Chromebooks are inexpensive laptops with a difference: they run Google's Chrome OS instead of Windows or OS X. Here we review the best Chromebooks you can buy in the UK in 2015/2016. Visit Chrome Advisor for more about Chrome OS and Chromebooks. Best Chromebooks reviews.
Best Chromebooks: what is a Chromebook?
As the name might suggest, a Chromebook is a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome operating system rather than Windows or OS X. It offers pretty much the same experience as using the popular Chrome web browser but with a few extra features added to the mix.
An internet connection is central to how a Chromebook functions. Nearly all its apps and services are online and don’t run locally. There are a few exceptions to this, with Google’s own Document and Spreadsheet apps capable of working offline and then seamlessly syncing any work you’ve done to the cloud once you’re back on Wi-Fi.
This simplicity allows Chromebooks to use less powerful hardware than many Windows laptops, without it affecting the overall performance. You won’t find capacious hard drives, high-end processors or large 15.6in screens on Chromebooks. Instead, Google offers 100GB of online storage with every machine, mobile processors are the order of the day (negating the need for noisy fans), and the usual screen size is around the 11.6in. One of the most notable benefits of such modest accoutrements is that prices for Chromebooks tend to be below £300, with many selling for nearer £200.
There are many similarities across the available models, with a generally standard keyboard layout and screen resolution, and fast bootup times, but those with specific needs should still be able find a machine to suit them.
Best Chromebooks: what you can get
HP's range has the largest screen at 14in. If you want a touchscreen, then look to Acer's C720p. Lenovo used to produce the n20p, but that has now been discontinued so you'll have to search eBay, Gumtree and other sites. Those seeking ultimate quality will find Google’s own Pixel is as good as it gets, albeit at an equally premium price.
For most people who just want a laptop-style computer for browsing the internet, creating documents and spreadsheets, streaming videos or giving to the kids as an inexpensive, virus-free homework device, a Chromebook is an excellent choice.
There are, of course, still very good reasons to buy a Windows machine - they offer far more software, and don’t rely so heavily on the internet, for starters - but Windows laptops at the low end of the market, especially in the price range that Chromebooks occupy, tend to be underpowered or cumbersome. (See: Best budget laptops)
However, as Lenovo has proved with the B50-30 and subsequent models, you can have Windows at the same price as a Chromebook with very few compromises. That's mainly because Microsoft started offering Windows 8.1 with Bing free to laptop manufacturers to compete with Google.
Best Chromebooks: the Chromebook limitation
We don't claim that Chromebooks are a perfect solution, as there are certain limitations you need to consider. The most significant is that, unlike Windows machines, Chromebooks can’t run most of the software you might be used to. So, no Photoshop, no iTunes (and therefore no iDevice compatibility) and next to no gaming.
Full versions of Microsoft Office are also missing, although you can use the web-based suite, albeit with reduced functionality. Google’s own Docs suite is also a very good alternative if you don’t need Office’s advanced features, while its online collaboration is better than Microsoft’s offering.
The other main consideration is how far you’re willing to embrace the cloud. Chromebooks generally come with no more than 16GB of internal storage, as the premise of Chrome OS is that you use the internet rather than your machine to run programs and store data. So if you live in an area with patchy broadband, or don’t want to store your information on Google, Microsoft or Dropbox servers, then a Windows machine might be a better solution.
Peripheral support is also hit and miss, so if you need printers or other external devices to get your work done, then it’s worth investigating whether your devices will work with a Chromebook before you buy one.
Best Chromebooks Products
9. Toshiba CB30-102
The usual caveat of ‘Chromebooks aren't for everyone' of course applies, but the Toshiba CB30 is a very useable and capable laptop for anyone who spends the majority of their computing time online using Google services. The increased screen size is a definite bonus over 11.6in models, even if it isn't a high-quality display, while the plastic construction keeps the weight to a portable 1.5 kg. For £250 this is a great device if your creative and privacy needs are modest.
8. HP Chromebook 11
The Chromebook 11 looks great, is small and light and has the best screen we’ve seen on a Chrome OS device. However, build quality isn’t quite up to scratch and – more importantly – neither is performance. With several other rival Chromebooks about to be launched, it’s definitely worth waiting to see if one can combine good performance with a good screen at the right price. HP’s aims well with its latest effort, but misses the mark by a good margin.
