Chromebooks are available in a bewildering array of configurations. Generally even attempting to determine which choices to get on a single mannequin will be overwhelming. As a product tester, I exploit a spreadsheet to maintain all of it straight. However you should not have to do this, so listed below are some broad specs to remember.
Processor: Chromebooks use half a dozen totally different processors, most of which you’ve got in all probability by no means heard of. There is a cause for that: These processors are gradual, and so they do not present up in Home windows laptops. After attempting out loads of Intel Celeron–based mostly machines, my advice is to go together with one thing extra highly effective if you happen to can afford it. The following step up from the Celeron is the Core m3, which is your best option for most individuals. If you need a extra highly effective, future-proof machine, get an i3 or i5 chip.
We’re beginning to see extra ARM-based Chromebooks, just like the Lenovo Duet above. I have never had any points utilizing ARM Chromebooks, however they don’t seem to be fairly as speedy because the Intel Core chips. There are some newer Chromebooks utilizing AMD’s newest Ryzen chips, and I’ve had good experiences with them.
RAM: Get 8-GB of reminiscence if you happen to can afford it, particularly if you happen to plan to run any Android functions. After I’ve skilled extreme slowdowns and glitches, it is virtually all the time on a Chromebook with solely 4-GB of RAM.
Display screen: Get an IPS LCD show. There are nonetheless a couple of low-end fashions on the market with crappier TN LCD shows, and you need to keep away from these. Your pixel decision depends upon the dimensions of the display. I’ve used (and suggest) some 11-inch Chromebooks which have 720p shows. As a result of these screens are squeezed right into a small kind issue, I discover them acceptably sharp, however a 1080p display shall be a lot nicer.
Ports: Most belongings you do on a Chromebook are cloud-based, so you do not really want to fret an excessive amount of about ports. You may want a pc that fees by a USB-C port if you would like to have the ability to run your Chromebook off a conveyable battery/charger, however USB-C charging is obtainable largely in mid- and higher-priced fashions. It additionally helps to have a MicroSD slot for expanded storage if you could obtain plenty of recordsdata throughout a typical day, however that choice can also be not broadly accessible.
