You is likely to be tempted to get a Chromebook as your subsequent laptop computer and we wouldn’t blame you. Chrome OS has come a great distance: Chromebooks right this moment have a superb mixture of construct high quality, battery life and energy whereas additionally supporting years of software program updates that may take you years into the longer term. If you happen to primarily browse the online, or don’t want a ton of additional software program frequently, a Chromebook is usually a highly effective each day driver.
Whereas Google did make issues easier final fall by introducing the Chromebook Plus initiative (extra on that beneath), there are nonetheless a number of issues to bear in mind when looking for a brand new Chromebook. The market is saturated with machines at totally different value factors and energy ranges; I’ve been testing and reviewing Chromebooks for years and know what try to be in search of, and what you possibly can count on out of those laptops.
Desk of contents
Finest Chromebooks in 2025
Chromebook FAQs
What’s Chrome OS, and why would I take advantage of it over Home windows?
That is most likely the primary query about Chromebooks. There are many cheap Home windows laptops available on the market, so why hassle with Chrome’s working system? Glad you requested. For me, the easy and clear nature of Chrome OS is a giant promoting level. Chrome OS is predicated on Google’s Chrome browser, which implies a lot of the packages you possibly can run are net primarily based. There’s no bloatware or undesirable apps to uninstall such as you usually get on Home windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you’ll utterly reset to manufacturing facility settings nearly as rapidly.
After all, simplicity may also be a significant disadvantage for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program is usually a dealbreaker if you happen to’re a video editor or software program developer. However there are additionally loads of individuals who do nearly all of their work in an internet browser, utilizing instruments like Google Docs and spreadsheets for productiveness while not having a full Home windows setup.
Google and its software program companions are getting higher yearly at supporting extra superior options. For instance, Google added video editing tools to the Google Photographs app on Chromebooks – it gained’t change Adobe Premiere, nevertheless it ought to be useful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the web final yr, one thing that brings a lot of the facility of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.
Chromebooks may run Android apps, which significantly expands the quantity of software program out there. The standard varies extensively, nevertheless it means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you possibly can set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline watching. Different Android apps like Microsoft Workplace and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly succesful as properly. Between Android apps and a basic enchancment in net apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do properly?
Put merely, net searching and actually something net primarily based. On-line purchasing, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many most typical each day duties individuals do on Chromebooks. As you would possibly count on, in addition they work properly with Google providers like Photographs, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Hold and so forth. Sure, any pc that may run Chrome can try this too, however the light-weight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and secure platform.
As I discussed earlier than, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so if you happen to’re an Android person you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You will get a lot of the similar apps which are in your cellphone on a Chromebook and hold data in sync between them. You can even use some Android telephones as a safety key in your Chromebook or immediately tether your 2-in-1 laptop to make use of cell information.
Google continues to tout safety as a significant differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s positively an element price contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary strains of protection: Chrome OS updates obtain rapidly within the background and a quick reboot is all it takes to put in the newest model. Google says that every webpage and app on a Chromebook runs in its personal sandbox as properly, so any safety threats are contained to that particular person app. Lastly, Chrome OS has a self-check known as Verified Boot that runs each time a tool begins up. Past all this, the easy reality that you just typically can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for dangerous actors to entry the system.
If you happen to’re excited about Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an effective possibility as properly. Each Chromebook in our prime picks comes with a full yr of the Google One AI Premium plan — this combines the same old Google One perks like 2TB of storage and 10 p.c again in purchases from the Google Retailer with a bunch of AI instruments. You’ll get entry to Gemini in Gmail, Google Docs and different apps, Gemini Superior (which runs on the 1.5 Professional mannequin) and extra. On condition that this plan is $20/month, it’s a reasonably stable perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embrace instruments just like the AI-powered “assist me write,” the Google Photographs Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you possibly can create by filling in just a few prompts.
As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is easy: If you happen to rely closely on a particular native utility for Home windows or a Mac, likelihood is you gained’t discover the very same possibility on a ChromeOS machine. That’s most true in fields like photograph and video enhancing, nevertheless it may also be the case in legislation or finance. Loads of companies run on Google’s G suite software program, however extra nonetheless have particular necessities {that a} Chromebook won’t match. If you happen to’re an iPhone person, you’ll additionally miss out on the best way the iPhone simply integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the large draw back isn’t having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.
