We’ve smoked out the best Chromebook deals — from full-sized laptops to 2-in-1 convertibles — that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Chromebooks aren’t new by any means — the first ones hit the market more than a decade ago — but you might have only become familiar with Chrome OS laptops recently thanks to the surge in popularity they’ve enjoyed in the past two years. That newfound stardom is owed to the fact that these Chrome-powered laptops are affordable, light on resources, and purpose-built for those who live online thanks to their cloud-based Chrome OS software. Chromebooks run the gamut from cheap netbooks to featherweight ultrabooks sporting features like 4K touchscreens, though, so you’ve got a few options to choose from. Sound like your cup of tea? Read on: These are the best Chromebook deals available right now.
Why Buy
Looking for a Chromebook from one of the best laptop brands is always a good place to start. In the case of the Lenovo Chromebook 3, you can carry this thing around almost as easily as a tablet because it’s so light and compact. The idea is that it’s best designed for younger students that are just starting out on their academic journey and therefore just starting out with technology like this too. It offers a nice keyboard for its size, and it’s robust and versatile. Students can use it for both typing up notes and for getting assignments done.
As expected, this Chromebook uses Chrome OS which means there are plenty of different games, productivity apps, and hands-on learning tools available through the service. It keeps things simple but that means that parents will know their child is using the system for the right reasons rather than anything potentially worrying. It still covers all the key bases, though, with a front-facing camera for video calls and taking classes online. The Chromebook uses an Intel Celeron mobile processor, which is good enough for basic activities with 4GB of memory helping out. Its 64GB of eMMC storage is sufficient for storing the operating system and other vital files. The 11-inch display looks pretty good, too, with an HD resolution which is fine for this size.
This Chromebook is lightweight so it’s incredibly portable as you would expect from an 11-inch laptop. A solid battery life means you or your child can work hard without you needing to find a power source in the middle of a class.
Why Buy
The Asus C403 gets things done in the style you would expect from such a well-regarded laptop brand. A standout feature is its 14-inch HD display that promises a refresh rate of 60Hz and also has anti-glare properties. Given it’s what you’ll be looking at most, it’s a great way of reducing the risk of eye strain when working or studying throughout the day. The other highlight for the Asus C403 is its robust design. It has been rigorously tested beyond military-grade standards so that it can survive bumps and drops thanks to its all-around rubberized housing. If you’re accident-prone or providing this to a child with the same issues, you can be guaranteed that this Chromebook can survive many days ahead of it. It also has a reinforced hinge along with a spill-resistant keyboard.
Under that robust hood is a decent set of specs for the price. It has an Intel Celeron processor along with 4GB of memory. Intel generally provides reasonable processors so while this one won’t be up to anything high-end, it’s perfectly capable of handling the needs of Chrome OS.
