Android Police - Chromebook & Laptop reviews

Acer Chromebook 514 Spin review: Powerful features at an (almost) affordable price

Stephen Radochia — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:00:18 GMT

I absolutely love what Chromebooks offer for under $300. Aside from helping vanquish the horrid netbooks, Chromebooks provide low-cost, quality solutions for most people's daily computing needs. The challenge for manufacturers has been bridging the gap between the reliable Chromebooks we love and the more robust features of Windows machines that some people need.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook review: Plenty of power at a great price

Steve Smith — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 15:00:17 GMT

Chromebooks are an interesting breed of laptops and have developed quite a following over their decade-plus run. What started as a low-cost option in the laptop market has ballooned to cover every price point and include many of the same features as a Windows laptop or MacBook.

HP Chromebook x360 13b review: Trusty companion

Matthew Sholtz — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 15:01:17 GMT

HP may like to use incredibly disjointed naming schemes, but the HP Chromebook x360 13b shouldn't be ignored just because the name is so bad that you can't tell what it offers over the rest of HP's x360 line. This particular device runs on a MediaTek Kompanio 1380 — perhaps not an SoC you'd expect from MediaTek — yet, I can assure you the chip delivers, making the HP Chromebook x360 13b one of my favorite Chromebooks in my growing stable.

Acer Chromebook Spin 714 review: An outstanding choice for power users and pros

Cale Hunt — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:00:16 GMT

Windows has been my go-to operating system for years, but I've kept an eye on Chromebooks and have been impressed with the progress made. About a decade ago, I used one of the first Chromebooks while backpacking, and it's an understatement to say it was a rough experience with a slow device that felt like it could fall apart at any second.

HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review: Not a black-and-white decision

Jules Wang — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 13:00:16 GMT

HP thinks freelancers want a sturdy premium Chromebook. Okay, let’s unpack that: the computer maker cites a projection from Statista indicating 86.5 million workers — or 50.9% of the US labor force — will be juggling gigs by 2027. And because Hewlett-Packard likes to go where the wind blows, it wanted to have a spotlight product that can reliably play hard and work hard, while remaining easy to maintain and troubleshoot. Apparently, that’s all in a Chromebook — specifically, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 review: Go-anywhere ChromeOS companion

Taylor Kerns — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 16:00:16 GMT

I spent years as a daily ChromeOS user, but I’ve never been sold on Google’s desktop operating system on tablets. Whether on convertible laptops with 360-degree hinges or detachable two-in-ones like the defunct Pixel Slate, I’ve never actually wanted to interact with ChromeOS by touch.

Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition review: Modular evolution

Matthew Sholtz — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 16:00:15 GMT

When was the last time you were excited about a Chromebook? I know I can't remember. Sure, we've seen a couple of interesting devices through the years, like the Pixelbook and the Dragonfly, but have I literally jumped at the opportunity to review a Chromebook? Not until Framework announced the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition.

ASUS Chromebook Flip CX3 (CX3400) review: The minivan of Chromebooks

Matthew Sholtz — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:00:15 GMT

The Asus Chromebook Flip CX3400 may not be a newfangled gaming Chromebook, but thanks to quality internals, like the option to snag an 11th gen i7 with 16GB of RAM, the device performs quite well for a fanless low-power design. While the $980 price tag might take some people aback, developers and those who demand the best specs possible should be fairly pleased with what they get.

Acer Chromebook Spin 513 (2H) review: Our favorite Chromebook’s dashing doppelganger

Ara Wagoner — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 13:01:14 GMT

Chromebooks have traditionally fallen into one of two extremes: affordable Chromebooks with meager processors and even more meager screens or premium, ultra-powerful Chromebooks with shorter battery life. The best Chromebook around, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, falls in the latter category with a gorgeous 400-nit touchscreen, a beefy i5 processor, and just enough battery to maybe get through a short workday without needing a charger. But what if you wanted that premium screen and build quality with a little less horsepower and a little more longevity?

Acer Chromebook 514 review: Unbeatable battery

Ara Wagoner — Wed, 18 May 2022 12:15:13 GMT

The Chromebook spotlight has been gobbled up by gaming advances and premium models like the upcoming HP Dragonfly Elite Chromebook and the Lenovo Flex 5i (14”). The bulk of this market is still consumed by budget and mid-range models that might not look sexy, but they have the assets you need. Take the Acer Chromebook 514, for instance: there are two models bearing that name, but you’ve probably only heard of the more premium Acer Chromebook Spin (CB514-1W) with its 11th Gen Intel Core processor. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a sweet Chromebook, but it’s $800 and difficult to find.

HP Chromebase 21.5 review: More of this, please

Ara Wagoner — Sun, 15 May 2022 12:00:13 GMT

There’s no denying the appeal and portability of excellent Chromebooks, but they also limit you in screen size, and let’s face it: they’re too small. Unless you go full workstation and put the laptop on a riser while you use a separate keyboard and mouse, you’re just going to hurt your neck or back hunching over it. It’s not ideal, and if you opt for an external monitor, it won’t be a touchscreen like your laptop’s screen.