The 7 Best Chromebooks for 2021

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There has never been a better time to buy a Chromebook. Chrome OS has matured quite a bit since it debuted in 2011, and Chromebook manufacturers are competing to build the best Chromebook at the most affordable price.

Portability, ease of use, battery life, great performance, support for Android apps—these are just some of the reasons why Chromebooks are perfect for students, office workers, travelers, remote workers, or casual users for browsing the web and checking email.

Convinced, but not sure which Chromebook to buy? Here are the best Chromebooks for 2021.

Premium pick

1. Google Pixelbook Go

9.00 / 10

Read Reviews

The Google Pixelbook Go is a powerful, lightweight 13.3-inch laptop with all the bells and whistles that Chromebook users need. Simply put, the Pixelbook Go is the best Chromebook ever made. It’s designed by Google, the same company behind Chrome OS, so you’re guaranteed to get the best pure Chrome OS experience.

For this model, you get a Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for the best all-around performance. It runs smoothly, even with more than 30 Chrome tabs open and streaming video or Spotify in the background. Text and lines appear very clear on the 4K display, and you get a high level of detail great for creating and watching content.

The Pixelbook Go is not cheap, and Google makes it up for that with a metal chassis, a comfortable keyboard, a super clear 1080p webcam, and fantastic battery life with fast charging. If you’re always on the go, you’ll appreciate the 2.4lbs lightweight body and textured bottom that makes it easy to carry with you around work or school.

Key Features
  • Fast charging
  • Backlit keyboard with Google Assistant key
  • Textured bottom
  • Linux and Android app support
Specifications
  • Brand: Google
  • Storage: 256GB
  • CPU: Intel Core i7
  • Memory: 16GB
  • Operating System: Chrome OS
  • Battery: 12 hours
  • Ports: 2x USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Camera: 1080p
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 13.3-inch, 3840×2160
  • Weight: 2.4lbs
  • GPU: Intel HD Graphics
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Quiet, comfortable keyboard
  • Amazing battery life
  • Sharp and colorful touch display
Cons
  • No USB Type-A ports

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Editors choice

2. ASUS Chromebook Flip C436

8.20 / 10

Read Reviews

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 is one of the stylish and complete Chromebooks in the market. It has a solid, all-metal build and glamouring white finish that puts standard Windows laptops to shame. The laptop can fold into a tablet, tent, or stand mode, adapting to your particular needs, whether taking notes, sketching, watching videos, or doing presentations.

Powered by a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM, the Flip C436 can handle any number of Chrome tabs you throw at it. The 1080p display is bright and sharp at 14 inches. It’s a touchscreen screen with stylus support, making it ideal for content creators.

The Flip C436 also packs some niceties, including a backlit keyboard, fingerprint scanner, and decent battery life of up to 12 hours. You’ll appreciate the room-filling quad speakers and 720p webcam if you regularly jump into Zoom and video calls. At 2.58lbs, the Flip C436 is one of the lightest Chromebooks available.

Key Features
  • 2-in-1 convertible design
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Touchscreen
  • Quad-speakers
Specifications
  • Brand: ASUS
  • Storage: 512GB
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-10210U
  • Memory: 16GB
  • Operating System: Chrome OS
  • Battery: 12 hours
  • Ports: 2x USB-C, Headphone/Microphone Combo
  • Camera: 720p
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 14-inch, 1920×1080
  • Weight: 2.58lbs
  • GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
Pros
  • Stylish and versatile
  • Good performance
  • Great keyboard, with fingerprint scanner
  • Powerful speakers
Cons
  • Stylus pen not included

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The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is the best Chromebook for the money, coming in under 400 while offering a ton of performance in a sleek 13.3-inch convertible package. Sure, it’s an all-plastic body, and there is no biometric login, but those are reasonable trade-offs given the quality you get at this price range.

The 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor provides excellent all-around performance, considering Chrome OS is less demanding. However, you only get 4GB of RAM, which isn’t suitable for demanding multitasking workflows, but it can keep a couple of dozen Chrome tabs running smoothly.

You can easily switch between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes with the convertible design. The 1080p screen is great and has touchscreen support for an authentic tablet experience. In addition to the USB-C ports, the Flex 5 also comes with USB-A and microSD ports, which are becoming rare in most lightweight laptops today.

Key Features
  • 2-in-1 laptop with stylus support
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0
Specifications
  • Brand: Lenovo
  • Storage: 64GB
  • CPU: Intel Core i3-10110U
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Operating System: Chrome OS
  • Battery: 10 hours
  • Ports: 2x USB-C, USB-A, Headphone/Microphone Combo, MicroSD
  • Camera: 720p
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 13.3-inch, 1920×1080
  • Weight: 2.97lbs
  • GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Great performance and features for the money
  • Good selection of ports
Cons
  • No fingerprint scanner

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Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook is a premium Chromebook with a 4K AMOLED screen, stylus, touch screen, and a 2-in-1 convertible design. It’s surprisingly cheaper than the 4K model of the Google Pixelbook Go, despite offering a full 2-in-1 experience and an included pen.

The Galaxy Chromebook is one of the best-looking Chromebooks on the market. It has a sleek red finish and a slim, aluminum body with a built-in pen, much like the Galaxy Note. It’s fast and can handle most demanding tasks efficiently, thanks to the 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of memory.

The only caveat is the battery life, providing less than eight hours in real-world battery use. So, if you’re looking for a 4K Chromebook to use on the go, then this might not work for you, which is a shame since the Galaxy Chromebook is incredibly lightweight at 2.29lbs and 0.39 inches thin.