7. Acer C720
The C720 doesn’t excel in any particular department, but it scores highly enough in most of them to make it a good all-rounder. Lightweight, fast, cheap, and actually quite a cool looking device. The keyboard is a little underwhelming, but for the money it’s a very easy machine to recommend.
6. Asus C300M
The C300 might not be as svelte or quick as many of its Chrome OS brethren, but the lightweight chassis makes it highly portable for those who prefer things a little larger on-screen. The colours won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but for us it’s a selling point that captures the essence of a Chromebook.
5. Acer C720p Chromebook
As a wallet friendly machine for browsing the internet and getting some work done the Acer C720p Chromebook is a great choice. The touchscreen really adds a nice upgrade to an already attractive package, and if you can live within the internet world of Chrome OS, then at this price you can’t go wrong.
4. HP Chromebook 14
There’s a lot to like about the HP Chromebook 14. It’s big, nice to use, and offers something a bit different to Chromebook users. We’d like to see an improved screen quality to really make it stand out, and maybe a firmer keyboard, but if you want a larger way to enjoy ChromeOS then this is a great place to start.
3. Dell Chromebook 11
Dell’s debut offering is pretty much exactly what most people want from a Chromebook. It’s fast, easily portable, smart looking, features a great keyboard, and even manages to add in a few bells and whistles like the two USB 3.0 ports. If Google’s vision for a laptop fits your needs, then the Chromebook 11 will make you very happy.
2. Acer Chromebook 13
Acer knows how to make good, solid, reliable Chromebooks, and this model is no exception. Performance was always decent, the screen size is a welcome addition, and the long battery life makes it a great option for travelling. It’s just a shame that the display panel doesn’t quite match up to that of the Toshiba Chromebook 2, which is similarly priced but does offer a richer experience. If you can accept the screen though, the Acer Chromebook 13 is a very nice machine that will get the job done.
1. Toshiba Chromebook 2
If you're happy to live in the cloud for the majority of your tasks, then Toshiba's Chromebook 2 is currently the best way to do it. The device is light, fast, and that screen is worth the money alone. Chromebooks are quickly coming of age, and this Toshiba model is something that could easily convert a legion of fans to the ever improving ChromeOS universe.
Best Chromebooks: what is a Chromebook?
As the name might suggest, a Chromebook is a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome operating system rather than Windows or OS X. It offers pretty much the same experience as using the popular Chrome web browser but with a few extra features added to the mix.
An internet connection is central to how a Chromebook functions. Nearly all its apps and services are online and don’t run locally. There are a few exceptions to this, with Google’s own Document and Spreadsheet apps capable of working offline and then seamlessly syncing any work you’ve done to the cloud once you’re back on Wi-Fi.
This simplicity allows Chromebooks to use less powerful hardware than many Windows laptops, without it affecting the overall performance. You won’t find capacious hard drives, high-end processors or large 15.6in screens on Chromebooks. Instead, Google offers 100GB of online storage with every machine, mobile processors are the order of the day (negating the need for noisy fans), and the usual screen size is around the 11.6in. One of the most notable benefits of such modest accoutrements is that prices for Chromebooks tend to be below £300, with many selling for nearer £200.
There are many similarities across the available models, with a generally standard keyboard layout and screen resolution, and fast bootup times, but those with specific needs should still be able find a machine to suit them.
Best Chromebooks: what you can get
HP's range has the largest screen at 14in. If you want a touchscreen, then look to Acer's C720p. Lenovo used to produce the n20p, but that has now been discontinued so you'll have to search eBay, Gumtree and other sites. Those seeking ultimate quality will find Google’s own Pixel is as good as it gets, albeit at an equally premium price.
For most people who just want a laptop-style computer for browsing the internet, creating documents and spreadsheets, streaming videos or giving to the kids as an inexpensive, virus-free homework device, a Chromebook is an excellent choice.
There are, of course, still very good reasons to buy a Windows machine - they offer far more software, and don’t rely so heavily on the internet, for starters - but Windows laptops at the low end of the market, especially in the price range that Chromebooks occupy, tend to be underpowered or cumbersome. (See: Best budget laptops)
However, as Lenovo has proved with the B50-30 and subsequent models, you can have Windows at the same price as a Chromebook with very few compromises. That's mainly because Microsoft started offering Windows 8.1 with Bing free to laptop manufacturers to compete with Google.
