Industry observers note that if you want a fast, low-maintenance machine that mostly lives in the browser, few options are as compelling as a Chromebook.
The report highlights that for this roundup, we focused on models that stay fast under real use and makes it through a full day unplugged. Every pick here was tested hands-on. Chromebooks don’t try to do everything, which is exactly why they’re so appealing.
In a fresh development, and if you’re curious where Chromebooks are headed next, check out this deep dive into the fresh AI-powered Googlebooks. If you’d rather step outside Google’s ecosystem, PCWorld has a separate roundup of the best Windows laptops.
The report highlights that pCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget. Why you should trust us: It’s in our name!
In a fresh development, the Intel Core i5 keeps everything running smooth–streaming, school work, or juggling a bunch of tabs. And the ports? You’ve got USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack, which means you can kiss the dongle life goodbye. If you want a Chromebook that can do it all, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is it.
The report highlights that the 16:9 screen can feel cramped if you’re used to roomier displays, and while 13 hours of battery life sounds nice on paper, others last longer. Not a deal breaker, but if screen space or all-day power is at the top of your list, you might want to look elsewhere. It’s not all sunshine, though.
According to the latest update, read our full.
As part of the ongoing story, asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review.
As part of the ongoing story, the CX15 is totally worth a look because it’s great for anyone that mostly browses the web and watches YouTube videos. The spacious 15.6-inch 1080p display and roomy keyboard also make it feel more premium than you’d expect at this price point. For daily tasks, it really gets the job done–you can’t say that about too many machines in this range. Need a reliable laptop for under $200?
Industry observers note that the Intel Celeron N4500 processor offers enough pep to get you through lighter workloads, but you may see some lag with heavier multitasking. Battery life is pretty darn good at around 10 hours, though we’ve seen other Chromebooks that last longer. You’re not going to get blazing-fast performance here and that’s entirely okay.
As part of the ongoing story, still, for what you pay, the CX15 is a surprising little machine.
According to the latest update, read our full.
Industry observers note that asus Chromebook CX15 review.
The report highlights that it’s got a 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED touchscreen and the colors really pop. The model we tested came loaded with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS storage, so it handles a ton of tabs, Docs, YouTube, whatever you throw at it. And the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 chip (plus a tiny Neural Processing Unit) makes everything feel snappy. If you’ve been looking for a high-end Chromebook, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is totally worth your consideration—it’s a big step up from the usual budget fare.
Industry observers note that the 2.78-pound aluminum chassis is also super light to carry around, and the battery will last you about 19 hours as long as you’re conservative with the brightness level.
According to the latest update, the function keys are really small and they pick up fingerprints like nobody’s business. But, again, those are tiny complaints. If you want a Chromebook that looks and feels nicer than the budget crowd, this is the one to pick. The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is almost the complete package, but we did have a couple of minor nitpicks.
According to the latest update, read our full.
Industry observers note that lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 review.
Industry observers note that the idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Due to the cloud-based nature of Chromebooks, they go through a series of web-based tests. It wouldn’t be fair or possible to run the same kinds of tests on a Chromebook as we use on laptops because they exclusively run a completely different operating system. The PCWorld team puts each and every laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on.
Industry observers note that for a more thorough explanation of our testing procedures, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.
According to the latest update, while you’ll see me review Chromebooks on occasion, I’m also really into the broader global stage of consumer tech. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term trends. When I’m not deep in the global stage of tech, you’ll probably find me tech industry, getting lost in a good book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen. Hi, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld.
According to the latest update, just keep in mind they’ve got some limits. They’re good for simple, everyday stuff but they don’t have a lot of RAM or storage, so they’re not equipped to handle more resource-intensive tasks like tech industry or video editing. If you want something like a Windows or MacBook but cheaper, check out a Chromebook.
Industry observers note that we’ve got a guide that compares Chromebooks and Windows laptops if you want to figure out what’s best for you.
As part of the ongoing story, you can’t put Windows or macOS on them — you’re stuck with Google’s setup. Chromebooks only run Chrome OS, which is pretty easy to use.
In a fresh development, they cost anywhere in the $400 to $600 range and many of them come equipped with Intel Pentium, Intel Core i3, or AMD Ryzen 3 processors. These Chromebooks run the browser smoother. They’re the best deal for the price. The fancier ones sometimes come with Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 chips, which are way more powerful. Then there’s the fresh Kompanio Ultra chips, which are more powerful and AI-ready. Shoot for a mid-range Chromebook if you can.
According to the latest update, since they’re all about the web, you need enough RAM to keep your tabs from lagging. And with RAM prices being a bit more volatile lately, it’s worth opting for more if you can. If you can drop a bit more cash, you can grab a mid-range Chromebook with 8GB (or 16GB if you want to be extra safe), which runs way smoother. Lots of Chromebooks come with just 4GB of RAM, which isn’t much.
In a fresh development, it’s got a solid Intel Core i5 processor, lots of ports, and handles everyday stuff really well. Basically, it’s a great pick if you want a reliable Chromebook without breaking the bank. PCWorld thinks the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is the best all-around Chromebook.
Industry observers note that with a spacious 15.6-inch 1080p display and roomy keyboard, this Chromebook is comfortable to use and its Intel Celeron N4500 processor is able to handle daily tasks. If you’re after value, this Chromebook provides all the basics for less than $200. PCWorld’s pick for best budget Chromebook is the Asus Chromebook CX15.
According to the latest update, it’s mostly for web stuff like Google Drive and YouTube. Regular laptops are more powerful and can handle pretty much anything. A Chromebook’s just a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome OS instead of Windows or Mac.
In a fresh development, a Chromebook is a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome OS.
As part of the ongoing story, she's been covering consumer tech since 2016, and her work has appeared on USA Today, Reviewed, Polygon, Kotaku, StarWars.com, and Nerdist. In her spare time, she enjoys playing video platform releases, reading science fiction, and hanging out with her rescue greyhound. Ashley Biancuzzo manages all laptop and Chromebook coverage for PCWorld.