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Which Chromebook to buy? Best choice + buying tips (2023)

Written by:

Ruud Caris

All content is written by smart home experts, not AI and robots.

Dat Chromebooks increasing in popularity is not surprising: there are many options and the price is often attractive. But the choice is also expanding. Want the best Chromebook buy, then the choice is sometimes a bit overwhelming. I'd love to help you with my personal favorites, but I'll also explain what a Chromebook exactly.

What is a Chromebook?

Before I go deeper into my favorite Chromebook of this moment, let's first answer the question: What is a Chromebook? A Chromebook is an affordable laptop that runs on Chrome OS, an operating system from Google Chromebook are affordable, safe and have a long service life.

Now that you know what a Chromebook is, let's go a little further in depth and discuss in the pros and cons of one Chromebook, but also what it can be used for, what you can and cannot do on it, but also how it works with Android and iPhones, whether there are viruses and much more.

Benefits
  • Relatively cheap (from ~200 euros)
  • Start up quickly
  • Long battery life
  • Little chance for viruses
  • Many apps available (also Android apps)
  • Lots of choice in terms of model and manufacturer
Cons
  • You need an internet connection to do everything from one Chromebook to get
  • May take some getting used to after Windows or Mac OS
  • Running heavy apps not really an option (Photoshop/Video editors with heavy rendering)

Before I go on to explain what you can (and can't) do with this device, I want the best Chromebook share with you. Over the past period I have tested many many and helped the necessary people Chromebook to buy. As a result, I have gained the necessary experience with which models are (or are not) suitable.

The Best Chromebook buy: my favourite(s)

So do you want one Chromebook buy, then you are definitely right with these choices. Are you looking for more explanation and why I label these copies the best Chromebook: you can read about this later in this article.

Bottom Line
Pros
Spec
 
My recommendation
Acer Chromebook 314 CB314-1HT-C6XM
View prices at
View best price →
Bottom Line
My favorite Chromebook of the moment with a very good price-quality ratio.
Pros
Includes touch screen
Battery up to 12 hours!
14 inch screen (full HD)
Good value for money
Spec
Display
14 inches (full HD)
incl. touchscreen
60Hz

Storage and memory
64GB storage
4GB memory

Performance
Intel Celeron N4000 (Dual core)

Operating system
Chrome OS

Measurements and weight
32,5 × 23,2 × 1,97 cm
1,5kg
BUDGET CHOICE
The Best Chromebook HP Chromebook 14a-na0170nd
HP Chromebook 14a-na0170nd
View prices at
View best price →
Bottom Line
Affordable Chromebook in budget category. Meets all basic requirements.
Pros
Can also be used as a tablet
Battery life up to 12 hours
14 inch screen (full HD)
Bang & Olufsen speakers
Spec
Display
14 inches (full HD)
incl. touchscreen


Storage and memory
64GB storage
4GB memory

Performance
Intel Pentium Silver (Quad core)

Operating system
Chrome OS

Measurements and weight
32,57 x 21,85 x 1,78 cm
1,46kg
BEST CHOICE
buy Acer Spin 514 CP514-1H-R0KA
Acer Chromebook Spider 513 CP513-1H-S4MH
View prices at
View best price →
Bottom Line
Very good Chromebook: more expensive but very powerful and fast.
Pros
Can also be used as a tablet
Very fast Chromebook
13,3 inch screen
One of the best choices at the moment
Spec
Display
13,3 inches (full HD)
incl. touchscreen
Can be used as a tablet (foldable 360 ​​degrees)

Storage and memory
64GB storage
8GB memory

Performance
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Compute Platform
Operating system
Chrome OS

Measurements and weight
31 x 20,94 x 1,56 cm
1,2kg

What can one Chromebook Yes and no?

Okay, we're almost there. I want before I with the best list Chromebooks start, briefly explain what you can do, but also what you can't do with a Chromebook. There are essential differences with, for example, Windows and Mac OS, two systems that are both aimed at 'traditional', but also online use.

Below is a short list of things you can do Chromebook fine to use.

