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Best Google Laptops

Updated May 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
ASUS 12.5-Inch Touchscreen Chromebook Flip
ASUS
12.5-Inch Touchscreen Chromebook Flip
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Fast & Versatile
Bottom Line

Expensive for what it is, but it features a stronger processor than most units.

Pros

Works as a 2-in-1 computer, as you can flip the screen to use it as a touchscreen tablet or as a laptop with a keyboard. Only weighs 2.65 pounds, making it extremely portable. Battery life lasts up to 10 hours. Fast-starting laptop with 64 GB SSD storage and an excellent processor.

Cons

Questionable quality of parts. Carries a high price point versus similar units.

Best Bang for the Buck
Samsung Chromebook 3
Samsung
Chromebook 3
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Small Yet Solid
Bottom Line

Great price point for a machine that offers 4 GB of RAM for fast processing results.

Pros

Those who need a low-priced Chromebook will love this unit. Most of the laptop's components offer at least an average quality of performance, which is better than what you usually find in this price point. Above average battery life at 11 hours. Unit weighs only 2.54 pounds.

Cons

Small display screen at 11.6 inches. Only 16 GB of storage space in SSD.

Acer Chromebook 14
Acer
15.6" Aspire Vero AV15 Green PC
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Most Portable
Bottom Line

This simple laptop gives you a reliable way to surf the web and get work done without needless bloat at an exorbitant cost.

Pros

You get a handy green case to protect it in your backpack or book bag. It comes equipped with a 256GB solid-state hard drive and 8GB DDR4 RAM. Ideal for students who need basic functions that they can bring with them to campus.

Cons

There's not much hard drive space for a laptop.

ASUS Chromebook Flip 10.1-Inch Touchscreen
ASUS
Chromebook Flip 10.1-Inch Touchscreen
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Portable Convenience
Bottom Line

Handy 2-in-1 Chromebook that works as a touchscreen tablet or as a laptop.

Pros

The display screen is a little small for a laptop at 10.1 inches, but it's a good size versus tablets. Touchscreen and 2-in-1 capability is nice to find in this price point. Offers up to 9 hours of battery life. Extremely small and lightweight at just 2 pounds, which makes it very portable.

Cons

Cost is a little high for a Chromebook, but it does have 4 GB of RAM.

ASUS 11.6-Inch Chromebook
ASUS
11.6-Inch Chromebook
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Best for Basic Tasks
Bottom Line

Good price for a Chromebook that has a nice set of all-around features for basic tasks.

Pros

Designed for use in tough conditions with rubber guards and spill resistant keyboard. Offers 16 GB of SSD storage and 4 GB of RAM, which are good features for a Chromebook in this price range. Lightweight laptop at 2.2 pounds. Measures only 0.9 inches in thickness.

Cons

Slower processor than some other models. No full HD on 11.6-inch screen.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

36
Models
Considered
182
Consumers
Consulted
20
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Buying guide for best Google laptops

The world of laptops is always changing. Each year, manufacturers bring new platforms and technologies to the table, allowing these portable machines to pack more power and house new features. Complexity isn’t always the goal, though. In fact, laptops are often designed with simplicity, value, and ease-of-use on the forefront, and there’s no better example than the Google laptop.

Google debuted its first laptop, the Chromebook, in 2011. In doing so, Google helped redefine what a laptop was, moving toward a cloud-based plug-and-play system that’s as easy to learn as a web browser. This made the Chromebook the perfect choice for casual activities like browsing the web, streaming media, and using productivity apps. Chromebooks aren’t powerful enough for serious gaming, and they require an internet connection to do their job best, but they remain a fast, intuitive, and cost-effective way to accomplish the majority of your daily tasks.

Since 2011, Google has expanded its laptop catalog by offering laptop/tablet convertibles, high-performance Chromebooks, and several other models. Looking to narrow down your choices? Scroll through our Google laptop buying guide to learn more.

Person working on a laptop at a desk
Google laptops provide peace of mind when it comes to security; Google automatically handles care-and-feeding tasks such as security updates.

Key considerations

There are several varieties of Google laptops available. The hardware manufacturers may differ — which is why you see Chromebooks from brands like HP, Dell, Acer, and Samsung — but they all run the browser-based Chrome operating system. Here are the main categories of Google laptops.

  • Chromebook: This is the standard Google laptop, running Chrome OS in a convention design.
  • Chromebook Duet: This is a Chromebook with a detachable keyboard, allowing the machine to be used as a laptop or touchscreen tablet.
  • Chromebook Flip, Spin, x360, or Flex: This Chromebook has a 360-degree hinge that allows the screen to flip into a variety of positions. These models can be used like conventional laptops or tablets and can even display in “tent” mode for watching videos.
  • Pixelbook: These models resemble standard Chromebooks, but they pack much higher performance and larger feature sets. The Google Pixelbook was the first laptop to be offered with Google Assistant built in.

Google laptops utilize remote cloud storage for most applications, meaning your files and progress are automatically saved online. You don’t have to stress about hard drive space or corrupted files. However, select models boast a healthy amount of local backup storage.

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Features

Screen size and resolution

In terms of Google laptops, screen quality can be divided into two categories: screen size and resolution. Gaming-centric machines take refresh rate into the equation, but that’s not exactly the wheelhouse of a Chromebook or Pixelbook.

