© Provided by T3 best Chromebooks 2020

Welcome to the T3 best Chromebooks guide for 2020, where our experts round up the top Chrome OS-powered laptops in the market right now.

Today, we’re introducing the Chromebook App Hub, a new way for K-12 educators to easily find activity ideas and apps for Chromebooks in the classroom. Chrome OS is the operating system that powers every Chromebook. Do more with apps. Chromebooks have access to a vast library of Google-approved apps. A Chromebook is a computer that runs an operating system called Chrome OS. Chrome OS was developed by Google and represented a new approach to computing. Many common operating systems were designed in an era when the internet hadn’t existed and Google wanted to take a step back and asked itself the question.

There are brilliant budget Chromebooks in this guide that deliver astonishing value, and we hope that it's an indispensable guide for anyone trying to navigate the range of Chromebooks on offer at the moment to find the best one for their particular needs.

Welcome to the T3 best Chromebooks guide for 2020, where our experts round up the top Chrome OS-powered laptops in the market right now. There are brilliant budget Chromebooks in this guide that. Chromebooks run Chrome OS, a stripped-back, Linux-based operating system which revolves mainly around the Chrome browser. Although an increasing number of apps which also work offline are now available for it, the idea is that most of what you do on a Chrome OS device is done online using the Chrome browser.

It's a great time to buy a Chromebook, as well – these lightweight, versatile laptops are attracting a growing number of fans for their simplicity of use, their speed, and their (mostly) low prices. There's no need to install additional software or any security packages, you won't notice any bloating or slowing down, and you can now run Android apps on Chrome OS as well.

The only difficulty is that there are so many models to pick from, it's hard to know where to start – and that's where we come in, with our best Chromebooks 2020 guide. From powerhouses to plucky 2-in-1s, we've got a lightweight Android device that's bound to meet your specs and aesthetic requirements.

And Chromebooks are, now more than ever, a great computing solution. With more of us than ever finding ourselves working from home and online, the streamlined and online-focused Chromebook is a cheap and robust solution that can transform your home office environment.

What follows are the best Chromebook laptops on the market today, as well as some handy information about the differences between a Chromebook and a laptop.

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The best Chromebooks you can buy today

There's been a trend for Chromebooks recently to pack in more powerful specs and a greater amount of storage than is strictly necessary, but the Acer Chromebook 514 manages to not only deliver a strong all-around hardware package, but does so for a price that isn't going to break the bank.

You get a 14-inch touchscreen panel, which has a Full HD 1080p resolution, and that is then partnered with a 1.1GHz Celeron CPU, Intel HD Graphics 500 GPU, and 4GB of RAM. Storage space sits at 64GB.

This Chromebook is also a looker too, with a luxe aluminum chassis radiating a mature, professional aesthetic.

Battery life is also good, at 12 hours on a single charge, and that's with a backlit keyboard as well, which makes using it in dark or low-light environments easy. Naturally, the laptop grants access to Google's suite of applications, as well as Chrome versions of popular apps like Skype.

Overall, a strong all-around Chromebook that will service most people's needs incredibly well.

If you want the very best Chromebook experience currently available then, for T3's money, the Lenovo Yoga C630 is the best choice on the market today.

Not only does this system come with a very strong internal hardware spec that includes a rapid Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 CPU, Adreno 650 GPU, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, but its design is sleek and its build premium.

It also comes with flexible 13.3-inch FHD screen capable of a 300nits brightness, an integrated 720p HD web camera that is perfect for video meetings, and a long-lasting 4-cell 60Wh battery that delivers a super-long 25-hour battery life between charges.

25 hours? Now that really is an all-day battery.

As this is a premium Chromebook, it also comes with a in-built fingerprint reader for secure biometric sign in, a backlit keyboard and it runs a full copy of Windows 10 Home in S mode.

Simply put, a fantastic all-round Chromebook that will suit those shopping at the premium end of the market.

If you are looking for the best Chromebook in terms of value for money then the HP Chromebook 14 is the ideal sweet spot, as it does that while also delivering a very capable hardware spec.

It packs a strong 14-inch screen that is very crisp and bright, and sports an overall thin, light and stylish aesthetic. It doesn't skimp on the connectivity options, either, with the HP Chromebook 14 delivering an HDMI port, a USB 3.0 port, and a microSD card slot.

This is a system that can easily be slipped into a bag and then used in a coffee shop, friend's house, or even on a train, before then being easily stashed away again and you not feeling like you are lumbered with it.

