To achieve their highest potential, students need technology that meets their every need these days. As more and more tasks demand their time, the Chromebook has risen to the challenge.
Being able to run both lightweight but advanced programs makes them the perfect fit for most college students. The Asus Chromebook Flip C214 rises above the competition for its overall success in all our tests. See other highlights of this Chromebook and more.
The best Chromebook for students at a glance:
Best Chromebook for Students: Asus Chromebook Flip C214
Why should you buy it: Offering military-grade durability, long battery life, and an integrated stylus, this is the best Chromebook option for students.
what’s that for: Students who want an exceptionally rugged notebook that offers all-day battery life with stylus input for an exceptional price.
Why we chose the Asus Chromebook Flip C214:
Asus created the Chromebook Flip C214 as a student-focused laptop. The C214, found as an option for educational institutions, has everything that makes a Chromebook great for students, including a battery that can last up to 12 hours on a single charge. The convenient 2-in-1 design means that students can use it as a laptop or tablet, using a stylus in either mode to take notes or sketch ideas.
The Asus Chromebook is also built to military-class specifications, so you don’t have to worry about throwing it in your bag. It has been drop-tested up to 1.2 m while operating, and the unit can bear up to 30 kg of force without being damaged. The laptop also includes other durability features, including rubberized bumper, spill-resistant keyboard and anti-scratch, easily grip rubberized finish.
The entire system is supported by Intel Celeron dual-core processors, with 4GB or 8GB of onboard memory, enough to browse the web, manage word processing, and get the job done. The 11.6-inch display is HD +, with 768p resolution; This will not be the final film machine, but the resolution is more than enough to complete the homework on time.
Runner-up Chromebook for Students: Google Pixelbook Go
Why should you buy it: Despite being on the pricer’s side, the Pixelbook Go is the best Chromebook you can buy, it’s great for both students and everyday users.
what’s that for: Whoever wants the best Chromebook on the market, including students seeking the best performance.
Why we chose Google Pixelbook Go:
Hands down, the Google Pixelbook Go is the best Chromebook you can buy at the moment, but it comes at a much higher price tag than our top pick. Featuring a 13-inch full HD display, the screen gives many students plenty of room to manage side-by-side, such as research and writing essays. There won’t be a shortage of computing power, either, thanks to the inclusion of an Intel Core M3 processor on the base model, increasing to an Intel Core i7 processor when maxed out. The latter option even bumps the display from Full HD to 4K Ultra-High Definition (UHD) – when you want to kick back and relax with some Netflix after a long day of classes.
The features that we believe include a 12-hour battery life for students, thanks to the 47th battery and the ability to charge up to two hours in just 20 minutes. If you’re working in a dark lecture hall, Chromebook Go’s comfortable backlit keyboard will enable you to continue taking notes without worry. The magnesium finish is also strong yet Pixelbook light, protecting it as you move from orbit to orbit.
Read our Google Pixelbook Go review
Best Budget Chromebook for Students: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet
Why should you buy it: Lenovo has created a 2-in-1 experience that is both functional and affordable. Also, it includes all the goods with him.
what’s that for: Students who need an inexpensive Chromebook for school can also be used as a tablet during leisure time.
Why we chose Lenovo IdeaPad Duet:
With some of the more premium Chromebooks still on the market, there are still some great budget options. While many are mediocre, the Lenovo IdeaPad meets the Duet criteria. It is a 2-in-1 Chromebook, complete with a detachable keyboard. However, unlike the couple’s closest competition – the entry-level iPad and the Microsoft Surface Go – the doubles box includes its own detachable keyboard.
Users also get a 1080p display in a 10.1-inch package. This makes the video very good to watch. The couple is also surprisingly strong and well built for their price point. The biggest drawbacks for Duet are its tight keyboard and so-so performance. However, for a student looking for a cheap do-it-all device, it is difficult to defeat the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet.
Read our Lenovo IdeaPad Couple review
Best Multimedia Chromebook for Students: Lenovo Yoga C630
Why should you buy it: Lenovo’s Yoga C630 features a large 15.6-inch touchscreen display that outsells other Chromebooks, giving plenty of screen space to get the job done.
what’s that for: Students who need extra screen space to multitask, as well as those who want to kick back after a long day of classes with a Netflix binging session.
