The Best Chromebooks to Get You Through Your School or Work Day

Chromebooks have come a long way from being affordable cookie cutter laptops that completely rely on the Internet to function. These days Chrome OS devices can cost anywhere from $100 to upwards of $1,000. Even their form factors can vary from tablets to clamshell laptops and convertible notebooks. Meanwhile, processing power and storage has become much more important as almost all Chromebooks are capable of running Android apps. There’s a lot more to consider when buying a Chromebook, but we’ve been keeping our finger on the pulse of this developing Chrome OS world. Whether you’re looking for a good, all-around Chromebook, something that’ll survive the rigors of the classroom, or a high-end device that’ll make Ultrabook owners jealous, you’ll find a Chromebook for you in our picks below.

TL;DR – These are the Best Chromebooks:

• Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
• Lenovo Chromebook 100e
• Asus Chromebook Flip C214
• Google Pixelbook Go
• Lenovo Chromebook Duet
• Acer Chromebook Spin 713
• Samsung Galaxy Chromebook

1. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5

Best Chromebook

[poilib element="commerceCta" json="%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FLenovoChromebook-Flex-51597712531243.jpg%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FLenovoChromebook-Flex-51597712531243_%7Bsize%7D.jpg%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225f3b2898e4b08410b4119a64%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fc04g%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Lenovo%20Chromebook%20Flex%205%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Atrue%7D"] The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook is pretty much the perfect Chromebook. It combines everything you expect from a modern, quality Chrome OS device for a starting price of $410. The Flex 5 comes wrapped in a premium aluminum shell that’s paired with a sharp and vibrant 1080p IPS display plus capable Intel Core processors. Better yet, this Chromebook is flexible – hence the name – and you’ll be able to flip the screen over the bottom of the laptop for a tablet-like experience for your Chrome apps and any Android apps from the Google Play Store. The Intel Core i5 model we have featured here is a bit pricier at $700 than the sold-out Core i3 model we’d normally recommend, but you’re still looking at a great Chrome OS machine for the price.

2. Lenovo Chromebook 100e

Best Budget Chromebook

[poilib element="commerceCta" json="%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FLenovoChromebook-100e1597712718791.jpg%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FLenovoChromebook-100e1597712718791_%7Bsize%7D.jpg%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225f3b2953e4b08410b4119a65%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fc04h%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Lenovo%20Chromebook%20100e%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D"] Chromebooks were first known for being affordable, and the Lenovo Chromebook 100e carries that torch on with its $300 price. Compared to our top pick, you’re looking at a much more basic machine with an 11-inch display and plastic shell. The screen is only high-definition with a resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels, and it won’t flip over to turn into a tablet. However, all that simplicity helps keep the price down. You also get a zippy Intel Celeron N4000 processor to help speed all your web docs and browsing along.

3. Asus Chromebook Flip C214

Best Rugged Chromebook

[poilib element="commerceCta" json="%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FAsusChromebook-Flip-C2141597712836238.jpg%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FAsusChromebook-Flip-C2141597712836238_%7Bsize%7D.jpg%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225f3b29c9e4b08410b4119a66%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fc04i%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Asus%20Chromebook%20Flip%20C214%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D"] The Asus Chromebook Flip C214 features mil-spec durability designed to survive the rigors of the classroom. Thanks to its rubberized edges and scratch-resistant finish, this laptop comes ready to shrug off being dropped and crushed by any child or clumsy adult. Aside from its durability, the Flip C214 features a 11.6 inch (1,366 x 768) display, Intel Celeron N4000 processor, and all day battery life to help students get through their classes. If you’re looking for a Chromebook that’ll make it through the school year and a few more to come, this is it.

4. Google Pixelbook Go

Best Chromebook

[poilib element="commerceCta" json="%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FGooglePixelbook-Go1597712870890.jpg%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FGooglePixelbook-Go1597712870890_%7Bsize%7D.jpg%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225f3b29ebe4b08410b4119a67%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fc04j%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Google%20Pixelbook%20Go%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D"] The Pixelbook Go is an affordable and official Chromebook made by Google itself. It has one of the sharpest designs around with a thin 13mm form factor and a minimalist, matte black paint scheme. The underside features a washboard-like texture that makes it more grippy in your hand or lap. This unit features specs that are a step above your average Chromebook, such as a 13-inch Full HD display and Intel Core m3 processor. Despite the extra power, you can expect this machine to last a full day with up to 12 hours of battery life.

5. Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Best Chrome Tablet

[poilib element="commerceCta" json="%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FLenovoChromebook-Duet1597712935256.jpg%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FLenovoChromebook-Duet1597712935256_%7Bsize%7D.jpg%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225f3b2a2be4b0bc37c6871524%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fc04k%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Lenovo%20Chromebook%20Duet%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D"] While many Chromebooks have screens that flip over and turn themselves into makeshift tablets, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is one of the few true Chrome OS tablets on the market. Pretty much exactly like a Microsoft Surface Go 2, the Chromebook Duet is a tablet with an integrated kickstand and magnetic keyboard. Despite only featuring a 10-inch screen, the display presents a sharp Full HD (1920 x 1200) picture with some extra lines of vertical resolution for good measure. Its MediaTek Helio P60T processor might not sound as familiar as any of Intel or AMD’s chipsets, but this lesser-known CPU keeps this tablet running at a peppy pace and is more than capable of running all of your favorite Android apps too.

6. Acer Chromebook Spin 713

Best High-End Chromebook

[poilib element="commerceCta" json="%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FAcerChromebook-Spin-7131597713027122.jpg%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FAcerChromebook-Spin-7131597713027122_%7Bsize%7D.jpg%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225f3b2a89e4b0bc37c6871525%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fc04m%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Acer%20Chromebook%20Spin%20713%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D"] The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 delivers everything you could want from a Chromebook and then some. Firstly, it features a 2-in-1 design so you can flip the screen around to use it either in "tablet" or "tent" mode. It also has a high-resolution 2,256 x 1,504 display with a 3:2 screen aspect ratio that’s taller than the norm, but this makes it great for reading articles, writing documents, or coding. You also get plenty of power under the hood with a quad-core Intel Core i5-10210U processor plus a 128GB SSD for downloading even the largest Android apps. Whereas a few years ago a Chromebook this powerful would cost you more than $1,000, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 goes for as low as $629.

7. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook

Best 4K Chromebook

[poilib element="commerceCta" json="%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FSamsungGalaxy-Chromebook1597713127666.jpg%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F08%2F17%2FSamsungGalaxy-Chromebook1597713127666_%7Bsize%7D.jpg%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225f3b2aece4b0bc37c6871526%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fc04n%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Samsung%20Galaxy%20Chromebook%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D"] If you’re looking to buy a Chromebook for streaming 4K media and making Ultrabook owners envious, you’ll want to check out the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook. To date, this machine is the only Chromebook with a 4K display. What’s more, it uses an AMOLED screen for true blacks while also covering 100% of the Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color spectrums. This cinema-quality screen even incorporates Ambient EQ technology to adapt the color temperature and brightness of the display just like Samsung’s smartphones. Aside from incorporating a stunning display, this Chromebook runs on an Intel Core i5-10210U processor and 8GB of memory. Storage space meanwhile starts with a 256GB SSD, so you’ll never have to worry about not having enough power or space to run your Android apps. The cherry on top of this premium 4K Chromebook is the included, stowable S-Pen for one of the best digital writing experiences you can have on Chrome OS. [widget path="ign/modules/recirc" parameters="title=More%20Expert%20Tech%20Roundups&type=articles%2Cvideos&tags=tech-roundup&count=4&columnCount=4&theme=article"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam