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Undoubtedly, Chromebooks are reliable, portable, and easy to use. They can carry out different computing tasks. They sometimes outperform regular laptops with Windows operating systems. No wonder why they are becoming increasingly popular among students.
This review lists some of the best Chromebooks for students heading back to school or attending remote classes. Let's get started!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Chromebooks for Students
- OUR TOP PICK: Acer Chromebook Spin 713
- RUNNER-UP: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
- Acer Chromebook 314
Comparison of the Best Chromebooks for Students
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Runner-Up
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Let’s now get to the detailed review of the best Chromebooks for students.
Review of the Best Chromebooks
Best Overall:
Acer Chromebook Spin 713
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People say that the thin and lightweight construction of the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is simply amazing. The aluminum body gives it a sturdy feeling compared to other notebooks in its price range. But the audio isn't that great, and it's not Windows Hello and fingerprint sign-in supported.
Why It Stands Out to Us
At $619, you'll have a device equipped with 11th generation Intel Core, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB storage, powerful enough to handle text editing, image editing, and video playback without a stutter! It scored higher in benchmark tests than its competitors, including Google Pixel Go, Asus Chromebook Flip, and HP Chromebook x360 12b.
The unique 3:2 aspect ratio gives a taller view when scrolling through texts or the web. The keyboard is backlit with a good tactile feel, and the battery life can keep you going for up to 10 hours on a single charge!
Who Will Use This Most
The Acer Chromebook Spin can handle basic schoolworks with some light image editing. The low audio quality and lack of biometric login can be a drawback, but if those aren’t an issue, then this is the right laptop for you.
Bottom Line
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 comes with a powerful processor that can run different applications. It has a 3:2 ratio to accommodate multiple tabs, and a 10-hour battery life.
Runner-Up:
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers like the amazing screen with QLED display panel and the vibrant finish in fiesta red. Aside from it’s lightweight, it’s also powerful enough to handle light games without a problem. The battery life falls short compared to other popular Chromebooks, but it's acceptable.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 may not have some of the greatest features of Samsung Chromebook such as the stylus pen, biometric log in, and the OLED panel, but it doesn't cut corners when it comes to performance.
With Intel Core i3 - 10110U processor, 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB SSD storage, you can do spreadsheets, stream music, send emails, and even play android games at once without falling behind.
The gorgeous QLED panel produces solid contrast and crisp images, and the battery life can keep you going for up to 7 hours.
Who Will Use This Most
This device is perfect for college students or casual users in need of a laptop with attractive design that doesn’t fall short in terms of performance. It’s light and small, but it holds enough power.
Bottom Line
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 isn't the sequel of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook. It lacks some extra features like the stylus pen and biometric authentication, but it’s lag free when it comes to standard computing tasks.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers say that Acer Chromebook 314 is a great choice for web browsing and standard creative projects due to its strong performance. Also, it’s thin and very portable, making it easier to carry around. The speakers are not as loud as expected, but the responsive keyboard and touchpad are enough to make up for that.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Acer Chromebook 314 can cover a wide variety of tasks from casual browsing, typing, and light streaming. The Intel Celeron N4000 CPU, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB SSD allow a smooth transition from one tab to another without reloading. In fact, you can get back where you left off even after a standby mode.
The keyboard and touchpad respond fast and well to every command and movement, while the selection of ports can accommodate USB-C and USB-A devices and accessories. Plus, the battery life lasts up to 12 hours!
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for a well-performing laptop you can carry easily, Acer Chromebook 314 might be the perfect choice. It’s a mix of power and portability.
Bottom Line
The Acer Chromebook 314 is a portable and powerful Chromebook that doesn’t hold back. The only downside is the not-so-great audio and lack of a fingerprint scanner.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers like that the glass trackpad and hush keyboard are both responsive to commands. The screen brightness and resolution are good for web browsing, spreadsheets, and photos. But, it’s missing the fingerprint and face scanner that enables instant access to the laptop.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Google Pixelbook Go consists of solid specs: I-core processor, 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB SSD stand out. With, you can use Google docs, chat using Slack, and run music in the background all at once.
The keyboard is comfortable with ample spaced keys, great travel distance, and a “hush” feature for silent and tactile feedback. The 1080p camera has a clear and crisp output in video calls or virtual conferences, while the speakers are small but surprisingly loud.
