Last month, Google partnered with Back Market to launch an emergency recovery kit for aging PCs: the ChromeOS Flex USB Kit. It's essentially a USB drive with ChromeOS installation files on it, so you can convert just about any old laptop into a Chromebook in the space of a few minutes.

The kit costs just $3 / £3 (and €3 in Europe), and according to Windows Central, has sold out pretty quickly. A fresh batch of USB drives should be available soon, but in the meantime, the popularity of this plug-and-play solution for outdated hardware is vindication of something I've always said about Chromebooks (and ChromeOS).

These lightweight laptops offer all the computing power that most people need these days, and come with advantages over Windows and macOS that maybe don't get talked about enough. I'll make the case below — and explain how you can take advantage of ChromeOS Flex yourself.

What is ChromeOS Flex anyway?

ChromeOS is the operating system running on Chromebooks — essentially just the Google Chrome browser, with a few extras — and ChromeOS Flex is an installation package you can use to turn older computers into Chromebooks. It works with most PCs running Windows or Linux, and with Macs powered by Intel chips.

You don't actually need a USB stick from Back Market to install ChromeOS Flex. If you supply the USB drive, and follow these instructions, you can create your own kit. It's easy to do, and free (aside from the cost of the USB drive), and is a great way of being able to carry on using a laptop that's slowed right down.

Both Windows and macOS laptops will eventually become laggy and sluggish, no matter how speedy they were when you first bought them — and rather than adding to the world's e-waste problem, you can install ChromeOS instead. It's much less demanding in terms of system resources than the Microsoft or Apple operating systems.

Unless you particularly need a desktop app like Photoshop or Excel — both of which now have streamlined web app versions available, by the way — chances are you can do most of your computing inside a web browser these days. From Spotify and Slack, to Gmail and Google Docs, web apps have become the norm, and that's partly why ChromeOS works.

Why ChromeOS (and Chromebooks) work

If you're as old as me, you'll remember Google launching its Chromebooks in 2011. At the time the reaction was rather lukewarm: why buy a laptop that was essentially just a Chrome browser, when Windows and macOS give you the Chrome browser, any other browsers you want, and a whole lot more besides.

Chromebooks and the ChromeOS platform were criticized for being limited, and useless without Wi-Fi. However, I loved the idea from the start, and would explain this to anyone I could find — I would corner people at parties to talk about it. The classic 'less is more' principle applied, and it still does to Chromebooks today.

First of all, Wi-Fi is more or less ubiquitous now — and if you can't find a connection you can use your phone as a hotspot. Secondly, apps like Gmail and Google Docs work offline anyway, so you can stay busy. Third, doesn't the same criticism apply to Windows and macOS laptops? Internet access is essential for most computing tasks nowadays.

A computer that's just Chrome comes with myriad advantages: it's fast, it doesn't slow down (much) over time, everything is instantly backed up, and you don't need to worry about background apps or system bloat. Updates are seamless, as are upgrades to new Chromebooks — which is why I've used ChromeOS consistently since 2011.

The Chromebook present and future

Much as I love Chromebooks, beyond the education market they haven't taken off in any kind of spectacular way as far as sales go — the recent popularity of the ChromeOS Flex USB Kit notwithstanding. That's maybe part of the reason Google seems keen to evolve the platform into something else.

The 'less is more' approach that makes ChromeOS so appealing to me has already been diluted to some extent with support for Android apps on Chromebooks. That can make them more useful, especially if you want to do a little lightweight gaming, but it also means you've got more to worry about in terms of app bloat and updates.

It looks as though Google's Aluminium OS will start to take over from ChromeOS later this year, with more of an emphasis on Android and less focus on Chrome. It's not clear yet exactly how this will be different to what Chromebooks already do, but I'm worried that some of the simplicity of ChromeOS is going to be lost.

That's for the future — and most probably, Google IO 2026. For now, I'd encourage you to take a look at ChromeOS Flex if you need to revamp an old laptop, or consider one of the best Chromebooks if you're after a new model. You may well find the simplicity and ease-of-use a refreshing change from Windows or macOS.

There's a crisis in the world of PC components in case you hadn't noticed. Yes, another one, and this time it's memory, the RAM modules which are crucial (pun fully intended) to your computer for running its host operating system and the apps (or games) installed with it.

Why the price of RAM has rocketed skywards is a somewhat complex issue, but by way of simplification, you can blame AI, as well as some past market-related decisions regarding production and supply by memory chip makers. (Check here for a more involved explanation.)

With system RAM prices climbing so steeply during the final quarter of 2025 that it's given consumers and PC makers vertigo – and with those increases expected to continue, at least in the near-term, and there's certainly no sign of any easing, given the predictions of an impending 'RAMageddon' in 2026 – the knock-on effects are inevitable.

This means more expensive laptops, as we've been hearing, with Dell and Lenovo rumored to be hiking the cost of their notebooks by 15% to 20% (though we haven't seen that yet, at the time of writing). There are other aspects to these price rises as well – memory hikes also affect storage, as SSDs use memory chips, and furthermore, GPUs, which have video memory – but system RAM is what's seeing a truly huge spike in cost and driving the potential misery with laptop pricing in 2026.

Although there is another route laptop makers could pursue with their various models, and rather than jacking up prices due to much more costly system RAM, they could simply scale back RAM loadouts.

This is why people are predicting that while in contemporary times, laptop makers have been shifting towards 16GB of RAM as an ideal loadout, we could see those manufacturers reverting to 8GB for more models this year, to effectively keep a lid on prices that way. A recent report from analyst firm TrendForce suggests this will certainly be the case for some notebooks, forecasting a skew towards 8GB laptops probably by Q2 of 2026.

Which begs the key question here: Is 8GB of system RAM still enough for a laptop in 2026? And there's another question besides that, which is intertwined in these issues, namely: what kind of laptops might be in line for a potential drop back to the 8GB level?

Of course, whether an 8GB loadout of system memory is viable does depend on what type of laptop we're talking about, too – some are very different beasts. Therefore, in this article, I will examine the main consumer laptop choices of today, taking them in turn, to assess how they compare in terms of the likelihood of a shift towards 8GB memory and how that might pan out.

Let's examine the state of play, RAM-wise, as we head into 2026 for Chromebooks, MacBooks, Windows 11 laptops, as well as Windows 11 gaming notebooks, too.

Chromebooks

Here's where Google wins big, frankly, in this whole memory crisis. The fact is that 8GB is plenty of system RAM for a Chromebook, because these laptops are built on a streamlined operating system (Chrome OS) which is not resource-hungry (and leans on web-based usage).

They're lean machines by their very design, and I've got a Chromebook with 4GB of RAM, and it still works fine. Okay, so 4GB isn't ideal, no, but it still runs Chrome OS well, providing you're just pottering around with the basics of web surfing, checking emails, and maybe doing a bit of writing in a document. And that's all many people do with a basic Chromebook, anyway.

Granted, you really should aim for 8GB of system RAM if you can, especially if you're intending to run a fair few tabs in your browser, fire up some Chrome extensions, use Android apps (or games) and engage in a bit of multi-tasking. But 8GB will certainly do justice to the computing experience on a Chromebook, and as noted, this could be a strength for Chrome OS-powered laptops in 2026.

As far as laptops go, Google's are uniquely positioned to weather the RAM crisis simply because of their undemanding nature.

Apple MacBooks

This gets a bit more complex, so bear with me. As you may recall, Apple made a bold move on the memory front with its most recent Macs, switching to 16GB of RAM as a baseline amount across the board with all these devices. Any MacBook now has 16GB with the entry-level models.

Now, if Apple is feeling the heat with memory costs this year, might it revert some of its existing MacBook line-up to allow for 8GB again at the entry-level? That doesn't seem likely, frankly, as it'd feel like Apple was taking a step backwards with its tech – and that 16GB of memory decision was also somewhat wrapped up in having enough RAM for future-proofing with (on-device) Apple Intelligence (AI) features, too.

What's also a consideration here is that Apple has considerable heft when it comes to buying RAM, and negotiates long-term contracts on high-volume orders. This means it should theoretically be quite well shielded from the big memory hikes we're seeing – at least for the time being. Of course, we don't know the reality of how much memory inventory Apple has, or when the company might have to renegotiate for new RAM supplies at a higher cost – but it could be good for a while yet.

Moreover, when Apple does have to face the reality of ramped-up RAM costs (assuming this pricing misery continues, outlasting the firm's current contracts), CEO Tim Cook has another ace up his sleeve. Namely the fact that Apple already charges a big premium for RAM upgrades, so there's room to maneuver in absorbing price rises by taking a hit on those chunky profits, rather than actually hiking up the (high) asking prices.

So, while some rumors are floating the idea that Apple's RAM contracts could be up soon, and price hikes may be in the works somewhere, I don't think this is going to happen in the nearer-term. And anyway, Apple has a good deal more wiggle room than most to absorb price hikes itself for the mentioned reasons.

In short, while price hikes may happen – I mean, they can't be ruled out – I'm hoping if they do that they'll be relatively constrained in the near-to-mid term, and I don't see a return to 8GB for Apple's laptops as in the cards.

However, that said, there's a possible wrinkle here in the rumor of a cheaper MacBook – the mythical $599 portable that you may recall. If it was to appear soon, as some speculation insists, it might run with 8GB, true, as that seems an obvious cost-cutting move (and the notebook will need to make compromises to reach such a low price point).

If that does happen, I think 8GB is going to look thin on the ground for Apple, and be a potential performance sticking point – particularly around AI features going forward. For that reason, I'm doubtful that Apple might attempt such a MacBook configuration in a climate of high memory prices and storage hikes to boot. It makes more sense to wait out this current PC components pricing storm if the main aim is to ensure this new offering is seriously affordable, but we shall see.

Windows 11 laptops

What about laptops with Windows 11, then? Here's where a fallback to 8GB of RAM is looking much more likely, and where things could get sticky. Firstly, bear in mind that we're talking about traditional Windows 11 notebooks here – I'll consider gaming laptops separately in their own entry following this, as they're a somewhat different proposition memory-wise.

Microsoft has a bit of a problem here when it comes to Windows 11 portables, because while 8GB of RAM has been considered a decent enough allocation of system memory previously, it's looking shakier these days.

Indeed, Microsoft officially upped the minimum system RAM loadout for Windows 11 to 16GB for a certain newer category of device, namely the Copilot+ PC (otherwise known as the AI PC). These laptops and their AI tricks don't just require a powerful NPU (40 TOPS or more), but also specify 16GB of system memory as a hard requirement (and a 256GB SSD minimum as well).

So, there's no wiggle room here, and we aren't going to see AI PCs with 8GB of RAM, obviously.

In fact, I don't think we'll see any higher-end laptops of the ultra-thin premium kind drop below 16GB of system memory. For starters, they won't want to fail to qualify as an AI PC – as that hardly looks good for an expensive, premium machine. In fact, 8GB says a machine isn't premium, so it's not going to fly in this world at all. Especially as these laptops run with powerful modern CPUs that have great integrated graphics – and those GPUs need to tap the system RAM too (as they're integrated, they don't have their own dedicated video RAM). Such a premium laptop trying to run fluidly with 8GB is going to be a joke, frankly.

The fate of high-end Windows 11 laptops and Copilot+ PCs appears to be sealed, then, as far as the memory crisis goes. Manufacturers will stick to 16GB and they will jack up prices based on the increased cost of buying more expensive RAM from their suppliers, end of story.

But what about a 'normal' non-AI Windows 11 laptop that isn't a premium offering? In other words, the standard kind of notebook most people plump for. It's here, in the mid-range market, where TrendForce predicts there will be a skew towards 8GB of RAM (based on the report I mentioned in the intro).

So, given that forecast and the likely swelling ranks of these portables, is 8GB going to be okay for a mid-range Windows 11 notebook in 2026? As I already hinted, unlike Chromebooks, 8GB doesn't feel so solid on Microsoft's desktop platform. Those doing somewhat more demanding multi-tasking, or dabbling in gaming, will feel their laptop creaking more in performance terms.

As we forge onwards into 2026, the cold reality is that 8GB is not ideal, but it is still workable – just about. Of course, laptop performance is always going to be difficult to pin down precisely in that it's a 'how long is a piece of string' kind of conundrum, as it depends on what you're doing with the Windows 11 notebook. If it's only basic daily computing chores like web surfing then 8GB will suffice, but really, as each year rolls on, this quantity of memory is becoming less and less tenable.

This issue of future-proofing is where an 8GB allocation of system memory gets a lot trickier. With most laptops, you're looking at this RAM being soldered directly onto the motherboard, with no way to swap it out or upgrade. That means if you want your Windows 11 laptop to last a few years – and ideally, we all want five years, or more, of longevity from a notebook – then how's 8GB going to fare down the line when it's already a bit unsteady on its feet in contemporary workloads? Not well is the short answer.

But sadly, the truth is that due to the RAM pricing crisis, we are almost certainly going to get a lot more middling notebooks that have 8GB but will be priced like they have 16GB – because that's the way the manufacturer is going to avoid pushing the machine out of its mid-range pricing bracket.

There may be another way forward, though, and that's a compromise. Not 16GB, but not 8GB either, and what is likely to happen is that we'll witness something of a rise in popularity for 12GB notebooks. These are still around in small numbers today, but they used to be more prevalent in the past – and I expect their ranks to be bolstered in the new year.

What a 12GB allocation means is a dual-module setup of 8GB plus 4GB, rather than the traditional 2 x 8GB RAM modules. Now, the former isn't ideal in terms of performance (for technical reasons of memory configuration I won't get into here), but it could still give mid-range notebook makers some breathing room in 2026. Compared to 8GB, 12GB is a much more acceptable RAM configuration for Windows 11 users who will be doing more multi-tasking and running workloads beyond the mentioned basic computing duties – and it'll keep price hikes to a more palatable level with such models.

Windows 11 gaming laptops

Gaming laptops are obviously somewhat different from standard Windows 11 laptops, as they will be undertaking some demanding workloads, running potentially intensive games, of course – and that's where 8GB of RAM really isn't going to be enough.

So, we could see a resurgence of 12GB laptops in the more budget-friendly Windows 11 gaming device category more than anywhere else, if pricing corners need to be cut. Especially when you consider that there are even more cost pressures on these notebooks, as a gaming laptop also needs to run with a discrete (standalone) GPU with its own video RAM, and VRAM is also rising in price, of course – making this a double-whammy.

Alternatively, what some gaming laptop makers may do with more affordably pitched notebooks is to run with 8GB (soldered) but build in a RAM expansion slot, so the buyer of the device can purchase a memory upgrade of another 8GB at a later date, when RAM prices have gone back to normal.

There's going to be a lot of heat on gaming laptops, though, considering that Microsoft doesn't just recommend 16GB for these machines, but 32GB as the ideal loadout for "serious players who run the most demanding titles or use heavy mods" (as Neowin recently spotted).

Final thoughts

In summary, then: while Chromebooks are still very much good-to-go with 8GB, and MacBooks don't run with that amount of RAM anymore, and are less likely to be affected by 'RAMageddon' for the reasons discussed above, it's Windows 11 notebooks that are more in the firing line.

It's arguable whether 8GB is enough anymore for devices running Microsoft's OS, and it's looking overly lean for my liking these days – especially through the lens of any kind of future-proofing. And that's going to be a problem for laptop makers looking to cut costs by trimming memory allocations on mid-range models.

As we've seen, though, there are other avenues to explore in terms of workarounds to avoid higher price markups. That includes the possibility of more 12GB loadouts, or including a RAM expansion slot, in order to side-step the worst effects of the memory crisis – although this assumes that said crisis isn't going to last for a long time.

And that's certainly the hope, but most predictions are foreseeing the RAM crisis making life very difficult throughout the whole of 2026. Where opinions differ is whether 2027 should see the worst of this in the rearview mirror, or whether we're looking more at 2028 for this memory storm to abate. And the latter, more pessimistic forecast could leave the aforementioned memory workarounds for laptops less than ideal in terms of being a longer-term fudge, but let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Meanwhile, you should be prepared to see more 8GB laptops on the shelves this year, certainly in the world of Windows 11 machines, but also for notebook makers to get creative in 2026 with other cost-cutting measures like compromise RAM solutions. It'll be interesting to see how Apple copes with all this, too, and what happens with MacBooks.

I'm pleasantly surprised the Black Friday deals this year. Sure, there were a few hidden gems last time around, but I've seen a veritable flood of great laptop deals this year. Case in point, the surprisingly powerful HP Chromebook Plus 15 fell to its lowest-ever price of $359.99 (was $659.99) at HP.

• Shop HP's full Black Friday sale

This Chromebook is a bit of an anomaly. It's not too weak for comfortable everyday use, doesn't have a lackluster screen, offers solid overall build quality, and has a satisfying keyboard and trackpad combo. All without pushing the price tag into the realm where I'd recommend an alternative Windows or Mac machine. Especially when you tack on this huge $300 discount for Black Friday.

And more good news: It's on sale in the UK, too. Get the HP Chromebook Plus 15 for £248 (was £449.99) at HP UK.

Today's best HP Chromebook Plus 15 Black Friday deal

I'm normally not a huge Chromebook fan. When it comes down to it, I usually suggest something a little more powerful like a MacBook Air or Dell 14 Premium. But from our hands-on testing, it's clear the HP Chromebook Plus 15 is in a league of its own.

Everything I usually knock a Chromebook for – like a miniscule 4GB of RAM, tiny 64GB storage, and screen that makes you consider a portable monitor – doesn't apply here.

The Chromebook Plus 15 offers enough RAM and storage, combined with a respectable Intel core i3 processor, to ease my usual Chromebook performance woes.

And its surprising performance isn't the only reason we named it our top pick of the best Chromebooks in 2025. It also features a vibrant FHD display, which is not something you're usually going to get from a Chromebook. On top of that, you get a sleek design complete with HP build quality. Chromebooks usually feel cheap to me; this one doesn't.

If you need an everyday laptop at a reasonable price, the HP Chromebook Plus 15 at the lowest price I've ever seen it at is definitely the way to go. Thank you, Black Friday.

More Black Friday Chromebook deals

Shop more of today's best Black Friday sales in the US

• Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
• Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
• Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
• T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
• Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
• Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

Shop more of today's best Black Friday sales in the UK

• Amazon: up to 66% off tech & essentials
• AO: up to £500 off Dyson, Bosch & Hisense
• Argos: up to 50% off appliances, tech & toys
• Boots: save on 1,000s of beauty products
• Currys: deals on Ninja, Shark & Lenovo
• Dell: laptops from £279
• Dyson: up to £550 off vacuums
• EE: Switch 2 bundles from £20/month
• John Lewis: up to 50% off tech & fashion
• Lego: sets & accessories from £2.99
• Samsung: deals on appliances & phones
• Very: up to 40% off tech, toys & fashion

• More details have been spilled about Google's incoming desktop OS merger
• A job ad provides info on how this mix of Android and ChromeOS will work
• The plans for 'Aluminium OS' sound far-reaching and certainly have exciting potential for desktop PCs and more affordable AI laptops

We've learned more details about Google's plan to merge Android with ChromeOS to make a new and improved desktop operating system thanks to a job listing.

Android Authority spotted the LinkedIn advert (which has now been taken down) for a 'Senior Product Manager, Android, Laptop and Tablets' based in Taiwan who will be involved in a "new Aluminium, Android-based, operating system".

Take all of this with some seasoning, but it appears to confirm the Aluminium name – or more likely a code name, in the same vein as Chromium, which is the underlying engine of Google's Chrome browser – as well as revealing more about how this desktop take on Android will work.

We're told Aluminium (yes, it's supposed to be the non-US spelling) will be an OS with AI at its core (no surprises there), and that Google has wide-ranging plans for the platform. Support across all form-factors is mentioned: laptops, tablets, 2-in-1s, and 'boxes' which refers to desktop PCs (which are, after all, big boxes – or indeed small ones otherwise known as mini PCs). Furthermore, support across all tiers from entry-level to premium devices is planned, too.

In short, this will be a new desktop platform spanning all price brackets and types of devices.

Tellingly, the position advertised is responsible for driving both "ChromeOS and Aluminium platforms and devices" which suggests that the two platforms will exist in parallel.

At the same time, the blurb for the job ad mentions a strategy for transitioning "Google from ChromeOS to Aluminium with business continuity in the future."

That suggests Aluminium will replace ChromeOS eventually, as you might expect – but not for some time, with both operating systems running side-by-side for a transitional period.

Possibly a lengthy one at a guess. Aluminium is clearly the end goal, but there'll be a lot to deal with in terms of migration of devices from ChromeOS to Aluminium (where that's possible given the hardware).

It's also true that Chromebook is by now such a recognized brand of laptop that Google surely won't want to lose the pull of that name, and so ChromeOS could eventually be the name given to Aluminium – it'll take on the brand.

As Android Authority points out, Google engineers have called the existing Chromebook platform the likes of 'non-Aluminium ChromeOS' or 'ChromeOS Classic', which suggests Aluminium will eventually be the new ChromeOS. And ChromeOS Classic very much makes sense as the name for the legacy platform while it remains on older Chromebooks that are living out the remainder of their existence.

Analysis: Android desktop dreams (featuring electric sheep icons?)

It's exciting to hear more about Aluminium and how Google seemingly has plans in place for this new desktop operating system to take the baton from ChromeOS, with a period of transition before an entire replacement (where the very name might be taken by the newcomer, too).

The theory behind Aluminium is certainly more than sound. Tying it in with Android in a fundamental way like this – the other codename Google engineers use for the OS is 'Android Desktop' (which could also be the new name, perhaps) – has all sorts of advantages. When Google works on Gemini AI features for Android phones, those fresh capabilities can go straight to the desktop, with no need for any extra effort from coders (avoiding the possibility that some functionality could be neglected and not ported over).

Naturally, Android apps will be supported natively on the desktop, and not emulated, which will be pretty cool. Aluminium should help deliver a much better experience for Android tablets too, and there's quite a bit of anticipation around that. (Google will be looking to seriously challenge the iPad here.)

Of course, if you're thinking that it's one thing to build a nifty new desktop operating system that puts ChromeOS in the shade – but it's entirely another to create a desktop OS that can take on Windows or macOS and live to tell the tale, well, you'd be right. No matter how great Aluminium sounds, will it take on the desktop might of Microsoft? No, it won't – there are issues around software support, not to mention games and a number of such wrinkles – and besides, that's not the aim (not initially, anyway).

In the arenas where Chromebooks currently dominate – primarily education, but also business – Aluminium is surely going to help Google's progress, and that will be one of the main goals. On the consumer front, we're looking at the exciting possibilities already mentioned on desktops and laptops alike, from native Android apps to the potential of AI tricks aplenty courtesy of Gemini – all in an OS that should be nicely streamlined and tight (we hope).

And no, the AI stuff won't be to everyone's liking by any means, but we may see truly affordable laptops with some strong AI features in the nearer future thanks to Aluminium. (Although Copilot+ PCs have already become considerably less wallet-damaging, to be fair).

What's the timeline on all this kicking off? For now, we've been promised the first incarnation of Aluminium will be out in 2026, but it's likely a full release (to the public) won't be ready until the following year. And of course, development from there will be something of a long haul, with ChromeOS seemingly to be kept on in parallel. It's going to be very interesting to see how Google's grand scheme for desktops pans out.

Dell Chromebook 3120: Two-minute review

The Dell Chromebook 3120 is a small but tough laptop designed to withstand the rigors of student life.

Its compact and rounded design is certainly different. The softer material around its edges help protect it from impacts, making the Chromebook 3120 tougher than many others in this field.

Not only is it more rugged than the best Chromebook constructions, it’s also easier to repair, thanks to its top-mounted keyboard and captive screws that keep the various materials together.

The price paid for this toughness, however, is the huge bezel around the screen, which reduces the display size by a disappointing amount. At least it features screws in each corner, which again should help with servicing.

There are only four ports on the Chromebook 3120: two USB-C, one USB-A, and a headset jack. The type-C ports are located on either side, which improves versatility, and both support charging and external display connections.

The performance of the Chromebook 3120 is respectable, handling the sorts of tasks students demand of their laptops quite well. It can also handle HD video streaming and even light gaming, though nowhere near as well as many of the best laptops, so temper expectations.

The display is sharp and vibrant enough to enjoy such content, although its lack of brightness can cause some visibility issues, especially when viewing darker scenes. It’s also a little too reflective at times.

I was pleased to see that even the non-convertible model of the Chromebook 3120 features a touchscreen, which can be useful for navigation, although it’s not smooth enough for dedicated illustrators and handwriters.

