Chromebooks are available in a bewildering array of configurations. Sometimes even attempting to resolve which choices to get on a single mannequin might be overwhelming. As a product tester, I exploit a spreadsheet to maintain all of it straight. But you should not have to do this, so listed here are some broad specs to bear in mind.
Processor: Chromebooks use half a dozen totally different processors, most of which you’ve got in all probability by no means heard of. There’s a purpose for that: These processors are sluggish, they usually do not present up in (*7*) laptops. After attempting out loads of Intel Celeron–primarily based machines, my suggestion is to go along with one thing extra highly effective for those who can afford it. The subsequent step up from the Celeron is the Core m3, which is the only option for most individuals. If you need a extra highly effective, future-proof machine, get an i3 or i5 chip.
We’re beginning to see extra ARM-based Chromebooks, just like the Lenovo Duet above. I have not had any points utilizing ARM Chromebooks, however they are not fairly as speedy because the Intel Core chips. There are some newer Chromebooks utilizing AMD’s newest Ryzen chips, and I’ve had good experiences with them.
RAM: Get 8-GB of reminiscence for those who can afford it, particularly for those who plan to run any Android purposes. When I’ve skilled extreme slowdowns and glitches, it is nearly all the time on a Chromebook with solely 4-GB of RAM.
Screen: Get an IPS LCD show. There are nonetheless a number of low-end fashions on the market with crappier TN LCD shows, and it is best to keep away from these. Your pixel decision is dependent upon the scale of the display screen. I’ve used (and suggest) some 11-inch Chromebooks which have 720p shows. Because these screens are squeezed right into a small type issue, I discover them acceptably sharp, however a 1080p display screen will likely be a lot nicer.
Ports: Most belongings you do on a Chromebook are cloud-based, so you do not really want to fret an excessive amount of about ports. You would possibly need a pc that expenses via a USB-C port if you would like to have the ability to run your Chromebook off a transportable battery/charger, however USB-C charging is obtainable principally in mid- and higher-priced fashions. It additionally helps to have a MicroSD slot for expanded storage if it’s worthwhile to obtain a variety of recordsdata throughout a typical day, however that possibility can be not extensively out there.
