Chromebooks occupy a unique section of the laptop market — they’re not quite as full-featured as typical notebooks running Windows 10 or MacOS, and instead they run the featherweight Chrome OS from Google. They’re lighter, more portable, and generally have better battery life than their larger counterparts. These are notebooks for students, professionals, and anyone else who needs a laptop designed to spend more time on the go than on a desk.
Nearly every major manufacturer offers their own spin on the Chromebook, and the market has never been more crowded. There’s a lot of options available that look similar at a glance, so we’ve narrowed things down for you by sorting through them all to pick three of our favorite Chromebooks.
Our pick
Samsung Chromebook Pro
Why should you buy this: You want a Chromebook prepared for the future of Chrome OS
Our Score
The best
Samsung Chromebook Pro
The Samsung Chromebook Pro is the best Chromebook on the market, full stop.
$449.00 from Best Buy
$449.00 from Amazon
Who’s it for: Students, professionals, and anyone in between.
How much will it cost: $550
Why we picked the Samsung Chromebook Pro:
Between the powerful, efficient Intel Core M processor, and the gorgeous 2,400 x 1600 display, this little thing isn’t just an impressive Chromebook, it’s an impressive ultralight laptop.
Building on the legacy of the Chromebooks that came before, Samsung has elevated the design and capabilities of their latest offering, rolling in support for Google Play apps alongside a versatile touch-screen display. Fold it back, and it becomes an Android tablet, set it upright and it’s a mobile workstation.
The Samsung Chromebook Pro is like a Swiss Army knife, capable of filling a variety of roles throughout your day. It’s still a little expensive for a Chromebook, but it’s well under what you’d pay for a comparable Windows 10 notebook.
Our full review