Get online for less with these Chromebooks
If you’re looking for something cheap and basic to get online and do general day-to-day stuff and productivity tasks, then a Chromebook might be a good option for you. They tend to be cheaper, they’re generally more lightweight, and many of them are touchscreen-enabled. That said, you should be aware that they run on ChromeOS rather than Windows, so it might take a bit of adjustment, although it’s a perfect device if you’re already in the Google ecosystem.
Chromebooks are user-friendly and tend to be more affordable than Windows laptops and Apple MacBooks. Plus, since they’re less complicated to use, a Chromebook can make an excellent laptop for kids (they might already be using one for school) or less tech-savvy adults in need of just a simple computer — or just anyone who wants an inexpensive laptop for a home office and entertainment. There’s even a new crop of big-screen Chromebooks for gamers.
Here are three of CNET’s picks as the best Chromebooks currently on the market, but for more options check out the full list as well as our list of great Chromebook deals at www.cnet.com.
BEST CHROMEBOOK OVERALL: HP DRAGONFLY PRO CHROMEBOOK
Most Chromebooks fall below $500, and for general use, they’re all most people will need. However, Google’s ChromeOS is capable of doing much more than it could more than a decade ago when it first appeared. Consider this HP Dragonfly Pro the MacBook Pro of Chromebooks: beautiful design, excellent display, keyboard and touchpad and enough processing power to take advantage of today’s ChromeOS features. And if you’re an Android phone user, it’s the perfect companion. But, it is $1,000, and for many, its features might be overkill. It makes more sense for its target audience of always-connected freelancers and contract workers who’ll use it day in and day out.
Pros:
■ Gorgeous design.
■ Roomy, high-res and bright display.
■ Solid performance.
Cons:
■ Pricey among Chromebooks.
■ Previous-gen Intel silicon.
■ Pen not included.
BEST CHROMEBOOK FOR A LITTLE LESS: ACER CHROMEBOOK SPIN 714
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is essentially a runner-up to the Dragonfly Pro. This premium two-in-one doesn’t stray far from its predecessor in terms of what it offers: sturdy design, nice-looking display, strong performance and long battery life. The main changes are an updated 13th-gen Intel Core i5 processor but Acer removed the garaged pen for use on the touchscreen display. It still works with USI pens, though. There are less expensive options, but if you want a Chromebook that’ll last for years, this is it. Keep an eye out for a sale on this one, too: It normally lists for around $700, but can often be found on sale for less than $600.
Pros:
■ Excellent port assortment.
■ Durable build.
■ 1440p-resolution webcam.
Cons:
■ Tiny touchpad.
■ No microSD card slot.
■ Pen no longer included.
BEST CHROMEBOOK TABLET 2-IN-1:
LENOVO DUET CHROMEBOOK
The Lenovo Duet Chromebook (aka Chromebook Duet 3) is an awesome little 11-inch ChromeOS tablet with a detachable keyboard and touchpad. Its small size and performance aren’t ideal for full-time use. But the Chromebook Duet 3 is a good pick if you’re looking for an affordable ultraportable device to get some work done on the go, sketch or jot down notes in class, or do simple stuff like email, web browsing, gaming, reading and streaming video.
Pros:
■ Includes a keyboard cover.
■ Works as a laptop or tablet.
■ Excellent overall value.
Cons:
■ Touchpad isn’t great.
■ Slower performance.
■ No headphone jack.