The keyboard layout is good, with plenty of space between keys to make typing comfortable. However, presses frequently failed to register when I used it, which was frustrating. Worse, though, was the touchpad, which is too small and imprecise for accurate and smooth navigation.

Battery life, on the other hand, is up to expected standards. It lasted close to 11 hours when I played a movie on a continuous loop, which eclipses many of its rivals, although there are others that can endure for longer.

Considering its budget pricing, the Dell Chromebook 3120 is a worthwhile proposition. Thanks to its durability, portability, and performance, it really shines as a study companion—but I would recommend pairing it with an external mouse to eschew the wayward touchpad.

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Price & availability

• Starts from $179.99 / £369.68 (about AU$350)
• Available now
• Reasonable price

The Dell Chromebook 3120 starts from $179.99 / £369.68 (about AU$350) and is available now. It can be configured with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and a 2-in-1 version is also available, with a display made with Gorilla Glass.

This is a fantastic price for a Chromebook of this spec, making it one of the best student laptops around thanks to its performance and touchscreen functionality.

If you’re looking for something even cheaper, the Asus Chromebook CX1505 is a great alternative. It doesn’t have a tough exterior or a compact form like the Chromebook 3120, but it has respectable performance and a great display.

Meanwhile, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is one of the best student Chromebooks in our view, thanks to its truly convertible nature and lively performance.

• Value: 5 / 5

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Specs

These are the specs for the Dell Chromebook 3120:

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Design

• Rugged construction
• Compact form
• Large screen bezel

The Dell Chromebook 3120 has an unusual outer shell for a laptop nowadays. It has rounded edges covered in a soft-touch material, almost as if it has been fitted with a bumper case. This makes it look more like one of the best rugged laptops than a budget Chromebook, and Dell claims it’s as durable as those more durable devices. According to Dell, the Chromebook 3120 can withstand 30-inch drops onto steel and 48-inch drops onto plywood, something that'll probably matter if this is going to be used by a child.

In keeping with the durable chassis, the lid is also reassuringly solid, with no wobble to it at all. What’s more, it’s also very flexible – even the non-hybrid variant can still recline all the way back to 180 degrees, making it very amenable to various setups.

Despite all this ruggedness, the Chromebook 3120 is very compact, making it very easy to carry around. It’s heavier than you might expect, but not to an onerous extent.

Another advantage of the design of the Chromebook 3120 is the fact that it’s easy to maintain. It features a top-mounted keyboard and a captive screw in the chassis that keep its various materials together, both of which make the Chromebook 3120 readily repairable.

One of the worst aspects of its design, however, is the huge bezel around the display. No doubt this helps with durability as well as repairability (there are easily accessible screws in each corner), but it severely compromises the already small real estate.

There aren’t many ports on the Chromebook 3120, but they’re wisely chosen. There are two USB-C ports, which should help the device to stay relevant for longer, and both accept charging and external monitor connections.

What’s more, they’re located on either side to improve versatility. The only other ports on the Chromebook 3120 are a USB-A and a headset jack, both located on the left, but these are the next two interfaces I would’ve chosen to include on a Chromebook.

The keys have a slight but noticeable texture to them that feels smooth yet tactile. There are some useful shortcuts on the top row, but there aren’t as many as you’ll find on other Chromebooks – even those the same size as the Chromebook 3120.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Performance

• Good all-round performance
• Reflective display
• Poor touchpad

The general performance of the Dell Chromebook 3120 is pretty good. It’s fast and snappy enough for basic tasking, from notetaking and essay writing to spreadsheet creation and browsing.

It can handle video streaming very well, too, even at 1440p. However, higher resolutions are beyond it, since you’ll have to contend with frequent and lengthy buffering times.

It’s even capable enough for some light gaming. I managed to play Asphalt Legends on medium settings smoothly, with no disruptive stutters or lag. Be warned, however, that not all Android games are compatible with the Chromebook 3120, including Alien: Isolation and Hitman: Blood Money—Reprisal.

The 1366 x 768p resolution is sharp enough for a display this small, and colors are pleasingly vibrant. Brightness is sufficient for the most part, although I wish it had more when viewing content featuring dark tones, as these can be hard to see at times.

The display also has a tendency to plunge into total blackness if the angle isn’t set just right for your particular environment. What’s more, it can be quite reflective, which further sullies the viewing experience.

The keys felt good to use, and their generous spacing makes them easy to navigate, even with the limited real estate. However, they lack feedback, and frequently my presses would fail to register while typing, requiring a firmer touch than with many other keyboards.

The touchpad, however, is more frustrating. It’s very small, which can make navigation and certain productivity tasks awkward, such as dragging items from one side of the screen to the other.

It also lacks refinement, with its jerky tracking spoiling my attempts at smooth, precise movements: the cursor either moved slower than expected or jumped too far ahead of where I wanted it to go. I also found that taps were very inconsistent, failing to register at least half of the time.

The touchscreen proved more responsive, but it can be quite grabby, resulting in unsmooth swipes and gestures. This isn’t the device for you if you plan on making copious amounts of drawings or handwritten notes, but the functionality is still useful for navigation purposes. It’s a shame that finger marks are quite visible, though.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Battery life

The battery life of the Chromebook 3120 is very good. In our movie playback test, it lasted close to 11 hours, which is an impressive performance considering the smaller 43Whr battery, and puts it ahead of much of the competition.

It beats the Asus Chromebook CX1505, for example, which managed about 7 hours in the same test, but just fails to match the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, which managed over 11 hours.

It’s also reasonably quick to charge, taking about two hours to completely replenish.

• Battery life: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Dell Chromebook 3120?

Buy the Dell Chromebook 3120 if...

Don't buy it if...

Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Also consider

Here are some alternatives to the Dell Chromebook 3120 that are also fantastic for students:

How I tested the Dell Chromebook 3120

• Tested for two days
• Used for a variety of tasks
• Chromebook reviewing experience

I tested the Dell Chromebook 3120 for two days, during which time I used it for a multitude of tasks.

I used it for productivity, general browsing, streaming video content, and gaming. I also ran our series of benchmarks for Chromebooks and tested its battery life by running a movie on a continuous loop.

I’ve been using Chromebooks and other laptops for years, and have reviewed plenty of them as well, ranging in their price points, form factors, and purposes.

• First reviewed November 2025
• Read more about how we test

Asus Chromebook CX15: Two-minute review

The Asus Chromebook CX1505 certainly has a budget price tag, but its features and spec hope to counter the charge that it’s a compromised device unfit for modern purposes.

While it might appear sleek, on closer inspection it’s not as thin or as light as its looks might lead you to believe. That ultra wide display and the long underside support bar sully its portability credentials somewhat.

Build quality isn’t the greatest, either, and isn’t up there with the best Chromebook constructions. It’s still within reasonable bounds, but there’s some flexing to the plastic chassis.

The thin bezel for the display is a welcome touch, though, helping to maximize its already generous width. The keyboard also feels built to a higher standard, which is fortunate since you’ll be making plenty of contact with it.

All the ports on the CX1505 are located on its left-hand side, which may be a little inconvenient for those wishing to connect multiple peripherals. More of a problem, however, is their paucity: there are only four, and only two of them are USB (one type-A and one type-C port).

What’s more, the Type-C must be used for charging, so it won’t be available to you all of the time. An HDMI 1.4 port and a 3.5mm combo audio jack round out the rest of the physical connectivity options, and they’re at least sensibly ordered.

The CX1505 acquits itself well in terms of performance. It can handle the productivity and entertainment tasks well enough, although 4K content streaming is just beyond its reach. It can handle some light gaming, though, albeit with relatively undemanding titles at low graphical settings.

More impressive is that large display. The width is useful for both entertainment and productivity purposes, while the Full HD resolution is still sharp enough for its size. It’s also bright and reasonably vibrant, making for pleasant viewing in all scenarios.

While the CX1505 is great for typing on, the trackpad is a let down. It’s jerky and imprecise when making small, slow movements, and its clicks feel unsatisfying.

The battery life of the CX1505 is reasonable, lasting seven hours in our movie playback test. However, many of its rivals can beat this figure – some by a considerable margin.

There was a time when a Chromebook costing this little wouldn’t have been worth your time, lacking the power and features to suit even basic usage. But the commendable – if not outstanding – performance of the CX1505, coupled with its generous and high-quality display, are certainly impressive aspects at this price, making it a contender for one of the best budget Chromebooks around right now.

Asus Chromebook CX1505 review: Price and availability

• Starts from $159.99 / £249.99 / AU$499
• Available now in multiple colorways
• Budget end of the market

The CX1505 starts from $159.99 / £249.99 / AU$499 and is available now in various colorways, including green and pink. It can be configured with 4GB or 8GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of storage. An Intel Core version is also available.

This is a great price, even in the Chromebook market. It’s considerably cheaper than the Asus Chromebook CM14, which we think is one of the best budget Chromebooks. However, the CX1505 performs better, and that wider display makes it better for productivity and entertainment – if not portability.

If you want a high-performing Chromebook, then the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is a better choice. This dispatches all kinds of tasks with ease, including harsher workloads such as gaming and multitasking; no wonder we think it’s the best student Chromebook. Its keyboard isn’t as good as that on the CX1505, though.

If you want to stay closer to the budget-end of the market and want something more compact but also powerful, the Dell Chromebook 3120 fits the bill very well, with more processing power and faster memory for a little bit more of an investment.

• Value: 5 / 5

Asus Chromebook CX1505 review: Specs

My Asus Chromebook CX1505 review unit had an Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.

ASUS Chromebook CX1505 review: Design

• Sleek and vibrant looks
• Compromised portability
• Lacks ports

The CX1505 has a neat, minimalist appearance buoyed by the vibrant colorways; I found the light green finish of my review unit particularly fetching, suiting its overall design well. The rounded corners and smooth, flat planes add to its appeal.

It’s quite a thin unit, although the prominent support bar running underneath rather spoils its sleekness. It’s also heavier than you might expect; coupled with the atypical width, the portability of the CX1505 is somewhat compromised.

What’s more, build quality isn’t particularly impressive, either. The slightly textured plastics may look and feel interesting, but they’re not the sturdiest and can succumb to considerable flexing.

The hinge for the lid feels sturdy in operation, but its looseness becomes evident once set in position. This isn’t disruptive, but it is noticeable, and isn’t exactly an auspicious sign for its longevity.

On a positive note, the bezel around the display is pleasingly thin, which allows the already generous real estate to be realized to its full potential, while the keys have a subtle graining which makes them feel tactile to use. They also actuate smoothly and solidly, with very little play or uncertain feedback.

If you’re looking for a Chromebook with plenty of connectivity options, you’ll be disappointed with the CX15. Despite its large size, there are only four ports (five on the Intel Core model, thanks to its extra USB-C port), all located on the left-hand side.

There’s one USB-C port (which is used for charging as well), one USB-A port, one HDMI 1.4 port, and a combo audio jack. At least they’re sensibly ordered; I’m always happy to see the power port at the end and the audio jack at the very front.

• Design score: 3.5 / 5

ASUS Chromebook CX1505 review: Performance

• Reasonable multitasking capabilities
• More demanding tasks
• Good wide display

The CX1505 is capable enough for everyday tasking. It can handle word processing and spreadsheet creation with ease, while streaming hi-definition content is also well within its grasp. However, expect some significant buffering if you’re watching anything above 1440p.

Even with the modest 4GB of RAM installed in my review unit, the CX1505 managed to juggle multiple browser tabs admirably. I still encountered some lag in such instances, but not to a frustrating extent. However, more demanding multitasking scenarios, such as running numerous apps simultaneously, lead to more severe slowdowns, as you might expect.

Light gaming is just about within its reach as well. Asphalt Legends ran smoothly enough when I reduced the maximum frame rate to 30fps, but I encountered frequent stuttering when ratcheting it up to 60fps, even on the default medium graphics settings. Those after some casual enjoyment are catered for, then – but those who take their gaming a little more seriously will be disappointed.

The display is pleasingly bright and vibrant. Colors are vividly reproduced rather than washed-out, as they can be on other Chromebook displays in my experience.

And despite its large size, the 1920 x 1080p resolution still looks sharp and clear. That wide ratio also makes various productivity tasks easier, as well as serving entertainment content well.

The keys of the CX1505 are well damped, resulting in softer presses than you might expect, but they’re still as snappy and as light as you would expect from a laptop keyboard. They’re well spaced, too, and thanks to that wide chassis, the numberpad doesn’t cramp the layout, as is the case with some other laptops and Chromebooks.

The trackpad has a solid and noticeable click, but it feels nasty and cheap, owing to the lack of dampening. Gliding isn’t the smoothest, either, with attempts to make small and precise movements resulting in lag and cursor jumps.

Taps are better, but inconsistent: being unresponsive at times, and too eager at others. The surface area of the pad is quite small, too, despite there being plenty of space for a larger module. At least it’s solidly installed, with no wobble to it.

The overall connectivity of the CX1505 is good for the most part. However, the Bluetooth radio stopped working on one occasion, severing connection with all my devices. Thankfully, fixing the issue merely required disabling and then re-enabling Bluetooth from the status area in the bottom-right corner.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Asus Chromebook CX1505 review: Battery life

The CX1505 has a respectable, if not impressive, battery life. It should see you throughout the day, but it only managed seven hours in our playback test, where we ran a movie on a continuous loop.

This beats the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which only managed six and a half hours, but it’s bested by rivals such as the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 and the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, which both achieved times around the 11-hour mark. And the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook can last a hugely impressive 16-plus hours.

• Battery life: 3 / 5

Should I buy the ASUS Chromebook CX1505?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

ASUS Chromebook CX1505: Also consider

If the Asus Chromebook CX1505 doesn't sound right for you, here are some alternatives:

How I tested the Asus Chromebook CX1505

• Tested for several days
• Used for various tasks
• Plentiful Chromebook experience

I tested the CX1505 for several days, during which time I used it for productivity, entertainment, and general browsing.

I used it for word processing and spreadsheet editing, as well as streaming HD and 4K content. I also played mobile games downloaded from the Play Store, and ran our series of benchmark tests for Chromebooks.

I’ve been using Chromebooks for years and have extensive experience reviewing them. I’ve also reviewed other kinds of mobile devices, including tablets and laptops designed for productivity and gaming.

• First reviewed November 2025
• Read more about how we test

• Google.com is showing a pop-up to promote Chromebooks
• It's aimed at Windows 10 laptop owners as support ends for that OS
• The pop-up directs curious people to a Chromebook Plus portal, but Google is sailing close to the wind with some of the marketing used here

Google is taking advantage of the fact that Microsoft is about to end support for Windows 10 by showing a pop-up advertising the strengths of Chromebooks, in the hope that people will jump ship rather than upgrade to a new Windows 11 notebook.

Windows Latest spotted the ad which appeared when the tech site visited the Google.com search page.

Google's pop-up reads: "Time for a new laptop? Get Chromebook Plus. With security fixes for Windows 10 ending this October, switch to the laptop that has never had a virus."

Yes, the claws are well and truly out, and while this isn't a suggestion that Windows notebooks are virus-prone, it's clearly a hint in that direction - and certainly an argument that ChromeOS has better security.

Windows Latest tells us that if you click on the 'Learn more' button in the pop-up, you'll be directed to Google's 'switch to Chromebook' portal, a website that sells the benefits of Chromebook Plus models (the more premium take on Google's laptops).

Analysis: horses for courses

What's really interesting here is the video that plays on the switch to Chromebook site when you first visit.

It shows a generic laptop (see the screenshot above) which isn't explicitly a Windows notebook in any way, but it has a telltale 'Microsoft blue' background, and so again the hint is clear enough - particularly as one of the pop-ups that appears on the notebook display is a 'virus detected' warning, which was, of course, the thrust of the ad on Google.com. Another pop-up then shows a 'system error' happening before the laptop screen flickers, and then dies.

The biggest clue about where Google's aiming this video potshot is the spinning circle (of doom) that's shown (for ages) when the laptop first appears - which is a Windows thing. And, as mentioned, given that all this comes after clicking a link about abandoning Windows 10, well, you can draw your own conclusion.

So, this feels rather below-the-belt from Google, even if Chromebooks do have their clear merits - one of which is a very tight level of security. Although it's hardly fair to even vaguely imply that Windows 11 falls down and is a slouch on this front (it isn't).

A Chromebook could indeed be a compelling choice for those who are after a more streamlined way of working with a laptop. Google's notebooks do have simplicity on their side - and affordability (though Chromebook Plus models are admittedly more premium efforts) - but you are making a number of compromises compared to Microsoft's OS.

I'm not going to get into a full-on comparison of the relative merits of Windows 11 laptops and Chromebooks - we have an in-depth explainer on that, should you wish to stride forth into the weeds. The truth is they are quite different operating systems, but what Google isn't touching on is that those who want to give Windows 11 a miss - or can't upgrade due to not meeting its system requirements - may be more likely to gravitate towards Linux than ChromeOS. Especially given that you can find Linux distros which are built to be Windows-like and offer a newcomer from the Microsoft side of the fence a warmer welcome as such.

There's another important point Google fails to mention, which is that those running a Windows 10 laptop can get another year of support for free, taking their laptop through to October 2026. There's no rush to make a decision yet, then, and Google conveniently neglects to highlight this.

All's fair in marketing and PR, though - right? And to be fair, all the tech giants engage in this kind of treading-a-thin-line style of promotion for their devices, software, or services.

I don't know how widespread this particular Chromebook pop-up is, but I don't see it at Google.com on my Windows 10 PC. I assume Windows Latest was running a Windows 10 system when the tech site saw the Google advert, though it doesn't make that clear. It's likely this is a targeted move which is being shown to some Windows 10 users by Google - possibly in a limited fashion at the moment.

You might also like

• Sticking with Windows 10 next month? Here's what you need to know about your choices and risks you might be taking
• Best student laptops in 2025: top tested picks for college and school
• Chromebook acting weird? Try Google’s new ChromeOS ‘Sanitize’ tool

• We heard more details about ChromeOS' Android upgrades at Snapdragon Summit 2025
• Snapdragon chips will power Chromebooks with the new OS
• Qualcomm’s CEO Cristiano Amon called the OS "incredible"

Qualcomm just hosted Snapdragon Summit 2025, and Google’s senior vice president of platforms & devices Rick Osterloh took to the stage to talk more about Android being integrated into ChromeOS – with Qualcomm’s CEO calling the computer-based Android “incredible.” They also confirmed it'll drop next year.

There have long been rumors that Google will more closely combine ChromeOS with Android – here’s an article we wrote almost a decade ago on the topic – but in an interview with us earlier this year, Google’s president of Android ecosystem, Sameer Samat, officially revealed that Google is “going to be combining ChromeOS and Android into a single platform.”

Given that Google makes both operating systems, they were already very closely linked, but Google plans to go beyond linking the platforms and actually build ChromeOS on top of Android.

As Google’s Rick Osterloh said at Snapdragon Summit 2025 (via 9To5Google), “We are building together a common technical foundation for our products on PCs and desktop computing systems.”This, Google says, will allow it to better leverage its AI developments across its ecosystems by simplifying the efforts of its software engineers. Rather than building Gemini integration for Android and Gemini integration for Chrome, it just needs to do the work once.

Closer integration should also mean Android apps can be natively run on ChromeOS rather than relying on an Android virtual machine emulator, as has been the case until now.

We still have yet to see what the new and improved ChromeOS will have in store for us, but Qualcomm’s CEO clearly has, saying, “It’s incredible. I think it delivers on the vision of conversions in mobile and PC. And I can’t wait to have one.” Based on comments at the Summit, what we will see will rely on Qualcomm’s PC chipsets, and might be coming sooner next year rather than later.

High praise, though comments like this should obviously be taken with a pinch of salt – Qualcomm is partnering closely with Google on ChromeOS and other projects like Android XR. It has skin in the game and is therefore unlikely to levy any criticism at its partner’s efforts.

Though, as I’ve mentioned, hopefully these comments mean the new ChromeOS is nearly ready to see the light of day, and that we can judge the OS for ourselves. We've got our fingers crossed and are ready to give you our thoughts as soon as we can try the new OS out.

You might also like

• Google patches another worrying Chrome security flaw
• Google Chrome Review: Features, Usage, and Competition
• Gemini is coming to Chrome on desktop starting today for Pro and Ultra users in the U.S.

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Two-minute review

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch is a high-end device, featuring a premium build and spec - with a price tag to match.

It looks very elegant, more so than other Chromebooks. It apes Apple’s MacBook line in all the right ways, with its sleek, rounded chassis and delectable materials. It’s also very thin and reasonably light, making it a cinch to carry around.

This really is one of the best Chromebook constructions I’ve seen. Every aspect screams quality, and there are a few atypical touches, such as the central protrusion on the top of lid to help with opening, and the wavy contours of the underside panel.

The lid is as smooth and as stable as I could’ve wished for, too, although it doesn’t open to a full 180 degrees. The bezel around the display is incredibly thin, which is always a positive.

You don’t get many interfaces on the Chromebook Plus 14-inch, although I was glad to see two USB-C ports, both of which can be used to charge the device and connect to external monitors, and placed either side for improved convenience. A USB-A port and a headset jack are the only others.

The Chromebook Plus 14-inch performs as well as its state-of-the-art design suggests. It can handle all manner of tasks, from light productivity to gaming, and the 16GB of RAM in my review unit made light work of multitasking.

Complementing this performance is the brilliant OLED display, which provides plenty of clarity, vibrancy, contrast, and brightness, with the latter helping to keep reflections at bay. It also has touch functionality, which works very well, if not quite on par with those on tablets and phones.

The touchpad, however, is the best I’ve used on a Chromebook: it’s unbelievably smooth, while its large dimensions and responsive inputs make navigation as easy as can be. The keyboard is also great to use, although I did have to acclimatize somewhat to the solidity of the keys themselves, but once I did, typing was an equally enjoyable experience.

Battery life is also superb, lasting about 14 hours in our movie playback test. Not many other Chromebooks can beat this, barring the odd few. It’s also very quick to charge.

All of these class-leading elements come at a price, however. The Chromebook Plus 14-inch is one of the most expensive Chromebooks around, straying into Windows-laptop territory – and ChromeOS simply can’t compete with these machines in terms of sheer versatility.

For this reason, it’s hard to recommend the Chromebook Plus 14-inch outright, unless you manage to catch it in a generous sale. But if you have your heart set on a Chromebook Plus and the money to spend, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch won’t disappoint.

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Price and availability

• $749.99 / £699 / AU$1,197
• Available now
• High end of the market

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch costs $749.99 / £699 / AU$1,197 and is available now. Models with differing RAM and storage capacities are also available.

This is one of the most expensive Chromebooks on the market. At this price, the Chromebook Plus 14-inch rubs shoulders with some of the best laptops running Windows, which have far greater compatibility and customizability. The best value laptop as far as we’re concerned is the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441, which we also compared favorably to a MacBook (specifically the Air model), owing to its thin and light design and commendable speed.

There’s also the HP Chromebook Plus 15, which we rate as the one of the best Chromebooks for students, thanks to its blistering performance by the standards of the sector. While it’s also expensive for a Chromebook, it’s still considerably cheaper than Chromebook Plus 14-inch, despite having a larger display.

• Value: 2.5 / 5

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Specs

My Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review unit had 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Design

• Fabulous construction
• Takes cues from MacBooks
• Not many ports

The Chromebook Plus 14-inch is expertly crafted. Its Apple-inspired appearance is more than surface-deep; its build quality rivals that of the best MacBooks, even featuring its own fingerprint scanner. Further similarities lay in the Chromebook Plus 14-inch’s thin and light body, which makes it easy to travel with.

But the Chromebook Plus 14-inch has some unique aspects that set it apart slightly. There’s a bulge in the center of the lid that makes it easier to open, while the underside is crinkled – quite why, I’m not sure; but I appreciated it nonetheless, as it feels oddly satisfying to hold.

The lid hinge is engineered to a high standard as well, offering smooth yet sturdy adjustments. The bezel around the screen is minimal, which I’m always pleased to see as it allows the display to make full use of its allotted space.

Even the power adapter is well designed, forgoing the mid-cable brick that many others are saddled with. It’s still something of a wall wart, though, and the length of brick directly behind the plug might make it unsuitable for certain setups.

Thankfully, it should prove thin enough to avoid infringing upon adjacent sockets. It’s a shame the cable itself isn’t that long, but it should suffice for most setups.