  • Browsing, social media and email - a Chromebook has the option to do so to browse the internet, of course you can also use social media and there are several mail apps available.
  • Watching movies - On a Chromebook can you just go up Netflix, Youtube, Videoland and other services. You can also view local files on a Chromebook, however, you have less storage space. So you have to take this into account
  • Stream music – The same applies to streaming music, you have access to apps like Spotify, Deezer and other services. You can also play local files, but there is limited storage space.
  • Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc.) – Also possible. You have this choice to use the apps from Microsoft (Microsoft 365 subscription), but there are also alternatives from Google such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides and others. The latter can also be used offline.
  • Playing games (gaming) – There are many Android games that can be played, but you can also play heavy games through Google Stadia. In our special Gaming on one Chromebookarticle you can find more information. Here you will also find out immediately if you Fortnite, Minecraft en Roblox can play.
  • (Video) calling – Video calling is simply possible on one Chromebook, because there is a microphone and speakers. Also apps like Google Meet, Zoom, Skype or Whatsapp, teams and others are just available.
  • Print - on a Chromebook you can also print on a suitable printer. This requires a number of (simple) steps, but you can print without any problems.
  • Edit photos and videos (limited) – For editing photos and videos you are limited to a number of (online) tools, such as Snapseed, Canva or other Chromebook-APPS.

There are also tasks where a Chromebook simply less suitable for it. This has to do with, for example, storage or graphics performance. If the points below are important to you, then you better not Chromebook buy.

  • Advanced photo and video editing – If you want to get started with all the functions of Photoshop, Adobe Premiere or another program, the Chromebook simply not suitable.
  • Run graphically demanding games – Playing graphically heavy games as you can on a Windows PC is not possible with the Chromebook. Playing games via Stadia is (more on this later)
  • Work offline – There are possibilities to work offline with, for example, Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets and Sliders, but the possibilities are somewhat limited.
  • Windows or Mac apps - On a Chromebook you can't run Windows programs or Mac apps. You only have this option if the developer has specifically made it available.

So there are many things that you can do on one Chromebook can do, but not everything. If you have previously used a Windows computer, or are switching from Mac OS, you will soon get used to using one Chromebook.

???? Read our guide about it Chromebook special characters for a quick start with your new device!

Chromebook market share and sales

More are appearing Chromebooks at school, on the work floor and on the kitchen table, but how many are actually sold? We have dived into the figures, including the sales figures of Chromebook lined up for you.

Chromebook sales per year

Yearsold Chromebooks
2019106 miljoen
2020206 miljoen
2021240 miljoen
2022 222 miljoen

Dates through trend force, graphic: Chromefans

The growth rates of the Chromebooksales are also interesting, where we see a clear effect of the Pandemic. People who here Chromebook are, for example, students, (home) workers and students.

Chromebook growth per year

YearGrowth (Year on Year)
2019-0,6%
2020+ 28,7 %
2021+ 16,4 %
2022-7,3% (expected)
Dates through trend force: table Chromefans

So here we see that the number of sales is expected to decrease further, but there is still a significant number Chromebooks is sold.

The market share in the Netherlands for Chrome OS desktop/laptop has also steadily increased in recent years. In this table we see the market share of Chromebook over recent years in the Netherlands.

Chromebook market share (Netherlands)

YearWindowsMac OSChrome OSOther (including Linux)
201972,1920,372,474,97
202070,1224,422,752,71
202172,1821,243,153,43
202272,9520,133,673,25
Street: Chromefans. Nl

Chromebooks for school and study

There are more and more schools and educational institutions that own Chromebookuse s. The reason for this is that more and more education is being given online. This does not only apply to the lessons or lectures themselves, but also the teaching materials can usually be found in an online environment. A Chromebook for school is actually a logical choice.

?? Chromebook for school advice: Acer Chromebook 314 CB314-1HT-C6XM

The reason many schools are switching to a Chromebook for school it is because they are cheap and are particularly suitable for working online, even if Microsoft is used, for example.

That is also the reason why more and more students and pupils are opting for one Chromebook. It is a reasonable all-rounder in this area. In addition, many educational tools can be used in the browser or via apps, which means that a Chromebook is very suitable.

Cloud wise on Chromebook buy
Via: Cloudwise/youtube.com (capture) | Cloudwise

The Best Chromebook buy: with this choice you are always right

Below I share my recommendations of the moment, including my favorite ones Chromebook. In addition, a high-end model, a budget model and a model with a smaller screen. Do you want a Chromecast buy, then you are always right with these choices!

