Need an extra computer at home? These inexpensive models from Asus, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung will get the job done.
By Nicholas De Leon
For those in need of a no-frills laptop—a device for checking email, surfing the web, and doing homework—a Chromebook is a great way to save money.
While a new Mac or Windows computer can easily cost you $1,000, a well-made Chromebook—one that can tackle everyday tasks, including video calls—can be purchased for under $300.
Compared with a pricier counterpart, a Chromebook may have lower-end components, such as a slower processor and a smaller hard drive. But that’s not as big a problem as you might think, in part because Chromebooks use less-demanding cloud-based apps and you don’t need a ton of oomph to run, say, Gmail or Google Docs.
Chrome OS, the operating system that powers Chromebooks, greatly resembles Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser. So if you’re a Chrome user, getting up and running on Chrome OS is not that hard.
In recent years, Chromebooks have also gained the ability to run Android apps, opening the door to games for kids and software like Adobe Lightroom for those who like to edit photos. These options can be downloaded from the Google Play store, like you’d do on an Android smartphone.
Our Chromebook tests are similar to those for Windows and Mac laptops.
We look at how well the processor performs under different workloads, how comfortable the keyboard is to type on, and how long the battery lasts. We also take display quality into account, evaluating how accurately the screen represents colors and how wide the viewing angle is. The goal is to give you an accurate, easy-to-understand idea of what it would be like to own the device.
Right now there are 27 Chromebooks in our ratings, all made by well-known companies such as Acer, Asus, and HP.
The following list features some of the best low-cost options, ranked in order of Overall Score.
HP 14A
This 14-inch Chromebook is one of the better-rated models in our ratings—at any price. It has an Intel Celeron processor, 4 gigabytes of memory, and 32GB of flash storage, which is similar to but slower than the solid state drives found in premium laptops.
Our testers highlighted the model’s generous battery life (more than 14 hours for web browsing and some 8 hours under a more demanding load) and the legible, backlit keyboard, which makes it easier to type in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
HP Chromebook 14A-NA0020NR
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go
This 14-inch model has an Intel Celeron processor, 4 gigabytes of memory, and 64GB of flash storage.
Our testers point out its admirable battery life (almost 13 hours for web browsing and almost 8 for more demanding loads) and the comfortable keyboard.
Performance is about average and the display is merely so-so, but as long as you treat this as a low-cost productivity device, as opposed to the only computer you’ll ever need, you should be okay.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go
Asus Chromebook
This 11-inch model has an Intel Celeron processor, 4 gigabytes of memory, and 32GB of flash storage.
Those specs shake out to midrange performance, but what’s key here is that 11-inch size: This Chromebook could be a good choice if you’re looking for a highly portable model that you can slip into a bag or a backpack without thinking twice.
The battery life (almost 15 hours under a lighter load and almost 8 hours under a heavier load) helps in terms of portability, too.
Asus Chromebook C204EE-YB02
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3
This is an 11.6-inch, 2-in-1 convertible, which means the keyboard can be fully bent behind the display via a 360-degree hinge, allowing you to use the device somewhat like a tablet or prop it up on a table in “tent mode” to more easily share your screen with others.
The specs are modest: a MediaTek processor, 4 gigabytes of memory, and 32GB of flash storage. MediaTek specializes in inexpensive processors, but our testers find the performance here to be somewhat slow, even with relatively simple tasks, such as editing text and browsing the web. The battery life isn’t too shabby, though, at 12 hours for web browsing and 10 hours for watching high-res video.
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3 11
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