Most people choose between Windows and macOS when it comes to laptops, but you’re probably aware there’s a third main option.
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Google’s Chrome OS was first released back in 2011, as a stripped-back operating system designed for cheap machines. But it’s come a long way since then, reflected in the release of plenty of premium Chromebooks these days.
The user experience is still more simplistic than Windows 11 or macOS Ventura, but that makes them much easier to pick up and start using. If you just need a device for everyday tasks (such as ) or don’t need access to specific apps or software, Chrome OS could be right for you.
But choosing the right Chromebook isn’t easy. There’s more choice than ever before in 2023, with established brands such as Acer, HP, Asus and Lenovo all regularly releasing new devices.
This article aims to simplify your decision, with a list of 10 of the very best Chromebooks you can buy. Some models might be a year or two old, but they’re still widely available and offer good value. Also, Chromebook tech doesn’t move as fast as Windows laptops.
Chromebooks are also included in our budget laptop chart, while the main laptop guide features more premium devices. But if you’re set on Chrome OS, you’ve come to the right place.
Best Chromebook 2023
1. Acer Chromebook Spin 713 – Best Overall
Pros
Excellent display
Great battery life
Fast performance
Cons
Slightly spongy keyboard
Fan noise at times
Price When Reviewed:
From £479.99 | Model reviewed £599.99
Acer updates its Chromebook range with the new Spin 713 that blends excellent performance with a gorgeous 3:2 ratio display and decent ports.
The 360-degree hinge means a versatile design and things run very nicely on the 10th-gen Core processor we tested with 128GB storage, though a cheaper model uses a Pentium processor and half the storage.
It’s a powerful combination which puts the device on the top of the pile for those who want a Premium ChromeOS laptop without it costing the Earth.
Sure, it’s a lot to pay for a Chromebook compared to some, but in these times of laptops routinely costing hundreds more than that, this is good value for money.
Read our full
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 review
2. Google Pixelbook Go – Best Premium Model
Pros
Great screen
Decent performance
Excellent webcam
Cons
Expensive high-end models
Price When Reviewed:
From £629 | Model reviewed £829
The Pixelbook Go is a lightweight yet premium device which has great battery life and performance. It’s also more affordable than the previous Pixelbook, though still pricey compared to most Chromebooks.
The keyboard is ultra-quiet and other features such as a high-quality webcam make this Chromebook a great option for remote workers.
The two lower-spec models are better value for money, but there are higher storage options should you want them.
Read our full
Google Pixelbook Go review
3. Acer Chromebook Vero 514 – Best Design
Pros
Durable, eco-friendly design
Solid performance
Good port selection
Great webcam
Cons
Underwhelming display
Unreliable trackpad
No fingerprint or face unlock
Price When Reviewed:
From £499 | Model reviewed £799.99
In a world where so many Chromebooks (and other laptops) look similar, the Vero 514 truly stands out. Recycled plastic can be found in the chassis, keycaps, and speakers, while all the packaging can be recycled too.
Deciding against using paint results in a unique speckled grey design, which looks good but also feels impressively durable. Combined with great performance from 12th-gen Intel CPUs and an excellent Full HD webcam, Acer is on to a winner here. There’s also a solid port selection, even if there looks to be space for a second USB-A slot.
But it’s not all good news. Below the impressive keyboard is an erratic trackpad that often has a mind of its own, while the matte display means content often looks dull and washed out, even if it is much less reflective than the usual glossy alternative. You’ll also have to get used to typing in a PIN or password, with no fingerprint sensor or face unlock available.
Whether these are dealbreakers will be up to you. But the Vero 514 is strong in so many other areas that it’s definitely worth considering.
Read our full
Acer Chromebook Vero 514 review
4. HP Chromebook x360 14c – Best for Media Consumption
Pros
Fast performance
Great audio
Premium components
Cons
Reflective Display
Glitches at low power
Price When Reviewed:
£599.99
It might not be quite able to pip Google and Acer but HP has done a great job with its latest Chromebook x360.
For a reasonable price, you get a great all-rounder with a versatile design thanks to the 360-degree hinges and 14in touchscreen even if it’s not the brightest around and has a glossy finish.
Build quality is solid and so are the core specs with a Core i3 processor and a healthy 8GB of RAM. Add in a decent keyboard and Bang & Olufsen speakers and you’ve got yourself a Chromebook you can rely on for a vast range of tasks.
Read our full
HP Chromebook x360 14c review
5. Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 – Best Performance
Pros
Large display
Good battery life
Fast performance
Cons
Dim display
Rough edges on faceplate
Cramped numberpad
Price When Reviewed:
From £649.99
With unusually powerful components for a Chromebook, centering around Intel Tiger Lake Core i3 and i5 processors along with 8GB of RAM, the Flip CX5 is one of the most powerful around.
This ensures smooth performance day-to-day and along with a large screen and solid battery life from a single charge, the CX5 is a great option. Add in the convertible design and it gets even better.
A dedicated numpad might be a boon for some although it is cramped in size and the display is lacking brightness stopping the CX5 from being a knockout package. It also has some build issues worth considering before hitting the buy button.
Read our full
Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5500) review
6. Lenovo Thinkpad C13 Yoga – Best Build
Pros
Excellent build quality
Great keyboard
Stylus Included
Cons
Patchy performance
Poor battery life
Average cameras
Price When Reviewed:
From £609.99 | Model reviewed £619.99
If you want a well-made and hard-wearing Chromebook then this ThinkPad from Lenovo will not disappoint, living up to the famous name.
