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We've seen Chromebooks steadily rise from their humble beginnings to inherit Full HD displays and more capable processors. HP Chromebook 13 takes the series to even greater heights with the Intel Core M processors and the highest-resolution display ever put on a Chrome OS machine while being the thinnest yet.
We liked
The HP Chromebook 13 is an absolute thing of beauty. Every element of its design works together to create a sharp, monochromatic aesthetic. Beyond the attractive exterior, this Chromebook is a jewel of engineering considering how thin it is.
The 3,200 x 1,800 resolution display is a treat for looking through full resolution photos. Meanwhile, the Intel Core M processor can easily get you through a strenuous day at work with nine hours of battery life.
We disliked
While we're fans of the sharp display on the Chromebook 13, it ends up ruining battery life. All those pixels also end up bringing up the price to an unreasonable level for most interested buyers. For these reasons, we would have much rather preferred if HP offered the Chromebook 13 with a 1080p touchscreen display.
Final verdict
Ultimately, the decision to buy the HP Chromebook comes down price and whether you're ready to spend at least 500 bucks for it. This is, without a doubt, the Chromebook you want – not the one you need.
If you're in need of a professional-looking Chromebook for work, you won't find HP's QHD+ screen and ultra-slim form factor on the Acer Chromebook 14 for Work or Dell Chromebook 13. That said, these two features aren't essential for working in Google Docs and web browsing throughout the day.
If you've been pining after the Chromebook Pixel, but weren't jazzed about the squarish 3:2 screen, this is the Chromebook for you. It comes in a more traditional laptop form factor and an even higher-res screen for half the price. However, the lack of a touchscreen, and the fact that it costs twice that of most Chromebooks, are two factors you'll have to carefully weigh when purchasing this luxury machine.
