The Best Chromebooks to Buy in 2019 For Enhanced Online Productivity

Chromebooks have come a long way from being just internet access tools to notebooks where you can get serious stuff done. Chromebooks are based on Google's Chrome OS that offers a simple way to work without bothering the user with constant updates or unnecessary bloatware. Chromebooks are now being sold by most major OEMs including ASUS, Acer, Samsung, HP, Dell, and even Google.

While Chromebooks are great for school or as a backup computer, there are certain limitations if you are switching from a Windows or Mac notebook. For one, you won't be able to run apps like Photoshop or other popular desktop programs as most Chromebooks neither offer the required CPU power nor have enough storage for such programs. You are limited to Chrome OS apps, which are basically web apps that run in the Chrome OS. However, Google recently introduced Android app support to Chrome OS, which means you have access to the millions of apps in the Google Play Store. That said, Android apps that require phone-specific hardware will not work. Also, Chromebooks are meant to be online devices so the onboard storage is usually on the lower side. Many OEMs offer codes for redeeming extra space on Google Drive so as long as your online, this shouldn't be a problem.

Chrome OS is great for education and is itself a Linux derivative but if you want a bit more, you can install other Linux distros such as Ubuntu on it by enabling Developer Mode and installing the Crouton script. Do note that enabling Developer Mode will reset the Chromebook to factory default. Crouton enables installing Linux as a dual boot option so you can switch to Linux for running more complex programs.

Most Chromebooks are very similar in specs and design so we've combed through the available options to pick the best-performing ones.

With that information, here are the 14 best Chromebooks to buy in 2019.

1. Google Pixelbook

The Google Pixelbook is Google's premium notebook and probably the best of what Chrome OS has to offer. The Google Pixelbook is also one of the highest specs Chromebooks you can find. With an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16 GB RAM, and 512 GB storage, the Pixelbook offers great performance that is actually overkilled for Chrome OS. The heavy specs do not seem to adversely affect the battery — you get up to 10-hour battery life and also a fast-charging within 15 minutes for 2 hours of use.

The Pixelbook is a convertible that offers laptop, tablet, tent, and entertainment modes. The Pixelbook offers a secure Chrome OS experience so installing other operating systems is not a straightforward process. However, you can SSH into a remote PC running Windows, macOS, or Linux and run any programs you want. There are a few issues such as disconnecting Bluetooth connectivity and the tablet mode is not a very ideal experience. Apart from these, Pixelbook is the best Chromebook you can get.

• Pros: Most powerful Chromebook available; Good battery life
• Cons: Bluetooth bugs; Tablet mode experience is not ideal

2. Samsung Chromebook Pro

The Samsung Chromebook Pro is one of the best Chromebooks, apart from the Pixelbook, that offers a convertible option. The Chromebook Pro offers a touchscreen that makes it easy to work with Android apps. Samsung also includes a pen with a device that works great with apps that support pen input. The pen performs well but doesn't expect advanced features like tilt detection or pressure sensitivity. The 12.3-inch display offers a 2400 x 1600 resolution that is perfect for writing and reading. The Chromebook Pro runs on the Intel Core m3 processor, which is an ultra-low-power chip that is easy on the battery but still offers great performance. So, while the CPU can easily run Chrome OS and Android apps, it also works for moderate photo and video editing as well.

The Samsung Chromebook Pro is great for multitasking and productivity. Most Android apps work except, of course, those that require phone-specific sensors. If you're looking for a good alternative to a Windows 2-in-1 laptop, the Samsung Chromebook Pro is the one to look at.

• Pros: 2-in-1 design; Support Android apps; Pen and touch input; USB Type-C
• Cons: None as such

3. Dell Chromebook 11

The Dell Chromebook 11 is one of the best Chromebooks for school and is also very affordable. Considering its usage as an education Chromebook, the Dell Chromebook 11 sports very good build quality. The keyboard is great to type on despite the small form factor and the speakers are loud enough for watching videos. The Intel Celeron N3060 is Intel's lowest-end CPU but doesn't have any issues in running Chrome OS or any of the web apps. It doesn't support Android apps but does support all apps from the Chrome Webstore.

