Chromebooks are available in a bewildering array of configurations. Typically even attempting to resolve which choices to get on a single mannequin may be overwhelming. As a product tester, I take advantage of a spreadsheet to maintain all of it straight. However you should not have to try this, so listed here are some broad specs to remember.

Processor: Chromebooks use half a dozen completely different processors, most of which you have in all probability by no means heard of. There is a cause for that: These processors are sluggish, and so they do not present up in Home windows laptops. After attempting out loads of Intel Celeron–based mostly machines, my suggestion is to go along with one thing extra highly effective when you can afford it. The following step up from the Celeron is the Core m3, which is your best option for most individuals. If you’d like 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 not 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 when you can afford it, particularly when you 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: 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 scale of the display screen. I’ve used (and advocate) 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 screen might be a lot nicer.

Ports: Most belongings you do on a Chromebook are cloud-based, so you do not actually need to fret an excessive amount of about ports. You may want a pc that prices via 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 principally in mid- and higher-priced fashions. It additionally helps to have a MicroSD slot for expanded storage if that you must obtain quite a lot of information throughout a typical day, however that choice can be not broadly obtainable.