Key Features
  • 4K Super AMOLED display
  • 2-in-1 convertible design
  • Built-in pen
  • Backlit keyboard with fingerprint reader
Specifications
  • Brand: Samsung
  • Storage: 256GB
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-10210U
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Operating System: Chrome OS
  • Battery: 8 hours
  • Ports: 2x USB-C, Headphone/Microphone Combo, MicroSD
  • Camera: 720p
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 13.3-inch, 3840×2160
  • Weight: 2.29lbs
  • GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
Pros
  • Crisp display with vibrant colors, true blacks, and brilliant contrast
  • Included stylus
  • Great all-around performance
  • Stylish and good looking
Cons
  • Poor battery life

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The ASUS Chromebook C202SA was designed with kids in mind. It has a ruggedized body and a spill-resistant keyboard to protect it from accidental drops and spills, whether at school or home.

In addition, it is lightweight at 2.65lbs, so any kid can easily pick it up or carry it around the school. The Intel Celeron N3060 isn’t that powerful, but it’s enough for schoolwork and lightweight tasks such as working on documents, research, taking notes, and watching videos.

The battery life is decent, up to 10 hours, enough to last an entire school day.

Key Features
  • Ruggedized body
  • Spill-resistant keyboard
  • 180-degree hinge
Specifications
  • Brand: ASUS
  • Storage: 32GB
  • CPU: Intel Celeron N3060
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Operating System: Chrome OS
  • Battery: 10 hours
  • Ports: 2x USB-A 3.0, HDMI, Headphone/Microphone Combo, SD Card reader
  • Camera: 720p
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 11.6-inch, 1366×768
  • Weight: 2.65lbs
  • GPU: Intel HD Graphics
Pros
  • Robust and solid build
  • Lightweight
  • Great selection of ports
Cons
  • No backlit keyboard or biometric login

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If you’re always on the move, you might want to check out the Lenovo Chromebook Duet. It’s a 2-in-1 Chromebook with a detachable keyboard and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. It’s very lightweight at 2.03lbs, and removing the keyboard reduces the weight even further to a mere 0.99lbs.

In addition, there’s a back cover that doubles as a stand to use the Duet without the keyboard safely. That said, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is excellent for traveling and on-the-go productivity. It has incredible battery life that can push you through an entire workday without needing a recharge.

While the MediaTek Helio P60T chip isn’t the best out there, it can run a couple of Chrome tabs, allowing you to respond to urgent tasks when out and about. In addition, you get 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which is excellent for an entry-level Chromebook.

Key Features
  • Detachable keyboard
  • Touch screen with 400nits of brightness
  • Included kickstand
Specifications
  • Brand: Lenovo
  • Storage: 64GB
  • CPU: MediaTek Helio P60T
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Operating System: Chrome OS
  • Battery: 10 hours
  • Ports: 1x USB-C
  • Camera: 720p
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 10.1-inch, 1920×1200
  • Weight: 2.03lbs
  • GPU: ARM G72 MP3 800GHz
Pros
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Affordable
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • Uncomfortable keyboard if you’re used to larger laptops
  • No headphone jack

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The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is a budget 2-in-1 Chromebook that offers decent features for your buck. It has a solid build quality, and you can easily switch between a laptop for work, a tablet for taking notes, and tent and stand modes for watching movies or presenting work.

The 1366×768 resolution is not great by today’s standards, but it’s still sharp at 11.6 inches. You can see all the text and lines clearly without straining your eyes. Battery life is about 10 hours, and with the lightweight 2.64lbs body, you can safely carry it to work or school.

Despite the low price, the Lenovo Chromebook C330 comes with a great selection of ports. It’s one of the few Chromebooks with HDMI output and plenty of connectivity options, including USB-C, USB Type-A, SD card, and audio jack. So unless you’re a power user or you need a larger screen, the Lenovo Chromebook C330 is an excellent option if you’re on a tight budget.

Key Features
  • 2-in-1 convertible design
  • Touchscreen IPS display
  • HDMI and USB-C for video output
Specifications
  • Brand: Lenovo
  • Storage: 64GB
  • CPU: MediaTek MT8173C
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Operating System: Chrome OS
  • Battery: 10 hours
  • Ports: USB-C, USB-A 3.1, HDMI, Headphone/Microphone Combo, SD Card reader
  • Camera: 720p
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 11.6-inch, 1366×768
  • Weight: 2.64lbs
  • GPU: PowerVR GX6250
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Great selection of ports
  • Solid build
Cons
  • HD display

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FAQ

Q: Can I Use Word on a Chromebook?

You can use Word and all other Microsoft Office apps on a Chromebook, including Excel, Powerpoint, and Access. While you won’t get all the desktop features like on a Windows laptop, you still get access to the essential formatting tools to create and edit documents. Go to the Google Play Store to download Word on a Chromebook, and you’ll find all the mobile versions.

Q: Should I Buy a Chromebook or Laptop?

Suppose your everyday computing needs revolve around browsing the web, working on documents online, streaming video and content, Zoom calls, and playing Android games.

In that case, a Chromebook could be the perfect option for you. With game streaming options such as Google Stadia and GeForce Now, you can even play games like Fortnite on your Chromebook.

However, if your workflow demands high procession power, especially graphical-intensive tasks, or software not available in Chrome OS, you’ll be better off with a standard Windows laptop or MacBook.

Q: Are Chromebooks Repairable?

Chromebooks are repairable, much like laptops and MacBooks. The best thing is that Chromebooks update themselves roughly every three weeks, so you won’t likely face any software issues. If it’s a hardware issue, you can send it back to the manufacturer or technician if it is out of warranty.

Source: makeuseof.com

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