Port selection is generous despite the thin build. This together will provide snappy performance ideal for productivity work, web browsing, and streaming, but don't expect it to do much heavy lifting. The Flex 3i Chromebook (Gen 8) is powered by a quad-core Intel Atom N100 processor with a maximum 3.4GHz boost clock speed, 4GB of LPDDR5 RAM, integrated Intel UHD graphics, and 64GB of eMMC storage. You also get a clear picture and the versatility of touch control, made even better by the convertible design. The laptop is about the same size as the previous generation despite the larger screen that's helped by slimmer bezels that give it a more modern look. The eighth-generation Flex 3i Chromebook has now landed, and it finally brings a display upgrade to 12.2 inches at 1080p. Lenovo has kept its crowd among the cheap compact Chromebook market for several years, first with the IdeaPad C330 and over half a dozen generations of the Flex 3 and Flex 3i Chromebooks. And that new configuration makes all the difference in the world, whether you're listing to a webinar lecture or just binging the latest season of your guilty pleasure.īest Buy currently has the Spin 514 on clearance for $385, making this Chromebook more attractive than ever. Up-firing speakers are almost standard from any laptop over 11.6 inches from HP and Lenovo, but Acer's stubbornly kept to down-firing speakers that are easy to block and don't get loud enough - until now. This laptop also fixes a flaw that plagues many other Acer Chromebooks, including our beloved Acer Chromebook Spin 714 listed above: it has speakers you can hear properly. (FHD screens don't have to deal with scaling issues that 2K Chromebooks like the Acer Spin 713 or HP Elite Dragonfly do.) While the 14-inch touchscreen "only" being 1080p may seem like it's not a benefit, it allows the Spin 514 to have a better gaming experience now that Ryzen processors are eligible for Steam on Chrome OS's beta program. The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 gives us impressive performance while regularly dipping under $500 with frequent deals. For budget-focused buyers, Ryzen-powered Chromebooks can give you the same dependable performance for much less. Intel Core processors might have a reputation, but they also carry a prestige you end up paying for. Both use the efficiency-focused Mediatek MT8183, 4GB of RAM, and either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, as well as featuring the same ports. If you need extra kid-proofing, you'll want the education edition, the R722T, which usually costs $100-$250 more and isn't quite the value the 3H is. And I've gotten over 15 hours of battery life on a single charge with it, so its battery claims are no joke.įive Acer Chromebook Spin 311 models are running around out there - Acer, I love you, but at least use generations in the name - and we recommend the CP311-3H for those looking for the best price possible while still getting the longest support life. However, those beefy bezels come in handy while using the 311 as a tablet, which you can feasibly do with this Chromebook because it's small enough and light enough not to kill your hand after 15 minutes of holding it. Yes, the 11.6-inch touchscreen display at 1366x768 pixels is old, and its bezels are chunky. The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 isn't the most cutting-edge device, but for kids, you might not trust to take care of their things - or if you're just clumsy like me - it does the job just fine. Even the new Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i (Gen 8) is already discounted, with a $70 savings at Best Buy. The Acer Spin 714, our premium pick, is also discounted at Best Buy you can save more than $200 right now. Lenovo's Flex 5i Chromebook, our top overall choice, is currently 16% off the regular price, bringing it down to $363. We're expecting to see a bunch of the best Chromebooks go on sale, and we're in fact already finding some quality deals. With Amazon's Prime Day expected to happen in just a few short weeks, we've been keeping a close watch on the best early Prime Day Chromebook deals. So whether you need a powerhouse to work on, an affordable kid-proof laptop, or even a Chrome OS tablet as a longer-lasting alternative to the best Android tablets, we'll help you find the best one for your needs. As basically the only mainstream alternatives to inconsistent Windows laptops and ungodly expensive MacBooks, Chromebooks have turned into the "it just works" laptops for millions of consumers as well as tens of millions of students, educators, and business users.Ĭhromebooks may have started as budget-minded netbooks, but plenty of powerful, premium options now exist. This cloud-focused operative system now runs on everything from tablets and laptops to All-in-One Chromebases and desktops. Chrome OS is more than "just a browser" these days.
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