If you like Chrome OS, a Chromebook is an excellent choice for your home office computer. But with so many different Chromebooks out there choosing which one to buy can be overwhelming.
Don’t worry, you’re in the right place, in this article, I’m going to walk you through all the different options out there and what to look out for when you’re shopping for a new Chromebook.
Table of Contents
What Is A Chromebook
A Chromebook is a computer that runs on a different lightweight operating system called Chrome OS instead of running on Microsoft Windows.
It’s very simple and easy to use, you don’t have to worry about installing updates or security software, and best of all, it is able to run efficiently on cheaper devices.
But there is a catch, on a Chromebook, you can’t install any traditional apps like Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop. It comes with the Google Chrome web browser pre-installed so you can use things like Google Docs, Gmail, and anything else that can be done online.
And more recently, they added the ability to install Android apps that you would normally use on an Android smartphone which makes them a bit more useful.
You can also install Linux apps on modern Chromebooks but I won’t get into that as it’s quite techy.
Another fairly important thing about Chromebooks is that they are designed for storing all your files on the cloud. Of course, you can store some files on your Chromebook if you want, and some Chromebooks these days even have enough storage space to store all you file on them.
But you’re really supposed to store everything on Google Drive. Fortunately, the files app is very well integrated with Google Drive so as long as you’re connected to an internet connection, you can store your files on Google Drive without even noticing they’re not on your Chromebook.
You might be thinking that you couldn’t live without certain Windows applications, and if that’s the case, you’ll probably be better off reading my article on the best Windows laptop for your home office.
But a lot of people have started using Chrome OS due to it being so secure, easy to use, and able to run on less powerful devices without being slow.
And while Chromebooks were originally cheap, less powerful devices, you can now also get some very premium and powerful Chromebooks.
But if I was going to explain to you all the details of Chrome OS, this article would be ridiculously long, so if you want to know more about Chrome OS, have a look at this article from Android Authority.
What To Look For When Buying A Chromebook
When choosing a Chromebook for your home office, some of the main things you’ll want to look out for are, CPU, RAM, and Price.
Other features such as a high-resolution screen or backlit keyboard can be cool and make using your Chromebook more enjoyable, but you should mainly focus on these three things before you worry about anything else.
CPU – The CPU or “processor” is the chip in your Chromebook that does all the work, you should make sure you get one with a fast enough CPU, or your Chromebook will be slow and frustrating to use.
RAM – The RAM is where your Chromebook will store everything that’s currently open. That means the more RAM your Chromebook has, the more Google Chrome tabs and other apps you can have open at once.
As Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system, most people will be able to get by with 4GB of RAM, but 8 GB will be more practical and allow you to have heaps of tabs and apps open. And if you want to have even more things open simultaneously, you might want to consider 16GB.
Price – Price is always something you’ll want to consider when purchasing a new piece of tech. If you focus too much on price, you’ll likely end up with a slow frustrating device that’s horrible to use.
But at the same time, you don’t always need to spend thousands of dollars to get a good Chromebook. That’s why, in the list below, I’ve included some budget-friendly options that are also still enjoyable to use.
Best Chromebooks For Home Office
Image | Name | CPU (Processor) | RAM | Storage | Buy On Amazon |
 | HP x360 | 10th Gen Intel Core i3-10110U | 8 GB | 64 GB | |
 | Lenovo Flex 5 Best Budget Chromebook | 10th Gen | 4 GB | 64 GB | |
 | Google Pixelbook Go | 8th Gen Intel Core i5 | 16 GB | 128 GB | |
 | Lenovo C340 Best Large Screen Chromebook | 8th Gen Intel Core i3-8130U | 4 GB | 64 GB | |
 | Lenovo Flex 7i Best Premium Chromebook | Intel i7-1255U 10-Core | 16 GB | 512 GB or 1 GB or 2 GB |
The Good
- Nice Sturdy Build Quality
- Can Fold Into A Tablet
- Great Backlit Keyboard
- Fingerprint Scanner For Easy Unlocking
The Bad
- Screen Is A Little Bit Dim
The HP x360 is a really nice Chromebook. It’s not the cheapest on this list, but it still has a very reasonable price tag while still being a very premium Chromebook.
It has a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 CPU which is a very fast processor for a Chromebook. It will effortlessly breeze through any day to day tasks like web browsing, email, Google Docs, and anything else you would want to do on a Chromebook.
