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- Best Tablet - July 25, 2024
- Best Chromebook - July 25, 2024
- Best Sundress - July 25, 2024
While MacBooks and Windows laptops get a lot of attention – the Chromebook is a bit of a hidden gem. Running Chrome OS, and focusing mainly on web browsing and social media apps – they are a horse of a different breed.
There are also an overwhelming amount of choices for Chromebook laptops out there, and the last thing you want to do is waste your hard-earned money. So we did the research, tested a variety of laptops, and aggregated tens of thousands of online reviews.
After extensive testing, we were able to find the best Chromebook.
Our Top Pick
Acer Chromebook R 11
With over 1,000 positive online reviews, the Acer R 11 is our pick for best Chromebook. It has a great price point, it converts into a tablet, and the battery life is solid. While you can certainly spend more on a Chromebook – for most people, this is the perfect model.
Other Great Picks
ASUS C302CA-DHM4
With over 1,000 positive reviews, this ASUS Chromebook is a great choice – and it’s the next step up, after our main pick. Great battery life, easy convertibility into a tablet, and solid processing power – it’s a perfect choice.
Samsung Chromebook 3
With over 900 positive online reviews, this Chromebook from Samsung is another solid choice. It offers battery life of more than 10 hours, a spill-resistant keyboard, and a price point that can’t be beaten. While it doesn’t offer the deluxe features of more expensive models, it has a great display, and no fluff. A true bargain.
Lenovo Chromebook C330
With over 400 positive online reviews, this Chromebook from Lenovo is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a great computer – without breaking the bank. It feels and performs like a much more expensive model – but your wallet will love the (very) low price point.
ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS02
This beautiful Chromebook from ASUS is very lightweight, perfect in terms of performance, and comes in at a great price. The high-quality HD display is gorgeous, and it’s protected with rubberized padding. A great buy, for adults or children.
Dell ChromeBook 11
This Dell Chromebook is an unbeatable value. At the lowest price we’ve seen for a Chromebook, it still doesn’t suffer from poor performance. Perfect for kids, but probably not the computer you want for heavy duty work.
Acer HD WLED Chromebook
With over 200 positive online reviews, this great Chromebook from Acer has a beautiful display, solid battery life, and a great price point. The startup time is also extremely fast, and the computer itself is durable – but still extremely lightweight.
Google Pixelbook
The best Chromebook for performance – the Pixelbook is a bit pricier than other options, but it is well worth the money. The Intel processor is very fast, the display is beautiful, and we loved the Pixel pen. Our staff was also amazed that startup only took a few seconds, and loved how this machine never seemed to slow down.
HP Chromebook 14
This Chromebook from HP is a steal, and offers performance far beyond its price tag. It’s super light, durable, and has a great display. While lacking some of the deluxe features of the higher-priced models, our staff loved how portable it was, and how easy it was to transport.
Acer Chromebook Spin 13 CP713-1WN-53NF
This high-performance Chromebook from Acer is a beautiful machine. It also boots up in less than 5 seconds, and has a very comfortable keyboard. Our staff also loved the touchpad, as well as the foldable touchscreen.
What Is A Chromebook?
So, what exactly is a Chromebook? This mid-sized device isn’t quite a laptop, but it isn’t a tablet, either. A Chromebook is primarily characterized by the fact that it runs on a Linux-based operating system called Chrome OS, rather than Mac, Windows, or iOS.
Chromebooks come in a variety of screen sizes, ranging from 10.1 inches to 15.6 inches. Most models are incredibly lightweight, which makes them very portable and convenient devices.
As technology continues to advance, many people wonder whether or not they need a full laptop, and can instead get by with a tablet, notebook, or Chromebook. In fact, more than 60% of the computers purchased by schools today are Chromebooks! Depending on your work, social, and entertainment needs, a Chromebook may be just the right device for you.
Which Operating System Does A Chromebook Use?
As mentioned above, Chromebooks function on an operating system called Chrome OS. Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system designed by Google. This is the same operating system that powers the Google Chrome browser in your phone, tablet, or laptop.
Because Chromebooks rely on Chrome OS, this sets certain parameters to the operation of a Chromebook. Essentially, if you can perform a task in Google Chrome, you can perform the task within a Chromebook. If you cannot perform the task using Chrome, then you likely won’t be able to get it done with a Chromebook.
Here’s another way to think about Chrome OS: if there is an iOS or Android app for the task you want to accomplish, then you can do it with a Chromebook. If the task requires a more advanced application to complete, then it’s likely beyond the scope of a Chromebook. Make sense?
What Is the Difference Between A Chromebook And A Laptop?
When Google first announced the Chromebook back in 2011, many techies were skeptical. What would the purpose of this device be, when we already have laptops and phones? However, in its nearly 10-year run, Chromebooks have proved themselves as useful, efficient alternatives to laptops.
A Chromebook is kind of like the little sibling of a laptop. Laptops typically run on Mac OS or Windows OS, and these are built with the capacity for advanced tasks such as PC gaming and high-resolution photo editing.
