Samsung, ASUS, Acer, and more

Amazon has virtually everything you could want or need. If you’re looking for a new Chromebook, there’s a good chance you started shopping by opening Amazon. There are dozens of great options from OEMs like Samsung, Acer, ASUS, and more, so it can be difficult to pare down which one of those devices you want.

This buying guide lists our top choices for Chromebooks on Amazon at a variety of price points. If you already know your specific use case, we also list all the top features for each device. You can purchase these devices by clicking the product name and the link at the top of each section.

Best overall: Asus Chromebook CX9

Topping our list of Chromebooks available on Amazon is the Asus Chromebook CX9. It’s one of the most powerful that Amazon offers directly from Chromebook manufacturers, with a great display and overall design.

However, the number one reason why we like the Asus Chromebook CX9 so much is due to the CPU. This is one of the newest Chromebooks on Amazon that has powerful Intel chips inside. Yes, this CPU is about two years old at this point, but it uses a top-of-the-line 10th gen Intel processor — the Intel Core i7-1165G7. This is a 4-core processor, so it will help power you through most of your workflows in Chrome OS without issue. Even using Android apps and Linux should work well on this device. This Chromebook also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, which further help with speeds.

Other than the CPU, we want to mention that this Chromebook is quite durable. It’s ultra-premium, made of aluminum, and certified against military-grade durability. Asus says the device has been pressure, shock, and drop-tested to ensure resilience. Even the keyboard and ports pass these tests.

The other two design choices that we like? The first is the Ergo Lift hinge. This raises the keyboard deck, so you don’t have to worry about your hands cramping up during long typing sessions. The keyboard is also backlit, so you can easily work at night. The second is the webcam shield, which can help you can protect yourself from being seen.

This might seem small, but we also enjoyed using the ASUS NumberPad. Instead of being on the keyboard, this numpad is on the trackpad, which saves space on the device. You can tap the numpad button on the keyboard to summon this area on the trackpad, and then you’ll be able to easily enter numbers into spreadsheets by just tapping the respected number on the trackpad. It’s also backlit up to two levels.

Finally, we come to the display. It has slim bezels on three sides, so you can make the most of the 1920 x 1080 resolution and stack your windows side by side. If you want, you even can buy a USI stylus to use with this Chromebook. This will unlock possibilities like downloading and using Android drawing apps.

Second on our list is the Asus Chromebook Flip. This is currently one of the best Chromebook 2-in-1s for sale on Amazon. One of the big reasons for that is the display. Many Chromebooks might have smaller 13-inch screens, but this one is 15.6 inches. With such a big size, you can multitask and open more Chrome browsing sessions. Combine that with the FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution, and you’ll get the most out of your content when you flip the device over to use it as a 2-in-1, or even as a tablet or in the tent and stand modes. The only thing that slightly bothers us about the display is the ugly bottom bezel, but for Chromebooks that are $500-$600 in price, this is quite common.

Moving on, this Chromebook has last year’s 11th-generation Intel processors inside — an Intel Core i3-1115G4 CPU specifically. This is a lower-end CPU, but it’s usually what we aim for when we suggest a Chromebook for somebody to buy. It sits below the Core i5 but well above the Intel Pentium processor on most cheap Chromebooks. If you factor in the 8GB of RAM, you’ll get smooth performance, even when opening media-heavy webpages like YouTube or using Android apps in native tablet mode.

Finally, there’s a good selection of ports, which is important if you’re in business or are a student. This device has what we consider basic connectivity for on-the-go use, with USB-C 3.2, USB-A 3.1, a headphone/microphone combo jack, HDMI, and a microSD memory card reader. This means that external SSDs and USB drives should connect to this device just fine. Thanks to your microSD card, you’ll even get extra storage to carry your files on the go. HDMI is the addition that we love the most, though, as you can connect to displays without the use of dongles.

Best tablet: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook

Not all the Chromebooks on Amazon are traditional laptops. You’ll also find a device like the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook, which should be familiar to folks who’ve used an iPad or Surface 2-in-1 tablet. It has a detachable keyboard, optional pen support, and a wide screen with slim bezels.

The screen is definitely the first reason you should buy this Chromebook. Instead of sporting an IPS or LCD panel, this Chromebook has an OLED panel, which feature darker blacks and higher brightness than other displays. Along with the 16:9 aspect ratio, this Chromebook creates more natural-looking images, which is great for watching videos. When we reviewed this device, we found that the color accuracy is nearly spot-on. We enjoyed watching our favorite movies and TV shows. What’s even better is that the display also supports inking. While Lenovo doesn’t include a USI stylus, you can buy one and use this Chromebook like a true tablet. You can then unlock the power to use drawing apps and even sync your notes with your devices with the Google Cursive app.

The other part of the IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook that we really liked is the detachable keyboard. Unlike an iPad or Surface, Lenovo includes the keyboard in the box with purchase. With this full-size keyboard connected, you can prop out a kickstand and get right to work. We typed out very long articles on this device and had no issues.

