The Best Chromebook

The Best Chromebook

Still little known here but popular in the United States, the Chromebooks are the best when it comes to quality/price ratio. After several hours of research and analysis, we have determined that among these, the best solution is the Asus Chromebook Flip C434. In fact, it contains the best in the field at the moment: design, lightness, speed, power, range, touch screen and tablet mode, for a price well below many mid-range Windows Pcs. Thanks to this, it adapts easily to all uses.

This model can easily replace a Windows computer because it is so powerful. As a bonus, it is convertible into a tablet with its 360° swivel touch screen and follows you for an entire day’s work without showing signs of weakness.

Designed for more academic or professional use, this computer is extremely robust. Its compact size makes it a model of transportability and its power will allow it to best manage most of the tasks you can entrust to it.

 A 15” screen in the chassis of a 14” computer, here is what Asus offers with this product. The brand adds a high-quality finish and top-notch performance so that in the end, everyone can benefit.

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How did we make a choice?

While the Chromebooks are increasingly successful in the United States, they are still struggling to make their way into old Europe. These devices are often unknown, and their components are sometimes disconcerting when we are used to the technical data sheets of Windows or Apple Pcs.

Therefore, in order to assess the quality of a Chromebook, it is imperative to fully understand the specificities of this type of laptop in the face of competition.

The price: Chromebooks, running Chrome OS (a free and open-source operating system developed by Google), are able to offer high hardware and software quality for a reasonable price. A good Chromebook must, therefore, be inexpensive, and offer an excellent quality/price ratio.
Material quality: linked to the price issue, a material quality is essential in the choice of a Chromebook: whatever its price, it must have a good screen, good keyboard and touchpad, a correct sound and a solid and light design.
Speed: Chrome OS allows you to maximize the performance of the processor and RAM of Chromebooks, a good model must be extremely fast, both at startup and in web browsing (pages must load in an instant and they must be able to support many open tabs simultaneously).
Security: With Chrome OS’s robust firewall, there’s no need to install an antivirus. Automatic updates are made every 6 weeks (in the background, without affecting your work and without requiring rebooting), with the latest performance and safety improvements.

The Google environment: While it’s better to work with the Google environment (including its desktop suite), the increasingly extensive compatibility of Chrome OS allows for many alternatives. So all recent Chromebooks are compatible with the Google Play Store (allowing access to the app version of the Microsoft Office suite), and if some recent Chromebooks were already compatible with Linux, This is now the case for any model marketed since 2019.
When this is known, it is possible to examine in detail the components of a Chromebook in order to determine the type of use for which it is intended.

The first thing to observe is the processor:

Intel Celeron and Pentium processors: for standard use in the private setting (surfing, office, video viewing, etc.), this type of processor is perfectly sufficient.
AMD A4 and A6 processors: these processors with some similarities to a Pentium 4200 began to be integrated with some Chromebooks in early 2019. They are in fact ideal for this type of computer, because their power in navigation and web applications is higher, while they have a lower cost even than the above processors.
Intel M3 Processor: for further use (for example, in a professional setting), it is ideal because it offers high speed and powerful processing, without raising prices.
Intel Core i3 processor: Faster than the M3, it can store a lot of data in the cache, improving performance. It is also a very interesting compromise.
Intel Core i5 and i7 processors: More and more high-end Chromebooks are integrating these extremely powerful and powerful processors. While it is true that the Play Store applications and the opening to Linux require more and more resources, this type of processor is often useless unless it has an extremely advanced use of complex programs, especially when you see the way they raise the price.

Together, it is necessary to consider the amount of RAM (RAM) available to the Chromebook. It transmits the data to be processed to the processor and thus largely determines the processing speed. So, for private use, a 4 GB amount is amply sufficient (2 GB becoming obsolete since the opening of Chrome OS at the Play Store), but 8 GB are advised in a professional setting, where multitasking often reigns supreme. And if the market starts to see 16GB models, they are often very expensive to, currently, not be fully exploited.

