The best Chromebooks in 2023: our complete comparison

Chromebooks have come a long way in recent years, becoming credible alternatives to laptops and MacBooks. Discover our comparison of the best Chromebooks in 2023.

Our top 3 best Chromebooks

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet

The best budget Chromebook tablet

239.99€

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299.99€

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309.99€

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353.62€

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362.08€

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HP Chromebook x360 14c-cc0000sf

The best high-end Chromebook

499€

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Acer Chromebook 317 CB317-1HT-P1JT

The best full-size Chromebook

453.99€

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503.55€

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503.99€

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533.48€

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Unlike laptops running Windows for PCs or Mac OS for Macs, Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, a Linux-based operating system. Created in 2011 by Google, the Chromebook originally allowed access to Google applications such as Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar or Google Meet. For several years, you can also download web and Android applications from the Google Play Store.

Easy to use and often less expensive, enriched with new more advanced features, Chromebooks have become interesting alternatives for students and, more generally, for office use. Here’s our dedicated Chromebook buying guide to help you choose the model that’s right for you.

Our pick of the best Chromebooks

With its modest price, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet manages the feat of being both a 10-inch tablet and a computer with a detachable keyboard. With its quality screen and its autonomy of more than 10 hours, it is difficult to do better in this price range. Even if it is small, the keyboard remains pleasant to use for typing some e-mails and doing Internet searches. Only the absence of a slot for a memory card can be a brake on the purchase, especially for the 64 GB model.

Its technical sheet:

• Processor: MediaTek P60T (6 cores)
• GPU: Mali G72MP3
• RAM / Storage: 4 GB / 128 GB
• Screen: 10.1 inches, Full HD, touchscreen
• Weight: 920g (450g without keyboard)

The Chrome OS operating system has the big advantage of being easy to use, whether in computer mode or tablet mode. The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 offers excellent value for money. Its good finishes and the quality of its materials give it an ultrabook look. Its 360 degree hinge and 13-inch touch screen allow it to be used very versatile. Only regret, its glossy panel is really not suitable for outdoor use. Indeed, we can deplore the presence of many reflections.

Its technical sheet:

• Processor: Qualcomm SnapDragon SC7180 (8 cores)
• GPU: Qualcomm Adreno 618
• RAM / Storage: 4 GB / 64 GB
• Screen: 13.3 inches, Full HD, touchscreen, swivel
• Weight: 1.2kg

With its Intel Core i5 Tiger Lake processor (11th generation), this HP Chromebook x360 displays optimal versatility and responsiveness. Usable in several ways, thanks to a touch screen that can rotate 360 ​​degrees, it incorporates a 720p webcam that captures images of satisfactory quality. The latter can be deactivated easily thanks to a switch placed on the right side. Finally, data security is ensured by a fingerprint reader.

Its technical sheet:

• Processor : Intel Core i5-1135G7 (4 cores)
• Graphics Processor: Intel Iris Xe
• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 256 GB
• Screen: 14 inches, Full HD, touchscreen, swivel
• Weight: 1.5kg

With its 17-inch screen, the Acer Chromebook 317 provides excellent user comfort. In addition, the latter displays precise images, with Full HD definition, which is rare in this price range. On the other hand, its keyboard and touchpad are pleasant to use. Of course, its execution speed is modest, due to its Intel Pentium N6000 processor (despite its four cores). However, the configuration has the advantage of integrating 8 GB of memory and 128 GB of storage space. The performance of laptops nevertheless remains sufficient for everyday office and multimedia use.

Its technical sheet:

• Processor : Intel Pentium Silver N6000 (4 cores)
• Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM / Storage: 4 GB / 128 GB
• Screen: 17.3 inches, Full HD, touchscreen
• Weight: 2.2kg

This Lenovo Chromebook, intended for users who want to use cloud gaming services (like Nvidia’s GeForce Now), offers good viewing comfort, thanks to a 16-inch screen. The latter displays images in QHD definition and supports a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, which makes it possible to obtain ultra-smooth animations. To top it off, the 6-core processor is from Intel’s 2022 generation. The rest of the equipment includes a webcam (with a privacy shutter), a microSD memory card reader, 4 USB ports (including 2 type C).

Its technical sheet:

• Processor : Intel Core i3-1215U (6 cores)
• Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM / Storage: 8 GB / 256 GB
• Display: 16-inch, 2.5K (2560 x 1600 pixels), 120Hz
• Weight: 1.82kg

?Why choose a Chromebook over a PC or Mac?

Chromebooks have many advantages. These are laptops that can usually turn into a tablet, which are compact and easy to carry. They are more secure because they work with Chrome OS, a Linux-based operating system. They have better battery life and are sold for less. However, the possibilities of use are more limited. Only web apps and Android apps can be installed. Other software is incompatible.

?️Can you install Windows on a Chromebook?

You officially cannot install Windows on your Chromebook. A few rare models have a powerful enough processor and sufficient storage space to allow the installation of certain low-power versions of Windows such as Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7. This is for example the case of the Chromebook Pixel from Google which has an i5 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 32 or 64 GB SSD, but which is unfortunately not available in France.

?️Can all software be installed on Chromebook?

Chromebooks use Chrome OS, Google’s operating system. In addition to online services from the browser, only Android apps available on the Google Play Store can be installed on Chromebook. Although these apps are usually designed for smartphones and tablets, they also work on your laptop.

?How to add apps on ChromeOS?

• Go to the Play Store. You will find applications classified by category, the most downloaded applications or the new ones, just like on a smartphone or a tablet.
• Download the desired app to your Chromebook. To do this, simply click on “Install”. The application is then automatically added to your Chromebook.

?Can you use a Chromebook for gaming?

Current Chromebooks are not suitable for gaming. Most AAA games cannot be installed on Chromebook. Indeed, the operating system limits the installation of software and these games require a CPU and a GPU that are too powerful.

Google, however, explained that Steam is currently in alpha testing on some recent models with at least an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Iris Xe chipset, and 7GB of RAM. Although many bugs exist at the moment, we can expect that in the future Chromebooks will be an interesting alternative for gamers who have a small budget.

It’s also possible to use cloud gaming services, like Nvidia’s GeForce Now, to play recent games on the Chromebook. Finally, there are many less demanding games available on the Play Store.

?How do I know if a Chromebook is right for me?

To find out if a Chromebook is right for you, start by listing everything you want to do on your laptop. If your list only contains tasks that you can do in a web browser, the Chromebook may suffice.

Today, many productivity tasks can be done using web applications. Google is also working with Adobe to expand its offer by offering web versions of image editing software like Photoshop or video editing like Premiere Rush. Modern Chromebooks also have access to Android apps from the Google Play Store.

On the other hand, since most of the use is done online, the internal storage space is limited. Similarly, Chromebooks are compact, they don’t have a DVD drive, and they aren’t powerful enough to install recent games. If you need specific software to work, turn instead to a PC or Mac.