The Dell Chromebook 11 is a sturdy machine but still requires some careful handling. While the Chromebook works great for web apps, it does not provide enough power to run conventional desktop apps even if you somehow manage to get Linux running.

• Pros: Sturdy Chromebook for school use
• Cons: Not very powerful

4. Samsung Chromebook 3

If the Samsung Chromebook Pro is a bit expensive, the Samsung Chromebook 3 is the next best alternative. It features almost all the features of the more expensive Pro apart from the touchscreen and Pen input. Performance is almost identical to the Chromebook Pro but the Celeron N3060 is a bit slower than the Core m3 in the Pro version. The Chromebook 3 offers an 11.6-inch HD display that looks crisp and is great for watching movies on the go. The battery runtime of 11 hours will please those work primarily away from the wall socket.

The Samsung Chromebook 3 offers good performance and but the build quality is not really great. It gives a plasticky feeling that might put off some prospective buyers. The sound quality from the onboard speakers is not really great. Apart from these issues, the Chromebook 3 offers everything you expect from Chrome OS without slowing you down.

• Pros: Good performance; Affordable
• Cons: Build quality not up to the mark; Speakers sound tinny

5. ASUS Chromebook Flip C302

The ASUS Chromebook Flip is one of the best Chromebooks under $500 and offers a convertible option similar to the Samsung Chromebook Pro. The 12.5-inch FHD screen offers immersive visuals and the hinge's build quality is strong enough to withstand continuous use. The Chromebook Flip offers the convenience of both laptop and tablet modes. With support for Android apps, this means you can use the Chromebook Flip for almost anything. The Core m3 CPU is powerful enough to handle day-to-day tasks and can also game well without sacrificing too much on the battery.

The Chromebook Flip doesn't disappoint when it comes to performance but it still has a few issues. The tablet mode needs some work as it is a bit cumbersome to use touch-first Android apps. ASUS could have provided a pen similar to Samsung to ease the experience. Since the laptop is all USB Type-C, be prepared to invest in a few dongles to connect all your devices.

• Pros: Good build quality and performance; Support for Android apps
• Cons: No pen included; Tablet mode needs improvement

6. HP Chromebook 14

The HP Chromebook 14 is one of the best Chromebooks under $300 and offers features generally not found in Chromebooks at this price. The display is an FHD LED-backlit display that offers a great movie watching experience. It is powered by the Intel Celeron N2940 and sports 4 GB RAM and a 16 GB eMMC storage, which should be enough to power Chrome OS efficiently. The onboard storage is somewhat on the lower side but given Chrome OS's focus on cloud storage, this shouldn't be much of a problem. The keyboard is great to type on and the trackpad offers a large surface area. All the required connectivity options are present as well.

While the Chromebook 14 definitely ticks all the right boxes, there are a few points to be aware of. There are certain batches with defective keyboards so we'd suggest you look out for those and exchange them promptly. Although this Chromebook is capable enough, support for Android apps is lacking. HP could probably fix this in a future update but if you are looking to run both Chrome OS apps and Android apps side-by-side, then you might have to give this a pass for now.

• Pros: Good screen; Good keyboard and trackpad
• Cons: No Android app support; Some models shipping with defective keyboards

7. Acer Chromebook 11

The Acer Chromebook 11 is one of the best cheapest Chromebooks you can buy. It offers most features found in contemporary Chromebooks and runs Chrome OS just fine. The Chromebook 11 is perfect for students or parents looking for a cheap second notebook for writing online or watching YouTube videos. It cannot do much in terms of video or graphics editing given its weak internals but it does what it is meant to do very well. The Chromebook 11 offers an HD-ready anti-glare display and fast wireless connectivity. The Acer Chromebook 11 offers all-day battery life and it also supports Android apps from the Google Play Store so you will have the required apps for almost all kinds of work.

Performance-wise, the Chromebook 11 gets the job done well as long as you have tempered expectations. The keyboard and trackpad also work great for productivity. If you are looking for an inexpensive backup notebook, the Acer Chromebook 11 perfectly fits the bill.

