Best Chromebooks – November 2017

It has been a busy month for those looking for new tech gear due to the combined Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping days. So chances are fairly good those looking for a new Chromebook would have already came across one at the right price. If for whatever reason you are still looking for a new Chromebook, then here is our best picks for November, 2017.

10. Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook

The Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook is not one for everyone. Although for those it is suited to, there are few options better suited to them. This is due to this being a Chromebook which is not only powerful yet small, but also very durable. In fact, the durability is one of the biggest selling points on offer with this Chromebook and for those in need of a device which is built to be able to withstand daily use, this is the one to go for. It is well designed and will easily cope with the occasional drop, bangs, and other daily life encounters. Further adding to its design is its rotating hinge which allows the Flex 11 Chromebook to be adjusted for use in a number of different positions, including a tablet mode.

As for the general specs, the Lenovo Flex 11 Chromebook features an 11.6-inch display which in turn makes use of a 1366 x 768 resolution. In addition, the Flex 11 Chromebook is loaded with 4GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, and a MediaTek 8173C processor.

9. Lenovo ThinkPad 13

The previous option best represents one of the most common trends in the Chromebook market at the moment – an attempt to add portability by offering a smaller 11.6-inch display. The Lenovo ThinkPad 13 is not one of these Chromebooks however, as this one is more designed for those who want a little more display real estate. As a result, this Chromebook provides a 13.3-inch display along with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Making this an ideal option for those looking for a Chromebook that remains portable, but also boasts a larger display.

The Lenovo ThinkPad 13 is also a Chromebook that can be customized to meet different consumer needs with the ability to not only choose the RAM and storage counts, but also the processor. Of course, this also does mean the price is dependent on which model and what specs are chosen. As a guide though, opting for 4GB RAM, 16GB storage, and an Intel Celeron 3855U processor does currently cost about $300.

8. Samsung Chromebook 3

The Samsung Chromebook 3 by definition is an affordable Chromebook. As a result this is not one which comes with any real additional features or design traits that are likely to impress. But this is not to say that this is not a Chromebook worth considering. With the specs it offers, combined with the general level of performance it provides, and at the asking cost this one is available for, this is an ideal solution for those looking for an affordable or entry-level Chromebook. Not to mention, it is one backed with a brand-name as popular as Samsung.

In terms of the specs, those considering the Samsung Chromebook 3 have two main options to choose from. Although the only real difference between the two is the RAM, with the more premium version sporting 4GB and the more affordable option boasting 2GB. RAM aside, virtually all of the other specs are identical, including an 11.6-inch display (with a 1366 x 768 resolution), 16GB storage, and an Intel Celeron N3050 processor.

7. Acer Chromebook R 13

Acer has a wide range of Chromebooks available and ones that span the price and feature spectrum. However, in many ways the Acer Chromebook R 13 is designed to be a catch-all Chromebook as it is one which will appeal to many different consumers. So while this is a very feature-heavy Chromebook, it is also one which comes with a slightly higher price tag attached. For that money though, this one not only comes with a design and build quality typical of Acer, but also premium design features such as a 360-degree rotating hinge, a larger than typical display, a greater resolution, and more.

In terms of the display, the Acer Chromebook R 13 is equipped with a 13.3-inch display accompanied by a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Inside, the R13 features 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, and is powered by a MediaTek (MT8173C) quad-core processor.

6. Acer Chromebook 14

In many ways the Acer Chromebook 14 is quite similar to the Chromebook R 13 as in spite of not coming with some of the added-on design feature (like a rotating hinge) it does come with a very similar build quality, design, display, and general spec level. Which makes this a better option for those looking for a good quality Chromebook that adopts more of a standard laptop design. The added benefit is that it is more affordable than the Chromebook R 13. Right now for example, the silver version can be picked up for $269.

In terms of the specs, the display on the Chromebook 14 is actually even larger than the R 13’s display, coming in at 14-inches along with the same 1920 x 1080 resolution. Otherwise, the Chromebook 14 adopts a near-identical spec list including 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, and an Intel Celeron N3160 processor.

