Other Chromebook Alternatives

Acer Chromebook Spin 15Samsung Chromebook ProGoogle Pixel SlateHP Chromebook x2Acer Chromebook 15We’re sure that the 64GB of eMMC storage is slower than solid-state drives (SSDs) in other machines like the Pixelbook and most Windows 10 notebooks in this price range. But no matter – the Chromebook 13 suffered from no noticeable delays when opening apps and saving files.

　　Chrome OS is also a relatively lightweight operating system, and the Chromebook 13 whips through everything the platform can throw at it. The interface was lightning-quick, there were no apps that caused an appreciable slowdown, and the notebook multitasked like a champ thanks to its spacious 8GB of RAM.

　　You can certainly game on the notebook, as every Android title we tried out was fast and smooth. Of course, you’ll be stuck with using the keyboard and maybe a mouse, but there isn’t a game that you can run that’s likely to defeat the Intel UHD 620 graphics built into the CPU.

　　Simply put, you won’t find a faster Chrome OS machine than the Chromebook 13. If speed is what you crave, then this is the one for you.

　　

Battery life doesn’t live up to the Chrome OS promise

There’s a reasonable 54 watt-hours of battery capacity packed into the Chromebook 13’s chassis, and that coupled with the general efficiency of Chrome OS should promise solid battery life. The display is higher resolution, though, and the CPU is more powerful than usual, and so we were looking forward to seeing how battery life would hold out.

　　As it turns out, we were a bit surprised by the Chromebook 13’s longevity. To begin with, the notebook lasted for just over three hours in our most aggressive Basemark web benchmark test. The Chromebook x2 lasted for almost four and a half hours, and the Samsung Chromebook Pro lasted for just over four hours – and they have significantly smaller batteries. The Asus ZenBook 13 lasted for just under three hours, and the Dell XPS 13 lasted for almost four and three-quarter hours.

　　When browsing the web, the Chromebook 13 lasted for eight and a half hours compared to the Chromebook x2 at a full hour longer, while the Acer Chromebook Spin 15 lasted for 11 hours. Simply put, Acer’s speedy Chromebook couldn’t manage nearly the same kind of longevity that we’re used to seeing with Chrome OS. Even Windows 10 machines with similar processors and similar battery capacities lasted longer, including the ZenBook 13 and XPS 13 that each lasted for over 10 and a half hours.

　　Mark Coppock/Digital TrendsFinally, in our video looping test that plays an Avengers trailer until a machine shuts down, the Chromebook 13 lasted for just over nine hours. Once again, that’s low compared to the Chromebook x2 and the Pixelbook with smaller batteries, and the ZenBook 13 crushed the Chromebook 13 at 13 and a half hours.

　　Overall, you may be hard-pressed to get through a full workday with the Chromebook 13, at least compared to other Chrome OS devices we’ve tested. You’ll get everything done much faster, of course, but you’ll pay the price in longevity.

　　

Our Take

The Chromebook 13 offers one very compelling feature: It’s among the fastest Chromebooks you’re likely to find on the market today. And if you’re looking for a traditional clamshell and don’t care about flipping the display around or detaching the keyboard – or using your finger to tap and swipe on something other than the touchpad – then the Chromebook 13 will give you the speediest performance. But that’s pretty much it, which isn’t a lot for the $800 Acer is asking.

　　

Is there a better alternative?

If you’re looking for a premium Chromebook today, then that means you’re going to be looking primarily at 2-in-1s. The Chromebook 13, in fact, is the only traditional clamshell Chrome OS notebook we can think of that’s not a budget-oriented offering.

　　And when it comes to Chrome OS 2-in-1s, the Chromebook 13 faces some stiff competition. First to mind is the HP Chromebook x2, a detachable tablet with a very sturdy keyboard base that works well as a clamshell. It’s slower than the Chromebook 13 and isn’t quite as robustly configured, with an Intel Core m3-7Y30 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage. But it’s also less expensive at $600, and it’s better looking and better built.

　　You could also flip to Windows 10 and consider the Asus ZenBook 13 UX331UA. It’s a 13.3-inch clamshell with equal or maybe slighter better build quality to the Chromebook 13 – it’s perhaps just a bit less bendy – and it’s built around the same Core i5 CPU with 8GB of RAM. The ZenBook 13 performs similarly to the Chromebook 13 running the more demanding Windows 10, and it offers significantly better battery life, all for the same $800.

　　

How long will it last?

The Chromebook 13 is solid enough to evoke confidence in its ability to last through the usual office productivity or student workload and abuse. And it has relatively fast and up-to-date components, meaning it will keep up with Chrome OS for some time to come. The one-year warranty is standard and, as usual, less than we’d like to see.

　　

Should you buy it?

No. It’s a very fast Chromebook, that’s for sure. But its battery life doesn’t keep up with Chrome OS’s promise, and it doesn’t offer the flexibility of the 2-in-1s that are often available for less money.