Lastly, gaming Chromebooks are usually not ubiquitous, though they’re turning into a barely extra affordable possibility with the rise of cloud gaming. In late 2022, Google and a few {hardware} companions introduced a push to make Chromebooks with cloud gaming in thoughts. From a {hardware} perspective, which means laptops with larger screens which have larger refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with providers like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Recreation Move and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of these providers, however the excellent news is that taking part in trendy video games on a Chromebook isn’t not possible. You can even set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are pondering of once they wish to recreation on a laptop computer.
What are a very powerful specs for a Chromebook?
Chrome OS is light-weight and runs properly on pretty modest {hardware}, so a very powerful factor to search for won’t be processor energy or space for storing. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final yr when it launched the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any machine with a Chromebook Plus designation meets some minimal necessities, which occur to be similar to what I’d suggest most individuals get in the event that they’re in search of the best laptop they’ll use every single day.
Chromebook Plus fashions have at the least a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 sequence processor, each of which ought to be greater than sufficient for most individuals. These laptops even have a minimal of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage, which ought to do the trick except you’re actually pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions should have a 1080p webcam, which is sweet in as of late of fixed video calling, and so they additionally all should have at the least a 1080p FHD IPS display screen.
After all, you will get larger specs or higher screens if you happen to want, however I’ve discovered that mainly every thing included within the Chromebook Plus goal specs makes for an excellent expertise.
Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks as properly, and whereas that’s not precisely a spec, it’s price checking before you purchase. Final yr, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and help for a formidable 10 years after their launch date. This support page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however a superb rule of thumb is to purchase the latest machine you possibly can to maximise your help.
How a lot ought to I spend on a Chromebook?
Chromebooks began out notoriously low cost, with checklist costs usually coming in beneath $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being basically trendy netbooks to a few of the finest laptops you’ll wish to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, it’s best to count on to spend at the least $400 if you would like a stable each day driver. There are nonetheless many Chromebooks on the market out there at a low value which may be appropriate as secondary gadgets, however a superb Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will price extra. However, notably, even the very best Chromebooks often price lower than the best Windows laptops, and even the very best “common” laptops on the market.
There are many premium Chromebooks that method and even exceed $1,000 that declare to supply higher efficiency and extra processing energy, however I don’t suggest spending that a lot. Typically, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and further space for storing, like a higher-capacity SSD. After all, you additionally generally pay for the model identify. However, the specs I outlined earlier are often sufficient.
See Additionally:
Different Chromebooks we examined
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
Samsung’s new Galaxy Chromebook Plus is likely one of the extra distinctive Chromebooks on the market. It’s extraordinarily skinny and lightweight, at 0.46 inches and a couple of.6 kilos, nevertheless it manages to incorporate a 15.6-inch show in that body. That display screen is a 1080p panel that’s sharp and vivid, however its 16:9 facet ratio made issues really feel a bit cramped when scrolling vertically. Efficiency is superb, and the keyboard is stable, although I’m not a fan of the quantity pad because it shifts every thing to the left. At $700 it’s not low cost, however that feels honest contemplating its dimension and capabilities. If you happen to’re in search of a giant display screen laptop computer that can be tremendous mild, this Chromebook deserves consideration, even when it’s not the best choice for everybody.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/best-chromebooks-160054646.html?src=rss
Trending Merchandise
Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop computer | 15.6″ Full HD IPS Show | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core Processor | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Home windows 11 Residence in S Mode
LG 27MP400-B 27 Inch Monitor Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Show with 3-Facet Just about Borderless Design, AMD FreeSync and OnScreen Management – Black
Thermaltake V250 Motherboard Sync ARGB ATX Mid-Tower Chassis with 3 120mm 5V Addressable RGB Fan + 1 Black 120mm Rear Fan Pre-Put in CA-1Q5-00M1WN-00
TP-Hyperlink AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router (Archer AXE75)- Gigabit Wi-fi Web Router, ax Router for Gaming, VPN Router, OneMesh, WPA3
CORSAIR iCUE 4000X RGB Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX PC Case – 3X SP120 RGB Elite Followers – iCUE Lighting Node CORE Controller – Excessive Airflow – Black
Wi-fi Keyboard and Mouse Combo, EDJO 2.4G Full-Sized Ergonomic Pc Keyboard with Wrist Relaxation and three Stage DPI Adjustable Wi-fi Mouse for Home windows, Mac OS Desktop/Laptop computer/PC
