[ad_1]
A cloud-based Chromebook can offer the utility and functionality of a notebook. And at a fraction of the price of Windows and Mac OS devices.
Enlarge
The best Chromebooks in the test
© Konstantin Savusia, Shutterstock
Are you ready to say goodbye to Windows and Mac OS? If so, then Chromebooks are a good alternative for most users. These devices are perfect for everyday tasks like working on documents and spreadsheets, surfing the web, emails, and so on. They also tend to have good battery life and a sturdy build. Also, most files can be saved directly to the cloud. Whether you’re looking for a device with good battery life, a lightweight form factor, or an affordable price, we’ve tested various Chromebook models.
Google Pixelbook Go – Best Overall Package
Google Pixelbook Go here in the price comparison
Google Pixel Book Go on Amazon
Advantages:
Thin and light, the magnesium alloy body is extremely durable, images and text look crisp
Disadvantage:
Battery life much less than advertised
With its attractive design and affordable price, the Pixelbook Go really raises the bar for a Chromebook. The Intel processor Core i5-8200Y is fast enough to handle productivity tasks and have fun while gaming. The Chromebook is also equipped with 8 GB of RAM instead of the usual 4 GB.

Enlarge
Editor’s recommendation: Google Pixelbook Go
Images look sharp on the Pixelbook Go’s 1080p Full HD display (16:9 aspect ratio). The case remains relatively cool even with heavy workloads and is easily transportable. We find it to be “superbly thin and light”. If you’re looking for a cheap, yet snazzy-looking device, there’s hardly anything better than the Pixelbook Go.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook – Longest battery life
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet on Amazon
Advantages:
Incredibly good value for money, beautiful display with a very nice design, excellent battery life
Disadvantage:
The processor is a little sluggish and typing on the included keyboard is a little cramped
If you need all-day battery life, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is an excellent choice. We were able to use it for 15 hours on a single charge. It’s also unusually light. It only weighs around 500 grams, which is impressive. Thanks to the long battery life and slim body, it is also an ideal travel companion. However, like most Chromebooks, the downside is that it only comes with 4GB of RAM. This means that loading websites, for example, can take a little longer. Still, it’s a good option, especially if you only plan to use the notebook for day-to-day tasks. It’s worth noting that this is technically a Chrome OS tablet with an optional attachable keyboard, rather than a proper laptop.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 at Amazon
Advantages:
Attractive design, cheap, powerful sound, excellent keyboard
Disadvantage:
Mediocre performance, below-average battery life
The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is a good mid-range notebook. It is fast enough for web surfing, document editing and so on. However, it can feel overwhelmed with demanding tasks. Our tester noticed a drop in performance when opening multiple tabs. However, the port selection is a nice combination of old and new. There are two USB-C ports, a single USB-A port, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and a micro SD card reader. As for the keyboard, our tester liked the crisp and taut feel of the keys. Despite being a 2-in-1 notebook, it weighs around 1.5 kilograms, which is quite heavy for a convertible notebook.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5, Chromebook
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 on Amazon
Advantages:
Beautiful screen, amazing battery life, good price
Disadvantage:
Unfavorable aspect ratio, no fingerprint or face scan
With the Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet 5, a Chrome OS tablet that doubles as a laptop, the biggest highlights are the keyboard and the stunningly beautiful OLED display. The 1080p Full HD display delivers colorful images, and according to our tester, the 3:2 aspect ratio is better for productivity. However, a larger display would be better for watching movies. The keys have a decent 1.3mm of travel and the detachable keyboard doesn’t feel too tight overall. There is also a kickstand that can be adjusted up to 135 degrees. The only downside is that the USI compatible stylus costs extra.
HP Chromebook x360
HP Chromebook x360 at Amazon
Advantages:
The 3:2 display makes it productive for school/uni and work at home, high-quality keyboard with good travel, stable housing
Disadvantage:
Mediocre performance
The HP Chromebook x360 is a solid, budget-friendly device for most people. It definitely looks better than the devices kids use at school. Battery life is the real star of the show here: it lasted around 11 hours on a single charge, which is not to be scoffed at. While our tester liked the sturdy body and 3:2 aspect ratio, the display has a not-very-bright luminance of 229 nits. If you can live with a sub-par bright screen, the x360 is both affordable and durable.
As we tested
The PC-WELT team subjects each individual notebook to a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, etc. The idea is to push the notebook to its limits and then compare it to other devices we’ve tested. Because Chromebooks are cloud-based, they go through a series of web-based tests. It would be neither fair nor possible to do the same tests on a Chromebook as we do on laptops, since they all run a completely different operating system. Below is a breakdown of each test and why we run them.
CrXPRT 2:
The benchmark tests the battery life of a Chromebook.
Speedometer 2.0:
This test measures the performance of a Chromebook’s web browser. It simulates adding, completing, and removing a to-do list.
Basemark Web 3.0:
This benchmark measures how well a Chromebook handles web-based applications.
Kraken 1.1:
The JavaScript performance benchmark measures browser speed.
Jet stream 2:
A combination of WebAssembly and JavaScript benchmarks. This is a measure of how well a Chromebook runs advanced workloads.
What should I look for in a Chromebook?
If you’re looking for a Windows or MacBook alternative, consider a Chromebook. Equipped with energy-saving processors, they usually have good battery life and are usually silent in operation. They are great for productivity as they are specially designed for simple tasks such as surfing the web and watching movies on Netflix & Co. However, most Chromebooks have minimal memory and storage space. If you’re a hardcore gamer or a video editor, you need something with a lot more power than a Chromebook can offer.
Our guide to Chromebooks and Windows laptops will help you decide which operating system is best for your needs.
The operating system:
Although every operating system has its advantages and disadvantages, I would argue that Chrome OS is one of the most user-friendly systems. However, Chromebooks don’t give you the option to choose a different operating system, as they run exclusively on Chrome OS.
The processor:
Opt for a mid-range Chromebook if you can. They cost between 400 and 600 euros and many of them are equipped with Intel Pentium processors. These Chromebooks offer better browsing performance and are able to run more intense gaming applications. This is the best value for money.
Random access memory:
Many Chromebooks have 4GB of RAM, which isn’t a lot. Chromebooks are web-based devices, so they need a decent amount of RAM to keep browser tabs open and running smoothly. If you have a few hundred bucks more to spend, you can find a mid-range Chromebook with 8GB of RAM.
Storage space:
We recommend at least 64 GB of storage space. Since you’ll be storing most things in the cloud, you won’t need a lot of local storage space.
Longevity:
Chromebooks are popular in the education market because they’re pretty darn rugged. I’m not saying they should be banged on with a baseball bat, but they’re tough enough to withstand the rigors of everyday life.
[ad_2]
Source link -63