Top 12 Best Chromebooks and Reasons To Get One

Samuel J Tan Laptops, Personal Technology, Technology 0

The Chromebook platform especially the available hardware from different manufacturers has matured. We now see a range of devices with different processors and screen sizes, the biggest being the soon to be launched Acer Chromebook with 15.3-inch screen.

If you have not seen or physically tried a Chromebook before, you may already have an experience with the interface. It is essentially a machine that boots straight into the Chrome Browser and if you are like me, a big fan of the browser, you would already be using this on your laptop or desktop.

The difference here is there are no ‘distractions’. While you can install apps from the Chrome Web Store onto the Chrome OS just like you do on your Chrome Browser and run web based applications either through the app or directly on the website. There are no other locally installed apps, which can be a blessing to some.

The simplicity of the machine meant the price tag is kept low and affordable. With more major manufacturers joining the race, such as HP, Asus, Samsung, Acer, Toshiba and Lenovo we get a wide range of choices to choose from.

Table of Contents

Why Chrome OS and Chromebooks: 12 Reasons for Choosing a Chromebook

Fast start up time, in matter or seconds
Simple and fast, no bloatware, no complicated settings, nothing to break
Stays fast, doesn’t slow down over time
Fast browser, go straight online
Maintenance free, nothing to break, no conventional software or hardware issues
Built-in security with protection from viruses and malware
Vast collection of apps for your everyday computing needs downloadable from the Chrome Web Store
Keep files safely backed up in the cloud, offline copy also available.
Apps allow you to create, share and collaborate on documents and images
Allow you to work offline (subject to support from apps)
Free automatic updates from Google giving Chrome OS better features and speed
Lighter, slimmer, sleeker, portable, power efficient and powerful devices at affordable prices bringing the cost of computing (ownership and maintenance) way down.

5 Main Considerations When Choosing a Chromebook

The Processors: Firstly, there is the Intel Celeron (multi-core and energy efficient), check specifications as from one generation to the next, the processor speeds are different. NVIDIA Tegra is the other processor in use by some of today’s Chromebooks that requires no active cooling. This meant, the Chromebooks are silent and are designed to be slim and fanless. The third type of processor in use is found only on Samsung Chromebooks. The proprietary Samsung Exynos 5 Octa processors are also used on Samsung’s high end tablets.
The Memory: Most manufacturers offer their devices with 2GB of RAM memory and 16GB of flash storage. Others offer double the memory at 4GB of RAM memory and an option to have 16GB or 32GB of storage. In any case, for storage, you always have the options of using removable media i.e. USB flash drives and micro SD or SD (Secure Digital) memory card with onboard SD card reader. Note that some Chromebook do not have SD expansion slot but this is rare.
The Display: From our line-up there are three different display sizes, all running at HD resolution 1366 x 768 except where it says Full HD with resolution at 1920 x 1080. There is usually a premium associated with Full HD screen so expect to pay a bit more. Of the 12 Chromebook in our list, only 2 are available with touch screen interface either as an option (Acer) or come with (Lenovo).
Battery Life: The battery life of today’s Chromebook range from 7 – 13 hours with 9 – 11 hours becoming more common. This is certainly enough to get you through the whole day without needing to look for a power socket and if you get the balance right, you can even leave the power adapter at home.
Ports: The final thing to consider is the connectivity. Most Chromebooks come with at least 2 USB ports, either USB2.0 or USB3.0 or a mix of both. Some Chromebooks come with HDMI port, this allows you to connect the device straight to the big screen to share your content or to use it as a workstation.

Top 12 Best Chromebooks

A quick look at the line-up [IN OUR COMPARISON]:

HP Chromebook 14 (G2) 14-inch (Tegra Version) – BIGGEST DISPLAY
Acer Aspire CB3-111 11.6-inch Chromebook – BEST BATTERY LIFE, SUPER LIGHT
Asus C200MA 11.6-inch Chromebook – SUPER LIGHT
Asus C300MA 13.3-inch Chromebook – BIGGER DISPLAY
Toshiba Chromebook 13.3-inch – BIGGER DISPLAY
Dell Chromebook 11.6-inch
Samsung Chromebook 2 11.6-inch – SUPER LIGHT
Acer Aspire CB5-311 13.3-inch Chromebook – BIGGER DISPLAY

Also available Acer Aspire CB5-311P 13.3-inch Chromebook with Touchscreen

HP Chromebook 11 G2 11.6-inch – SUPER LIGHT
Samsung Chromebook XE303 11.6-inch
Lenovo N20p 11.6-inch Chromebook with Touchscreen – TOUCHSCREEN, DOUBLE MEMORY
Samsung Chromebook 2 13-inch Luminous Titan – BIGGER DISPLAY, FULL HD, DOUBLE MEMORY

Also available Samsung Chromebook XE303 11.6-inch with 3G

BONUS: Dell Chromebook 13 – TOUCHSCREEN

UPDATE: Acer Chromebook 15 [EVEN BIGGER DISPLAY], Acer Chromebook R11 [CONVERTIBLE & TOUCHSCREEN], ASUS Chromebook Flip C100PA [CONVERTIBLE & TOUCHSCREEN], ASUS Chromebook C201PA and ASUS Chromebook C300SA [15 HOURS BATTERY LIFE] see Slimmer, Lighter and Here to Stay

Now for a details.

