You need a powerful device: Ultimately, this is a laptop built for the everyday, so you won't get any spectacular performance out of it. We measure the average brightness and color quality of each laptop's display using our in-house light meter and colorimeter. For general performance, we run our machines through tests that include Geekbench 5 (CPU performance), as well as various 3DMark tests to measure graphics capabilities. We also run a file transfer test to measure how fast a machine's hard drive is, and a custom battery test that has the machine browse the internet over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, which is a web-based operating system very similar to Google Chrome, so if you’re familiar with Google Chrome, a Chromebook might be a good option for you. Traditional laptops typically run the Windows operating system, and Macbooks run macOS, and will usually be full of RAM to make sure the laptop runs without lag or performance issues - something Chromebooks don’t have to worry about. A glossy coating means that reflections can be a bit of a problem at some brightness levels, but sat on a train next to a window we found that setting the screen to full brightness effectively countered this problem. Game Pass Ultimate: Subscription continues automatically at regular monthly price unless cancelled. Xbox Cloud Gaming: requires supported controller (sold separately); streaming limitations apply, server availability and wait times may vary. Subject to xbox.com/subscriptionterms. Follow instructions on your new Galaxy Book to activate Game Pass Ultimate. Features may require software or other 3rd party applications to provide the described functionality. Internet service required and not included.

You work at BID, what a legend.

Operating system: Laptops typically come in three flavors: Windows (most mainstream PCs), macOS (MacBooks) and Chrome OS (Chromebooks). Chrome OS isn't good for much besides web surfing, file management, and light computing, so a Chromebook isn't a great choice for serious schoolwork. However, a crafty student could install Linux on a high-powered Chromebook to turn it into a decent laptop for engineering work.

The Chromebook 11 comes with a total of four USB ports, an impressive amount for a Chromebook at any price. There are two USB-C ports on our review unit, either of which can accept the power adapter plug. There are also two USB Type-A ports, useful for connecting a wired mouse or perhaps an external drive to supplement the Dell's internal storage. Unfortunately, there's no SD or microSD card slot, so you can't expand storage that way. You want a budget-y Chromebook: This is a premium item with premium specs, so expect to pay for all this hardware. A Chromebook is different from a laptop in a few key ways, but it’s important to note that Chromebooks are laptops, they just function differently. What you’re using a laptop for will ultimately determine whether or not you should invest in a Chromebook or something more powerful with better processors and graphics cards. You want hardware that’s more seamless to use: The keyboard cover comes with an excellent keyboard, but the rest of it is a pain to use. Chief among these is this display, a crisp and colorful QHD panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio to provide more screen real estate. With 100 sRGB color reproduction and good maximum brightness, it's one of the best screens we've ever seen on a Chromebook. The 120Hz refresh rate is also vital for ensuring a smooth framerate during intense gameplay.Striving to create a device that not only was capable of surviving the mishaps of a typical school day but was also suitable for more vulnerable young learners, Acer built the Acer Chromebook 311 (and Acer Chromebook 511) in compliance with a pair of leading toy safety standards. Plastic coatings on the computer have been strictly tested and certified under the ASTM F963-16 [5] Toy Safety Standard and the device also meets the UL/IEC 60950-1 [6] standard, covering everything from chemical and material safety to sharp edges to ensure that the Acer Chromebook 311 is safe and suitable for use by younger children. You want to use Steam directly: There's no way to currently install Steam on this Chromebook, so using a game streaming service is the only way to game on it. If you want to really see what today's Chromebooks can do, or just want to game without the huge upfront investment of a gaming laptop, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is an easy answer. It has the processing chops to support all of your gaming needs, and it's naturally a fast and capable Chromebook in every other respect. And even with its higher gaming price, it's still less expensive than many midrange Windows machines.

Terms Apply. Promotion ends 3 December 2023. Items are subject to availability. Max 5 units per customer. In essence, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) is worth the extra cash. It’s a more premium looking, feeling, and performing device than many of the alternatives. Hard drive retention: Hard drive retention is not available on models with a soldered hard drive, including XPS 9315 2in1, Chromebooks or Venue tablets, except the Venue 11 Pro.

Acer's reign continues with the Chromebook Spin 514, the new best Chromebook for most people. It primarily does this through a rugged yet flexible 2-in-1 design and category-leading AMD processing. Helpful features, like a full HD webcam, a Wi-Fi 6 radio, a USB-C port, and an HDMI connection round out the experience. With a generous 13-hour battery life, this Chromebook won't need frequent charging, and its sturdy aluminum build has MIL-STD 810H certification to survive the rigors of daily use. The 2023 Chromebook Spin 514 is an adaptable and high-performing premium Chromebook that impresses with its premium build quality and top-notch capabilities. Who It's For While the specs on this one are higher than many previous models, if you need processing power for creative works and hardcore editing then this isn't the laptop for you. When shopping for a Chromebook, you'll note less hardware variety than with Windows machines. These are the most important specs and factors to be aware of. Also note that a new class of Chromebooks is emerging called the Chromebook Plus family. Rolling out in mid-October 2023, these machines mandate certain minimum Chromebook specs to guarantee a solid user experience, including high-resolution cameras, IPS screens, and an 8GB floor for memory. (Credit: Kyle Cobian) Screen Resolution Despite its small size and tablet design, this is just as capable as the rest of the mid-range options on this list. It's powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c chip, which is comfortably powerful enough to handle whatever you throw at it on Chrome OS. We ran 20 Chrome tabs on the x2 11, five of which were streaming content from various services, and we didn't experience any noticeable slowdown. No matter though; for a straightforward laptop experience, the CX1700 is hard to beat. The screen is wide and bright with a small bezel, and the larger form factor has allowed Asus to fit in a comfortable full-size keyboard including a numpad - a rarity on Chromebooks that some students and professionals are sure to find useful.