If we are looking for a laptop with a low cost but that is as fast and safe as an Apple MacBook, we can consider buying a Chromebook. These innovative laptops contain the best features of notebooks with Windows with the practicality and immediacy of Mac OS: they are therefore easy to use, very safe (they are immune to Windows viruses) and very fast both in startup and when we open new programs . In this guide we will show you the best Chromebooks to buy, showing you the prices and main features.
As an introduction we will instead show you some of the peculiar features of Chromebook, so you can decide whether or not to focus on them in order to replace a classic laptop with Windows or a modern MacBook.
READ ALSO: 10 reasons to buy a Chromebook PC
Chromebook features
A Chromebook is a laptop that has Chrome OS as its operating system; the latter is based on the Google Chrome browser code, optimized to offer a fast and fluid desktop experience. The unique peculiarities of ChromeBooks are, basically, three:
The programs are not installed on the computer but are web applications that can be used only when the computer is connected to the internet, in Wifi or 3G.
The operating system is based on the Google Chrome browser and is basically a panel for launching applications and a browser for browsing websites and opening all web-apps.
No program can be installed on a ChromeBook (even if Android apps work), there will be no configurations to be made, maintenance, antivirus and the whole system will be managed remotely by Google itself
As programs for these systems we cannot use those normally installable with Windows or with Mac: compatible applications can be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store, which has a large number of applications structured to function as dedicated programs, using the Chrome rendering (also included in these laptops of course). With a Chromebook we can easily create an interface for a program starting from a website that offers a service: each page can become a program in the system, which can be called separately (even without the whole Chrome interface).
This feature is the basis of its success: numerous applications are available to carry out work and entertainment activities at any level and, being based on Chrome, programs are started and run at a speed never seen on other laptops (perhaps only MacBooks manage to be as fast as a Chromebook). The result is that these Chromebooks start in 8 seconds flat and can also be used by people completely ignorant of IT without them being able to do damage and without ever requiring technical assistance.
Obviously, in addition to applications , compatibility with Chrome extensions is guaranteed, which activate and act on the entire system. The system is heavily integrated with the Google ecosystem (Gmail, YouTube, Drive ect.), So using the most famous services of the search engine will be really a walk. The system is optimized to be able to view any video on the web at maximum quality, but we can also play local files and files on a stick.
The storage space is not high, but the integration of the file manager with Google Drive allows you to considerably increase the space and synchronize all the important files on the cloud, so that you can have them on any other system. Applications, games, photos, music, movies, videos and documents will be kept on the internet and can be opened, read or edited from anywhere, without having to worry about making backups or losing files (even if, as data theft teaches, Sony, keeping files all online doesn't exactly guarantee security ...). This does not mean that the files will only be kept online, however, they can also be saved locally, on the computer's memory.
The only real limitations of Chromebooks are: the lack of some famous programs (to which we are accustomed on Windows), possible compatibility problems with the hardware (except printers, which can be managed easily thanks to Google Cloud Print) and a deep connection with the Internet connection : if we are not connected, there is little we can do on a Chromebook.
On the hardware side we will have good laptops to carry out Web activities and to start programs optimized for Chrome, but do not think you can do computer graphics or play on them (also because the operating system is not compatible with classic PC games).
Best Chromebooks to buy
After seeing the pros and cons of a Chromebook, it's time to evaluate which model to buy. In Italy some models are available, which we will hardly find in a computer chain or at the mall: if we want to focus on a Chromebook, better buy them online (pending that the spread and interest in these systems grows up to involve good audience). Keep in mind that in some cases, since the Chromebooks are not sold in Italy, the keyboard has a non-Italian, French or German layout, with the keys arranged slightly differently (you can then change the keyboard layout by putting the Italian one in the settings Chromebook even if you can't physically move the keys).
Acer Chromebook R 11
If we are looking for a notebook with a small fast screen with each program, we can consider Acer's Chromebook R 11. This laptop features an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, an 11 'touchscreen display, Bluetooth and Dual Band Wi-Fi.
We can view this product from here -> Acer Chromebook 11 (400 €)
ASUS Chromebook
A good alternative to the Chromebook seen previously is the version offered by ASUS, the Chromebook Flip 2017 version, which has a 12-inch screen and 1366 x 768 Pixels, Intel Celeron N3060 1.6 GHz processor, 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB internal memory and up to 10 hours of battery life.
We can view this product from here -> ASUS Chromebook Flip (€ 257)
Acer Chromebook 14
If, on the other hand, we are looking for a Chromebook with a larger screen, so that we can better replace a work laptop, we can consider the Chromebook 14, always produced by Acer; this model has an Intel Celeron N3160 processor, 4 GB RAM, 32 internal memory, 14 "FHD LCD display, integrated graphics card and HD webcam, for HD shooting for all types of video calls.
We can view this product from here -> Acer Chromebook 14 (€ 264)
Acer Chromebook 514
The new, more powerful version of the Chromebook is always offered by Acer and provides an Intel Pentium Quad Core N4200 processor, 4GB of RAM, 13 "FHD Multi-touch LCD display, HD camera and 64 GB of internal memory.
We can view this product from here -> Acer Chromebook 514 (€ 389)
Other devices with Chrome OS
The Chrome OS operating system is not only present on laptops, but has also been integrated as a system within some TV Boxes and some pocket mini-PC keys. Below we can find some of the systems with Chrome OS available for purchase also in Italy.
ASUS Chromebox
A real miniature PC, usable as if it were a small TV Box: this is the ASUS Chromebox, now in its third generation of devices. This mini-PC features an Intel Celeron 3865U processor, 4 GB of RAM (expandable), 32 GB of internal memory, 5 USB 3.0 ports, 1 USB 3.1 Type-C port, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi Integrated dual band.
We can view this product from here -> ASUS Chromebox (273 €)
READ ALSO: Mini desktop PC, very small and comfortable: NUC, Chromebox, VivoPC
Asus Chromebit
From the appearance it looks like a USB stick, in reality it is a complete HDMI computer, which has RockChip 3288-C processor, 2 GB RAM memory, 16GB eMMC, WIFI and Bluetooth.
It can be connected to any monitor or Smart TV and brings the speed of Chrome OS wherever we want.
We can view this product from here -> Asus Chromebit (136 €)
READ ALSO: Turn TV into a real PC with Chromebit
The ChromeOS operating system that is inside the ChromeBooks, is not downloadable, neither free nor paid because it will be linked to the hardware of the laptops sold. However, those who want to use or only try the Google ChromeOS operating system, can download Cloudready, free and compatible with all computers.