On the other hand, it is important to know that the issue of the storage capacity of a Chromebook is less important than on a Windows PC since the particularity of these computers is of everything (or almost) save by default in the Gdrive. As a result, it is rare to see Chromebooks contain a lot of storage space:

32 GB of memory: as part of standard private use, this capacity is more than enough to store the few files that will not be sent automatically in the Gdrive.
64 GB of memory: if you are fully using Android and Google apps, this is an option to watch out for. They are also recommended for professional use.
128 GB of memory: this capacity, which quickly pushes up the budget of a Chromebook, is profitable only if you have a thorough and heavy use of the computer, by practising, for example, sound or video processing.
Finally, there are always alternatives, such as microSD ports that are increasingly present on Chromebooks, or simply by using an external hard drive or USB key.

If preliminary research had allowed us to isolate some twenty models very popular in the USA and available in our countries, the examination of these various criteria led us to identify among them ten perfectly balanced Chromebooks and offered at a very attractive price/quality ratio.

We have therefore searched a maximum of user feedback, especially on American sites (sales sites, specialized sites, Youtube tests, etc.), in that they have generally been able to obtain these models before us, which allows us, in addition, have a longer-term return to using these Chromebooks.

Here are the 6 Chromebooks that have established themselves to us as the most interesting in the current European market.

Our Choice: Asus Chromebook Flip C434

If Asus already dominated the market thanks to the excellent Flip C302CA, his younger brother, the C434, quickly and efficiently took over. This premium Chromebook offers great performance, advanced ergonomics (it has one of the best keyboards on the market) and premium finishes. The icing on the cake, its touch screen is reversible making it actually a 2-in-1 computer.

It always includes a premium design, with a chassis made entirely of aluminium and quality finishes. And while the C302’s 12.5-inch screen has been replaced by a 14-inch model, the Chromebook is almost unchanged in size, as it also incorporates Nanoedge display technology and very thin edges (only 5 mm). It thus offers an ultra-compact format, which puts it in the category of 13 inches, and weighs only 1.45 kg!

We find a well-calibrated Full HD touch screen, both in its colourimetry and brightness. In addition, it is always a 360° reversible model.

The finesse of the Chromebook makes it possible to think that we have a real tablet in our hands. Its Ergolift hinge is very fluid, and it allows, once the screen is open, to raise the keyboard for a better typing comfort (the keyboard is itself renowned as one of the most comfortable, with reactive keys and sufficiently spaced).

This also allows for a better sound distribution, because a small space is created under the screen. Multimedia use is therefore even more enjoyable.

Its basic version, which we recommend, is already extremely powerful, with its Intel M3 processor, its 8GB of RAM and 32GB of memory expandable via microSD. It has a range of more than 10 hours in this configuration and is fast and efficient even in multitasking. The most demanding of you can nevertheless turn to a more advanced version, with a Core i5 processor.

In addition to the microSD port, its connection includes two USB-C, a USB 3.0 and a 3.5 mm mini-jack. No HDMI, therefore, but this is the price of its extreme finesse (and a hub easily solves the problem).

In the end, this Chromebook has everything to please: light, compact, comfortable, elegant, tough, powerful, tactile and reversible. If you’re working long hours on your Chromebook, this is definitely the model we recommend.

The Best Chromebook Cheap: Acer Spin 311 For Work (R721T-4058)

This model is quite recent in the market but already has an amazing quality/price ratio. Intended for students and professionals, it has high robustness while being efficient and enjoyable to use.

The construction quality is undeniable, with an elegant PC but, above all, extremely robust. Its hull has been designed to withstand falls of up to 1.22 m, while its keyboard is protected not only against splashing but also against the pulling of the keys. That’s why this Chromebook meets with some success in American schools.

It is a model 11 with an HD touch screen and reversible, which can be switched in tablet mode. Note however that for a not much bigger investment, the Acer 511 For Work is available, with a dual-camera and an Acer Active Pen stylus directly supplied.

On the component side, it is one of the models to integrate an AMD processor (the AMD A4-9120C). This makes it an extremely fast PC in web browsing, and no application is a problem. It also has a 4GB RAM and 32GB memory, which can be extended via MicroSD. As for its autonomy, announced at 10 o'clock, it seems to be well verified.

On the other hand, on the connecting side, since it is a very recent model, it ignores the HDMI port, but has the advantage of the offering, besides the two USB 3.1 ports, two USB-C ports, which makes it easy to use a hub.