Yes, there are higher-specced Chromebooks in this guide, but if you just need a streamlined laptop for work and entertainment, then you'll struggle to find a better option.

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With its elegant looks, a screen that you can 'flip' (to stand up or lie flat against the keyboard), and support for Android apps, the Flip C434 from Asus is undoubtedly one of the best Chromebooks money can buy in 2020. For some of you, it may even be the best.

The 87 percent screen-to-body ratio is worthy of a premium Windows laptop and looks great running Chrome OS, while the internal specs can be set to suit you: an m3, i5 or i7 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of internal storage gives you lots of choices.

The Pixelbook Go is the latest Chromebook direct from Google, and while we miss the taller screen of the original Pixelbook, there's no doubt that this newer, faster model gets a lot right. A variety of configuration options are available, up to an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB and a 4K display.

We've got yet more evidence that the Google hardware design team is hitting its stride with the Pixelbook Go, from the slim bezels around the display to the textured rubber underneath the laptop, which keeps it in place when it's on a firm surface (or on your actual lap).

Chrome OS flies along on the Pixelbook Go, and it's a fine example to other Chromebook manufacturers of just how good these laptops can be. You don't get the ability to fold the display over and use the device as a tablet, however.

If you're in need of the very best components inside your Chromebook, and you have a decent budget to spend on one, then consider the Asus Chromebook Flip C436. It comes with a choice of the latest 10th-gen Intel Core processors, as well as either 8GB or 16GB of RAM.

That means it should be more than capable of coping with any web browser tabs and Android apps you want to throw at it. We like the form factor too – as with other Asus Flip models, you can bend the screen right back and set it up in tent mode or use it as a tablet (albeit a thick tablet).

Battery life could be better, and it is expensive, but this is a Chromebook that really looks the part and that's going to last you for years and years. We're big fans of the gorgeous 14-inch screen as well, which makes webpages and apps crisp and bright and features very little in the way of bezels.

The Acer Chromebook R13 is not the best looking Chromebook, or the most powerful, or the most versatile – but it does enough stuff well to make it worth an entry on our best Chromebooks of 2020 list, including offering an impressive 12 hours of battery life.

The 2-in-1 form factor means you can use it in tent or tablet configurations too, and the 13.3-inch screen is bigger than you would normally get at this sort of price. Like all modern Chromebooks, it supports Android apps, so you can use it like a big Android phone too.

If you want a Chromebook that's very portable but also very versatile – and which comes with a stylus too – then the Acer Spin 11 fits the bill very nicely. It reminds you that Chromebooks are supposed to be fun, and runs Android apps very well at the same time.

Okay, you don't get the best specs out there, with the screen resolution and internal storage the lowlights, but this is still very usable and is going to give you several years of good service. A true alternative to what Windows and macOS laptops have to offer.

One of the main reasons why you might think about buying a Chromebook rather than something running Windows or macOS is the price: and the HP Chromebook 11 gets you up and running with your web computing for not very much money at all.

Of course, there are compromises here – you're not going to get a juggernaut of a laptop for around the $200 mark – but the HP Chromebook 11 is sturdy and easy to use, and the perfect size for using on a train or stuffing into a backpack. Chrome OS is Chrome OS no matter what Chromebook you're using.

Despite the chunk bezels and the plastic chassis, we'd be more than happy to have this as our regular computing companion. If you feel you need a bit more screen space, HP offers more expensive Chromebooks with bigger displays further up the food chain too.

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How to choose the best Chromebook for you

These days, the majority of our daily computing happens in a browser. Most apps can be replicated online, through a browser, so cloud-based Chromebooks make a lot more sense than they might at first glance.

The Chromebooks of 2020 have learned a few tricks from Windows laptops too: some fold over to double as tablets, some sport all-day battery life, and some have upgraded internals on par with a Windows 10 machine, for example.

What's more, most new Chromebooks that appear on the scene now come with support for Android's huge library of apps as well. If there's something you need to do that can't be done through the browser, maybe you can find an Android app to help.

When it comes to specs, these aren't quite as important as they are for Windows or MacBook laptops, but you'll still want a generous serving of processor speed and RAM, particularly if Android apps are involved.

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One of the key specs to look out for is screen size, as this will determine how much room you've got for webpages and apps, and how easy (or otherwise) it is to lug your Chromebook around.

Ultimately the reasons to buy a Chromebook are that they offer secure, lightweight systems that are always kept right up to date. Say your Chromebook gets stolen – replace it with another, log in, and everything will still be where you left it in the cloud.