With 8GB of Ram, you’ll be able to have plenty of Chrome tabs and other apps all open at the same time without running into any issues.
The quality look and feel of this Chromebook really make it feel like a premium device. It has a very sturdy construction, a nice backlit keyboard that is a pleasure to type on, a nice quality trackpad, and even a fingerprint scanner so you can unlock it with ease.
For ports, it has a very similar layout to most Chromebooks, it has:
- 2 USB – C ports (which are good for connecting a USB – C hub)
- 1 USB – A port (normal USB port)
- A Headphone/Microphone port
- And a micro SD card slot
It doesn’t have a lot of storage, with 64GB you’ll have plenty of room for all your apps but you probably won’t be able to store all your files. But this isn’t a big deal because Chromebooks are really designed to store everything in the cloud.
The screen is, unfortunately, a little bit dim which is something you’ll want to keep in mind if you work in a bright environment. If you turn the brightness up all the way to the max it will still look perfectly fine and be easy to see but it’s not quite as bright as some of the others on this list.
So overall this is a great device and if you’re looking for a premium feeling Chromebook for a mid-range price, this is probably the one for you.
Want to Buy The HP x360?
The Good
- Cheapest On This List
- Good Performance For The Price
- Nice Keyboard
- Can Be Folded Into A Tablet
The Bad
- Only 4GB Of RAM
The Lenovo Flex 5 is the cheapest Chromebook on this list, you get everything you need for a good Chromebook experience for a very reasonable price.
The CPU is an Intel 10th Gen Core i3 which is the same as the more expensive HP x360. So it will easily breeze through any day to day tasks that you can do on a Chromebook.
It only has 4GB of RAM which is not great, but thanks to the lightweight nature of Chrome OS, you’ll still be able to have a good amount of Chrome tabs and other apps open simultaneously without any issues.
The build quality is pretty good. It doesn’t look or feel as premium as some other more expensive devices like the HP x360, but it still has a sturdy construction and a pretty nice backlit keyboard.
Like the HP x360, it only has 64GB of internal storage. You’ll still have plenty of room for all your apps, but you probably won’t be able to store all your files on the device. But as I mentioned above, this isn’t a big deal as Chrome OS is really designed to store all your files on the cloud.
The ports are similar to most Chromebooks, it has:
- 2 USB – C ports (which are good for connecting a USB – C hub)
- 1 regular USB port (USB – A)
- A Headphone/Microphone jack
- And a micro SD card slot
So overall, this is a great dependable Chromebook with no significant floors, and if you’re looking for a device that won’t break the bank, this is the one for you.
Want to Buy The Lenovo Flex 5?
The Good
- Nice Google Looking Design
- Great Speakers
- Nice Quiet Backlit Keyboard
The Bad
- Limited Port Selection
- A Little Bit Pricey
The Pixelbook Go is a Chromebook that’s actually made by Google themselves. It’s a bit more expensive than some of the others on this list, but it’s a really well-made device with decent performance so it might be the one for you.
It has several different choices to choose from as far as what CPU, Ram, and storage you get.
Option 1 – The first option gives you an 8th Gen intel core M3 CPU (which is not quite as fast as the others on this list), 8GB of Ram (which is a good amount of Ram), and 64GB of storage (which is fairly standard for a Chromebook).
Option 2 – The second configuration gives you an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU (which is great for a Chromebook), 8GB of RAM (which is a good amount of RAM), and 128GB of storage (which means you could probably store most of your files on the device if you wanted to).
Option 3 – The third option is pretty much the same as option two (see above), but the only difference is that you get 16GB of RAM instead of 8GB. That is a huge amount of RAM for a Chromebook.
Option 4 – The fourth and final option is only for people who want extreme performance from their Chromebook. It has an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU (which is extremely fast even if it was a Windows computer), 16GB of RAM (which is heaps of RAM for a Chromebook), and 256GB of storage (which means you could possibly store all your files on the device if you wanted to).
But aside from the specifications, this Chromebook has a really unique look and feel to it that makes it very much feel like a Google-made product.
The backlit keyboard is very enjoyable to type on and the keys are nice and quiet so you won’t disturb anyone around you. This is great if you are sharing your home office with someone else.
The built in speakers are probably the best speakers in any Chromebook, obviously, they don’t sound as good as a full-size BlueTooth speaker, but as far as laptop speakers go, they sound excellent.
The only minor downside would be the lack of a regular USB port (USB – A port), all it has is a USB – C port on each side, and a Headphone/Microphone port.