1. HP Chromebook 14 (G2) 14-inch (Tegra Version) – BIGGEST DISPLAY

Don’t mistake this with the previous generation HP Chromebook 14 based on the Intel Celeron 2955U 1.4GHz processor with 4GB RAM, 16GB of storage and weighs 1.9 kg. The new HP Chromebook 14 is based on the ARM Cortex processor from NVIDIA, the Tegra K1 with quad core clocking at 2.10GHz. The bigger 14-inch screen meant the battery life has to suffer, but the Chromebook 14 still manages up to 8 hours of battery life and comes with 3 instead of 2 USB ports.

NVIDIA Tegra K1 CD570M-A1 2.10GHz Quad Core Processor – ARM
14″ HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 display – BIGGEST SCREEN
2GB RAM DDR3L SDRAM, 16GB Flash Hard Drive, SD Card Reader
Battery Life: 8 hours
1.7 kg – HEAVIEST
Ports: HDMI, 1 x USB3.0, 2 x USB2.0, webcam, headphone/microphone combo socket – 3 USB PORTS
Available in Turquoise, Silver & White, Green, Orange – COLOUR OPTIONS

2. Acer Aspire CB3-111 11.6-inch Chromebook

This second generation Chromebook from Acer is jazzed up in the design department with a white slimline body but still sticking to Intel’s processor. It’s a different story with the 13.3-inch version we will be seeing later as that seems to favour the new NVIDIA Tegra K1 CD570M-A1 Quad Core Processor.

Intel Celeron N2830 2.16GHz Dual Core processor
11.6-inches (1366 x 768) HD display
2GB RAM, 16GB Flash Hard Drive, SD Card Reader
Dimensions and Weight: 299 x 202 x 18.65 mm 1.2kg – SUPER LIGHT
Battery Life: 13 hours – BEST BATTERY LIFE
Ports: HDMI, 1 x USB3.0, 1 x USB2.0, SD Slot, Headphone, Microphone, Webcam

3. Asus C200MA 11.6-inch Chromebook

Asus, the pioneer of netbooks and the Transformer series (Android tablets with detachable keyboards) is a late comer to the Chromebook arena. Their offerings, the Asus C200 and C300 are very strong Chromebooks with 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch display respectively. Apart from the screen, physical dimension and weight, everything else, specification wise is identical. For the C200 11.6-inch variety, retailers are carrying the dual core processor Intel Celeron N2830 running at 2.16GHz with a burst speed of 2.41GHz with 2GB of RAM memory and 16GB of storage.

Intel Celeron N2830 2.16GHz Dual Core Processor (Turbo Boost to 2.41GHz) / Intel Celeron N2930 1.83GHz (Turbo Boost 2.16GHz) Quad Core Processor
11.6″ 16:9 HD/GL/LED (1366×768) HD display
2GB / 4GB DDR3 SDRAM with 16GB/32GB eMMC Flash Hard Drive, SD Card Reader
Battery Life: 11 hours – GOOD BATTERY LIFE
Dimensions and Weight: 304.3 x 200 x 19.8 mm (WxDxH) 1.15 kg – SUPER LIGHT
Ports: HDMI, USB3.0, USB2.0, SD Slot, Headphone/Microphone combo socket

4. Asus C300MA 13.3-inch Chromebook – BIGGER DISPLAY

For the C300 13.3-inch variety, retailers are also carrying the dual core processor Intel Celeron N2830 running at 2.16GHz with a burst speed of 2.41GHz with 2GB of RAM memory but with 32GB of storage. Asus does list 2GB or 4GB RAM memory options as well as 16GB or 32GB storage options for both models for different markets. We have yet to come across the quad-core variety, with Intel Celeron N2930 1.83GHz (Turbo Boost 2.16GHz) Quad Core Processor.