There are only four ports on the Chromebook Plus 14-inch, but two of them are USB-C, and both support charging and external display connections, which helps to make up for the lack of dedicated ports for these. They’re also located on either side, which makes the Chromebook Plus 14-inch conducive to a wider variety of setups. The other two interfaces are a USB-A (on the left) and a headset jack (on the right), which are always useful additions.

• Design score: 5 / 5

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Performance

• Fast all-round performance
• Sharp and vibrant display
• Super smooth touchpad

The Chromebook Plus 14-inch is an excellent performer. It can handle light productivity with ease, while the 16GB of RAM in my review unit (quite a lot for a Chromebook) meant it could multitask without issue.

It can also stream 4K content seamlessly without endless pauses for buffering, as well as run some reasonably demanding mobile games. I played Asphalt Legends on high settings and Call of Duty: Mobile on max settings, and both ran as smoothly as I could’ve wished for. Alien: Isolation was a slightly less impressive experience, but it was still just as playable.

The OLED display is glorious, and easily among the best in this sector, rendering colors with fantastic vibrancy. It also has great contrast, and although reflections can reveal themselves at points, I found there’s enough brightness to eliminate the worst of them. The 1920 x 1200 resolution is pleasingly sharp, too, especially within its 14-inch frame.

What’s more, the Chromebook Plus 14-inch also has touchscreen functionality. This works very well, thanks to how responsive and precise it is. It’s slightly more grabby than some of the best tablet screens, but only marginally, so keen illustrators and other stylus users will still find it smooth enough. It’s only a shame that a stylus isn’t included.

The keys on the Chromebook Plus 14-inch feel very tight and solid when pressed, which did take me some time to get used to. However, they’re incomparably stable, and their relatively deep indentations provide plenty of security and tactility.

With all this said, they still have a short and snappy actuation, and offer plenty of feedback thanks to their dampening. They’re also backlit, which is somewhat of a rarity on Chromebooks.

If anything, the touchpad on the Chromebook Plus 14-inch is even better. It has the silkiest surface of any Chromebook touchpad I’ve used, which makes gestures and navigation effortless. The latter is further aided by its relatively large size, too.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Battery life

The Chromebook Plus 14-inch has an exceptional battery life. It managed to last 14 hours when I played a movie on repeat from a full charge. This eclipses many of its rivals, including the HP Chromebook Plus 15, which only managed close to 11 hours.

However, it can’t beat the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook with its score of 16-plus hours, nor can it outlast the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441, which achieved over 18 hours. It’s quick to charge, though, taking just 100 minutes to top up completely.

• Battery life: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch: Also consider

Here are some equally-capable alternatives to the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch:

How I tested the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch

• Tested for two days
• Used for various tasks
• Experience with Chromebooks and other laptops

I tested the Chromebook Plus 14-inch for a couple of days, during which time I used it for all manner of tasks, from productivity and browsing to streaming and gaming.

I also ran our series of benchmark tests for Chromebooks, and put its battery life through its paces by running a movie on a continuous loop.

I have plenty of Chromebook experience, having owned and reviewed a number of them. I’ve also owned and reviewed other laptops and even tablets, so I know how they compare to Android, Windows, and macOS devices.

• First reviewed September 2025
• Read more about how we test

You might not be thinking about heading off to start at a new school this year, but upgrading your current device in time for the new term may well be on your mind right now. For many students, a laptop is an essential tool for their education, used for getting work done and keeping entertained during downtime. But with so many models to choose from, which one is best for you?

Chromebooks offer an alternative to Windows and Mac devices, and have certain advantages over these long-running staples. They’re generally much cheaper for one thing, which is an especially pressing concern for younger buyers.

For this and other reasons, they’ve virtually become synonymous with student laptops. But are even the best Chromebooks cut out for your school work? We’re here to answer this and other questions surrounding their suitability for education.

Chromebook advantages

As mentioned, perhaps the biggest draw of Chromebooks is their cost. Of course, prices vary from model to model, but in general, Chromebooks are much cheaper than their Windows and MacBook counterparts.

Take the Asus Chromebook CM14, for example. This costs $299 / £299 (about AU$473) and although its performance isn’t in the same league as the best laptops, it still suffices for more basic tasking. It also features a tactile keyboard and great battery life – both important considerations when taking notes in class. For this reason, we think it’s one of the best student Chromebooks around for those on a budget.

Another advantage of Chromebooks is their form factors. Again, sizes are diverse in the sector, but there aren’t many other types of laptop devices that run below 13 inches in today’s market, whereas you’ll find plenty of Chromebooks that do. They’re also thin and light, which makes them even easier to ferry around between lectures.

This small size makes them better suited for convertibility as well. There are many hybrid Chromebooks around, featuring touchscreens and 360-degree hinges for keyboard-free use.

While this functionality is welcome, in my experience, even the best 2-in-1 Chromebooks fail to achieve the same usability as the best tablets, owing to their relative bulk, which makes them awkward to hold. These models perform better when flipped upside down and tented on a desk, allowing you to use the touchscreen with both hands for a more tactile approach.

On the other hand, tablets can be equipped with folio cases featuring a keyboard and trackpad to turn them into laptop-style devices. Tablets are often similarly priced to Chromebooks – and that even includes some of the best iPads, which can also offer better performance. For these reasons, tablets are perhaps Chromebooks’ biggest competition.

However, if you’re already in the Google / Android ecosystem, a Chromebook might make more sense for integration purposes than an iPad. What’s more, if you like working on your sofa or bed, you might prefer the stable typing surface a solid Chromebook chassis gives you, rather than the somewhat flimsy tablet keyboards.

Lacking power?

One of the biggest drawbacks of Chromebooks is their relative lack of power compared to the best Windows and best MacBook offerings. You won’t find powerhouse CPUs or dedicated GPUs in your typical Chromebook, and RAM figures don’t usually exceed 8GB.

This isn’t a problem if your demands are limited to light browsing, document editing, and video streaming, but for more intensive workloads and multitasking, they’ll struggle. But with the recent advent of the Chromebook Plus, the tables have started to turn.

These beefier machines are much more capable, and some models can even be used for gaming, such as the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch I reviewed. Their performance won’t come close to rivaling the best gaming laptops, but that’s to be expected given how much more expensive those devices are.

Chromebook Plus models also feature the handy Quick Insert key, which can help with various productivity tasks by revealing a pop-up menu to add links, open recent files, and get writing advice in an instant. It’s perhaps the closest to an AI feature the platform currently has, and it’s certainly useful for speeding up those common actions.

Despite the extra power of these machines, though, one problem still remains: the operating system. ChromeOS has improved over the years, but it still isn’t in the same league as Windows or macOS. It’s far more limited in scope, and power users wishing for more tweaks and access to the inner workings of their system will be disappointed with ChomeOS.

What’s more, ChromeOS is further hampered by the lack of app support. High-end software isn’t compatible with the platform, so if you require specialist apps for creative subjects, say, chances are there won’t be a ChromeOS version.

Even current Chrome Apps are being phased out, with end of life slated for October 2028, as Android and ChromeOS are set to merge into one ecosystem. Many Android apps already work on Chromebooks, but the hope is that as the two environments merge, optimization will improve.

Closing thoughts

In essence, then, whether you should get a Chromebook for your studies comes down to how much power and versatility you require. If you only need a device for note taking, word processing, doodling and light entertainment, they make for a good companion.

They might not be able to compete with the best laptops in terms of power and versatility, but if you want a more budget-friendly device, a Chromebook might just see you through your studies.

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• 'I think you see the future first on Android' – Google's Android leader Sameer Samat
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Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Two-minute review

The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is the smallest device in the brand’s line of 2-in-1 Chromebooks, measuring just 12.2 inches. Despite this, it’s not the sleekest Chromebook around, with its sharp angles and juts spoiling the otherwise elegant design, which is aided by the quality of the materials used in its construction.

It’s quite thick and heavy for its size, so it’s perhaps not ideal for using as a tablet, despite its convertible nature. But thanks to that solid hinge for the lid, it can be propped upside down and used exclusively in touchscreen mode with ease.

It’s not just the hinge mechanism that’s well made – all aspects of the Spin 312 feel as solid and sturdy as any of the best Chromebooks, including the keys and trackpad, which feel premium to the touch as well.

Port selection is reasonable, too, although I would’ve liked to have seen more than just one USB-C port, and the lack of an SD card slot might be detrimental for some. Thankfully, there are two USB-A ports to improve connectivity options, and the HDMI port and audio jack are further additions I welcome.

The review unit I had came equipped with an Intel N100 processor and 4GB of RAM. Despite these underwhelming specs, the Chromebook Spin 312 performed admirably, handling many typical Chromebook workloads quite well. However, slowdowns can occur when pushed a little too far.

Such cases include gaming, where the Chromebook Spin 312 struggled to run even fairly modest mobile games on high settings during my testing. However, lowering these did improve matters to the point where games such as Asphalt Legends Unite were playable to an enjoyable extent.

More pleasing on the performance front is the display. The resolution looks especially sharp on the 12-inch screen, although colors aren’t rendered as vibrantly as they are on some rival Chromebooks. The bezels also encroach quite considerably on the allotted real estate for the screen, and the display can be quite reflective under certain conditions. In most cases, though, it makes for a pleasant viewing experience.

The touch inputs are also quite responsive, tracking well with swipes to make drawing and handwriting a realistic option, although it can be a little grabby at times. You’ll also need to provide your own stylus if you want to make the most of your creative time with the Chromebook Spin 312.

I found the touchpad disappointingly inaccurate by comparison, as it failed to track with what I was expecting from my movements, leading to a lagging and stuttering, which in turn made it imprecise.

Thankfully, I had a better time typing on the Chromebook Spin 312, thanks to the generous spacing of the keys and their satisfying dampening. Their lack of indentations and grip, however, can lead to slipping and mispresses on occasion.

Its battery life is impressive, lasting just over 11 hours in our test. This places it near the higher end of the Chromebook spectrum – the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook performs significantly better on this front, although admittedly this is somewhat of an outlier.

The Chromebook Spin 312 sits somewhere in the middle of the convertible Chromebook market. Some rivals are better performers, while others have a sleeker design. But, overall, if you won’t be demanding too much from it in terms of performance, the Chromebook Spin 312 is a good 2-in-1 Chromebook for those who prize portability and a sharp image.

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Price and availability

• Starts from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690)
• Various CPU, RAM, and storage options
• Middle of the market

The Chromebook Spin 312 starts from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690). It can be configured with 64GB or 128GB of storage, 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i3 or Intel N100 CPU.

This places the Chromebook Spin 312 somewhere in the middle of the market considering its spec. It’s considerably cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which it bests in terms of performance, although its display isn’t quite as sharp or as vibrant, and lacks its premium design (although it isn’t too far behind in this regard).

However, the Chromebook Spin 312 is more expensive than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which is one of the best budget Chromebooks in our view. This lacks the compactness of the Chromebook Spin 312 and the performance isn’t exactly impressive either, but it makes up for these deficiencies with its great build quality and enduring battery life.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Specs

These are the specs of the particular Acer Chromebook Spin 312 I reviewed:

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Design

• Bulky for the size
• Solid lid hinge
• Only one USB-C port and no SD card slot

The Chromebook Spin 312 takes a somewhat utilitarian approach to design, with its sharp angles, large vents and lid hinges appearing quite conspicuous. However, it's still a compact device, and has enough flat sides to help impart some sleekness.

This is further aided by the steely grey colorway and look of the chassis materials, which have a subtle shine to them. What’s more, the quality of these materials seems high, feeling solid and fairly premium to the touch. This extends to the lightly textured keycaps and silky smooth touchpad.

The hinge mechanism is also reassuringly solid. There’s no wobble at any angle, yet it’s smooth and easy to open and adjust. This stability also helps when tenting the Chromebook Spin 312 to use it in touchscreen mode.

However, it can’t compete with the best tablets for usability. Despite its small 12-inch size, the Chromebook Spin 312 is a relatively thick and heavy slab, which can make it awkward to hold in the hand when folded back all the way.

The screen has a large bezel around it, which somewhat compromises the already limited real estate for the display. On a more positive note, it's made from Corning Gorilla Glass, so it should prove resistant to wear and tear when taking the Chromebook Spin 312 on your travels.

Port selection is reasonable for a Chromebook this small, although it’s a minor shame there’s only one USB-C port and SD card slot, as you’ll find two on many modern Chromebooks. Still, you do at least get two USB-A ports, and I also welcome the inclusion of a dedicated HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio jack.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Performance

• Capable of light work
• Sharp but reflective display
• Struggles with intensive tasks

The Chromebook Spin 312 offers capable enough performance for everyday tasks, meeting the demands typically placed upon Chromebooks. Apps load fast, and light productivity and general browsing are handled well. Despite its somewhat limited 4GB of RAM, it’s even capable of some degree of multitasking, coping well with multiple browser tabs open, for instance.

However, it can come a little unstuck when those tabs are running more complex activities, or when multiple apps are in play. The Chromebook Spin 312 can also generate a fair amount of heat underneath, which is bothersome when on your lap.

Gaming performance isn’t particularly impressive, either. It can handle some mobile titles, but you’ll likely have to play with modest graphics settings. When I played Asphalt Legends Unite, for instance, high settings caused stutters and considerable slowdowns, rendering the game almost unplayable. However, it ran much better on lower settings, if not quite as smooth or as fast as some rivals can manage – and certainly the Chromebook Spin 312 isn’t a match for the best gaming laptops in this regard.

When it comes to video playback, the Chromebook Spin 312 can handle streaming content in 4K, although it’s not always the smoothest experience. The WUXGA display at least provides a sharp image: the 1920 x 1200 resolution might sound a little low compared to other laptops and some Chromebooks on the market today, but due to its small screen size, it looks sharper than you might imagine.

It’s also quite bright when displaying lighter shades. However, while colors are rendered well enough, they don’t appear quite as vibrant as those on the displays equipped in the best laptops or best MacBooks, looking slightly washed-out by comparison.

The screen is also quite reflective, which, combined with its somewhat lackluster backlighting, makes darker scenes hard to view at times. However, the effect isn’t too troublesome, and compared to many other Chromebooks, the Chromebook Spin 312 is still great for viewing content.

The touchscreen capability is impressive, too. It responds well to all sorts of swipes and gestures, making for smooth doodles and handwriting, even if it's a little grabby at times. It’s also a shame no stylus is included to unleash the full potential of its functionality.

Unfortunately, the touchpad is less responsive, and I experienced issues with its tracking: many times it felt as if it was either dragging or jumping ahead, lacking the smoothness I was expecting. As a result, I struggled to use it accurately, which can really hamper productivity.

By contrast, typing with the Chromebook Spin 312 is a largely pleasant experience. The keys are satisfyingly damped and are spread surprisingly wide for a Chromebook this small. The keycaps also feel nice under the finger tips thanks to their texture, although they lack grip, which is made worse by the lack of indentation as well. This made the keyboard feel less secure in use, but overall I still found it amenable for typing quickly on.

• Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Battery life

The battery life of the Chromebook Spin 312 is quite impressive. During our tests, where we ran a movie on a continuous loop, it managed to last over 11 hours. This makes it much better than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which could only manage six and a half hours. It also beats the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023), one of the best Chromebooks around in our view, which managed over 10 hours.

However, it can’t outlive the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which, when we tested it, endured for a remarkable 16 hours and 20 minutes. However, this is rather exceptional in the Chromebook world, and the Chromebook Spin 312 can still lay claim to having one of the best battery lives in the market.

• Battery life: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Acer Chromebook Spin 312?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Also consider

Here are some alternatives if the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 doesn't sound right for your needs:

How I tested the Acer Chromebook Spin 312

• Tested for two days
• Used for work and for entertainment
• Chromebook reviewing experience

I tested the Chromebook Spin 312 for a couple of days, during which time I used it working, gaming, and general browsing.

I used word processing and spreadsheet applications, streamed 4K content on YouTube, and played games such as Asphalt Legends Unite. I also connected various peripherals via Bluetooth.

I have been using Chromebooks for a while, and have reviewed a number of them as well, ranging in price, form factor, and spec. I have also reviewed plenty of Windows laptops.

• First reviewed: June 2025
• Read more about how we test

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Two-minute review

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 is a large device with a reasonably strong spec, making it ideal for various productivity and entertainment needs. It might not look terribly auspicious, and the color is a little dour, but it's surprisingly thin for a Chromebook this size, which helps to make it more sleek.

It’s also a well-made machine, with materials that feel durable yet light. What’s more, the lid hinges allow for easy opening and offer stability at any angle all the way up to 170 degrees.

It also has one of the best Chromebook keyboards in terms of layout, with plenty of keys included, such as a number pad, without compromising spacing. This makes typing easy, and the snappy nature of the individual keys makes them satisfying, too.

The touchpad is equally capable, providing responsive inputs and plenty of accuracy, which, combined with its large size, makes for easy navigation. It also manages to keep out of the way while typing.

Port selection on the Chromebook Plus 516 is quite good, and I was pleased to see the inclusion of two USB-C ports. However, it’s a minor shame both are on the same side, which may limit your options when plugging into an outlet. Still, the two USB-A ports, HDMI port and audio jack are all welcome additions.

In terms of performance, the Chromebook Plus 516 handles most tasks well. It loads apps quickly and multitasks very well. Even mobile gaming on high settings is viable. It also takes Ultra HD content in its stride, streaming it without a hitch for the most part. Viewing such content is made all the more enjoyable thanks to that large, crisp, and vibrant display, which also does an admirable job of keeping reflections at bay.

Unfortunately, the battery life of the Chromebook Plus 516 isn’t particularly impressive relative to its rivals. During our movie playback test, it failed to break past eight hours, a threshold many modern Chromebooks can exceed.

With a starting price of £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830), the Chromebook Plus 516 sits somewhere in the middle of the market. However, it's good value when you consider its performance, display, and productivity credentials.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Price and availability

• Starts from £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830)
• Available from August in the UK
• Mid-market pricing

The Chromebook Plus 516 starts from £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830) and is available in the UK from August in one colorway. Multiple storage, CPU, RAM and graphics options are configurable. A backlit keyboard can also be specified, as can a touch screen.

It’s about the same price as the equally capable but slightly smaller Acer Chromebook Plus 514. Like that model, the 516 sits somewhere in the middle of the market, but perhaps represents slightly better value owing to the larger screen size and extra keys.

However, if you still want great performance but at a lower price, the older Acer Chromebook Plus 515 remains a great pick, and its 15.6-inch measurement is still big enough to please those who prefer large displays; there’s a reason we think it’s one of the best student Chromebooks, after all.

If you’re after something cheaper still, we think the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is the best student laptop for those on a budget. Its performance is no match for the mightier Chromebook Plus 516, and it’s also much smaller, but it has the advantage of being a 2-in-1 device, thanks to its 360-degree rotation and touchscreen.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Specs

These specs pertain to my review unit of the Acer Chromebook Plus 516:

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Design

• Smart and well made
• Plenty of keys
• Both USB-C ports on same side

The Chromebook Plus 516 adopts the fairly typical Acer aesthetic, with a sleek but understated appearance. There’s nothing particularly spectacular about its looks, but it’s at least free from too many fussy details.

Despite its large size, it’s pleasingly thin and not quite as heavy as you’d expect it to be. It’s no match for smaller Chromebooks in terms of portability, but all sides are quite flat and smooth, which helps when sliding it into your bag.

The build quality is on par with the best Chromebooks. Certain materials look more premium than others, but all feel solid and durable. The keycaps are perhaps the least impressive visually, but they’re tightly fitted.

The hinge mechanism is similarly well-engineered. The lid is easy to open and move into any position, and its maximum recline angle of 170 degrees makes it versatile for various setups. What’s more, it remains stable in any position; there’s next to no wobble, which is all the more impressive given its thinness and lightness.

The keyboard features numerous shortcut keys on the F row, all of which are quite useful. Highlights include one for taking screenshots, one for dictation, and one for opening a menu containing various accessibility functions.

Being a Chromebook Plus, you also get a Quick Insert key, used for accessing files, opening recent documents or creating new ones, inserting links, using AI tools, and other productivity-based functions.

The keyboard even includes a navigation cluster and number pad, both of which I welcome. More impressively, these don’t compromise the layout spacing, thanks to the width of the device itself. The touchpad also manages to not get in the way while typing, despite its relatively large size.

I was pleased to see the Chromebook Plus 516 features two USB-C ports, although unfortunately they’re both the same side, which somewhat limits versatility when plugging into an outlet. Still, it’s nice to have more than one, and the further ports – two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headset jack – are all welcome additions. There’s no SD card slot, though, which might be a problem for some users.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Performance

• Fast and capable multitasker
• Can handle light gaming
• Sharp display

The Chromebook Plus 516 is quite a capable performer. Creating and editing documents and spreadsheets is no problem for it, while switching between apps and multiple tabs is taken in its stride.

Gaming performance is also admirable. I managed to play Asphalt Legends Unite on high graphics settings without issue, running smoothly with little stutter. This was especially impressive given that the game recommended I play on lower settings based on the specs, but you’ll still want one of the best gaming laptops if you plan on playing more intensive games.

It can stream ultra HD content with relative ease as well. During my testing, I encountered little in the way of buffering or stuttering, making for seamless viewing in the main.

The experience is made even better thanks to the surprisingly vibrant display, which also avoids the washed-out appearance that afflicts some Chromebooks. Reflections do reveal themselves somewhat in darker scenes and unfavorable lighting conditions, but generally they’re kept at bay quite well.

Moreover, the 1920 x 1200 resolution is suitably sharp for its large size, which makes the UI very clear, while the thin bezels ensure that the most is made of the allotted real estate.

Typing on the Chromebook Plus 516 is also a pleasure. Despite the inauspicious looking keys, they perform well, with their light actuation and just enough dampening to make them tactile. Despite the inclusion of a number pad and other extra keys, I didn’t find the layout cramped, which made for an accurate and comfortable typing experience.

The trackpad is brilliantly smooth and very precise, tracking perfectly with my finger movements and gestures. As with the keys, it only requires a light touch, which makes it easy to use.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Battery life

The Chromebook Plus 516 doesn't have a terribly impressive battery life, posting a below-average score during our test. We ran a movie on a continuous loop, and it gave up the ghost after seven hours and 35 minutes.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 we tested fared better, managing to last almost an hour longer. The much smaller Chromebook Spin 312 also eclipsed it, running all the way past 11 hours before total depletion.

However, the Chromebook Plus 516 still did better than the older Chromebook Plus 515, which only managed five hours. However, if you’re after a device that can really go all day, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is perhaps your best choice, as this lasted over 16 hours in our movie playback test.

• Battery life: 2.5 / 5

Should I buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 516?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Also consider

Here are some alternatives to the Chromebook Plus 516:

How I tested the Acer Chromebook Plus 516

• Tested for two days
• Used for a variety of tasks
• Abundant Chromebook reviewing experience

I tested the Chromebook Plus 516 for a few days, during which time I used it for a variety of tasks, including productivity, gaming, and browsing.

I edited spreadsheets and documents, used multiple tabs when browsing in Chrome, and streamed 4K content. I also played Asphalt Legends Unite, and connected various peripherals via Bluetooth.

I have used various Chromebooks and other laptop devices for decades, and have reviewed a number of them too (including other Acer models), varying in their price points, form factors, and performance.

• First reviewed: June 2025
• Read more about how we test

If you're currently a student, or about to head off for high school or college for the first time, there's a good chance you're considering getting one of the best Chromebooks. These Google-powered laptops are a great choice for learners on a budget, offering a sleek and easy-to-use OS at a sensible price point.

But now there's also the Chromebook Plus lineup: a new tier of ChromeOS laptops that lays down baseline performance and design standards to deliver a more premium-feeling Google laptop experience. And there's no denying that these new Plus laptops sit among the best laptops for students right now.

Naturally, Chromebook Plus models are more expensive than conventional Chromebooks. So, considering how cheap some Chromebooks can be, is it really worth spending extra for the hardware upgrade, especially if you're on a budget? In this article, I'll dig into the pros and cons of the Plus format and hopefully help some budding students find the perfect laptop for them.

Chromebook vs Chromebook Plus: Performance

As you might expect, the Chromebook Plus standard has certain minimum hardware specs to meet Google's requirements. That translates to better performance on average against 'regular' Chromebooks - but there's an important catch here.

See, ChromeOS is designed to run with a permanent internet connection and offloads a lot of its processes to the cloud. For example, instead of using Microsoft Word and saving files directly to your laptop's local storage, you'll be using Google Docs and saving them in the cloud with Google Drive.

