For most people who just want a laptop-style computer for browsing the internet, creating documents and spreadsheets, streaming videos or giving to the kids as an inexpensive, virus-free homework device, an inexpensive Chromebook is an excellent choice. With unusually powerful components for a Chromebook, centering around Intel Tiger Lake Core i3 and i5 processors along with 8GB of RAM, the Flip CX5 is one of the most powerful around. It offers plenty of detail and vibrant colours, while the 15.6in size is larger than many rivals. Its no wonder the Duet was highly anticipated. However, rather than running an operating system from Windows or Apple, the best Chromebooks use Google ChromeOS. The most significant limitation of a Chromebook is that it cant run some of the Windows software you might be used to. This Chromebook has been given the classification of MIL-STD 810G durability which can be up for debate when used as a credible durability classification. Above all of this, though, is the battery life. Furthermore, the stylus which neatly slots into the laptop itself will be very useful for some users. it also features a matte coating, making it less reflective than the typical glossy finish. Build quality is solid and so are the core specs with a Core i3 processor and a healthy 8GB of RAM. But the payoff for having such power-efficient hardware is up to 11 hours battery life from a device that's exceptionally light and portable. Rounding out our list is the Lenovo Chromebook C340. While its clear that the price of this device is far beyond the average of the others we have on our list, the intersection of specs, design, and performance clearly justifies the price tag. Dont sell your Canon EF-S lenses! The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 also has an HD webcam and two built-in microphones. Ben is the Imaging Labs manager, responsible for all the testing on Digital Camera World and across the entire photography portfolio at Future. 12-hour battery life and a barely believable weight of just over 1kg seals the deal. Also, Chromebook tech doesnt move as fast as Windows laptops. Peripheral support is also hit and miss, so if you need printers or other external devices to get your work done, then its worth investigating whether your printer and other gadgetswill work with a Chromebook before you buy one. But many people wont need to spend that much, especially when there are great alternatives from established brands such as Acer, HP, Asus and Lenovo. Of course, all this versatility and performance doesn't come cheap, but that's inevitable. However, if you don't need access to these professional-level pieces of software, then there's very little compromise with a Chromebook over a conventional laptop. Add in a decent keyboard and Bang & Olufsen speakers and youve got yourself a Chromebook you can rely on for a vast range of tasks. Sure, its a lot to pay for a Chromebook compared to some, but in these times of laptops routinely costing hundreds more than that, this is good value for money. Its not the biggest screen, though and the keyboard is also a little cramped so isnt ideal for all work situations ie lots of typing or large spreadsheets. Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. One of the most notable benefits of Chromebooks is that they tend to be cheaper than Windows laptops. Thank you for signing up to Digital Camera World. Thanks to its small 11-inch screen, this Chromebook is much more portable than most, and can fit in your bag with ease. Check out this retro camera flash! Note that this is now an older model and means youll get it used/refurbed, but its at a great price and still very much worth it. Best laptop docking stations (opens in new tab), Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Windows is wildly popular, and even more importantly widely compatible. Several speed and storage options are available, right up to an Intel Core i7 offering with 8GB of RAM. The CPU is only a 1.8GHz dual-core offering though, so don't expect blazing-fast image editing, but it's good enough for productivity apps, web browsing and high-res image viewing. At only 32GB of storage, a student would have to rely nearly 100% on cloud storage. Chrome OS apps and services are online but more are adding offline support as time goes on. NY 10036. Best graphics tablets for photo editing (opens in new tab) Youre going to need them for the R10 and R7, The best camera for beginners in 2022: perfect cameras for learning photography, Inspirational images plus all the latest kit. But theyre also branching out into more premium devices, as Googles own Pixelbook Go shows. Theres nothing particularly amazing about the 314 but thats not the point. It's still capable of a mighty impressive 10-hour max run time, but you get a practical 8GB of RAM (4GB on the base model - not recommended), and a reasonably nippy quad-core processor. And even if that is possible, you wont be download many apps on the device. You get the basics without the bloat. The best monitors for photographers (opens in new tab) This Chromebook is one of the few available with AMD processing internals rather than the almost ubiquitous Intel hardware. It gets the job done without breaking the bank and you might even find the Full HD model with 64GB for the same price as the lower-spec option. With years of experience trialling and testing kit, he's a human encyclopedia of benchmarks when it comes to recommending the best buys. We just had an argument about monopods: so whos right? For college-age students, in particular, a Chromebook most likely will serve as their one and only machine for the life of their education. Whether he's in the lab testing the sharpness of new lenses, the resolution of the latest image sensors, the zoom range of monster bridge cameras or even the latest camera phones, Ben is our go-to guy for technical insight. Chromebooks with a hinge that can rotate through 360-degrees so the screen folds right back to form a tablet-like device aren't unusual, but we reckon the Chromebook Flip C434 is the best convertible option for photographers. As such, they make the perfect devices for students, given the low barrier to entry, and a lightweight approach to technology.
