The Best Chromebooks

December 2022 update. When it comes to inexpensive notebooks, devices with Google's Chrome OS have carved out a niche in the market. Chromebooks are usually a good choice for people who do not want to spend a lot of money, although they do require a permanent connection to the Internet to get the most out of them. In this article we will introduce the best models.

Florian Wimmer (translated by DeepL / Ninh Duy), Published 12/30/2022 🇩🇪 🇪🇸 ...

The major manufacturers do not just sell Windows-based laptops, but have the rather inexpensive and frequently more portable Chromebooks with Google's Chrome OS in their portfolio. This particular operating system is based on the idea that most of the work a user encounters can be done using the browser. Chromebooks run a version of Linux with a very small footprint and utilize the Chrome browser running on top of the OS. Even though local web applications can be installed as well, the focus is clearly on cloud-based services accessed via the browser.

The notebooks in this category do not require a lot of processing power or hard drive space, so they are pretty stripped-down and carry a low price tag. Of course, there are drawbacks as well: popular applications such as Office or Skype will not run on Chrome. The only choice here is to use Google's own applications. Printing and hooking up USB devices can be a bit of a headache as well. Also refer to the following listings to find an affordable device:

The Best Chromebooks

Position	Total Rating	Date	Model	Height	Weight	Size	Resolution	Screen
1	83.7 %	06/2022 new!	Acer Chromebook 514 CB514-1WT-36DP Intel Core i3-1115G4 Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 48EUs 8 GB Memory, 256 GB SSD	19.3 mm	1.4 kg	14.00"	1920x1080	matte
2	79.9 %	04/2022	Asus Chromebook Flip CM1 AMD 3015Ce AMD Radeon RX Vega 3 4 GB Memory, 64 GB eMMC	18.6 mm	1.7 kg	14.00"	1920x1080	glossy
3	79.4 %	01/2022	Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Qualcomm Adreno 618 4 GB Memory, 64 GB eMMC	7.2 mm	715 g	13.30"	1920x1080	glossy

The table above contains an overview over the best notebooks for less than 500 Euros reviewed by Notebookcheck over the course of the past 12 months as well as still relevant and available older products. In cases of identical score the more recent device is listed first. All prices in above table and price comparisons are updated daily and can thus differ.
Link: Link: all devices in this class reviewed

Top 10 at the time of writing, current reviews first

Editors' Comments

1st - Acer Chromebook 514

With its matte screen and classic laptop format, the Acer Chromebook 514 stands out from the other devices tested. The processor used here is a somewhat weak Intel Core i3-1115G4 with two cores. However, as our test proves, this processor is more than sufficient for the frugal Chrome OS. Despite active cooling, the Acer Chromebook remains quite quiet.

For private users, the Acer Chromebook 514 is rather uninteresting due to its high price. But the Chromebook proves to be a strong business companion in the test.

For a laptop with Google's operating system, the Chromebook 514 shows a high connectivity, a very high case quality, but also a rather high price. Both USB-C slots are fully developed with Thunderbolt 4. The battery life of more than 8 hours in a real-world WiFi web surfing test, on the other hand, turns out to be standard for Chromebooks.

The Chromebook is currently available for ~$560 on Amazon.

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2nd - Asus Chromebook Flip CM1

Asus Chromebook Flip CM1 is a simple 2-in-1 notebook that works silently thanks to passive cooling. The equipment of the convertible is sufficient for a Chromebook with AMD-3015Ce-APU, 4 GB RAM and 64 GB eMMC memory. The performance is sufficient for internet and office use, but you shouldn't expect more from this Chromebook. However, the 50 Wh battery is enough for over 8 hours in the WiFi web surfing test.

The Asus Chromebook Flip CM1 is sufficiently equipped for simple applications.

The 14-inch display with Full HD resolution can score with high viewing angle stability and decent colour reproduction, but it is not convincing in terms of brightness. Outdoor use with the 2-in-1 notebook is therefore difficult or even impossible.

The most unusual feature of the Flip CM1 is probably the 5 MP camera for snapshots, which is integrated into the palm rest. In tablet mode, you can take acceptable photos.

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3rd - Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook

The Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook 11 is one of the most affordable 2-in-1 Chromebooks currently available. Its MediaTek MT8183 octa-core SoC paired with 4 GB of RAM may not be the fastest chip available but it offers a bright display, good connectivity, and a robust case in return.

The design is overall rather bulky and heavy, and the display bezels are fairly wide which makes this 11-inch Chromebook as large as a 13-inch device.

The device is available among others on Amazon with prices starting at just over $200.