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    Essential Skills
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    5 min read 5 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026

    Should You Buy a Chromebook? What You Need to Know

    Chromebooks are lightweight, affordable laptops that run Chrome OS. Here's who they work great for — and who should buy something else.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Essential Skills
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    5 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    Chromebook
    laptop
    Chrome OS
    buying guide
    budget laptop

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Check the AUE date before buying
    2. 2.Choose the right amount of RAM
    3. 3.Check storage and understand cloud reliance
    4. 4.Consider screen size and battery life
    5. 5.Shop for recommended models
    1

    Check the AUE date before buying

    ~37s
    The most important thing to check before buying a Chromebook is its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date. This is when Google stops providing security updates for that specific model. Visit google.com/intl/en/chromebook/auto-update and look up the model you are considering. You want a Chromebook with at least 5-6 years of updates remaining from today. Avoid buying older models with AUE dates in 2025 or 2026. They will quickly become unsafe to use for banking and personal information.

    Warning

    Purchasing a Chromebook without checking the AUE date is one of the most common mistakes buyers make. A $150 Chromebook with an AUE date one year away is far worse value than a $300 Chromebook with eight years of updates remaining.

    2

    Choose the right amount of RAM

    ~27s
    RAM (Random Access Memory) determines how smoothly a Chromebook handles having multiple browser tabs and apps open at the same time. Look for at least 8 GB of RAM for comfortable everyday use. Chromebooks with only 4 GB of RAM will feel noticeably slow when you have more than a few tabs open simultaneously. Models with 4 GB are acceptable only if budget is the primary concern and usage will be very light — one or two tabs at a time.
    3

    Check storage and understand cloud reliance

    ~37s
    Most Chromebooks come with 64 GB or 128 GB of storage. This is less than most Windows laptops, and that is intentional — Chromebooks are designed to store most files in Google Drive (cloud storage) rather than on the device itself. For people who already use Google Photos and Google Drive, this is no problem at all. If you need to store large amounts of files locally — large video files, music libraries, etc. — either plan to use an external drive or consider a Windows laptop instead.

    Quick Tip

    Every Google account comes with 15 GB of free Google Drive storage. You can upgrade to 100 GB for about $3 per month if you need more space.

    4

    Consider screen size and battery life

    ~25s
    Chromebooks come in 11-inch, 13-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch screen sizes. For most everyday use, a 13-inch or 14-inch screen offers the best balance of portability and comfortable viewing. If the Chromebook will mostly stay on a desk, a 15-inch screen is fine. Chromebooks generally have excellent battery life — 8-12 hours is common, which means most users can go all day without a charger. Check the manufacturer's stated battery life for the model you are considering.
    5

    Shop for recommended models

    ~24s
    Well-reviewed Chromebook brands include Acer, ASUS, HP, and Lenovo. The Acer Chromebook 515 (around $350, 15-inch) and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook (around $400, 13-inch) are strong mid-range options with good update windows. For budget options, the Acer Chromebook 311 (around $200) handles basic tasks adequately. The ASUS Chromebook Plus series (around $300-$400) includes models with AI-enhanced features that work well for productivity. Always verify the AUE date for any specific model before purchasing.

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    A Chromebook is a laptop that runs Chrome OS, an operating system made by Google. Unlike Windows or Mac laptops, a Chromebook does most of its work through web browsers and web-based apps rather than traditional installed software. This makes Chromebooks fast to start up, generally very secure, and a lot cheaper than comparable Windows or Mac laptops — many good Chromebooks sell for $200-$400.

    For most everyday users, a Chromebook covers everything they need. That includes browsing websites, checking email, and making video calls through Google Meet or Zoom. It also covers streaming YouTube and Netflix, using Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides — Google's free alternatives to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint — and connecting with family on social media. All of this works perfectly in a Chrome browser, which is the Chromebook's home territory.

    However, there is an important limitation that many buyers discover only after buying one. Chromebooks have an expiration date for software updates, called the Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date. After this date, Google stops sending security updates to that Chromebook. Using a laptop that no longer receives security updates puts your personal information at risk. Before buying any Chromebook — especially a used or older one — check its AUE date at google.com/intl/en/chromebook/auto-update. New Chromebooks manufactured in 2023 and 2024 receive updates until 2031 or 2032.

    Chromebooks are not a good fit for everyone. Skip one if you need Microsoft Office's advanced features, though the web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint work fine. The same goes if you need serious photo or video editing with professional software, PC gaming, or any specialized software that only runs on Windows or Mac.

    Most people who buy a Chromebook and use it within its intended scope — web browsing, communication, and Google's suite of apps — find them to be reliable, low-maintenance computers that start up in seconds and rarely need troubleshooting.

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    Official Resources

    GCFGlobal — Free Digital SkillsAARP Technology TipsSenior Planet

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