• Pros: Affordable; Supports Android apps
• Cons: None as such

8. Samsung Chromebook Plus

The Samsung Chromebook Plus slightly differs from other Chromebooks thanks to the hexacore OP1 ARM CPU that is custom-built for this notebook. Rest of features are mostly similar to other Samsung Chromebooks featured in this article. The ARM CPU allows for far more efficient processing and good battery life. The 12.2-inch 2400 x 1600 display offers crisp visuals and the 16:10 aspect ratio is great for typing or reading long documents. Samsung has included a pen making it easy to use the many Android apps from the Play Store. The convertible design ensures that the notebook can easily adapt to your needs.

Overall, the Samsung Chromebook Plus offers a lot of features for the price. However, the ARM processor is still not as responsive as its x86 Intel counterparts so do expect slight lags here and there. This could be more of a software issue as well so expect OTA updates to fix this. Also, the notebook is top-heavy, which means the laptop can tilt on its own due to the heavier screen. If these don't bother you much, the Samsung Chromebook Plus is easily one of the best Chromebooks available in the market today.

• Pros: 2-in-1 design; Included pen; Dual cameras
• Cons: Top-heavy design; ARM CPU is not as responsive as x86 Intel CPUs in other Chromebooks.

9. Lenovo Chromebook C330

The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is a low-cost convertible Chromebook that offers a stable computing experience without too many bells and whistles. The C330 is powered by a MediaTek MT8173C quad-core CPU with PowerVR GX6250 graphics. Since it is an ARM processor, power consumption is highly efficient and the Chromebook can easily last for up to 10 hours for regular web browsing. The C330 sports an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 display. The resolution seems a bit underwhelming given that there are FHD Chromebooks available today. However, it is an IPS panel and supports 10-point multi-touch so that's an advantage. The display can cover up to 75% of the sRGB color space so color reproduction is about average. You also get an HDMI-out port that is generally rare in Chromebooks so you can always hook up an external display for more screen real estate. Port selection on the C330 is good. You get a USB 3.0 Type-A and Type-C ports, HDMI, and an audio jack. Onboard storage is eMMC based and you get 64 GB to store data locally. Chromebooks are all about cloud storage so low local storage is common. That being said, there is an SD card slot for easy backups or transferring photos from a digital camera.

The keyboard is well laid-out and easy to type while the touchpad offers a smooth gliding motion with gesture support. Onboard speakers are sound tinny but are ok to just pass some time. Performance for regular web applications should be fine. But if you push the CPU, you will run into stutters as the MediaTek MT8173C is not really cut-out for multi-tasking. The webcam is strictly mediocre, but that is to be expected at this price. If you are looking for a Chromebook that offers more than the average battery life, the Lenovo Chromebook C330 should be your consideration.

• Pros: Good battery life; Touchscreen; HDMI-out port
• Cons: Not really suited for multitasking; Tinny speakers; Mediocre webcam

10. HP Chromebook X2

The HP Chromebook X2 offers one of the best displays found in a Chromebook. With a 2K resolution that is also a touchscreen, the HP Chromebook X2 is a versatile solution for both text and multimedia. The screen covers 114% of the sRGB color space and makes for immersive video viewing with deep blacks and good saturation. The screen is also rated at a peak brightness of 403 nits, which makes for good outdoor visibility. The keyboard is a pleasure to use and the detachable form factor makes it easy to dock the display however way you wish. The display is the actual notebook so it is slightly heavier than the keyboard base, which makes it wobble. The Chromebook X2 offers a standard port selection found in most other Chromebooks including two USB Type-C ports, a headphone jack, and an SD card slot. HP bundles an active stylus with the Chromebook X2 that many users will find useful for quickly taking notes or interacting with the touchscreen display. However, the stylus works great only with native Chrome apps and there is perceivable lag while working with emulated Android apps.

Not many Chromebooks offer a good audio solution, but the HP Chromebook X2 offers B&O-tuned speakers that pump out decent tunes. The Intel Core m3 7Y30 should be enough for most tasks including a fair bit of multitasking and for some light gaming. Android games will run fine, but the heavier titles will stutter. The X2 offers a dual-camera setup with a 12.5 MP rear camera that can take decent photos and a 4.9 MP web cam that is about alright for video calls. The HP Chromebook X2 is one of the best Chromebooks for multimedia although it is a tad bit expensive than the majority of its contemporaries in the market.