This is a double-edged sword. The lightweight nature of ChromeOS allows Chromebooks to be made with less powerful (and more affordable) components, but it also reduces the effective performance upgrade headroom and ties your performance to the speed of your internet connection. If you don't have high-speed Wi-Fi, bear in mind that paying extra for a more powerful Chromebook, like the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, won't necessarily translate to significantly faster performance.

Still, Plus models have other advantages. More RAM means you'll be able to multitask more effectively, so if you tend to keep 20+ browser tabs open at once or multiple programs running simultaneously, it's a worthwhile upgrade. You also get at least 128GB (often more) of drive space with a Chromebook Plus. This isn't always needed, due to the cloud-based nature of ChromeOS, but will come in handy for users who want to install lots of programs.

Lastly, Chromebook Plus laptops are designed with Google Gemini in mind. In other words, these laptops are a bit better suited for running AI features, although, again, a lot of this functionality is offloaded to cloud computing, so don't expect to see a tremendous difference.

Chromebook vs Chromebook Plus: Design

There's no escaping the fact that some Chromebooks do simply look and feel cheap. If you're picking up a super-budget model for under $300 / £300 / AU$500, chances are it's not going to look anything like a premium device.

That's not the case for Chromebook Plus laptops; the higher price does mean you're getting a product that feels a bit higher-end. Sure, they might not look quite as fancy as the best ultrabooks, but it's a noticeable upgrade.

Then again, it's a hill I'll die on that people shouldn't be concerned with how their hardware looks - that's how you end up with overpriced tech. What's important is how it feels, and a Chromebook Plus is invariably going to feel a bit better to use than a budget Chromebook. The specifics of this may vary. A more comfortable keyboard, a more robust and sensitive trackpad, a sturdier outer chassis, or an improved port selection; there are lots of possible improvements to be found here.

There are two key factors mandated by Google for a laptop to receive the Plus badge: display and webcam. The screen must be a minimum of Full HD 1080p resolution, and the webcam must capture video in 1080p.

While 1080p is widely considered to be the 'baseline' for Windows laptops, you'll find plenty of cheap Chromebooks out there still rocking a lower resolution (most commonly 'HD Ready' 720p). Considering that most entertainment media these days is available in Full HD (or better!), it's worth considering a Chromebook Plus for its superior display if you like to kick back and watch Netflix on your laptop after a day of studying. The boosted webcam resolution is also a nice addition for students who have remote classes using software like Zoom.

When not to pick a Chromebook

I think Chromebooks are an excellent alternative to a Windows or macOS laptop for any user who wants good value for money, but there's an important caveat to bear in mind here: software compatibility.

Simply put, not everything you can run on a traditional Windows laptop will be available on ChromeOS. You do get a decent selection of native apps, and Google has also made the Android Google Play Store compatible with Chromebooks. Still, some software may not be compatible, so if you plan to use specific programs, be sure to check in advance whether they're available on ChromeOS.

It's also important to consider the topic you're studying. Some courses will be better served by a more powerful laptop capable of handling more intensive local workloads. For example, if you're in a creative discipline like 3D digital art or video editing, you might be better off with a laptop that has a dedicated GPU from Nvidia or AMD, which is something that Chromebooks universally lack. If you're taking literature or business studies, though, a Chromebook should suit you just fine.

If you decide that a Chromebook isn't right for you, be sure to check out our list of the best student laptops. Some of these are Chromebooks, but you've got some excellent alternative options like the Dell Plus 14.

Chromebook vs Chromebook Plus: Closing thoughts

At the end of the day, the best student Chromebook will be a little different for everyone, depending on your needs and budget.

But having tested a large number of Chromebooks (both Plus and non-Plus) over the years, I feel quite comfortable saying that if your budget can stretch a little further, the upgrade is worth it. Having a faster processor and a better display is a worthwhile upgrade, and several Chromebook Plus models on the market cost less than $500 / £500 / AU$750 – a great deal considering how expensive modern Windows laptops can be, even just in the mid-range space.

Nonetheless, you shouldn't be discouraged about buying a super-cheap Chromebook if you're working with an extremely tight budget. I'd advise looking for a model with at least 8GB of RAM, but even with that criterion in place, you should be able to find something reasonably priced, like the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook. Whatever you choose, you can rely on TechRadar's recommended product pages, as we never recommend hardware that we wouldn't use ourselves.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Two-minute review

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 has some strong specs that make it suitable for all kinds of workloads. For a 14-inch device, it has a rather slender and light frame. The lid material also looks premium and is outlined with a gloss rim that adds a touch of elegance.

The keyboard looks cheaper by comparison but, still, it feels built to a sufficiently high standard. The touchpad is better on this front, with its smooth finish and solid construction.

The Chromebook Plus 514 has two USB-A and two USB-C ports, which helps to make it a practical machine to live with. It also has an HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio jack, both of which are also welcome additions – but it’s a slight shame there’s no SD card slot of any kind.

In action, the Chromebook Plus 514 is quite impressive, even compared to some of the best Chromebooks. It handled most tasks I threw at it with admirable composure. Multitasking is also possible, as it can switch between apps with speed and takes multiple browser tabs in its stride. However, fan noise is certainly noticeable when workloads become demanding, but thankfully I didn’t find it disruptive; the same goes for the mild heat it produces.

It also has some impressive gaming performance, allowing me to play mobile games with high settings and frame rates. It also streams 4K content without stuttering or buffering.

Such content is even more of a joy to experience thanks to the excellent WUXGA display in my unit, which is very clear and sharp with plenty of contrast. Colors are also rendered vibrantly, although perhaps not quite to the degree of some of the best Chromebook displays.

Typing on the Chromebook Plus 514 is pleasant enough, with the well-spaced keys and relatively long travel helping with feedback, although the lack of dampening can make it feel a little unrefined at times. The touchpad, although large, didn’t get in the way when hammering away at the keys, and it’s also easy to use thanks to its large size and smooth texture.

The battery life of the Chromebook Plus 514 is reasonable, lasting about eight and a half hours according to our tests. This is better than some of its competitors, but there are others that can beat it on this front.

With a starting price of $399 / £399 (about AU$560), the Chromebook Plus 514 sits in the middle of the Chromebook Plus market, but when you consider its performance for a Chromebook and sharp display, it’s certainly a device worth considering for work and play.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Price and availability

• $399 / £399 (about AU$560)
• Available from August in multiple configurations
• Middle of the Chromebook Plus market

The Chromebook Plus 514 starts from $399 / £399 (about AU$560) and is available from August in the UK. Various configurations are possible, with choices between Intel or AMD hardware and Full HD or WUXGA displays.

This is a mid-range price for a Chromebook Plus. It’s cheaper than the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, for instance, which boasts a similar performance but does of course have a larger display, although it doesn’t have quite as high a resolution.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly – but still very capable – Chromebook Plus, then the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a great choice, and is our pick as the best student Chromebook. However, this doesn’t have an especially impressive battery life.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Specs

My review unit of the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 was specified with an Intel Core 3 CPU, WUXGA display, and 128GB of storage:

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Design

• Premium from the outside
• Strong yet smooth hinge
• Good port selection

The Chromebook Plus 514 has a slender, dynamic figure considering its 14-inch size. It’s also surprisingly light and thin, although the lid is a little thicker than I’ve seen on other Chromebooks. All its sides are pleasingly neat, although there are a few juts and ridges that spoil its clean lines.

The finish of the lid looks and feels premium, with its metallic edges doing a subtle but noticeable job of enhancing its quality. It’s easy to open thanks to the smooth hinge mechanism, which also provides plenty of stability at any angle – even when it's opened to its full 180 degrees, which is impressive for a Chromebook this size. However, this isn’t a convertible device, so it won’t be able to rival the usability of the best tablets.

The keyboard looks and feels less impressive, with the faux-metallic keycaps appearing quite cheap, and the lack of backlighting on my model was also something I lamented (although this can be optioned on certain models). However, the keys feel well made and their selection is reasonable, with their various shortcut functions clearly labeled. The touchpad is large and smooth, and seems to be engineered to an even higher standard than the keys.

The Chromebook Plus 514 also features the Quick Insert key, which can be used to summon a search box, with useful suggestions provided based on your recent files and web pages, among other items.

Underneath you’ll find vents and two large rubber bars in place of four individual feet. The back one is thicker than the front, which means the whole unit sits with a slight forward tilt, but this is barely noticeable in use.

I was pleased with the port selection for the most part. There’s no SD card slot, which is a little disappointing, but it has an HDMI port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and two USB-A and two USB-C ports, which lends the Chromebook Plus 514 versatile connectivity.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Performance

• Handles productivity, video, and light gaming
• Sharp and bright display
• Noisy at times

I found the performance of the Chromebook Plus 514 quite impressive. Apps are quick to launch and switch between, and it handles multiple browser tabs without issue. This is thanks to its 8GB of RAM, which allows for seamless multitasking for the most part. Light productivity tasks, such as spreadsheet editing, are also dispatched without issue.

The Chromebook Plus 514 streams ultra-high-definition content with aplomb, too, and it even has capable gaming performance. I managed to play Asphalt Legends Unite on high graphics settings with next to no slowdown, which was impressive.

However, the downside of all this power is that the Chromebook Plus 514 can get quite loud as the fans kick in. It’s not as loud as other devices I’ve tried though, and the pitch at which they whir isn't grating. The chassis can also get quite warm at the rear, but again not to a bothersome degree.

On the other hand, the display is hard to fault in any regard. The WUGXA resolution is very clean and sharp, capable of surprisingly high brightness levels for a Chromebook. Contrast is also strong and colors are vivid, although perhaps not quite to the extent of some displays.

However, plenty of viewing angles are possible and it does a respectable job of eliminating glare in unfavorable lighting conditions. In essence, it rivals the displays of not only the best Chromebooks, but also some of the best laptops.

Typing on the Chromebook Plus 514 is a mostly pleasant experience, thanks to the generous spacing of the keys. Their travel is quite deep, which helps with tactility; however, they lack dampening, which can make them feel a little harsh when you're thumping away rapidly.

Thankfully, despite its large size, the trackpad didn’t get in my way while typing. It’s also precise and responsive, as well as offering smooth gliding. Its large surface area helps to make navigation that little bit easier, too.

Unfortunately, the speakers on the Chromebook Plus 514 aren’t particularly impressive, producing a tinny sound owing to the lack of bass response. Small amounts of distortion can also be heard at times, but the overall audio quality is clear enough to be usable, if not enjoyable.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Battery life

The battery life of the Chromebook Plus 514 is reasonable. During our test, which involved running a movie on a continuous loop, it managed to last about eight and a half hours, which is about average compared to other Chromebooks we’ve tried.

It’s a markedly better performance than the Acer Chromebook Plus 515, which we rate as the best student Chromebook, as that device only managed a paltry five hours. However, it's worse than the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023), which managed to exceed over ten hours.

• Battery life: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 514?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review: Also consider

How I tested the Acer Chromebook Plus 514

• Tested for two days
• Used for work and entertainment
• Chromebook reviewing experience

I tested the Chromebook Plus 514 for two days, during which time I used it for working and for entertainment.

I streamed 4K content on YouTube and played games such as Asphalt Legends Unite. I also connected it to various peripherals via Bluetooth and its ports.

I have plentiful experience with Chromebooks and other mobile devices, and have reviewed a number of them as well.

• First reviewed June 2025
• Read more about how we test

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360: Two-minute review

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is a 2-in-1 Chromebook with a small form factor for easy portability. It’s this miniature size that first strikes the eye, followed by the sleek and minimal design. It also has a sturdy construction, although it’s thicker and heavier than you might expect. Regardless, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is still easy to carry around.

Opening up the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 further reveals its high level of engineering. The hinge mechanism, for instance, is silky smooth to operate yet provides plenty of stability.

Of course, as you may have guessed from its name, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is convertible, so you can flip the screen all the way back and use it as a tablet. However, this isn’t ideal, as the aforementioned heft prevents this from being practical for extended periods. It does much better, though, when tented upside down on a desk, as you can still operate it via the touchscreen, but without being burdened by the weight.

When it comes to performance, there are some disappointments. The specs of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 are rather middling compared to the best Chromebooks, which means that multitasking and even moderate gaming can be a stretch for it. Thankfully, it does much better at light productivity and playing back video content, making it a great candidate for our best student Chromebook buying guide.

The 12.4 inch display I had in my review unit was glorious, rendering images and scenes vividly and with plenty of brightness. The 2560 x 1600 resolution also provides stunning clarity, as does the high gloss finish.

However, the latter aspect can cause prominent reflections, and the contrast can be too high. However, these drawbacks aren’t persistent or egregious, and they didn’t ruin the overall experience for me.

The touchscreen is very responsive and easy to use, as is the trackpad and keyboard. I could type accurately thanks to the generous spacing of the keys, which is impressive when you consider the small form factor of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360. They’re also very tactile for Chromebook keys.

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 sits at the mid-to-high end of the market in terms of pricing, which may seem unjustified given its performance is lacking in certain departments, especially when compared to Windows or Mac laptops. However, that small and sublime build, combined with the exquisite display, might just be enough to win you over.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Price and availability

• $429.99 / £419 / AU$707
• Available now
• Higher end of the market

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 costs $429.99 / £419 / AU$707 and is available now. However, we have seen it on sale for considerably less. It can be configured with either 32GB or 64GB of storage, and various screen sizes are available, although only one colorway is offered.

This is a good price for a convertible and expertly crafted Chromebook. However, the CPU and RAM it’s equipped with are on the weaker side, but the performance is still capable enough.

It’s still quite a lot more expensive than the Acer Spin 314 Chromebook, though, which is one of our favorite models. This has more storage and a much better battery life than the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, although its resolution isn’t as high, and we found it can get quite hot when processing strenuous workloads – but these were about the only drawbacks we could find with it.

• Value: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Specs

My Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review unit was configured with a 12.4-inch display and 64GB of storage.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Design

• Looks premium
• Heavier than expected
• Great hinge mechanism

The design of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is a notable step up from the usual budget fare of many Chromebooks. It looks very sleek, especially in the light grey colorway, and its metal-looking imparts a premium appearance that rivals even some of the best laptops around.

Every dimension is almost completely flat, save from the most minimal of protrusions of the power and volume buttons on either side. Even the underside is free from unsightly vents or etchings, and the four rubber feet are very small and thin, which also makes it easier to slide the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 into your bag.

Despite appearances, however, the unit is made from plastic, not metal, and as a result the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 doesn’t feel quite as premium as it looks. It’s still well-made, and Samsung even markets the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 as a tough device, with its spill-resistant keyboard and ability to withstand light drops.

The downside is that it’s thicker and heavier than its small form factor might lead you to believe. This is a minor disappointment from a portability perspective, although it’s still easy to carry around.

Flipping open the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 and positioning the screen at different angles is easy, thanks to the silky smooth hinge mechanism. There’s a small amount of wobble after making adjustments, but this isn’t concerning and it remains perfectly stable in use.

The screen can also rotate all the back to 360 degrees, letting you use the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 as a tablet. This works well to an extent, although the aforementioned thickness and weight means this mode isn’t practical for long periods, and isn’t a match for the best tablets in this regard. However, it works much better when you rotate the screen by about 315 degrees instead, flip it upside down, and tent it on a desk.

The keyboard is also well made, although it feels less premium than the rest of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, since the keys have a scratchy texture that doesn’t feel the most pleasant to touch. However, they operate very well, and despite the small layout, they’re generously spaced apart. There’s also a good selection of keys available, including various ChromeOS shortcuts on the top row, arrow keys and a long enter key.

The trackpad falls more in line with the overall standard of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360. It’s quite small but reasonably wide and feels very smooth to the touch, making it easy to operate.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Performance

• Unimpressive specs
• Some stuttering
• Excellent display

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 features an Intel Celeron N4500 1.10GHz CPU and 4GB RAM, neither of which are particularly promising in terms of performance, even by Chromebook standards.

It can handle light tasks, from entertainment to general productivity, but it can come somewhat unstuck even when reasonable demands are made of it. For instance, switching between various windows isn’t always the smoothest experience, and I did experience some stuttering when loading pages and navigating between multiple tabs in Chrome, despite not having an excessive amount open.

Light productivity work is also subject to small amounts of lag on occasion, although for word processing and spreadsheet editing, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is still capable enough to be usable without frustration.

When it comes to gaming, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is even less impressive. Playing Asphalt Legends Units was a slow and stutter-ridden experience, even on moderate graphical settings.

However, it was much more competent when streaming video content, with 4K videos loading quickly and playing without buffering midway. The viewing experience is further enhanced by the excellent display of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360.

The WQXGA resolution is very welcome on a Chromebook device, and even more so on a display this small, since the crispness and sharpness is more apparent. This benefits not just video content, but also general navigation and productivity, since the whole UI is rendered with brilliant clarity.

Colors are vivid and there’s plenty of brightness on offer too, both of which mean the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is immune to the washed-out look that some Chromebook displays suffer from.

However, the contrast can be a little too strong, which creates a more garish image at times. What’s more, the screen is very glossy, which, while radiant, is prone to heavy reflections. This is more noticeable at lower brightness settings, but thankfully it didn’t ruin my viewing experiences completely – although there were certainly occasions when it was less than ideal.

This high shine also means that finger marks are highlighted more than I would’ve liked, so you’ll likely want to have a cloth to hand if you’re using the touchscreen frequently.

Thankfully, the touchscreen performs excellently: it’s responsive and smooth, which makes navigation and gesturing easy. It’s also great for doodling and creating signatures, although it’s a shame no stylus is included to unleash its full potential in this regard.

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is a joy to type on, with the aforementioned spacing of the keys helping me to achieve greater accuracy. They also have a surprising amount of depth to their travel, which makes them feel more tactile.

The trackpad is pleasant to use as well, despite its relatively small size. Cursor movements are incredibly smooth, and, as with the touchscreen, it’s responsive to the various gestures you can perform.

As for audio, the integrated speakers on the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 are sufficient for clear, distortion-free listening; however, as you might expect, they lack low-end depth. I wouldn’t recommend them for listening to music, but for the odd podcast or YouTube video, they fit the bill.

• Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Battery life

The battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 isn’t terribly impressive. During our TechRadar test, where we play a video on a continuous loop, it managed to last six and a half hours. This is considerably down on the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023), our current pick as the best Chromebook overall, which managed over ten hours.

Still, it did better than the Acer Chromebook Plus 515, which we rate as the best student Chromebook, as this managed just over five hours. What’s more, charging the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is reassuringly quick, as it took just just over two hours to fully replenish from empty.

• Battery life: 3 / 5

Should I buy the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review: Also consider

If the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 doesn't seem right for you, here are some alternatives:

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360

• Tested for full day
• Ran benchmark tests
• Experienced Chromebook reviewer

I tested the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 for a full day, during which time I used it for general browsing, working, and gaming.

I also put it through TechRadar’s battery test for laptops and Chromebooks, which involves playing back a 1080p movie on a continuous loop. I also ran various benchmark tests to further assess its performance.

I have reviewed numerous laptops and Chromebooks in the past, including other Samsung models. These have ranged in price, form factors, and specs, so I am well versed in the wider portable computer market and know how the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 stacks up to the competition.

• First reviewed May 2025
• Read more about how we test

• New Chromium code has revealed NotebookLM will be pre-installed on ChromeOS
• NotebookLM is a powerful AI tool for educational work, and analysis
• It's not confirmed whether it will be rolled out in an update or only available on new Chromebooks

Google has announced a new suite of Gemini AI features coming to ChromeOS, including NotebookLM, which will soon ship on the hardware by default. It will soon be available in the app drawer on Chromebooks, as evidenced by a code change to Chromium Gerrit.

NotebookLM is an AI-powered tool for summarizing and analyzing documents, videos, and other forms of content. You upload sources to it, including PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, audio, and the Google Suite with answers generated by Google Gemini.

The AI tool is currently available through its dedicated website, but it's not something that's been widely marketed or pushed by Google, even with all the new updates and advancements made around Gemini in recent months.

Google will be adding NotebookLM to the preinstalled web apps in its operating system. However, it's currently unknown whether this will apply in an update for all ChromeOS users or if it will become standard in only brand-new Chromebooks being released, such as those upcoming from Acer this summer.

NotebookLM isn't just exclusive to ChromeOS, as the Google Gemini feature can be used by any Chrome (or Chromium) user. If you were not aware of then now you are, meaning the best laptops as well as the best Chromebooks can benefit from one of the best AI tools for getting work done.

Recognition for a undermarketed AI tool

NotebookLM has been available to users since July 2023, but there's a good chance this could be the first time that you've heard of it. Developed by Google Labs and powered by Gemini, it was originally conceived primarily as a research and note-taking assistant before its versatility expanded with a suite of updates over the last 19 months.

It's a powerful tool for understanding large amounts of information, as it can simplify otherwise complicated documentation for educational use. It was recently announced that Mind Maps will be coming to NotebookLM, which works for both the free and paid services of the program, with Audio Overviews applying to more than just podcasts. It's quickly becoming one of our favorite learning tools, and it's only getting better with time.

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• Three distinct lines of Chromebooks are coming from Acer
• Prices range from €329 (about $430 / £275) to €729 (around $800 / £610)
• Availability begins in May, with some coming later in July, 2025

Acer has announced seven new Chromebook laptops in its extensive lineup of affordable productivity and media machines.

Announced in a press release, the Acer Chromebook Plus and Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise devices have been described as being the "ideal choice for tech lovers, young professionals, students and teachers".

All seven of the newly announced Acer Chromebook models have Google AI built-in, and it's claimed the machines feature "double the speed, memory and storage" when "compared to previous models".

Prices range from €329 (about $430 / £275) to €729 (around $800 / £610) with the Acer Chromebook Tab 311 at the lower end and the Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 514 at the upper end of the spectrum. Availability begins in May through to July 2025, with official US and UK pricing and availability likely to be revealed closer to the time.

Starting with the Acer Chromebook Plus range, it includes three new laptops, all with Intel Core Ultra processors inside. The mainstream offering is the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, with an Intel Core 3 N355 processor, a 14-inch WUXGA display and a 1080p webcam. A version is also available with an Intel Core 7 processor, a QHD (1440p) webcam and a claimed 17 hours battery life.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 utilizes a 16-inch WUXGA display, with a 1080p webcam, and Google AI inside. All three models come with 12 months' worth of Google Gemini Advanced, 2TB of cloud storage, and other benefits of Google One's AI Premium Plan as standard.

Acer's Chromebook Plus Enterprise range also comes in three configurations; the Enterprise 514 is available with either an Intel Core 3 N355 or Intel Core 7 processor, a 14-inch display, and the choice of either a 1080p or QHD (1440p) webcam.

The Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 516 also features an Intel Core 7 processor, a 16-inch WUXGA screen, and a QHD webcam. The biggest difference appears to be the weight and thickness when compared to the Plus range, being 3lbs (1.4kg) in weight and less than 18mm (0.7 inches) thick.

The last of the newly announced Acer Chromebooks is the revised Tab 311 model. Unlike the other models, it isn't powered by an Intel Core Ultra CPU but the tried-and-true MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, with 128GB storage, and up to 8GB LPDDRX memory.

Despite the lower-end specs, it features a 10.95-inch IPS WUXGA display, so it will look the part with its humble specs that are more than enough for the web-based workloads of the Google ecosystem.

Chromebooks are becoming more powerful

Acer's latest lineup could be fast enough to rival some of the best Chromebooks available in 2025, especially those models utilizing an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor. Traditionally, Chromebooks are lower-end, affordable laptops for kids, students, and professionals as ChromeOS is exclusively web-based, meaning there's not necessarily a need for the horsepower defining MacBooks and Windows-based x86 machines.

With that said, the utilization of Intel Core Ultra processors means that Acer's latest Chromebooks will be substantially faster in web browsing, media playback, word processing, and other productivity tasks in contrast to the older Intel Celeron and MediaTek processors we usually see in machines costing $300 / £300 to $700 / £700 from other manufacturers.

With the rough pricing revealed alongside the availability, it's looking like Chromebooks as viable alternatives to Windows and Mac machines will offer up more competition. From the specs provided, they sound like good value, but we won't know how they perform and compare to their competition until we go hands-on later in the year.

For how RAM-intensive Chrome (and Chromium browsers) can be, it sounds like a little more power is long overdue. While they're unlikely to rival the best laptops and best ultrabooks, they sound like solid offerings for the wallet-conscious consumer wanting value for money.

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HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch: Two-minute review

The HP Chromebook Plus has a high-spec for this class of device, hoping to offer seamless performance whether you’re working, browsing, streaming, or gaming. Its two-tone dark grey and black color scheme does little to elevate its appearance, but it’s inoffensive enough to suit any situation. Its overall form is sleek, though, and the relative lightness and thinness are bonuses too.

