We don't just write about Chromebooks; we use them every day. That gives us spcial insight into which Chromebooks are best, depending on your needs.
The is the best Chromebook you can buy today. We base this on the overall value; you get what you pay for plus a lot more. Plus, you get a fine tablet that runs Android apps.
Our Pick
The Chromebook X2 is a winner no matter how you use it
HP's Chromebook X2 is the first detachable Chromebook, and the category is starting off with quite the bang. This powerful Chromebook does double-duty as a tablet, so that, plus its use of Android apps, makes the X2 something you might also consider if you're looking for a new Android tablet.
Who should buy this Chromebook
Chromebooks are designed to be simple and secure ways to do everything most of us want to do on a computer. The HP Chromebook X2 fits the bill here, but it's also a powerful laptop for folks who fancy themselves as power users and want to do a little more.
Digital artists will appreciate the excellent active Pen, which offers precision drawing and pressure sensitivity. Developers will love the power to open multiple windows and applications while they run and test their code. Business professionals will have the power to work at home or on the go with an ultra thin and light business-class machine. And during any downtime, everyone can appreciate the amazing 12.3-inch display and over one million Android apps that let you do anything from watching your favorite movie to playing a 3D game.
The HP Chromebook X2 may not be the perfect Chromebook for everyone, but it offers the best feature to value ratio of any you'll find today.
Is it a good time to buy this Chromebook?
Yes. The HP Chromebook X2 was introduced in 2018 and will be officially supported by HP and Google until at least 2024. It's crafted from the latest components and should have plenty of power throughout its lifespan.
Reasons to buy
HP has built a powerful Chromebook that can moonlight as an awesome tablet with the . We love the Intel Core M3 processor, the 0.3-inch thickness and the functional features like Assistant and Google Lens. But as we've seen before in the Chromebook world, the display steals the show.
The display on the HP Chromebook X2 is the very same 12.3-inch 2400x1600 IPS touch panel that you'll find on the Pixelbook or Samsung Chromebook Pro. It's beautiful to look at and supports a stylus, which is included and stows in a handy loop on the keyboard.
It's the best Chromebook you can buy, and a contender for the best tablet, too.
You'll have plenty of power for the browser or to pull up spreadsheets and presentations in Google Docs and Android apps while you're working. Or play something from Netflix on the gorgeous screen when you're not.
With a more power-hungry screen than many other Chromebooks, the Chromebook X2 still has great battery life. It will last most people a full workday (8-10 hours) on a single charge. When it's time to charge the battery, you'll appreciate the standard USB-C charging instead of a proprietary input. With the right cable, your Chromebook X2 will charge anywhere your phone does.
The HP Chromebook X2 is a great all-around package, and right now it's the best Chromebook available.
Alternatives to the HP Chromebook X2
We think the HP Chromebook X2 is the best overall Chromebook you can buy, but we know it's not going to fit everyone. That's great because there are plenty of other options available and finding one that suits you perfectly should be easy. We've outlined a few in case you're looking for something different.
Runner Up
Acer Chromebook Spin 13
The best Chromebook ever built
The sleek and modern aluminum design, attention to detail, and 8th generation Intel Core-i5 processor make the Chromebook Spin 13 a joy to look at and use. The $900 price tag makes it a specialty machine for people who actually need the power inside it.
As of this writing, the is the most powerful Chromebook ever built, thanks to its eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor and a generous amount of memory. But it's also a bit of overkill for almost everyone and has a price tag that's several hundred dollars over our best pick. Still, if you need the power, it's an amazing device.
Google's own
Google Pixelbook
Google's stylish and unique Halo device
As Google's Halo device, the Pixelbook has the design and specs that make it amazing to use. but it has a price that's hard to swallow.
thin and sleek, and oozes "premium" when using it, has the best keyboard and trackpad of any Chromebook, and a gorgeous touchscreen. It was also designed from the ground up for Google Play and use as an Android tablet, and it excels at it. While you'll pay double the price of our top pick, for some, it will be worth it.
Value Pick
Acer Chromebook R13
Looks and feels like a product that should cost a lot more
The Chromebook R13 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a premium product without a premium price.
The is the most machine you'll find under $400. It has a 1080p IPS touchscreen for interaction with Android apps and can fold back into various modes for an all-touch experience. It's solid, well machined, and is nothing like a typical "cheap" laptop. It's a great choice for savvy shoppers.
On the Go
ASUS Chromebook Flip 101
The ultimate uber-portable
Take your digital life everywhere with the light and portable Chromebook Flip.
The original Chromebook Flip took us by surprise when we first saw it, but many have come to love this light, portable, and unassuming little Chromebook. The C101 version takes the portability and Android support we all loved and adds newer components, more storage, and better battery life. It's perfect for anyone who is constantly on the move.
Bottom line
The is the overall best Chromebook you can buy and one of the best we've ever seen. You'll love its features and we think it's the perfect blend of performance versus price. But all of us have different needs and luckily there are plenty of other models out there to fit yours perfectly.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Jerry Hildenbrand is Mobile Nation's Senior Editor and works from a Chromebook full time. Currently, he is using Google's Pixelbook but is always looking at new products and may have any Chromebook in his hands at any time. You'll find him across the Mobile Nations network and you can if you want to say hey.
Daniel Bader is the Managing Editor of Android Central. As he's writing this, a mountain of old Android phones is about to fall on his head, but his Great Dane will protect him. He drinks way too much coffee and sleeps too little. He wonders if there's a correlation.
Andrew Martonik is the Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central. He has been a mobile enthusiast since the Windows Mobile days, and covering all things Android-related with a unique perspective at AC since 2012. For suggestions and updates, you can reach him at [email protected] or on Twitter at .
