Best Chromebooks – May 2017

Google I/O 2017 took place last week and while there was some talk on Chrome OS, there was not any major new hardware releases announced. However, the Chrome OS market is one which is in bloom at the moment and so there are plenty of great options to check out and ones which cater to just about every price point. So whether you are looking for the absolute best in class Chromebook experience, or a device which is designed to be affordable, there is an abundance to choose from. Speaking of which, here are our top 10 best Chromebook picks for May, 2017.

10. ASUS Chromebook Flip

The ASUS Chromebook Flip is easily the oldest Chromebook on this list, although it still remains to be a popular option. That said, this is either going to be a Chromebook that is ideal for you or it is not. There is no middle ground with this one and the decision will hinge on the included display. As the ASUS Chromebook Flip comes loaded with a 10.1-inch display with a 1280 x 800 resolution. On the positive side, this is a super portable Chromebook and in addition to the small display, the display is also capable of rotating, allowing the Chromebook to be used in a variety of positions. On the not so good side, 10.1-inches makes the size of this Chromebook comparable to a tablet. So as mentioned, depending on your size-needs, this is either a super portable Chromebook, or one which is just too small.

In either case, the ASUS Chromebook Flip is no slouch as it does come packed with either 2GB or 4GB RAM, a choice of 16GB or 32GB storage, and is powered by a Rockchip (RK3288) processor. So in spite of its size, this is hard-working and capable Chromebook. As for the price, the lesser RAM and storage option will currently run you around $225.

9. Acer Chromebook 11 CB3-131

The Acer Chromebook 11 CB3-131 is a great option for those looking for a price-conscious Chromebook. Not only does it offer an Acer Chromebook design and build quality, but this is also a Chromebook designed to be super affordable and is available to buy for well under the $200 marker. Right now, you are looking at about $169.99 which almost makes this worthy of being an instant buy.

For that money, the Acer Chromebook 11 CB3-131 comes with an 11.6-inch display which makes use of a 1366 x 768 resolution. Inside, the Acer Chromebook 11 CB3-131 comes loaded with 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, and is powered by an Intel Celeron (N2840) processor. So while this is not meant for those looking for the most powerful or capable of Chromebooks, it is one which is worth the asking price, and especially for anyone new to the Chrome OS scene.

8. Dell Chromebook 13

When Dell first announced its Chromebook 13, it was immediately clear that this was a Chromebook designed to be premium. Which although is good for those looking for a premium option, does rule out a large portion of the Chromebook market. While this Chromebook does come with a great design and build quality, as well as letting you customize the specs to your liking, it is anything but cheap – and especially compared to what you can now get for the same price. So with that in mind, this is not going to be a solid option for everyone. However, if build quality and design are what matters most to you when choosing a Chromebook, the Dell Chromebook 13 is one to check out.

As mentioned, this is a Chromebook that allows you to choose the specs that suit your needs. However, whichever model you opt for, the common aspect is the display which comes in at 13.3-inches, while adopting a 1920 x 1080 resolution. In terms of the price, depending on the configuration chosen, expect the price to range anywhere between $500 and $900.

7. Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook

The Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook is a brand new product to the Chromebook market as it only become available to buy within the last few weeks. Making this one worth considering, although it is still too early to say for sure how good this one is. In terms of price, this is a Chromebook which is positioned towards the middle of the Chromebook market (as it can currently does cost $279.99) and is one which offers flexibility, due to the inclusion of a 360-degree rotatable hinge. So this is another option for those looking for a portable and multi-use Chromebook.

However, this is also a smaller Chromebook with the display coming in at 11.6-inches and the resolution resigned to only 1366 x 768. Although inside, the Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook does come loaded with 4GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, and is powered by a MediaTek MTK 8173C Processor (clocking at 2.10 GHz). So while this is a good-looking Chromebook and one which also comes with a decent spec list, the price might be a little high for what you are getting.

6. Samsung Chromebook 3

The Samsung Chromebook 3 on the other hand, is a great all-round Chromebook option. It will not blow you away on the specs front and its design is fairly mediocre. However, this is a super affordable Chromebook and for the asking price, offers a lot. It is also a Chromebook that is available in more than one variant. So while being affordable in itself, it is also available in an even more affordable option. In fact, the only notable difference between the two models is the RAM count, with the most affordable option coming equipped with 2GB RAM and the more premium option, 4GB RAM.