Chromebooks, on the other hand, simply don’t have the bandwidth to handle these tasks. If your work or play primarily revolves around apps, emails, and web browsers, then good news! You can rely on either a laptop or a Chromebook to get the job done.
It’s suffice to say that unless you have some very specific demands for your device, a Chromebook will be more than enough to accommodate your needs.
Who Makes Chromebooks?
This question is a little bit complicated. Google creates and owns the operating system for all Chromebooks, but there are many different manufacturers who physically create the hardware and design the appearance of Chromebooks.
Samsung, ASUS, Dell, Lenovo, HP, Google, and Acer are all manufacturers of Chromebooks, and each model carries its own unique design, weight, and style. Look through our selection of favorite Chromebooks to choose the right look and feel for you!
How Do I Use A Chromebook?
Functionality varies with every different kind of Chromebook, but the general framework is the same. Most Chromebooks look like miniature laptops, with an attached screen and keyboard. Just find the power button, press it, and you’ll be good to go!
After you power on your Chromebook, you’ll notice some similarities with other desktop systems. Just like Windows, Linux, and Mac OS, there’s a desktop area in the center screen, with apps and options in a neat row at the bottom.
You can customize your Chromebook desktop background, just like any other device. However, the desktop area remains empty, rather than serving as a storage area for files and applications. This space is solely used to display open browser windows.
Chromebooks rely on apps to perform tasks. When you open an app, this either opens a new window or a tab in the main Chrome browser (depending on your app settings). Open windows can be resized or split to take up half the display like in other systems—giving you the capacity to focus on multiple tasks at once.
How Do You Install Apps On A Chromebook?
Once you get a Chromebook, you’re probably going to want to learn how to install apps. After all, Chromebooks rely on apps to perform different functions! On a Chromebook, you can install any app that is available within the Google Play, Android, or Apple store.
You can download apps to perform nearly any task imaginable. There are apps for writing, listening to music, managing your schedule, watching television, talking with friends, playing games….the list is endless! Apps allow you to personalize your Chromebook, and they make it possible for you to get the most out of your device.
It’s very easy to install apps onto your Chromebook. First, make sure that you are connected to the internet. Then, click on the Play Store icon within the Launcher. This will open an application that allows you to view all available apps within the Google Play store.
You can search for the app you want based on genre, name, or developer. Once you find the app you want to download, simply select it and click the “Install” button. As soon as your app finishes installing, you can use it!
How Do I Remove Apps On A Chromebook?
Naturally, if you want to install apps on your Chromebook, you will eventually need to delete some! Deleting apps allows you to customize your Chromebook, and to free up memory space on your device. Luckily, this process is as simple as installing apps.
To delete a Chromebook app, first open the Launcher icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Then, click the up-carrot to view all of your apps. Right-click on the app you want to uninstall (to right-click on a Chromebook, simply tap the trackpad with two fingers!). Finally, select “Uninstall” or “Remove from Chrome.”
How Much Is A Chromebook?
Just like any technology, the price varies dramatically for different brands and models of Chromebooks. However, you can rest assured that Chromebooks are generally far less expensive than your average laptop computer. This is what makes Chromebooks such a great tech option!
In 2020, Chromebooks can cost as little as $160 and as much as $999. This gives you a lot of flexibility, depending on your budget and functionality needs. Check out our list of recommendations to find the best Chromebook for you.
Can I Use A Chromebook Offline?
Because the OS of a Chromebook is based upon the framework of Google Chrome, a web browser, Chromebooks are best used when you have access to the internet. That being said, Chrome OS is constantly expanding and enhancing user capabilities for offline app usage. If you have an iPad or laptop, their offline mode is probably very similar to that of a Chromebook.
Offline, you can use your Chromebook to write and edit documents, write drafts of emails, read, play certain app games, edit photos, play downloaded movies, and listen to downloaded music. After you install an app onto your Chromebook, look into its settings or app specifications to learn whether you can use it offline.
Can I Print With A Chromebook?
Yes, you can! The world is growing increasingly digitized, but sometimes we all need a hard copy of an important document or photo. Luckily, Chromebooks give users many options for connecting to printers.
Depending on the model of your printer, you can print wirelessly, or through a direct connection with the use of an adapter. The process for connecting your Chromebook to a wireless printer is very simple — just look for ‘Printing’ in your Chromebook settings. If you choose to print wirelessly, just make sure that your Chromebook and printer are connected to the same wireless network.
Can I Do Screenshots With A Chromebook?
Yes, you can! Chromebooks can do pretty much anything a laptop, phone, or tablet can do. Capturing screenshots is an incredibly important function, and Chrome OS makes it very easy for users to do so.
To create a screenshot with your Chromebook, simply hold down the Ctrl + Switch window keys. This will give you a full screenshot. If you want to capture only a portion of your screen, then hold down the Ctrl + Shift + Switch window keys.
The Best Chromebook
There you have it – our picks for the best Chromebook. There are a ton of great choices besides Chromebooks, so be sure to take a look at our other reviews, in the electronics section.