For those not in the know, certain Chromebooks come with a variety of extra features. Some sport an in-built stylus, while others have a fingerprint scanner for quicker sign-in times. Moreover, for folks looking for a device that will stand the test of time rigorously, we have at our disposal today a swath of durable Chromebooks built to last.
Most of the forthcoming Chromebooks boast military-grade durability. They comply with the MIL-STD 810G standard, having survived multiple endurance tests, such as drops, spills, and other evaluation forms. Follow along with the entries outlined to solidify what you will purchase next in the ChromeOS sector.
In the meantime, check out a polar opposite article of the topic at hand, which covers high-end Chromebooks offering a next-level ChromeOS experience.
10 of the most durable yet affordable Chromebooks you can buy in 2023
The following is our cherry-picked Chromebook collection that blends durability and affordability like a dream. Although we’ve tried to include the latest Chromebook models from different manufacturers, there are some gems we cannot miss out on for this particular category.
All Chromebooks mentioned ahead have an Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date of at least 2027. This is when a Chromebook stops receiving official updates from Google, and you’ve resorted to using a dated ChromeOS version as you go on. However, to give you a little perspective on this, there’s still much to do with a Chromebook, even if it has arrived at its end of life.
1. Acer Chromebook Spin 514
Acer Chromebook Spin 514
Our first pick of a high-quality yet seriously durable Chromebook is the Acer Spin 514, but not the dated one whose Auto Update Expiration date has been long since June 2024. This upgraded iteration equips an AMD processor to bolster its working efficiency and even sports an LED-illuminated keyboard for better typing.
- Tip: Do not confuse the Spin 514 with the Acer Chromebook 514. The latter differ significantly on many levels, such as a MediaTek Companio 828 processor powers it, whereas the base model of the Spin 514 comes with a Ryzen 3 3250C CPU.
At the time of writing, the Spin 514 is priced at $379, which is practically as good as it gets, considering that budget. The Chromebook at hand features a terrific design that speaks volumes about its grand build quality. The trackpad, for starters, has been masked with Corning Gorilla Glass protection, and the top cover is aluminum-grade as well.
Lastly. performance levels are reliable when it comes to the Spin 514. The Ryzen-powered CPU, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB hard drive size come together to deliver a consistent ChromeOS experience. A device such as this in the sub $400 price tag, which lets you enjoy a solid keyboard and trackpad, among other facets, is certainly worth having.
2. Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook
Moving forward, we’ve got ourselves the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook. This is a 2-in-1 device that enjoys a convertible form factor, allowing users to slap a variety of different viewing modes onto the device, should they choose to utilize the tablet or tent modes.
The device labels itself as highly versatile and is capable enough to fit various use cases, such as video editing and content creation or even coding and programming. The Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, and a 13.3-inch FHD touchscreen are all decent specs that get you more than your money’s worth here.
On a side note, though, the Flex 5i is not to be muddled with the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook—the latter is entirely different and falls under another price point. Still, it’s a capable Chromebook as well. As for the Flex 5i, this strong, durable, and rugged unit should last several years ahead, per those who’ve owned it.
3. Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3
ASUS Chromebook Detachable CM3
Employing a 10.5-inch touchscreen, which amounts to a tablet-like footprint, with a magnet cover and a kickstand case, the Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 is a champion regarding potent portability. This well-built Chromebook has many reps, costing about $335 while packing a real punch overall.
It’s a highly lightweight Chromebook, weighing just about 1.12 pounds. If you detach the keyboard from the screen, though, the tablet on its own weighs even lesser than a pound. Outside of all that, the most upfront bonus of purchasing the CM3 is getting a garaged stylus with the device. It feels responsive to use on the screen, with the controls being flud.
At long last, the aluminum unibody design of the CM3 lends a fair amount of strength to the CM3, making it stand out from its competition in terms of sheer durability. This is also recommended as one of the best Chromebooks for kids, given how the unit can hold its ground when things get bumpy and rough.
4. Asus Chromebook Flip C434
Asus Chromebook Flip C434
Moving forward, the Asus Chromebook Flip C434 is yet another affordable venture to help folks get a sturdy Chromebook for themselves. This is another 2-in-1 device that loves getting rotated back in a 360 degrees motion so that the ChromeOS experience can shift from one mode to another. Perfectly versatile.
The device uses a mobile processor called Intel Core M3-8100Y and has 8 GB of RAM alongside 64 GB of storage. It costs about $380, priced just right, given the general value output, and even comes with a whole year of additional Google One storage, the tech giant’s very own cloud storage platform, supplying Photos, Drive, and even Gmail.
The I/O is pretty decent on the C434, hosting a single USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, two Type-Cs, a microSD card reader slot, and even a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Moreover, some reviewers have lauded the keyboard’s backlighting, saying this Chromebook performs better than most devices they’ve ever seen.
5. Samsung Chromebook 4+
Samsung Chromebook 4+
Samsung is top-notch no matter the technological field it’s dipped its toes in, and the Chromebook 4+ reflects that statement in spades. Behold a competitively-priced device that, even in the price bracket of $219, comes with the label of military-grade durability, making it one of the most resilient Chromebooks out there to get.
