First it was hand sanitizer. Then toilet paper. Then dumbbells and rowing machines and bikes and puzzles and cleaning supplies. The pandemic has put so many products in short supply that, when you do really need them, they can be nearly impossible to find.
And now, just as back-to-(remote)-school season is here, affordable Chromebooks have become the next pandemic casualty. What used to be a category with too many options is now one with too few. To help you out, we searched all over the internet for decent, in-stock options to fill your needs. Since Chromebooks are meant for basic functions like browsing the web, accessing Google docs, and, of course, Zoom calls, you don’t need to worry too much about speed and storage space. Instead, we focused on features like a longer battery life, high build quality, and a nice-looking screen. Here, the best options we found, all shipping right away.
The best overall Chromebook
The Google Pixelbook Go is an ultralight — 2.3 pounds — bare-bones Chromebook with a 13-inch screen. According to our colleagues at the Verge, “It delivers solid performance and supports fast charging through either of its USB-C ports. Battery life is also impressive. The Go lasted over eight hours in our testing, and it should get you through a full workday with no problem.”
Editors’ note: This item is available immediately on Best Buy and back-ordered until October 23 on Amazon.
The best budget Chromebooks
This 14-inch Chromebook is relatively big. And weighing just around three pounds, it’s relatively light, too.
The best large-screen Chromebook
The Samsung 4+ Chromebook comes with a larger 15-inch screen, which is perfect for people who need space to multitask. It also has a 128 GB hard drive in case you decide to use it more like a traditional laptop, storing things like movies and music.
The best two-in-one Chromebook
This option, which has a touchscreen and converts into a tablet, is also a Verge favorite: “Asus has a strong history of making good Chromebooks, but the C434 is something special.” It has a beautiful display, a great keyboard, a trackpad smoother than butter, and multiple USB-C and USB-A ports.
The best (less expensive) two-in-one Chromebook
The Duet has a ten-inch screen and detachable keyboard, so if your child needs to transition from school to YouTube (after their homework’s done, of course), they easily can. It also has an impressive 11-hour battery life, so they’ll be able to make it through a full day of classes (or even an all-nighter, for college kids) — and a whole lot more.
Editors’ note: This item is from a third-party seller on Amazon, which means you don’t get quite the same protections that you do with orders fulfilled by Amazon.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
