Today, Chromebooks come in all shapes and sizes, sport all sorts of functionality, and are even a favorite in the education sector. Not only that, but enterprise-ready Chromebooks are now a thing, and many businesses and large-scale organizations have picked this operating system up as their daily driver. If you wonder why Chrome OS is stealing all the limelight lately, you need to take a close, hard look at the top 10 Chromebooks for best performance.
In this article, therefore, we’ll be penning down those Chromebooks that excel in one attribute, no matter the others, and that is performance. We’ll enlist different devices for different ranges of budget, so each type of user can know what they’re in for. Without any further ado, then, let’s jump right in.
The best Chromebooks for high performance
1. Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook
Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook
The Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook is the perfect device to start off this list. This sub $600 machine is a dazzling piece of tech, with a design and build quality that does nothing but amazes right off the bat. If you’re after a machine that’s head-turning in terms of design, there’s no topping the C13 Yoga Chromebook. To talk a bit about the manufacturer, Lenovo is surreal when making reliable and consistent laptops. It marked its foray into the Chrome OS space for quite a while now, and the industry is quite glad it did.
It has given us the likes of the Chromebook Duet that is simply the best budget-friendly Chromebook you could get right now. Despite its price, this device is also coming up on this list for its specified category, which is budget-friendly, so rest assured regarding that. However, to come back on the topic at hand, the C13 Yoga’s base model comprises an AMD Athlon Gold 3150C processor with 32 GBs of storage and 4 GB RAM. The port selection is also quite admirable, with the device sporting two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a microSD card reader slot, and an HDMI port as well for video conferencing and such.
The Lenovo Thinkpad C13 Yoga dishes out consistent levels of performance on a day-to-day basis. You can use multiple Google Play Store applications at once if you’re into multitasking, right along with powerful Linux software. You’ll love the flexibility that this machine will give you. After all, the sub $600 price tag attached with the C13 Yoga isn’t for nothing. This powerhouse makes sure all of your performance-related demands are met, and you’re not left wanting for more. If budget isn’t a problem for you, the developer has another ace up its sleeve, too: a $1600 premium-grade model of the ThinkPad C13 Yoga that’s powered by the monstrous AMD Ryzen 7 3700C processor.
The device houses a couple of futuristic features as well. The Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 may not be as highly prevalent as they should be, but they’ll certainly be at that level in the not-so-distant future. If you’re going to make an extensive purchase like this, make sure that it’s loaded with tools you’ll need sometime soon. By buying the C13 Yoga, you get this guarantee right from the get-go, so it’s all set straight.
2. Dell Inspiron Chromebook 14
Dell Inspiron Chromebook 14
The second entry on this list to get you going with blazing-fast performance is the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 14. This unit, save for a few hiccups here and there, can offer you tons of positives for its mid-range price of $629. In terms of the build quality, this machine feels no less than a $1000+ device. The chassis is overall polished and refined, and the durability is top-tier as well. It’s made to survive drops from a considerable height, and the impact resistance is right up there with the big guns. However, where there’s a pro, there has to be a downside to it in one way or the other.
For the Inspiron Chromebook 14, the downside is the weight. The unit weighs over 3.99 lbs (1.8 kg), so it’s not going to be exceedingly portable. However, for those that don’t mind the extra weight and are more suited to working in one place rather than being on the move all the time, the Inspiron will work out to be just fine and then some. Other than that, port selection is also terrific on this machine. You’ve got two 3.1 USB-C ports, a single USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 port, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card reader slot for storage expansion.
Another major positive that we’ve grown to love on the Inspiron 14 Chromebook is the high-quality set of speakers you get on this unit. They sound flamboyant with a decent standard of loudness. Since they are downward-firing, our initial expectations weren’t this high, but Dell has managed to surprise consumers, and this thunderbolt is more than welcome. As for the keyboard, we’ve had a humdrum experience. It’s got an average key travel with okay clickiness, so don’t expect something mind-blowing in this regard. On the flip side, the trackpad is a lot better, with a decent click mechanism and a spacious footprint.
When things boil down to the performance, the Inspiron 14 is a marvelous beast. It uses an 8th Gen Core i3 8130U processor to power itself and dominate each day with maximum effect. No number of opened Chrome tabs or Play Store applications will slow this potent hunk of metal down. The rest of the on-paper specifications include 4 GBs of RAM and 128 GB of eMMC flash drive storage. The Dell Inspiron Chromebook 14 packs all the bells and whistles most people require from Chrome OS, so if you find it at a discounted price somewhere (Black Friday, we’re looking at you), don’t hesitate to purchase it on the spot.
