-
Photo: John Moore/Getty Images
How to choose the best Chromebook
Chromebook SpecificationsChromebooks come in a bewildering array of configurations. Sometimes even trying to decide what options are available on a single model can be overwhelming. As a product tester, I use a spreadsheet to keep track. But you shouldn’t have to do that, so here are some general specs to keep in mind.
Processor: Chromebooks use half a dozen different processors that you’ve probably never heard of. There’s a reason for that: these processors are slow and don’t show up in Windows laptops. Having tried many Intel Celeron based machines, I recommend going for something more powerful if you can afford it. The next step up from the Celeron is the Core m3, which is the best choice for most people. If you want a more powerful, future-proof machine, get an i3 or i5 chip.
We’re starting to see more ARM-based Chromebooks, like the Lenovo Duet above. I haven’t had any issues with ARM Chromebooks, but they aren’t quite as fast as the Intel Core chips. There are some newer Chromebooks that use AMD’s latest Ryzen chips, and I’ve had good experiences with them.
R.A.M: Get 8GB of storage if you can afford it, especially if you plan on running Android applications. When I’ve experienced severe slowdowns and glitches, it’s almost always been due to a Chromebook with only 4GB of RAM.
Screen: Get an IPS LCD display. There are still a few low-end models with crappy TN LCD displays that you should avoid. Your pixel resolution depends on the size of the screen. I’ve used (and recommend) a few 11-inch Chromebooks with 720p displays. As these screens are squeezed into a small form factor I find them acceptably sharp, but a 1080p screen will be much nicer.
Ports: Most things you do on a Chromebook are cloud-based, so you don’t have to worry too much about ports. You might want a computer that charges via a USB-C port if you want to power your Chromebook with a portable battery/charger, but USB-C charging is mostly available in mid-range and higher-end models. It’s also helpful to have a MicroSD slot for expanded storage if you need to download a lot of files on a typical day, but that option isn’t universally available either.
-
This article was previously published on Source link
