Looking for a good laptop that won’t totally obliterate your budget? A Chromebook might be just the thing. They’re usually way cheaper than Windows machines with some starting around $300. They start up fast, they’re super easy to use, and they handle updates on their own.
And yeah, with services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce Now, you can even stream big games on certain models. The main thing is grabbing one that nails the basics–runs smooth, feels sturdy, and doesn’t’ tap out halfway through the day. We’ve tested these picks hands-on, so if it’s on this list, it’s earned its spot.
If you decide that you’d prefer a Windows laptop, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available today.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – Best overall Chromebook
Pros
- Zippy processor performance
- Nice keyboard
- Wide array of connectivity options
- Chic design
Cons
- Battery life isn’t competitive
- Display’s 16:9 aspect ratio feels a little cramped
Who should buy the Asus Chromebook Plus PX34?
If you want a Chromebook that can do it all, the Asus Chromebook PX34 is it. The Intel Core i5 keeps everything running smooth–streaming, school work, or juggling a bunch of tabs. And the ports? You’ve got USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack, which means you can kiss the dongle life goodbye.
Asus Chromebook Plus PX34: Further considerations
It’s not all sunshine, though. The 16:9 screen can feel cramped if you’re used to roomier displays, and while 13 hours of battery life sounds nice on paper, others last longer. Not a deal breaker, but if screen space or all-day power is at the top of your list, you might want to look elsewhere.
Read our full Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review
Asus Chromebook CX15 – Best budget Chromebook
Pros
- Good design with enjoyable keyboard
- Sharp 15.6-inch 1080p display
- Decent speakers
- Extremely inexpensive
Cons
- Small touchpad
- Slow dual-core processor
- 4GB RAM often holds it back
- Short battery life for a Chromebook
Who should buy the Asus Chromebook CX15?
Need a reliable laptop for under $200? The CX15 is totally worth a look because it’s great for anyone who mostly browses the web and watches YouTube videos. The spacious 15.6-inch 1080p display and roomy keyboard also make it feel more premium than you’d expect at this price point. For daily tasks, it really gets the job done–you can’t say that about too many machines in this range.
Asus Chromebook CX15: Further considerations
You’re not going to get blazing fast performance here and that’s entirely OK. The Intel Celeron N4500 processor offers enough pep to get you through lighter workloads, but you may see some lag with heavier multitasking. Battery life is pretty darn good at around 10 hours, though we’ve seen other Chromebooks that last longer.
Still, for what you pay, the CX15 is a surprising little machine.
Read our full Asus Chromebook CX15 review
Lenovo Chromebook Duet – Best Chromebook for students
Pros
- Great value
- Flexible form factor
- Surprisingly good keyboard
- Amazing battery life
Cons
- Needs more RAM
- Android apps don’t run well
- Vertical kickstand reduces horizontal options
Who should buy the Lenovo Chromebook Duet?
Students, commuters, or anyone who wants something light, cheap, and lasts all day, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is the one to pick. The Duet weighs just over two pounds with the keyboard and kickstand, so it slides into a bag like it’s nothing.
Battery life? You’re getting 12–13 hours easy, which means no hunting for outlets between classes or meetings. The 2-in-1 setup is nice, too. Type when you need to, flip it around, and chill with Netflix or YouTube when you don’t.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet: Further considerations
This isn’t a machine for power users. It’s not built for ten open tabs and a Zoom call. But for notes, docs, emails, and streaming? It’s smooth. The keyboard’s better than you’d expect, flat but comfy, and the screen, while only 10.1 inches, keeps distractions at bay.
Read our full Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2024) review
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 14 – Best high-end Chromebook
Pros
- Good multitasking performance
- Beautiful display
- Punchy speakers
Cons
- Keyboard took some getting used to
- AI stuff still feels unnecessary
Who should buy the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 14?
If you want a Chromebook that actually feels like a step-up from the entry-level fare and don’t mind flipping it into tablet or tent mode sometimes, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 14 is a good one. The 14-inch 1200p screen is smooth at 120Hz, and at about three pounds, it’s light enough to carry around without feeling like a brick.
Inside it’s packing the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 chip, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage. It handles a bunch of tabs, schoolwork, YouTube, whatever. Wi-Fi 7 also means it won’t choke on downloads, the webcam is decent enough for the occasional Zoom call, and battery life is around 15 hours.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 14: Further considerations
The keyboard’s a bit weird at first (it sits a bit higher than most people are used to). That’s about it—otherwise, it’s fast, flexible, and just feels way nicer than most midrange Chromebooks.
