Chromebooks come in a confusing array of configurations. Sometimes even trying to decide which options to choose from a particular model can be overwhelming. As a product tester, I use a spreadsheet to keep everything straight. But you don’t have to do that, so here are some broad details to keep in mind.
Processor: Chromebooks use half a dozen different processors, most of which you’ve never heard of. There is a reason for this: these processors are slow, and are not seen in Windows laptops. After testing several Intel Celeron-based machines, my recommendation is to go with something more powerful if you can afford it. The next step up from the Celeron is the Core m3, which is the best choice for many people. If you want a more powerful and future-proof machine, get an i3 or i5 chip.
We’re starting to see more ARM-based Chromebooks, like the Lenovo Duet above. I haven’t had any problems using ARM Chromebooks, but they aren’t quite as fast as Intel Core chips. There are some new Chromebooks that use AMD’s latest Ryzen chips, and I’ve had good experiences with them.
Random Access Memory: Get 8-GB of memory, especially if you plan to run any Android applications. When I experience severe lags and crashes, it’s almost always on a Chromebook with only 4-GB of RAM.
Screen: Get an IPS LCD display. There are still a few low-end models with TN LCD displays, and you should avoid those. Your pixel resolution depends on the screen size. I’ve used (and recommend) some 11-inch Chromebooks with 720p displays.Because those screens are crammed into a small form factor, I find them to be acceptably sharp, but a 1080p screen would be great.
Ports: Most of the things you do on a Chromebook are cloud-based, so you don’t have to worry too much about ports. If you want to be able to power your Chromebook off a portable battery/charger, you may want a computer that charges via a USB-C port, but USB-C charging is mostly available on mid- and high-priced models. It also helps to have a microSD slot for expanded storage if you need to download a lot of files in a typical day, but that option isn’t widely available.