• Pros: Immersive viewing experience; Bundled active stylus; Good multitasking
• Cons: Stutters while playing heavy Android games

11. ASUS Chromebook Flip C434

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 offers a much improved Chromebook experience than the Chromebook Flip C302 thanks to more powerful specs. The Chromebook Flip C434 sports a thin aluminum chassis. The first thing that will strike you when you power on the C434 is its display. It is vibrant, offers a FHD resolution, and support touch input. The display can also be flipped over into whichever angle you need. The Flip C434 is available in multiple CPU options, but the Core m3 8100Y offers enough juice to power Chrome OS with efficient multitasking. Like many other ASUS laptops, the Chromebook C434 offers an ErgoLift mechanism that lifts the keyboard slightly when you open the hinge to offer a much more comfortable typing experience. There is a standard selection of ports including two USB Type-Cs, a USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A, and a headphone jack. You also get a microSD card slot for backups. You can charge the Flip C434 from either USB port and they also support DisplayPort-out so you can hook up an external display for even more screen estate. The built-in display offers good color reproduction but is not as vivid as some of the other high-end Chromebooks in this list. Brightness is also just about average at 286 nits.

Typing on the Chromebook Flip C434 is comfortable with enough spacing between the keys and good actuation force. The trackpad supports gesture-based navigation in Chrome OS and offers little resistance for finger movement. Onboard speaker quality is better than most other Chromebooks and you can get by less bass-heavy tracks without much of an issue. Chrome OS feels pretty fluid for day-to-day tasks and the inclusion of Android app support means that you need not rely on only the Chrome Webstore for your computing requirements. However, not all Android apps scale well but the feature is good to have. Battery life is good and you can get close to 10 hours of working time with a full charge. Webcam performance is about average so don't expect any surprises here. Overall, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 makes for a competent Chromebook device and is one of the best Chromebooks in terms of design.

• Pros: Good performance; Touchscreen; Long battery life
• Cons: Display not in the same league as other Chromebooks at the price

12. Lenovo Yoga C630 Chromebook

Configuration choices are very much limited in the Chromebook world, but Lenovo seeks to change all that. The Lenovo Yoga C630 Chromebook offers many configuration options to suit your needs. One of the highlights of the Yoga C630 Chromebook is that it can be configured with up to a 4K display making it one of the first Chromebooks to actually offer such an option. For most purposes though, the FHD variant works just fine. The maxed-out version with the 4K display and the Core i5-8250U will cost you close to $1,000. If that is out of bounds, then the FHD model listed here will do best and is also easier on the battery life. The design of the Yoga C630 is sleek and there are not many surprises here. Users of modern Lenovo laptops will feel right at home.

The chassis is made of aluminum so it is sturdy and lightweight at the same time. You get a decent amount of ports including two USB Type-Cs and one Type-A. Given the large size of the notebook, we feel a few more ports could be easily accommodated. Although the 4K version offers a very immersive viewing experience with good colors and detail, the FHD version is no slouch either and you will be pleased either way. The keyboard is comfortable to type although it is not really on par with most ThinkPads. The travel is somewhat lower than might put off hardcore typists. The keys are backlit so typing in the dark is not a problem at all. The touchpad offers very little resistance and supports Chrome OS's touch gestures.

Audio quality is above average compared to most Chromebooks, but the speakers can struggle with low frequencies. Coming to performance, the Core i5-8250U ensures that the Yoga C630 doesn't break a sweat no matter what you throw at it. Most Chromebooks in the market have half the performance of what the C630 can boast of so if you are looking for a capable all-rounder Chromebook, the Yoga C630 is your best bet to date. The touchscreen also benefits the use of Android apps via emulation. Not all apps scale well to the display, but the majority of them work just fine. Battery life on the 4K option is just under 7 hours and that is to be expected given the high power requirements of driving so many pixels. The FHD version gets you close to 9 hours for regular usage and that should be your choice if battery life is a primary concern. Overall, the Lenovo Yoga C630 Chromebook is easily one of the best Chromebooks to buy in 2019 and not many can come quite close to it in terms of performance.

