You may 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 very good 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. Should you primarily browse the net, or don’t want a ton of additional software program frequently, a Chromebook generally is a highly effective each day driver.
Whereas Google did make issues easier final fall by introducing the Chromebook Plus initiative (extra on that under), there are nonetheless a number of issues to bear in mind when searching for a brand new Chromebook. The market is saturated with machines at completely different worth factors and energy ranges; I’ve been testing and reviewing Chromebooks for years and know what try to be on the lookout for, and what you’ll be able to count on out of those laptops.
Desk of contents
Greatest 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 straightforward and clear nature of Chrome OS is an enormous promoting level. Chrome OS is predicated on Google’s Chrome browser, which suggests many of the packages you’ll be able to 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 may fully reset to manufacturing facility settings nearly as shortly.
In fact, simplicity may even be a serious downside for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program generally is a dealbreaker in the event you’re a video editor or software program developer. However there are additionally loads of individuals who do nearly all of their work in an online browser, utilizing instruments like Google Docs and spreadsheets for productiveness without 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 Images app on Chromebooks – it gained’t change Adobe Premiere, but it surely needs to be useful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the web final 12 months, one thing that brings a lot of the ability of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.
Chromebooks may run Android apps, which drastically expands the quantity of software program out there. The standard varies broadly, but it surely means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you’ll be able to set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline watching. Different Android apps like Microsoft Workplace and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly succesful as effectively. Between Android apps and a basic enchancment in net apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do effectively?
Put merely, net shopping and actually something net primarily based. On-line procuring, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many most typical each day duties folks do on Chromebooks. As you may count on, in addition they work effectively with Google providers like Images, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Maintain and so forth. Sure, any pc that may run Chrome can do this too, however the light-weight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and steady platform.
As I discussed earlier than, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so in the event you’re an Android consumer you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You will get many of the similar apps which are in your cellphone on a Chromebook and hold information in sync between them. You may as well use some Android telephones as a safety key in your Chromebook or immediately tether your 2-in-1 laptop to make use of cellular information.
Google continues to tout safety as a serious differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s undoubtedly an element price contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary strains of protection: Chrome OS updates obtain shortly 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 effectively, 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 straightforward truth that you simply typically can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for unhealthy actors to entry the system.
Should you’re all in favour of Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an efficient choice as effectively. Each Chromebook in our prime picks comes with a full 12 months 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 strong perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embrace instruments just like the AI-powered “assist me write,” the Google Images Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you’ll be able to create by filling in a couple of prompts.
As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is straightforward: Should you rely closely on a particular native software for Home windows or a Mac, likelihood is you gained’t discover the very same choice on a ChromeOS system. That’s most true in fields like picture and video enhancing, but it surely 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. Should you’re an iPhone consumer, you’ll additionally miss out on the best way the iPhone simply integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the large draw back is just not having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.
Lastly, gaming Chromebooks aren’t ubiquitous, though they’re turning into a barely extra cheap choice 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, meaning laptops with larger screens which have greater refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with providers like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Sport Cross and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of these providers, however the excellent news is that enjoying fashionable video games on a Chromebook isn’t unimaginable. You may as well set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are considering of after they need to sport on a laptop computer.
What are crucial specs for a Chromebook?
Chrome OS is light-weight and runs effectively on pretty modest {hardware}, so crucial factor to search for won’t be processor energy or cupboard space. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final 12 months when it launched the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any system 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 on the lookout for the best laptop they’ll use every single day.
Chromebook Plus fashions have no less than a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 collection processor, each of which needs 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 until you’re actually pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions should have a 1080p webcam, which is good in as of late of fixed video calling, and so they additionally all should have no less than a 1080p FHD IPS display.
In fact, you will get greater specs or higher screens in the event you need, however I’ve discovered that mainly every part included within the Chromebook Plus goal specs makes for an excellent expertise.
Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks as effectively, and whereas that’s not precisely a spec, it’s price checking before you purchase. Final 12 months, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and assist for a powerful 10 years after their launch date. This support page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however a very good rule of thumb is to purchase the most recent machine you’ll be able to to maximise your assist.
How a lot ought to I spend on a Chromebook?
Chromebooks began out notoriously low-cost, with record costs usually coming in underneath $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being primarily fashionable netbooks to a few of the finest laptops you’ll need to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, you must count on to spend no less than $400 if you’d like a strong each day driver. There are nonetheless many Chromebooks on the market out there at a low worth that could be appropriate as secondary gadgets, however a very good Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will price extra. However, notably, even the perfect Chromebooks often price lower than the best Windows laptops, and even the perfect “common” laptops on the market.
There are many premium Chromebooks that strategy and even exceed $1,000 that declare to supply higher efficiency and extra processing energy, however I don’t suggest spending that a lot. Usually, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and further cupboard space, like a higher-capacity SSD. In fact, you additionally typically pay for the model title. 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 without doubt 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, but it surely manages to incorporate a 15.6-inch show in that body. That display is a 1080p panel that’s sharp and shiny, however its 16:9 side ratio made issues really feel a bit cramped when scrolling vertically. Efficiency is superb, and the keyboard is strong, although I’m not a fan of the quantity pad because it shifts every part to the left. At $700 it’s not low-cost, however that feels truthful contemplating its measurement and capabilities. Should you’re on the lookout for an enormous display laptop computer that can also be tremendous gentle, this Chromebook deserves consideration, even when it’s not the most suitable choice for everybody.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/best-chromebooks-160054646.html?src=rss
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