When used, its keyboard appears comfortable (at least for a model 11), and its Corning Gorilla Glass screen (which has also been treated with antimicrobials in schools) provides good visual comfort.

It is, therefore, a Chromebook that is particularly powerful and resistant, given its low price. Although it is particularly suitable for the use of a (young) student, it is also ideal to transport easily anywhere, between its sturdiness, its small size and its good autonomy.

The best mid-range Chromebook: Asus Chromebook C523 (NA-A20033)

It is sometimes very comfortable, for intensive use, to have a wider screen. From this point of view, the Asus C523 is probably the most attractive proposal of the moment. Apart from this large-format screen, it offers good mobility and a beautiful variety of configurations to adapt it to your needs and budget.

First of all, it stands out from the competition in this area being one of the first models to integrate Nanoedge technology, which allows, thanks to the optimization of the screen edges, to offer a screen 15,6 inches in a computer whose format is closer to the 14-inch models (it is not much bigger than the 14-inch model that we present to you just after), which makes it more easily transportable, for an extremely reduced weight of 1.4 kg!

It incorporates a Full HD screen that is not only tactile but also 180° open, which is often highly appreciated by professionals for presentations.

Its components, as we announced, are powerful enough to support you professionally: Intel Pentium N4200 processor, 8GB of RAM and 32GB of memory expandable via microSD.

In terms of connectivity, even if it does not have an HDMI port, it nevertheless has two USB-C ports that will allow you without difficulty to use a hub, two USB 3.0 ports, and a mini-jack.

And if its backlit keyboard is deemed very comfortable by users (especially because of its good space optimization), it is even more so of the Corning Gorilla touchpad, extremely reactive.

Finally, despite its 1080p screen and its power, it has a real range of around 12 hours, which again makes it one of the most enduring models on the market.

In the end, this Chromebook is perfect for those who need a wider screen, whether for visual comfort at work or to watch a film comfortably, especially since it doesn’t carry any of the defects usually present on the 15-inch models (congestion and heaviness).

A cheap alternative: Asus Chromebook C423 (NA-BZ0027)

While it is offered at an even more attractive price, here is an Asus model that stands out for both the quality of its aluminium construction and its finesse. For this reduced price, you are entitled to a computer with a large enough screen and good performance. For the most demanding, there are even more inflated versions.

This time, it is a 14 . However, its small price has a cost: it presents only a HD screen (1366 x 768 pixels). If it was optimal on an 11.6-inch screen, it is less so, in 2020, on a 14-inch screen.

If you are a pixel addict, this model may not satisfy you. This is at least the reason why he could not take the first place among the cheap models.

If you don’t have 360° hinges for tablet use, you still have the advantage of being able to open at 180°, which makes it popular support in schools or conferences, for example, where screen sharing can be an asset.

On the component side, there is nothing to complain about, especially with regard to its price: Intel Dual-Core Celeron N3350 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of memory, expandable via microSD.

We nevertheless draw your attention to the existence of an 8GB version of RAM, under Pentium N4200, for a price that remains very affordable. If you have an intensive use of your PC (for professional use, for example), we can only commit you to turn to it, because it will be a bit faster and, above all, more efficient in multitasking.

Users report that the keyboard is very user-friendly and the touchpad is responsive.

Finally, with its autonomy, it ranks among the good average of the Chromebooks, offering about ten hours of use.

In the end, here is a Chromebook that should seduce you by its overall quality, design and performance, but whose simple HD display might put you off.

A mid-range alternative: Acer Chromebook 514 (CB514-1H-P111)

We return to Acer, which has earned a reputation for excellence in Chromebooks. Its latest 14-inch model (sometimes called Acer Chromebook 514) still honours its reputation, offering a computer whose quality makes it flirt with the upscale, for a very reasonable investment. A small feature, its touch screen is treated anti-reflective, something rare on this technology.

With its aluminium frame, it has a very sober and elegant look that reminds a bit of the Macbook Air.

It features a 14-inch Full HD touch screen with a matt anti-reflective coating. It, therefore, allows good visibility, even in a very sunny room. On the other hand, it must be admitted that its colourimetry is not of the most faithful: a little dull, the colours lack shine.