On the inside, you’ll find something a bit surprising. You won’t get an Intel or AMD chip inside like some of the other picks we have on our list. This is an Arm-based chip, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c. For you, this chip means for really long battery life, as well as excellent compatibility with Android apps. Android apps are coded for Arm-based chips just like this one, so the latest Android games and social media apps won’t give this Chromebook any issues.

There are just a few small problems that you might come across with this Chromebook. First of all, there is no headphone jack, so you’ll need a dongle or Bluetooth headphones to listen to tunes. The two USB-C ports might also be limiting, so you might need a USB hub to connect to displays as well as older peripherals like printers.

Best budget: Samsung Chromebook 4

If you search for Chromebooks on Amazon, there’s a chance you’ll find a lot of cheap devices. You have to be careful though since a cheap Chromebook isn’t always a good Chromebook. Thankfully, that doesn’t apply to the Samsung Chromebook 4. It might be a bit old at this point, but you’ll be able to perform basic tasks without breaking your budget.

Starting on the inside, what’s under the hood of this device aren’t all too bad for under $150. The Chromebook has the Intel Celeron N4000 CPU, which we’ve found through tests is great for everyday tasks. If you just want to browse the web or use productivity apps like Google Docs, you’ll be fine. We wouldn’t go beyond that though since the 4GB of RAM and slower eMMC storage might be too limiting.

The display is also not too bad for this low price. You won’t get FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution like with premium Chromebooks, but you do get ‎1366 x 768 resolution, which is decent enough for opening a single webpage on the screen. But beyond that, you might need an external display. The benefit to this is the long battery life. Since the Chromebook doesn’t have to power a high-resolution panel, it’ll last all day — around 12.5 hours, according to Samsung.

Portability is definitely the strength of this Chromebook, though, It’s one of the smallest Chromebooks on the market. It’s 11.33 x 7.96 x 0.66 inches in size with an 11.6-inch screen and it weighs just under 2.6 pounds. If you plan to travel, this device will be a good companion.

Finally, we’ll dive into the keyboard and port selection. The keyboard is edge-to-edge, and it looks very neat at a quick glance. Yes, it is an all-plastic keyboard and device, but that’s another sacrifice for this low price. Backlighting is the other sacrifice, too, so you’ll end up having to work with the lights on in the room if you use this device at night. Ports aren’t exactly flagship quality, but you do get a microSD card slot for expansion, as well as USB-A and USB-C. The device charges with USB-C, so you can power it up on the go with a power bank or charger.

Need a Chromebook with a big display? Check out the Acer 17-inch Chromebook. It has a huge display, a great design, as well as decent CPU power under the hood. It’s great for use on the go or if you prefer to not use your device with a monitor.

The reason we chose this Chromebook has a lot to do with the 1920 x 1080 resolution. A high-resolution screen is important on a big Chromebook, and with this device, you can stack your favorite apps side by side and get true multitasking — Chrome, an Android app, you name it. The panel even has an anti-glare coating, so you won’t get reflections when working under bright lights or in direct sunlight.

There’s one caveat, though. This might be a Chromebook with a big screen, but the CPU power inside is a bit limiting. Again, it’s not a bad CPU since Chrome OS is optimized and lightweight when compared to Windows, but you will have to stick to basic web browsing here. Running Android apps might not work so well because of the slower eMMC storage and 4GB of RAM but for web browsing, it’s perfect.

Generally speaking, we believe the design of this device is fantastic. You’ll get speakers on the keyboard deck, as well as a full numpad to the left of the device. This makes it ideal for those who might be spending a lot of time in Google Sheets. We do wish that the keyboard was backlit, but when you consider the $300 price, it’s hard to complain.

Finally, there are the ports. You’ll get USB-C, USB-A, microSD card expansion, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s a very well-connected machine, but we just wish there was an HDMI port, especially considering that the device is a bit thick and heavy at 0.89 inches in thickness and 5.18 pounds.

Best for education: Acer Spin 311

Chromebooks are popular in education, and for that, we have the Acer Spin 311. This is a no-nonsense Chromebook that puts education first, allowing students to use it for schoolwork and not much else.

First of all, there’s the chip inside. Like you’ll find on lower-end Chromebooks, it’s a MediaTek MT8183. This is not the fastest CPU around when compared to other offerings from Intel, but students won’t be able to stray away from things outside of schoolwork. This Chromebook can’t exactly run the highest-end Android games, so student access to the Google Play Store will be limited. With an Arm-based CPU and 4GB of RAM, it’s mainly a web browsing machine for Chrome and education-approved apps. It’s also a long-lasting Chromebook when it comes to battery life, as the low-end specs reduce power consumption. Battery life is rated at up to 15 hours, so students won’t have to worry about constantly recharging their devices as they get through their day.

