Best Chromebooks for Back-to-School: Affordable Options and Sales

Head back to school with one of the best ChromeOS laptops in 2024

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. If you're headed back to school and need a new laptop, but you're on a budget, a pricey Windows laptop or Apple MacBook may not be for you. But you have an alternative: a Chromebook or Chromebook Plus. They rely on cloud applications and storage. This makes them considerably less expensive, but they can still handle most of the same tasks as any other laptop. And there's power in some of these models, too. The new Chromebook Plus laptops offer more robust functionality and the latest Google AI bells and whistles, not to mention Google apps preinstalled. A Chromebook Plus also runs all of the Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 apps, along with thousands of other apps. They have a battery life of at least 10 hours, and come with more RAM and internal storage. These laptops also boot up in seconds. So, for a student, our in-house tech experts highly recommend a Chromebook Plus from a company like Acer, Asus, HP or Lenovo. Pro Tip: You'll have the best experience using a Chromebook or Chromebook Plus if it has continuous Wi-Fi internet access. To learn more about what a Chromebook Plus can do, check out our 2024 Chromebook Plus buyer's guide. Some models have a traditional laptop design. Others feature a 2-in-1 design, so you can also use it as a tablet to hand write or draw on the screen using a stylus. Pro Tip: S basic Chromebook is fine for elementary and middle-school students, a Chromebook Plus will better serve high-school and college students. Design: Traditional laptop | Processor: Intel Core i3-1215U | CPU speed: Up to 4.4 GHz | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Weight: 3.17 pounds | Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.44 x 0.74 inches | Display size: 14" inches | Display type: Full HD NanoEdge | Display resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 pixels | Display refresh rate: 60Hz | Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6 | Battery life: Up to 10 hours The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a well-rounded laptop that's ready to help students in the classroom, at the library or at home -- anywhere with high-speed Wi-Fi. This laptop comes preinstalled with a nice selection of Google apps and services, so it's ready to tackle tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, digital slide presentations, web surfing, email and video streaming. You can use any of the Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 apps, along with any other cloud applications, plus run most Android apps available from the Google Play Store. And as a Chromebook Plus, the CX34 offers the latest Google AI functionality, including access to Google Gemini, which can help you compose text, brainstorm ideas, summarize documents and recordings, and much more. We like that this laptop is pretty compact and lightweight. It also offers up to a 10-hour battery life, so it'll keep running throughout the school day and well into the evening. When you're done studying, this Chromebook does a great job streaming video, including TV shows, movies and YouTube videos, as well as music from any of the popular streaming services. It can also run Android or online games from Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia GeForce Now. The 256GB internal storage is adequate, since most content will be stored in the cloud. This storage allows you to handle some tasks offline, like word processing, and store data locally until the laptop reestablishes an internet connection. Design: Traditional laptop | Processor: Intel Celeron N4500 | CPU speed: Up to 2.8 GHz | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Weight: 3.53 pounds | Dimensions: 14.42 x 9.61 x 0.79 inches | Display size: 15.6 inches | Display type: LCD | Display resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 pixels | Display refresh rate: 60Hz | Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 | Battery life: Up to 10 hours There are still plenty of plain Chromebooks that are extremely affordable, with prices under $200 -- like this Chromebook 315 from Acer. I gives you access to cloud applications, as well as Google apps and service, and most Android apps. However, it lacks most Google AI functions. You also get very limited internal storage. We like the 15.6-inch display, since it gives you plenty of on-screen real estate to view your work, whether you're word processing, crunching numbers, or streaming video content. This is a great starter laptop for elementary and middle school students who have access to Wi-Fi and who need a convenient multimedia companion for in-classroom and remote learning, but who also want a versatile entertainment device. Priced under $180, this Chromebook offers a great value. Design: 2-in-1 | Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U | CPU speed: 3.30 GHz | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Weight: 3.57 pounds | Dimensions: 12.4 x 9 x 0.8 inches | Display size: 14 inches | Display type: WUXGA Touchscreen | Display resolution: 1,920 x 1,200 pixels | Display refresh rate: 60Hz | Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6E | Battery life: Up to 10 hours The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (7th Generation) is a handy 2-in-1 device. It can be used as either a tablet or traditional laptop. The display is on a 360-degree hinge, so you can adjust it to any angle. Plus, there's an optional stylus available. It allows you to handwrite, draw or annotate files directly on the screen. As a Chromebook Plus, the IdeaPad Flex 5i offers all of the latest Google AI and Google Gemini tools, plus it runs many Adobe apps. So the laptop is ideal for schoolwork and online learning, as well as more creative endeavors, like photo and video editing. The display offers 1080p resolution, so graphics and video look great. And as with all Chromebooks, this one has a webcam, plus built in speakers and microphones, so its ideal for online classes and video calling, too. The AI tools are integrated into the ChromeOS operating system, and the Google apps that come preinstalled on the laptop. So, right out of the box, it's ready to handle everything from word