Strapped for cash? You can buy these cheap Chromebooks for as low as $208.

Chromebooks were originally made to run Google services, but today, they have come a long way to become versatile computers that could replace laptops. The real appeal of a Chromebook lies in being an affordable online computer. While they cannot compete with a typical Windows system or Mac yet, Chromebooks still have a lot to offer in terms of specifications and functionality. Their price point is why many students and people with basic computing needs opt for Chromebooks. Therefore, we decided to create a list of the best budget-friendly Chromebooks available today.

How to Buy the Right Chromebook for Your Needs

Developed by Google, Chrome OS runs on Linux and is centered around Google Chrome. It was initially created as an operating system that expanded on Chrome and its apps. However, it has evolved over the years and added support for Android and Linux apps. Chromebooks now come in various options with different specifications. The average price of a Chromebook is around $350.

The best part about a Chromebook is its ability to manage hardware power and carry out basic operations without putting a strain on your battery. So you get a better battery life at such a low cost, something that a traditional laptop cannot offer at this price point.

Before you decide to look for cheap Chromebooks, it’s important to consider your needs and whether a Chromebook would be able to fulfill them. Because Chromebooks are designed to carry out basic amounts of workloads, they are usually for people who only need a browser for most of their computing tasks. The best budget-friendly Chromebooks will work best for basic educational and work-related tasks.

Anyhow, the most important thing to consider when buying cheap Chromebooks is their size, display, weight, and overall design. If you plan on using your Chromebook to stream media, you can opt for a convertible two-in-one Chromebook. In terms of performance, you can choose from various CPU options, including ARM CPUs with low power and powerful Intel and AMD x86 CPUs. It is crucial to choose the right CPU depending on your needs.

For instance, if you want better battery life, you can opt for ARM CPU options. However, if you want a great balance between the battery life and the performance, you can go for x86 CPUs.

Best Budget-Friendly Chromebooks in 2021

Below, you will find a list of the best budget-friendly Chromebooks to take your pick from. We have discussed their main features and mentioned their prices.

So let’s dive right in!

1. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5

The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is a two-in-one laptop with a 13-inch display. With a full HD LED touch screen that measures 13.3 inches in size, you can enjoy a great display experience that is enhanced by Intel UHD graphics. This Chromebook has an Intel CPU with a Core i3 processor that gets the job done decently. It features a backlit keyboard offering a comfortable typing experience. The touchscreen has support for a built-in stylus for convenience.

In terms of storage and memory, it features a 4GB RAM and a 128GB SSD storage. You can enjoy a complete media and creative experience with this flexible two-in-one design that differentiates Chromebook Flex 5 from others. The aluminum chassis comes with two USB-C ports, a USB-A port, a MicroSD port, and a headphone jack.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Full HD LED touchscreen with a stylus
• Sturdy design and feel
• Charging supported by both USB-C ports

Cons

• Below-average battery life
• Comparatively dull display

The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is priced at $358 currently on Amazon.

2. Acer Chromebook 514

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Just like Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5, Acer Chromebook 514 features an aluminum body, a full HD touchscreen, as well as a backlit keyboard. So you can enjoy a completely productive experience, be it day or night. What’s more, this Chromebook features an awesome battery that can last for a full 12 hours. There is a Gorilla Glass trackpad that makes it look like a premium laptop with a stylish design.

Coming to its performance, Chromebook 514 features a quad-core Intel Celeron processor with a 64GB storage and a 4GB RAM. The aluminum chassis comes with two DisplayPort USB-C ports, Bluetooth 4.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, and an HD webcam.

Pros

• Premium Gorilla Glass trackpad
• Impeccable battery life
• Solid design

Cons

• Average display
• Fairly outdated processor

The Acer Chromebook 514 is priced at $ 387 currently on Amazon.

3. Samsung Chromebook 4 Plus

Samsung is known for its cutting-edge displays, and that’s what it brings to the Chromebook 4 Plus. This Chromebook features a sleek display with minimized bezels to enjoy an immersive 15.6-inch full HD experience. What’s more, this display is enhanced by Intel’s UHD 600 graphics. With a battery life of 10 hours, you can work on your Chromebook from anywhere, all day long, without having to worry about finding an electric socket.

In terms of performance, Samsung Chromebook 4 Plus is powered by an Intel Celeron N4000 processor. It has 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, which is more than enough for basic computing operations. The aluminum chassis has two USB-C ports as well as a USB-A port to support outdated peripherals. There’s also a headphone jack, a microSD card, as well as Bluetooth 4.0.

Pros

• Great battery life
• Sleek, slim, and lightweight design
• Good CPU performance

Cons

• Dim display brightness
• Bezels are not thin enough.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 Plus is priced at $219 currently on Amazon.

4. Asus Chromebook C523

If you are looking for a budget-friendly Chromebook with the best display, Asus Chromebook C523 is the one for you. It has a simple, no-fuss design with a slim aluminum chassis. But the best part is its 15.6-inch full HD panel.

Coming to its performance, Asus Chromebook C523 comes with Intel Celeron N3350, which is a budget CPU that comes in various Chromebooks. In terms of RAM and storage, this Chromebook features a 64GB eMMC storage and 4GB RAM. Although the storage is not enough, a microSD port would make up for it. The aluminum chassis houses a 3.5 mm audio jack, two USB-A ports as well as two USB-C ports.

Pros

• Great display
• Solid build
• Amazing performance

Cons

• Poor battery life

The Asus Chromebook C523 is priced at $208 currently on Amazon.

5. HP Chromebook 14-Inch

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The HP Chromebook 14 is a bigger option among the cheap Chromebooks in the market. This Chromebook has an exclusive build with a ceramic white finish which is different than its common black and silver variants. This 14-inch Chromebook comes with a full HD display and a large chassis that fits in a full-sized keyboard for comfortable typing, which makes it ideal for students. What’s more, this full-sized keyboard is lit with four-leveled backlighting.

As far as the processor is concerned, the HP Chromebook 14-inch features an Intel Celeron N4000 processor with a 4GB RAM and only 32GM storage. But you can use the microSD port to fill in that gap in storage. The aluminum body houses two USB-C ports, a microSD port, a USB-A port, and a headphone jack. This Chromebook also has a Kensington lock and B&O-tunes stereo speakers for great audio output.

Pros

• Great battery life
• Sleek design
• Great backlit keyboard

Cons

• Dull display
• Poor CPU performance

The HP Chromebook 14-Inch is priced a little above $200 currently on Amazon.

6. Acer Chromebook Spin 11

The Acer Chromebook Spin 11 is a compact option in this list of the best budget-friendly Chromebooks. It is an incredibly flexible Chromebook that features a small 11.6-inch display. This Chromebook comes bundled with a laptop sleeve as well as a Wacom pen. Crafted in a solid plastic body, the Spin 11 has a brushed texture that exudes luxury.

This Chromebook is packed with an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, and the Intel HD Graphics 500 card. On the other hand, the outer body features USB-C and USB-A ports with a DisplayPort and a headphone jack.

Pros

• Great performance.
• User-friendly keyboard.

Cons

• Dull display brightness.
• Thick bezels.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 11 is priced at $295 currently on Amazon.

Wrapping Up

So this list pretty much sums up the best budget-friendly Chromebooks available in 2021. We hope you found the options you were looking for. Before making that purchase decision, make sure you consider your needs and get the right Chromebook. Consider your computing and media needs and get a Chromebook that fulfills your needs.

For more detailed reviews on various Chromebooks available in 2021, stay tuned to this space where we share everything about Chrome OS and Chromebooks.