Thinking about getting a new Chromebook? Google's Chrome OS platform has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years, and if you spend most of your time using the Web and Web-centric services, it might just be the thing for you.
But where to begin? There are loads of Chromebook options out there these days, and figuring out which one's the best for your needs isn't always easy.
That's why I'm here to help. After living with all the various contenders over the past several months, these are the Chromebooks I'd recommend right now:
The best all-around Chromebook for most people
Toshiba Chromebook 2
When you're using a laptop, the screen is your primary focus -- the thing that you stare at all day long. And most Chromebooks have shockingly poor displays that'll leave your eyes straining after mere minutes of use.
Toshiba's Chromebook 2 is a rare exception. The system, which sells for $330, has a 13. 3-in. 1080p IPS screen that's leaps and bounds above the rest. The resolution is significantly higher than the accepted norm, which is a nice touch, but what makes the most difference is the fact that the display is based on a high-quality IPS technology instead of the cheap TN material used on most current Chromebooks. As a result, it's bright, crisp, and clear, with vivid colors and excellent viewing angles. Once you've seen how good it looks, you'll never want to go back to the status quo.
(Note that Toshiba also sells a cheaper version of the Chromebook 2 that lacks the 1080p IPS display. The one being described here -- and the one you want -- is the "Full HD" version, model CB35-B3340. )
The Chromebook 2 has exceptional speakers, too, along with reasonably good build quality and respectable stamina. The only asterisk is its performance: The system is perfectly suitable for most normal use, but if you're a power user who tends to keep lots of tabs open at once, it may be a little light on horsepower for your needs.
Toshiba Chromebook 2
Price: $330
Manufacturer's website and purchasing info: Toshiba. com
See also: BestBuy. com or Amazon. com -- sometimes on sale for lower prices and with faster shipping times
Full review: Toshiba Chromebook 2: An attractive Chrome OS experience
The best midrange Chromebook for those who want a little more
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e Chromebook
If you're willing to spend a little more -- $455, to be precise -- Lenovo's ThinkPad Yoga 11e Chromebook delivers an awesome midrange user experience in an unusual form. The system is fully convertible, meaning you can use it in a traditional laptop configuration or tilt the screen back to use it as a stand-supported slate or fully flattened touchscreen tablet.
The Yoga 11e Chromebook is in a league of its own when it comes to build quality, with none of the flimsy surfaces or cheap-feeling materials you frequently see on lower-end laptops. It also has a fantastic keyboard and trackpad -- hands-down the best you'll find on any Chromebook under $1000.
The only real downside to the Yoga 11e's body is that it's not exactly what you'd call sleek. It's rugged -- and thus a bit heavy and clunky compared to other Chrome OS systems. But let's be honest: Most Chromebooks aren't exactly pinnacles of design. If you can deal with the heft, you'll get a laptop that's on another level in terms of quality and durability.
Like the Toshiba model, Lenovo's Yoga 11e uses a higher-end IPS screen that's easy on the eyes. It has a lower resolution than what Toshiba provides, at 1366 x 768, but it still looks good and is an immeasurable step up from almost every other Chromebook in the sub-$1000 range. (It's also more compact than Toshiba's, at 11. 6 in. ) As I've noted before, the quality of the screen means a lot more than the resolution in these systems.
And while its stamina is just okay, the Yoga 11e has commendable performance that should keep both casual users and power users satisfied. Between that, the standout hardware, and the versatile form, there's an awful lot to like about this device.
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e Chromebook
Price: $455
Manufacturer's website and purchasing info: Lenovo. com
Full review: ThinkPad Yoga 11e: A hidden Chromebook gem
The best Chromebook for under $300
Dell Chromebook 11
If you need something with more horsepower than the Toshiba Chromebook 2 but don't want to shell out the cash for the Lenovo system, Dell's Chromebook 11 is your best option for great performance in an affordable but still pleasant-to-use package.
With its Haswell-based Intel processor and 4GB of RAM, the Chromebook 11 has the speediest setup you'll find this side of the $1000 mark. It's actually even a teensy bit ahead of the Lenovo on the performance front, though you'd be hard-pressed to notice the difference in most real-world usage. Both systems are snappy, responsive, and able to keep up even with unusually demanding use.
(Note that Dell also sells a 2GB version of the system for $279 and an Intel Core i3 version of the system for $379. If you're going to get this laptop, I'd suggest going with the $299 4GB model I'm describing here; the extra 2GB of RAM is well worth the additional 20 bucks, especially if you're more of a power user, but the jump to Core i3 doesn't make enough of a real-world impact to be worth the extra $80 for most people. )
Dell's device is somewhere between the Lenovo and the Toshiba system in terms of build quality. It's by no means a premium laptop, however it feels solid and well-constructed and is a apparent step above most some other Chromebooks. Its keyboard will be fairly good, too, having a comfy soft rubberized plastic-type surrounding it, and the speakers are pretty good.
