While Windows laptops are generally solid devices, when you get to the lower end of the budget scale, the quality tends to take a dip. That’s mostly because Windows itself is quite a bit resource-hungry, so when you don’t have a lot of RAM or a good processor, you can get a lot of slowdowns. Luckily, ChromeOS is pretty lightweight, and Chromebooks are an excellent budget-friendly alternative to Windows machines.
Also, since they’re less complicated to use, a Chromebook can make an excellent laptop for kids. (They might already be using one for school.) They’re also good for less tech-savvy adults in need of just a simple computer — or anyone who wants an inexpensive laptop for a home office and some entertainment. There’s even a new crop of big-screen Chromebooks for gamers.
Read more: Best Chromebook for 2023
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. 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 and is typically eight years out, but the date is not the same for every model.
We’ll continue to monitor Chromebook deals and regularly update this list, so check back for the best prices.
Probably one of the cheapest Chromebooks you’re likely to find, the Acer Chromebook 315 comes with an entry-level Intel Celeron N4020 and 4GB. While these aren’t powerful specs, they’re certainly good enough to get the basics done, and if you just want a simple daily-driver for work and school this is a great option.
This Asus model is on sale for $219 right now and features a 14-inch display powered by an Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of RAM. Those are average components for a budget Chromebook, but it adds a bit more storage than usual with 64GB. It has a 1,920×1,080-pixel resolution display for a sharper picture and more workspace than you’d get with the 1,366×768-pixel resolution found on other low-end Chromebooks.
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is one of the cheapest Chromebooks you’ll find that has a desktop-grade CPU, the Intel Core i3-1215U, which will let you get more productivity and day-to-day activities done. You also get a generous 8GB of RAM that will give you a better quality of life. The 128GB of storage isn’t too bad either, although you’re likely to stream most of your content.
This HP Chromebook has a larger 15.6-inch FHD screen and an almost desktop-grade Intel Core i3. You also get a great 8GB of RAM, and about average storage of 128GB. You also get six months of Webroot internet security and antivirus, six months of Norton 360 and three months of YouTube Premium if you’re a new subscriber.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 BF has an excellent mid-range AMD Ryzen 5 7530U processor that’s perfect for productivity and will perform reasonably well with editing and other day-to-day activities. The 8GB is solid, while the 512 GB of storage is quite massive, making this a good option for offline entertainment.
At 16 inches this Asus Chromebook is great for those who like bigger screens, and given that it’s touch-enabled, you can use it without the keyboard and treat it like a big tablet. It has an Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB which should be more than fine for most productivity and general tasks. You also get six months of Webroot and Norton 360, as well as a special offer that gives you 20% off certain Logitech accessories if you bundle them in.
One of the great things about the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is that it comes with a QLED touchscreen, which is not only rare but great if you want to have a nice screen experience. Of course, most of the price goes toward that since you still only get an Intel Core i3, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Even so, if you’re a fan of Samsung and want to be part of its ecosystem, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is a great option.
Once you start hitting the $500 price bracket and above, you’ll get some really great features you’d usually find on gaming laptops. For example, this Chromebook 516 GE comes with a 16-inch monitor that has an impressive 2,560×1,600 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, at least for a Chromebook. It also has a midrange desktop-grade Intel Core i5-1240P and 256GB of storage, so it’s a lot more versatile, and is a great option for cloud gaming.
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. There are Chromebook deals 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.
