While Windows laptops are widely popular, most Chromebooks are known to offer good value. These machines running Chrome OS also come in 2-in-1 form factors, ensuring users have more versatile options. Google has made several significant improvements to the Chrome OS to make sure it can meet the demands of a variety of modern computing needs. And coupled with powerful hardware, you can expect fluid performance as well. Popular manufacturers including Asus, Dell, HP, Samsung, and more make quality Chromebooks that compete with some of the budget laptops and the best Windows machines in the market. So, if you’re searching for the best Chromebooks for yourself, this article will come in handy for you.
Things to consider while buying Chromebooks
Hardware: Make sure the Chromebook comes with the hardware configuration that your daily computing tasks demand. Chromebooks come in several configurations; you have cheaper options that are suited for less demanding tasks and are suited for users in a classroom environment while others have powerful hardware to meet higher computing loads. So, ensure that you get a suitable Chromebook for your needs.
Battery life: Chromebooks are known to offer better battery life than your typical Windows machines. So, look for a Chromebook that meets your needs. Also, ensure that you get fast charging support so you can juice up the Chromebook quickly when needed.
Pro Tips
Chrome OS support: All Chromebooks receive updates directly from Google, including OS-level and security updates. So ensure that the said Chromebook hasn’t reached the end of its life and can receive updates in coming years so you’re not left with an unsupported machine that is vulnerable to security attacks.
Display: While buying budget Chromebooks, ensure that the minimum resolution is Full HD so you can avoid jagged edges in images.
Best Chromebooks you can buy on Amazon India
Lenovo Ideapad Duet
The Lenovo Ideapad Duet stands out as one of the versatile 2-in-1 detachable laptops, offering a spacious display, extended battery life, and pen support. Its versatility makes it suitable for both entertainment and various tasks. With a substantial 7,000mAh battery, the laptop ensures up to 10 hours of usage on a single full charge. The device supports the USI pen, facilitating note-taking and drawing when detached. Powered by the efficient MediaTek Helio P60T octa-core processor, the Ideapad Duet delivers smooth performance in day-to-day tasks. The 10.1-inch FHD display features an impressive peak brightness of 400 nits, ensuring clear visibility even in bright sunlight. Design-wise, the Ideapad Duet boasts a slim form factor and a dual-tone design, adding a touch of style to its functionality. Furthermore, as the Ideapad Duet operates on Chrome OS, it comes bundled with access to the G Suite productivity bundle. Additionally, Google offers up to 100 GB of storage, enhancing the device's utility for users in terms of cloud storage and productivity applications.
HP Chromebook x360
The HP Chromebook x360 is also one of the most popular Chromebooks on the market. This one runs the decently powerful 4-core AMD Ryzen 3 5300U which is paired with 8GB DDR4 RAM for a smooth performance across the OS. It sports a 15.6-inch FHD anti-glare display for a comfortable viewing experience. Connectivity is handled by Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 along with 1 USB Type-C, 2 USB Type-A, and one HDMI port. You also get a 512 GB SSD for file storage. This Chromebook also promises to offer a long battery life. It also comes with a fast charging capability for quick juice-up times. There is an HP True Vision 720p HD camera for clear video conferencing. As a convertible, the HP Chromebook x360 features touchscreen capability as well which opens up new possibilities for the users.
ASUS Chromebook CM14
The ASUS Chromebook CM14 boasts a stylish design and robust performance, positioning it as one of the best budget-friendly Chromebooks available. Its 14.0-inch FHD display with a 45 percent NTSC colour gamut delivers detailed and vibrant visuals, enhanced by a compact form factor for increased portability. Powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor and ARM Mali-G52 MC2 graphics, the Chromebook ensures fluid handling of everyday tasks. Operating on Chrome OS, it supports Google apps and
provides access to a wide range of apps from Google Play. The device promises an impressive 15 hours of battery life on a single full charge, catering to extended usage. Durability is a focus with US MIL-STD 810H military-grade certification, ensuring a long lifespan. The Chromebook features a 720p HD camera with a privacy shutter for secure video calling. The ASUS Chromebook CM14 is a compelling choice for users seeking a combination of style, performance, and durability within a budget.
