The ideal Chromebook for students offers good performance and affordable pricing, making it an excellent choice for managing school tasks.
Many students have tight budgets but still need a reliable laptop to support their studies. They also need a lightweight device that is easy to carry between classes.
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a strong option for multitasking and has a quick startup.
It has a 12th-gen Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM, perfect for everyday use and media streaming. Its 15.6-inch 1080p touch display is bright and provides a pleasant workspace.
For a budget-friendly option, the Acer Chromebook 314 checks many boxes. It has a sharp 14-inch full-HD 1080p screen and a battery that lasts up to 12 hours, enough to handle a full day of college.
While it lacks a touchscreen and is slightly bulkier, its price makes it a dependable and solid choice.
Our team has extensive experience testing top PCs and laptops, including student Chromebooks.
Chromebooks come in various sizes and styles, and we’ve compiled a list of the best models for different budgets and needs. Keep reading to find the perfect Chromebook for your studies.
Top Chromebooks for Students in 2024
- Acer Chromebook Plus 515
Top Choice for Students
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i3-1215U
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 8GB
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080), IPS, 16:9
- Storage: 128GB
Reasons to Buy:
- It starts quickly and handles multitasking with ease.
- It supports both streaming and native games effectively.
- Excellent software variety.
- The screen and sound quality are outstanding.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Average battery life.
- Limited to apps from the Google Play Store.
- Similar specs to earlier models.
The 12th-gen Intel Core i3 and 8GB RAM deliver smooth performance for ChromeOS.
Daily tasks feel effortless, and even gaming via streaming works well. It can run apps like Adobe Photoshop without issues.
However, the battery lasts about five hours, much lower than the claimed ten. Luckily, it recharges fully in under an hour.
A comfortable keyboard, responsive touchpad, and large 1080p touch display enhance the overall experience.
Its performance and features are affordable, making it ideal for students.
- Acer Chromebook 314
Best Budget Chromebook for Students
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4000
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Display: 14-inch HD (1366×768), LED
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
Reasons to Buy:
- Exceptional battery life exceeding 12 hours.
- Bright and clear display.
- Affordable price.
Reasons to Avoid:
- No touchscreen.
- It’s slightly bulky for a compact design.
This model offers excellent value for its price. The 1.1GHz Celeron processor performs adequately for school tasks.
While the 4GB RAM struggles with multiple Chrome tabs, it’s enough for basic usage.
The screen’s Full HD resolution, though it lacks a touchscreen, stands out. The battery lasted 13 hours during testing, making it great for long school days.
- Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
Best Tablet-Style Chromebook for Students
Specifications:
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2
- Graphics: Qualcomm Adreno GPU
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4
- Display: 13.3-inch Full HD OLED (1920×1080), multitouch
- Storage: 128GB eMMC
Reasons to Buy:
- Lightweight and portable design.
- Long battery life.
- Vibrant display quality.
- Larger keyboard compared to previous models.
Reasons to Avoid:
- You need to buy the stylus separately.
- Kickstand can be tricky.
- It costs more than earlier models.
This detachable Chromebook combines a tablet and laptop in one. It’s ideal for browsing, research, and casual use.
Powered by the Snapdragon 7c processor, it delivers strong performance and a 16-hour test battery life.
Although more expensive than its predecessor, its upgraded features make it a reliable student option.
- Acer Chromebook Spin 713
Top Chromebook for Performance
Specifications:
- CPU: 11th-gen Intel Core i5
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 8GB
- Display: 13.5-inch (2256×1504), 3:2 touchscreen
- Storage: 256GB Flash
Reasons to Buy:
- High performance with excellent specs.
- Stunning screen with sharp details.
- Comfortable typing experience.
Reasons to Avoid:
- The webcam lacks a privacy shutter.
This model boasts an Intel Evo certification for top-tier standards. Its 13.5-inch screen features a higher resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio for productivity.
The 360-degree hinge allows easy switching to tablet mode. While it lacks some features like a privacy shutter, the exceptional performance and screen quality make it a standout choice.
- Acer Chromebook 516 GE
A versatile Chromebook for work and gaming
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1240P
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 8GB
- Screen: 16″ WQXGA (2560 x 1600), 16:10, 120 Hz
- Storage: 512GB SSD
Pros
- Outstanding performance
- Battery lasts over 7 hours
- Exceptional display quality
Cons
- Needs cloud gaming subscriptions
- Higher price
- Low-quality speakers
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE combines gaming features with Chromebook functionality. It has a sleek black metal design, an RGB keyboard, and a high-quality display.
Powered by a 12th-gen Intel CPU, it delivers excellent speed, while the QHD+ screen offers remarkable clarity.
It includes a 512GB SSD for ample storage, but battery life, though decent, doesn’t match other models.
While it can run Google Play games, it relies on cloud gaming platforms like GeForce Now or Amazon Luna for PC gaming.
Subscriptions to these services are necessary for the best gaming experience.
- Acer Chromebook Spin 714
A premium choice for students
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1335U
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 8GB
- Screen: 14″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200), IPS touch display
- Storage: 256GB SSD
Pros
- Smooth performance for productivity
- High-quality touchscreen
- Durable hinge design
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- Poor audio quality
- Limited availability
- Stiff keyboard
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 offers a powerful Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB RAM, making multitasking seamless.
It features a high-resolution touchscreen display and a robust hinge for different viewing modes.
Its battery lasts up to 12 hours, ensuring all-day use. While the speakers are underwhelming, its muscular build and reliable performance justify its price.
- Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023)
Budget-friendly performance
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Pentium N6000
- Graphics: Intel shared graphics
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Screen: 14” Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Storage: 128GB eMMC
Pros
- Retro-inspired design
- Excellent display
- Comfortable typing
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Limited by ChromeOS
- Gets warm under heavy use
The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 delivers a solid laptop experience cheaply. Its 14-inch display and 360-degree hinge add versatility. Lightweight and portable, it’s easy to carry around.
Its performance is sufficient for basic tasks, but storage is limited. While it heats up under stress, it works well for students needing a simple, affordable laptop for daily use.
Finding the Right Student Chromebook
Choosing a Chromebook depends on the student’s education level. Younger students need durable and affordable models, while high schoolers benefit from mid-range options for multitasking.
College students should invest in high-performance Chromebooks for long-term use.
Is a Chromebook Right for Students?
Chromebooks are affordable and easy to use. They excel in simplicity and work well for younger students.
However, college students might prefer laptops for compatibility with advanced software. Choose based on specific needs and educational requirements.
