You might be tempted to use your Chromebook as your next laptop, and we won't blame you. Chrome OS has come a long way: Today’s Chromebooks make up a good combination of quality, battery life and power, while also supporting years of software updates that will bring you into the future. If you are primarily browsing the web, or don't need to do a lot of extra software regularly, a Chromebook can be a powerful day-to-day driver.
While Google does make things easier with the introduction of Chromebook Plus Initiative (more on this below), there are still many things to remember when buying a new Chromebook. There are machines with different prices and power levels on the market. I've been testing and reviewing Chromebooks for years and knowing what you should look for and what you expect from these laptops.
Table of contents
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The best Chromebooks of 2025
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Chromebook FAQ
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Other Chromebooks we tested
The best Chromebooks of 2025
Chromebook FAQ
What is Chrome OS and why use it on Windows?
This may be the first question about Chromebooks. There are many cheap Windows laptops on the market, so why consider Chrome's operating system? Glad you asked. For me, the simplicity and clean nature of Chrome OS is a big selling point. Chrome OS is based on Google's Chrome browser, which means most programs you can run are web-based. Like you often use on your Windows laptop, there is no bloat software or unwanted applications, it can boot in seconds, and you can almost completely reset the factory settings.
Of course, simplicity will also be a major disadvantage for some users. If you are a video editor or software developer, being unable to install native software may become the person who trades. However, there are also many people working mostly in web browsers, using tools like Google Docs and spreadsheets to increase productivity without the need for a full Windows setup.
Google and its software partners get better every year in supporting more advanced features. For example, Google has added a video editing tool in the Google Photos app on Chromebooks – it won't replace Adobe Premiere, but it should be handy for many people. Similarly, Google and Adobe announced Photoshop on the web last year, which brought most of the features of Adobe's desktop app to Chromebooks.
Chromebooks can also run Android apps, which greatly extends the available software. The quality varies greatly, but that means you can do more with your Chromebook than with a web-based application. For example, you can install a Netflix application and save videos for offline viewing. Other Android apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Lightroom are also surprisingly capable. Between the general improvements of Android apps and web apps, Chromebooks are more than just a browser portal.
Chromebooks are doing well?
In short, web browsing and anything truly based on the web. Online shopping, streaming music and videos, and using various social media sites are one of the most common daily tasks people do on their Chromebooks. As you might expect, they also work well with Google services such as photos, documents, Gmail, Drive, Weaber, and more. Yes, any computer that can run Chrome can do this, but the lightweight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and stable platform.
As I mentioned before, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so if you are an Android user, you can find some nice connections between platforms. You can use most of the same apps on your phone on your Chromebook and keep the information between them. You can also use certain Android phones as security keys for Chromebooks, or you can immediately bind a 2-in-1 laptop to use mobile data.
Google continues to make security a major difference in Chromebooks, which is definitely a factor worth considering. Automatic updates are the initial defense line: Chrome OS updates are quickly downloaded in the background, and to install the latest version requires a quick restart. Google says every web page and app on the Chromebook runs in its own sandbox, so that the separate app contains any security threats. Finally, Chrome OS has a self-check called “Verification Boot” that runs every time the device boots up. Beyond that, the simple fact that you usually can’t install traditional apps on your Chromebook means that bad actors have fewer ways to access the system.
If you are interested in Google's Gemini AI tools, Chromebooks are also a good choice. Each Chromebook in our top pick has a full year of Google One AI Premium Program – which combines the usual Google allowance, such as 2TB of storage, while buying 10% of AI tools from the Google Store. You will have access to Gmail, Google Docs and other applications, Gemini Advanced (running on the 1.5 Pro model), and more. Given that the plan is $20 per month, this is a pretty solid benefit. Chromebook Plus models also include an AI-powered “Help Me Write” tool, Google Photos Magic Editor and a Generative AI Background that you can create by filling in some tips.
