It’s no wonder that money is a significant factor when purchasing anything, let alone a new Chromebook. When the budget is tight, and you’re eyeing a gem of a device to handle your work and play, things can be challenging to narrow down. However, that is unless you’re looking for the right guide to help you out.
In this article, we’ll talk about the Chromebooks that bring the most bang for your Chromebook. While some will offer speedy performance, others will be more capable of the form factor side. Read through the different listings and discover what you can get on a budget of $300 in the domain of ChromeOS.
One thing’s for sure—you will NOT be disappointed with the range level you’ll get here.
- Utterly important: Things to check before buying a refurbished Chromebook.
10 of the best budget Chromebooks to get in 2023
Short on cash? No problem. What entails ahead is a cherry-picked list of Chromebooks that are affordable and cost-effective in equal measure. You can effortlessly review your options and decide in favor of the best device that suits your preferences.
1. HP Chromebook 14 G6
HP Chromebook 14 G6
Starting off this list is one of the most affordable Chromebooks you can get now. HP is known to create a whole series of Chromebooks with the “Chromebook 14” moniker, and the G6 is the second-latest entry in the manufacturer’s line-up of such products.
Featuring an Intel Celeron N4020 processor with 32 GB eMMC storage, a surprising 8 GB RAM setup, and integrated Intel UHD 600 graphics. The screen size is 14 inches, so this isn’t a small Chromebook we’re talking about here. However, under a budget of $230, the HP Chromebook 14 G6 promises decent performance and a reasonably impressive design.
If the quality of the display isn’t too much of a worry for you at the moment, money is tight, and you wish to mark your foray into the world of ChromeOS, the device at hand is a decent pick. We’ve got multiple other listings for you in the article ahead, too, so read on if you’d like to know about the rest of your options.
2. Samsung Chromebook 4+
Samsung Chromebook 4+
Moving forward, we’ve got a Samsung Chromebook to talk about here, and this giant Korean manufacturer doesn’t miss its installment in the ChromeOS space. Looking at the more expensive siblings of the Samsung Chromebook 4+, namely the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook and the Galaxy Chromebook 2, there’s little doubt in the equation here.
The Chromebook 4+ is a large Chromebook, and by large, we’re not stretching things. The 15.6-inch display size of the device iterates that the unit in question boasts some solid real estate. As for the technical side of things, the device is powered by an Intel Celeron N3450 processor with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage.
If you ever find the device’s storage hitting rock bottom, know that there are top-quality cloud storage solutions available on ChromeOS, namely OneDrive, pCloud, Dropbox, and, of course, Google Drive, that you can rely on on without breaking a sweat.
3. Lenovo Chromebook 3
Lenovo Chromebook 3
The Lenovo Chromebook 3 is a modern-looking Chromebook that can be bought for even less than $150, but only if you’re lucky. The device now retails around the $163 mark for the non-touchscreen variant. It’s a 14-inch Chromebook with an FHD display. Other decent specifications include a MediaTek MT8183 processor, 4 GB RAM, and 128 GB eMMC storage.
You can rely on this machine only when you’re not pushing it to its total limits. The Chromebook 3 will offer you dependable performance on a day-to-day basis within a respectable boundary. Given the ARM architecture of its processor, it can run many Linux apps but don’t expect full support on that front.
- Before you purchase a Chromebook, you must know the core differences between an x86 and an ARM processor. The proper knowledge here can significantly influence your purchasing decision.
Outside of that, the Lenovo Chromebook 3 is pretty portable as well. It does not weigh much at all — just a bit shy of 2.50 pounds — and is easy to carry. The build quality isn’t the best, but it’ll still stick by your side for the days to come.
4. Acer Chromebook 315
Acer Chromebook 315
Moving forward, we’ve got another large-sized Chromebook to talk about. Costing just one dollar short of $300, which is as per the promise upheld by this listicle, the 315 is an IPS-powered touchscreen Chromebook with an impressive battery runtime. It’s not the most workhorse device in the competition, but there are reasons why one would opt for it.
The Acer Chromebook 315‘s screen stretches to 15.6 inches diagonally and is full HD. This means you get to enjoy rich, vivid colors with the ability to zoom in, zoom out and relish best-in-class Android apps on the device. Moreover, the generous port selection can power your peripherals and provide robust connectivity.
This device is an excellent option for a budget-friendly Chromebook with a large, responsive screen and touch-enabled controls. The lack of LED illumination on the keyboard can be a bit bothersome for some, but if you can live with that, the 315 should serve you well.
5. Asus Detachable CM3 Chromebook
ASUS Chromebook Detachable CM3
The following device that we’ve got on this list is the Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3—a high-quality convertible Chromebook with a docked stylus for pen controls. It features a mobile processor—namely MediaTek 8183—64 GB storage and 4 GB RAM for high Android app performance, thanks to the availability of the Google Play Store on ChromeOS.
It features a 10.5-inch touchscreen with an appreciable 16:10 aspect ratio. Additionally, the FHD resolution of the device sports great viewing angles and colors and a reasonably enjoyable viewing experience. The Detachable CM3 is one of the most affordable laptops you can buy in 2023, considering its build and all its features.