What’s more, the build quality is high, thanks to its solid construction and premium feel to every surface, including the keys and trackpad. I also appreciated the thin side bezels around the display, letting it make full use of the space. It’s a small shame, though, that the lid doesn’t open particularly wide.

The port selection is not bad for a Chromebook, if a little sparse. However, it has most of the important interfaces that most users would need, including two USB-C ports either side that can both be used for charging, which is very convenient. However, it’s a little strange that they aren’t at the very rear of each side (the audio jack precedes the one on the left, while the USB-A port precedes the one on the right), but I’m nitpicking here. There’s also a microSD slot to round-out the line-up.

In use, the HP Chromebook Plus acquits itself very well. Navigating ChromeOS and using its various interface features, such as window switching, is a largely seamless experience. Productivity apps are handled with ease, although the cramped layout of the keyboard – caused by the inclusion of a number pad – did make typing trickier than with some of the best Chromebook devices, but I adapted somewhat after a while.

Streaming 4K video is within its grasp too, as is light multitasking. I was particularly surprised with its gaming performance, though, as it managed to run Asphalt Legends Unite with high graphics settings pretty much perfectly, which is impressive.

The display of the HP Chromebook Plus is another highlight. Although it might not offer the highest levels of brightness, it’s still perfectly clear, rendering color accurately and vibrantly no matter the viewing angle or lighting conditions.

Battery life is good, with the HP Chromebook Plus lasting close to 11 hours in our test. There are other Chromebooks that last longer, such as the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, but considering its size and spec, it’s a valiant effort. It also charges relatively quickly.

The original list price of the HP Chromebook Plus is quite steep, but fortunately, we’ve seen it on offer for significantly less, which means it competes with some of the best Chromebooks on the market, like the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 and Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook. It might lack the portability and tablet functionality of these two, but it makes up for this omission with a large screen and great performance, which makes it worthy of your consideration.

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: Price and availability

• $549.99 / £449.99 / AU$749
• Available now
• Can be found for much less

The HP Chromebook Plus costs $549.99 / £449.99 / AU$749 and comes in one colorway. The unit I had was equipped with an Intel Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, but it can also be configured with an Intel Celeron N4500 Processor and 4GB of RAM.

Despite its nominal price, we’ve seen it for considerably less when we’ve shopped around, sometimes by as much as half price, which brings it in-line with the more budget-friendly competition. This includes the Acer Chromebook Spin 314, which is the best Chromebook overall in our view, thanks to its great display and typing amenability.

There’s also the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which is our pick as the best Chromebook for those on a budget. Like the Spin 314, this Chromebook is also convertible, letting you fold it in half to use it like a tablet. However, neither can match the performance of the HP Chromebook Plus, nor are their screens as big, although some may prefer having a smaller device for greater portability.

• Value: 4 / 5

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: Specs

My review unit of the HP Chromebook Plus was configured with 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i3-N305 (8 threads, 3.80GHz)

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: Design

• Well built
• Light and thin for its size
• Slightly odd placement of USB-C ports

The HP Chromebook Plus adopts a fairly typical design, with a grey and black color scheme that looks more formal than some other Chromebooks. While it’s not the most exciting Chromebook to gawp at, it’s nice to know it’s made from sustainable materials, including recycled aluminum and plastic that otherwise might’ve ended up in the ocean.

What’s more, the high build quality reveals itself on close inspection. The whole body feels solid, yet it’s also quite light and thin for a device this size. It’s not as thin as some other Chromebooks or laptops, but given its 15.6-inch size, it’s relatively easy to carry around and travel with.

Every panel is excellently fitted too. It even comes close to rivalling some of the best MacBook Pro devices in terms of its finely machined construction. The keys follow the same trend, feeling premium to the touch, and tightly slotted with minimal play. The trackpad is smooth and covers a large surface area, which enhances its usability.

The hinge for the lid is easy to operate yet secures the screen in place once open with hardly any wobble. However, it doesn’t open as wide as I would’ve liked, which inhibits its versatility somewhat. But the bezel for the screen is pleasingly thin, especially around the sides, which means the display can make the most of its allotted real estate.

Port selection on the HP Chromebook Plus is good, if a little limited for a device this size. It has two USB-C ports either side, both of which can be used for charging. There’s also a USB-A on the right side, and a microSD slot and 3.5mm audio output jack on the left.

The order of these ports is a little odd, though, since neither USB-C port is at the rear of their respective sides: the audio jack on the left and USB-A port on the right sit behind them. This can cause cables to get crossed when charging, given that many will be positioned with outlets in front of them. However, this is a small grievance in the grand scheme of things.

• Design score: 4 / 5

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: Performance

• Handles most tasks well
• Surprisingly good for gaming
• Cramped typing layout

The HP Chromebook Plus performs very well on most counts. ChromeOS is very responsive for the most part, with window switching and other system actions working without much hesitation, making it easy to live with.

It also handles the kinds of tasks Chromebook users typically demand from their devices very well. Light to medium productivity is competently dispatched with, and the 8GB of RAM in my unit meant it barely faltered when multitasking across various apps.

The HP Chromebook Plus is equally capable of entertaining you as well. Watching HD and 4K content is entirely possible, streaming such content without a hitch during my time with it, keeping buffering times to a minimum.

Gaming was also a pleasant surprise. I managed to play Asphalt Legends Unite on high graphics settings at 60fps with hardly a hiccup, which is impressive. It’s certainly not going to trouble the best cheap gaming laptops, but considering the HP Chromebook Plus has integrated graphics rather than a dedicated GPU, it puts in an admirable effort.

I should note that I did try to play Call of Duty: Mobile, but this repeatedly failed to run, crashing almost immediately upon opening. Whether this is a fault of the HP Chromebook Plus or of the game itself – or of the Games app launcher – is hard to determine.

Under heavy and sustained workloads, it can get quite warm towards the rear, but the area is small and it's not a concern. Thankfully, though, it stays relatively silent.

For typing, the HP Chromebook Plus is somewhat mixed. The keys feel great, offering plenty of feedback while being easy to actuate. However, since it features a number pad, the layout of the character keys is somewhat squeezed, so it took me a while to get used to the smaller spacing between them, although I was never entirely comfortable with using them.

The trackpad, on the other hand, performs without issue; it’s very responsive and super smooth to swipe with. Despite its large size, I only rarely experienced the occasional mis-click or mis-scroll when resting my palm on it while typing (a position inevitably forced upon me, due to the aforementioned key layout).

One of the main highlights of the HP Chromebook Plus is the display. The 1080p resolution is appropriate for the 15.6-inch size, with only a minimal amount of fuzz on the ChromeOS GUI. It’s also quite vibrant, displaying colors with great accuracy and avoiding the washed-out look that some Chromebooks suffer from.

Most impressively, the display remains clearly visible across a wide range of view angles and lighting conditions – again, not something that can be said about every Chromebook. I even tried using it next to a window with bright sunlight streaking unfavorably across the screen, and it did remarkably well to retain visibility. My one minor gripe, though, is that the maximum brightness isn’t as high as some other laptops and Chromebooks, but for the most part I had no problem with its levels.

The speakers on the HP Chromebook Plus provide clear sound that’s balanced across the frequency range. They generate minimal distortion, and largely eschew the tinny quality that other Chromebook and laptop speakers can suffer from. However, since they’re located underneath, audio can be somewhat muffled, but the effect isn’t so egregious as to ruin the experience.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: Battery life

The HP Chromebook Plus has a good battery life. During our battery test, where I ran a 1080p video on a continuous loop, it managed to last just shy of 11 hours (10 hours and 41 minutes), which falls short of HP’s claim of 13 hours, but is nevertheless an admirable performance.

This places it near the top of the rankings for Chromebooks we’ve tested. It beat what we think is the best Chromebook overall, the Acer Chromebook Spin 314, which only managed a little over 10 hours. However, it couldn’t beat the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which achieved over 16 hours.

Charging the HP Chromebook Plus from 30% to full took about 90 minutes, which again is an impressive performance.

• Battery life: 4 / 5

Should I buy the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch: Also consider

Here are other Chromebooks to consider besides the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch:

How I tested the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch

• Tested for several days
• Used for working, browsing, gaming, and streaming
• Plentiful laptop experience

I tested the HP Chromebook Plus for several days, during which I used it for working and entertainment.

I typed with it a lot, and made sure to use various productivity apps, such as Google Docs and Google Sheets. I also played games, such as Asphalt Legends Unite, which I tried at various graphics settings. I also streamed video content at various resolutions, including HD and 4K. And I connected headphones and a gamepad via Bluetooth.

I have plentiful experience with all kinds of laptops and Chromebooks, including those designed for productivity and those for gaming. I have experience reviewing laptops and Chromebooks too.

• First reviewed February 2025
• Read more about how we test

Asus Chromebook CM14: Two-minute review

The Asus Chromebook CM14 occupies the lower end of the market with its low price and spec, but it aspires to nail the basics.

It boasts a thin and light design that’s impressive for a 14-inch Chromebook. The steely black colorway is fairly austere but it looks smart. Build quality is also good, although the lid is a little flimsy – still, it does recline all the way back to 180 degrees, so it’s certainly flexible.

The partially recycled materials feel solid, and the keyboard is laid nicely, with plenty of space between keys whilst remaining compact, which is a combination I prefer. There’s also a good selection of ports on the Asus Chromebook CM14, with two USB-C ports, a SuperSpeed (SS) USB-A port, a microSD slot and a 3.5mm headphone port.

What isn’t so good, however, is the display. It lacks the clarity and sharpness of some of the best Chromebook devices around, and it’s too reflective when it strays even marginally beyond the optimal viewing angle, either washing out or blacking out entirely.

Things are worse when it comes to performance. Although it can handle light productivity, general browsing, 2K video playback and some light gaming, it can struggle with these on occasion. What’s worse, though, is that it's severely hamstrung by multitasking, with stutters, slow downs, and crashes a frequent occurrence, at least when equipped with 4GB of RAM, which is low by today’s standards.

The typing experience of the Asus Chromebook CM14 is pleasant enough, thanks to the tactile feel of the keys and their low profile. However, the touchpad is another drawback, as there’s too much friction; the surface is nowhere near as smooth as that on, say, the best MacBook models. And no matter what you do with the sensitivity settings, it either travels too much – continuing to move even once your finger stops – or too slowly, making it feel sluggish and imprecise.

One of the saving graces of the Asus Chromebook CM14, though, is the battery life. It lasted over nine hours during our battery test, which isn’t that far off its claimed 15 hour figure. It’s also quite quick to charge, taking about four hours to replenish completely from empty, again close to Asus’ claim.

The Asus Chromebook CM14 is also very cheap, and undercuts many other Chromebooks, even those that are considered good value. But performance is sacrificed, especially when multitasking. If you’re on the lookout for Chromebooks that won’t break the bank, then the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is the best in this regard, while the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is great for students.

Asus Chromebook CM14: Price and availability

• $299 / £299 (about AU$473)
• Available now in black
• Cheaper than the competition

The Asus Chromebook CM14 costs $299 / £299 (about AU$473) and is available now in one color: black. It can be configured with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, but only one storage size: 64GB.

It’s cheaper than the best laptops in the budget-friendly realm, and even cheaper than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which is the best Chromebook for those on a budget in our view. However, the IdeaPad Flex 3 is a 2-in-1 device, so can be used like a tablet when the mood strikes. It also has an even better battery life than the Asus Chromebook CM14, and is built like a tank to boot.

For about the same price or cheaper than the Asus Chromebook CM14 in some territories, you could have the Acer Chromebook 314, which is one of the best student Chromebook picks for those on a budget. Like the Asus Chromebook CM14, it has a great battery life, but with the added benefits of a 2-in-1 design and an impressive display – aspects the Asus Chromebook CM14 lacks.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Asus Chromebook CM14: Specs

The review unit of the Asus Chromebook CM14 I had was configured with 4GB of RAM.

Asus Chromebook CM14: Design

• Thin and light for its size
• 180-degree opening
• Not the sharpest display

The Asus Chromebook CM14 sports a smart, understated design. The dull black colorway does little to inject much interest, but it certainly fits in a professional environment. It’s also pleasantly light and thin given its 14-inch size, weighing just 1.45kg (3.20 lbs). Both these aspects make it easy to travel with.

The build quality seems quite good too, with the partially recycled materials appearing relatively robust for a Chromebook of this class. However, the hinge for the lid isn’t the tightest, causing the screen to feel a little flimsy, but I wouldn’t highlight this as a major concern.

The hinges also prop up the back of the chassis when the lid is open past 90 degrees, but thankfully the bottom remains stable enough to type on. The lid also reclines all the way to 180 degrees, which provides flexible usage options.

The two USB-C ports are a welcome addition considering their versatility, as they allow for power and data – including internet – to run through, as well as facilitating connections to a myriad of peripherals, including external displays. There’s also one USB-A port with SuperSpeed (SS) capability, a Micro SD slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack, useful for those using wired headphones or speakers.

The display, on the other hand, is a let down. The 1366 x 768 resolution looks outdated, with an ever-present blurriness plaguing the interface, no matter how you resize it in the system settings. It also looks a little washed out, lacking the vibrancy of other Chromebook displays. It’s quite reflective too, with certain angles causing the screen to turn almost completely white or black, depending on the ambient lighting.

• Design score: 3.5 / 5

Asus Chromebook CM14: Performance

• Handles light work and gaming
• Good for typing
• Terrible for multitasking

The Asus Chromebook CM14 handles the kind of light productivity Chromebook users typically perform reasonably well. Word processing and spreadsheet creation are viable, as is video playback, even at 2K resolutions – but expect the occasional buffer and slowdown at this quality.

As for gaming, the Asus Chromebook CM14 can handle titles with low graphical demands smoothly. I was able to play Clash of Clans with no issue, and Asphalt Legends Unite was just about feasible on high settings; although it was prone to stutter and slowdowns, it wasn't enough to render it unplayable. At lower settings and 30fps, it ran much more smoothly. I was also able to connect a controller via Bluetooth with no issue. More demanding games would be out of the question, though, as the spec is certainly no match for the best gaming laptops out there.

Unfortunately, the Asus Chromebook CM14 falls flat when it comes to multitasking, with the 4GB of RAM installed in my test unit failing to handle even weak workloads. Lightweight applications, including Google’s own software, can create serious issues, with frequent slow-downs, freezes, and outright crashes.

If you hope to run even a couple of apps in tandem, then you’ll likely be disappointed with the performance. Even Chrome can struggle to run with a less-than-moderate amount of tabs open, and basic ChromeOS functions, such as entering task view, can result in freezes too.

One of the more positive aspects of the performance, though, is the lack of heat and noise produced by the Asus Chromebook CM14. During my time with it, I never heard the fans whirring up under heavy loads, and it never got too hot to touch.

Typing on the Asus Chromebook CM14 is mostly a pleasant experience as well, as the keys are well-spaced and provide enough tactility. Their profile is low too, which makes gliding around them easy. And despite the corner of my right palm making contact with the touchpad while typing, gestures, swipes and clicks never unintentionally registered.

However, that’s about the only positive aspect of the touchpad, as it’s one of the more frustrating aspects of the Asus Chromebook CM14. No matter what sensitivity settings I used, cursor movements were either too sluggish or too fast, with the cursor continuing to move after my finger had stopped, making accurate navigation difficult. What’s more, the surface isn’t smooth enough and generates too much friction, causing a nasty rubbing sensation on the fingers.

As for the webcam, the 720p resolution provides just enough clarity, but there is certainly an element of graininess to images. My camera footage did freeze when making a call in Google Meet, but this could’ve been more of a software glitch rather than a hardware one.

The speakers on the Asus Chromebook CM14 provide reasonable playback quality, with little in the way of distortion and tinniness, as other Chromebook and laptop speakers can suffer from. However, as they’re located on its underside, audio is somewhat muffled, so those after the utmost clarity won’t be best pleased. However, I found them sufficient for calls and other content where sound quality isn’t a top priority.

• Performance score: 2 / 5

Asus Chromebook CM14: Battery life

• Great battery life
• Better than rivals
• Quick charging too

The Asus Chromebook CM14 redeems itself somewhat with its battery life. Asus claims it will last up to 15 hours, and during our benchmark, it lasted close to nine and a half hours, which is an admirable performance. Charging it from flat to full took about four hours, which is in line with what Asus claims.

It beats the Acer Chromebook Plus 515, our current pick as the best student laptop, which only managed five hours according to our test and was one of the biggest drawbacks of that particular Chromebook. However, it is bested by the best Chromebook overall in our view, the Acer Chromebook Spin 314, which managed over ten hours.

• Battery life: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Asus Chromebook CM14?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Asus Chromebook CM14 review: Also consider

If you're in the market for a new Chromebook, here are some alternatives to the Asus Chromebook CM14...

How I tested the Asus Chromebook CM14

• Tested for about a week
• Used in a variety of scenarios
• Extensive laptop and Chromebook experience

I tested the Asus Chromebook CM14 for about a week, during which time I used it for working, browsing, watching video content and playing games. I also connected various peripherals to it via Bluetooth and USB, including a mouse and a gamepad.

I played games such as Clash of Clans and Asphalt Legends Unite. I used Google Docs and Google Sheets, and made use of third-party apps, including Steam and VLC. I also used other popular apps, including YouTube for watching video content in full-HD and ultra-HD. I also streamed video content via Twitch and made a video call to try out its webcam and inbuilt mic.

I have experience testing laptops and have owned a number of such devices, including other Chromebooks, Windows and Mac laptops.

• First reviewed December 2024
• Read more about how we test

• Google has added several new features to ChromeOS
• These include Class tools, Workspace, and Classroom
• Most are aimed at both students and educators

Google has announced several brand new features for the best Chromebooks, Google Workspace, and Google Classroom in a series of official blog posts.

First of all, there are Class Tools: real-time features that educators can use with their students, such as sending and pinning educational content to students’ screens, or turning on live captions and translations.

Google Classroom has several new features, including the ability to generate vocabulary lists through Gemini in Classroom, allowing educators to create customized word lists with definitions, parts of speech, and examples tailored to various grade levels.

Figma’s FigJam lets educators assign group whiteboards for group work, discussions, and brainstorming ideas. Educators can also create distinct student groups based on their needs and assign grades at scale, as well as keep students’ guardians informed with weekly newsletters and share Classroom page links to keep them up to date with assignments.

Another tool, somewhat related to education but also applicable more widely, is Face Control on Chromebooks, which is finally being released. First revealed back in 2023, it’s an incredibly useful accessibility tool that allows users to control their cursor with head movements and perform actions with facial gestures. It’s now rolling out with the ChromeOS M132 update.

There will also be a whopping 20 new Chromebook and Chromebook Plus devices launching in 2025 for students and educators. These include the Acer Chromebook Spin 511 and Lenovo Chromebook Duet EDU G2, which will come with styluses and are built with a younger audience in mind, while the Asus CR1204CTA, and HP Fortis G1i 14 Chromebook are meant for older students. There’s also the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 for educators.

Google is continuing its winning streak with ChromeOS

In the past I've written about how Google has done surprisingly well in its initiative to create useful AI tools meant to aid users and enhance lives, rather than simply (and poorly) perform tasks better suited to humans. In that quest, Google has been also developing useful tools in other underrepresented markets, like education. Chromebooks are especially useful for students and educators, as their simple UI, affordable pricing, and portability are ideal for those who need a laptop to carry around and use eight or more hours a day.

Now with enhancements to Class tools, Google Classroom, Face Control on Chromebooks, and a bevy of models specially designed for education, Chromebooks and ChromeOS as a whole have become even more valuable, offering features that other laptops simply don’t.

Hopefully the tech giant will continue to innovate in this regard, as this is one of the best ways it sets ChromeOS and Chromebooks apart from the competition.

• Here’s a list of all the changes coming to your Chromebook with ChromeOS 127 now rolling out
• Take note Microsoft – Google's Chromebook shows how AI in PCs should be done
• Mysterious new Chromebook with a built-in Assistant button surface

Shopping for a laptop as a gift can be even harder than buying one for yourself. Plenty of people will be hunting for sensibly-priced laptops this Christmas, and many of the best Chromebooks can fit the bill perfectly: easy to use, affordable, and capable of handling all the day-to-day tasks your giftee might want to do on a laptop.

If you’ve left your holiday shopping til late, you might feel overwhelmed by the options out there. That’s why I’ve compiled this handy little Christmas Chromebook shopping checklist: a guide to help you narrow down the options and avoid any potential pitfalls when it comes to buying a new laptop. If you follow these steps, you’re sure to end up with a gift-wrapped Chromebook that will delight whoever you’re buying for this festive season.

Watch out for underpowered and outdated models

Google first introduced ChromeOS and the Chromebook laptop family (in collaboration with multiple laptop manufacturers) way back in 2011, so needless to say, there have been quite a few Chromebook releases over the years.

What this unfortunately means is that when shopping around online, you’re likely to find some rather outdated models - and unfortunately, some third-party sellers aren’t above fudging the spec sheets and product listings to avoid giving the game away. This is more of a problem for Amazon than for individual retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, or Currys, but it’s something to bear in mind.

As a general rule of thumb, the best way to check whether a Chromebook is underpowered or outdated is to look at the processor (sometimes listed as the CPU). This chip isn’t likely to be as powerful as the ones you’ll see in Windows laptops - this is thanks to the lower system hardware requirements of ChromeOS - but ideally, you should be looking for a quad-core chip as the bare minimum. More cores are always better, but four is enough for a budget Chromebook to function well.

Once you’ve found the processor in the product listing, punch its name into Google to find out more about it - the release date of the chip (rather than the Chromebook itself) can be quite pertinent here, as you really shouldn’t be buying any laptop with a CPU that’s more than four years old. If you’re not able to find the exact name of the processor on the product listing, steer clear. Some retailers will simply say ‘Intel Celeron’ or ‘Intel i3’ without listing the full name of the processor - this is usually a sign that the chip in question is severely outdated, and they don’t want you to know that.

Check app compatibility

ChromeOS is a fantastic operating system, with an easy-to-navigate user interface and the ability to run smoothly even on low-end hardware - but there is one big problem with it, and that’s software compatibility.

Because ChromeOS uses a software architecture different from other systems such as Windows and macOS, there’s no guarantee that software from those platforms will be available. Without wanting to get overly technical, the bottom line here is that a lot of popular Windows software simply isn’t available on Chromebooks (there is a workaround for this, but it’s a fiddly process that generally isn’t worth the effort). If you know the person you’re buying for wants to use a specific app, look up whether it’s available on ChromeOS.

This is most pertinent for gaming - you won’t be able to play the majority of PC games on a Chromebook, nor will you be able to use any Windows-specific programs or file types. If you’re buying a laptop for a gamer, it probably shouldn’t be Chromebook.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Chromebooks do have access to a wide range of apps through the Google Play Store (the same one you’ll find on an Android phone or tablet), and can do basically everything you’d expect from a standard laptop: if it’ll only be used for everyday tasks like answering emails, browsing the web, and making Zoom calls, a Chromebook will do nicely.

Don’t overspend…

Despite their inherently budget-friendly nature, it can be easy to spend a lot of money on a Chromebook. That’s not to say that the high-end premium models aren’t good, to be clear: after all, the HP Dragonfly Elite Chromebook and the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition were both very highly rated by us even though they carry a high asking price. But those are fairly specific models; the average person has absolutely no reason to spend a thousand dollars on a Chromebook.

It doesn’t help that some ‘premium’ Chromebooks out there are just a fairly mid-range laptop with a fancy coat of paint and a new name. If you want an actually decent Chromebook that won’t break the bank, you should be looking in the $200-300 (or £200-300, for our UK readers) ballpark. Be prepared to pay a little more if you want a Chromebook with a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen for use in tablet mode, or a ‘Plus’ Chromebook - Google’s official stamp of approval for more powerful and future-proofed Chromebooks.

…but don’t underspend, either

If there’s a sale active while you’re shopping for a Chromebook, you might be tempted by some enticingly low prices. We’ve seen Chromebooks selling for less than a hundred bucks, which is impressively cheap for any laptop - but be cautious.

Generally speaking, a laptop going for that sort of price is going to be very underpowered; unless it’s been heavily discounted (think 50% off or more) to reach the $100 mark, there’s a good chance it’ll only provide lackluster performance.

ChromeOS being able to run on super-cheap hardware gives Chromebooks a bit more leeway than Windows laptops when it comes to budget products - but there’s always a limit. If a Chromebook already retails around $100/£100, odds are it’s a pretty weak-sauce device.