Intel Celeron N2830 2.16GHz Dual Core Processor (Turbo Boost to 2.41GHz) / Intel Celeron N2930 1.83GHz (Turbo Boost 2.16GHz) Quad Core Processor
13.3″ 16:9 HD (1366×768) HD display
2GB / 4GB DDR3 SDRAM with 16GB / 32GB eMMC Flash Hard Drive, SD Card Reader
Battery Life: 10 hours – GOOD BATTERY LIFE
Dimensions and Weight: 33.9 x 23.0 x 2.03 cm (WxDxH) 1.4 kg
Ports: HDMI, USB3.0, USB2.0, SD Slot, Headphone/Microphone combo socket
Available in Black, Blue, Red or Yellow

5. Toshiba Chromebook 2 13.3-inch – BIGGER DISPLAY

Toshiba was one of the first to bring a 13.3-inch Chromebook market to the market. Since then, many have followed, as we can see here. With a brushed smart silver finish with dot pattern and the built quality you would expect from Toshiba, the Toshiba Chromebook features a TruBrite HD High Brightness display. Note that the second generation comes with the updated processor Intel Celeron N2840 2.16GHz instead of the Celeron 2955U 1.4GHz processor and offers better battery life, 11 hours instead of 8.5 hours in the previous model. You can also pay a bit more and get a higher resolution Full HD 1080p IPS display and double memory. However, with the Full HD IPS display, the battery takes a hit leaving you with up to 9 hours instead.

Intel Celeron 2955U 1.4GHz processor
13.3-inches (1366 x 768) HD resolution display
2GB RAM, 16GB Flash Hard Drive
Dimensions & Weight: 320 x 214.0 x 19.3 mm, 1.35 kg
Battery Life: 11.5 hour – GOOD BATTERY LIFE

Also available Toshiba Chromebook 2 13.3-inch FHD and 4GB Memory [9 hours battery life]

6. Dell Chromebook 11 with 11.6-inch

I can still remember how the Dell Chromebook 11 was such a hit when it first came out. There were not as many Chromebooks in the market then. Fast forward to today, more manufacturers are offering their version of the Chromebook, some in its second iterations. Now due a refresh, the Dell Chromebook 11 still spots the previous generation Intel Celeron 2955U dual core processor clocking at 1.4GHz. It has however, found a niche to hone in on, the education sector. Dell’s introduction of the Chromebook was to cater mainly as an education solution meeting the needs of schools looking to build a digital learning environment.

Intel Celeron 2955U 1.4GHz processor dual core
11.6-inches (1366 x 768) HD resolution display
2GB RAM, 16GB Flash Hard Drive
Dimensions & Weight: , 1.3kg
Battery Life: 10 hour – GOOD BATTERY LIFE

7. Samsung Chromebook 2 11.6-inch

First to the market with a Chromebook in the shape of the successful Samsung Chromebook XE303, also listed here at number 12, the new generation Samsung Chromebook 2 is much improved starting with its premium design and reinforced metal frame. The cover now spots a leather-like look complete with texture and stitched edge while maintaining its slim and sleek features. It is also available in two screen sizes, with the 11.6-inch spotting the Intel Celeron N2840 2.16GHz (turbo boost to 2.58GHz) processor or the Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5420 1.9GHz processor (1.9GHz Quad A15 / 1.3GHz Quad A7). The 13.3-inch version favors the Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5800 2.0GHz processor and is also featured here at number 11.

Intel Celeron N2840 2.16GHz processor turbo (Turbo Boost to 2.58GHz)
11.6-inches 16:9 (1366 x 768) HD resolution anti-reflective display
2GB RAM, 16GB Flash Hard Drive. microSD card reader
Dimensions & Weight: 11.40″ x 8.06″ x 0.66″, 2.65 lb. 1.2kg – SUPER LIGHT
Battery Life: 9 hour
Ports: HDMI, 1 x USB2.0, 1 x USB3.0, Headphone/Microphone combo socket, 1 x micro SD card slot

8. Acer Aspire CB5-311 13.3-inch Chromebook – BIGGER DISPLAY

The second Acer Aspire on our list, this time with a 13.3-inch screen and based on the NVIDIA Tegra K1 CD570M-A1 Quad Core Processor, an ARM Cortex processor as oppose to Intel Celeron. This chromebook also has the best battery life in our comparison and available with a touch screen option. Although with the touch screen, the battery life dips to 11 hours.

