When shopping for a new laptop for returning to school but on a budget, you might be interested in Chromebooks. Chromebooks run on Google’s Chrome operating system, so using one means you’ll operate out of Google Chrome to visit websites and run programs. On most newer Chromebooks, it’s easy to add Android and Linux apps.
The minimalist hardware means editing photos and videos, gaming, storing a lot of data, and working off WiFi won’t necessarily work smoothly. However, if you’re using a web browser for most of the work you do on your laptop, a Chromebook might be all you need. Plus, with a price point of around $500 to $600 for a mid-range Chromebook, you get great value for little investment. If you’re intrigued, read on for our top Chromebook choices in 2021.
What Chromebook Should I Choose?
You won’t find as much variation in the hardware of a Chromebook since its design is pretty simple. Instead, you’ll want to pay attention to these aspects.
- Screen resolution: Mid-size Chromebooks are usually between 13 and 15 inches, and for this size, you’ll want 1080p and above. Lower resolution will look grainy.
- Processor: A lower-end processor will be enough if you only need a tab or two open at a time. For more multitasking, you’ll want an Intel Core CPU such as the Core i3 or the Core i5.
- Storage Capacity: Chromebooks typically don’t include a lot of storage. Generally, a midrange model will have 32GB to 64 GB. If you need more than that, a few recent high-end models have switched from eMMC-based storage to a 128 GB solid-state drive instead.
- Good price: Another hallmark of Chromebooks is that they’re much less expensive than a typical laptop. When searching for the right model, weigh the price against its performance.
- Great battery life: One of the benefits of Chromebooks is that there’s typically less going on to use up your battery. So, make sure you get that benefit by choosing a device with lasting battery strength.
- Good Connectivity: You’ll be using your device on WiFi, so make sure its connectivity is strong!
Best Chromebooks in 2021
The Google Pixelbook Go:
The Google Pixelbook Go is light, speedy, responsive, and has great battery life. It also has a nice and simple design aesthetic. This one doesn’t transition into a tablet, so if that’s a priority for you, it might not be your top pick.
$649
The Chromebook Spin 713:
The Spin 3 SP314 Series AMD Ryzen 3 CPUChromebook Spin 713 is a mid-range priced model that has a great processor in the Intel 10th gen. This allows you to multitask without crashing. It also has a beautiful large screen with great resolution. The keyboard is small, and the speakers aren’t the best. But for the low price tag, you can do a lot with this convertible laptop or tablet.
$529
Lenovo Chromebook Duet:
This is a tablet with a detachable keyboard rather than a laptop-style device. Great display, brightness, and battery life. It’s less powerful than other models on our list, but for the price, you can do a lot with this device!
$249
HP Chromebook x360 14c:
The HP Chromebook x360 14c is a slightly larger and heavier Chromebook. However, if you need your Chromebook to handle multitasking and many tabs and apps, this is a great choice, as the HP Chromebook x360 14c can handle it with an Intel Core i3-10110U and a processor speed of 2.1 GHz
$629
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2:
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is a mid-price Chromebook comes with an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of memory, and a 64GB solid-state drive. This device features one of Samsung’s QLED panels, making for a high-quality display.
$499
The Dell Inspiron 14 Chromebook:
The Dell Inspiron Chromebook 7486 Intel Core i3 8th Gen is a slightly heftier device that has a nice display, good storage, and an aesthetically nice design. Its processor can stand the test of multiple tabs and even artistic pursuits — which the included stylus pen can help with.
$629
The Samsung Chromebook Plus V2:
The Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 comes with a stylus and two cameras! It also boasts a full HD touchscreen and a built-in LTE modem. Plus, you can get it in bright red if you like!
$149.99
Prices are according to the listing at the time of publishing.
Depending on your priorities, one of the above might be the perfect Chromebo