Read our full Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 review
Acer Chromebook 516 GE – Best Chromebook for cloud gaming
Pros
- Attractive design
- Excellent CPU performance
- Loads of wired and wireless connectivity
- High-resolution 1600p display
Cons
- Mediocre keyboard and touchpad
- Disappointing speakers and microphone
- Display lacks contrast and color vibrancy
Who should buy the Acer Chromebook 516 GE?
If you’re all-in on cloud gaming and want a Chromebook that can actually keep up, the 516 GE is built for you. It’s packing an Intel Core i5, a super smooth 120Hz screen, and it flies with GeForce Now and Amazon Luna. We played on it and the gameplay was crisp and lag-free. That Ethernet port? An excellent move for stable, low-latency sessions.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Further considerations
No local game installs here, this thing lives in the cloud. If your internet sucks, it’s not going to be fun. But if your connection is solid, you’re golden. You’re also getting a sharp 1080p webcam, solid battery (around 65 watt-hours), and a slick design. Price-wise, it’s not cheap at around $650, but if you want a Chromebook built for gaming and not just Google Docs, it earns its keep.
Read our full Acer Chromebook 516 GE review
Other notable Chromebooks we’ve tested
These Chromebooks didn’t crack our top picks list, but they’re still worth a look.
The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 has a tough build and runs smooth for everyday stuff, but it’ll cost you a bit more. The Acer Chromebook Spin 315 is comfy to type on and handles the basics just fine, though the big bezels and limited charging options hold it back. Then there’s the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, which is super sleek and light at just 2.58 pounds and under half an inch thick.
How we test Chromebooks
The PCWorld team puts each and every laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Due to the cloud-based nature of Chromebooks, they go through a series of web-based tests. It wouldn’t be fair or possible to run the same kinds of tests on a Chromebook as we use on laptops because they exclusively run a completely different operating system.
For a more thorough explanation of our testing procedures, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.
Why you should trust PCWorld for laptop reviews and buying advice
It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Who curated this article?
Hi, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld. While you’ll see me review Chromebooks on occasion, I’m also really into the broader world of consumer tech. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term trends. When I’m not deep in the world of tech, you’ll probably find me gaming, getting lost in a good book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen.
How to choose the best Chromebook
If you want something like a Windows or MacBook but cheaper, check out a Chromebook. Just keep in mind they’ve got some limits. They’re good for simple, everyday stuff but they don’t have a lot of RAM or storage, so they’re not equipped to handle more resource-intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.
We’ve got a guide that compares Chromebooks and Windows laptops if you want to figure out what’s best for you.
Key Chromebook features to consider
Operating system
Chromebooks only run Chrome OS, which is pretty easy to use. You can’t put Windows or macOS on them — you’re stuck with Google’s setup.
Processor
Shoot for a mid-range Chromebook if you can. They cost anywhere in the $400 to $600 range and many of them come equipped with Intel Pentium, Intel Core i3, or AMD Ryzen 3 processors. These Chromebooks run the browser smoother. They’re the best deal for the price. The fancier ones sometimes come with Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 chips, which are way more powerful.
RAM
Lots of Chromebooks come with just 4GB of RAM, which isn’t much. Since they’re all about the web, you need enough RAM to keep your tabs from lagging. If you can drop a bit more cash, you can grab a mid-range Chromebook with 8GB, which runs way smoother.
FAQ
What is the best Chromebook?
PCWorld thinks the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is the best all-around Chromebook. It’s got a solid Intel Core i5 processor, lots of ports, and handles everyday stuff really well. Basically, it’s a great pick if you want a reliable Chromebook without breaking the bank.
What is the best cheap Chromebook?
PCWorld calls the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook the best cheap pick. It’s lightweight and has solid battery life, so it’s good if you’re on a budget. Just remember, 4GB RAM means it’s not great for running lots of stuff at once.
What is the best Chromebook for gaming?
The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is the best Chromebook for gaming. It’s got a big 16-inch 120Hz screen, handles cloud gaming pretty well, and has an Ethernet port for steady internet, which you need for stuff like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop?
A Chromebook’s just a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome OS instead of Windows or Mac. It’s mostly for web stuff like Google Drive and YouTube. Regular laptops are more powerful and can handle pretty much anything.
What is a Chromebook?
A Chromebook is a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome OS.
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