HP Chromebook X360
Next up on our list is another variant of the HP Chromebook X360. This one is also a 2-in-1 laptop and is touch-enabled. It runs the Chrome OS and comes with 64GB eMMC storage and 4GB RAM. There is a 14-inch HD display with a standard 220 nits brightness and 45 percent NTSC color gamut coverage. Processing is handled by the Intel Celeron N4020 processor. Graphics are powered by Intel UHD Graphics. To ensure there is stable wireless connectivity, the laptop comes with an 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 combo, with support for MU-MIMO. The company promises up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge. Further, it also gets HP Wide Vision HD Camera for video conferencing. And since the machine runs the Chrome OS, it also supports multiple logins and comes with Google Assistant. There is support for Android apps such as Microsoft Office apps, Chrome browser, and more from Google Play Store.
HP Chromebook x360 13b
The HP Chromebook x360 13b is a versatile convertible with a host of features. Its 13.3-inch FHD IPS display, boasting a 45 percent NTSC color gamut, provides a vibrant viewing experience. The device is powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 1200 processor, coupled with 8 GB LPDDR4X RAM and a 256GB SSD. Additionally, users benefit from 100GB of Google Cloud storage for one year. Running on Chrome OS, the laptop ensures a speedy and intuitive software experience. Google Assistant support simplifies information retrieval through voice commands. Connectivity options include 2 SuperSpeed USB Type-C 5Gbps ports with USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4 output, along with 1 SuperSpeed USB Type-A 5Gbps port and a headphone/microphone combo. The HP Wide Vision 720p HD camera, equipped with temporal noise reduction and integrated dual array digital, enhances the video-calling experience. Audio is delivered through B&O dual speakers, while Wi-Fi 6 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5 provide robust wireless connectivity. The HP Chromebook x360 13b is a feature-rich option for users seeking a convertible device with powerful performance and multimedia capabilities.
ASUS New Chromebook
The ASUS New Chromebook is a sleek and portable device featuring a 15.6-inch FHD display with anti-glare coatings for reduced reflections and enhanced eye comfort. This laptop provides an immersive content consumption experience with its stereo dual speakers. Powered by the Intel Celeron Dual Core N3350 processor, it includes 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB eMMC storage. Connectivity options are ample, with 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A and 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports, facilitating display output and quick device charging with Power Delivery. The device also supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 for fast data transfers and stable connectivity. The full-size tactile keyboard with a 1.4mm key travel distance enhances the typing experience, making the ASUS New Chromebook a well-rounded and user- friendly portable solution.
Lenovo Chromebook with Logitech K480 Wireless Multi-Device Keyboard
The Lenovo Chromebook is a versatile 2-in-1 detachable with a 10.1-inch FHD IPS display, offering a peak brightness of 400 nits and thin bezels for an immersive viewing experience. Featuring a dual-tone design, it operates on the Google Chrome OS, powered by the MediaTek Helio P60T octa-core processor with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB storage. With a 7,000mAh large battery, the Chromebook promises up to 10 hours of battery life. Additionally, it includes a Logitech K480 keyboard, supporting up to 3 wireless devices and providing easy switching between Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android, and iPadOS. The keyboard features a cradle to hold phones or tablets, accommodating devices up to 0.4 inches thick and 10 inches wide. This portable Lenovo Chromebook combines flexibility, powerful performance, and thoughtful design elements for a versatile computing experience.
HP Chromebook 15a
The HP Chromebook 15a is one of the most feature-packed and faster Chromebooks on this list. It comes with a 15.6-inch FHD display with anti-glare properties. Wireless connectivity is powered by the latest Wi-Fi 6 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster, stable, and wide-reaching connectivity. Wired connectivity is handled by the 2 x USB Type-C and 1 x USB Type-A ports. The laptop comes with an 8-core Intel Core i3-N305 processor paired with 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS storage. Along with offering a long battery life with a large 58Wh battery, this Chromebook 15a features fast charging support. It claims to charge up to 50 percent in just 45 minutes of juice-up time. It gets an HP True Vision 720p HD webcam with temporal noise reduction for disturbance-free video conferencing. Finally, it also gets dual speakers for a next-level depth in audio while watching your favorite movies.