Please read our full review of the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 14 here.
3. ASUS Chromebook CX9
Asus Chromebook CX9This list would’ve been all fake if the mention of the ASUS Chromebook CX9 was missing from it. This device has single-handedly toppled the Chrome OS industry with the level of quality it has been produced with. The manufacturer has outdone itself with the production of this unit, and thousands of people all across the globe have nodded in approval to that. For starters, the Chromebook CX9 employs a top-of-the-line “Ergo Lift” hinge design where the keyboard comes up significantly as soon as you open up the clamshell Chromebook.
Not only does this look cool as heck, but it also gives you a much comfortable typing position and palm rest. As for the performance, which is the raison d’etre of this article, the CX9 has a lot going for itself. It doesn’t matter what you throw at it—a dozen Chrome tabs with many of them being graphics-intensive, multiple Linux applications, and several Google Play Store apps, this machine won’t budge anytime soon in performance. This is the Chromebook you buy for relentless and reliable workhorse-like performance ethics.
The base model of the CX9 uses an Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor with a whopping 8 GB RAM setup and 128 GBs of M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD. The latter provides you with faster read/write speeds while the rest of the on-paper specifications fuel the machine with enough juice to deliver consistent performance levels without breaking a sweat. If the build quality and the performance weren’t enough, ASUS decided to slap on a 14-inch LCD FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 anti-glare display with crisp, clear, and bright colors along with commendable viewing angles.
Read our curated review of the ASUS Chromebook CX9 for more information about this device, including its significant strengths and weaknesses. Doing so will help you come to a definite buying conclusion.
4. Acer Chromebook Spin 713
Acer Chromebook Spin 713
The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is the best mid-range Chromebook that the world has ever seen up until now. High-performing specifications, quality display, top-end keyboard, and exceptional durability – there’s an exceedingly small amount of factors where the Spin 713 falls shorts. If you’re after a reliable Chromebook that won’t fail you for the years to come and offer you the best-in-class attributes, then you’re reading about the right device. It costs about $539 if you purchase it directly from Amazon, considerably less than the $629 MSRP of this stellar machine.
Let’s cast a lens on the performance of the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. First off, it employs an Intel Core i5 10210U processor, 8 GBs of RAM, and 128 GB s of NVMe storage. As far as this industry is concerned, few other devices sport these internals and cost less than $800. In that respect, the Spin 713 fares exceptionally well and gives you fast browsing speeds and the flexibility to multitask without breaking a sweat. An added benefit is the 713’s SSD instead of a soldered hard drive.
You can replace it as per your preference and opt for something more suited to you quickly. That’s not possible with most other Chromebooks. In addition to that, the Spin 713’s screen has us dazzled. It’s a 13.2″ LCD 2K (2256 x 1504) IPS display rocking Intel UHD graphics that define one of the best Chrome OS displays in its respective price bracket. This status is achieved with the device’s 3:2 aspect ratio, which makes it look on par with 14- or 15-inch Chromebooks, all because of this one neat trick. Next, you have the port selection to mention, and the Spin 713 is generous here as well.
You’ve got two 3.2 Gen 1 USB-C ports on each side, a single 3.0 USB-A port to take care of your legacy peripherals, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card reader slot to give your storage a significant helping hand. The only con that we’ve come across on this machine is okay-ish speakers. If you’re an audiophile, you should have your favorite headphones by your side for a premium user experience all around. Lastly, the keyboard and trackpad combo both work great, and we’re happy to report positive results here as well.
Check out the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 thoroughly reviewed and analyzed in this article here.
5. HP Elite c1030 Chromebook
HP Elite c1030 Chromebook
The HP Elite c1030 Chromebook is a device for enterprises, promising lightning-fast performance with high-end specifications and terrific build quality. HP is no small name when it comes to making the best Chrome OS laptops. The US-based manufacturer has dominated this industry with its array of admirable Chromebooks, 5 of which you can check out here. As for the Elite c1030, we’re looking at a dominant slug with a sizable footprint. If you’re all about portability, then that is something this unit can also offer, but not in spades.