Of course you are always looking for the best Chromebook and with the selection below you always have a choice that suits your budget, but also wishes. Before I discuss the products in detail, first a brief overview

De Best Chromebooks of 2023 are:

  • Acer Chromebook 314 CB314-1HT-C6XM
  • HP Chromebook 14a-na0170nd
  • Acer Chromebook Spider 513 CP513-1H-S4MH
1

Acer Chromebook 314 CB314-1HT-C6XM

Best Buy
  • 14 inch full HD screen
  • Includes touch screen
  • 4GB RAM / 64GB storage
  • Battery life 12 hours
Acer Chromebook 314 C933LT-P3G5 4G LTE
View the current price for the Acer Chromebook 314 CB314-1HT-C6XM
My personal favourite Chromebook from this moment

The Acer Chromebook 314 CB314-1HT-C6XM is of course quite a mouthful, but let's start simple: this Acer Chromebook is just a really good one Chromebook. Especially when we look at the price-quality ratio, you get a lot for your money.

The 14-inch screen has a full HD resolution (including touchscreen), making it Chromebook not only suitable for 'daily' things like browsing and emailing, but also good enough for streaming. For example, think of Netflix or YouTube videos.

Furthermore, it is not exactly heavy at 1,5 kg, so if you are often on the road, you can use this Acer Chromebook fine to take. Furthermore, everything is present that you can expect from one of the best Chromebooks: a webcam, USB and USB-C connections, a battery that lasts 12 hours and stereo speakers.

This Chromebook is also available without a touchscreen and is then one bit cheaper.

This Chromebook is my recommendation at the moment for several reasons: the price-quality ratio is good, but the 15,6-inch screen also works well. In addition, the other specs are more than sufficient for daily use.

Do you want a Chromebook buy and if you intend to ask a lot of it (multitasking, dozens of tabs open at the same time and more intensive tasks), then you better opt for a somewhat higher-end model. Doesn't take away the fact that this Acer Chromebook is a very good choice!

? View all information about this Acer Chromebook

Pros
  • Relatively light at 1,5 kg
  • 12 hours battery life
  • Good value for money
  • Anti reflective screen
  • Nice size screen
  • Includes touch screen
Cons
  • Housing is made of plastic
2

HP Chromebook 14a-na0170nd

Best budget choice
  • 14 inch full HD screen
  • No touchscreen
  • 4GB RAM / 64GB storage
  • Battery life 12 hours
The Best Chromebook HP Chromebook 14a-na0170nd
View the current price for the HP Chromebook 14a-na0170nd
If you want to spend a little less, this HP Chromebook a good choice.

Are you looking for an affordable Chromebook, which can still perform most tasks flawlessly, then the HP Chromebook 14a-na0170nd a very good choice.

This HP Chromebook is relatively affordable and yet offers the necessary options and is therefore suitable for streaming content, for example, but you can of course also do schoolwork with it. Expect it to be slightly slower than more expensive models.

Nevertheless, this 14-inchChromebook has a full HD screen and offers a battery life of 12 hours. This makes it also suitable for use on the go.

The 14a-na0170nd does not have a touchscreen, but you can of course operate it via the trackpad or a Chromebook mouse.

Do you want a Chromebook buy and do not spend too much, then this is definitely a suitable choice that will last you for years to come!

View all information about this HP Chromebook

Pros
  • Relatively light at 1,46 kg
  • 12 hours battery life
  • Good value for money
  • Affordable
Cons
  • No touchscreen
  • Generally a bit slower
3

Acer Chromebook Spider 513 CP513-1H-S4MH

Best Choice (High End)
  • 14 inch full HD screen
  • Includes touch screen
  • 8GB RAM / 64GB storage
  • Battery life 10 hours
  • Fast performance
Chromebook buy acer Chromebook Spider 514 CP514-1H-R0KA
View the current price for the Acer Chromebook Spider 513 CP513-1H-S4MH
Are you looking for one? Chromebook that can handle everything and does not cost € 1000, then this Acer is definitely a good choice.

With this Acer Chromebook Don't worry about performance: it's a lot faster than the average Chromebook and therefore extremely suitable for multitasking.

The 13,3-inch screen can be operated via touch and, as the name suggests, you can also open it 360 degrees. This means that you can use it not only as a laptop, but also as a tablet.

This way you have multiple control options, but also more applications. For example, you can also easily give presentations on it.

With the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 CP513-1H-S4MH you buy a particularly good one Chromebook that you will enjoy for years to come.

View all information about this Acer Chromebook

Pros
  • Good performances
  • Battery life of 14 hours!
  • Good value for money
  • Bright 13,3 inch screen
  • Includes touch screen
Cons
  • More expensive than average Chromebook

Chrome OS: the operating system, but what can you do with it?

Chrome OS has already passed by a few times, the operating system of Chromebooks, is made by Google. This can be confused with the Chrome browser, which is now used by millions of people worldwide.