processing and web surfing, to email, video streaming and more. You also get the online security and privacy tools that are now integrated into ChromeOS and the Chromebook Plus hardware, as well as the Chrome web browser. Yes, to get the most out of this Chromebook Plus, a continuous internet connection is required. However, for around $500, it offers the functionality, up to 10-hour battery life, processing power and overall performance that every student can benefit from -- all for half the price of the least expensive Apple MacBook Air. Design: Traditional laptop | Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7320C | CPU speed: 2.4 GHz | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Dimensions: 12.56 x 8.94 x 0.78 inches | Display size: 14 inches | Display type: WUXGA touchscreen | Display resolution: 1,920 x 1,200 pixels | Display refresh rate: 60Hz | Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth | Battery life: Up to 12 hours When you compare the latest Chromebook Plus models, you'll see a lot of similarities, but a few differences in hardware configuration. Some use an Intel processor, while others (like this Chromebook Plus 514 from Acer) run using an AMD Ryzen processor. Regardless of which processor is used, if it's a Chromebook Plus, it meets the core standards set by Google. This means is it ready to handle all of the tasks these devices were designed for -- and just about any task a student will need. You get the latest Google AI and Google Gemini features, so the laptop can help you compose and edit text, transcribe and summarize recordings of classes and lectures, summarize long documents, solve complex math equations, help you brainstorm ideas and so much more. The laptop's 14-inch display gives you ample workspace, while the up to 12 hour battery life is a bit better than when you get from many other Chromebook Plus models. And the 128GB of internal storage is enough to supplement the cloud storage you'll typically be using in conjunction with this laptop. So, even if you're offline for a bit, you can still run many apps and locally store your work until a Wi-Fi connection is reestablished. And yes, this laptop also supports online gaming, streaming music and video, and more. We also like that if you need to edit photos or videos, beyond the tools offered by Google Photos, you can also run Adobe apps, like Photoshop. Design: 2-in-1 | Processor: Intel Core i3-N305 | CPU speed: 3.8 GHz | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Weight: 3.32 pounds | Dimensions: 12.72 x 8.28 x 0.81 inches | Display size: 14 inches | Display type: FHD touchscreen | Display resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 pixels | Display refresh rate: 60Hz | Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: Up to 12 hours The HP Chromebook Plus x360 is a 2-in-1 device that can be used as a laptop or tablet. You get up to 12 hours of battery life, optional stylus support, and a nice selection of preinstalled apps. Of course, as a Chromebook Plus, it delivers the latest Google AI features, plus access to just about any cloud application, Google applications, Microsoft 365 applications and most Android apps. From the classroom, to remote study lessons, online learning and online gaming, the Chromebook Plus X360 can stream video at up to 1080p or display graphics and animations at up to 720p. And like all Chromebook Plus laptops, you never have to worry about apps becoming out of date, because cloud applications are automatically updated, so you always have access to the latest features and functions, from the second you turn on the laptop and take advantage of its almost instantaneous boot up. In addition to multitasking, you can have up to 300 web browser tabs open at once, yet you won't notice any slowdown in performance. This laptop is equipped with two, up-firing stereo speakers, so even without using Bluetooth headphones or earbuds, you can expect high-quality and clear audio. Between the angle adjustability of the touchscreen display, 2-in-1 functionality, stylus support, AI integration, and access to a wide range of cloud applications (for content creation, photo and video editing, graphic design work and more), this Chromebook Plus will help you explore your creative side, as well as help you efficiently handle all of your academic pursuits and everyday computing tasks. But the latest gaming Chromebooks -- like this Asus Chromebook Vibe X34 Flip -- are a nice alternative. This one is supercharged with a better display (with a fast 144Hz refresh rate), which blows away other Chromebooks. It's also bundled with a customizable RGB backlit, anti-ghosting keyboard, and support for thousands of online games. For this, you'll pay under $800. A gaming Chromebook is designed mainly for online gaming; when you subscribe to one of these services, you get access to hundreds of popular games. And to store some of your game data locally, this Chromebook has a built in microSD memory card slot, along with 256GB of internal storage. For added control over your games, a wired or wireless gaming mouse, handheld controller and gaming headset can be connected to the laptop. You also can run all sorts of cloud applications, so this Chromebook can be used for schoolwork too. The 2-in-1 functionality, with its touchscreen and stylus support give you plenty of options. We also like that this Chromebook has dual stereo speakers co-designed by Harman/Kardon, so immersive audio will accompany your favorite games, even if you don't use Bluetooth headphones or wireless earbuds. While a Chromebook is not the ideal laptop solution for everyone -- particularly people who will be using their laptop without Wifi -- for many students, a Chromebook or Chromebook Plus is a great alternative to a low-cost laptop for these five reasons: Pro Tip: All Chromebooks also work seamlessly with other Google and Android devices, including smartphones, tablets, wireless earbuds, and smartwatches. Many computer companies, including Acer, HP and Lenovo, offer student discounts if you shop directly from their respective websites. But if you head over to Amazon, you'll sometimes find laptops and related gear on sale at prices that are even lower. Meanwhile, B&H Photo has its own student discount program that applies to a wide range of laptops and other tech gear.