The Chromebook 11 does not have the higher-end IPS-caliber screen that this Lenovo plus Toshiba systems enjoy; it can the same ol' eleven. 6-in. TN panel which standard on most basic Chromebooks. No two methods about this: It isn't excellent. Within the TN guidelines, though, I've found this to be a little bit better than most.
Endurance, meanwhile, is a talent: The Dell Chromebook eleven gets around 10 hrs of use per cost, quite impressive. All within all, it's an excellent system and the best you can get with regard to under $300.
Dell Chromebook eleven
Price: $299
Manufacturer's website and purchasing information: Dell. com
See furthermore: NewEgg. com -- presently on sale for $287
Total revision: Dell's Chromebook eleven deserves your attention
The greatest Chromebook for less than $200
Acer C720 Chromebook
Create no mistake about this: Acer's 11. 6-in. C720 Chromebook is an basic device. But despite the lackluster build quality plus ho-hum hardware, the C720 packs some serious energy -- the same Haswell-based setup observed in the Dell system, albeit with TWO GB of RAM instead associated with 4.
And you understand what? For $199. 99 -- the price the C720 is selling for upon Amazon right now -- that's quiet impressive. A person aren't going to obtain a thoughtfully designed laptop or perhaps a high-quality keyboard for that will price. You aren't heading to get a great-looking display. But even along with 2GB of RAM, the particular level of performance you will get from this poor boy is outstanding -- far more than you needed expect from the spending budget Chromebook realm.
If a person want solid performance plus need to keep expenses low, Acer's C720 is really a fine option to think about.
(Acer does make the 4GB version of the particular system, by the method, but it's selling with regard to around $270 to $280 these days. If you are heading to spend that a lot, you would be better off shedding an extra 20 dollars and getting the much nicer Dell Chromebook eleven. )
Acer C720 Chromebook
Price: $200
Manufacturer's web site and purchasing info: Acer. com
See also: Amazon . com. com -- where it can currently selling for one hundred dollar (make sure you're searching at the version offered by Amazon. com by itself; other options may show up around the page that listing the product for a increased price)
Total revision: Acer C720 Chromebook: At the top of power, lower on panache
The very best Chromebook cash can buy (if if you're willing to spend the lot of money)
Google Chromebook Pixel
I am listing this laptop are a reason: While Google's Chromebook Pixel is without having a doubt the best-in-class option, its level associated with quality also comes in a price. A actually higher price.
If you may justify spending $1300, although -- or $1450, in case you want an LTE-enabled model -- the -pixel provide you with a Chromebook experience such as most. The laptop will be downright luxurious, with the gorgeous design, premium components, and top-notch build high quality that screams "high-end" through edge to edge.
The particular Pixel provides a smooth and minimalist aluminum entire body, an outstanding backlit key pad with powerful speakers concealed beneath it, an imprinted glass trackpad, and a good stunningly beautiful 12. 75-in. 2560-x-1700 touch-enabled LCD screen. Performance is subordinate to none, because you'd expect. The just real thing to enfriamiento about is the Pixel's stamina: At around 5 hours per charge, this could stand to become a bit better.
In $1300, this system definitely isn't going to become for everyone -- yet boy, is it the treat to utilize. If a person really want to proceed radical and get the particular best experience you can get, this particular one's as lust-worthy because it gets.
Google Chromebook -pixel
Price: $1299 (Wi-Fi) or $1449 (LTE)
Manufacturer's website and purchasing information: Google. com
See furthermore: eBay. com -- exactly where there are frequently used products for sale at considerably lower prices
Full evaluation: Chromebook Pixel: A luxurious laptop for life within the cloud Chromebook Pixel revisited: 18 months with Google's luxury laptop
What about almost all the other Chromebooks?
As I said in the start of our own discussion, there are plenty of Chromebooks out presently there nowadays. If a gadget isn't right here, that does not necessarily mean it's poor; it just means this doesn't be noticeable as a lot as the ones pointed out above and therefore isn't 1 of the top choices I'd recommend at the particular moment.
Once i think regarding these sorts of recommendations, I believe about which items I'd buy myself or even recommend my own buddies and family. The Chromebooks outlined above are all those products.
Now it's upward to you to determine which usually category makes the the majority of sense for your scenario. In case you still aren't certain, stay with the first 1 (there's a reason We called it the "best all-around Chromebook for the majority of people"! ). The great news, though, is that you simply actually can't go wrong along with any of the choices on this page. This all comes down in order to what you need and exactly how much you're willing in order to spend, but at their own various respective levels, these types of devices can get you the particular best overall experiences readily available for Chrome OS today.
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