Don’t get a ‘gaming Chromebook’

Okay, this last one is more of a personal peeve of mine, but I’m gonna say it anyway: don’t bother with a so-called ‘gaming Chromebook’. This short-lived initiative from Google and a few of its manufacturing partners to bring PC gaming aesthetics to the Chromebook lineup ultimately fell short - mainly because no Chromebook is a true gaming device.

See, these gaming Chromebooks don’t run games locally; they need you to take advantage of a game-streaming service, like Nvidia GeForce Now or Amazon Luna (the latter of which is included in Prime, though Amazon doesn’t publicize this fact very well). You’re not running the game on your Chromebook - instead, it’s run on a server somewhere and streamed directly to your device from the cloud.

Here’s the thing, though… when the only factor in performance is the strength of your internet connection, any Chromebook can be a gaming Chromebook thanks to GeForce Now or Luna. There’s not much point in paying extra for an RGB keyboard, and if you don’t want to pay a subscription for your games, you’ll be better off with one of the best gaming laptops.

It’s not often that computer software enters the zeitgeist, but Windows 10 certainly made it. The operating system, launched nine years ago, had well over a billion users at its peak and a host of devotees, many who remain loyal despite Windows 11 having been on the scene since 2021.

With Microsoft set to withdraw support for Windows 10 on 14th October, 2025, users worldwide are facing the end of an era with a bittersweet taste in their mouths.

On one hand, pulling the shutters down represents a fresh start for Microsoft, as Windows 11 brings new security updates, improved performance, and a more streamlined experience. Yet, on the other hand, the move will disappoint some customers who are happy with the status quo and are reluctant to move on from the legacy system, which still commands over half of the market.

The sunsetting also poses risks for the business community and the environment. Beyond the October deadline, Windows 10 will no longer receive free security updates, exposing those who remain to an increase in potential vulnerabilities and malware. Meanwhile, about one in five laptops using the software are estimated to be running hardware incompatible with Windows 11. Without a proper transition plan, these computers could end up consigned to landfill, creating a surge in e-waste as companies upgrade their IT infrastructure.

To help avoid these consequences, here is how businesses can prepare for the Windows 10 shutdown:

Checking for compatibility

The first step is to review your IT networks and verify whether your devices can support Windows 11.

Microsoft’s free PC Health Check tool will show if your hardware meets the minimum compatibility requirements – including an Intel 8th-generation processor and TPM 2.0 support – and guide you through the installation process.

Explore alternatives and budget

While Microsoft has the lion’s share of the PC software market, there are good alternatives if an upgrade to Windows 11 isn't feasible or desirable. Linux offers thousands of open-source applications and is compatible with most computers. You can also consider Google's OS Flex, which turns older Windows devices into cloud-managed systems, similar to Chromebooks.

Whether you plan to stay Team Microsoft or want an alternative system — it’s vital to ensure you back up your sensitive business data securely before making changes.

This will give peace of mind in the event of data being lost or compromised during the transition.

Sustainable solution

Companies looking to sustain their IT infrastructure and prolong its lifespan ahead of the Windows 10 retirement can also consider Remanufacturing as a Service (RaaS. This approach can produce computers that are “equal to or better than new” (as recognized by the BSI) along with extended warranties for up to three years.

Remanufactured computers deliver the performance and experience of a brand-new device, along with considerable economic and environmental advantages. A RaaS remanufactured laptop can be up to 70% cheaper than a brand-new device and not buying new is estimated to cut carbon emissions by about 316 kg per laptop.

Keep calm and (mainly) carry on

Given the popularity and huge user base of Windows 10, Microsoft has been at pains to manage a smooth transition for customers. Although it first trailed the end of support for the system in June 2021, many users still haven't updated, so if you haven’t yet done so you're far from alone. Recently, Microsoft also announced it will offer Windows 10 users a one-year security update extension for $30 (£23), for those wanting to keep the party going.

Sliding doors moment

While some businesses might see Windows 10’s curtain call as an inconvenience or a financial hurdle, others have the opportunity to use it as a springboard to change – particularly around IT and the environment.

An intriguing twist of scheduling means the Microsoft support end date coincides with International E-waste Day, when the world should be reflecting on tackling our disposable tech culture. The run up to 14th October gives customers a golden opportunity to commit to the circular economy, whether through retailer outreach, charitable donations, or remanufacturing efforts.

Businesses must rise to the challenge and ensure the end of Windows 10 helps usher in a new and greener technology era.

We list the best business computers.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Black Friday is dead - long live Cyber Monday! Yes, the discounts are still going strong even as Black Friday weekend comes to a close, with Cyber Monday sales live at many major retailers right now - meaning you can still snap up an excellent deal on one of the best Chromebooks.

Picking up a ChromeOS-powered laptop on the cheap isn't hard at this time of year: deals like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook for just $169 at Best Buy, a 50% saving, or for shoppers in the UK, the HP Chromebook Plus 15 for just £279 at Currys, a 37% discount.

• Stay on top of the latest sales with our Cyber Monday deals live blog

I've been tracking down Chromebook deals all through the month of November, and I'll be here until they're all gone to help you find the best value for your money this holiday season.

Today's best laptop deals in the US

Today's best laptop deals in the UK

Shockingly enough, some of these Chromebook deals actually look like they're cheaper than they were on Black Friday itself!

I can't confirm one way or another what the cause of this could be, but if I had to guess, I'd put it down to retailers aiming to clear out remaining stock before 2025 arrives - this year's Black Friday Chromebook deals were pretty good, but clearly not good enough to empty the shelves, so the patient will now be rewarded. Best Buy in particular is still slashing prices, with the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook dropping even further to a ridiculous $109 (was $249).

Whatever laptop you're on the hunt for this Cyber Monday, buy with confidence, knowing that TechRadar has carefully curated every deal we've featured on the site today, yesterday, and all through the month of November - this holiday sales season is our busiest time of year, and we're laser-focused on bringing you only the very best discounts on the tech you need.

More of today's Cyber Monday sales in the US

• Amazon: TVs, smart home & air fryers from $12.99
• Apple: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks from $89.99
• Best Buy: $1,000 off 4K TVs, laptops & headphones
• B&H Photo: up to $900 off cameras, laptops, accessories
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs at Best Buy from $69.99
• Dell: best-selling Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99
• Dreamcloud: mattress deals from $349 + free shipping
• Holiday: decor, lights, Christmas trees & PJs from $10.99
• Home Depot: 40% off tools, appliances & furniture
• Lowe's: holiday decor, appliances & tools from $17.31
• Nectar: up to 50% off all mattresses
• Nordstrom: 46% off boots, coats, jeans & jewelry
• Samsung: $1,500+ off TVs, phones, watches & appliances
• Target: save on furniture, Halloween, tech & clothing
• Walmart: cheap TVs, robot vacs, furniture & appliances

More of today's Cyber Monday sales in the UK

• Amazon: up to 68% off toothbrushes and TVs
• AO: savings on games consoles and appliances
• Argos: up to 50% off toys, Lego, TVs and gifts
• Boots: up to 50% off Dyson, Oral-B and Philips
• Currys: big deals on TVs, appliances, laptops
• Dell: laptops, desktops, monitors from £299
• Dyson: up to £150 off
• Ebay: up to 50% off refurbished tech
• EE: up to £600 off Samsung and Apple
• John Lewis: up to £300 off appliances and TVs
• LG: £1,000 or more off TVs and appliances
• Samsung: up to £600 off TVs, phones and tablets
• Very: up to 30% off phones, appliances & clothing

• Google is apparently planning to transform ChromeOS into Android
• This new OS could be the best of both worlds for tablets
• It could be the OS to power a rumored Pixelbook laptop

Google could be planning to completely change ChromeOS and essentially turn it into Android, in an effort to build an operating system that’s better suited to tablets – and poaching iPad buyers from Apple.

Android Authority claims to have a source (as ever, an anonymous one) who describes a fresh initiative underway at Google which is a multi-year project to effectively transform ChromeOS into Android.

This would come with some obvious benefits – instead of working across two operating systems, desktop (well, laptop) and mobile, Google would just have to develop the one multi-platform OS.

And it’d address a serious problem Google has faced: Android’s failure, as it stands, to capture enough tablet market share, and specifically premium tablets, where Apple’s iPad very much holds court. This is an area where hybrid 2-in-1 Chromebooks have failed to make a meaningful impact, too.

So, the idea would be to forge a new path forward, one that makes better use of the development resources at Google.

It’s debatable exactly what the end result might look like, mainly because it’s still early days, and Google probably doesn’t know itself yet – assuming this rumor is true in the first place. Or it's an idea that Google is currently kicking around, but will eventually boot out of play.

As Android Authority expects it to happen, this is about migrating ChromeOS to the Android platform – while obviously keeping enough of the desktop flavor of the current incarnation of ChromeOS to make it suitable for laptops and tablets.

Analysis: An AI-infused Pixel laptop running Android?

Interestingly, we recently heard a separate rumor about Google mulling the resurrection of its Chromebook Pixel laptop range, which was canned a while ago now. So, the further theory is that this future laptop might run the new Android take on ChromeOS, when (or if, rather) it eventually arrives.

How likely does this new rumor seem? It’s perhaps a firmer prospect than it would be otherwise simply due to the fact that Google is already moving in this direction. We saw evidence of this earlier in 2024 when the company merged parts of the Android OS with ChromeOS.

So, the Android-ification of ChromeOS is already underway, in fact, and guess what one of the major drivers is here? If you said AI then award yourself with a pat on the back, because yes, what’s being ported over currently – which includes building the Android Linux kernel and Android frameworks into ChromeOS – is about ensuring AI features can benefit Chromebooks. More broadly, though, it’s easy to imagine this is leading down the very road this rumor pins down as Google’s ultimate destination.

So, if we imagine a future Chromebook Pixel, or Pixelbook perhaps, it might run on what’s essentially a desktop-oriented flavor of Android, and it’ll likely bristle with AI features. With Google also getting the benefit of an OS that really fits a tablet – and doesn’t miss the mark in some respects, like Android for tablets, or Chromebook hybrid tablets (2-in-1 devices) on ChromeOS, neither of which are ideal for a slate.

At that point, the battle to challenge the iPad could step up a gear. (Apple holds over half the tablet market, at around 55%, going by the latest global market figures from Statcounter – but the higher-end will be even more pronounced a win for Tim Cook’s firm).

This seems to be the working theory for now at least, but it’s early days for these rumors – and even if Google is thinking along those lines, who knows where development of these projects might lead (if anywhere).

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• Google may be planning a return for the Chromebook Pixel
• The project for this premium laptop is already underway
• Remain cautious, though, as we've heard similar rumors before

Google might be resurrecting its Pixel laptop, a fresh rumor insists, getting plenty of hopes up with high-end Chromebook fans.

This comes from Android Headlines which cites an internal email that was leaked as mentioning Google’s new project for a premium laptop under the Pixel branding (which is now used for its smartphones and watches).

Way back in the mists of time, there used to be a Chromebook Pixel laptop, and the new version is apparently codenamed ‘Snowy.’ We aren’t told anything about it, though, save that it’s still in the early stages, and that Google intends it to be a rival for the likes of the MacBook Pro, Microsoft Surface Laptop and Dell XPS – a seriously premium effort by the sound of things.

The laptop will surely run ChromeOS, and likely be among our rankings of the best Chromebooks, if it does end up coming to fruition, although nothing is confirmed at this stage.

What we are told is that the project is greenlit and underway, so it’s progressing from the concept phase, and apparently a dedicated team has been formed to develop the laptop.

This is one to keep an eye out for future rumors around, certainly, though we need to take this report with a good deal of caution at this stage. We’ll be happier when we have the contention made here corroborated by other tech sites.

Analysis: Pixel perfect? Here’s hoping

The original Chromebook Pixel was a gorgeous creation in some ways, but deeply flawed in others, when it came to light over a decade ago. Google switched to make the Pixelbook (and Pixelbook Go) towards the end of the decade, which were superb notebooks (the latter especially). However, sadly the whole laptop line-up came off the rails eventually, and indeed the whole team behind the Pixelbook was dissolved in 2022 – which seemed a pretty bold line drawn to close the entire affair.

Apparently, though, a team is now back together, and Google is rethinking the possibilities behind another Chromebook Pixel, or maybe even a Pixelbook if it keeps the more recent (and successful) branding.

We hope this is true, but at the same time, we’ve got to acknowledge that we’ve heard buzz from the rumor mill about a Chromebook Pixel resurrection in the past that resulted in nothing. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this rumor is on the money, and Google’s development team manages to generate enough interest from the powers-that-be and various bean counters to allow new Pixel hardware to emerge in notebook form.

There’s no shortage of enthusiasm around a new Pixel laptop, that’s for sure, but hopefully as well as premium portables, there’ll be room for an affordable option in the mix, too. We’ll likely be in for a fair old wait for these creations to come to market, mind you.

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ChromeOS’s latest update has added a host of new features to the operating system, including one convenient tool that’ll make it much easier for users to avoid distractions.

The most recent update, ChromeOS M130, was released for the stable channel and will soon be available on Chromebooks. Arguably the most useful addition is the Focus panel that allows you to set and adjust your focus time, quickly enable or disable Do-not-Disturb (DND) mode, create new or select from existing Google Tasks, and play music with focus sound (YouTube Music Premium if you have a subscription).

Other new features include simplifying inserting emojis, GIFs, and Google Drive links with the M130's new Launcher + f shortcut. There’s also the Quick Insert physical key that’s set to be included in the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus in 2025.

There are also tons of quality-of-life changes, making navigating ChromeOS more convenient. The new Suggestions section in Tote reduces the time needed to locate files like downloads and screenshots, on and offline access to the starred Drive files on the ChromeOS shelf, and the "Welcome Recap" that previews and restores apps and tabs from the previous session.

For those who dabble or specialize in audio or video editing and recording, there’s the Studio-style mic tool. It includes the existing noise cancellation and de-reverberation effects but also adds in advanced balancing, reconstruction of fine details, and room adaptation. The Google AI-powered Recorder app creates transcriptions that can detect and label speakers, as well as provide a summary of recorded content.

Finally, ChromeOS M130 integrates appearance effects into the platform's video call controls, adds support for multiple calendars and allows you to move Picture-in-Picture (PiP) windows to one side of your screen, and adds the "Help me read" tool to Chromebook Plus devices.

ChromeOS is moving on up

ChromeOS is often left out of the conversation when discussing popular and well-loved operating systems, mainly due to the perception of it being inferior - likely because of a far lower number of compatible apps and features. And even a few years ago this would have been an accurate assessment.

However, Google has been working hard to combat this, and now we have an OS that’s far more user-friendly with some truly helpful features. Some of the best ones include the “Help me” series which offers plenty of accessibility tools, the Focus panel, and all the enhancements made to audio and video recordings and editing options.

It’s great to see Chromebooks receiving so much more love and affection from Google. It’s slowly but surely moved from an second-class laptop meant as a cheap option, to a still cheaper but more premium version of itself. And this doesn’t even include how much better the best Chromebooks are for gaming now versus even two years ago. With all the progress made already, I’m excited to see how Google will continue to innovate and improve Chromebook and ChromeOS.

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Google’s Recorder app on the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro is one of its best AI-enhanced apps – we say as much in our Google Pixel 9 Pro review – thanks to its up to 40-minute-long real-time transcriptions. And soon a version of it will be coming to the best Chromebooks via the next ChromeOS 130 update.

That’s according to 9to5Google, which has revealed that the tool won’t just be coming to top-of-the-line Chromebook Plus devices – although these will get a few unique AI features, reportedly including a helpful offline speech-to-text tool that can function in real time on top of the usual voice-recording capabilities.

With a Chromebook Plus machine you’ll also get access to an on-device AI that can generate transcript summaries so It’s easier for you to flick through your notes later. To use these transcription tools on a Chromebook Plus you’ll apparently need to download an approximately 2GB AI model, while users of non-Plus Chromebooks will need to download a 100MB model to access the more limited recorder tools.

ChromeOS 130 doesn’t yet have a firm release date, but it's “Expected October 2024” per Google’s official ChromeOS releases page. So we hopefully won’t be waiting long for this new feature and update 130’s other upgrades.

More ChromeOS Recorder details

Best of all, because it looks like the transcriptions and recordings happen on-device, it should be more private and secure than sending your voice notes to a server to have an AI type them up, though if you do want to export your recordings and transcriptions manually you can.

The only downside of the ChromeOS Recorder app will be that at launch it’ll only understand US English – so it won’t be able to help you if you speak a different language, and there’s no word yet on when support for more languages will be added.

It’s also unclear if one of ChromeOS 130’s other features for Chromebook Plus devices – ‘Studio-style mic’, which uses AI to make you sound clearer by reducing noise from your microphone – will be used by the recorder tool. It’s possible, but currently it’s only linked to new video-call tools, so it could be that it won’t help clean up your voice recordings for now – we’ll have to wait and see when ChromeOS 130 rolls out later this month.

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Google has introduced a new ‘Sanitize’ feature for its operating system for Chromebooks. The feature is part of ChromeOS 128, the most recent version of Google’s operating system that started rolling out earlier this month, and it’s a kind of softer alternative to the existing ‘Powerwash’ ability.

Powerwash works similarly to factory reset functions on other devices. It wipes all user data such as files, any custom settings you’ve applied, and any apps you’ve installed, resulting in the Chromebook being returned to an essentially ‘blank’ state, ready for you to start fresh. 

If you want to clean up your Chromebook without wiping out absolutely everything, that’s what the new Sanitize option is for. Chrome Unboxed spotted the freshly introduced functionality but noted that you won’t find Sanitize by searching in your Chromebook’s settings because it’s that new.

So how do you find it? Just search for the Powerwash option, which will show up, and you’ll see the Sanitize button directly underneath it.

Google hasn’t provided any extensive documentation about this feature yet, but Chrome Unboxed provides a screenshot of a notification that tells us what Sanitize does in a nutshell. It reads:

"Getting unwanted pop-ups, or other unexpected behavior? Sometimes, apps and extensions that you install can change your ChromeOS settings without you knowing.

"This will disable extensions and reset your settings to safe defaults. Tabs, files, and cookies will be preserved."

It sounds pretty straightforward, and will just reset certain settings, leaving your files and installed apps in place. If your Chromebook is acting up, Sanitize will neutralize elements such as browser extensions and any settings that have been modified that might be causing trouble. Hopefully, this will cure your Chromebook of any odd behavior and have it running smoothly again, without needing to do a full reset (where you lose everything).

How Sanitize works in practice

Chrome Unboxed tried out the feature and found that after running Sanitize, a summary window is presented informing the user of what’s been changed. You can then revert any changes you’re not happy with, and also peruse suggestions of other settings to check out should you wish to dive deeper into other possibilities.

For those who don’t customize their Chromebook much, or don’t use a ton of Chrome extensions, this might not be all that big a deal - but it’s still handy to know about.

It’s certainly a useful way to untangle things that might be causing serious problems without doing anything too drastic that affects your device and data. Sanitize is not the most difficult troubleshooting or clean-up process to try, and it’s a handy measure to employ if you’re having issues with your Chromebook, and don’t want to go to Powerwashing extremes.

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Chromebooks, especially the best Chromebooks, are a unique type of laptop that is generally considered safer and more reliable than even the best Windows laptops, at the cost of a wildly different OS and software compatibility loss. But one of the main functions of a computer is to print documents and, luckily, Chromebooks are just as capable as any other type of PC.

There are two main ways to print from a Chromebook: connecting your Chromebook to a printer via a USB cable or connecting your Chromebook to a printer via Wi-Fi. The former is the wired method and the latter is the wireless method, depending on your particular needs.

Steps for how to print from a Chromebook

• For Wi-Fi, have both printer and Chromebook on the same internet connection then Add Printer through the Control Panel.
• For USB, connect the printer to the Chromebook via the cable.
• Use either the Ctrl-P shortcut or the Print command to print documents.

Tools & requirements

• A Chromebook (naturally!)
• A printer
• The document you wish to print

Step by step guide

Final thoughts

Once the printer is properly installed, printing documents is simple. In any browser tab, press the Ctrl-P shortcut on the keyboard, and use the Print command in apps.  If your printer doesn't appear in the Destination field immediately, click on See more... and it should be there.

Despite compatibility limitations, Chromebooks can perform most basic tasks that Windows laptops and the best MacBooks can perform. As long as you know how to perform certain tasks, a Chromebook can be just as flexible. And, thanks to how safe Chromebooks are due to constant OS updates, the lack of threats to its OS, data encryption, and 'sandboxing' of browser tabs, printer security is hardly a concern either.

The best Chromebooks are known as the most user-friendly devices on the market, making them easily some of the best laptops for those seeking a simple yet efficient computing experience. 

Whether you're a student, a professional, or a casual user, navigating and utilizing the wealth of Chromebook features can significantly enhance your productivity and streamline your daily tasks.

One of the Chromebook's most appealing features is its simplicity. Unlike traditional laptops and desktops, Chromebooks are designed to be easy to use, without a lot of the bloat that many other laptops come with. 

The operating system, Chrome OS, is very lightweight and is based on the same technology that powers the Chrome web browser, making it intuitive and familiar to many users right out of the box. 

Chromebooks also boot-up faster and have far fewer maintenance requirements than either Windows laptops or MacBooks.

In addition to its simplicity, Chromebooks are also known for their portability. These devices are typically lightweight and compact, making them especially appealing to anyone who needs a lightweight device for on-the-go work.

Still, if you're used to the best Windows laptops or best MacBooks, you might feel a bit lost when you first start up a Chromebook. But don't worry, I've used Chromebooks for years and I'm here to help walk you through these increasingly popular devices.

Key tips for using a Chromebook

• Keyboard Shortcuts: Try these essential keyboard shortcuts to navigate and perform tasks more efficiently.
• Chrome Extensions: Pick up some of the best Chrome extensions that add new features and functionalities to Chrome.
• Regular Updates: Keep your Chromebook's OS and software up-to-date for the latest features and security patches.
• Cloud Backup: Use Files' Google Drive integration to regularly back up your important data to protect against accidental loss or hardware failure.
• Troubleshooting: Familiarize yourself (or at least bookmark) these common Chromebook troubleshooting techniques to fix any issues that may arise.

Advanced Chromebook features 

While the Chromebook is designed to be user-friendly, there are advanced features that can take your Chromebook experience even further.

• Accessibility Features: Chromebooks offer a range of accessibility features, including screen readers, magnification tools, and keyboard shortcuts for users with disabilities.
• Multiple Users: If you share your Chromebook with others, you can create multiple user profiles to keep your data separate and secure.
• Remote Desktop: Access your Chromebook from another device using remote desktop features, allowing you to work on your files and applications from anywhere.
• Gaming on Chromebooks: While not as powerful as dedicated gaming consoles, Chromebooks can handle casual gaming and cloud gaming services.
• Educational Tools: Chromebooks are popular among students and educators due to their affordability, portability, and integration with educational tools like Google Classroom.

Navigating the Chromebook interface 

The Chromebook's interface is designed to be intuitive, making it easy for all levels of experience to use. 

The Shelf, located at the bottom of the screen, is ChromeOS's version of macOS's Dock or Windows 11's Taskbar, displaying frequently used apps and shortcuts. 

To access all installed applications, simply click on the App Launcher icon at the far left of the Shelf.

For quick and easy navigation, the Search Bar is a valuable tool. By typing keywords, you can search for apps, files, or web pages, streamlining your workflow and saving time. 

Additionally, the System Tray, located in the bottom-right corner, provides access to essential settings like Wi-Fi, battery status, and user profiles.

Using native apps

One of the Chromebook's greatest strengths lies in its app ecosystem. 

Chromebooks were originally designed to rely on web-based applications, offering a seamless and efficient experience. Popular web apps like Google Docs, Gmail, and YouTube are optimized for Chromebooks, providing a wide range of productivity tools.

In recent years, however, more and more apps are becoming available offline, including the entirety of the Google Play app store, expanding a Chromebook's functionality significantly. You can download and use popular apps like Microsoft Office, Spotify, and Netflix, just as you would on an Android smartphone or tablet. 

For more advanced users, Chromebooks offer support for Linux applications. This feature is particularly valuable for developers or users who require access to powerful tools like Visual Studio Code or GIMP. 

Setting up Linux on a Chromebook is relatively straightforward, allowing you to create a hybrid environment that caters to both casual and power users.

Efficient file management in the cloud

The Files app is your central hub for organizing and accessing both local and cloud-based files. 

