In this guide, we’ve narrowed down the best Chromebooks for developers who are considering getting a Chromebook as their primary or secondary development machine.
Our top picks for the best Chromebooks for developers are affordable, portable, and have good displays, and responsive keyboards.
We’ve made recommendations without compromising RAM and battery life.
If you’re contemplating having a Chromebook as one of your development machines, then these are your best options.
Best Chromebooks for Developers at a Glance
| No. | Item | |
| 1 | Google Pixelbook Go (Editors’ Choice) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | Samsung Chromebook Pro | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 | Asus Chromebook C434 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 | HP Chromebook x2 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 | Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 6 | Acer Chromebook 14 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 7 | Samsung Galaxy Chromebook | Check Price on Amazon |
| 8 | Acer Chromebook Spin 713 | Check Price on Amazon |
1. Google Pixelbook Go (Editors’ Choice)
The Pixelbook Go is arguably one of the finest Chromebooks on the market. It is our Editors’ Choice for the best Chromebook for developers.
Google ships the Pixelbook Go in three configurations, including a Core i7 variant at the top, a Core i5 version in the middle, and a Core m3 for budget buyers.
The entry level model with Core m3 ships with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. You’ll find 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage on the Core i5 variant. There is also a Core i5 version with 16GB of RAM and 128GB of storage if you pay enough.
If you want more storage and speed, then we recommend shelling out for the Core i7 (4K display) model which packs 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
It’s slim and lightweight. The body measures 12.2 by 8.1 by 0.5 inches (WDH) and weighs 2.3 pounds.
Is the Pixelbook Go a treasure trove of world firsts? No. That said, its overall performance is commendable and delivers excellent value. You won’t have issues using it for Chrome OS-related tasks.
A noteworthy area Google has done exceptionally well with the Pixelbook Go in terms of performance is battery life – it’s simply exceptional. The Pixelbook Go’s battery will last up to 10 hours on a single charge.
Elsewhere, Google was smart to equip the Pixelbook Go with one of the best keyboards you would find on a laptop. This is as good a keyboard as you’ll find on expensive laptops like the 2019 Dell XPS 13, the Asus Chromebook Flip C434, and the HP Spectre x360.
But the cherry on top of this package is the Pixelbook Go’s superb 1080p front-facing camera and the top-firing speakers which stand toe-to-toe with what the big brands boast.
The Google Pixelbook Go is equipped with two USB-C ports and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The USB-C ports are for charging and display out.
Just know: The Google Pixel Go does not support the Pixelbook stylus. Again, there is no biometric log-in feature.
By and large, if you’re looking for the best Chromebook for developers out there, the Google Pixelbook Go is a good buy, with its incredibly impressive battery life, cool design, and strong overall performance.
PROS
- Excellent battery life
- Brilliant design
- Impressive keyboard
- Striking webcam
CONS
- Trackpad could be improved
Google Pixelbook Go Key Specifications
Display: 13.3-inch FHD, LCD touchscreen, 1920 x 1080 pixels
CPU: Core m3-8100Y / 1.3GHz Intel Core i5-8220Y / Intel Core i7-8500Y
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 615 (300MHz)
RAM: 8GB LPDDR3/16GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB
Size: 12.2 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches (311 x 206.3 x 13.4 mm)
Weight: 2.3 pounds (1.04 kg)
OS: Chrome OS
2. Samsung Chromebook Pro
The Samsung Chromebook Pro brings a lot to the table with a sleek design, fantastic display, and hugely impressive battery life.
It pairs an Intel Core M3 processor with 32GB of storage and 4GB of RAM. With the 4GB of RAM, you can perform tasks effortlessly. Simple multitasking tasks will barely slow things down.
Streaming 4K videos on the Samsung Chromebook Pro is a cinch.
Like the HP Chromebook 14 which weighs 2.3 pounds, the Samsung Chromebook Pro is lightweight at 2.38 pounds (1.08kg).
As far as performance, the Chromebook Spin 15 can hold its own against the premium models, such as the Google Pixelbook Go, Asus Chromebook Flip C434, and HP Chromebook x2.
Elsewhere, the Samsung Chromebook Pro combines the power of Chrome OS and Android superbly.
The Samsung Chromebook Pro’s connections are typical of a modern Chromebook: one fast USB-C ports, and a headphone/mic port.
It has other selling points, and one of them is its impressive battery life. The Chromebook Pro’s battery will last up to 9 hours on a single charge.
That’s not all. The Chromebook Pro’s aluminium chassis is sturdy and flex free.
Our only qualm with the speakers, and this remains minor, is that they aren’t first-rate. That said, the HP Chromebook Pro remains one of the best Chromebooks for developers.
