It’s almost considered a rite of passage to have your own laptop when you go to college. If you’re looking for the best Chromebooks for college students, then you’ve come to the right place!
Today, we’re going to discuss whether Chromebooks are good enough to be used in schools or universities and which ones are worth purchasing.
Spoiler alert: They are!
For a more detailed answer as to why Chromebooks today are good enough, then be sure to read more information down below. Let’s get into it, shall we?
What makes Chromebooks great for college students?
Not everyone has the money to splurge on an Apple MacBook Air. Your second-best bet is going for a Chromebook. Why? Because it has everything you will need to strive in college. Here are some of the reasons to consider Chromebooks:
Lightweight
Lightweight by design. The best Chromebooks for college students only weigh less than 2.5lbs, while the really thin ones are barely 2lbs. If you’re the type of student who carries your work wherever you go, you will appreciate the thoughtful design regardless of the price point.
Durable
Since Chromebooks are stripped-down laptops, it’s safe to say that most of these devices do not come with moving parts (like HDD) that can degrade over time. However, if you want maximum protection, we highly recommend buying a hard-shell case for your laptop.
Decent Computing Power
Chromebooks have decent processing power as long as you’re not doing any major workloads such as graphic rendering and animations, as well as heavy video editing. For everything else, these devices can handle them easily.
All-Day Battery
One of the biggest selling points of Apple laptops, in general, is the battery life. Fortunately for you, you don’t have to spend a thousand bucks for decent battery life. The best Chromebooks for college students have an all-day battery to keep you going.
Also see: Does a Chromebook need antivirus software?
Chromebook for College Students Roundup
Now that you have an idea of what factors we look for in Chromebooks for college use, it’s time to talk about your options. In this section, we will cover student laptops at different price points to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
Here are your options for 2022:
HP Chromebook 18J38UA– Entry-Level Champion
About HP Chromebook 18J38UA
HP’s Chromebook 18J38UA is a good entry-level Chromebook with decent specs. It is equipped with a MediaTek mobile processor that is paired with an ultra-fast DDR4 SDRAM, and 32GB of storage – perfect for students who need to do day-to-day tasks without any performance issues.
The Good
- Powered by MediaTek MT8183 Processor
- Runs with LPDDR4x SDRAM
- Decent audio output
The Bad
- 32GB storage
- 1366 x 768 screen resolution
- 4GB RAM may not be suitable for heavy multitasking
The Verdict
For 200 bucks, you can’t complain about what the HP Chromebook 18J38UA has to offer. It has good I/O ports, it is powered by a mobile processor for longer battery life, and it can do pretty much anything an entry-level Windows laptop can do at a fraction of the price.
Just be sure to set your expectations when you decide to purchase one of the best Chromebooks for college students under 300 bucks. This laptop doesn’t have the sharpest display, it doesn’t have a lot of storage, and its RAM may not be suitable for heavy multitasking.
ASUS C423 Chromebook – Ultimate Budget-Oriented Business Student Laptop
About ASUS C423Chromebook
The ASUS C423 Chromebook is a highly recommended budget-oriented option for students because of its decent specs and great I/O ports. Powered by Intel Celeron, 4GB DDR4 RAM, and 32GB of built-in storage, it is also one of the cheapest laptops that comes with USB-C support.
The Good
- Bundled with free 32GB SD Card for extra storage
- Powered by Intel Celeron N3350
- Powered by LPDDR4x SDRAM
The Bad
- 1366 x 768 resolution on a 14-inch display
- Weighs over 2.7lbs
- 4GB RAM may not be suitable for heavy multitasking
The Verdict
If a Chromebook is certified for office use, then it’s usually a good sign that it’s one of the best Chromebooks for college students. For only $259, you will get an Intel-powered laptop with quality specs. Sure, the 32GB built-in storage may not be enticing enough to attract buyers, but it is more than capable if you’re okay with using cloud storage.
We’re not excited about the 1366 x 768 (HD) resolution on a 14-inch display, as you can see the pixels if you look carefully enough. At the end of the day, it’s all about getting your tasks done, and this Chromebook is more than capable of getting the job done.
Acer Chromebook 315 – Versatile Laptop below 300 USD
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About Acer Chromebook 315
The Acer Chromebook 315 is one of the best Chromebooks for college students – especially if you’re looking to buy one under 300 bucks. For $288, you will get an Intel N4000 processor, 12-hour battery life, and multiple I/O ports (including USB-C). It also comes with 4GB DDR4 SDRAM and 32GB of fast storage.
The Good
- Powered by Intel Celeron N4000 processor
- USB-C I/O ports
- 12-Hour Battery Life
The Bad
- 1366 x 768 resolution on a 15.6-inch display
- Weighs around 4.19lbs
- 32GB built-in flash storage
The Verdict
The Acer Chromebook 315 is a decent choice for students as long as they wouldn’t mind the extra weight. It comes with USB-C connectivity all-day battery with more-than-decent processing power thanks to Intel’s Celeron N4000 series. It also comes with a 4GB DDR4 SDRAM.
While the 1366 x 768 resolution on a 15.6-inch display may look like hot garbage for some, if you’re okay with a bigger display while sacrificing sharpness and clarity, then you won’t go wrong with the Acer Chromebook 315.
Also see: Looking for the best Chromebook under $300?
Acer – Chromebook Spin 713 2-in-1 13.5″ – A versatile Chromebook for creative students
About Acer – Chromebook Spin 713
The Acer – Chromebook Spin 713 is one of the best Chromebooks for college students because of its form-factor and versatility. If you’re looking for mid-range specs on a budget, then you’ll love what this device can do.
The Good
- 13.5 Display
- Durable glass display
The Bad
- 7-8 hours battery life
- Some heat issues
The Verdict
The Acer – Chromebook Spin 713 is one of the most versatile laptops you can get. It has mid-range specs thanks to the 4.2 GHz core i5 processor.
What sets this Chromebook apart from the ones listed above is the quality of the touchscreen. If you’re aspiring to get creative with your hands soon, then the Acer – Chromebook Spin 713 is the one you should get.
Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook – A No-Compromise 2-in-1 Laptop
About the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook
The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook is our no-compromise champion. It’s the only laptop featured on our list that has flagship specs: i3 processor, 64GB SSD, Full HD display, and multiple I/O ports – all for below $400! This is arguably the best Chromebook you can get for college students.
The Good
- Powered by Intel Core i3 10th Generation
- 64GB SSD
- Full HD Display (1920 x 1080)
The Bad
- Weighs almost 3lbs (2.97lbs)
- 4GB DDR4 SDRAM may affect multitasking performance
- Some users complain about hinge durability
The Verdict
The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook is our most recommended Chromebook for students and professionals alike because of its specs, performance, and overall value. For less than 400 bucks, you will get yesteryear’s flagship specs at a very competitive price point.
One thing to note is the durability of the hinges, especially if you’re planning to use Tablet mode more often. Just be sure to take extra care when flipping the display as they are very thin and prone to breaking.
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In Closing
Congratulations! Now you have more options to consider when selecting the best Chromebooks for college students. We hope that this guide was able to nudge you in the right direction whenever you’re ready to buy, regardless of your price point.
Be sure to check out our roundup of printers compatible with Chromebooks to complete your setup.
Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