Best Buy Back to School Sale -- Laptops, tablets, TVs, more | Digital Trends

If you're getting ready to return to a classroom (or have someone in your family that is) then you already know it is 'Back to School' season. While its a frustrating sign that summer is ending, it is also a great time to pick up some wonderful deals. Best Buy, for example, is having wonderful offers on laptops, tablets, small TVs and mini fridges for your dorm, and even Apple products to start Fall '24 off right. Tap the button below if you want to enter Best Buy's Back to School portal directly (it's oddly hard to find from the main site) or keep reading to find some of our top picks in the sale. Contents Dell Inspiron 15 Touch Screen Laptop -- $480, was $630Apple MacBook Air (M2) -- $799, was $999Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 -- $1,300, was $1,650Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro -- $110, was $190Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ -- $180, was $220Apple iPad 9 (Wi-Fi, 64GB) -- $250, was $330Insignia 24-inch Class F20 1080p Fire TV -- $90, was $110Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series 4K Fire TV -- $180, was $280TCL 43-inch Class Q6 4K QLED Google TV -- $300, was $350Keurig K-Mini Plus -- $74, was $110Insignia 2.6 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge -- $80, was $150Insignia Portable Ice Maker -- $100, was $126Show 7 more items Dell Inspiron 15 Touch Screen Laptop -- $480, was $630 This Dell laptop has all of the essentials you'll need for essay writing, data entry, YouTube tutorial viewing, and using basic software -- a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and a numpad. But, what it also has is a touchscreen, which is a pretty nice bonus on a laptop of this size. What it also means is that even in cramped desk spaces and lecture halls you'll be able to take advantage of the quick precision that we'd normally associated with a mouse. This is especially important due to the large, 15.6 inch screen that the laptop has. Overall, this is an affordable laptop that will serve you well where it counts for getting things done. Apple MacBook Air (M2) -- $799, was $999 If you want one of the best MacBook deals from the Best Buy sale, check out this deal on the M2 version of the MacBook Air. It has 8GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage space, and a 13.6 inch retina display with a 2560 x 1664p resolution. We like it for its thin chassis, the great performance of the M2 chip, and its delightful keyboard. Our Apple MacBook Air M2 review goes into details about the laptop's performance, its unique balance of chassis size and performance, and makes an overall compelling argument for it as the one of the best MacBooks you can buy. Separately, we compare the M3 and M2 MacBook Air for you. For many, the M2 is the better choice due to similar capabilities and a lower price. Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 -- $1,300, was $1,650 The Lenovo Yoga 9i is the best Lenovo laptop out there at the moment, in part because of the chance to get it with an OLED screen and in part because of the convenience of having that in the 2-in-1 laptop format. This version has a 14-inch 4K at 60Hz OLED screen with a 3840 x 2400p resolution. It's packed with an Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 1 processor and has 32GB of RAM and a full terabyte of storage space. Our Lenovo Yoga 9i review really only found one true flaw with the laptop, a shorter-than-expected battery life. However, we don't expect you to be in a outlet-free bubble for long enough on most campuses to really run into this as an issue. If you want a laptop that can double as a gorgeous tablet, this is the one for you. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro -- $110, was $190 There's an admitted focus on collegiate and high school back to school offerings when it comes to looking at tech. It's not unfounded, either, as the amount of computer-based work soars from the later high school years into college. But the grade schooler of 2024 can benefit from a tablet as well, like this Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro. It's designed for kids 6 to 12 and has robust parental controls and easily adjustable screen time limits. With it, your child can do basic web browsing for homework help or read eBooks, and (with your permission) take advantage of the one year of included Amazon Kids+ content, which features ad-free books, plus fun games and apps. This tablet has 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, though the storage is expandable. Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ -- $180, was $220 The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is an affordable tablet that takes care of all of the basics and provides a wonderful middle ground between the small screen of your phone and the larger computer screen. It's 11 inches from diagonal to diagonal and displays in 1920 x 1200p resolution at a smooth 90Hz. It can also be used, at least to some degree, as a multi-tasking tool as it can run multiple apps at the same time, though with 4GB of RAM one will need to be reasonable with their demands of it in this regard. Apple iPad 9 (Wi-Fi, 64GB) -- $250, was $330 This deal on the Apple iPad 9 is the best way to score an iPad for this fall, as it is the cheapest of the best back to school iPad deals. Part of this is because it isn't a member of the latest generation of iPads, but we really think that isn't so bad. For one, it's got a 2160 x 1620p resolution, a nice 10.2 inch screen, and 3GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. It's perfect for reading assignments, checking YouTube tutorials, and of course slacking off with some apps. As our Apple iPad 9 review mentions, this iPad is very similar to the ones that came before it in the base iPad line. In other words, you probably already know what to expect if you're a previous iPad user and just want an upgrade. Insignia 24-inch Class F20 1080p Fire TV -- $90, was $110 When you go to Best Buy, you can expect some good deals on Insignia stuff, as it is their in-house brand. And they've cooked up something great with this underrated small screen TV. Small TVs like this have a big problem -- they're usually only 720p. Even for the least picky among us, that's just too fuzzy. So, in addition to having a Fire TV operating system and an Alexa Voice Remote, where happy to report that this little screen can do it all in 1080p. This is our favorite of the many back to school TV deals going on right now for those heading off to a cramped dorm. Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series 4K Fire TV -- $180, was $280 Another Fire TV, but definitely bigger and better. The Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 pulls the resolution up to 4K and brings in some better features for the user that make it more than the average small TV. Here, get HDR10 for better color depth, AI upscaling to make even older content close to 4K quality, and features like the auto low latency gaming mode for reduced input lag while gaming. This TV is great for your if you want something that can increase picture quality somewhat, have something big enough to sit around with some pals, and still not break the bank. TCL 43-inch Class Q6 4K QLED Google TV -- $300, was $350 Another 43-inch, 4K TV, but this time with even better screen tech. This TV, considering its size and price, is probably one of the best QLED TVs for your dorm. QLED TVs are known for their brightness and, of the two big advanced TV types (OLED and QLED), being a bit on the cheaper side. Again, that's compared to other TVs with advanced screen tech. If you're shopping on a budget and have a small space but still want a great screen, be sure to check this deal out. Keurig K-Mini Plus -- $74, was $110 When mom and dad aren't around to ensure you'll get out of bed, you'll want to reach to a cup of coffee instead. This single-serve coffee maker uses convenient K-Cup Pods (not scoops of grounds) to make you a quick cup of coffee while you get ready for class. One nice thing about this coffee maker is you can choose to get between 6 and 12 ounces from each brew and there's a "Strong" button to get a stronger hit when you really need it. And, if there's one thing that college study groups are synonymous with, its coffee time, so also be sure to stock up with this excellent while you're at it to be the hero host. Insignia 2.6 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge -- $80, was $150 Your dorm room will almost certainly come with a small fridge, but the emphasis will be on the small. Picking up a 2.6 cubic foot mini fridge, like this one from Best Buy's Insignia, is a great way to keep your drinks, cheese, and even skin and beauty products cool and longer lasting. With three shelves and a can rack, you'll be able to get everything you need inside, whether you're looking to make sure you have fresh and cool fruit every morning or enough drinks for a weekend get together. Insignia Portable Ice Maker -- $100, was $126 Whether you want to turn that coffee into iced coffee or pour a Coke over ice, you're not likely to have a good ice situation in your dorm. This portable ice maker can sit on your shelf or under your desk and holds 1.5 pounds of ice. It produces it quickly, too, with each batch taking between 6 and 13 minutes to come out. And, if you were to feed this machine water and empty the ice out as fast as you could, you would technically be able to make 19 pounds of ice in a single day with it. Finally, note that you can make both small and large ice cubes with this ice maker, depending on your preferences.