• Pros: Good specs; Excellent performance
• Cons: Display could have been more vibrant

13. Acer Chromebook Spin 15

The Acer Chromebook Spin 15 is a convertible notebook that comes with decent specs to offer a lag-free Chromebook experience. The Spin 15 is powered by the Intel Pentium N4200 quad-core CPU and offers 4 GB RAM and 64 GB eMMC storage. The Spin 15 sports a 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen display that offers a good viewing experience. The design of the Chromebook is not anything new and there are no surprises here. In the age of thin-bezel displays, the Spin 15's display comes across as old school. However, the display itself is very much usable and is great for multimedia. The keyboard offers a good typing experience, but the space on the keyboard deck is poorly utilized.

There is still a lot of area for wider keys and maybe space for a Numpad even, but Acer seems to have wasted too much space on the deck. The extra deck space is occupied by top-firing speakers. The speakers are just about average and lack good bass response. However, they are fine for the mids and high frequencies and are passable for the occasional use. The trackpad is smooth but offers perceivable resistance resulting in inaccurate tracking at times. The touchscreen works well and the 2-in-1 design is very sturdy thanks to quality hinges. Port selection is good with two USB Type-Cs and two USB Type-As.

The onboard graphics is just about fine for regular use. You cannot play Android games such as PUBG Mobile without experiencing lags. However, games that less resource-intensive should play well. For general usage though, the Pentium N4200 works just fine and is power-efficient even while multitasking with a dozen tabs open in Chrome. Acer says the Chromebook Spin 15 can offer up to 13 hours of battery life, which is very impressive. If you are looking at a Chromebook that offers an overall great package of performance and display quality with excellent battery life, the Acer Chromebook Spin 15 is a good Chromebooks for the job. The price is somewhat on the higher side, though.

• Pros: Excellent battery life; Good multitasking
• Cons: Touchpad is not really smooth; Expensive

14. HP Chromebook x360

The HP Chromebook x360 offers a great touchscreen Chromebook experience with a great deal of processing power. The Chromebook x360 sports a brushed aluminum feel and a diamond-cut chassis, which offers a premium look. The Chromebook x360 has a 14-inch FHD touch display that has somewhat thicker bezels than most premium Chromebooks. Still, the display itself is vibrant with good color reproduction. However, it is best suited for using indoors as outdoor viewing can be a washed-out experience due to the low 214 nit brightness of the panel. HP offers a standard port selection with two USB Type-C ports and one USB Type-A port. There is 64 GB of eMMC storage that can be expanded using a microSD card.

A good aspect is that the laptop can be charged directly via USB Type-C and you need not necessarily carry a charger with you everywhere. The keyboard is fairly spacious and offers a good typing experience with good travel and actuation. The trackpad is smooth and supports Chrome OS's gestures. You get a range of CPU configuration options and most choices enable you to multitask effectively. If you opt for the more powerful Intel Core processors, you can even run Linux applications without much fuss.

Despite all this power, the HP Chromebook x360 can net around 11 to 12 hours of battery life, which is very impressive. B&O-tuned speakers offer above-average audio quality than most other Chromebooks in the market. The only possible drawback with the HP is the sub-par display. It works okay indoors but is definitely not usable in the sun. However, thanks to USB Type-C, you can simply hook up an external display for more screen real estate. Overall, the HP Chromebook x360 is a best pick for Chromebooks this year even though it is somewhat expensive.

• Pros: Excellent performance; Good keyboard and trackpad
• Cons: Low display brightness

Dear reader, those were our picks for the best Chromebooks available in 2019. Do note that Chrome OS has come of age and the increasing number of online services means that you might not even feel the need for a conventional Windows or Mac laptop. Just ensure that you get the best configuration possible with the maximum onboard storage in the event you plan to dual boot a Chromebook with a conventional Linux distro such as Ubuntu.

We hope that this article has helped you in deciding on a Chromebook. As always, feel free to reach out to us if you have any doubts or would like to suggest what other laptops we should include and we will get back at the earliest.

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