It weighs about 2.87 pounds which isn’t a lot, so you’ll be out and about this machine without breaking a sweat. Businesses are often looking for something powerful and versatile in multiple terms, and this is where this Chromebook strikes the perfect balance. In summary, the c1030 comprises a build quality that’s worth every penny. Apart from all the flash and pizzazz, you’ll love the sleek all-aluminum frame with soft-touched finishing. It’s 15 mm thick at its thickest point and is also mil-spec rated so that durability will stay to-notch on this machine.
Moving on to the screen, the 13.5-inch Diagonal WUXGA+ (1920×1280) touchscreen display with a 3:2 tall aspect ratio. If that isn’t enough to have you convinced, the Elite c1030 comprises a convertible 2-in-1 design for multiple viewing modes, all the while offering you a display that’s as immersive as it gets. However, what takes the cake here is the performance of this unit. It packs powerful specifications that attribute to best-in-class performance. The base model of the c1030 consists of a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor with 8 GBs of RAM and a 128 GB NVMe hard drive for fast read and write speeds.
For those specifications, this regular consumer-grade version of the c1030 will set you back for somewhere around $1000, so do keep in mind that you’re not shooting for a budget-friendly Chromebook here. Another facet that makes the device stand out is the inclusion of special shortcut keys that improve usability like no other. There’s a separate key for taking screenshots, a privacy webcam toggle that turns the component on or off, and even keys for the keyboard’s backlighting. To top it off, there’s a fingerprint scanner as well for lightning-fast sign-ins and quick access to your Chromebook.
Check out our in-depth review of the HP Elite c1030 Chromebook for more information on its major pros and cons.
6. Acer Chromebook Spin 514 AMD 2021
Acer Chromebook Spin 514 AMD 2021
The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 AMD 2021 is another top-of-the-line Chromebook with a price tag that the masses can afford. You set yourself up for a bevy of pros with minor cons to worry about by purchasing this device. It’s priced at $479 as its MSRP, but you can grab the device for a bit cheaper now. From the overall build quality to the convertible form factor, there’s excellence throughout the Spin 514 AMD 2021. The manufacturer decided to target the educations sector with this Chromebook, which already recognizes Chrome OS as a masterful piece of tech.
Therefore, it goes without saying how kids can roughen up devices and treat them harshly day in day out. To accommodate this, the Spin 514 AMD 2021 comes branded with military-grade durability (MIL-STD 810H). The all-aluminum chassis has been slapped on with multiple layers of protection, so drops, bumps, and other knocks that little ones can almost always make their devices go through are absorbed effortlessly by the unit. Therefore, this is another compelling reason for the Spin 514 AMD 2021 that makes us recommend it without thinking twice.
When it boils down to performance, the AMD-made Ryzen 3000C processor steals the spotlight. The device incorporates a 7-nanometer chipset inside, making the affair more workable by shortening the distance that the signals have to travel within the CPU. As a result, lesser power is taken up, and the dissipation of heat becomes minimal. All these actions lead to enhanced battery life and better performance, thus the reason AMD is so famed. As far as the GPU is concerned, the Spin 514 uses the AMD Radeon Vega Mobile Graphics. The latter makes Play Store games and applications run like a passionate dream, if not something else.
Check out the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 AMD 2021 review article for more information.
7. Acer Chromebook 714
Acer Chromebook 714
The Acer Chromebook 714 is not to be confused with the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. This is a more expensive affair that will set you back for somewhere around $724 if bought directly from Amazon at the moment. Performance-wise, this machine leaves no stone unturned and not a single user unsatisfied. The 8th Gen Intel Core i3 8130U CPU makes sure that no amount of concurrently opened Play Store and Linux applications will slow the device. People have tried running different operating systems on this machine, and desirable results were achieved.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 are two of the most popular operating systems in the world right now, and you can run both of them on the Acer Chromebook 714. While you do that, you’ll find it hard to ignore what the display quality has going for itself. With a 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS display, you can watch movies and stream television shows in all the 714’s great glory and stay impressed for the years to come. This brings us to the AUE date of this Chromebook, and we have nothing but good news to share with you.
The Acer Chromebook 714’s Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date is slated for June 2025, so you’ve got four more years of official ownership with this machine. Even after that, to talk on a serious note, you’ve got a swath of things to do. Of course, we’ve covered all of that in our “What to do with a Chromebook’s end of life,” so do check that out for a detailed guide. Other than that, the unit weighs about 1.6 kgs, so you won’t see this as much of a drag as it appears. However, for people looking for a device that’s more suited to an on-the-go lifestyle, you’re probably going to want the Lenovo Chromebook Duet more.