PROS
- Simple, attractive design
- Crisp display
- Has a stylus
- Fair battery life
CONS
- Speakers aren’t outstanding
- Keyboard keys spacing could be better
Samsung Chromebook Pro Key Specifications
Display: 12.3-inch QHD, LED 2400 x 1600 pixels
CPU: Intel Core m3-6Y30
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 515
RAM: 4GB LPDDR3
Storage: 32GB eMMC
Size: 11.06 x 8.72 x 0.51-0.55 inches (280 x 222 x 13.0-14.0 mm)
Weight: 2.38 pounds (1.08 kg)
OS: Chrome OS
3. Asus Chromebook Flip C434
The Asus Chromebook Flip C434 is a decently-priced, good-looking 2-in-1 Chromebook that works quite great and feels like a premium laptop.
It looks far better than the previously released Chromebok Flip C302CA and has a flashy, premium mate-silver aluminium exterior which bears the same similarities to most modern pricey laptops.
With regard to Weight, the Chromebook Flip C434 is strong and lightweight, weighing 3.1 pounds (1.41kg), but not as lightweight as the 2019 Dell XPS 13 (2.7 pounds, 1.23 kg), 2018 MacBook Air (2.76 pounds, 1.25 kg), and 2019 Razer Blade Stealth which weighs 2.82 pounds (1.28 kg).
Unlike the HP Chromebook x2 which is detachable, the Flip C434 isn’t.
The entry model is shipped with Intel Core m3-8100Y processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64 GB SSD. There are higher variants with Core i5 and Core i7 which afford you 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. These models are more expensive and offer higher processing speed than the base model.
With just 4GB RAM, you may not be able to work on lots of applications at a time.
Chrome OS and some Android apps like Google Play Store, are pre-installed on the Flip C434.
Asus has included an impressive island-style keyboard on the Flip C434. The backlit keys on this two-in-one have good travel, at least better than the 2018 MacBook Pro’s keys.
Next is battery life. In practice, you should get about 10 hours on a single charge – this is also in line with what the manufacturer claims.
Overall, the Asus Chromebook Flip C434 is one of the best Chromebooks for developers and is highly recommended.
PROS
- Sleek and attractive design
- Beautiful 4K display
- Solid performance
- Thin display bezels
CONS
- Mediocre touchpad
- Average sound quality
Asus Chromebook Flip C434 Key Specifications
Display: 14-inch display, 1980 x 1080 pixels
CPU: Intel Core m3-8100Y, Core i5-8200Y or Core i7-8500Y
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 615
RAM: 4GB, 8GB or 16GB
Storage: 64GB, 128GB or 512GB
Size: 12.6 x 8 x 0.6 inches (320 x 203.2 x 15.2 mm)
Weight: 3.2 pounds (1.45 kg)
OS: Chrome OS
4. HP Chromebook x2
The HP Chromebook x2 wields an Intel Core m3-7Y30 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a measly 32GB of storage. It ships with Intel HD Graphics 615 graphics processor. The decent specs offer smooth performance.
To play up the Chromebook x2 versatility, HP added pen functionality by way of the optional Pixel stylus. You can write and draw on the detachable screen with the stylus which is powered by a single AAA battery.
The x2 touchscreen display is responsive.
There are a respectable number of ports. The Chromebook x2 has two USB-C ports, a microSD slot, and 3.5mm headphone jack.
What’s more, the convertible sports two cameras – a 5-megapixel webcam and 13-megapixel camera on the rear. You shouldn’t expect to see photos or videos anywhere close to what the best smartphones on the market offer when you take photos or make videos with these cameras.
Oh, and for the record the Chromebook x2 isn’t the lightest Chromebook on the market at 3.01 pounds.
As for battery life, it is outstanding. You are ultimately getting a Chromebook from HP that can last long enough to get some real work. As a matter of fact, battery life is one of the Chromebook x2’s selling points. You should get up to 11 hours from it between charges – potentially even more if you don’t use it heavily.
Overall, the HP Chromebook x2 is one of the best Chromebooks for developers on the market right now, and is well worth your consideration.
PROS
- Cool simple design
- Responsive touchscreen display
- Exceptional speakers
- Fast
- Decent battery life
CONS
- Limited storage options
- Not the lightest Chromebook
HP Chromebook x2 Key Specifications
Display: 12.3-inch, 2400 x 1600 Pixels
CPU: Intel Core m3-7Y30
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 615
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 32GB
Size: 11.5 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches (292.1 x 210 x 7.6 mm)
Weight: 3.01 pounds (1.37 kg)
OS: Chrome OS
5. Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630
We appreciate the hard work and engineering that went into the creation of the Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630.
Durability, solid performance, and an extremely impressive battery life are the hallmarks of the Yoga Chromebook C630.
The FHD display nestled between the Yoga Chromebook C630’s bezels is first-rate. The 4K option is even better.
The laptop comes with an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It is powered by Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU. These specs are decent enough for development in Go, Python, Java, C, C++, and more.
The Core i3 configuration should appeal to budget-minded ChromeOS fans. With that said, we recommend the Core i5 model if what you want is one of the best Chromebooks for development.
The Yoga Chromebook C630 is pretty slightly heavy at 4.2 pounds (1.9kg). The Chromebook C630’s weight put that into perspective, the 2018 Apple MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (3.02 pounds), Asus Chromebook Flip C434 (3.2 pounds), 2019 Dell XPS 13 (2.7 pounds), and Lenovo Yoga C930 (3.05 pounds) are lighter.