With upto 12 hours battery life, it has enough power to through the day.
Who Will Use This Most
Google Pixel Go isn't for intensive games, and photo and video editing, it’s for student or casual user doing mainly Google docs and web browsing, this laptop is for you.
Bottom Line
Choose Google Pixel Go if you want a reliable device that you can use for general or basic work, and the lack of biometric authentication isn’t a big deal.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers find the bright display and tight hinge that holds the screen in place appealing, as well as the solid build quality that is resistant to pressure. But, some complain about the terrible video playback on different apps and the choppy video on the browser; most games are pretty much unplayable.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Lenovo C13 Yoga Chromebook contains the Thinkpad features such as the red trackpoints, touchpad clickers, and fingerprint sensor, designed for office work. So it’s not just for students but also for grown-ups.
With AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 3500C Processor, up to 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB SSD, it has enough computing power for your day-to-day browsing and word processing.
The 4k OLED display option produces crisp and impressive images. Its 16:9 ratio is good for tall videos. Adobe Lightroom runs without any problem, and the CPU doesn’t overheat even if you push it harder.
Who Will Use This Most
This is ideal for students who do basic Internet with some admin tasks. With sufficient performance and a bright panel, speed and graphics are satisfactory.
Bottom Line
Lenovo C13 Yoga Chromebook is designed for business. But students will also benefit from red trackpoint, fingerprint scanner, and touchpad clickers.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Lenovo IdeaPad is a durable and reliable with a battery life can last for up to 21 hours, making it perfect for those who do schoolwork all day long. It is also super light at just under three pounds! However, the keyboard and trackpad are small which make it difficult to type. And there's only one USB-C port, plus the display is a bit dim, particularly when you're outdoors.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook has the Chrome OS designed for accessing alls types of Google applications and storing files on cloud database; ideal for students who always work on the go.
The MediaTek Helio P60T processor, 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, and 128 GB eMMC storage it comes with, may not be suitable for heavy photo and video editing, but it performs fast with web-browsing and word processing. You can also do light gaming on it if you are looking for entertainment during breaks.
Who Will Use This Most
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook is for students looking for an affordable chromebook for schoolwork and browsing on-the-go. Forget about having to recharge, the battery last almost all day!
Bottom Line
At $299, this portable and versatile Chromebooks is an amazing deal. Add that to the fact it has ultra-long battery life. The downside is it only has one USB-C port and a small keyboard and touchpad.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many customers say that HP Chromebook x360 12b is good for everyday tasks. There’s no issues with speed and performance. It is also manageable in tablet mode. But some complain about the 3:2 ratio, which cramps 16:9 media.
Why It Stands Out to Us
With Intel Celeron N4000 CPU, 4 GB RAM, and 32 GB eMMC storage, this laptop boasts reliable computing performance. The processor may not be designed for multi-tasking, but it performs well in web browsing.
It has an HD webcam, and the speakers are loud enough for video calls or streaming movies or music. The multi-touch screen recognizes different points of contact at a time. Plus, the advanced stylus support allows for easy sketching and taking down notes.
Who Will Use This Most
HP Chromebook x360 12b is for students who do modest browsing and basic schoolwork. Also for those who want a chromebook with advanced stylus technology for easy notes.
Bottom Line
HP Chromebook x360 12b is not for multi-tasking, but as long as you keep the laptop to its limitation, it should work fine. With the advanced stylus support, it can level up your sketching and journaling experience.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers say that the Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 is lightweight and easy to carry. The keyboard is surprisingly fast, and the battery life is impressive. The only thing is that the processor becomes sluggish, particularly when you're streaming and browsing at the same time.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 is designed to enhance your experience with Android apps. With it, you can access and use all your favorite apps in their glory. If you are looking for entertainment outside Android games, you can also play GeForce Now, Stadia, or Xbox Game Pass smoothly.
Depending on your preferences, the keyboard can pop on and off, and it has a short travel distance. Further, you can fold the kickstand in long and short ways, based on how you want to position the monitor. Plus, it comes with a stylus for easy journaling.
Who Will Use This Most
The Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 is for students looking for a device for casual use and some entertainment. With it, accessing and utilizing Android apps becomes easier!
