With most under $500, web-centric Chromebooks are competent computers that can save you money. Here’s what you need to know, along with the best Chromebook models we have tested.
Plenty of laptops, from budget to deluxe, are available in all sorts of shapes and sizes. But what if pretty much everything you do is online, you don’t need much in the way of software support, and you want to spend a few hundred dollars, instead of $1,000 or more? A Chromebook could be the answer. These inexpensive laptops don’t offer a full Windows experience. (If you know the Chrome browser, get used to it: Most Chromebook activity happens within that world.) But Chromebooks’ web-centric operation and ultralow prices make them perfect for light-usage social media and web-based productivity. If you spend more than 90% of your computer time in a web browser, you should have little trouble using a Chromebook as your primary PC. (Photo: Molly Flores) Most Chromebooks don’t pack impressive hardware, but they also rarely require it. Because you’ll be visiting websites and running programs all from Chrome OS, which is basically a souped-up version of the Chrome web browser, the technical barrier to entry is low. This also means you don’t have to deal with downloading and installing traditional software; if you can’t do something on or within a standard webpage, chances are you will be able to from one of the thousands of apps and extensions available to Chrome OS users. With just a few clicks, your Chromebook can have almost as much functionality as a budget Windows laptop, and you even can install any app designed for the Android mobile OS on most Chromebooks. (If you’re scouting older or discounted Chromebooks, be aware of this key distinction; Android-app support is a relatively recent development, and you should check this list to make sure the older model you’re eyeing supports it.) This means Microsoft Office is now available on many Chromebooks via the Google Play store for Chrome, a revolution in functionality that removes one of the last barriers preventing productivity devotees from switching to Chrome OS. (Photo: Zlata Ivleva) One primary benefit of running exclusively web-based software is security. For all intents and purposes, you’re immune to the viruses and other malware that so often plague vulnerable Windows systems. Chrome OS updates also take just seconds to complete, rather than the minutes or hours you may have to wait on macOS and Windows to do their update thing. And although easy access to an always-on internet connection is a must for Chromebooks, you’re able to perform most standard tasks offline and sync up later on, so you don’t have to slow or stop your work if there’s an internet-connectivity hiccup.