Other than that downside of the 714, you can expect excellent battery life that stretches up to 12 hours on a single full charge from the 714. It’s got an excellent big trackpad to help you navigate around, and the keyboard is also fairly decent, although nowhere near the level of the Acer Chromebook 713. What you will admire on the flip side is the 714’s built-in fingerprint scanner located on the keyboard deck right below the “Down” key. The convenient placement of this feature paves the way for a quick sign-in.
Please read our full review of the Acer Chromebook 714 for more information regarding the device’s pros and cons.
8. Google Pixelbook Go
Google Pixelbook Go
The Google Pixelbook Go is one of the best Chromebooks ever made, and we didn’t just say that without a slew of reasons behind it. From the quality of the speakers to the level of the keyboard and performance, the unit in question is superb in most facets an end-user is looking for. This device is the fiercest rival of the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, but the latter sprints in just ahead due to its unreal value proposition.
However, with all competitions aside for a minute, the Pixelbook Go is a lightweight unit that weighs a little over 2 pounds. It’s incredibly thin as well, measuring about 13.4 mm dimensionally and leaving behind a fantastic first impression. You’ll also observe a rounded outline on the chassis. This means there are no square or pointy corners, and the whole machine is just so well-made.
Moreover, the body of the Chromebook is covered with “finely painted magnesium,” as the manufacturer has claimed it. What this does is allow the Pixelbook Go a stellar matte finish for some extra dashing looks. Furthermore, there’s the minimalistic Google logo on the upper lid.
That said, we would like to call out the bezels on the Google Pixelbook Go, for they are pretty substantial from the top and the sides. We live in a nano-edge world with nano-edge laptop screens, but there’s no school like the old school, so worth it if you couldn’t care less about the bezels. Check out our in-depth review of the Google Pixelbook Go.
9. Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook
Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook
The Lenovo Flex 5 is yet another example of a Chromebook living up to the actual name of Chrome OS. This brilliantly versatile machine not only packs all the flash specs-wise but is also blessed with a brilliant screen and sturdy build quality. Of course, you won’t find the design to turn any heads for you, but there are many other areas where the Flex 5 excels. To talk about one, it has got a terrific backlit keyboard with admirable key travel and just the right amount of clickiness.
Other than that, you’ll get phenomenal performance out of this machine, and this is a guarantee. The Lenovo Flex 5 comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor with 4 GBs of RAM and 64 GB eMMC hard drive storage. What’s more is the mesmerizing keyboard and the trackpad combo that outperforms other devices in the same price bracket as this Chromebook, which is now shockingly $300 if bought directly from Amazon. Read more about this fantastic, high-performance machine in our in-depth review article here.
10. Lenovo Chromebook Duet
Lenovo Chromebook Duet
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is the best budget-friendly Chrome OS machine out and about right now — we’ll be downright straightforward with you. Its MSRP was fixed at $250 when it first launched, but the unit can now be bought on Amazon for as low as $218, which is an exceedingly deserving price. The Duet pushes out performance that you will not believe your eyes in terms of value for money. You don’t get a lot of quality in this price bracket, but the Duet is out there redefining what a budget-friendly device stands for.
Right off the bat, the Chromebook Duet comes with a great design. It’s got a detachable keyboard that paves the way for ultimate portability. As a whole unit, the Duet weighs a bit over 2 pounds, but when the keyboard is removed, the tablet’s weight is even lesser than 1 pound. For movie streaming and everything of the like, the Duet can have you experiencing Chrome OS to its very best with unmatched flexibility. Read more about the Duet and some of its major pros and cons in our review article here.
Conclusion
Chromebooks are getting better and better as time takes its toll on the world. The minimalistic yet highly effective operating system that these slick machines sport also tends to be constantly updated by the developer, so it never lets its users down. Manufacturers are hard at work to make the best Chromebooks and push this industry forward like never before. In doing so, a wide variety of units are coming out each year, having a specialty in one area and sometimes more than one too.
For instance, you’ve now got Chromebooks with the best displays, and in this article, we’ve jotted down Chromebooks for best performance. The future looks quite radiant for Chrome OS if the top-ranking Chromebook manufacturers keep up a similar pace. So do comment down below if you manage to get a new device that’s on this list. Chrome Ready wishes you a happy shopping!
- In case you weren’t aware, you can now file taxes on a Chromebook.