5. ASUS Chromebook Flip C101

If you are after one of the newest Chromebooks to hit the market, then the ASUS Chromebook Flip C101 is one of them. The Flip line from ASUS has proved to be very popular with consumers and this marks the third of the Flip line while also looking to bridge the gap between the original model and the 2017 Flip-branded premium option. As a result, many of the features and specs on offer with the C101 are directly relevant to the original model, although as you would expect – upgraded versions.

For example, the Chromebook Flip C101 continues to adopt the same super-small form factor by featuring a 10.1-inch display as well as a rotating hinge which allows the Chromebook to be used in a variety of positions. When combined, this does mean the C101 really has the potential to become a tablet, unlike the other Chromebooks which simply look to emulate a tablet, resulting in a device which is far too large to be used as a tablet. The rest of the included specs consist of 4GB RAM, 16GB storage, and a Rockchip RK3399 quad-core processor.

4. Acer Chromebook 15 (2017)

Continuing the Acer theme this month is the Acer Chromebook 15. This is yet another new Chromebook to have arrived on the market recently, and another which follows on from a popular Chromebook line. The Acer Chromebook 15 line has proved to be unique in that it offers one of the largest displays available in the Chromebook market, making it ideal for those looking for a display-first Chromebook. Where this latest model differs from previous versions though is on the general design and build quality. The previous versions of the Chromebook 15 were always more value-focused. Instead, this new version comes with a premium build quality and design, making it more in line with the type of Chromebooks now emerging from the House of Acer.

As for the general specs, the Acer Chromebook 15 comes loaded with a 15.6-inch display accompanied by a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Inside, the Chromebook 15 features 4GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, and an Intel Pentium N4200 quad-core processor.

3. ASUS Chromebook Flip C302

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 is the other current ‘Flip’ model from ASUS and this one is designed to be about as premium as it gets. So, for those who are keen on the Flip design but looking for an even more premium machine, this is the one to consider. Not only does this Chromebook come with the trademark Flip hinge which allows the Chromebook to be used in a number of different positions, but it also does so with a much larger display thanks to the inclusion of a 12.5-inch display as well as a 1920 x 1080 resolution.

As for the rest of the specs, the Chromebook Flip C302 comes loaded with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and an Intel Core m3 processor. In addition, the design here has led to a much lighter Chromebook (considering its size) and a battery which is listed to offer up to 10 hours of usage.

2.Samsung Chromebook Plus/Pro

Earlier in the year Samsung released two versions of the same Chromebook, know as the Chromebook Plus and the Chromebook Pro. Almost immediately these became popular options among buyers due to their emphasis on design, quality and features. Making either model an absolute must-buy for those looking for a very well put-together Chrome OS experience. Between the two, the only notable difference is the processor which also leads to a slight difference in price. Processor and price aside though, buyers of either model should expect a very similar product and level of performance. Including the use of a rotating hinge, solid support for Android apps and the Google Play Store, as well as stylus support for the S Pen-like stylus including in the package.

In addition, both versions feature a 12.3-inch display along with a 2400 x 1600 resolution. Both Chromebook versions also come loaded with the same core spec list including 4GB RAM and 32GB storage. As for the difference in processor, the Chromebook Pro features an Intel Core m3 processor while the Chromebook Plus boasts an OP1 processor.

1.Google Pixelbook

The Google Pixelbook is one of the newer Chromebooks to arrive on the market and it is easy to see why it is now our top pick. As this is a Chromebook designed to specifically showcase the power of Chrome OS. So for those looking for the absolutely best in class Chromebook experience, the Pixelbook is undoubtedly it. The downside however, is all of the power and performance on offer with this Chromebook means it is much more akin to a powerful laptop in price. So unlike the wealth of other Chromebooks which are usually aggressively priced, this one will cost you – with the baseline version starting at $999. From there, the price only goes up.

For that baseline price you are getting an unparalleled Chrome OS experience as at the core spec level the entry-priced option comes with 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and a 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor. That is, in addition to the 12.3-inch display which also sports a rotating hinge for use in a number of different positions. Adding to its features, this is also the first Chromebook to come boasting the Google Assistant as a built-in feature (as it comes with a dedicated Google Assistant hardware button). Which is all before even taking into account the general build quality and design – which again, is designed to impress.