Notebookcheck's Top 10 Chromebooks

Chromebooks are not only inexpensive system we know from earlier days, which is shown by Google: The inventor of the Chromebook sells its Pixelbook for about 900 Euros (~$1080), but can easily climb above 1000 Euros (~$1200) depending on the components. In return you get a convertible with support for pen inputs, which can also handle Android apps from Google's Play Store.

The fast processor, great build quality, and long battery runtime create an almost unique Chromebook, but Google also sacrifices some features: There is no classic USB connector or a card reader. Both features require an adapter, which are not provided. Our list of negatives is quite long, because the input devices are pretty loud, there are occasional WLAN dropouts, and there is some coil whine.

All in all, the Google Pixelbook is the only real high-end Chromebook, but it reveals a lot of small drawbacks that potential buyers will have to accept. We hope the next generation will be an improvement.

HP's Chromebook 13 G1 is another comparatively expensive for a Chromebook with a base price of almost 500 Euros (~$600). A few hundred Euros more will get you a faster processor, but this will result in a very high price for a Chromebook. This does not make a lot of sense when you consider the limitations of the operating system. All SKUs get a high-resolution screen, good case, and reliable input devices, so the HP Chromebook 13 G1 should be on the short list of every potential Chromebook buyer.

Acer's Chromebook 14 is available for about 300 Euros (~$360), which is common for a Chromebook. The design is more grown-up compared to some of the earlier Chromebooks, because Acer wants to market it as an office device. This might actually work, thanks to the decent keyboard and long battery runtime. We also like the picture quality of the matte screen, even though it could be brighter.

The slow SD card reader and the limited performance are minor drawbacks, but the Acer Chromebook 14 is still a very fast device within its class and sufficient for everyday office tasks.

Do you prefer a Chromebook convertible instead of a classic laptop with Chrome OS? Then you should have a look at the Acer Chromebook R13 with its touchscreen – but it is only useful for Android apps. We like the 1080p screen, the silent operation, and the great battery runtime. Downsides are the slightly unstable chassis, and limited maintainability – even though this is the case for almost all Chromebooks. The keyboard is not perfect for prolific writers, either. The Acer Chromebook R13 is still a solid Chromebook convertible if you can live with the limitations.

You can still get very affordable Chromebooks. Medion's Akoya S2015 is such a device. The battery runtimes are pretty long and you even get support for 802.11ac networks. You can also replace the battery and double the runtime with a second battery. The device is powered by a SoC, so the performance lags behind more expensive Chromebooks or even Windows laptops. Still, the performance is sufficient for text editing or web browsing.

Dell's Chromebook 11-3120 earned the coveted first place in our list. The notebook is quite light at only 1.2 kg (~2.6 lb) and comes with a matte display with HD resolution. The Chromebook 11 costs 300 Euro (~$340) and offers a sturdy chassis, good battery life, a solid keyboard and also remains inaudible during use. Some buyers might be turned off somewhat by the dark-gray plastic and the boring styling. However, Dell's offering is solid all around.

The ThinkPad Yoga 11e is a very good choice as well. As part of the Yoga-family it features the 360-degree hinge, which allows it to be used in different modes. Despite the added functionality, it still retails for an affordable 350 Euro (~$400). The glossy display requires some getting used to, however. 1.7 kg (~3.7 lb) is also a little heavy for an 11.6-inch notebook and it is thicker than the competitors as well. Highlights are the touchscreen, the decent input devices and the long battery life. The design makes use of a fan, but remains pretty quiet overall. The ThinkPad Yoga 11e is one of the most distinct and adaptable Chromebook-designs and offers a lot for the money.

The Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook is primarily designed for the education market. It has an inconspicuous plastic case, but a convertible function for multiple operating modes. The long battery runtimes are convincing, and the silent operation will be appreciated at school. The 11.6-inch device is unfortunately a bit bulky and heavy, so it is not the best device to carry around. You should not expect an excellent keyboard either, but you still get a convertible with a robust chassis and sufficient performance for everyday school tasks for less than 300 Euros (~$340).

The Acer Chromebook C910 is a 15.6-inch system and therefore a rather exotic machine compared to most other (smaller) Chromebooks. You get a larger screen, but it is obviously not as portable compared to many other Chrome OS laptops. The battery runtimes are also very good, despite the large display and the C910 is always quiet and cool. It is not really cheap at around 500 Euros (~$600), but the performance is decent, thanks to the Intel Core i3 processor. You will be happy if you are looking for a large Chromebook.

The Acer Chromebook C740 is a classic 11.6-inch Chromebook. You get great battery runtimes, a matte screen, and it is always quiet and cool. The keyboard is decent as well. Thanks to the Intel processor, you get decent performance, especially for the price of 299 Euros (~$340).