The rest of the specs are common to both and include an 11.6-inch display with a 1366 x 768 resolution, 16GB storage, and an Intel Celeron (N3050) processor. As for the price, the 2GB RAM is currently available for under $145 – which is a great price for an entry-level Chromebook and an easy recommendation.

5. Lenovo ThinkPad 13

The Lenovo ThinkPad 13 is all about offering the user a greater amount of screen real estate, without the price tag attached to some of the other options. So if you are after a larger Chromebook display, and not looking to spend too much, then the Lenovo ThinkPad 13 is one to consider. This is a Chromebook that can currently be picked up for under $200 and one which comes with a 13.3-inch display. Although, the resolution is resigned to only $1366 x 768. Nevertheless, this is a great option for those on a budget as the Lenovo ThinkPad 13 offers all the benefits of Chrome OS, with a larger display, at a highly affordable price.

Display aside, the rest of the specs on offer are pretty decent too, with the Lenovo ThinkPad 13 coming loaded with 4GB RAM, 16GB storage, an Intel Celeron 3855 U processor, and USB Type-C ports.

4. Acer Chromebook R 13

The Acer Chromebook R 13 is another Chromebook which looks to offer more for your money by coming equipped with an improved design and a rotating hinge, which allows it to be used in more positions than a traditional Chromebook. However, this is also designed to be a premium Chromebook, bridging design with portability. Not to mention, as this is an Acer Chromebook, its design is one which has been refined over time and multiple models. Making this one a great option for those looking for something which comes with a little more attention to the detail, while remaining usable on-the-go.

Inside, the Acer Chromebook R 13 comes loaded with 4GB RAM, 32GB storage and is powered by a MediaTek (MT8173C) quad-core processor. The display comes in at 13.3-inches which places it in the larger category of Chromebooks, while the resolution on offer is 1920 x 1080. In terms of the price, the Acer Chromebook R 13 can be picked up just under $400. So this is not a cheap Chromebook, but is one that is worth the asking price.

3. Acer Chromebook 14

Many of the Chromebooks currently available look to offer a specific selling point. The Acer Chromebook 14 on the other hand, does not. This is very much a traditional laptop-like Chromebook with no over-the-top features on offer. However, that is where its strength lies. If you are simply looking for a standard Chromebook which comes with an excellent build quality and a performance level to match, then the Acer Chromebook 14 is arguably the one to go for.

In terms of price, the Acer Chromebook 14 costs just under $300 which makes it cheaper than a number of the other tier 1 options, but the specs are largely the same. In fact, in terms of the display, the Acer Chromebook 14 comes loaded with a 14-inch display (with a 1920 x 1080 resolution), making it one of the larger options you will find, offering more screen real estate for the money. Inside, the Acer Chromebook 14 comes loaded with 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, and is powered by an Intel Celeron N3160 processor.

2. ASUS Chromebook Flip C302

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 is one of the newest Chromebooks to come through from ASUS and is the second to arrive as part of the popular Flip range. Which makes it instantly worth considering. This one not only follows in the footsteps of the previous Flip model, but does so with an even better spec list, a larger display and an improved design. All of that does come with a greater price tag though, as this is one of the more expensive Chromebooks on this list, with the price coming in at $499.

For that price, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 comes with a 12.5-inch display which adopts a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Which marks one of the biggest improvements compared to the much smaller 10.1-inch display on offer with the older model. Display aside, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 comes with a rotating hinge for use in a number of positions, as well as 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and an Intel Core processor.

1.Samsung Chromebook Plus

Retaining the top position this month is the Samsung Chromebook Plus. Samsung is actually about to release a new version of this Chromebook (the Chromebook Pro), although both versions are largely the same, with the exception of the processor. So while you can hold out for the Chromebook Pro, the Plus version is just as good, and well worth the asking price. In addition to all the competing specs that are on offer, this Chromebook includes a stylus to go along with the touchscreen display and a 360-degree rotating hinge – to allow the Chromebook to be used in a variety of positions.

In terms of the rest of specs, the display comes in at a 12.3-inch size and adopting an impressive 2400 x 1600 resolution. Inside, you can expect to find 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, an ARM hexa-core processor, and more. In terms of price, the Chromebook Pro is currently available for a little under $450.