This seems to be a common thing among premium devices like the latest Macbook Pro and Dell XPS 15, so it’s not uncommon and you can still easily connect any USB device to it with a USB – C hub or USB – C to USB – A adapter, but it is a little bit inconvenient.
So overall, this is a really nice Chromebook and if you don’t mind spending a bit more for a really nice user experience, this is probably the one for you.
Want to Buy The Google Pixelbook Go?
The Good
- Large 15.6 Inch Screen
- Numeric Keypad
- Reasonable Price
- Can Fold Into A Tablet
The Bad
- Speakers Aren't Very Good
- Only 4GB Of RAM
If you’re looking for a Chromebook with a large screen and a numeric keypad, this is the one for you.
Strangely, there aren’t many Chromebooks with large screens to choose from, I’m not really sure why, but that’s just the way it is. But if you want a Chromebook with a big screen, or you would really like to have a numeric keypad, this one is by far the best.
It has a nice big 15 .6 inch full HD screen to work with. Keep in mind that screens are measured diagonally. So this Chromebook has a screen that is 15.6 inches from the top left-hand corner, to the bottom right corner.
The price is fairly reasonable (similar to the HP x360), but the performance of the Lenovo C340 is not going to be quite as good so you will be sacrificing for that bigger screen.
The CPU is an 8th Gen Intel Core i3-8130U which is not as fast as most of the Chromebooks on this list. But due to the lightweight nature of Chrome OS, it will still breeze through any day to day tasks that you would do on a Chromebook.
It’s a similar story with the RAM, it has 4GB which is not a lot, but as Chrome OS doesn’t need much RAM, you will still be able to have a good amount of Chrome tabs and other apps open without experiencing any issues.
It has a fairly sturdy build quality. And quite a nice backlit keyboard with the helpful addition on a numeric keypad which can be very helpful especially if you work requires a lot of numbers or spreadsheets.
The ports are similar to most Chromebooks, it has:
- 2 USB – C ports (which is good for connecting a USB – C hub)
- 1 regular USB port (USB – A)
- A Headphone/Microphone jack
- And a micro SD card slot
The only little complaint about this Chromebook would be that the speakers don’t sound very good, they’re fine if you need to listen to a video call or something. But if you want to watch a movie or listen to music on your Chromebook, you’ll probably want to connect a Bluetooth speaker or wear a pair of headphones.
So overall, it’s a nice reliable Chromebook for a reasonable price. It’s not going to win any awards for performance, but if you want a large screen Chromebook, this is a great option.
Want to Buy The Lenovo C340?
The Good
- High-Performance Hardware
- Stunning Display
- All-day Battery Life
- Versatile 2-in-1 Design
The Bad
- Price Point: On the higher end of the Chromebook market.
Last but most definitely not least on our list is the Lenovo Flip C436.
I’ve named this the best premium Chromebook because it is quite expensive as far as Chromebooks go, but it has a very premium look and feel, and it’s a very powerful device.
Equipped with Intel’s latest processors, the Flex 7i delivers swift and smooth performance for all your computing needs.
The display is a standout feature, with its crisp resolution and vibrant colors making every interaction enjoyable. Its 2-in-1 design is not just a gimmick but a genuinely useful feature that adapts to your needs, transforming from a productivity powerhouse to a portable entertainment device in seconds.
Moreover, the premium build quality of the Flex 7i is evident in its sleek, aluminum chassis, providing a sense of luxury and durability that’s rare in the Chromebook market. The battery life further complements its portable design, ensuring that you remain productive and entertained without constant worry about the next charge. Additionally, the advanced connectivity options make it a versatile tool for both work and leisure, allowing for easy integration into any tech ecosystem.
On the downside, as a premium device, it comes with a higher cost compared to standard Chromebooks.
So overall, it’s a very nice and powerful laptop and as long as you don’t mind the price, it could be the one for you.
Want to Buy The Lenovo Flex 7i ?
So there you have it, that’s my list of the best Chromebooks for your home office.
I made sure I included a variety of different kinds so whether you want one that’s affordable, mid-range, premium, or equipped with a large screen, hopefully, you were able to find a good one for you.
Now that you’ve chosen your laptop, you might want to get a full-size mouse to go with it. Or, seeing as all these Chromebooks have a USB – C port, you might like a USB – C hub to easily connect all your accessories.
If you want to find out how to create the best computer setup for your home office, click here to read my full guide on creating the best work from home computer setup.
