With 2023 coming to an in depth, I’m wanting again on the final 12 months. As I just do earlier than December ends, I’m getting ready to pick my Chromebook of the 12 months. I’ll be trustworthy, I’m discovering it to be a problem. Excess of traditional, in actual fact.
I’m certain you will have opinions although. Even when you didn’t purchase a Chromebook in 2023, you’ve possible seen some ChromeOS laptops or tablets that you just’ve appreciated.
A Chromebook Plus choice isn’t a foul one
Despite the fact that a few of them simply bought a reputation change, a number of Chromebook Plus fashions could possibly be contenders, for instance. I’ve loved my time with the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. I nonetheless consider in my overview from October, it’s the “finest $499 Chromebook I’ve ever used.” Discovering it on sale, which has occurred a couple of occasions these days, makes it a fair higher worth proposition.
Does a small improve earn Chromebook of the 12 months?
I’m additionally nonetheless keen on the laptop computer I purchased in 2022, which is the Acer Chromebook Spin 714. A newer, inexpensive mannequin got here out in 2023. However on the time I used to be nonetheless proud of my preliminary buy, so I didn’t improve. Nonetheless, the newer {hardware} paired with the strong design of the prior mannequin might make the 2023 Acer Chromebook Spin 714 a high choose for 12 months.
Then there’s my 2022 annual choice, which was the $999 FrameWork Chromebook. Even when it had acquired an upgraded mannequin this 12 months, which it didn’t, I doubt I’d choose it once more.
I chosen as a result of it supplied Chromebook homeowners a really helpful distinctive function. The FrameWork makes use of modular ports so you possibly can change them out on the fly. That’s innovation that we hadn’t seen in a Chromebook till then. And it’s nonetheless the one Chromebook that provides such flexibility.
Even so, simply an upgraded mannequin would have been extra of the identical.
Chromebook of the 12 months generally is a low-cost machine
Dearer Chromebooks aren’t mechanically within the operating although. I chosen the unique Lenovo Duet Chromebook as Chromebook of the 12 months in 2020.
Clearly, it wasn’t the very best performing machine that debuted again then. And that underscores that my annual choose isn’t geared toward choosing the “finest” Chromebook. For starters, there’s no common finest Chromebook as a result of everybody has completely different budgets and use instances. I additionally search for gadgets that may make a considerable, optimistic affect on the general Chromebook market.
Right here’s how that rationale performed out in 2020 with the Duet:
It’s a incredible little machine for an impressive value and confirmed that even a low-cost Chromebook can preserve many individuals productive and pleased utilizing Chrome OS. It’s not a “excellent” Chromebook; that unicorn doesn’t exist. However for the value, you’re getting a ton of bang for buck.
That exemplifies why I’m having a tough time choosing my 2023 choose. Wanting again, I don’t see a ton of innovation or Chromebooks that punch means above their value vary. This 12 months was extra about evolution somewhat than revolution.
Essentially the most shocking Chromebook of the 12 months
Though there may be one machine I reviewed that really stunned me when it comes to the general efficiency and expertise for the fee.
Again in Might, I reviewed the $349 Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook. Sure, I do know I’m mentioning Lenovo a bunch right here. That wasn’t deliberate. It’s merely a mirrored image of my machine experiences. Anyway, again to the Flex 3.
It’s one of many laptops that exceeded my expectations each for the value and the configuration. A fanless Intel N-100 CPU powers the Flex 3 Chromebook, for instance. And once I reviewed this laptop computer, it was a little bit of a brand new, unproven chipset.
But the general expertise was fairly respectable. Much better than I anticipated in actual fact, even with 4 GB of reminiscence. This can be a succesful little Chromebook with a pleasant, brighter than common 12.1-inch 1080p touchscreen. As a rule, the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3 remains to be priced at $349, like it’s in the present day. Nonetheless, occasional gross sales drop it down beneath $300.
What would you choose?
Except for these examples although, I’m nonetheless ambivalent about my choice for Chromebook of the 12 months in 2023.
Whereas I rack my mind over the following few days, I figured to solicit your opinions. Even figuring out that my choice standards is probably going completely different from yours would possibly assist me resolve. So how about it: In the event you needed to choose Chromebook of the 12 months for 2023, which might you select and why?
