Chromebook

More than a decade since the first low-powered but fuss-free, easy-to-use, inexpensive laptops running Chrome OS were launched, Google has now announced the Chromebook Plus program – a new performance-focused category with built-in AI.

Back in early 2021, a Californian startup launched a 13.5-inch laptop designed for easy upgrade and repair by the user. The Framework Laptop has since been updated, and now the company has expanded the idea into Chromebook territory.

Consumer electronics giant Acer has released a new Chromebook that could have you turning a little green – not with envy, but in an eco-friendly sense. The Vero 514 makes use of recycled and recyclable materials, while also embracing repairability.

AMD has announced new Ryzen 5000 C-Series processors for Chromebooks, and one of the first companies to make use of the improved performance on offer is Acer with its 2022 Chromebook Spin 514 2-in-1 convertible.

Though Chromebooks can carry low price tags, they can also lack the kind of performance grunt needed by mobile professionals. Asus has launched the CX9 to give "the cloud-first workforce the ability to maximize productivity from anywhere."

Consumer electronics giant Acer was one of the first to release a laptop based on Google's Chrome operating system, which was aimed at people who work, learn and play online. Now the company is first out of the Chromebook gate with a 17-inch model.

For folks who work and play online, Chromebooks generally offer pretty good bang for buck. While most come in laptop form, the Chromebook Detachable CM3 from Asus offers a laptop, digital sketchpad and a tablet experience in one device.

Google has partnered with Parallels to bring Windows to enterprise Chromebooks, meaning business users can now run full-featured Windows apps – including Microsoft Office – and Chrome apps simultaneously.

If you spend much of your time working or studying online, Chromebooks are generally a cheap and hassle-free way to do so. There are pricey models too of course, including Google's Pixelbook and now Acer's Spin 713.

Since it made its debut at the end of 2017, the Google Pixelbook has generally been considered the high-end Chromebook to beat – but that might have just changed with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook at CES 2020.

Samsung has released the Chromebook 4 and Chromebook 4+, bringing another way to interact with the inexpensive laptops courtesy of Google Assistant.

Asus has announced three new Chromebooks that has been ruggedized for students and its first Chrome OS tablet. The Education Series is made up of two 11.6 inch Chromebooks – one a clamshell laptop and the other a convertible – and a 14 inch version, together with a toughened up 9.7 inch tablet.