A Chromebook is a laptop running on Google's ChromeOS instead of Microsoft Windows or Apple's MacOS. This means Windows or Mac software cannot be directly installed and run on a Chromebook. Instead, Chromebooks are designed to use web apps ( like those for Microsoft Office 365), Android apps and Linux software. Because ChromeOS is built for efficiency and to take advantage of web or cloud services, the operating system runs well with less expensive hardware. However, while Chromebooks come in various sizes and designs, options are more plentiful with Windows laptops or Apple MacBooks, especially if you need to run demanding software. Again, ChromeOS is what really makes a laptop a Chromebook but there are some other differences to consider before you buy. What OS does a Chromebook use? Processor】11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor (6MB Intel Smart Cache, up to 4.10GHz) However, if you’re getting one of the more budget options whether it’s for productivity or gaming, particularly competitive gaming, a 1080p resolution will more than suffice. How we tested the best 17-inch laptops If you'll need to give presentations from your Chromebook, an HDMI monitor port is usually more convenient than carrying a USB-C DisplayPort adapter. Also look for a USB port or two if you'll want to attach a mouse, a flash drive, or another peripheral. Gaming Most Chromebook connections are wireless, as you'll use the machine almost exclusively when attached to Wi-Fi. Wired Ethernet ports are rare, but support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi is ubiquitous, with 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 found in upscale and corporate Chromebooks.

When shopping for a Chromebook, you'll note less hardware variety than with Windows machines. These are the most important specs and factors to be aware of. Also note that a new class of Chromebooks is emerging called the Chromebook Plus family. Rolling out in mid-October 2023, these machines mandate certain minimum Chromebook specs to guarantee a solid user experience, including high-resolution cameras, IPS screens, and an 8GB floor for memory. Screen Resolution This is now our favorite Chromebook for pretty much everybody; we recommended it to anyone who wants a reliable and powerful 2-in-1 ChromeOS laptop. Its standout features—like long battery life and best-in-class performance—make it an ideal choice if you prioritize performance and productivity. Overall, this model should be a first stop if you seek a versatile, high-performing, and durable 2-in-1 Chromebook beyond the budget bin. When you're looking for the best 17-inch laptop, you really do need to ask what you're looking to do with your device. Not all 17-inch laptops are created equal, and whether its for gaming or work, you'll find all kinds of big-screen devices to suit your needs. 15-inch laptops vs 17-inch laptopsYou want to show off: Anyone who sees you using it in the office or a cafe is going to be mesmerized; if you’ve got the cash and want to be seen, this is the laptop for you. Acer's reign continues with the Chromebook Spin 514, the new best Chromebook for most people. It primarily does this through a rugged yet flexible 2-in-1 design and category-leading AMD processing. Helpful features, like a full HD webcam, a Wi-Fi 6 radio, a USB-C port, and an HDMI connection round out the experience. With a generous 13-hour battery life, this Chromebook won't need frequent charging, and its sturdy aluminum build has MIL-STD 810H certification to survive the rigors of daily use. The 2023 Chromebook Spin 514 is an adaptable and high-performing premium Chromebook that impresses with its premium build quality and top-notch capabilities. Who It's For The usual native display resolution on a Chromebook will be 1,920 by 1,080 pixels, otherwise known as full HD or 1080p, but cheaper Chromebooks may have lower resolution while deluxe models may have higher. For most midsize Chromebooks with screens from 13 to 15 inches, 1080p is just fine. Entry-level models' resolution of 1,366 by 768 pixels can look coarse and is only really suited for laptops with screens smaller than 12 inches diagonally. Try to avoid this resolution on any 13-inch or larger screen, or at least try to eyeball the display in person before you buy. Note that all Chromebook Plus models will have at least a 1080p screen. Processor After you have an idea of what operating system you prefer and the software that you will be using, it is possible to determine the hardware requirements you need. We recommend starting with the processor. Also known as the chip, or simply the CPU. You need long battery life: The Razer Blade 17 shouldn't be on the top of any list if your main concern is battery life.

