Top 10: Best Google Chromebooks – September 2016

If you have yet to get involved with Chromebooks and Chrome OS in general then there has never been a better time to do so. While Chromebooks have always offered considerable value for money, the value that they offer has grown even more of late with the introduction of support for Android apps. Which only this week saw that support reaching the Chrome OS stable channel. So if you do want to check out what all the Chromebook fuss is about, then here are ten of the best Chromebooks that you can currently buy as of September 2016.

10. ASUS Chromebook Flip

When it comes to Chromebooks, the ASUS Chromebook Flip is not your typical Chromebook. It is one which is very small in size but also very flexible by design. Which means in addition to being highly portable, it is also highly versatile and can be used in a number of positions. This is a Chromebook which is available in a couple of variants although for the money, the best option is the more powerful option which comes with 4GB RAM, 16GB internal storage and is powered by a Rockchip (RK3288) processor. In terms of price, you are currently looking at paying in the region of $269 for this 10-inch sized Chromebook.

9. Acer Chromebook C740 

If you are in the market for a fairly decent Chromebook which is small in size than the Acer Chromebook C740 is a good option to go for. This one comes with a small 11.6-inch display which makes use of a 1366 x 768 resolution. In spite of its small size, this one does come packing the specs including 4GB RAM, 16GB internal storage and an Intel Celeron (3205U) processor. This is also a Chromebook which is extremely well-built, which means you are getting quite a lot in a relatively small package. Although, the downside is that for the size, this is not the most affordable Chromebook and it will currently cost you $249 to buy.

8. HP Chromebook 14

The HP Chromebook 14 has become one of the standards of the Chromebook world and constantly remains a good-selling option for those who want an established Chromebook from an established manufacturer. Not to mention, this is one of the larger Chromebooks available as it comes packing a 14-inch display with a 1366 x 768 resolution. Inside, this one is available in a couple of variants including a 2GB RAM model which comes powered by an Intel Celeron (N2840) processor and a 4GB RAM model which comes powered by an Intel Celeron (N2940) processor. In terms of price, the 2GB RAM model can be currently picked up for $215 and the 4GB RAM model for $279. Making both options highly competitive and good ones to currently go for.

7. Acer Chromebook 11 CB3-131

If the price matters then there are few Chromebooks better priced than this one from Acer. This Acer Chromebook 11 comes with a retail value of only $179.99 making it an excellent purchase for those on a budget. In terms of specs, the Acer Chromebook 11 comes loaded with an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage and the Intel Celeron (N2840) processor. While this is an affordable Chromebook, right now it is even more affordable than usual as it is currently available for only $173.

6. Lenovo 100s Chromebook

Going toe-to-toe with the Acer Chromebook 11 is the Lenovo 100s Chromebook. This one comes with an almost identical spec sheet including an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display, while inside you will find 2GB RAM, 16GB storage and an Intel Celeron (N2840) processor. In fact, it is one which also comes with the same $179.99, retail price. Making this one as good of an option to buy as the Acer Chromebook 11. In fact, while this one comes with almost identical numbers to the Acer Chromebook 11, right now this one is available at an even more affordable price – as it can be currently picked up for only $162.

5. Samsung Chromebook 3

Those who prefer the Samsung way of doing things will be happy to know that Samsung also has a Chromebook on the market. In fact, this is the Samsung Chromebook 3 and as the name suggests, it is the third in this particular line of Chromebooks. Like many of the other options, this one is also available in a number of variants including a 2GB RAM and a 4GB RAM model. Besides the RAM, most of the rest of what is on offer is the same and both units come loaded with 16GB storage, an Intel Celeron (N3050) processor and an 11.6-inch display. In terms of price, the 2GB RAM model is currently available for only $179 while the 4GB RAM model is on sale at $199. Prices which does probably make the Samsung Chromebook 3 the best option to go for this month.

4. Lenovo ThinkPad 13

The Lenovo ThinkPad is literally the newest Chromebook on this list, as it was only recently announced during Lenovo’s Tech World event in June. This is another one which is all about choice, as you are able to choose between a Chrome OS model and a Windows Model. In addition, the Chrome OS model also comes in a variety of versions with some subtle differences between them. For instance, while they all adopt a 13.3-inch display there is a 720p resolution model, as well as a 1080p model. Likewise, the processor differs depending on model with an Intel Celeron 3855U, an Intel Core i3 and an Intel Core i5 all available. RAM also varies depending on model selected with a 4GB and 8GB RAM on offer. As does the storage between 16GB and 32GB. So like some of the more popular options on this list, this is one which is highly customizable, although that choice does come at a price as this is not the most affordable Chromebook out there with the baseline version starting in the high $300s.

3. Dell Chromebook 13

Of course, if you want a Chromebook which is like the Chromebook Pixel (which is now discontinued) in terms of being a more premium product, but does not cost quite as much as the Pixel, then Dell does have an option for you. This is the Dell Chromebook 13 and is easily one of the most premium Chromebooks available. Like the Pixel, this one comes with a better build than you will find on some of the others and is also able to be highly customized in terms of specs. So you do get what you are paying for. Although, while the cost is not as high as the Pixel, this one does still come at a fairly high cost and even more so than the likes of the new ThinkPad from Lenovo. The starting price for the lesser spec model is a cool $429 and for that price you can expect a 13.3-inch display, 4GB RAM, 16GB internal storage and an Intel i3 processor.

2. Acer Chromebook 15

The Acer Chromebook 15 is not the newest Chromebook around and it is not even the most attractive Chromebook around. But, what it is, is a very good-performing Chromebook and one which is priced to suit everyone. This is also a Chromebook which is available in more than two variants so you can literally pick the right one to suit your needs. The difference between them is the RAM and storage configurations with a 2GB RAM/16GB, 4GB RAM/16GB storage and 4GB RAM and 32GB storage variants available. Regardless of which one you go for, you can expect one of the biggest displays on the market as the Acer Chromebook 15 comes touting a mammoth 15.6-inch display. In terms of price, right now you can pick up the 2GB RAM & 16GB storage model for $216, the 4GB RAM & 16GB storage model for $249 and the 4GB RAM & 32GB storage model for $349

1. Acer Chromebook 14

Maintaining the top spot this month is the Acer Chromebook 14. This is a fairly new Chromebook and is one which ticks all the right boxes. It comes with a very nice design and premium build, it offers a very competitively level of specs and it is priced at an affordable level. Making the Acer Chromebook 14 the current best all-round Chromebook. In terms of the specs, this is one which comes loaded with a 14-inch display, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage and is powered by an Intel Celeron N3160 quad-core processor. In terms of price, this one will currently cost you $299 to buy. So while it is not the most affordable Chromebook on the market, it certainly is the best for those who want to balance price against build, specs and performance.