Chromebooks may cost from $150 to $800, so the specifications may vary.
processor: For the best experience, you should avoid older Chromebooks with Intel Celeron processors. Chromebook Plus specs provide a good benchmark to ensure fast performance, and I recommend using at least an Intel Core i3, Core i5, or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 processor. Unless you need multitasking, Android games, Linux apps, and dozens of Chrome Tabs, be aware of configuration overruns with Intel Core i7 processors. Although Intel and AMD dominate the processor scenario, you sometimes find Chromebooks using an ARM processor like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7C Gen 2. For very basic tasks, this may be OK, but under continuous, strong loads, they won’t perform well. That said, a new generation of weapons chips are on the way, such as the Mediatek Kompanio Ultra 910 plus 14 power to the Lenovo Chromebook.
Memory: If you can afford it, always choose at least 8 GB of RAM. You won’t find 4 GB of RAM anywhere other than basic over-budget Chromebooks, but it severely limits your ability to multitask. If you want to avoid a slowdown, you should target 8 GB of RAM, which can be difficult even though you have a budget of less than $300.
Storage: Unlike a Mac or Windows PC, most of your Chromebook’s work will be stored on the network. This means you can usually reduce storage space, but I don’t recommend 128 GB below 128 GB. If you can afford it, you will feel more comfortable with at least 256 GB. You will get the best speed from NVME solid state drives, so look for it on the specification sheet when comparing models.
screen: The vast majority of Chromebook displays you will find will be IPS LCD panels, which is great. OLED displays are finally starting to appear on Chromebooks, although IPS LCD screens are more common and balance brightness, contrast and color accuracy well. If you are shopping within your budget, be aware of the TN LCD panels as they are usually lower in quality and provide a poor viewing angle. For resolution, a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution (or 16:10 aspect ratio of 1200p) should be your standard. You will get a clear visual at 13-inch and 14-inch screen sizes and can be seen through 15-inch visuals. Higher resolutions will look better, but they are not common in Chromebooks.
port: USB-C ports have become commonplace on Chromebooks, so there are no excuses to buy without them. Try to get the fee for charging USB-C so you can charge with your portable power library on the go. If you want an easy way to expand storage space on the fly, the MicroSD card slot can also be beneficial. You’ll find some Chromebooks also support Thunderbolt 4 on their USB-C ports. While this is an excellent option if you plan to plug your Chromebook into some high-end monitors, it is not necessary for most people. Instead, you can get similar external monitor support with HDMI ports or DisplayPort (and spend a lot less) on USB-C support.