NVIDIA Tegra K1 CD570M-A1 2.10GHz Quad Core Processor – ARM
13.3″ HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 display, a Full HD version is available in some market.
2GB RAM DDR3L SDRAM, 16GB Flash Hard Drive, SD Slot, a 4GB RAM/32GB storage option is also available
Battery Life: 13 hours or 11 hours (with touchscreen) – BEST BATTERY LIFE
Dimensions & Weight: 327 x 227.5 x 18mm, 1.5 kg
Ports: HDMI, 2 x USB3.0

Also available Acer Aspire CB5-311P 13.3-inch Chromebook with Touchscreen

9. HP Chromebook 11 G2 11.6-inch

The second generation HP Chromebook 11 G2 is now in a grown-up anodized silver finish with snow white cover. Much like the first generation plastic Apple iBook turned silver MacBook, the first generation HP Chromebook 11 spots a cool plastic white body with different colour accents. The new generation is HP’s smallest and lightest Chromebook with the next size up at 14-inch seen here above.

Exynos 5250 1.7GHz Dual Core ARM Processor – ARM
11.6-inches 1366 x 768 HD display
2GB RAM DDR2L SDRAM, 16GB eMMC Flash Hard Drive – NO SD EXPANSION
Battery Life: 7 hours
Dimensions & Weight: 30 x 20.57 x 2.04 cm and 1.22 kg – SUPER LIGHT
Ports: 2 x USB2.0, 1 headphone/microphone combo socket, SlimPort and micro-USB which also provides charging for mobile devices.

10. Lenovo N20p 11.6-inch Chromebook – TOUCH SCREEN

In the true Yoga tradition, Lenovo’s line of convertible laptops that lets you fold the screen back beyond 180 degrees, the Lenovo N20p offers the same muli-mode operation. You can use the chromebook in the conventional laptop mode using the keyboard or flip the screen 300 degrees to enter Stand mode to focus on touch applications, video calls, films or video. The durable hinge is strong enough to support the screen even when folded and the keyboard doubles as stand with its keys hidden away.

Intel Celeron N2830 2.16GHz processor
11.6-inches (1366 x 768) HD resolution display with 10 point Touchscreen
4GB RAM, 16GB Flash Hard Drive – DOUBLE MEMORY
Dimensions & Weight: 1.4 kg
Battery Life: 8 hours
Ports: USB 3.0, USB 2.0, Audio combo jack (headphone/mic), mini HDMI, 2-in-1 card reader (SD/MMC)

11. Samsung Chromebook 2 13-inch Luminous Titan – BIGGER DISPLAY

The bigger Samsung Chromebook 2 13-inch is also the first from Samsung with a 13-inch Chromebook and Samsung is pulling out all the stops. The 13-inch display packs 1920 x 1080 pixels, a Full HD resolution screen and runs on the Exynos 5 Octa 5800 processor (2.0GHz Quad A15 / 1.3GHz Quad A7) for even better performance. It also has double the memory with 4GB of RAM and three times faster WiFi compared to previous generation with 802.11ac.

Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5800 2.0 GHz Processor (2 MB Cache)
13.3-inch 16.9 1920 x 1080 LED Full HD Resolution – FULL HD
4 GB DDR3L SDRAM, 16 GB Solid-State Drive, microSD slot – DOUBLE MEMORY
Dimensions & Weight: 32.3 x 22.4 x 1.7 cm, 1.4 kg
Battery Life: 8.5 hours
Ports: HDMI. 1 x USB3.0, 1 x USB2.0, microSD Card Slot, Headphone/micrphone combo socket

12. Samsung Chromebook XE303 11.6-inch

The previous generation Samsung ARM Series 3 Chromebook, the XE303C12 is based on the proven slim line design with plenty of ports, (USB2.0, USB3.0, SD Card Slot, Microphone and Audio combo socket) in a lightweight package that has everything you would want on a Chromebook.

Processor: Exynos 5250 (1.7GHz, 1MB L2 Cache) Dual Core ARM Processor
Display: 11.6″ HD LED Display (1366 x 768)
Memory & Storage: 2GB DDR3L System Memory at 800MHz (on BD 2GB) with 16GB e.MMC iNAND™ Embedded Flash Drive
Dimensions & Weight: 289.6 x 208.5 x 17.5 ~ 17.5mm (11.4″ x 8.2″ x 0.68″ ~ 0.68″) at 1.1kg (2.42 lbs) – LIGHTEST
Camera(s): Integrated Web Cam
Connectivity: 802.11abg/n (2 x 2), 3G HSPA+, EU (3G model), Novatel E396UC, 3-in-1 (SD, SDHC, SDXC)
Battery Life: Up to 7 hours

Also available Samsung Chromebook XE303 11.6-inch with 3G

BONUS: Dell Chromebook 13 – TOUCHSCREEN

Business class Chromebook with build quality, and style to match coupled with Core i3 or Core i5 processor with 4GB or 8GB of memory, here is a Chromebook that will eat other Chromebooks for breakfast. The 13.3-inch display features Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) with touch enabled option available. Should you need to hook it up to a big screen TV or projector, it comes ready with HDMI socket.