Why we chose Lenovo Yoga C630:
Lenovo offers a Chromebook aimed at class on the hearts of students who want to display big screens and plans to end some shows after class. Featuring the largest screen of all the Chromebooks on our list, the 15.6-inch full HD display allows students to multitask easily, can open more windows than a smaller screen. Need to work on an essay in Google Docs, pull research from the web, or reference the Notes app? No need to worry, thanks to the Yoga C630. Best of all, despite the large performance, the C630 still draws in an impressive 10-hour battery life.
Under the hood, the Yoga C630 has an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, making it one of the more capable Chromebooks on our list. Of course, due to the larger screen size, the unit is on the heftier side, weighing in at 4.2 pounds – while it is not an excessive weight, it is something to consider if you will tout it daily from class to class. We were also thrilled to see that the C630 offers the latest AC Wi-Fi standard, allowing you to get the fastest wireless signal.
Best Tablet Chromebook for Students: Google Pixel Slate
Why should you buy it: Google Pixel provides the best Chrome OS experience as a tablet while offering useful accessories including slate keyboards and stylus.
what’s that for: Students who prefer tablets or those who will primarily work with a stylus, such as arts or engineering majors.
Why we chose Google Pixel Slate:
Google’s Pixel Slate provides the best Chrome OS tablet experience at the moment and is an excellent choice for students who want to use the stylus. The majors that immediately come to mind include art students who need to sketch and draw, as well as engineering students who need to bring down mathematical formulas. We know that the Google Pixel Slate is not technically a Chromebook; This is more than “Chrometablet”. Nevertheless, if you are considering getting a Chrome OS device for school, it is worth noting whether you think you would benefit from the tablet form.
Of course, you’re not always stuck in tablet mode, as Google offers the Pixel Slate keyboard, which turns the tablet into a regular Chromebook with a snap. Whether in tablet or laptop mode, you can enjoy the tablet’s integrated Intel Core m3 processor with 8GB of RAM, which you can upgrade to Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM in high-end models. Not only is the unit powerful for any task you want to throw at it, but it also provides excellent 12-hour battery life for life on the move.
Just know that the tablet is one of the more expensive options on our list, and throwing in the keyboard and stylus will increase the purchase price even further.
Read our Google Pixel Slate review
How do we test
At , we spend time to carefully research and review notebook computers on various platforms, including Windows, MacOS and Chrome OS. Our compilation of the best Chromebooks for students was assembled after careful research to ensure that each product we recommended met the daily needs of those who would use them. Essential aspects such as battery life, overall performance, portability, and functionality were noted to help you make the best choice.
For Chromebooks entering our testing facility, we ensure that their internal components, including CPU, GPU and hard disk drives, are benchmarked and meet expected performance levels. We spend time with test machines so that we know what it is like to use them day by day, just as you would use them. All of our tasks are thorough test results that can craft a buyer’s guide you can count on to deliver the best available recommendations.
Should you buy a Chromebook?
In the world of Windows and MacOS, Chrome OS and Chromebook seem to be the third option. Are they enough to buy you? Some students will love themselves with their Chromebooks, while others will quickly become enemies. So, is a Chromebook the right choice for you? The answer comes down to how you use your current computer and the applications you rely on to work.
While MacOS and Windows are fully operating systems, Chromebooks feature Chrome OS, a platform based on the Chrome web browser. A great way to test if you are able to do your daily work on a Chromebook is to see if you can do your work in a web browser. If you find yourself dependent on applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, or iTunes, perhaps a Chromebook may not be the best option for you – at least not as your primary machine.
It is worth noting that modern Chromebooks can now run Android applications, increasing what you can accomplish with your computer. Not all Android apps are fully optimized for the screen size or Chrome OS’s mouse and keyboard interface, but in a pinch, they may be able to help you accomplish what you need to do. Otherwise, you may also see some extensions available in the Chrome Store that can expand on the capabilities of your new computer.
If you are still unsure whether a Chromebook is the right choice, buy it from a trusted website or retailer that offers a return policy. During the withdrawal period, you can test all the tasks you usually need to perform your specific routine. If the worst case comes, you can return the Chromebook if it fails to meet your expectations.
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