![]() Lenovo recently announced an updated version of the Flex 5i Chromebook-but it won't be available until June. You can technically upgrade to the Core i5 and 8 GB of RAM with the Flex 5i, but the option isn't available on Lenovo's website at the moment. The latest version of Chrome OS is well-optimized to work in all three two-in-one modes, and the Flex 5i is compatible with Lenovo's USI stylus ( sold separately, $40). The 13-inch IPS display has a nice antiglare finish, which is good because the main weakness of this machine is how its 250-nit brightness is just barely bright enough to use outdoors. It's been plenty speedy for browsing the web and watching videos. That's still a fine Chromebook if you're on a budget, but the base model of the Flex 5i starts with an 11th-gen Core i3 processor instead of a Celeron chip. This Chromebook is the more powerful cousin to the Flex 5 we used to recommend. Specs: 13.5-inch 2K IPS touchscreen, Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage ![]() Get some wireless headphones to go with it. My only complaint? The speakers are disappointing. This is also one of the few Chromebooks with Thunderbolt 4 support in its two USB-C ports. In real-world use-browsing the web, editing documents, watching videos, and doing other typical Chromebook tasks-I regularly managed to get over 12 hours out of the battery. Perhaps the best part is that you'll likely have the battery life to do both-the Spin 713 lasted 11 hours and 20 minutes in our battery drain test. The Intel Core i5 chip offers plenty of power, and the two-in-one design makes this a good choice for work and play-you can crunch numbers and then spin the keyboard away to enjoy Netflix. It's not as sharp as last year's Samsung Galaxy Chromebook, but its 2K resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio are nicer for getting work done, as it gives documents and webpages some extra vertical space. The Acer Spin 713 has one of the nicest screens you'll find on a midrange Chromebook. ![]() Specs: 10-inch HD IPS touchscreen, MediaTek Helio P60T processor, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage It also comes with a detachable keyboard but the stylus is sold separately. Launching in May, the IdeaPad Duet 3 brings an larger (11-inch) display (with 2K resolution), slimmer bezels, an additional USB-C port, and a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chipset. Still, as a second device or one for school-age children, the Duet is a lot of fun for not a lot of money.Ī new version is on the way. You can get a USB-C-to-headphone adapter (not included), but then you can't use headphones and charge it at the same time. The other main issue is the lack of a headphone jack. It's comfortable to hold and a good size for reading in bed, but Chrome OS is still rough around the edges in tablet form. In fact, the Duet is slightly smaller than the entry-level iPad, with a 10-inch screen, a detachable keyboard, and a back cover. But it may not be the best choice as your only device-the keyboard is nice, but the computer is small enough to feel a bit cramped. The Lenovo Duet ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends) is my favorite Chromebook tablet. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated March 2022: We've added details about upcoming Lenovo Chromebooks, updated prices, and fixed links. These are our top picks.īe sure to also read through our Best Cheap Laptops, Best Laptops, and Best MacBooks guides for more. WIRED's Gear team has been testing Chromebooks for almost a decade now. In many ways, they offer the best of all worlds: good hardware, lightweight software, and everything you need for web-based work. There are high-end Chromebooks that are mighty capable machines. Just because you strip away the software fluff doesn't mean you have to strip away the hardware power. While they can be that-offering exceptional bargains in many cases-that's not the end of the story. Throw in the ability to run both Android and Linux apps and you just might be able to replace your old laptop with a Chromebook.Ĭhromebooks have a reputation as cheap, low-end devices. If you spend all day in a web browser, use Google apps, and don't need all the rest of the stuff that comes with Apple’s MacOS or Microsoft’s Windows, Google’s Chrome OS operating system offers an all-you-need, nothing-you-don't computing experience.
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