The operating system of a computer (for example Windows, MacOS and therefore Chrome OS) is actually the basis: without an operating system you have an empty piece of hardware.

Chrome OS: the basics

Chrome OS is the operating system of Chromebooks and focuses on safety and speed. Google releases updates quickly and the system doesn't need powerful hardware to perform too well. If you want to know more about Chrome OS, check the link below!

Chrome OS was designed with the idea that everyone is connected to the internet these days. It is therefore mainly aimed at using your laptop online (or in this case Chromebook).

Don't be afraid, even without an internet connection you can do the necessary things on one Chromebook. For example, offline versions of Gmail (email program) and Google Docs (Word), Google Sheets (Excel) and other programs are available.

Yet Chrome OS is mainly focused on online, with many things being done either in the (Chrome) browser, or via the apps and extensions that can be installed. More about installing apps and the combination with Android (and iPhone) later in the article.

Not quite sure whether you want to use Chrome OS and do you still have an old laptop or PC? You can do that easily these days Install Chrome OS Flex. This makes it easy to actually use Chrome OS before purchasing!

So we now know that Chrome OS is the operating system of a Chromebook, but of course there is much more to tell about this, which we will do in a separate article. We will continue to see what the advantages are, but also certainly the disadvantages of one Chromebook .

Chromebook rear end
Via: pixabay.com | Roonz-nl, C.C

Working in the cloud: Google Drive

If you use a Chromebook, you ideally work a lot in the cloud. You store your files in the cloud (Google Drive or Dropbox for example) and you are online all day long.

The big advantage of this online storage is that you have the data available anytime, anywhere. As a result, you are not location-bound, which is very pleasant. Suppose you are abroad, without a laptop and urgently need files, then you can log in to any PC with an internet connection and view, edit or manage your files. Always do this in a safe, sensible way, of course.

Working in the cloud may take some getting used to at first, but after a while you don't really want anything else. It ensures that you are ultimately much more efficient.

Free additional cloud storage for Chromebooks

? Bee Chromebooks you get 100GB free storage in Google Drive: very handy of course!

? This way you activate 100GB of free Google One storage on one Chromebook

There are of course also a number of disadvantages of working in the cloud. For example, you don't have a local backup of your files, so if you don't remember your password and there are no recovery options, you do have a problem.

Having an Chromebook is specially designed to work in the cloud as much as possible and I would therefore advise to do this as much as possible.

Chromebook offer
Via: depositphotos.com | coryaulrich

How safe is one Chromebook (and are there viruses)?

In a world full of hacks, ransomware and other nasties, I thought it would be good to also devote a bit to how safe a Chromebook now actually is. Here's actually "good" news.

Maybe you once owned a Windows PC and remember all those updates. That you have to wait another 10 minutes before you can actually shut down your PC or laptop. That's at the Chromebook otherwise arranged.

  • Chrome OS – The operating system and apps are all controlled or approved by Google. Chrome OS is therefore automatically updated. This applies to both new features, but also to security patches that may be rolled out.
  • Sandboxes – For example, apps, but also Internet pages are stored in so-called sandboxes rotated. As a result, every website (including every tab) is placed in a separate container, so if something malicious happens to someone, they can only access this small piece in the container. Other apps (and even tabs) cannot be reached.
  • verified boat – If anyone knows the sandbox an additional measure has been built in. This one is called verified boat. This checks the Chromebook with each boat (startup) whether there are any irregularities, problems or damage. In this way, problems can be solved quickly. In fact, if any issues are found during this verified boat then these are often automatically resolved by Google.
  • Data encryption – Finally, I would like data encryption name, where local files such as downloads, cookies and cache of the browser are stored encrypted. This means that this data is encrypted and can only be unlocked by the user himself and not remotely.

So Google has taken the necessary measures in Chrome OS to create a Chromebook safe, but common sense is of course always a good guideline. If something is too to be true, it usually is. Especially online.

???? Virus scanners are not necessary on one Chromebook: the system is set up in such a way that a lot is captured by Chrome OS. There are a few things you can do to be safe Chromebook.

Chromebook security: literally everything you should know

Free extras for (new) Chromebookusers

Google, of course, is trying to convince as many people as possible to buy a Chromebook to buy. There are always certain handy and especially free extras that are made available for (new) Chromebookusers.

Standard is as an extra 100 GB free cloud storage in Google Drive to obtain. So you get 100GB of online storage space within Google's cloud service for a year.

