If you can spend more than $500, get Wirecutter’s pick for the best Chromebook overall, the Asus Chromebook Flip C434TA, which has a larger screen and a newer processor and is often on sale for $530. But this model is old and won’t get software updates after 2022. Weighing less than 3 pounds, it has a 10-hour battery life, a bright touchscreen, and a backlit keyboard that’s comfortable to type on. Despite being browser based, Chromebooks do have offline support, according to Google, but they’re not as useful as a Windows computer if you don’t have an Internet connection.įor under $500, Wirecutter’s pick for the best Chromebook is the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA. Chromebooks can run Android apps but can’t run Windows applications, so they aren’t good for tasks that require special software, such as coding or media editing. Chromebooks run updates automatically and have no bloatware or preinstalled software as on Windows, making them much easier to use. They’re better built, they have longer battery life, and they’re easier to update than Windows competitors.Ĭhromebooks run Google’s ChromeOS, where you do everything through the Chrome Web browser, so they’re most useful for students who do coursework in Google Docs or online education portals. If you don’t need Windows applications or access to specialty software, buy a Chromebook. If you want a light and portable device primarily for writing or for taking notes, get an iPad. If you prefer Windows and don’t mind dealing with slightly sluggish performance and less durability in favor of wider software support, get a Windows laptop. If you want something portable or durable, and you rely mostly on Google Docs for schoolwork, get a Chromebook. This leaves you with a choice between three different types of computers: a Chromebook, a Windows laptop, or a tablet. Chromebooks can get away with 4 GB of memory because that operating system doesn’t require as much as Windows. A model with 8 GB is much better, but rare. 4 GB (preferably 8 GB) of memory: A laptop with 4 GB of memory allows you to have two or three applications open at a time, but after 10 or so browser tabs it’ll slow to a crawl.Chromebooks can get away with a less powerful Core m3 processor. (A Core i5 is better but rare in this price range.) You can find Pentium and Celeron processors at this price, but they’re too slow for Windows. Seventh- or eighth-generation Intel Core i3 or i5 processor: An Intel Core i3 processor offers plenty of power for basic Web browsing, word processing, and video watching.Launching applications and opening files is much snappier on an SSD than on a hard drive. Solid-state storage: I’ve found that SSD storage instead of spinning hard drives makes the biggest difference in how a laptop feels to use in everyday tasks.You could get a laptop for $200, but you shouldn’t-it would feel better to browse the Web on your phone than on a laptop that cheap. When shopping for a laptop under $500, you don’t have a lot of control over features, but there is a minimal threshold to meet for a good experience. At Wirecutter, I’ve tested dozens of laptops, and here’s what I’d recommend as the best laptops under $500. Still, if you know what to look for, you can find a laptop that can browse the Web and handle most schoolwork, such as writing term papers or taking notes. At this price, I’ve seen jangly trackpads, loose keys, unreadable screens, hinges that can’t hold a screen upright, and processors that buckle under the load of two browser tabs. Spend less, and you’ll have a better experience browsing the Internet on your phone. To get a laptop that’s usable for most schoolwork, you typically need to spend at least $450 to $500. Sign up for our Wirecutter Weekly newsletter to get our latest recommendations delivered straight to your inbox.
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