Since its debut in 2011, the Chromebook has improved a lot. They’re good enough that you might really want to consider using a Chromebook instead of a laptop as your next computer, especially if you’re looking for the ultimate travel device.
Unfortunately, Chromebooks still carry the imprint of many debunked myths, such as the idea that Chromebooks can’t work offline. They can. In addition, Chromebooks have a lot of advantages that make them much more useful than many people realize.
But, like most modern devices, you have so many options that you may feel overwhelmed when deciding which Chromebook to buy. So, allow us to help you pick the right Chromebook for your needs.
The size and weight of the Chromebook
The first thing you should decide on is the actual physical size of your Chromebook. You have a lot of options, ranging from 10 inches to 17 inches in various sizes, so it’s a pretty tricky decision.
Of these sites, we don’t recommend screens that are 11.6 inches or smaller. We feel that 11.6 inches is too small for any type of laptop device, and if you want something so portable, you might use an 8-inch or 10-inch tablet instead.
In fact, most 11.6-inch Chromebooks have a maximum resolution of 1366×768, which doesn’t offer much screen space and can feel quite crowded, especially if you’re coming from a large screen running in Full HD (1920×1080). Some 13.3-inch Chromebooks have the same maximum resolution, but at least newer Chromebooks can be as high as 3840×2160 (4K UHD).
If portability isn’t a big issue, consider the 15.6-inch size. This is the best overall size of any laptop because it offers a comfortable screen space, but it also brings a higher price tag and more weight. Want to use your Chromebook as a primary machine? Be sure to buy a machine that is 15.6 inches or larger.
Above the screen size, i.e. diagonal measurement from angle to corner, you should take into account the depth or thickness of the device. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is 0.39 inches thick, while the Google Pixelbook Go is 0.50 inches thick, but both are 13.3-inch devices.
While 0.11 inches doesn’t look like much on paper, you’ll notice its importance if you see the two products placed side by side or in your hand.
The last thing to worry about, at least in terms of portability, is the weight of the device. Chromebooks weigh between two and four pounds on average, while larger devices will obviously weigh heavier. Fuselage materials also have a great impact, for example, plastic, aluminum, etc.
What is the bottom line? A Chromebook of 15.6 inches or larger would be the best choice for your all-rounder, but a 13.3-inch screen is more suitable for a lot of travel, and in this case, you should also take a look at thinness and weight. When you walk with it for hours, even a pound can make a big difference.
Chromebook performance
Let’s clarify right away: Chromebooks aren’t yet high-performance machines. That doesn’t mean they suck, but it does mean you need to have proper expectations when buying.
Most Chromebooks use integrated graphics that are noticeably worse than dedicated ones, so don’t expect top-notch video performance. The integrated card is great for watching YouTube and Skype streaming videos, but not for playing games. However, you can also find some models with dedicated graphics cards.
Image quality, on the other hand, depends more on the construction of the screen itself than on the graphics card. Some Chromebooks can achieve a brighter white, others can get a deeper black, and some have sharper contrast.
Unfortunately, picture quality specifications are not uniform, so it’s hard to know what’s “good” or “bad” without actually comparing it with your own eyes.
The main consideration for Chromebook performance is the processor. Nowadays, it can be a bit confusing to know which of the two processors is “better.”.
That said, while Chromebooks do have a range of processors, and some are better than others, Chromebooks aren’t that powerful in general. In general, the newer generation of Intel i5 quad-core or octa-core processors would be fine, though. In addition, you’ll find that some Chromebooks don’t use Intel or AMD processors, but instead use MediaTek, Exynos, or Snapdragon SoCs.
Chromebooks have no problem with anything running in the browser, basic image/photo editing, working with documents and spreadsheets, playing music, or even streaming HD videos. Want more? You’ll have to spend a lot of money on top models like the Asus Chromebook CX9 or Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Enterprise, or you might need something other than a Chromebook entirely.
Therefore, it is better to focus more on the amount of memory than the processor. A lot of Chromebooks come with 4GB of RAM, which is low unless you’re only running one browser tag at a time. For best performance, you should look for a model with at least 8GB of RAM, such as the HP Chromebook x360 14.
Laptop storage, battery life, and more
In addition to everything mentioned above, there are some other considerations to be had to do before making a final decision. These considerations are not necessarily the most important, but they can and can affect enjoyment and satisfaction.
Pick One with a Solid State Drive
Nowadays, Chromebooks equipped with SSDs are almost the norm, which is good because SSDs are much faster than HDDs. There is also a type of memory called eMMC, which performs better than HDDs, but is slower compared to SSDs. We recommend choosing an SSD.
64GB storage is fairly common in Chromebooks. However, to be on the safe side, we recommend that you opt for at least 128GB. Plus, you can take advantage of the good integration of Chromebooks with Google Drive to keep your data in the cloud.
Battery Life
Chromebooks are for ease of use, so it makes sense to get a product that lasts a while between charges. One of the best-performing products in this regard is the HP Chromebook x360 14, which can last more than 13.5 hours.
However, the battery life of Chromebooks is generally very good, so it is not worth worrying too much. Most of them can last seven to ten hours, which is more than enough for the average user.
Make Sure It Has the Ports You Need
Don’t mistakenly buy a laptop with only one USB port. Always check that there is a port on each device you plan to purchase.
Modern Chromebooks come standard with two to three USB ports. In most cases, you will find a USB 3.0 port and a USB-C port. Other ports you might want: HDMI, headphones, microphone, and memory card slots.
Don’t forget to review the keyboard
While most Chromebooks organize keys in the same basic layout, subtle differences can affect your typing experience. Before you decide to buy, be aware of these differences.
For example, in different models, you might notice the difference between the relative widths of the Search/Shift/Control keys, the placement of the arrow keys, the size of the top-row function keys, and the missing home row indicators on the F and J keys.
Maybe something like this won’t bother you, but you might as well take a few minutes to check it out, just in case.
Chromebook pricing
At the end of the day, most people care about price. After all, our goal is to make Chromebooks have the most features and value while spending as little money as possible, right? Finding the perfect balance usually takes up a lot of shopping time.
The good news is that Chromebooks are cheaper than traditional laptops. The most expensive Chromebooks are comparable to mid-range laptops, while regular Chromebooks are a few hundred dollars cheaper, which makes them cost similar to previous-generation laptops.
So, on top of that, you can expect to pay anything between $500 and $800 for a good Chromebook. If you want to be cheaper, you can look for models from a year or two ago, some of which will cost as little as $250. Unfortunately, Chromebooks aren’t as cheap anymore, at least for a model that does well in every way.
You can save even more money by taking the used or refurbishing route or making compromises in a certain area of design. For example, maybe you don’t need a fairly top-of-the-line model, or you can opt for a slightly smaller onboard storage drive instead of using cloud storage.
Evaluate the specifications and buy yourself a Chromebook
In fact, it’s hard to go wrong buying Chromebooks now. Decide what’s most important to you: price? Performing battery life? Then walk around and jot down the reviews at the same time. Choose a model that the user seems satisfied with, and that’s pretty much it.