Then, there’s the display. It’s an 11-inch convertible display tuned a 1366 x 768 resolution. That’s a low resolution for adults used to higher-end computers, but a student could get a lot out of it. They can keep it in a laptop mode to browse the web or convert it over to tent or stand modes to showcase presentations and other media. The thick bezels help with handling this Chromebook and helps avoid accidental touches on the screen. Note that this Amazon bundle also includes a capacitive slim stylus, which can be used for interacting with the display. It’s not a USI pen, though, so you won’t be using it for more complicated tasks like drawing.

There’s also the portability aspect. If your child is planning to go to and from school with this Chromebook, then they’ll find that it’s plenty portable. It’s only 11.42 x 8.11 x 0.74 inches in size and weighs just 2 pounds. If you’re familiar with school supplies, that’s smaller than most textbooks and a little bigger than the size of a notebook. Kids will easily be able to slide this Chromebook into a bag without adding extra weight.

On ports, this Chromebook is like some other budget devices in Acer’s lineup in that it has a “hump” area on the back where you’ll find the ports. The mix includes a USB Type-C port, a USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, a USB 2.0 port, a headphone jack, and a Kensington lock slot. Again, there’s enough ports here for connections to USB drives as well as modern USB-C accessories like phone chargers.

Thinking of introducing a Chromebook to someone for the first time? Well, one of the best Chromebooks for that on Amazon is the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go. This is a stylish Chromebook for under $300 and the overall specs on it aren’t too bad.

On the inside of this Chromebook, you get an Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB eMMc storage. For a first Chromebook, that is what we’d usually look for. It’ll power web browsing and other quick tasks without any issues, although you’ll see slowdowns when running higher-end Android apps or multitasking beyond just a few tabs in Google Chrome. If it matters to you, Samsung also offers this Chromebook with LTE support through either Verizon or AT&T, so you can stay connected on the go when Wi-Fi isn’t available. It’s something you might want to consider, especially since this device has an all-day, 12-hour battery.

And the design of this Chromebook is super tough. This Chromebook passed MIL-STD-810G testing, making it a durable choice for younger children who might be using a Chromebook for the first time. It even has a dual-tone look where the inside of the laptop is black, and the sides and lid are colored white. Despite it being durable, it’s not heavy; it’s portable at just 3.2 pounds and measures in at 8.88 x 12.88 x 0.63 inches.

Looking at the display, it isn’t the best resolution at 1366 x 768, but we think it just works. That’s the lowest possible resolution for a Chromebook, so opening a ton of windows isn’t something that’ll happen on this device. It’s just a starter to get used to Chrome OS for the first time. If you have a Samsung phone, then this Chromebook will also play nice with it. You’ll be able to use hand-off features to send files to and from your devices without the need for email. Combine that with support for Wi-Fi 6e, and we think this Chromebook is excellent for productivity.

Ending by looking at ports, it’s not the most impressive. You’ll have to consider buying a dongle with this device. There are only two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. For use at home with a display, you’ll need a Chromebook dock.

Last on our list is a Chromebook that’s all about that display. Yes, we already mentioned the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook earlier, but this is a device that’ll be great if you do a lot of streaming and video watching.

Even in 2022, one year after its release, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 has one of the best displays on a Chromebook. As of this writing, it’s even listed as Amazon’s choice for the best laptop computer by Samsung. What’s the best part of this Chromebook’s display? It has a lot to do with QLED technology. QLED displays, just like OLED panels, can output amazing life-like images and colors. It’s usually found on TVs, and is best when it comes to consuming multimedia. No matter what you end up doing on this Chromebook, be it web browsing or watching YouTube movies, it’ll all look amazing.

Beyond the display, there are still a couple of reasons why we picked the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 for our list. First up, the 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor is pretty fast even by 2022 standards. For tasks like running Android apps and handling more than 10 tabs in Google Chrome, this Chromebook will be a champion. It can be configured with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM. There’s also a lower-end version with 4GB of RAM, but we advise against buying that model. The more RAM, the better, especially if you want to multitask.

Then, there’s the convertible aspect. You can use this Chromebook in tent mode, stand mode, or tablet mode. Samsung also includes support for the S Pen on this Chromebook, although it’s not included with this device. You’ll have to buy one separately. You’ll also have to keep the pen safe externally since there’s no way to house it inside the device like the previous generation Galaxy Chromebook.

There’s also the overall look of this Chromebook. It’s definitely not a boring-looking device. The “Fiesta Red” color will ensure you stand out at a coffee shop or in your office. And speaking of looks, this Chromebook is super thin. It’s only 0.6 inches in thickness, so you’ll be able to travel with it.

Overall, this is the best Samsung Chromebook. It just has some changes over the original Samsung Galaxy Chromebook that might bother some people, like the lower resolution screen (the original was 4K) and the removal of a fingerprint reader. It’s still much cheaper, though, and we think the highly attractive price will sway you to buy it.

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That wraps up our list of the best Chromebooks available at Amazon. With so many options, you can easily find the device for you. Regardless of your preference, Amazon has a selection of great deals you can take advantage of to get the best Chromebook for you.