If you’re looking for something cheap and basic to get online and do general day-to-day stuff and productivity tasks, then a Chromebook might be a good option for you. They tend to be cheaper, they’re generally more lightweight, and many of them are touchscreen-enabled. That said, you should be aware that they run on ChromeOS rather than Windows, so it might take a bit of adjustment, although it’s a perfect device if you’re already in the Google ecosystem.
Chromebooks are user-friendly and tend to be more affordable than Windows laptops and Apple MacBooks. Plus, since they’re less complicated to use, a Chromebook can make an excellent laptop for kids (they might already be using one for school) or less tech-savvy adults in need of just a simple computer — or just anyone who wants an inexpensive laptop for a home office and 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 for you, 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.
If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly option when it comes to Chromebooks, this 14-inch HP Chromebook is a great option. It has a relatively large screen, and while the Intel Celeron N4120 processor is budget-level, it’s more than enough to handle ChromeOS. The 4GB of RAM will also be a bit tight but workable, and the 64 GB of storage gives you a bit more room than the typical Chromebook. Luckily, battery life is excellent, and HP even throws in a webcam so that you can get on meetings without an issue.
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.
If you want something a little bit bigger in a Chromebook, this 15.6-inch one is perfect. Not only does it have a big screen, but it’s also powered by an Intel Core i3 processor, which is pretty powerful. It also has 8GB of memory, which is more than enough for ChromeOS, and 128GB of storage, which is more than you’ll often see in Chromebooks. You’ll also be happy to know that the display runs full HD, so you don’t have to worry about weird lower resolutions.
This HP Chromebook is a 2-in-1 laptop that comes with a 14-inch 1080p display, an Intel 11th-gen Core i3 chip, and a 128GB SSD. 8GB of RAM rounds out the main specifications in a Chromebook that’s currently yours with a whopping $400 discount.
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 Chromebook 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 Chromebook 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.