This applies not only to durability but also elements like the keyboard and the Yoga part means it’s convertible, too. Furthermore, the stylus – which neatly slots into the laptop itself – will be very useful for some users.
On the flip side, the battery life is poorer than you’d expect for a ThinkPad, we experienced gaming issues and the cameras are pretty average, too.
Read our full
Lenovo Thinkpad C13 Yoga Chromebook review
7. Acer Chromebook 515 – Best Display
Pros
Impressive 15.6in screen
Plenty of RAM & storage
Solid performance
Cons
Spongy keyboard
Average battery life
No touchscreen
Price When Reviewed:
£499
In an attempt to get the price as low as possible, Chromebooks often make big display compromises.
That’s not the case here, with the Chromebooks Full HD IPS panel one of the best you’ll find on any Chrome OS device. It offers plenty of detail and vibrant colours, while the 15.6in size is larger than many rivals. it also features a matte coating, making it less reflective than the typical glossy finish.
Other highlights include Intel Core i3 or i5 processors (albeit 11th-gen chips) and 8GB of RAM, meaning performance is solid. A 128GB SSD is slightly on the small side, but shouldn’t be an issue given Chrome OS’ emphasis on cloud storage.
With a good range of ports and separate number pad, the Chromebook 515 has a lot going for it. If you can look beyond a slightly spongy keyboard and don’t want to spend a full day away from the charger, it’s worth considering.
Read our full
Acer Chromebook 515 review
8. Asus Chromebook C423NA – Best Value
Pros
Inexpensive
Attractive design
Good keyboard
Cons
Sub-standard battery life
Slightly underpowered
Price When Reviewed:
£319.99
The C423NA is another classic Chromebook from Asus, providing you with a laptop to carry out day-to-day tasks at low cost. It looks nice, is highly portable and offers a comfortable keyboard and trackpad.
It won’t be able to cope with much beyond basic tasks and the battery life is limited making it more suitable for around the home rather than on the road.
If you want a quality Chromebook that’s more affordable than the Pixelbook Go, the C423NA is a good option.
Read our full
Asus C423NA Chromebook review
9. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Best Budget
Pros
Smart design
Great keyboard
Decent battery life
Cons
Lacklustre display
Only suitable for light tasks
Price When Reviewed:
£379.99
If you’re looking for a Chromebook to cover all the basics of daily computing – surfing the web, creating documents, checking social media, and streaming content – then you can’t go far wrong with the Lenovo IdeaPad 3.
Yes, the display isn’t the best and the webcam is poor, but at this price, it gets a lot more right than it does wrong.
It has a nice design with a decent keyboard and you also benefit from long battery life. Just make sure you only need it for lighter tasks.
Read our full
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook 14 review
10. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet – Best Tablet
Pros
Attractive hybrid design
Comes with keyboard
Cheap
Cons
Lacks processing power
Cramped keyboard
Small screen
Price When Reviewed:
£299.99
A charming little 2-in-1 Chromebook that might be light on power but is big on fun. It’s no wonder the Duet was highly anticipated.
The fact you’re getting a ChromeOS laptop and an Android tablet in one affordable package is just the start really – and yes, the keyboard is included in the price. It looks nice, lasts a decent amount of time and has a good quality display.
It’s not the biggest screen, though and the keyboard is also a little cramped so isn’t ideal for all work situations – ie lots of typing or large spreadsheets. It also doesn’t have huge amounts of power so is better suited to lighter use.
Read our full
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook review
FAQ
1.
Do Chromebooks run Android apps?
This is one of the big reasons to buy a Chromebook. All modern Chrome OS devices are capable of running Android apps, making it easy to use a specific phone app or play mobile games on your laptop. It also makes it easy to share data between devices.
However, if you’re looking at an older model, it’s worth checking whether it supports them on not before buying.
2.
Can Chromebooks run Microsoft Office apps?
The most significant limitation of a Chromebook is that it can’t run some of the Windows software you might be used to. Full versions of Microsoft Office apps won’t run on a Chromebook, although you can use the web-based suite and Android apps. But the free Google Workspace apps are a very good alternative, with the likes of Docs (Word), Sheets (Excel) and Slides (PowerPoint) offer everything most people are looking for.
For the alternatives to other popular software, see the Q&A section on the Chromebook website.
3.
What specs should I look for in a Chromebook?
There are more premium Chromebooks than ever before, but that’s not what you’ll find on most Chrome OS devices.
Instead, you’ll need to get used to smaller displays and relying on cloud storage rather than storing most files locally. Google offers 100GB of Drive storage with every machine and a range of other perks with every Chromebook bought.
But entry-level processors are likely to hold you back unless you only need a Chromebook for the absolute basics. Look for a device running an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 CPU or higher, while 8GB of RAM is a good baseline to aim for.
In terms of display, look for a Full HD (1920×1080) or higher resolution and IPS LCD panels. OLED is nice to have, but rare on Chromebooks.
These days, you can find displays ranging from 10-16in. Some offer touchscreens and 360° hinges, which allow the keyboard to be folded out of the way and it used like a tablet. But there are also a growing number of Chrome OS tablets with detachable keyboards.
Battery life is also crucial, but don’t pay too much attention to the capacity itself. Instead, look for how much usage you can expect to get from a single charge. If the manufacturer doesn’t say, read reviews to understand other people’s experience with it.