Google Drive, seamlessly integrated into the Files app, provides ample storage space for your documents, photos, and other data. By saving your files to Google Drive, you can access them from any device with an internet connection.

While Chromebooks used to offer limited local storage, that's changed in recent years, with more premium Chromebooks featuring the same kind of storage options as more familiar Windows and Apple laptops. 

For those needing even more storage, Chromebooks support external devices like USB drives, external hard drives, and SD cards. Simply plug in the device, and the Files app will automatically recognize it, allowing you to transfer files between your Chromebook and the external device.

Customize your Chromebook

To make your Chromebook truly your own, you can customize its appearance and settings. You can change the wallpaper, adjust the screen brightness, and even enable dark mode for a more visually comfortable experience. 

Additionally, Chromebooks offer a variety of themes and extensions that can be installed to personalize your device further. With that, you'll be able to make your Chromebook as personalized as you like, especially now that you know all the important tips to using your new Chromebook to its fullest.

ChromeOS, Google's operating system for Chromebooks, has just gotten a big update that’s brought many useful features, including some that could feel very familiar to people who use Windows 11. 

The new update, ChromeOS 128, includes lots of features and changes, including Snap Groups that resemble Windows 11’s Snap Layouts, improvements to ChromeOS’ Camera app with the help of a technology called OCR (optical character recognition, which allows software to detect letters and words in a photo), and Audio Gain Control to optimize your device’s microphone volume automatically when you’re using video-calling apps. 

Snap Groups appears to work similarly to Windows 11’s Snap Layouts, allowing you to turn your ChromeOS display into a split-screen display and view both windows at once, but use them independently. 

This way of organizing the screen and the windows you have open, where individual windows can be resized or moved as part of a group of windows, is one of the most useful features in Windows 11, so it’s great to see it come (in some form) to ChromeOS. Using devices such as laptops and Chromebooks with smaller screens makes organizing open windows incredibly useful, as you have limited space to work with, and features that make this organizing easier and more intuitive are always welcome. 

Better visuals and audio thanks to ChromeOS 128

The second big ticket feature coming in ChromeOS 128 is the integration of OCR into ChromeOS’s Camera app. As ZDNET describes it, it’ll enable Chromebooks to get better at “seeing” and processing text from a physical piece of paper through its lens. It’ll go further, apparently, allowing you to do things like search for words in an image and read documents out loud. OCR will be powered by machine learning, a very commonplace computing method that powers most AI features you’ll probably use today. 

The company's OCR feature, which supports 77 languages and works in both horizontal and vertical orientations, can be enabled via ChromeOS’ Settings menu under "Text detection in preview.”

It’s encouraging to see companies like Google adopting useful features from other systems to enhance its own. While Windows 11 has faced plenty of valid criticism, it does bring some innovative ideas—like Snap Layouts—that make organizing windows easier. 

By incorporating similar features into ChromeOS, Google is helping users work more efficiently, especially on smaller screens. This cross-platform borrowing ultimately often leads to better products for everyone, and it makes it easier for users of either ChromeOS or Windows 11 to try a different operating system that still feels somewhat familiar. 

These are not the only features you can look forward to and you can learn more in the official ChromeOS 128 Release Notes published by Google, and ZDNET also has a handy part of its particle explaining how to make sure your Chromebook device installs this new update.  

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Classes are starting again all over the country, so whether you’ve been holding out for a good deal, or you’ve just not quite gotten around to it, now’s definitely a good time to make that purchase now that you can get the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook at Amazon for £149 (was £249.99).

With a generous 40% discount, this is the lowest price we’ve seen the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook on sale for, so this is certainly a deal worth taking advantage of. 

Chromebooks make for a great cost-effective option without compromising on quality. ChromeOS is easy to navigate, and gives you access to an app-style interface with easy access to Google apps like Google Docs and Google Sheets. 

It's somewhat limited as it only has 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage capacity, meaning this Chromebook can’t store a huge deal, and can’t be used to run applications that will take up a load of processing power. Despite this, it’s still a good all-rounder for writing coursework, emails, and partaking in video calls. Plus the full HD display makes it ideal for streaming movies and TV shows too.  

This is a fantastic choice for those who want a simple but efficient device that doesn’t cost the earth. If you’re still unsure and would like to take a look at other options, why not check out our pick of the best student laptops to explore what else is out there before purchasing. There are also more deals to be perused on our roundup of the best Chromebook deals too.

Lenovo is working on two new AI-powered Chromebook tablets collectively codenamed Ciri. That is what news site Chrome Unboxed claims after tracking the devices on two “public repositories” – cros.tech and Chromium Dash – which pull their info from Google servers. According to the publication, an official reveal may be happening soon.

The tablet will reportedly be known as the Lenovo Chromebook Duet and serve as a direct follow-up to the IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook. Like the previous generation, it has a detachable 11-inch display that can be removed from its accompanying keyboard.

It’ll run on the recently launched MediaTek Kompanio 838 SoC (system on a chip) which is referred to as the MT8188G in Chromium Dash. This is the real star of the show since it's an ARM-based chipset that houses its own “dedicated AI processor, the NPU 650.” NPUs, or neural processing units, boost hardware performance across the board.

AI power

Chrome Unboxed states it’ll enable high-quality multimedia as well as “more interactive and intelligent applications.” MediaTek's marketing material also highlights key performance measures, such as the chip’s ability to send video signals up to two 4K displays simultaneously, plus “premium imaging” processing to show off vibrant colors on screen. The manufacturer even points out that the Kompanio 838 allows laptops to enjoy a long battery life.

The second tablet mentioned earlier is an EDU model for schools. There’s almost no information about this divide within the repositories apart from its existence. It is expected to have similar hardware, although it could likely be made more durable and withstand drops.

Missing software

As interesting as Lenovo’s upcoming Chromebook may be, there is some potentially bad news surrounding it. Chrome Unbox points out in another report that it isn’t a member of the Chromebook Plus series. 

Laptops in that line enjoy superior performance above the average Chromebook. On one hand, this isn’t a significant issue as Lenovo’s machine could be just as good, maybe even better, than a Chromebook Plus, thanks to the MediaTek chipset. However, it does mean users will not have access to the series' exclusive features.

Magic Editor, Generative Backgrounds, and support for Adobe Photoshop could be absent on the future Chromebook Duet. Of course, we don’t know this for sure. Lenovo’s device is still under development and will be for a while longer. Be sure to take everything from this report with a grain of salt as things can always change.

Be sure to check TechRadar's list of the best Chromebooks for 2024.

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ChromeOS 127 is now rolling out to Chromebooks and introduces some minor but important changes that aim to improve accessibility options and deliver productivity boosts. While the update may not be the flashiest, it is always good to see a company continuously upgrade its accessibility options. 

So, ahead, we’ve listed the most interesting changes coming to your Chromebook at some point over the next few weeks.

We’ll start with one of our favorite upgrades in ChromeOS 127, improved PDF accessibility in the Chromebook Gallery App. This comes courtesy of an AI-powered OCR reader (Optical Character Recognition) that makes PDFs more accessible to low-vision or blind users. Essentially, this feature cleverly organizes the PDF to make it easier for users to understand via ChromeVox, the built-in screen reader for Chromebooks.

You’ll also notice a new feature called Read Aloud in Chrome’s Reading mode. As the name suggests, this feature facilitates having content in the web browser read out to the user. This is helpful to visually impaired users and those who need help understanding long-form articles. 

Personally, this would be perfect for those long research nights when I need to read huge blocks of text while taking notes or even just to make it easier to listen to my favorite articles or stories while I multitask. 

Regarding productivity boosts, the Gallery app has another update that will let you delete or reorder pages of your PDF documents with keyboard and mouse shortcuts. Chromebook users with Bluetooth headsets should note that ChromeOS 127 finally adds support for call control buttons on compatible hardware - so that’s great news, assuming your headset has the capability.

Finally, Chromebook users will doubtless be pleased to learn that the Firmware Update App has been tweaked to offer clearer instructions for updating their peripherals. Additionally, the Classroom Glanceables widget will let you quickly view and access your upcoming classroom assignments with just a click on your Chromebook's home screen.

Via Chrome Unboxed

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Back-to-school shopping can be the most exciting and stressful part of getting ready for a new school year, and shopping for the right laptop is just another load of anxiety for a lot of people, myself included.  Laptops normally require a lot more investment than the rest of your school supplies, and you want to make sure you invest in the right device to take you through the upcoming school year and beyond. That’s why I would recommend Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook, which is on sale right now - down from $319 to $169, knocking $150 off the original price at Best Buy. 

Chromebooks have become a staple in the classroom because they’re cost-effective, they’re easy to use and they are designed to be productivity machines. As you’ll be running ChromeOS you’ll have access to an app-style operating system with instant access to Google Apps like Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Sheets as well as your email if you’re a Gmail user.  Basically, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is a great ‘pick up and go’ kind of laptop. 

The attractive color scheme will set your Chromebook apart from the rest of your class plus the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook has an excellent battery life along with an incredibly lightweight build so it won’t slow you down as you rush to your next class. 

You’ll also have a pretty good media device alongside a school laptop, as the Chromebook comes with a Full HD display that is ideal for movies and TV shows. You do get a little less in the storage department.

Now, this isn't the best student laptop for every user. With just 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage (which, to be clear, is normal for a budget Chromebook such as this), you likely won't be running any highly resource-intensive software for content creation or scientific modeling. This is a laptop for students who just need to write assignments, answer emails, and participate in video calls - perfect for anyone on a literature or law course, for example. That being said, since you’ll be working with the Google Cloud and have instant access to Google Drive, you probably won’t hurt too much for storage. 

Overall this is a great pick for students who want a new school device but don’t want to blow their budgets. It’s simple, it’s lightweight, and it does everything it says on the tin. I highly recommend this deal since it’s almost half off right now at Best Buy. 

Google has already been leading the pack in AI features, introducing its slew of ‘Help me’ tools, such as History Search, Tab Organizer, Tab Compare, and more. It also added these features, plus Gemini AI and AI-generated wallpapers, to its Chromebook Plus line, showing the tech giant’s willingness to enhance its laptops.

It seems that Google is launching another new AI feature for Chromebook’s ChromeOS called BlueBuddy, an AI assistant designed to understand and troubleshoot connectivity issues involving Bluetooth devices. According to WindowsReport, hints of this new AI assistant can be found in commit messages and will prompt users to “Enter an Issue and I will recommend a fix.”

The new page may be called “Troubleshoot with AI” and includes other options like Adapters, Devices, and Debug logs. As of now, it’s unclear whether this AI feature will be for all Chromebooks or just the Chromebook Plus line, though we’ll most likely find out soon.

Google is doing AI right 

Google has a wide range of AI tools and features that are tailor-made for its products, with Help Me Hands-Free being one of the best applications for AI. It’s an accessibility tool that helps users navigate ChromeOS without using the keyboard (i.e., voice commands, gestures, facial features, etc.).

However, it’s neither the only nor the best part of how Google is handling AI compared to other competitors. One is the pricing of Chromebooks, which remains under $1,000 for even the most luxurious models and, therefore, keeps AI affordable for most people. Then there’s the fact that Google is attempting to mitigate the massive resource cost of AI features by allowing both local and cloud storage when using said features.

On the topic of waste, there’s the fact that Google’s ChromeOS updates are simple, fast, and don’t have minimal requirements that would result in an unmitigated ecological disaster like what will most likely happen when Windows 10 users are forced to adapt to Windows 11 and subsequentially must abandon their old machines that still function.

Google may not have all the solutions now, but as a corporate entity, it’s doing a perfectly good job of striving for a better AI future.

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Summer is drawing to a close which means now is the time to upgrade your tech to prepare for the coming school year. Whether you’re buying for yourself or for a dependent, you’ll appreciate a good Chromebook like the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 being on sale. 

In the US, you can buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 at Best Buy for $369 (was $499). In the UK, this excellent Chromebook is at Currys for £399 (was £549). 

Strong discounts on an equally strong Chromebook are just what we like to see at this time of year. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 is one of the best student Chromebooks for anyone seeking a laptop which also works as a detachable tablet. 

Our only real criticism of the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 in the past was that it was quite expensive for a basic model, so these price cuts are particularly enticing if you're looking to get as much value as possible. 

Today’s best Chromebook deal

Buying one of the best Chromebooks is a good move before you head off on your studies. Chromebooks are generally more secure and less hassle than using a Windows-based system. 

You’re reliant on ChromeOS but it works well for basic purposes like browsing the internet and typing up documents before uploading them to the cloud.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 boasts about 15 hours of battery life which is excellent for a day full of research and then relaxing with Netflix. In our Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 review, we loved the gorgeous display and the phenomenal battery life. 

If this one doesn’t appeal, we’ve sought out other Chromebook deals. For something Windows-based, there are many laptop deals available at the moment with the back-to-school sales promising some great ways to save.

Save more on Lenovo products by visiting our Lenovo coupon codes page. 

In the realm of business software, Microsoft stands unrivaled. Its suite of applications—Word, Excel, and PowerPoint—has entrenched itself as indispensable tools within the corporate landscape, particularly among older, legacy companies. This dominance has posed a significant challenge for competitors like Google, who have struggled to gain traction in this highly lucrative market.

While Google has made strides with Chromebooks, particularly in the education sector, penetrating business environments has proven far more challenging. The primary hurdle? Compatibility with Microsoft Office, the cornerstone of corporate productivity. Businesses, hesitant to abandon familiar workflows and essential software, have been slow to adopt Google's hardware and software ecosystem in place of Microsoft's.

Enter Cameyo, a quiet yet pivotal player addressing this exact issue. Specializing in visualizing Microsoft applications within Google's operating systems, Cameyo effectively bridges the gap between these two tech giants. By leveraging Cameyo's technology, users can seamlessly virtualize their favorite Microsoft apps on Google's platforms, preserving the familiarity and functionality that businesses rely upon.

Acquisition

Last month, Google strategically acquired Cameyo—an unassuming move with potentially monumental implications. This acquisition signifies Google's shift in strategy: rather than directly challenging Microsoft's software dominance, Google aims to enhance compatibility and expand its market reach. By integrating Cameyo's capabilities, Google not only minimizes disruption for users but also enhances its appeal to businesses looking to leverage Google's hardware and cloud services without fully transitioning away from Microsoft's office software suite.

This acquisition underscores Google's savvy approach to acquisitions. Instead of attempting to outmuscle Microsoft in software development, Google has opted to bolster its compatibility with Microsoft applications—a move that not only saves costs but also aligns with user preferences for seamless integration and ease of use. Google has made substantial investments in Google Cloud, positioning itself to compete with industry giants like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. 

The ability to smoothly run Microsoft's popular applications on Google's OS strengthens Google's case as a viable cloud platform for businesses. This development also places pressure on Microsoft to reassess its strategies; while Microsoft has concentrated on integrating its software suite with Azure, the compatibility of its applications on Google's OS via Cameyo necessitates a reevaluation of its approach in the face of evolving market demands.

Strategic foresight

The Cameyo acquisition exemplifies Google's strategic foresight. Holistic, integrated tech solutions are critical to the efficiency and safety of digital processes. Organizations need tools that work together to keep up with business needs and regulatory changes alike. This step shows a clear strategic shift towards establishing an accessible, secure ecosystem of products across platforms rather than a monolith of proprietary tools. 

By resolving a critical compatibility issue, Google has unlocked a new demographic of potential business customers. First, it gives organizations the flexibility to integrate pre-existing systems with new technologies rather than overhauling for a unique provider. Further, it eases operational tensions for businesses that seek tools beyond a sole provider’s offerings. Finally, it creates a clear bridge between platforms that will promote productivity between businesses and their contractors while encouraging new conversions through ease of use and accessibility.

This shift solidifies Google’s position as a significant player in the enterprise technology market. Beyond the race for dominance in software use and cloud infrastructure, the decision is particularly notable as companies seek to integrate and capitalize on new technologies. Plus, the current international regulatory landscape demands rapid innovation, and flexibility could prove key to continued collaboration across businesses. Overall, technological ecosystems increasingly converge and such astute acquisitions will prove pivotal in shaping the future of business technology.

A viable alternative?

Nevertheless, Google still faces the arduous task of convincing system administrators and decision-makers that ChromeOS is a viable alternative. While Cameyo helps bridge the gap, it cannot entirely replace the integrated ecosystem that Microsoft has refined over decades—a standard that remains deeply ingrained in corporate operations worldwide. Still, it remains to be seen if Microsoft's dominance and strategic positioning can keep up with the proliferation of emerging technologies and user markets alike.

Looking ahead, the impact of Google's acquisition strategy goes beyond mere technological compatibility. It signals a broader shift in how tech giants maneuver within the competitive landscape. By prioritizing interoperability and user continuity, Google not only enhances its own ecosystem appeal but also reinforces the importance of flexibility and adaptability in modern business environments.

In conclusion, Google's acquisition of Cameyo marks a strategic pivot in its competition with Microsoft. By addressing crucial compatibility challenges, Google has positioned itself to leverage its strengths in hardware and cloud services while accommodating the entrenched preference for Microsoft's software suite. This move not only expands Google's market footprint but also sets a precedent for future acquisitions that prioritize seamless integration and user experience—a critical factor in the ever-evolving realm of enterprise technology. As businesses navigate the complexities of digital transformation, Google's approach underscores the importance of strategic acquisitions in shaping the future landscape of business technology.

We list the best collaboration apps.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Amazon Prime Day is over and while many of the best Prime Day deals are no longer around, there are still a lot of tempting discounts floating about that are well worth capitalizing on. In particular, there are a number of Chromebook Prime Day deals offering some serious savings that are definitely worth looking at. We've picked out some of the best here, for those who've been holding off on investing in a new Chromebook.

Chromebooks are very popular due to their simplicity and ease of use, not to mention their generally lower price tags compared to other laptops on the market. They're a favorite among students and everyday users looking for a cheap laptop that can handle all the basics with no frills, and the beginner-friendly, accessible nature of ChromeOS helps too.

The Chromebooks we've hand-picked in the following deals will be able to handle all your basic computing needs such as schoolwork, everyday browsing, and media streaming. Keep in mind that these remaining deals may not have the same level of price-slashing as seen during the Prime Day sale itself, but nonetheless, they're still excellent bargains worthy of your consideration.

Today's best Chromebook deals - US

Today's best Chromebook deals - UK

To save more on laptops, check out our HP coupon codes and Acer promo codes pages.  

It's officially Amazon Prime Day and we're working hard to bring you deals that we think are worth your consideration. Here, we'll bring you our favorite Chromebook laptop deals, including both standard laptops and 2-in-1 models. 

Chromebooks are generally more affordable than other kinds of devices, but they still deliver tons of functionality. They run ChromeOS, Google's own operating system (OS), which is made to integrate and work in conjunction with other Google products like Chrome and Google's productivity apps, and Google's cloud services. If you've never tried a Chromebook, don't worry, as ChromeOS is one of the most beginner-friendly OSs, designed for simplicity and ease of use. 

These devices also have strong security that Google supports and maintains with built-in virus protection and automated security updates. They also boot up pretty swiftly due to their stripped-back, lightweight design, while being relatively low maintenance and reliable when compared to other laptops.

If you don't think that a Chromebook is the device for you, check out our favorite Prime Day laptop deals across all laptop categories. We also have a page collecting our Prime Day deal recommendations across all kinds of tech categories that you can check out as well.

Today's best Prime Day Chromebook deals - US

Today's best Prime Day Chromebook deals - UK

Check out our Amazon discount codes, Asus coupon codes, Acer promo codes and Apple promo codes pages.  

More Amazon Prime Day deals US

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• Kitchen: up to 44% off Ninja and KitchenAid
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More Amazon Prime Day deals UK

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• Wi-Fi: Amazon eero routers from £39.99

The rumors of print’s death have been circulating for a long time – in fact, the first recorded use of the term ‘paperless office’ was all the way back in 1975. However, while print may look somewhat different in the digital era, it's far from over.

Why isn’t print dead, then? Well, while a portion of paperwork has moved to digital, we won’t see printers go away anytime soon. That’s because there are so many continued drivers for paper. So, if print is dying, it will be a really long, slow, drawn-out death – and certainly not the sudden leap-over-a-cliff that people have been talking about for almost 50 years.

The transformation of printing

There's no doubt that the world of print has been transforming rapidly in recent years, with digitization ramping up efficiency and sustainability in its mission to replace many paper-based processes. However, there are still areas where paper remains crucial. In fact, research company IDC recently found that 63% of survey respondents say that print is either important or very important to their business.

When print management solutions are brought into a print environment, paradoxically their ease of use can drive an increase in printing. That’s because, previously, staff members found it hard to be able to print; now, they just hit a button and it comes out.

Larger companies are seeing that their digitization programs are creating an inverse relationship between printing and scanning. What’s driving the scanning is that now they’re starting to work their way through immense repositories of information that are all stored on paper, reducing their reliance on print.

It’s still that case, though, that while organizations tend to focus on automating and digitizing their most common processes, they're still likely to be dealing with paper invoices for vendors they only interact with occasionally, say once or twice a year. There are still a lot of organizations that take a PDF invoice they’ve received via email, print it, then scan it, and someone else has to do data entry.

But a generational shift will push businesses further to reduce their paper use. If you look at younger employees coming to organizations, they don’t print at all – it’s an alien concept to them.

We’ve also seen a return to the office – and to print

The sudden shift to remote working during the global pandemic caused a downturn in all print-related interactions, including printing, scanning, and copying. But since employees have returned to the office, the trend has swiftly reversed. We’ve seen many customers increase the number of printers and devices in their organization. So, they’re actually expanding their print fleet as people are coming back.

Extended lockdowns also created a shortage of chips, as the boom on Chromebooks and take-home laptops placed unprecedented demand on chip manufacturers, causing a backlog on devices globally – including printers. According to copier resellers and manufacturers, their customers had to wait months for copier deliveries due to the backlog in manufacturing caused by chip shortages. But there’s definitely been an increase again in those printer and copier rollouts, and they wouldn’t do that if the demand for printing wasn’t there.

With many employers embracing a hybrid work model since the pandemic, staff members need the ability to do their job from anywhere – pushing a move towards remote printing solutions. That flexibility to print however you like is critical. And we’ve seen a big trend in that direction.

As companies try to optimize their resources, IT teams have become smaller with a broader range of responsibilities. Without a dedicated team to look after the organization's printing needs, there's been a higher uptake of print management software. They want a solution that just makes it very easy – both to manage all the printing and for the end users to do their job.

Industries driving demand for printing

Despite gradual downward trends, there are certain sectors where demand for printing holds steady. Education sits among the top industries using print management solutions as classrooms continue to use physical paper alongside laptops and iPads.

There are some activities where kids just learn better on paper, like spelling and the development of fine motor skills involved in writing. In schools, you’re looking at a couple of thousand pages per student per year, so in a school district of 100,000 students, that’s a lot of printing.

Despite efforts to modernize patient records, the healthcare industry remains reliant on paper, even as organizations try to make their document workflow processes run more efficiently. They’re looking for anything possible to make it easier for doctors or nurses to do their job. If a doctor walks up to a computer, they want a printer right next to them so they can hit a button and the relevant record or report comes out. It’s all about efficiency.

Retail and manufacturing are both experiencing growth in printing as traditional documentation essentials like shipping slips remain commonplace.

Similarly, professional services, such as legal, accounting, and financial services, are all still heavily paper-dependent as they keep up with rigorous compliance obligations.

In fact, legal is an interesting industry because while legal firms are keen on digitization, its use often comes down to the individual preferences of a judge or magistrate presiding over a case. Some of those judges who have a paper preference could be there for another 20 years or more.

So, is printing dead?

To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the death of printing have been greatly exaggerated. The downward trends are still there, but it’s going to be quite a while before it’s gone – certainly long enough that businesses need to invest in better, more efficient ways of printing.

We've listed the best small business printers.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Five-minute review

In early 2023 I reviewed Google's first dedicated gaming Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, and it changed my mind about Chromebooks and gaming. So I was excited to get my hands on the long-awaited refresh, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024).

The Chromebook has been upgraded in every meaningful way, from the display to the specs, and even has new AI features included for those looking to double it as a productivity machine. Unfortunately, there are a few aspects that have been left in the dust in the meantime, which could impact whether this is a truly robust refresh worth reinvesting in if you already have the original model.

The screen is a 16-inch IPS display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution and 350 nits of brightness. The refresh rate is a lovely 120Hz, making it perfect for most video games, while the sRGB 100% color gamut pairs well with the Chromebook's AI tools for creative and editing projects. 