Screen size is obviously how physically large the screen is. Measured diagonally, Google laptops are offered in sizes ranging from 11.6 inches to 15.6 inches. Larger screens can fit more things on them at once, maximizing productivity, but they are less portable than more diminutive models. Choose the balance that’s right for you.

Screen resolution determines how crisp and detailed the picture will be. Resolution is listed in pixels, width by height. For example, a resolution of 1920x1080 measures 1,920 pixels wide by 1,080 pixels high. This is also known as 1080p, which is an extremely common resolution due to its balance of clarity, performance, and cost. Google currently offers everything from 720p all the way up to stunningly clear 4K.

Processor

The processor (central processing unit or CPU) is the “brain” of a laptop, determining how efficiently the computer can run programs and execute commands. A processor’s speed is measured in GHz. The higher the GHz, the quicker it can send, receive, and interpret instructions.

Memory

Memory (random access memory, or RAM) is another extremely important factor in laptop performance. The more RAM a machine has, the more responsive it will “feel,” particularly when playing a game or engaging in resource-intensive processes. Google laptops are currently available with anywhere between 4GB and 16GB of RAM. We recommend at least 8 GB if you plan on gaming or doing multiple tasks at the same time.

Storage

Google laptops lean on online cloud storage for the majority of their applications, so local storage is not as large of a concern as it would be with a desktop PC. However, redundant storage is never a bad idea, as it gives your machine more utility if the internet goes down and safeguards your files if your account becomes compromised. Google laptops are offered with huge ranges of local storage, so choose one that fits your needs.

Battery life

Google’s laptop lineup gets high marks for battery life, as the machines use few moving parts and are very efficient, power-wise. Chromebooks commonly boast 10 to 13 hours of battery life or more.

Google laptop2
DID YOU KNOW?
Want to move beyond your laptop’s built-in display? If you own a Chromecast-enabled TV or use Virtual Desks, you can project your Chrome browser tabs to a different device.
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Google laptop prices

Inexpensive: Google laptops are simplified high-value machines, so entry-level models can be acquired for $150 to $200. Expect basic Chromebooks in this range, with 720p screens measuring 11 to 12 inches and memory around 4 GB.

Mid-range: Jump to the $250 to $500, range and you’ll enjoy laptops with larger 1080p screens, more memory, and beefier processors. You’ll also find convertible touchscreen laptops in this segment with ample local storage.

Expensive: At the top of the range, expect to pay between $550 and $1,000 for high-end Chromebooks and Pixelbooks. These boast the most impressive specs in terms of CPU and RAM performance, with high-definition screens that can spin to display in unique ways.

Google laptops are designed to cut back on superfluous space to improve portability. Because of this, their ability to be upgraded is hindered, meaning you will likely use the same core components for the device’s life. Depending on the model, though, storage and RAM can be added.

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Tips

  • Add extra security to your Google account. We recommend turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) in your security settings, which requires you to verify your account with your phone. This way, if your password becomes compromised, your account and details will be safe.
  • Purchase a padded carry case to protect your laptop. These offer invaluable protection from physical damage, and they also have convenient slots for mice, power cords, and other extras.
  • Double-check how long your machine will be supported. Google automatically updates machines running Chrome OS with new features and security updates, but not indefinitely. After an “update expiration date,” usually five or six years, the devices will stop receiving these updates. Google lists update expiration dates here.
Woman working on a laptop at a table
Google’s laptops get high marks for battery life, as the machines use few moving parts and are very efficient, power-wise. Chromebooks commonly boast 10 to 13 hours of battery life or more.

FAQ

Q. How do I switch from my old computer to a Google laptop?

A. Switching from a Mac or PC to a Google laptop is extremely simple.

  • Register for a Google account, if you don’t already have one.
  • Save your web browser bookmarks, apps, and extensions to Chrome. If you don’t use Chrome as your web browser, you’ll need to download it on your old computer first.
  • Backup your files, either to Google Drive or an external hard drive.
  • Set up your new machine by following the onscreen steps, and sign into your Google account. This will automatically import your bookmarks, apps, and extensions to Chrome for a seamless transition.
  • Access your backed-up files on your new machine. If your backups are on Google Drive, they will always be there at your convenience. If you stored your files locally, plug in your external storage device to access them.

Q. Can Google laptops be used offline?

A. The first Chromebook was designed primarily with online utility in mind, but since then, Google’s array of laptops have become more and more capable offline. Files can be stored locally now, allowing you to play videos, listen to music, and edit photos offline, and Google Drive’s offline mode gives you access to documents and spreadsheets. Even some games are available offline. So while Google laptops are still at their best when connected to the internet, they’re more useful than you might expect when “unplugged.”

Q. Which Google laptops are suitable for gaming?

A. Chromebooks, Pixelbooks, and other Google laptops aren’t designed to be high-end gaming rigs, so they will always fall behind dedicated gaming laptops and desktops in that regard. Newer models have access to the Google Play Store as well as the Chrome Web Store, providing access to myriad Android apps and games for users to enjoy.

If you’re set on a Google laptop and gaming is something you’re still interested in, prioritize models with at least 8GB of RAM. These machines will be faster and more responsive than less-costly models, loading games faster and handling multiple concurrent processes with efficiency.