. Since most of these portables fall somewhere between 10 to 15 inches in terms of screen size, they’re all going to be easier to lug around than the competition. What is a Chromebook? A low-end CPU like an Intel Celeron or Pentium or AMD A-Series will serve if all you do is browse with a tab or two open. Chromebooks based on Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processors will allow for more able multitasking, though they'll also be more expensive. Note that AMD offers a handful of C-series Ryzen mobile processors designed specially for Chromebooks. Most of your files on a Chromebook will be stored in the cloud, so many Chromebooks include only a small serving (32GB or 64GB) of eMMC flash-memory storage on which to save your local creations. Look for an SD or microSD card slot if you think you'll want to save more documents and files on the device. A growing number of Chromebooks have 128GB or larger solid-state drives (SSDs), which are much faster as well as roomier than eMMC flash. Some very new models alternately employ UFS drives, something of a speed and price midpoint between eMMC and SSD. Chromebook Plus models will include at least 128GB of storage. ConnectivityThis is now our favorite Chromebook for pretty much everybody; we recommended it to anyone who wants a reliable and powerful 2-in-1 ChromeOS laptop. Its standout features—like long battery life and best-in-class performance—make it an ideal choice if you prioritize performance and productivity. Overall, this model should be a first stop if you seek a versatile, high-performing, and durable 2-in-1 Chromebook beyond the budget bin. Finding the best Chromebook these days begins with a simple question: do you need a touchscreen? An increasing number of Chromebooks offer 2-in-1 designs with a touchscreen, allowing you to use Android apps from the Google Play store. However, those systems tend to be on the pricier side. If you want just a basic laptop on the cheap, a Chromebook without a touchscreen is the way to go. If you’re going to university, you may want to consider getting the best Chromebook as a student laptop because it’s lightweight - plus the cloud storage means you won’t have files clogging up your computer. However, if you’re planning on studying something like graphic design you’ll want to invest in something more powerful than a Chromebook that can handle design software. Despite its small size and tablet design, this is just as capable as the rest of the mid-range options on this list. It's powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c chip, which is comfortably powerful enough to handle whatever you throw at it on Chrome OS. We ran 20 Chrome tabs on the x2 11, five of which were streaming content from various services, and we didn't experience any noticeable slowdown.

All that being said, the best Chromebooks are great laptops. Some are among the best 2-in-1 laptops, with touchscreens ideal for Android apps (which are not as good when used with a mouse and keyboard alone). And while Chromebooks are mostly seen as devices for students, the category now includes multiple elegant models that are viable replacements for business laptops. While the specs on this one are higher than many previous models, if you need processing power for creative works and hardcore editing then this isn't the laptop for you. A touchpad sits just underneath the keyboard. It’s a decent size considering the constraints of a laptop with an 11in screen. It’s intelligent, too, deactivating while you type, so that you don’t accidentally brush against it and move the mouse cursor; if only all Windows laptops would be so smart. To find the best laptops we run every machine through a rigorous suite of benchmarks and real-world tests to gauge how it will perform during everyday use.The Acer Chromebook 511 (C741L) will be available in North America in April starting at USD 399.99; and in EMEA in March starting at EUR 399. Acer's reign continues with the Chromebook Spin 514, the new best Chromebook for most people. It primarily does this through a rugged yet flexible 2-in-1 design and category-leading AMD processing. Helpful features, like a full HD webcam, a Wi-Fi 6 radio, a USB-C port, and an HDMI connection round out the experience. With a generous 13-hour battery life, this Chromebook won't need frequent charging, and its sturdy aluminum build has MIL-STD 810H certification to survive the rigors of daily use. The 2023 Chromebook Spin 514 is an adaptable and high-performing premium Chromebook that impresses with its premium build quality and top-notch capabilities. Who It's For

Most of what it does is online and through cloud storage. Because of that, Chrome OS doesn’t need nearly the same level of performance to run that Windows or MacOS needs. Therefore, Chromebooks can get away with much weaker and cheaper parts than many of the best laptops. In fact, some Chromebooks sport the same CPUs you find in a smartphone. But, that hardware is enough for most users to do their day-to-day tasks as long as it doesn’t involve any overly intensive programs. You're on a tight budget: This Chromebook starts at more than a grand, so its easily the most expensive Chromebook out there.

Battery life may vary depending on model and configuration. Based on Google power_LoadTest. Up to 20 hours with 48 Wh battery, and up to 15 hours with 36Wh battery The Chromebook 11 is comparable with the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 and Samsung Chromebook 4, both of which are similarly priced systems with the same screen size. The Dell is significantly faster than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, which is a detachable tablet with an ARM rather than x86 processor, but much slower than the more expensive Pixelbook Go, which boasts an Intel Core CPU.