The is the best Chromebook you can buy today. We base this on the overall value; you get what you pay for plus a lot more. Plus, you get a fine tablet that runs Android apps.
Our Pick
The Chromebook X2 is a winner no matter how you use it
HP's Chromebook X2 is the first detachable Chromebook, and the category is starting off with quite the bang. This powerful Chromebook does double-duty as a tablet, so that, plus its use of Android apps, makes the X2 something you might also consider if you're looking for a new Android tablet.
Who should buy this Chromebook
Chromebooks are designed to be simple and secure ways to do everything most of us want to do on a computer. The HP Chromebook X2 fits the bill here, but it's also a powerful laptop for folks who fancy themselves as power users and want to do a little more.
Digital artists will appreciate the excellent active Pen, which offers precision drawing and pressure sensitivity. Developers will love the power to open multiple windows and applications while they run and test their code. Business professionals will have the power to work at home or on the go with an ultra thin and light business-class machine. And during any downtime, everyone can appreciate the amazing 12.3-inch display and over one million Android apps that let you do anything from watching your favorite movie to playing a 3D game.
The HP Chromebook X2 may not be the perfect Chromebook for everyone, but it offers the best feature to value ratio of any you'll find today.
Is it a good time to buy this Chromebook?
Yes. The HP Chromebook X2 was introduced in 2018 and will be officially supported by HP and Google until at least 2024. It's crafted from the latest components and should have plenty of power throughout its lifespan.
Reasons to buy
- Powerful processor
- Ultra thin and light
- Beautiful vibrant display
- Great battery life
- No keyboard backlighting
- Only 32GB of onboard storage
- No upgrade options
HP has built a powerful Chromebook that can moonlight as an awesome tablet with the . We love the Intel Core M3 processor, the 0.3-inch thickness and the functional features like Assistant and Google Lens. But as we've seen before in the Chromebook world, the display steals the show.
The display on the HP Chromebook X2 is the very same 12.3-inch 2400x1600 IPS touch panel that you'll find on the Pixelbook or Samsung Chromebook Pro. It's beautiful to look at and supports a stylus, which is included and stows in a handy loop on the keyboard.
It's the best Chromebook you can buy, and a contender for the best tablet, too.
You'll have plenty of power for the browser or to pull up spreadsheets and presentations in Google Docs and Android apps while you're working. Or play something from Netflix on the gorgeous screen when you're not.
With a more power-hungry screen than many other Chromebooks, the Chromebook X2 still has great battery life. It will last most people a full workday (8-10 hours) on a single charge. When it's time to charge the battery, you'll appreciate the standard USB-C charging instead of a proprietary input. With the right cable, your Chromebook X2 will charge anywhere your phone does.
The HP Chromebook X2 is a great all-around package, and right now it's the best Chromebook available.
Alternatives to the HP Chromebook X2
We think the HP Chromebook X2 is the best overall Chromebook you can buy, but we know it's not going to fit everyone. That's great because there are plenty of other options available and finding one that suits you perfectly should be easy. We've outlined a few in case you're looking for something different.
Runner Up
Acer Chromebook Spin 13
The best Chromebook ever built
The sleek and modern aluminum design, attention to detail, and 8th generation Intel Core-i5 processor make the Chromebook Spin 13 a joy to look at and use. The $900 price tag makes it a specialty machine for people who actually need the power inside it.
As of this writing, the is the most powerful Chromebook ever built, thanks to its eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor and a generous amount of memory. But it's also a bit of overkill for almost everyone and has a price tag that's several hundred dollars over our best pick. Still, if you need the power, it's an amazing device.
Google's own
Google Pixelbook
Google's stylish and unique Halo device
As Google's Halo device, the Pixelbook has the design and specs that make it amazing to use. but it has a price that's hard to swallow.
thin and sleek, and oozes "premium" when using it, has the best keyboard and trackpad of any Chromebook, and a gorgeous touchscreen. It was also designed from the ground up for Google Play and use as an Android tablet, and it excels at it. While you'll pay double the price of our top pick, for some, it will be worth it.
Value Pick
Acer Chromebook R13
Looks and feels like a product that should cost a lot more
The Chromebook R13 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a premium product without a premium price.
The is the most machine you'll find under $400. It has a 1080p IPS touchscreen for interaction with Android apps and can fold back into various modes for an all-touch experience. It's solid, well machined, and is nothing like a typical "cheap" laptop. It's a great choice for savvy shoppers.
On the Go
ASUS Chromebook Flip 101
The ultimate uber-portable
Take your digital life everywhere with the light and portable Chromebook Flip.
The original Chromebook Flip took us by surprise when we first saw it, but many have come to love this light, portable, and unassuming little Chromebook. The C101 version takes the portability and Android support we all loved and adds newer components, more storage, and better battery life. It's perfect for anyone who is constantly on the move.
Bottom line
The is the overall best Chromebook you can buy and one of the best we've ever seen. You'll love its features and we think it's the perfect blend of performance versus price. But all of us have different needs and luckily there are plenty of other models out there to fit yours perfectly.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Jerry Hildenbrand is Mobile Nation's Senior Editor and works from a Chromebook full time. Currently, he is using Google's Pixelbook but is always looking at new products and may have any Chromebook in his hands at any time. You'll find him across the Mobile Nations network and you can if you want to say hey.
Daniel Bader is the Managing Editor of Android Central. As he's writing this, a mountain of old Android phones is about to fall on his head, but his Great Dane will protect him. He drinks way too much coffee and sleeps too little. He wonders if there's a correlation.
Andrew Martonik is the Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central. He has been a mobile enthusiast since the Windows Mobile days, and covering all things Android-related with a unique perspective at AC since 2012. For suggestions and updates, you can reach him at [email protected] or on Twitter at .