It's good to see that so much was invested in upgrading the display since it's the most important aspect of the gaming experience for the Chromebook Plus 516 GE.

The outer design is rather brand, identical to the original Chromebook 516 GE, though that tends to be a trait among budget gaming laptops in the first place. Despite that, it has a sturdy yet decently light chassis, especially for the screen size, which makes transportation that much easier.

Its keyboard and trackpad have been mostly left the same as well, which is a good thing as they were already quite solid on their own and needed little tampering. The webcam is very good, with 1080p at 60fps video, which is more than what many of even the best laptops offer. And while I do appreciate the physical switch on the side that turns the webcam off and on, the camera itself should have a physical shutter for added security.

The port selection is varied and includes two USB Type-C ports, a USB Type-A port, an HDMI 2.1 port, an ethernet port, and a combo jack. For its size, however, more USB ports as well as an SD card reader could have been added.

There's still a massive downside to its design, and that's the still abysmal sound quality. Google boasts that the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE features "cinematic sounds with DTS audio" and I can confirm that it's not the case. There's a tinny, almost muddiness to the sound, which shows through even with YouTube videos, and sounds even worse when playing games. You'll want to invest in the best PC gaming headsets if you get this Chromebook.

Like its competition, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) has plenty of AI features built into the Chrome OS. But one of the more unique traits is that they use a combination of local and cloud storage. 

The webcam, for instance, has a feature that automatically adjusts both picture quality and lighting when using the webcam. It's pretty handy for minor enhancements but don't expect any major improvements either.

There are plenty of other AI tools, which are mostly powered by Google Gemini. Help Me Write generates text based on prompts and lets you edit text based on tone and more, while Help Me Read summarizes PDFs and websites by simply right-clicking the text. 

Focus is a tool that turns on a Do Not Disturb mode once you select a window of time, a Google Task you want to finish, and a YouTube Music playlist. There's Magic Editor which uses AI to enhance and correct images on Google Photos, or you can use generative AI to create unique wallpapers and video call backgrounds.

My favorite tool is Project Gameface, an AI-powered hands-free control with face and gesture tracking. This is a major accessibility feature, as you can custom-map out ways to control the entire OS through non-hand controls. While it's still in beta, what I was able to experience is quite impressive and I truly look forward to the finished product once it launches.

Game dashboard is the new tool that pairs the best with the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024). You have access to features like window resizing, screen capture, game capture, and control mapping, a great option for those who can't or don't want to invest in a game recording setup.

The game recording is fine, though naturally not as high as a premium capture card, but it does a surprisingly great job thanks to the screen quality. It's also easy, allowing you to avoid setting up a whole mess of wires. Control mapping is a standard feature but always appreciated, especially for games that don't come with it like mobile titles that rely on touchscreen controls.

The upgraded specs of the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) shine through in its benchmark scores, as these are some of the highest test results I've seen in any Chromebook and are solid improvements over the already excellent scores from the original Chromebook 516 GE model.

I was particularly impressed by the WebGL Aquarium, as it was able to maintain a high 85fps with the maximum amount of fish enabled.

The Intel Core CPU is certainly working overtime, which is great to hear from those interested in playing the best PC games through Steam or any Android titles. While you'll mainly want to game through a streaming service like Nvidia's GeForce Now or Amazon Luna, having the option to play locally is always a boon. 

Just know that the Steam Borealis is still in beta, meaning you'll have to enable it through developer mode at your own risk. But in my experience, it runs quite well with little in the way of slowdown or bugs.

The best way to use this Chromebook, however, is through GeForce Now. If you're using the most premium subscription option and you have a solid internet connection, the experience is incredibly smooth and stutter-free. I played AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur's Gate 3 with no issues at all. And thanks to the great display, the games look even better than in the original model and beat out most other Chromebooks.

The battery life isn't too shabby, lasting about seven hours when under heavy video use and a bit more under normal work conditions. While it's not the best for a Chromebook, it still outstrips most Windows laptops using an Intel Core CPU. The good thing is that you can play for quite a bit before running low on battery, making it way more portable-minded than other gaming laptops.

It lasts a little longer when it comes to productivity work, ensuring that you'll have a full work or school day worth of charge. And it charges pretty fact too, so you won't be stuck at an outlet for too long in case you need to juice up.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? starting price is $649.99 (around £515 / AU$980)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US

The price for the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) is $649.99 (around £515 / AU$980), which is the same price that the original Acer Chromebook 516 GE sold for at launch. While it's a steep price point for a Chromebook, for a gaming laptop it's a steal, especially for more casual gamers who don't require much firepower for the games they play, or those who only want to stream games instead of playing locally.

Currently, it's only available in the US through Best Buy, with no units available to purchase in the UK and Australia at the time of this writing.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Specs

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE I reviewed came with an Intel Core 5 120U CPU with Intel Arc Graphics, up to 16GB of LPDDR4X SDRAM, and 256 GB PCIe storage. There aren't any options to upgrade your specs, and Chromebooks are notorious for poor self-repairability and no self-upgrade options.

Should you buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE?

Buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE if...

Don't buy it if...

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Also consider

If my Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) review has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...

How I tested the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE

• I tested the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE for several weeks
• I tested its gaming capabilities
• I stress-tested the battery using the TechRadar movie test

First, I tested the general weight and portability of the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE by carrying it around in a laptop bag. After I set it up, I ran several benchmarks to thoroughly test out its upgraded specs and compare them to the original model. Finally, I used a variety of programs and applications to test out both battery life and general performance during work-like conditions.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is a gaming laptop that can also do productivity work, meaning I needed to test out both of those capabilities. I also tested out battery life to see how long it could last off AC power.

I've tested plenty of Chromebooks, making me more than qualified to understand benchmark test results and how to properly stress test machines to see how well they perform as a work machine.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

Google is planning to revamp ChromeOS by bringing in chunks of its Android OS to boost the desktop operating system’s capabilities. By doing so, the company will have the benefit of working off the same framework codebases, which would open the door to more features, including AI tools. 

According to a recent blog post from Google, adding Android-based tech will “accelerate the pace of AI innovation at the core of ChromeOS, simplify engineering efforts, and help different devices like phones and accessories work better together with Chromebooks.”

However, the post does note that while work on this move has begun, these changes may not be consumer-ready for quite some time. 

It seems like the big push to integrate more Android-based tech comes from the need to lay the groundwork for more intuitive and capable AI features in Chromebooks, similar to what we’ve recently seen unveiled at WWDC 24 with Apple Intelligence (and with Windows Copilot, too). 

ChromeOS needs to Catch up with AI 

With more companies determined to avoid getting left behind in the AI race, it makes sense for Google to start work on prepping ChromeOS in this respect - especially considering that it is a rather basic operating system. This is, of course, by design, and not a bad thing – much of Chromebooks' appeal is that simplicity.

So, if you’re someone who likes the sound of a Chromebook, but maybe wants more in terms of AI-boosted tools and abilities, you’ll doubtless find this to be an exciting development.

In the meantime, if you’re a Chromebook Plus user, or you’ve been eyeing up these laptops, remember that with these devices you get a year of Gemini Premium on the house, Write with Me, and more AI features – right now.

Of course, this is currently restricted to Chromebook Plus devices only. However, standard Chromebooks can look forward to some new features, too, such as AI-powered hands-free control with face and gesture tracking, and a focus mode (‘do not disturb’ functionality), which are pretty cool abilities I’m pleased to see on Chromebook.

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Google hosted its yearly Chromebook event, which tends to fall around the same time as one of the biggest tech events of the year – Computex. This year was no exception, with the tech giant revealing its plans for AI integration into its line of Chromebook Plus laptops just as Microsoft and other popular manufacturers announced a deluge of their AI-powered laptops, most of them arriving during Computex 2024.

While this is certainly an interesting time, as we’re about to see just how far AI-powered components and tools will take us, it also feels like we’ll be getting more of the same, unless you include Chromebooks in the mix. Then you truly have something worth talking about.

What’s wrong with AI PCs? 

While the prospect of new technologies is always exciting, they can have some downsides. The AI hardware itself, especially when running out of large data centers needed to power both generative AI and the cloud storage it often relies on, has already been eating through massive amounts of water and other resources, and the environmental impact will only continue to worsen as tech giants like Nvidia, Intel, Apple, AMD, Qualcomm, and more create more powerful AI-based CPUs and especially GPUs.

Then there’s Microsoft, whose push for AI tools in Windows 11 may result in one of the biggest ecological disasters, as millions of users are forced to abandon millions of Windows 10 laptops that aren’t compatible with the new OS and its features. This is supported by a UN report stating that e-waste is being created faster than we can recycle, and even Microsoft itself acknowledges that the push for AI PCs and tools is causing an increase in carbon emissions.

The last issue is with both pricing and accessibility, which nearly every manufacturer and tech company is complicit in. AI PCs are always above $1,000; effectively pricing out a sizable portion of buyers looking for an affordable laptop. As for accessibility features, they’re either sparse and redundant (looking at you Microsoft’s AI-generated auto-captioning) or non-existent.

What are Google and its Chromebooks doing right with AI? 

The irony of my assertion that Google is doing anything right in terms of AI is that it’s currently suffering from a sizeable self-inflicted wound to its search engine — AI Overviews. On the other hand, the Chromebook side of the tech giant has been making strides in making AI more accessible to the masses.

I watched several demonstrations of Google’s new AI tools including Help Me Read & Write, Help Me Game, Help Me Hands-Free, and Help Me Create. Seeing such a wide breadth of software and features that cover so many facets of the average user experience did wonders to support Google’s oft-repeated mantra that AI should be helpful, integrated within the entire UI, and based in the cloud and on the device. 

Help Me Hands-Free, and tools like live transcription and live translation, are particularly impressive as they massively increase the accessible options for users. Though Help Me Hands-Free is currently in beta testing, you can operate your entire UI through hand gestures and voice commands. Live transcription and live translation are also incredible tools that make videos more accessible.

Then there’s the pricing, where Chromebooks have every other laptop beat. The most expensive options are still under $1,000, with specs and displays perfect for productivity work and even some gaming. Chrome OS isn’t perfect but the available apps are ever-growing and, coupled with its increasing roaster of AI tools, are helping make it more popular.

While there’s still room to grow in this regard, the fact that Google is attempting to mitigate the immense resource cost of AI by allowing for both local and cloud storage is encouraging. 

AI needs access to cloud storage to keep its data pool fresh (though that comes with its own moral implications of what constitutes intellectual property theft). But if you can cut how much access to the cloud – and therefore access to data centers and the resources they consume – you can mitigate some of AI's negative environmental impact. I'm not sure I see the same level of eco-friendly AI commitment from other tech giants.

Google's Chrome hardware is also relatively free from concerns about wholesale, unsupportable OS upgrades that could lead to more waste.

What I’d like to see in the future 

My number one concern for AI continues to be its ecological impact. And therefore, I want to see Google take a much more proactive and aggressive approach to how it mitigates the sheer amount of resources it uses. If there’s any corporation that can figure out how to make AI completely local to reduce that burden, Google is it with the capital and staff to make it happen. Like other tech corporations, it has the responsibility to do so.

Another improvement is to make Chromebooks even more affordable. There are plenty of models that retain their cheap cost, however, the most expensive models keep climbing in price. One of the biggest advantages of the Chromebook is its retail price compared to other laptops, but it seems that every year that gap narrows. Considering that Chrome OS is still quite limited, it approaching the cost of a Windows laptop is unacceptable.

That said, Google has made the most progress in making its AI technology more equitable, as it’s been thoroughly integrating numerous tools and features into its very UI. Tools that serve the user rather than check off an arbitrary box in a list that’s only meant to impress but not truly help. Other tech giants should follow suit if they don’t want their more premium options to be left behind as Chromebook continues to loom over them.

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From today, Chromebook Plus users are getting a bunch of new AI-powered features and perks that’ll make the most of the more powerful hardware. You can write and edit your work with Help Me Write, interact with Google Gemini right from your desktop with the app, and edit your photos. 

For now, most of these features are exclusive to new and existing Plus users (so if you’ve been eyeing up something like Acer's new Chromebook Plus model this is a further temptation to push you to buy one), but there are still a few features coming to all the best Chromebooks. 

So, here’s a rundown of what you can expect to see for your Chromebook, whether it’s a Plus model, or not.

 Gemini Premium 

Perhaps the most exciting perk for Chromebook Plus devices is a free year-long subscription to Google’s Gemini Premium, which encourages users to try out Gemini if they haven’t already, and use it in their everyday lives with no limits. If you open your Chromebook Plus and suddenly have a year's worth of premium generative AI access, wouldn’t you want to take it for a spin?

Alongside that, you also get a Google One AI Premium plan at no cost, which stretches your Gemini Advanced subscription across Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail. You’ll get a storage bump of 2TB, again a pretty sweet deal for Chromebook users who will primarily be working with Google apps online. 

Help Me Write is an equally useful tool to throw into the mix, especially for students and bloggers. According to the official blog post, this will be a Chromebook Plus exclusive feature (for now) that enables you to right-click over selected text to make changes to your writing powered by AI. You can generate text from scratch, rewrite existing work, make something shorter, or change the tone of a piece entirely. 

 Generative AI wallpaper

Your operating system on Chromebook Plus will also get a few new features that will enable you to customize your device. Using AI, you’ll be able to dream up a bunch of new desktop backgrounds and pick the one that suits you best. From what we can tell, the images are pretty high quality, and include suggestions like natural backgrounds, letters, fantasy dreamscapes, and more.

 What about everyone else?  

If you don’t currently have a Chromebook Plus and you’re not looking to invest in one right now, don’t fret – regular Chromebook owners may not get the above AI goodies, but they do have a few other helpful new features to look forward to.

Soon you’ll be able to set up new Chromebooks with just your Android phone, and scanning a QR code with your phone will share your Wi-Fi passwords and Google account details with your new device instantaneously. 

Thanks to a layout change, you'll also be able to access Google Tasks with a single click of the date in the bottom-right corner of your home screen, allowing for easy access to your list of to-dos. This is a pretty handy change for sure, so you’ll be able to keep track of your tasks whatever you’re doing, without having to mess about. 

Google’s blog post dives into some other bits and pieces, like AI-powered hands-free control with face and gesture tracking, and a focus mode (‘do not disturb’ functionality), which are pretty cool features I’m pleased to see on Chromebook.
                
Overall, it looks like a good day to be a Chromebook owner, and particularly the owner (or prospective owner) of a Chromebook Plus. We’re betting Google has plenty more features in store for users in the future, and different ways to make the most of AI time-savers on its laptops.

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It’s a big day for the Chromebook Plus series. Not only are the laptops gaining access to Google’s Gemini AI, but we’re also getting new models. 

For example, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 only receives a slightly better processor and brighter screen, but Acer delivered more substantial upgrades. One model focuses on cloud gaming, while another specializes in work productivity. 

Beginning with the former, the Chromebook Plus 516 GE houses a 13th-Gen Intel Core i7 processor alongside an integrated Intel graphics card. This normally wouldn’t be a great configuration for gaming, but to make up for the lack of power, NVIDIA GeForce NOW comes on every unit. It’s a service that allows you to stream video games as if they’re running on a GeForce RTX 4080 GPU – so long as you have the right subscription plan.

Titles will be shown on the 16-inch WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) display running at a refresh rate of 120Hz, enabling smooth, responsive gameplay. The screen also covers the entire sRGB color gamut for vibrant imagery. Across the laptop, you’ll find four speakers (two firing up and two firing down) capable of surrounding the user in immersive audio. 

The keyboard sports a vibrant, RGB backlight that can be configured in one of several color modes, and it even comes with “anti-ghosting technology” to ensure key inputs are read and not unceremoniously dropped.

Other notable features of the Chromebook Plus 516 GE include 10 hours of battery life, up to 2TB SSD, and 16GB of RAM.

Work it

The second model is the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714, a convertible laptop that becomes a tablet by pushing the screen all the way back. The 14-inch display boasts a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels and, like its sibling, covers all of the sRGB color range. It’s worth noting that the company equipped this machine with “Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass” to resist scratches and bacteria.  

Multiple configurations will be available for the Spin 714, but the base is an Intel Core Ultra 7 chipset, a 512GB SSD, and 16GB of memory. All of them feature a 1440p Quad HD webcam for crystal-clear calls. Additionally, Acer’s TNR Solution software will enhance video quality in low-light conditions. 

Audio isn’t thrown by the wayside either since it has a pair of microphones for clear pickup and upward-facing speakers that support DTS Audio, resulting in distortion-free sound.

Acer states the Chromebook Plus 516 GE will launch in North America for $699.99. The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 will be more widely available at $749.99 in North America and €979 in Europe. 

The announcement post claims both will be released by the end of the month, but we could not find a listing at the time of this writing. We reached out asking exactly when people can purchase these laptops. We’ll update this story if we hear back.

In the meantime, check out TechRadar's list of the best Chromebooks for 2024.

Update: A company representative got back to us with a couple of product listings where you can purchase both laptops from. The Chromebook Plus 516 GE is available for purchase on Best Buy's website for $649.99 USD and $1,099.99 CAD.  The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is also available on Best Buy's website for $699.99 USD.

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More information has been revealed about Intel's Twin Lake processors which are all about efficiency and low power usage for budget machines. 

In fact, these are CPUs that only have efficiency cores - with no performance cores (the ones you'll find on Intel's workhorse desktop chips) - and the successor to the Intel N100 has been revealed to be the N250.

This Twin Lake CPU features four cores clocked at 1.2GHz according to a data mined leak from @InstLatX64 on X (formerly Twitter). It's expected to be a small upgrade over the previous Alder Lake-N model (N100), but no information exists about the boost clock at this time.

As spotted by Toms Hardware, it appears as though the Intel N250 will be built on the Alder Lake-S architecture, meaning it has Gracemont efficiency cores which essentially means the chip will perform similarly to a Core i3. The CPU is far from one of the best processors on the market but pricing could be its saving grace. 

That's because the Intel N100 retails for $55 and we're expecting the Intel N250 to be around the same price for the successor mobile chipset. This means that low-end Chromebooks and other laptops running with the CPU shouldn't see a price increase despite superior performance, which could make all the difference. 

For reference, we can turn our attention to the best Chromebooks at the budget end of the scale and what they offer. Those cash-strapped and wanting lightweight computing power can consider the likes of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook for $349. The kicker, however, is a weak sauce 1.1GHz Intel Celeron N4020 CPU. 

That processor is about as barebones as it gets with its dual-core design and just a 6W power usage, and boost clock of 2.8GHz. It's an ancient chip in computing terms having launched in 2019, despite being used in modern Chromebooks. In contrast, the leaked N250 boasts double the potential performance. 

Twin Lake processors could speed up cheap Chromebooks

While Chromebooks are far from the leading-edge in terms of laptop performance, they offer low prices and lightweight applications as they are mostly web-based. However, doubling the processor's power will be noticeable, and will improve all-round performance with nippier web browsing, word processing, media playback, encoding, and more. 

The N250 is reminiscent of what we used to see from Intel quad-core processors in the time before Core i5, i7, and i9 chips hit the scene. Twin Lake looks to be a compelling improvement over Celeron which continues to cling on after all these years, and while seemingly iterative on the N100 chip, the inbound N250 should provide a solid boost. 

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Google is planning to bring ppatial audio to Chromebooks, elevating these accessible laptops to become better devices for watching and listening to your favorite media.

The introduction of spatial audio could raise the prestige of the best Chromebooks, and make them more viable competitors to Windows laptops and MacBooks for users who want to enjoy their laptop outside of working hours. It should be noted that not all content supports spatial audio, so don’t expect old movies to sound better.

Spatial audio essentially allows your device to change the way audio is sent to your headphones so you get more depth of sound - in a sense, emulating proper 7.1 surround sound. So, being able to watch movies and TV shows on your Chromebook and take advantage of the newly implemented spatial audio will definitely make your downtime a lot more enjoyable - the lack of spatial audio in ChromeOS was previously a point of contention for some users, who considered it to be a staple feature in Windows, Android, and macOS.

Audio all around!

According to 9to5Google, the feature showed up in a recent code change in the Chromium repository,  locked behind a chrome://flags code marker, and when enabled will show a new option in the Settings app. Of course, that doesn’t mean the feature is ready to be rolled out. It’s currently not available in ChromeOS Canary, the most experimental beta channel of the operating system, but we’re likely to see it have a widespread launch in the near future. 

It seems like Chromebook users have a lot to look forward to in terms of sweeping updates and new features, including a central hub to find all the best apps for ChromeOS and a nice new default font!

Overall, I’m really glad to see Google put in the work to bring Chromebooks up to the standards of other productivity machines like the best Apple MacBooks or even just the best Windows laptops on the market. While Chromebooks have a stellar reputation for being financially accessible and convenient machines to work on, the addition of new features and updates is a step closer to better laptop experiences for all ChromeOS users!

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Chromebook users are set to get a single central hub to download apps and games for their devices, meaning they won’t have to worry about where to find the various diverse applications they might want.

Whatever app you might want to download - whether it’s Android, Linux, or a Progressive Web App (PWA - think of these as websites turned into apps) - you’ll be able to get it from the App Mall.

As Chrome Unboxed reports, the App Mall in ChromeOS will let users explore apps outside Google’s Play Store, allowing them to get deeper into customizing their laptops and doing more on their Chromebooks. 

A common complaint many people have when it comes to switching to ChromeOS is that they’re often constrained to the Play Store, and hunting for apps outside of that can feel like a taxing experience.

So, the idea with the App Mall is that whatever you want in terms of all the above-mentioned software, you’ll be able to get it in one convenient location. So, this is pretty exciting news! And more people may be tempted over to ChromeOS given this easy way of accessing a lot more apps. 

The App Mall is currently available to preview, and you can try it out by enabling the flag “chrome://flags/#cros-mall” in the Canary channel of ChromeOS 126. The App Mall icon will then be added to the app launcher.

Chrome Unboxed dropped a video on YouTube showing off the new app hub and it works pretty much as you’d expect. Once you find the app you want it’ll show you screenshots, and reviews, and let you pick which source to download the app from. It seems like currently in preview you can only download Android apps, but obviously, that’ll change as development progresses toward an official release.

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Google has a big change in store for ChromeOS users: a new default font for the operating system, which will replace Roboto as the go-to typeface on all Chrome devices.

The new default font is Google Sans (formerly known as Product Sans), which owners of the best Chromebooks will already be familiar with, even unknowingly; it’s already seeded throughout both the OS and Google’s websites, appearing in the Files app and Quick Settings menu as well as on Google’s own digital storefront.

If font changes are something that worries you (yes, they worry me; yes, I’m a big software interface nerd), then thankfully there’s no need to panic here: Google Sans is a pretty inoffensive font, a far cry from that other Sans font that virtually everyone hates. In fact, it’s very similar to the existing default Roboto, or fonts like San Francisco and Open Sans, to the point where an unaware user might not even notice the change.

Chrome, sans Roboto

Changing the primary font of an entire operating system is no small feat – there was uproar among font fanatics when Microsoft changed the default font of Word from Calibri to Aptos after a 17-year run. I’m personally quite averse to change, and while I approved of the shift away from Times New Roman (ugh) back in the day, I felt that the Calibri-to-Aptos move was unnecessary. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

Well, Roboto ain’t broke, but I can appreciate why Google wants to make the change to its own branded typography. Google Sans is a good font; after all, it’s the lettering that the search engine giant has chosen to represent itself with on official public material, so I can reasonably assume there has been a lot of money and many, many hours of work poured into ensuring its perfection. It’s a pleasingly modern typeface, most crucially opting for an open-tail lower-case ‘g’ – none of that hideous loop-tail business here, thank you very much. Yes, I know we use it here on TechRadar, and that you're looking at it right now. No, I’m not happy about it, but you’ve got to pick your battles.

Considering that Google Sans is already present in many corners of ChromeOS, it’s not likely to be a world-shaking change for most users. My fellow font fiends can relax, though – this isn’t even a big leap for those who pay close attention to lettering, if you ask me.

Roboto won’t be completely ousted from the OS just yet, either – judging by a Chromium Gerrit code commit spotted by 9to5Google, the former default font will stick around for times when Google Sans just won’t quite fit (due to a lack of specific glyph support, for example). We don’t have a concrete date for when the change will be implemented just yet; given that ChromeOS version 124 is already in beta and due to go live imminently, it’ll likely be in version 125 towards the end of May or the beginning of June.

Got a strong opinion about fonts? I know some of you do. Hit me up on X (cough, Twitter, cough) with your absolute worst font takes!

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