Chromebooks have also become hugely important for education. Long battery life, low costs, and a decent suite of office apps mean that for cash-strapped students in need of a reliable work computer, they're absolutely ideal.

Is a Chromebook and laptop the same thing?

In almost all respects, yes they are. They deliver a portable computing experience that allows people to work and be creative wherever they might be, and often for significantly less money.

Where Chromebooks differ from laptops is in their operating system, apps, and internal components. The operating system, for example, is Google's Chrome OS, not Windows, Linux or macOS, while the apps that Chromebooks use are from Google's G-Suite of software.

And, as Google's software pretty much all runs off of the cloud, that means that Chromebook apps are designed to be online at all times. This is an important point to consider when buying a Chromebook. You really need to have an internet connection available to make using a Chromebook worthwhile.

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Lastly, the internal hardware on Chromebook's tends to be (although not always) lighter than on a laptop. This is because Chromebooks use web apps and remote hardware to do their work for them. They still have CPUs and hard drives, but they just tend to be more basic as they don't need to do as much local processing and storing.

It is this lack of need in terms of internal hardware components that often leads to Chromebooks ringing in cheaper than a budget laptop, for example.

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Google Chromebook provides an attractive option for teachers who want to better leverage innovative technology in their classroom. The only impediment is learning how to best use the Chromebook, something now addressed by an online class designed specifically for teachers.

The “Chromebook Classroom” course from Fresno Pacific University offers educators the opportunity to learn about the Chromebook while also earning professional development credits. The 100% online course covers the “nuts and bolts” of the device while also offering in-depth information on productivity apps, online surveys and learning groups.

Why Use Chromebook in the Classroom?

Affordable yet powerful, the Chromebook offers teachers a low-cost way to integrate digital tools in the classroom. The Chromebook gives students and teachers access to internet connectivity and a broad range of applications.

On its education webpage, Google writes that Chromebooks make education more efficient and engaging. Chromebooks are lightweight and easy for students to carry. As with many products from Google, the emphasis is on simplicity and shareability. Students can use Chromebooks to collaborate with other students.

Google offers ideas for Chromebook use in categories that include coding, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, family and community engagement, multimedia creation, music composition, STEM and social-emotional learning.

In one of many recent, positive reviews for the course, an Ohio teacher wrote that the class is “very informative. Assignments were things I could use in my classroom the next day! Assignments were easy to follow and relevant to the times.”

What You Learn in the Fresno Pacific Course

The Chromebook Classroom course from Fresno Pacific University first covers all the basic uses of the Chromebook before delving deeper into ways it can revolutionize how educators approach leading a class.

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The course is hands-on, but you are not required to have a Chromebook. You can also use a computer with Windows or an Apple MacIntosh.

The course is taught by Steve Young, who has a Master of Arts in Educational Technology from Fresno Pacific University. A teacher himself (now retired), Young has developed online education courses for teachers since the mid-1990s.

A Pennsylvania teacher wrote in a review that Young is “always prompt and helpful.” Another teacher in Ohio wrote, “I appreciate the accessibility to Steve when I needed it. I felt challenged by the assignments and proud of my useful results. Keep doing this, Steve. We need you.”

The Chromebook Classroom course is one of hundreds offered through the Fresno Pacific University Continuing Education program. It allows teachers to earn professional development credits in a wide range of areas. All courses are offered online, giving educators the opportunity to expand their skillset from wherever they live in the country.

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Topics Covered in The Chromebook Classroom

The Chromebook Classroom course covers a lot of ground. Topics include:

• Introduction to the Chromebook
• Hardware Tips and Tricks
• Filing and (Cloud) Storage
• Apps for the Chromebook
• Using a Mac or Windows with Chromebook Apps
• Using Productivity Apps

Teachers learn about using Word processing, presentation and spreadsheet documents. They also take a pre-course and post-course survey.

Learning outcomes for the course include:

• Familiarity with learning theory terms as they pertain to learning with technology.
• Understanding a teacher’s role in using Chromebooks in the classroom
• Using modeled teaching strategies to instruct others in the techniques of instructing with technology
• Developing classroom management strategies when working with Chromebooks
• Identifying technology uses for peer-to-peer and student communication
• Gaining hands-on experience in creating curriculum-specific projects using Chromebooks

By the end of the course, teachers will know how to access and navigate Chrome OS, create and access documents, access and use web-based apps, manage a Chromebook classroom and work collaboratively.