Most traditional PCs offer quite a bit of power, but you essentially have to sacrifice a large amount of space for the privilege. These days, Chromebooks can be much more tempting because of their small size, portability and surprising number of things they can do that aren’t all that different from a typical home computer. They tend to be less expensive, so they can be a great option for bargain shoppers with moderate computing needs.
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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.
Chromebooks can also be a great option for kids due to their simplicity and ease of use. (They might already be using one for school.) In addition to this, a Chromebook is a great option for those less tech-savvy adults in need of a computer that isn’t complicated or for anyone else who wants an inexpensive laptop for basic home office work with some bonus entertainment thrown in on top. There’s even a new crop of big-screen Chromebooks that are designed for playing video games. So the category offers something for just about everyone.
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.
We’ll continue to monitor Chromebook deals and regularly update this list, so check back often for the latest 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.
A decent 35% discount is available on this HP Chromebook with a 14-inch HD screen, 4GB of RAM, 64GB in storage and the mineral silver color. Capable of 4K graphics, this discounted price is only about $30 away from its lowest-ever price.
This Samsung 2-in-1 Chromebook with a 12.2-inch full HD touchscreen is down to the lowest price we’ve seen at Amazon. Great for students or businesses, it has an Intel Dual Core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a 720p HD camera, plenty of ports and USB slots and a wireless mouse included.
This Lenovo Chromebook is a decent-budget laptop that exceeded expectations during our review process. Most notably, CNET editor Dan Ackerman was impressed with its excellent overall value, and with a $160 discount applied, that value is even better. Specs-wise, you get an 11-inch, 2K touchscreen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a Qualcomm Adreno 618 graphics card, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and an attractive misty blue finish.
Now at 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.
What should you look for in a Chromebook deal?
One of the biggest things to consider is which configuration is on sale. Only specific Chromebook deals are on sale at various points throughout the year, and making any changes to your selection, like storage or color, could affect the price. Sometimes that can even mean that you find the 256GB model is actually cheaper than the 128GB option or a similar situation. It’s a crazy world, but it’s the only one we’ve got.
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 if you don’t need a new laptop immediately, it’s worth checking back weekly to see if a discounted price returns.