The best Chromebooks of 2019 are more powerful, more flexible and with longer battery lives than ever before. In this list of the best Chromebooks, we put together the top devices that show exactly what these affordable Chrome OS-based laptops are capable of.
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Before you buy the best Chromebook for your needs however, it might be worth knowing what exactly a Chromebook is. Chromebooks don’t just feature fantastic battery life, but they’re also very affordable. This is because the top Chromebooks don’t need the latest and greatest processors – as they run Chrome OS, a lightweight operating system, and they only pack what they need to get the job done. Plus, the best Chromebooks are getting more advanced by the day.
Some users may be wary of picking up one of the best Chromebooks because of their limitations, and that’s totally fair. However, if your computer use just boils down to word processing, emailing and watching Netflix, with very little video editing or gaming, you really can’t go wrong with one of the best Chromebooks.
The Google Pixelbook is the best Chromebook of 2019
Shortly after announcing the Chromebook Pixel’s demise, Google revived it in a way nobody expected. Now, it’s the Google Pixelbook, and it stands completely independent of its predecessor. That’s because, unlike the Chromebook Pixel, it can run Android apps natively, on top of building upon Chrome OS. When you factor in the huge amount of storage space, fantastic stylus and Google Assistant, it shouldn’t surprise you when we say the Pixelbook is the best Chromebook 2019 has to offer – even so long after its launch.
Read the full review: Google Pixelbook
The best convertible Chromebook
Before Google released the Pixelbook, and showed us exactly what the best Chromebooks should be, the Asus Chromebook Flip was our perfect Google laptop. With a full Intel Core processor and a full-HD display, the Asus Chromebook Flip was a game-changer. Put simply, if you want key features that the Pixelbook offers, but you don’t want to deal with that steep price tag, the Asus Chromebook Flip is the next best Chromebook. If you're on the budget, this is one of the best Asus laptops to consider.
Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip
A brilliant Chromebook for productivity
When Android apps started heading to the best Chromebooks, it was only a matter of time before Samsung came into the picture to craft something truly beautiful. With a 12.3-inch QHD touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge, the Samsung Chromebook Pro also boasts a built-in stylus – the first of its kind to show up in a Chromebook. Not only does it give many of its competitors a run for their money, but it’s better than most Android devices as well, even if the keyboard could use some tightening up.
Read the full review: Samsung Chromebook Pro
- This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Asus Chromebook Flip.
Another top convertible Chrfomebook
When you think of Chromebooks, education is one of the first things that comes to mind. But, with the Acer Chromebook Spin 13, Acer wants them to be synonymous with business, too. Beautifully built from aluminum with a gorgeous QHD screen, it won’t just fit in the office, but it may actually draw some envious looks. It’s more than just an appealing chassis, however: the Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is backed by full-fat Ultrabook processors, so it can get work done in style.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 13
Another great 2-in-1 Chromebook
The best Chromebooks are affordable devices that anyone can get their hands on. And, in that spirit, the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 flawlessly fits the bill. This isn’t the most powerful Chromebook on the market, mind you. But it boils Chromebooks down to what they need to be: affordable, easy to use and durable. This Chromebook will be great for doing all your web browsing and video editing, and may just be one of the best laptops for kids, as it won’t break from a simple drop. What more can you ask for?
Read the full review: Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1
Acer has made one of the best Chromebooks ever with the Chromebook Spin 11
The best Chromebooks are perhaps the most compelling student laptops, and that’s exactly where the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 excels. Whether you’re a student or a parent of one, this is a cheap, capable and, more importantly, durable machine that can get some schoolwork done on the go. Sure, you can’t get any hardcore gaming or video editing done on it, but if you just need to write up some papers and watch some YouTube in your downtime, then the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 should be at the top of your list.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 11
Another brilliant Chromebook from Acer
With a solid build quality that rivals a MacBook, it’s easy to forgive the Acer Chromebook 15’s aversion to 2-in-1 form factors. Still, given that the best Chromebooks releasing this year are fully convertible, thanks to the wide adoption of Android app support, the Acer Chromebook 15 had to prove itself to us with more than great style. And, beyond its ability to lay flat using a 180-degree hinge, this beautiful 15-inch Chromebook also makes a great impression with its battery life lasting nearly 17 hours in our battery test.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15
Acer Chromebook R11 has a 360-degree hinge
We wouldn’t be surprised to see Acer replacing the Chromebook R11 – at least, judging by the recent release of the Chromebook Spin 11. Yet it still holds up to this day as one of the best Chromebooks to hit the streets. Sure, it isn’t the most powerful choice out there, but it still offers full access to Android Apps on the Google Play store. What’s more, it does so on a touchscreen display that can be rotated around into tablet mode, fitted in an all-metal finish that you would be proud to show off.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11
A brilliant value Chromebook from HP
The best Chromebooks are the ones that balance a rock-bottom price and speedy use of Chrome OS – and the HP Chromebook 14 is a perfect example. While it’s similar to the Acer Chromebook 15 in a lot of ways, this 14-inch Chromebook is a tad more compact and looks slightly better. Complemented by a bright blue finish and a screen made to astonish, the HP Chromebook 14 offers the best value of any Chromebook out there. Even if the battery life and performance are average – the HP Chromebook 14 is easily one of the best Chromebooks to date.
Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14
There’s a handful of things we don’t love about the Acer Chromebook Spin 15, namely the fact that doesn’t take full advantage of the space it has and that its trackpad isn’t the best. Yet we have easily forgiven its shortcomings, as it more than makes up for them with enough power for over-the-top multitasking, a battery life that will outlast yours and a beautiful touchscreen that surprisingly premium for the price. All those certainly warrant this Chromebook a spot in our best Chromebooks list, and that’s without considering the fact that it’s very affordable. If you’re not convinced that you should jump on the Chromebook bandwagon, this one will make a convert out of you.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 15
Watch the video below for the top 7 things to consider when buying a laptop:
- Images Credit: TechRadar
Juan Martinez and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article.
- Many of the best Chromebooks also made our best cheap laptops list
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