However, some of the best laptops can not only be pretty pricey, but they can also be bulky and heavy too. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Lenovo Chromebook C340 offers up to 10 hours of battery life, which is enough to get through a full day of work or binge your favorite shows. Want to look like a photographer from the 1930s?
Despite typically being less powerful than other laptops, theyre usually impressively fast too. A: A Chromebook is a type of laptop that runs Chrome OS, as opposed to traditional laptops that run Windows, or MacBooks, which run macOS. If youre a student looking to buy a laptop, Windows laptops are definitely on the cards. If you don't want all the bells and whistles of a Windows or Mac laptop, Chromebooks are a great affordable alternative. For the likes of web browsing, emails, word processing and content consumption, Chromebooks provide everything you need. An internet connection is central to how a Chromebook functions. But unless you really need the best possible performance, we reckon the entry-level Intel Corem3-8100Y processor gives good enough versatility while maintaining a reasonable purchase price. However, regardless of the classification, it has rubberized corners, textured surfaces, and a spill-proof keyboard. In terms of the devices usability for students, the Samsung Chromebook 4 Plus is a bit light on ports with just two USB-C options. Its a powerful combination which puts the device on the top of the pile for those who want a Premium ChromeOS laptop without it costing the Earth. A Chromebook purchase usually comes down to the purpose of the machine. Some models might be a year or two old but theyre still widely available and offer good value. Of course, a Chromebook this cheap can't be an image-editing powerhouse: the Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM and 32GB on-board storage in the entry-level versions of the HP Chromebook 14 make it the minimum you can get away with for web browsing, image viewing and HD YouTube viewing. The overall experience is much lighter than a Windows machine, and as such, the battery life on Chromebooks with similar hardware is usually better. The younger a student is, the fewer concerns there are about Chromebooks not meeting the requirements of their day-to-day usage. Best student laptops (opens in new tab) Googles easy-to-use software is no longer completely reliant on the web, and offers features to rival Windows or macOS. From a technical standpoint, Chromebooks can feature great processors that will range from ultra-efficient chips to the powerful Intel Core i5 and i7 CPUs. Students require laptops that can get the basic computing work done, like video conferencing, word processing, and web browsing. Not only is this designed to be really easy to use, but it also runs apps from Google's Play Store just as an Android tablet or phone would. Plus, you can also expect to find FullHD and 4K screens that are perfect for viewing photos and streaming your favorite movies.
This applies not only to durability but also elements like the keyboard and the Yoga part means its convertible, too. Chromebooks are no-nonsense computers meant for light usage. Our top pick is the Lenovo Chromebook Duet. The best iPads for photo editing (opens in new tab)
If youre still not sure about whether to go for a Chromebook, check out our detailed Chromebook vs laptop comparison. These days, all modern Chromebooks can run Android apps. Lenovo Thinkpad C13 Yoga Chromebook review, buy accessories that are guaranteed to work with Chromebooks. We ask more and more from our machines as time progresses, and the same rings true for students of all ages. If you want a quality Chromebook thats more affordable than the Pixelbook Go, the C423NA is a good option. The 2-in-1 design and Bluetooth 5.0 are nice touches and the Intel Celeron processor packs enough power to run Chrome OS without any trouble. Instead, Google offers 100GB of Other highlights include Intel Core i3 or i5 processors (albeit 11th-gen chips) and 8GB of RAM, meaning performance is solid. Theres a lot to praise with this Chromebook, but its primary pitfall is the sub-par storage. See also: Acer Chromebook Spin 311 review. Links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. However, the flip design and the touchscreen are a joy to use so this definitely a strong option for those who want to travel light. While making a purchase decision, its crucial to consider the screen size, weight, and form factor. It also has some build issues worth considering before hitting the buy button. Yes, wed say so. A: Chromebooks are available at a variety of prices. Heres our list of the best Chromebooks for students you can get right now. Still not sure which Chromebook would be the best for you? Acers Chromebook 314 brings the category back to what it started out as, an affordable laptop thats good enough to handle daily tasks. However, it's worth noting that there are alternative programs (such as Lightroom Mobile and Google Docs) that you will be able to find on the Google Play Store. Most Chromebooks prioritize portability and low cost over processing power and multitasking versatility, but Acer's Chromebook Spin 13 is a genuine alternative to a full-blown Windows laptop or MacBook. Have a student stuck at home? buy accessories that are guaranteed to work with Chromebooks, meaning theres now proper third-party availability of chargers, mice and keyboards, at least. Best laptops for video editing (opens in new tab) Best monitors for photo editing (opens in new tab) Up to 12 hours on a single charge is often possible and some models are capable of even longer. Samsungs Chromebook 4 Plus is thin and light, and 10 hours of battery life should be plenty for your workday.