Its keyboard is very ergonomic: the wide keys are well spaced and offer an excellent typing quality, not to mention that the area around the touchpad is optimal for resting the wrists. In addition, this time it is backlit! Its Corning Gorilla Glass touchpad is extremely reactive.

Its components, as well as its connection, bring it closer to the previous Acer (Intel Pentium N4200 processor, only 4GB of RAM (making it a little more limited in multitasking), 32GB of memory expandable via microSD and two USB 3.0 ports, two USB-C and one 3.5mm mini-jack port).

The sound is correct (although, of course, headphones are always preferable). It is simply regrettable that Acer, as often, has placed the speakers at the bottom of the device, which stifles the sound, depending on the coating on which you place the PC.

Finally, autonomy is amazing for a 1080p computer: you can count on almost a dozen hours of use before you have to reload it! So it is a very mobile computer, from the top of its 1.4 kg!

In the end, here is a solid Chromebook, visually attractive, powerful and enduring, which proves very practical on a daily basis, even for professional use. And if you are interested in this model but you do not need such an advanced configuration, know that it also exists in 4GB version of RAM, at a very interesting price.

A premium alternative: Acer Spin 13 (CP713-1WN-316P)

We know that this product is regularly out of stock at various sites. We do everything we can to offer you an alternative quickly.

We end this selection with a very recent Acer model too and often opposed to the Flip C434. It competes with it on many features but offers as a bonus a stylus, often popular by productivity enthusiasts.

And indeed, this model offers, like its competitor, serious assets. Its aluminium design and matt coating are of the finest effect, not to mention that its 13.5-inch screen, presented in the 3:2 format, makes it slightly wider in height than the usual 16:9 formats, and thus allows optimal comfort to work.

However, it must be recognized that the edge/screen ratio is less well optimized than on the Asus C434, which makes the Chromebook, despite a smaller screen, a slightly larger model (and a heavier one: 1.5 kg).

Its 360° reversible touch screen is also extremely well-calibrated. It would be perfect for multimedia use if its speakers were not so badly positioned: always placed under the chassis, they offer a muffled sound whatever the configuration used (PC or tablet). That is probably his biggest flaw.

On the component side, it is riding on the wave of higher processor and RAM costs. Indeed, if this “basic” version includes an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 64GB of memory expandable via microSD, it is possible to turn to i5 or even i7 versions (this time with 16GB of RAM!). Unless there is a very high level of need, the first version is still more than enough.

Finally, its connection is comparable to that of its competitor, with 1 USB 3.0 port, 2 USB-C ports and a 3.5 mm mini-jack port. However, it takes the step on the Asus thanks to its stylus Wacom EMR directly supplied to the purchase and most practical.

In the end, it is an excellent alternative since, except for its audio quality, it has no design flaws, and is at least as powerful and enduring as the Flip C434. Its 3:2 screen format and its stylus will also be highly appreciated by some professionals.

Honourable mentions 

Acer 715 For Work: this model, which stands out for its solidity (it has a 100% metal chassis, as well as resistance to falls and splashes), and its speed (thanks to its powerful Pentium Gold processor in web navigation) is the first Chromebook to offer a numeric keypad, much appreciated by professionals who often use numbers. His fingerprint scanner is also an asset in this professional use. Also relatively new, we wait to see its quality in use before formally integrating it into our selection.

Lenovo Chrome C330 (11-785): on the pricey side, this Chromebook signed Lenovo is an excellent investment. With its Mediatek MT8173C processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of expandable memory, it provides a significant processing speed. Between its 11-inch screen, it's lightweight and its 10-hour range, it is very mobile, and its 360° reversibility is a big asset. On the other hand, its keyboard is not very pleasant and its screen lacks some brightness.

Lenovo Chromebook Yoga C630: very popular in the USA, this 15.6-inch reversible model has the big advantage of providing a much appreciated 4K screen in multimedia, with quite amazing power at this price (Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, 64GB of memory). Nevertheless, its power doesn’t seem to be fully exploitable by Chrome OS, and this makes it, in the end, a Chromebook a little too expensive, to our liking, faced with the rendering that we get (cheaper models offering a similar quality).