As for connectivity, you’ll find on the C630, two USB-C ports, one USB 3.0 port as well as a microSD slot.
A massive win for the Yoga Chromebook C630, as previously mentioned, is its battery performance. You should get a full 9 hours from the battery, if not more depending on usage.
The Yoga Chromebook C630 isn’t a perfect laptop. It does not have a video-out port, and the base model lacks backlit keyboard.
The minor gripe aside, the Yoga Chromebook C630 remains one of the best Chromebooks for developers.
PROS
- Outstanding display
- Fast performance
- Commendable battery life
CONS
- Absence of stylus
- Quite heavy
Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 Key Specifications
Display: 15.6-inch, FHD 1920 x 1080 Pixels
CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Size: 14.2 x 9.8 x 0.7 inches (360.7 x 248.9 x 17.8 mm)
Weight: 4.2 pounds (1.9 kg)
OS: Chrome OS
6. Acer Chromebook 14
The Acer Chromebook 14 is one of the best affordable Chromebooks out there. Its charm is only partly the result of its multifaceted set of features.
It does have a few things going for it as far as its design goes. Sporting a premium aluminium chassis, the Acer Chromebook 14 feels like a premium laptop with a frame resistant to pressure and flex.
Again, a big part of the Acer Chromebook 14’s appeal is its 14-inch Full HD display. It is just impressive with crisp, clear, dazzling pictures.
Tucked inside the Acer Chromebook 14 is an Intel Celeron N3160 CPU, 4GB SDRAM, 32GB SSD storage, in addition to an Intel HD Graphics 400 graphics card.
The body measures 13.4 by 9.3 by 0.7 inches and weighs 3.7 pounds. It’s not overly slim or too thick, nor is it particularly light or heavy. You won’t have problems hauling the Acer Chromebook 14 in your backpack, going to and from work.
As for ports, you’ll find two USB 3.0 ports which are on the left side of the Chromebook 14. Furthermore, the Chromebook touts an HDMI port. There are no microSD card slots.
The Acer Chromebook 14 scores points also for its chiclet keyboard which has decent travel. Just know: the keyboard has no backlighting.
Elsewhere, it can handle light tasks like coding, surfing the web, sending emails, and streaming videos with aplomb. You can run multiple apps at once, just as you would with a normal laptop.
An A+ for the Acer Chromebook 14’s battery – it stacks up nicely to the competition. In fact, it easily competes with top end blowers like the Google Pixelbook Go. The Acer Chromebook 14 will get you through a working day away from a charge.
We highly recommend the Acer Chromebook 14 as one of the best Chromebooks for developers.
PROS
- Brilliant battery life
- Good design
- Dazzling display
- Very good keyboard
CONS
- Limited number of ports
Acer Chromebook 14 Key Specifications
Display: 14-inch IPS FHD, 1920 x 1080 pixels
CPU: 1.6GHz Intel Celeron N3160
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 400
RAM: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM
Storage: 32GB SSD
Size: 13.4 x 9.3 x 0.7 inches (340.4 x 236.2 x 17.8 mm)
Weight: 3.70 pounds (1.68 kg)
OS: Chrome OS
Notable Mentions
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook and Acer Chromebook Spin 713 are very good Chromebooks for developers that are well worth your consideration.
7. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook
PROS
- Beautiful chassis
- Excellent performance
- First-rate 4K display
- Good stylus
CONS
- Battery life could be better
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Key Specifications
Display: 13.3-inch, 4K AMOLED, 3840 x 2160 pixels
CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i5
GPU: Integrated Intel UHD
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
Size: 11.9 x 8 x 0.4 inches (302.3 x 203.2 x 10.2 mm)
Weight: 2.3 pounds (1.04 kg)
OS: Chrome OS
Battery: 49.2Wh
8. Acer Chromebook Spin 713
PROS
- Fast processor
- Durable
- Very good keyboard
- Impressive battery life
CONS
- Limited number of ports
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 Specifications
Display: 13.5-inch, touchscreen, 2256 x 1504 pixels
CPU: Intel Core i5
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Size: 12.19 x 9.68 x 0.67 inches (309.6 x 245.9 x 17 mm)
Weight: 3.5 pounds (1.59 kg)
OS: Chrome OS
Battery: 4670 mAh
| No. | Item | |
| 1 | Google Pixelbook Go (Editors’ Choice) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | Samsung Chromebook Pro | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 | Asus Chromebook C434 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 | HP Chromebook x2 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 | Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 6 | Acer Chromebook 14 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 7 | Samsung Galaxy Chromebook | Check Price on Amazon |
| 8 | Acer Chromebook Spin 713 | Check Price on Amazon |
Bottom Line
We’ve highlighted the best Chromebooks for developers money can buy at the moment. These recommendations are a great pick for developers who need affordable, fast, and decent Chromebooks for development in React, Go, Python, Java, C, C++, Ruby, and more.