Bottom Line
Designed to level up your experience with android apps, Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 is a great secondary gadget for mobile uses. It also comes with extra features such as the stylus pen, kickstand cover, and stain-free fabric cover.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People say that HP Chromebook 11 is a great value with all the features you need at a very affordable price. That includes decent overall performance, durable chassis, and long battery life. But the unresponsive touchpad makes the customers frustrated when typing or scrolling up and down.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The HP Chromebook 11 allows you to send an email, listen to music, browse, or type some documents simultaneously. It's not a good gaming laptop, but it does well in general tasks.
The keyboard contains shortcuts for convenience and is very responsive. It also has dependable wi-fi for streaming movies without delays. And the battery lasts for up to 12 hours on regular use.
Who Will Use This Most
This is ideal for students looking for an affordable laptop they can use mainly for basic computing tasks and schoolwork. It can get through your homework without delay.
Bottom Line
HP Chromebook 11 covers both school and office work. With a military-grade standard, you can expect it to stay intact for a long time.
5 Things to Know Before Buying a Chromebook
Chromebook make an excellent choice for students looking for a computer designed for basic schoolwork, web browsing, and light games. But here’s what you need to know before buying a Chromebook.
Google Ecosystem
Chromebooks are designed to be used with Google apps and other cloud-based solutions. If you rely mostly on Google apps such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Keep, and Chrome, Chromebooks will best suit you. It gives full access to the applications that you cannot install on your Android phone.
Proprietary Productivity Apps
If you use powerful apps such as Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word most of the time, you must consider how much of your activity will be affected.
Chromebooks aren't really designed for intensive applications, but Google provides great alternatives. You can use Google Docs or Sheets for MS Word and GIMPs for Adobe Photoshop. However, they might fall short when you have to do complex tasks.
Reliable Wi-Fi Connection
Some Google Apps can now be used offline, but most of them still rely on an Internet connection. In addition, Chromebooks depend on cloud-based storage to store files and data. Unless you have a stellar wi-fi connection, you might find it frustrating to use Chromebook.
Android Phone
The Android phone integration is another advantage that attracts many people. This allows you to install apps you've purchased on the Google store on your Chromebook and use them without restrictions.
Skype
Skype isn't available on Chromebook. You can use the web-based version, but it doesn't include video calls. This is a problem as many people are still using Skype.
If that’s not an issue, then a Chromebook will work for you. Otherwise, you might want to try the workaround for installing Skype on Chromebook. There's no guarantee that it will work as it does on Windows, but it's worth a try.
Best Chromebooks FAQs
Do you need a Google account to use Chromebook?
Yes, you need a Google account to use Chromebook as you will have to enter your Google account credentials for the initial setup. You will also need it for installing applications from the web store. If you don’t have one yet, you can easily create an account.
Do you need anti-malware software on a Chromebook?
Chrome OS comes with built-in security features such as sandboxing, verified boot, data encryption, and more to protect users from viruses. It's safe to use even without anti-malware or antivirus.
Can you install programs on a Chromebook?
The difference between a Chromebook and a traditional laptop is that you access the programs through the Internet or use the Android version rather than install them.
That's one reason you have to consider how much of your daily activities rely on powerful apps that the Google alternatives might fall short on.
Are Chromebooks Fast?
Generally, Chromebooks are fast. It's created with speed and security in mind. So it can handle multiple applications at a time. But the speed still mainly depends on your processor and RAM. You need to consider the specifications depending on your intended use.
Can you play games on Chromebooks?
Yes, you can play android games on Chromebook. All you have to do is download them from the Webstore. Any games you can install on your Android phone, you may install on your Chromebook.
The thing is, you cannot play games on it the way you can on Windows or Mac laptops because it doesn’t run executable files.
Conclusion
Based on our in-depth reviews, Acer Chromebook Spin 713, Acer Chromebook 314, and Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 are the highly recommended Chromebooks for students.
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has the 11th generation Intel Core i5 designed to run multiple programs without a noticeable lag. It can certainly improve students’ productivity.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 doesn’t cut corners in performance and the QLED display makes it ideal for light photo editing, meanwhile, the Acer Chromebook 314 is an ultra-portable device that allows a smooth transition from one task to another.
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