Google benefits free 100GB storage

To activate this and any other promotions that apply when purchasing a Chromebook, follow the step-by-step plan below.

  • start you Chromebook and log in with your Google account (or create one)
  • Go to this one special site from Google
  • Select the benefits you want to use here

It can be that simple! Now you have at least 100GB of extra storage space for the first year on your Chromebook.

Good to know: Chromebook and Office (Word, Excel, etc.)

Everyone knows Word, Excel and PowerPoint. These apps are part of Microsoft and fall under the Office package. The question is of course: can you use Word, Excel and Powerpoint on one Chromebook?

The answer is: yes, but….

There is one Office 365 for Chromebook necessary to do this properly. This makes it possible to run apps such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint on one Chromebook to run (online). The costs for personal use are 69 euros per year.

If you do not want to spend this, it is of course also possible to opt for alternatives, for example using Google Docs, Google Sheets or other services.

If you are looking for ways to print your Office documents or other files, that can also be done easily. You can find more about this in our extensive Printer for Chromebook article.

Frequently asked questions about Chromebooks

What does one cost Chromebook

There are Chromebooks in several price ranges, so naming a concrete price is difficult. The cheapest Chromebooks start under 200 euros and this goes up to around 600-700 euros.

Can I use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) on a Chromebook

There are of course many other possibilities on one Chromebook such as Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, but if you also want to use Word, Excel and Powerpoint on a Chromebook, you can do that.

What is a Chromebook?

Having an Chromebook is a – sort of – laptop with Google's operating system. There are countless possibilities of what you can do (and not do) with it. We explain this in detail in this article.

Chromebook: Finally…

Do you want a Chromebook buy, then that is in most cases a good decision. These laptops are extremely suitable for working, doing schoolwork, but also streaming, for example Netflix or conducting via video calls with Zoom or Skype simply works fine.

If you are looking for a device with powerful performance, then one Chromebook actually not suitable. Then you better choose Windows or Mac OS.

De Chromebook continues to gain market share and hundreds of millions of units are sold worldwide. Its popularity is also increasing in the Netherlands. Hopefully this article helped you! If you have any questions or comments, leave them in the comments or check the official ones support from Google. You can continue Chromefans find lots of information about Chromebooks, who knows, that already answers your question!

Spotted an error? Email me! I would really appreciate that.

Feedback form
Chromecastenthusiast from the very beginning. Been using Google services for years and know a lot about it Chromecast, Chromebook, Google Home and streaming.

13 thoughts on “Which Chromebook to buy? Best choice + buying tips (2023)”

  1. Dear Ruud, considering a purchase;
    Which do I need for a navigation program such as Waterkaart.nl.
    If I just download a Chrome OS on my Laptop, will I still be in control of the Windows set-up?

    To answer
    • So if I understand correctly, you have a Windows laptop on which you want to install ChromeOS?

      Then only one operating system is running on your laptop/PC, so no Windows is running next to it. Or have I misunderstood your question?

      To answer
  2. Hello Ruud, I read your article about the chromecast how to install and use it without wifi.
    I followed every step as described, asked several people for help and even a new one chromecast purchased…
    All those people I ask for help say that installing and using without WiFi is not possible at all..
    What about now? Is that article you wrote true? I'm actually starting to doubt that.. Do you know someone who can help me with that?

    To answer
  3. Dear Ruud,

    I am trying to make a Chrome OS usb stick according to your manual.
    Everything goes well until Etcher checks the saved image.
    Then the program is aborted with an error message.
    I used this file : CARMOS-20220109210135.img.
    Something has been written to the 8 Gb USB stick, because I can no longer format it
    I'm using an Acer laptopSwift 3 , fairly new

    Can you help me further please?

    Kind regards, Cees

    To answer
  4. Spotnet is not available for Android and therefore not for Chromebook. However, there are great alternative newreaders and Usenet downloaders available that do work on Chromebook such as NZB360 or Holmes.com

    To answer
  5. Hallo,
    I'm hesitating between a tablet or chromebook. I only want to use it for Facebook, Gmail,Netflix, my Rabobank, You tube . I would also like to know ( very important to me) whether you are on a chromebook Spotnet to put books from these on my ereader. I know that's not possible on one tablet!

    To answer
    • Good question! All the things you mention first are possible anyway! However, I have no experience with Spotnet myself, but I don't think there is a Chrome or Android app for this. So I doubt if any Chromebook is available for this.

      Perhaps it is Storytel an option:-)

      To answer

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