As for when to avoid Chromebooks, the answer is simple: If you rely heavily on specific native applications for Windows or Mac, you most likely won't find the exact same option on your Chromeos device. In areas like photo and video editing, the most correct thing is that it is also true in law or finance. Many businesses run on Google's G Suite software, but more of a specific requirement that Chromebooks may not match. If you are an iPhone user, you will also miss the way iPhone can easily integrate with your iPad or Mac. The biggest drawback for me is the inability to access iMessage on Chromebooks.
Finally, gaming Chromebooks are not common, although they have become a more reasonable option with the rise of cloud gaming. In the second half of 2022, Google and some hardware partners announced the driving force behind cloud gaming making for Chromebooks. From a hardware perspective, this means that laptops with larger screens have higher refresh rates, and these laptops are optimized to use services like Nvidia Geforce Now, Xbox Game Pass, and Amazon Luna. Obviously, you need to use an Internet connection to use these services, but the good news is that playing modern games on your Chromebook is not impossible. You can also install Android games from the Google Play Store, but that's not what most people think when they want to play games on their laptops.
What are the most important specifications of Chromebooks?
Chrome OS is lightweight and works well on fairly modest hardware, so the most important thing to look for may not be processor power or storage. But Google made it easier to get consistent specifications and performance when the Chromebook Plus Initiative was introduced late last year. Any device with the Chromebook Plus name meets some minimum requirements, which I recommend most people get when looking for the best laptops they can use every day.
Chromebook Plus models have at least a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 processor or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processors, both of which are enough for most people. These laptops also have at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage, which should fix the problem unless you really push your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus models must have a 1080p webcam, which is great on video calls these days, and they also have to have at least a 1080p FHD IPS screen.
Of course, you can get a higher spec or a better screen if you want, but I found that everything in Chromebook Plus Target Specs can basically make a great experience.
Google also has an automatic update strategy for Chromebooks, and although this isn't exactly a spec, it's worth checking before buying. Last year, Google announced that Chromebooks will receive software updates and support 10 years after the release date. This support page lists the automatic update expiration dates for almost all Chromebooks, but a good rule of thumb is to buy the largest machine to maximize support.
How much should I spend on my Chromebook?
Chromebooks are beginning to be infamously cheap, with a price tag usually under $300. But as they become more mainstream, they have transitioned from essentially modern netbooks to some of the best laptops you want to use throughout the day. So the price is up: At this point, if you want a solid daily driver, you should expect to spend at least $400. There are still many Chromebooks available at low prices that can be used as an auxiliary device, but a good Chromebook for a full day has a higher cost per day laptop. But, in particular, even the best Chromebooks usually cost more than the best Windows laptops, and even the best “regular” laptops out there.
There are a lot of quality Chromebooks that are close to or even over $1,000, claiming to offer better performance and more processing power, but I don't recommend spending that much. Usually, this will give you a better design with more quality materials, more powerful internal equipment and additional storage space, such as a higher capacity SSD. Of course, you sometimes pay for the brand name. However, the specifications I outlined earlier are usually sufficient.
See:
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The best laptops of 2025
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The best gaming laptops
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Best 2-in-1 laptops of 2025
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Best Cheap Window Laptops
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Best laptops for college students
Other Chromebooks we tested
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
Samsung's new Galaxy Chromebook Plus is one of the most unique Chromebooks out there. It's very thin and light, 0.46 inches and 2.6 pounds, but manages to include a 15.6 inches display in this frame. The screen is a 1080p panel that is sharp and bright, but its 16:9 aspect ratio feels a bit narrow when scrolling vertically. The performance is very good and the keyboard is reliable, although I don't like the number pad because it moves everything to the left. The $700 price isn't cheap, but it feels fair given its size and functionality. If you're looking for a large-screen laptop that's also very lightweight, this Chromebook is worth considering, if not the best option for everyone.
This article originally appeared on Engadget