Q: Whats the best Chromebook tablet? Acer updates its Chromebook range with the new Spin 713 that blends excellent performance with a gorgeous 3:2 ratio display and decent ports. With a good range of ports and separate number pad, the Chromebook 515 has a lot going for it. Why 70% of photographers looking to buy a new camera don't complete their purchase, I owned a Fujifilm X-T3 for 3 years and I NEVER used the film simulations. The best Chromebooks are a hybrid between laptops and tablets, with well known laptop manufacturers such as Acer and HP building the hardware. Googles own Docs suite is a very good alternative: its online collaboration is better than Microsofts offering for a start. Chrome OS is a solid choice if your workload resides mostly in a browser, which is often the case for students. Aesthetically speaking, this Chromebook is one of the best looking on the market. Best laptop stands (opens in new tab) Now that you have a feel for the best Chromebooks to buy, you might want to get some accessories to go along with it. Since these things dont quite require a beefy machine, a Chromebook makes more sense. There's no cut-price, low-res screen either - rather, your photos are displayed in all their glory on a 13.5-inch IPS screen with a resolution higher than Full HD, while its 3:2 aspect ratio means DSLR images perfectly fill the display area when previewed full-screen. It wont be able to cope with much beyond basic tasks and the battery life is limited making it more suitable for around the home rather than on the road. Also read: the best budget laptops (opens in new tab), Home working for photographers (opens in new tab) Please refresh the page and try again. A charming little 2-in-1 Chromebook that might be light on power but is big on fun. It might not be quite able to pip Google and Acer but HP has done a great job with its latest Chromebook x360. It looks nice, lasts a decent amount of time and has a good quality display. While Chromebooks can work for a variety of users, education is one of its strong use cases. Best external hard drives (opens in new tab)
various other perks like YouTube Premium and Stadia Pro trials) with every machine and mobile processors are the order of the day negating the need for noisy fans. The fact youre getting a ChromeOS laptop and an Android tablet in one affordable package is just the start really and yes, the keyboard is included in the price. The C340 has 32GB of storage, which should be plenty of room to install your favorite Android apps. It makes up for that shortcoming with Gigabit Wi-Fi speeds and an Intel Celeron N4000 processor along with Intel UHD graphics. The Pixelbook Go brings the best features of the original Pixelbook to a more affordable price point (though the top-spec Intel Core i7 model with a 4K screen still commands a distinctly premium four-figure price tag). We steer you to products you'll love and show you how to get the most out of them. Its 15.6-inch Full HD display has tiny bezels on three sides, and the full-metal design has a premium feel to it. As a result, Chrome OS was pretty limited, to begin with. Digital Camera World is supported by its audience. The range of screen sizes now spans 10-16in and not only are there certain models with touchscreens, but some have hinges that allow the screen to fold right back flat against the underside so you can use it like a tablet.
Add in the convertible design and it gets even better. As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyrons main focus is PCs and laptops. overall laptop guide includes more premium. Best laptop backpacks (opens in new tab). One of the more favorable aspects of the best Chromebooks is that they're known for their fantastic battery life. The best desktop computers for photo editing Cheap and cheerful? Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! We however have a dedicated best Chromebook tablets list with all of our recommendations. Its minimal and sleek, but the 2-in-1 design allows for plenty of creative flexibility. However, over the years, Google has updated it, and it has come to support Linux apps, as well as Android apps. DSLR vs mirrorless cameras in 2022: which type of camera is best, and why? In an attempt to get the price as low as possible, Chromebooks often make big display compromises. New York, For students, Chromebooks make more sense as they offer more bang for the buck. The Asus Chromebook Flip C214 is just that ruggedized and built to withstand some damage. While a Windows laptop or the best MacBook (opens in new tab) can provide plenty of power, you might actually find that you'd be better off with something smaller, slimmer and much more affordable. There was a problem. If you decide a Chromebook isnt what you need, then have a look at our recommendations for the Theyre particularly appealing if youre just looking for a device which handles the basics. The small size also means a small footprint - which can be handy when using on planes and trains. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Also read: The best Samsung Chromebook for your needs and budget. To help you pick the best Chromebook for students, weve put together this list. You can now As AMD tech is almost always cheaper than equivalent Intel products, that helps keeps the price of this excellent Chromebook incredibly low. Just make sure you only need it for lighter tasks.
The Pixelbook Go also backs a punch compared to other Chromebooks with the 8th Gen Intel CPU, and seeing as it is configurable with up to 256GB of storage, you will have plenty of space and power to download and run your favorite apps. The real benefit here is cost. Learn more. Chrome OS was first released back in 2011, but its come a long way since then. It also doesnt have huge amounts of power so is better suited to lighter use. This OS is an extension of the Chrome browser and its apps, turned into a complete desktop environment. For the alternatives to popular software, see Googles Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices. For students of younger age, you should consider looking for a ruggedized Chromebook.