Chromebooks can include numerous totally different {hardware} inside, so it may be onerous to determine precisely what you want. Luckily, the Chromebook Plus program has made the jumble of specs simpler to parse. ChromeOS can be gentle sufficient that it doesn’t require extremely beefy specs to get an excellent expertise. Listed here are some common tips about what to look out for.
Processor: For the most effective expertise, you need to keep away from older Chromebooks with Intel Celeron processors. The Chromebook Plus specs provide an excellent baseline to ensure speedy efficiency, and I’d advocate going with not less than an Intel Core i3, Core i5, or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 processor. Simply be careful for overspending on configurations with Intel Core i7 processors except you want the additional horsepower for multitasking Android video games, Linux apps, and dozens of Chrome tabs. Whereas Intel and AMD dominate the processor scene, you’ll sometimes discover Chromebooks utilizing ARM processors just like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 within the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 above. These could be high-quality for very fundamental duties, however they received’t fare as effectively underneath sustained, intense hundreds (not less than till one thing newer comes alongside).
RAM: All the time go for not less than 8 GB of RAM should you can afford it. You received’t discover 4 GB of RAM in something apart from fundamental, super-budget Chromebooks, however it severely limits your capacity to multitask. If you wish to keep away from slowdowns, 8 GB of RAM is the usual you need to intention for.
Storage: In contrast to a Mac or Home windows PC, numerous your Chromebook work will dwell on the internet. This implies you possibly can sometimes get away with much less storage, however I wouldn’t advocate going beneath 128 GB. In case you can afford it, you’ll be way more snug with not less than 256 GB. You’ll get the most effective pace out of an NVMe stable state drive, so look out for that on the spec sheet if you’re evaluating fashions.
Display screen: The overwhelming majority of Chromebook shows you’ll discover shall be IPS LCD panels, and that’s simply high-quality. Till OLED shows make extra of a dent within the Chromebook house, IPS LCD screens provide the most effective distinction and coloration accuracy. In case you’re purchasing within the excessive funds vary, be careful for TN LCD panels, as they’re usually decrease high quality and provide worse viewing angles. For decision, a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel decision must be your commonplace. You’ll get crisp visuals at 13- and 14-inch display screen sizes and it’s satisfactory at 15 inches. Greater resolutions will look even higher, however be cautious of the battery life tradeoff you’ll see from pushing energy to extra pixels.
Ports: USB-C ports have grow to be commonplace on the most recent Chromebooks, so there’s not any excuse to purchase one with out them. Attempt to get one which prices over USB-C so you possibly can recharge with a conveyable energy financial institution if you’re on the go. A microSD card slot may also be useful if you need a straightforward solution to increase your storage on the fly. You’ll discover that some Chromebooks help Thunderbolt 4 over their USB-C ports as effectively. Whereas that’s a superb choice to have should you plan to plug your Chromebook into some high-end displays, it isn’t mandatory for most individuals. As an alternative, you will get comparable exterior monitor help (and spend lots much less) with an HDMI port or DisplayPort over USB-C help.