Users who love a device that’s easy to carry and take anywhere will undoubtedly grow fond of the Detachable CM3. It’s super lightweight and weighs around 1.12 lbs. It seriously does not get any lighter, more cost-effective, and more portable than that.
6. Lenovo Chromebook Duet
Lenovo Chromebook Duet
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is the closest competitor to the Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3. It costs less but does not come with a garaged stylus, although it is compatible with USI pens. Several configurations are also available at the Duet’s disposal, should you choose to check them out.
The device has a similar form factor to the CM3, boasting a kickstand cover, a detachable keyboard, and a high-quality tablet screen with ChromeOS power. Coming with a MediaTek Helio P60T processor, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB hard drive size, the biggest ace in the hole the Lenovo Chromebook Duet exhibits is its 10-inch FHD IPS display with amazing visuals.
The latter isn’t something that the Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 can overcome, at least. Furthermore, the Duet has an all-day battery runtime, too, offering a usage period that spans anywhere between 11-12 hours.
For those who love to multi-task and take their tech devices everywhere they go, the Chromebook Duet will be a commendable partner.
7. Asus Chromebook Flip C433
Asus Chromebook Flip C433
The Asus Chromebook Flip C433 is a praiseworthy device. It comprises an Intel Core m3-8100Y processor, 8 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC storage, and Intel HD Graphics 400. As you can comprehend from the image above, touchscreen functionality on top of a nicely laid out convertible form factor is a part of the Flip C433.
As with every other Chromebook that carries Asus’ “Flip” moniker, the Chromebook is utterly flexible and features a fluid touchscreen for smooth touch-centric controls. The device costs about $265 and is undoubtedly worth the money, given how it even has a backlit keyboard, which most other manufacturers ditch in this price bracket.
8. Acer Chromebook 317
Acer Chromebook Spin 317
Have you ever heard about an insanely huge 17-inch Chromebook? Then, you’re looking right at it. The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 measures a whopping 17.3-inch screen size with appreciable specs and overall quality. It comes new for about $223 if bought from Amazon, so indeed a device worth going after if you have a thing for large Chromebooks.
The device’s AUE date is slated for June 2030, so you’ve got a fair bit of time until the device ditches official updates. That said, it’s worth noting that a Chromebook’s end of life does not mean the device won’t function anymore. It definitely will, but it won’t receive automatic updates from Google from now on.
You can learn what to do with your Chromebook in that case in our dedicated guide here. In the meantime, feel free to take a deeper dive into the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 and gauge from its price whether it’s the device for you. With appreciable performance, a remarkable battery runtime, and a comfortable keyboard, we find it well worth the sub $225 price tag.
9. Acer Chromebook Spin 311
Acer Chromebook Spin 311
People on a strict budget looking for a convertible ChromeOS experience can confide in the offerings of the Acer Chromebook Spin 311—a competitively priced flexible Chromebook that you can purchase for even less than $200. The 4 GB RAM and 64 GB hard drive size configuration currently cost people about $185.99 on Amazon.
Its 11.6-inch screen size makes it clear right out of the gate that the Spin 311 doesn’t have an overly large footprint. It’s pretty compact but does have bezels on the screen. However, if you can live with that, this unit can offer you excellent portability and a touchscreen experience, all within a single package.
Acer has incorporated a good-quality keyboard in the Spin 311 while ensuring the trackpad works on par. In addition, the performance of the Chromebook in light of its Intel Celeron N4000 processor is just as expected. You can run a fair amount of Google Play Store games and Linux apps just as well without bogging the system down too much.
The same goes for web-based tasks like YouTube videos, blog postings, and other remote work. As for the display, the 11.6-inch HD screen sports In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology, too, so do expect positive results on that note.
10. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook
What better way to top things off other than talking about the reasonably brilliant Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook? This is yet another top-rated Lenovo product that has managed to grab the attention of many around the globe as soon as it is released, featuring exciting specs and a low price point.
It’s worth clearing up beforehand that while the Flex 5 Chromebook isn’t precisely under $300, it’s only about $29 above that price bracket. That said, it’s highly worth factoring in and considering here, given its powerful Intel Core i3-10110U processor for speedier performance and day-to-day usage.
The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook sports a 13.3” FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS display, 64 GB hard drive size, and 4 GB RAM to help people finish work on time. It’s a reliable Chromebook that can be bought for about $329 on Amazon.
This is a steal deal for a device as good as the Flex 5. We suggest checking out our review and learning more about the Chromebook.
Conclusion
In the day and age we live in today, it can sometimes get hard to spare some money aside for a high-end Chromebook. However, contrary to what you think, Chromebooks are frequently cheap, and some are hidden gems if we’re putting it somewhat.
As you can comprehend after reviewing the options listed in this guide, a bevy of Chromebooks offers excellent performance, a classy design, and several other features, even on a budget. Let us know if any of the mentioned entries appealed to you and whether you bought one.
Chrome Ready wishes you good luck!
