Why You Can Trust CNET Best Chromebook Deals: Grab a Bargain With These Cheap Chromebooks From Reputable Names
Chromebooks have always been a relatively affordable laptop option, and these deals bring their prices even lower.
The laptop market is booming these days, with many options from as many brands to choose from. An alternative to Mac and Windows devices that is much friendlier to your wallet is a Chromebook, which is typically lighter and offers better battery life.
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Chromebooks are often available for significantly less money than MacBooks and Windows PCs, but they still work well for many people's day-to-day needs. The main difference between these options is the operating system. Instead of MacOS or Windows, Chromebooks run on ChromeOS, which is a bit more lightweight, and because it doesn't need the same resources, Chromebooks can deliver equivalent features with simpler hardware specs, which in turn provides you more bang for your buck.
Because of their simplicity, Chromebooks can also be a great option for kids. (They might already be using one for school.) Chromebooks are good, too, for less tech-savvy adults in need of a simple computer or anyone who wants an inexpensive laptop for a home office, along with some entertainment. There's even a new crop of big-screen Chromebooks for gamers.
Read more: Best Chromebook for 2024
To help you find the best Chromebook deal, CNET's editors have selected all the top discounted Chromebooks available right now. One word of shopping advice: Although Chromebooks can run well on modest components, some heavily discounted models online might still be too underpowered for heavy use. A big discount might not be worth the frustration. Also, if the Chromebook is cheap, be sure to check the auto-update expiration date for the model. The AUE is when ChromeOS stops receiving system updates, typically eight years after release, but the date isn't the same for every model.
If you've been looking for a new laptop and don't want to spend top dollar, Chromebooks are worth considering. We'll continue to monitor Chromebook deals and regularly update this list, so check back often for the best prices.
This Acer Chromebook has a large screen and can handle the basic needs of today's students and office workers at an affordable price. With 4GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD, you'll be able to store important documents and participate in online video calls as needed. It's got an Intel UHD graphics card that can handle basic games, so you can take the mindful breaks you deserve.
Only $10 away from the lowest price we've ever seen, this Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is a bargain. The 2021 model has 64GB of storage, 4GB of RAM and a 13.3-inch screen with an Intel UHD graphics card.
A thin, lightweight Chromebook with a 14-inch full-HD screen and LED backlight. It sports 13.5 hours of battery, Wi-Fi 6, a MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, 4GB of system memory and 64GB of RAM. Cheap and cheerful, it has what you need, including a webcam and microphone.
This Acer Chromebook will get all of the basics done, such as surfing the web, streaming videos and working with the likes of Google Docs and such. It's powered by a 12th-gen Intel i3-1215U processor with 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and a 15.6-inch full-HD display.
A big 46% discount brings this 14-inch Chromebook down to well under $200. This is as cheap as it comes with an Intel Celeron N4120 processor, Intel UHD 600 graphics card, 4GB of memory, 64GB of internal storage and a 14-hour battery life. It's super light at 3.35 pounds and super quick with fast charging and a fast OS.
What should you look for in a Chromebook deal?
One of the biggest things to consider is which configuration is on sale. Often, with the best Chromebook deals, only a specific version of the Chromebook is on sale, and making any changes to it could affect the price. This means that sometimes you find the 256GB model is actually cheaper than the 128GB option or a similar situation.
When are the best deals available?
Generally, you'll find the best Chromebook deals during back-to-school shopping time in late summer or early fall and a bit later in the year during annual Black Friday sales events. Chromebook deals are available throughout the year, but if you're looking for the best deal and can afford to wait a little, these are the best times of the year to buy one.
Which retailers usually offer the best deals?
You can usually find deals across a variety of retailers when it comes to Chromebook sales. Amazon and Best Buy are constantly running discounts, and deals can also be found at Newegg and Walmart. Amazon's prices fluctuate and Best Buy's sales come and go, so it's worth checking back weekly to see if a discounted price returns.