The best Chromebooks you can buy
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Chromebooks just keep getting better. After much research and testing, we found that the Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is the best one you can buy.
Chromebooks used to be a joke to Windows users, but Google has been improving its cloud-based laptops over the years and now they're impressive computing machines that are used by schools, students, and businesses.
We've used a number of different Chromebooks over the years and done lots of research to find the best ones you can buy. There are plenty of great options for students, professionals, and anyone who needs a cheap laptop.
Our picks range from around the $200 mark for the most basic models to around $550 for the high-end powerhouse Chromebooks.
A note about Chromebooks and Chrome OS:
Chromebooks run on a cloud-based operating system called Chrome OS. It's very simple and easy to use. In place of Microsoft's Office suite, you get Google's services like the Chrome web browser, Gmail, Docs (documents), Sheets (spreadsheets), Slides (PowerPoint), and Drive (cloud storage).
All of your files will save to the cloud in Google Drive, so you never have to worry about losing them or saving a physical copy to your Chromebook's storage. There are some Chrome OS apps and programs you can download, but most of your activity will be in Google's apps or in your web browser. If you need special programs like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator that are only available for Mac OS or Windows, then a Chromebook isn't the best buy for you.
Some of the newest Chromebooks are quite high-end and they will even run Android apps just like a tablet — as soon as Chrome OS version 53 rolls out. Google is bringing the Google Play Store and Android apps to older Chromebooks, too. Here's a complete list of all the Chromebooks that will support Android apps. Many of the models listed in this guide will be able to download Android apps soon.
Updated on 08/02/2017 by Malarie Gokey: Added the Samsung Chromebook Pro and updated prices.
Although the Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is our top pick, for various reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Samsung Chromebook Pro, the Samsung Chromebook Plus, the Dell Chromebook 11, the HP Chromebook 13, and the Acer Chromebook 15.
The best Chromebook overall
Why you'll love it: The Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is the most high-end Chromebook you can buy with a classy aluminum build, a powerful processor, and access to Android apps.
Asus is a well-known computing company that makes excellent products. Its Chromebooks are also high-powered and highly rated. The brand-new Chromebook Flip C302 is the cream of the crop — you can't currently buy a more powerful or attractive Chromebook.
Its slick metal build looks and feels high-end, the Intel Core m3 processor and 4GB of RAM offer a great amount of power, its 12.5-inch Full HD (1080p) touchscreen is gorgeous, and the battery life is respectable. Even though it's made of metal, the Chromebook Flip is fairly light at 2.65 pounds. It even comes with 64GB of storage, which is a lot of space for a cloud-based Chromebook.
The Chromebook Flip gets its name from the 360-degree hinge that allows it to transform from a tablet to a laptop and back again. You can also prop it up like a tent and use it in tablet mode on your coffee table. The Flip's screen orientation automatically rotates when you turn it from landscape to portrait mode for tablet use.
Once your Chromebook Flip C302 gets the update to Chrome OS version 53 or higher, you'll get access to the Google Play Store and all the Android apps you want. That means you can download great mobile games and apps.
Reviews from CNET, Digital Trends, The Verge, PC Mag, and TechRadar all agree that it's the best Chromebook you can buy, and it will be an equally great tablet once Android apps arrive.
Pros: Gorgeous metal design, can run Android apps, fast Intel Core m3 chip, and a lightweight build
Cons: Pricey
Buy the Asus Chromebook Flip C302 on Amazon for $469.00 (originally $499.99)
The best Chromebook with a stylus
Why you'll love it: The Samsung Chromebook Pro is a gorgeous 2-in-1 that runs Android apps, comes with a stylus, and boasts respectable processing power.
Samsung and Google announced two new Chromebooks back in January, called the Chromebook Pro and Chromebook Plus. The Pro is the higher-end model with a better Intel Core m3 processor, and you can get it now. We recommend it over the Plus, but both are still great options.
The Chromebook Pro and the Chromebook Plus boast a slim, lightweight metal body with a killer 12.3-inch Quad HD touchscreen that's bright and beautiful. It's the best screen we've seen on a Chromebook. The hinged design allows for 360-degree rotation, so you can use it as a tablet or a laptop.
Thanks to a built-in accelerometer, the Chromebook's screen automatically rotates as you move the device from landscape to portrait orientation. It notes your motion when you play games on it in tablet mode.
There's also a stylus that slots right into the body of the Chromebook and brings up a note-taking app when you pop it out. It's great for taking notes or drawing, and I personally loved using it to sketch when I tested the Chromebook back in February. It has great pressure sensitivity and there wasn't any noticeable lag. Anyone who has used a Samsung Galaxy Note phone before will recognize it as a revamped S Pen stylus.
Once the Google Play Store is available in Chrome OS version 53, you'll be able to download Android apps on the Chromebook. That means downloading Netflix shows and playing all the best mobile games on that gorgeous 12.3-inch screen.
The best thing about the Samsung Chromebook Pro and Plus is that they double as both great Chromebook laptops and wonderful Android tablets.
Although the Pro is the better buy, the Samsung Chromebook Plus is still a great option, and it offers all the same features as the Pro, minus the Intel processor (it has a Hexa-core ARM processor). It will be slightly less powerful, but it should be more than enough for most buyers.
It will also save you at least $100 to stick with this slightly less powerful model. According to The Verge, which tested both models, the Chromebook Plus may be worth the savings. Laptop Magazine had a similar verdict, but did notice some stutters on the Plus when the reviewer had too many Chrome tabs open. We would still go with the Pro.
Pros: Gorgeous screen, supports Android apps, includes a stylus, slim and lightweight design, and a decent processor
Cons: Pricey
Buy the Samsung Chromebook Pro on Amazon for $547.99
Buy the Samsung Chromebook Plus on Amazon for $407.99 (originally $449.99)
The best 11-inch Chromebook
Why you'll love it: If you're looking for a small, portable, cheap laptop, the Dell Chromebook 11 is just right for you with its sturdy design and low price.
Dell's Chromebook 11 is a great laptop for students who are on a budget, don't care too much about having the best specs, and need something a little more rugged. Its sturdy design may look chunky in comparison with the other slim, pretty Chromebooks in this buying guide, but it's still relatively lightweight, coming in at less than three pounds.
Although the processor isn't the best, the Dell Chromebook 11 still offers solid performance with its 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Celeron Bay Trail-M N2840 and 2GB or 4GB of RAM. We recommend you go with the 4GB RAM model for better performance. You can also opt for the touchscreen model, but you don't really need it.
Anyone who wants a small rugged 11-inch laptop will be happy with the Dell Chromebook 11. If you're looking for a slimmer 11-inch laptop, you may prefer the HP Chromebook 11, which is also a very good device at a reasonable price point.
The Dell Chromebook 11 is best for the K-12 crowd of students. Your average college kid will want more power and should look at the other possibilities on our list. Reviewers from TechRadar, PC Mag, and PC Advisor call it a bargain Chromebook for people on a budget who need a laptop that will last.
Pros: Rugged design, low price, small size, weighs less than three pounds, and touchscreen option available
Cons: It's a thick laptop and the processor isn't top-of-the-line
Buy the Dell Chromebook 11 (2GB RAM) on Amazon for $224.99 (originally $249.99)
Buy the Dell Chromebook 11 (4GB RAM) on Amazon for $243.99 (originally $341.00)
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