You want something affordable: The price of this laptop puts it out of reach of just about everyone reading this review. Christian is TechRadar’s UK-based Computing Editor. He came to us from Maximum PC magazine, where he fell in love with computer hardware and building PCs. He was a regular fixture amongst our freelance review team before making the jump to TechRadar, and can usually be found drooling over the latest high-end graphics card or gaming laptop before looking at his bank account balance and crying. The review process for laptops consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our reviewers. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features with respect to price. A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments. The stated width of the side bezel is the distance between the edge of the non-active screen display area and the inside edge of the case. If the case width is included, the side bezel width is 7.86 mm. The stated width of the bottom bezel is the distance between the edge of the non-active screen display area and the visible edge of the display when the laptop is opened to 90 °. These measurements are based on the standard (without anti-glare) display configuration. It does feature the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard though, so you will get decent internet speeds if you've got a good router.Get access to more than 2 million Android apps from the Google Play store, along with the latest games, music, movies, TV, books, magazines & more. Higher resolution also means more screen real estate. So, if you’re a multitasker looking to keep multiple tabs open and visible at once, a QHD or higher resolution will only help. The testing regime includes the requirements of both military-grade standards and ASUS quality tests, and varies depending on device. MIL-STD-810 testing is conducted on selected ASUS products only. Note that the MIL-STD-810 testing helps to ensure the quality of ASUS products but does not indicate a particular fitness for military use. The test is performed under laboratory conditions. Any damage caused by attempts to replicate these test conditions would be considered accidental, and would not be covered by the standard ASUS warranty. Additional coverage is available with ASUS Premium Care.

Enjoy a longer battery life and responsive applications thanks to the latest Intel processor. 10 hours of battery life goes a long way. With just a single charge, get in a full day's work with time to spare. The powerful long lasting battery means you don't have to take the power adapter with you. If you’re hoping to do some photo or video editing, you probably want to get a higher resolution so you can see what you’re working on in its intended resolution. And, if you’re getting one to game on and you like to play immersive story-driven or open-world games, you’ll appreciate getting a laptop with 1440p or 4k. Of course, it’s only worth getting that higher resolution if your portable’s components can keep up. That means having a solid discrete GPU to run your favorite apps or games at those higher resolutions. You'll see a lot of Acer products on this list, but only the Acer Chromebook 516 GE can claim to be among the first of a new type of ChromeOS laptop. The GE stands for "Gaming Edition," and it's one of the first gaming Chromebooks to hit the market. Made with cloud gaming in mind, the Acer provides premium hardware and a sturdy design with gamer-friendly touches, and it doesn't cost thousands of dollars. On top of that, the online games available for play with the Chromebook are actually quality, including popular AAA and indie games (via subscription game streaming services like GeForce Now), without all the chunky hardware or short battery life typical of gaming machines. Who It's For You're on a budget: The Razer Blade 17 can cost an eyewatering sum of cash if you opt for the top-line spec model. Upon looking for the perfect 17 inch chromebook laptop, a lot of things should be taken into account. Each item has its own challenge of purchasing. As a result of the formation, we're here to help, advise, and provide answers to these problems.Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. You can find portables in both sizes with robust CPUs, GPUs, and plenty of storage space. However, the two sizes do come with their own advantages. AMD's 'Advantage' program has seen some excellent laptops in recent years, and the Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage is no exception. It's a high-end gaming laptop that wows in virtually every area: a big, beautiful 4K 120Hz screen, powerful AMD components, and the classic Alienware aesthetic.

A powerful selection of components under the hood - including up to an Intel Core i9 CPU, 64GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX GeForce 3050 - is paired with a stunning display with ultra-thin bezels and a clean, sharp overall design. While this isn't a gaming laptop, the dedicated GPU means a spot of gaming is still an option - and accelerating resource-intensive programs like MATLAB is a cinch too. If you’re looking for a contender for the most powerful gaming laptop, the MSI GT77 Titan (2023) has the competition beat so far. It comes with the latest in specs, including an ultra-high-end Intel Core i9-13980HX CPU and an Nvidia RTX 4080 12GB Laptop GPU.While overall an ideal design for productivity-minded users, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook specifically targets freelancers and small-business entrepreneurs. This reliable, elegant system comes with specially staffed 24/7 support that's hard to come by for small-business owners. The high-resolution webcam, top-notch performance, and beautiful display make it an excellent choice for video conferencing, lightweight content creation, and other productivity tasks. Overall, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is a superb system that is perfect if you value elegance, performance, and bulletproof support availability over ample hardwired connectivity. Our only wish is that it offered more physical ports (and was perhaps a little cheaper) but beyond that, it's virtually perfect as far as 17-inch laptops go. If you can afford it, this is the one to get. With Chromebooks, you also don't need to worry about long-term lasting power. Google has just increased the supported life of all Chromebooks from eight years to 10 years, meaning that you have a full decade of use knowing that you'll continue getting automatic updates.