But that’s not all—the Chromebook 4+ also shines in a whale of other aspects, i.e., performance and battery life. The hardware it uses is modest at best, though, including an Intel Celeron N4000 CPU, 4 GB RAM, and 32 GB storage. Its overall real estate, however, is another story. The device at hand’s screen size measures 15.6 inches.
That certainly puts the Samsung Chromebook 4+ in a different league than its similarly-priced counterparts. The AUE date of the device is slated for June 2027, and starting today, this still gives you about four more years of official updates with the Chromebook.
6. Acer Chromebook 317
Acer Chromebook Spin 317
The Acer Chromebook 317 is a favorite at Chrome Ready, given how it has consistently serviced us authors, for multiple years. What’s interesting to note here is that the 317’s last two digits stand for the inches that go toward the screen size of the Chromebook. So yes, this is a 17-inch Chromebook—one of the firsts in the world.
Despite its colossal size, the 317 is a capable Chromebook with a prolonged battery runtime (not sure how Acer pulled that one). It’s one of the best Chromebooks with a praiseworthy battery life that offers reliable performance levels daily, not to mention the well-grounded durability of this hulking unit.
Furthermore, its display uses an IPS panel and offers a touch-enabled FHD (1920 x 1080p) screen. As for the pricing, the Chromebook costs about $276 and will run with official updates until 2030, as described by the company’s official update policy here.
7. HP Pro c640 Chromebook
HP Pro c640 Chromebook
Gauging the standard of the HP Pro c640 Chromebook, it’s clear how HP does not like to mess around with its innovations. This is also true for the case of the HP Dragonfly Pro, which is currently the #1 Chromebook in the entire department of ChromeOS across the board.
To talk about the HP Pro c640, which falls within our current budget and durability requirement, we have a 14-inch high-quality unit with a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, and 64 GB eMMC flash storage. As for its build, it appears that much thought went into the c640’s craftsmanship, considering how sturdy and firm it is, with no flex or bending capacity to its name.
Additionally, the device’s battery runtime lasts around 10-11 hours, which should be more than enough to last you a full day of work or school. If you’re a typist or someone who writes for a living, the c640’s keyboard is best-in-class, featuring a smooth click mechanism, remarkable key travel, and a great overall experience.
8. HP Chromebook 14 (14a-na0)
HP Chromebook 14
The HP Chromebook 14 has been constantly revisited by HP over the years, with the US-based manufacturer pushing out one upgrade after the other year in and year out. One of the latest variants, though, released in 2021 with the 14a-na0 model number, is known to be a well-built Chromebook, made capable enough to stand the test of rough usage.
If you look at the product’s listing on Amazon, you’ll know that it’s utterly top-rated too. Priced just right at $218, the Chromebook 14 comes with a borderless display, so the viewing experience gets a lot better, and it charges up fast as well—about 50% in 45 minutes, thanks to what HP calls its Fast Charge tech.
People who’ve bought the device commend the Chromebook 14 for its ease of use, although that primarily has to do with ChromeOS itself and the fact that it’s well-made and cheap. Even though the device’s CPU isn’t that packed on paper, it’s still capable enough to handle several Chrome tabs running for you on the fly, not to mention Android apps.
9. Asus Chromebook C424
Asus Chromebook C424
The Asus Chromebook C424 is the prized successor to the extremely well-selling C423, hailed for its low price and high-quality side by side. Building upon the success story, the C424 features several noteworthy upgrades over the C423, such as an FHD nano-edge anti-glare display, 4 GB DDR4 RAM, and 128 GB storage.
Apart from the hardware changes, the C424 feels and looks better, given its borderless design. It’s relatively portable, doesn’t weigh a lot—about 3.33 pounds—and features several ports, namely a single USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, two USB-C ports, a microSD card reader slot, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Want to know how much you get all this for? $243. Brand-new. Moreover, reviewers say that they’ve dropped the C424 so many times they lost count, but not even on a single occasion did the device start to lose its functionality or break in certain areas. You have to hand out extra points to the unit for that, right?
10. Lenovo Duet 3 Chromebook
Lenovo Duet 3 Chromebook
At long last, we have another pick from the budget Chromebook king, Lenovo. Being one of the best Chromebooks this Chinese tech tycoon ever made, the Duet 3 is an exceptionally dependable Chromebook that brings forth a tablet experience like no other in equal measure.
Compared to its counterparts, and the original Duet Chromebook, it is somewhat costlier, setting you back $400. However, using the device day in and day out quickly comes to understanding how well worth the price the Duet 3 truly is. The design is super sturdy, and the tablet feels highly rigid, thereby exempting the unit from the prospect of flex.
Additionally, the battery runtime of the Duet 3 is clocked at around 10-12 hours on a single full charge. Speaking of the latter, the device charges up pretty hastily, ensuring you’re always going for more and more productivity.
Conclusion
Chromebooks have started to be more diversified as the years go on. At one point, these devices were nothing more than web browsers, as people liked to criticize them famously. Still, today, ChromeOS is attracting the likes of Steam to its forefront, and the best Chromebook developers are also creating gaming-ready machines in this department.
In this guide, we’ve shed light on terrific Chromebooks with a touch of added durability, so when things get tough, you know you can rely on the piece of equipment you have. Let us know in the comments section what Chromebook you went with. As always, Chrome Ready wishes you good luck!
