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As for screen size, an 11-inch display is good for younger kids, but a 13-inch display is better for older students and business users on the move. If you want a Chromebook as a primary home laptop, we would opt for a 14-inch or 15-inch display.. You need a powerful device: Ultimately, this is a laptop built for the everyday, so you won't get any spectacular performance out of it. The Chromebook 11 comes with a total of four USB ports, an impressive amount for a Chromebook at any price. There are two USB-C ports on our review unit, either of which can accept the power adapter plug. There are also two USB Type-A ports, useful for connecting a wired mouse or perhaps an external drive to supplement the Dell's internal storage. Unfortunately, there's no SD or microSD card slot, so you can't expand storage that way. You need a lot of computing power: If you're planning to do any video editing or creative work, this is not the laptop for you.
Finding the best Chromebook these days begins with a simple question: do you need a touchscreen? An increasing number of Chromebooks offer 2-in-1 designs with a touchscreen, allowing you to use Android apps from the Google Play store. However, those systems tend to be on the pricier side. If you want just a basic laptop on the cheap, a Chromebook without a touchscreen is the way to go. Chromebook OS is limited to what is available on the Play Store in terms of software, so if you need to use very specific numeric, scientific, or creative programs, look elsewhere. If you want to really see what today's Chromebooks can do, or just want to game without the huge upfront investment of a gaming laptop, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is an easy answer. It has the processing chops to support all of your gaming needs, and it's naturally a fast and capable Chromebook in every other respect. And even with its higher gaming price, it's still less expensive than many midrange Windows machines. You want more of a tablet-first form factor: This 2-in-1 laptop puts a heavy emphasis on laptop. The 16:9 screen ratio and 13.3-inch display makes using it in tablet mode somewhat unwieldy.One last thing to consider: do you need a Chromebook, or do you just want Chrome OS? Because if it's just the software you like, Google is starting to offer Chrome OS Flex, an education/enterprise-focused version of Chrome OS that you can install yourself on a Mac or PC. If you're of a technical mindset and have an old laptop that could use some up-to-date software on it, you could always give this a try. How we tested these laptops How we test these laptops Samsung Electronics (UK) Limited (Registered no: 03086621), registered at Samsung House, 2000 Hillswood Drive, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 0RS, United Kingdom, acts as credit broker and not lender, and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 727333). Glow Financial Services Limited, 71 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4BE. Registered No. 09127663, authorised and regulated by the FCA (Reference No. 751308), acting as lender, under brand licence as Samsung Finance (powered by Glow) through Samsung Electronics (UK) Limited. Samsung Electronics (UK) Limited works with multiple lenders. A glossy coating means that reflections can be a bit of a problem at some brightness levels, but sat on a train next to a window we found that setting the screen to full brightness effectively countered this problem. Hard drive retention: Hard drive retention is not available on models with a soldered hard drive, including XPS 9315 2in1, Chromebooks or Venue tablets, except the Venue 11 Pro.
Most Chromebook connections are wireless, as you'll use the machine almost exclusively when attached to Wi-Fi. Wired Ethernet ports are rare, but support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi is ubiquitous, with 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 found in upscale and corporate Chromebooks. Why all of these complex, manipulative games being played on buyers? Seems they are trying to confuse us. Of course, we also run synthetic benchmarks like Kraken JavaScript, Octane 2.0 JavaScript, and Jetstream 2 as well as the TechRadar movie test to measure its battery life.All other products will be delivered via the fastest available method (excluding bank holidays and weekends) and generally within 3-5 days, depending on customer location. While the specs on this one are higher than many previous models, if you need processing power for creative works and hardcore editing then this isn't the laptop for you. In fact, when we tested it, its 13th-Gen Intel Core i5 and 8GB or RAM easily handled running 20 Chrome tabs, including three streaming ones, at once without any noticeable slowdown. Of course, that slightly more powerful hardware is also there to power the 1920 x 1200p touch display as well as its stunningly clear 1440p webcam.
Chief among these is this display, a crisp and colorful QHD panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio to provide more screen real estate. With 100 sRGB color reproduction and good maximum brightness, it's one of the best screens we've ever seen on a Chromebook. The 120Hz refresh rate is also vital for ensuring a smooth framerate during intense gameplay. You want to use Steam directly: There's no way to currently install Steam on this Chromebook, so using a game streaming service is the only way to game on it. It isn’t as robust or comprehensive as Windows 10/11 or macOS. However, it’s just as capable of seeing its users through their daily multi-tasking needs, no matter if it’s to do productivity work all day while streaming shows and movies, getting through a bunch of school assignments, or even some photo editing and gaming. Oh, and if you’re environmentally conscious, you'll be happy to know that quite a few materials are made of recycled materials. In fact, it handled day-to-day performance well when tested. Of course, we were not so impressed by its 128GB of storage. But, that’s one of the compromises here. Along with the fact that it can get a little warm if you push it beyond its limits as it’s powered by an Intel Pentium chip and 4GB of RAM.All that being said, the best Chromebooks are great laptops. Some are among the best 2-in-1 laptops, with touchscreens ideal for Android apps (which are not as good when used with a mouse and keyboard alone). And while Chromebooks are mostly seen as devices for students, the category now includes multiple elegant models that are viable replacements for business laptops. This is now our favorite Chromebook for pretty much everybody; we recommended it to anyone who wants a reliable and powerful 2-in-1 ChromeOS laptop. Its standout features—like long battery life and best-in-class performance—make it an ideal choice if you prioritize performance and productivity. Overall, this model should be a first stop if you seek a versatile, high-performing, and durable 2-in-1 Chromebook beyond the budget bin. In essence, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) is worth the extra cash. It’s a more premium looking, feeling, and performing device than many of the alternatives.
Before I joined the tech-journalism ranks, I wrote on topics as diverse as Borneo's rain forests, Middle Eastern airlines, and Big Data's role in presidential elections. A graduate of Middlebury College, I also have a master's degree in journalism and French Studies from New York University. When shopping for a Chromebook, you'll note less hardware variety than with Windows machines. These are the most important specs and factors to be aware of. Also note that a new class of Chromebooks is emerging called the Chromebook Plus family. Rolling out in mid-October 2023, these machines mandate certain minimum Chromebook specs to guarantee a solid user experience, including high-resolution cameras, IPS screens, and an 8GB floor for memory. (Credit: Kyle Cobian) Screen Resolution The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is may be a premium option, but the internals definitely justify the price. This is easily one of the best Chromebooks right now, even with the Chrome OS' somewhat limited feature set. Specifically geared towards and marketed to the freelance worker, it doesn't necessarily need to be powerful, but it is with its Dell XPS-level components. As there’s no touchscreen, the keyboard and touchpad are the only ways to interact with the laptop. Starting with the keyboard, we have to say that we’re impressed. It’s edge-to-edge inside the laptop, which means that each of the keys is a decent size.You value sleek, contemporary design: With fat bezels and dowdy styling, the Flex 3 looks like something from last decade. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook is ideal if you're in the market for a 2-in-1 detachable Chromebook. Its compact design is excellent if you're on the go or prefer a smaller device while still having both laptop and tablet functions. The peppy performance and versatility of the Duet 3 Chromebook make it ideal for students, professionals, and anyone who needs a reliable and affordable device for basic computing tasks. Of course, if you have more demanding needs, there are pricier options as well, and they will come with higher-end specs like more RAM, better processors like Intel Core CPUs, and perhaps more storage space. So, if you want to save more files, do some light photo editing, or play some games, you’ll want to splurge a little for better specs.
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