Best Chromebooks: the Chromebook limitation
We don't claim that Chromebooks are a perfect solution, as there are certain limitations you need to consider. The most significant is that, unlike Windows machines, Chromebooks can’t run most of the software you might be used to. So, no Photoshop, no iTunes (and therefore no iDevice compatibility) and next to no gaming.
Full versions of Microsoft Office are also missing, although you can use the web-based suite, albeit with reduced functionality. Google’s own Docs suite is also a very good alternative if you don’t need Office’s advanced features, while its online collaboration is better than Microsoft’s offering.
The other main consideration is how far you’re willing to embrace the cloud. Chromebooks generally come with no more than 16GB of internal storage, as the premise of Chrome OS is that you use the internet rather than your machine to run programs and store data. So if you live in an area with patchy broadband, or don’t want to store your information on Google, Microsoft or Dropbox servers, then a Windows machine might be a better solution.
Peripheral support is also hit and miss, so if you need printers or other external devices to get your work done, then it’s worth investigating whether your devices will work with a Chromebook before you buy one.
Best Chromebooks Products
9. Toshiba CB30-102
The usual caveat of ‘Chromebooks aren't for everyone' of course applies, but the Toshiba CB30 is a very useable and capable laptop for anyone who spends the majority of their computing time online using Google services. The increased screen size is a definite bonus over 11.6in models, even if it isn't a high-quality display, while the plastic construction keeps the weight to a portable 1.5 kg. For £250 this is a great device if your creative and privacy needs are modest.
8. HP Chromebook 11
The Chromebook 11 looks great, is small and light and has the best screen we’ve seen on a Chrome OS device. However, build quality isn’t quite up to scratch and – more importantly – neither is performance. With several other rival Chromebooks about to be launched, it’s definitely worth waiting to see if one can combine good performance with a good screen at the right price. HP’s aims well with its latest effort, but misses the mark by a good margin.
7. Acer C720
The C720 doesn’t excel in any particular department, but it scores highly enough in most of them to make it a good all-rounder. Lightweight, fast, cheap, and actually quite a cool looking device. The keyboard is a little underwhelming, but for the money it’s a very easy machine to recommend.
6. Asus C300M
The C300 might not be as svelte or quick as many of its Chrome OS brethren, but the lightweight chassis makes it highly portable for those who prefer things a little larger on-screen. The colours won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but for us it’s a selling point that captures the essence of a Chromebook.
5. Acer C720p Chromebook
As a wallet friendly machine for browsing the internet and getting some work done the Acer C720p Chromebook is a great choice. The touchscreen really adds a nice upgrade to an already attractive package, and if you can live within the internet world of Chrome OS, then at this price you can’t go wrong.
4. HP Chromebook 14
There’s a lot to like about the HP Chromebook 14. It’s big, nice to use, and offers something a bit different to Chromebook users. We’d like to see an improved screen quality to really make it stand out, and maybe a firmer keyboard, but if you want a larger way to enjoy ChromeOS then this is a great place to start.
3. Dell Chromebook 11
Dell’s debut offering is pretty much exactly what most people want from a Chromebook. It’s fast, easily portable, smart looking, features a great keyboard, and even manages to add in a few bells and whistles like the two USB 3.0 ports. If Google’s vision for a laptop fits your needs, then the Chromebook 11 will make you very happy.
2. Acer Chromebook 13
Acer knows how to make good, solid, reliable Chromebooks, and this model is no exception. Performance was always decent, the screen size is a welcome addition, and the long battery life makes it a great option for travelling. It’s just a shame that the display panel doesn’t quite match up to that of the Toshiba Chromebook 2, which is similarly priced but does offer a richer experience. If you can accept the screen though, the Acer Chromebook 13 is a very nice machine that will get the job done.
1. Toshiba Chromebook 2
If you're happy to live in the cloud for the majority of your tasks, then Toshiba's Chromebook 2 is currently the best way to do it. The device is light, fast, and that screen is worth the money alone. Chromebooks are quickly coming of age, and this Toshiba model is something that could easily convert a legion of fans to the ever improving ChromeOS universe.
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