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The Best Chromebook for Kids

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The Best Chromebook for Kids

With all the gadgets available in the market today, there’s no denying that technology is part of most, if not all, people’s lives today. People of all ages get to benefit from technological innovations, and it looks like even your children may need them at their young age. One example is a laptop because it can help a kid in many ways, especially for school. There was a time when a desktop PC was the only option whenever kids had to do research for school, but as technology evolved and laptops became a thing, you now get more choices when it comes to helpful computing devices. Many might say that Apple and Windows laptops are what you should be looking at, but we believe that Chromebooks are more than enough for young ones who need them for school or fun during their free time. These devices run on ChromeOS and come with all the necessary apps children may need. They also tend to be more budget-friendly since their specs aren’t as advanced as premium laptops. While adults would need a powerful laptop for work, kids can settle for a basic device since they won’t be doing too many complicated tasks. Your children will most probably use Chromebooks to research something on Google, watch videos on Youtube, or play games. Opting for a high-end laptop for your child would be a waste of money since they don’t need the top CPUs and GPUs available for their simple workload. What’s important is that they learn how to use it, so they’re more than prepared for their more challenging school projects as they get older. Here are some of the best Chromebook for kids in 2022.

01 Lenovo Chromebook Duet

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is an excellent option for those who want to give their kids their first laptop. This Chromebook has a 2-in-1 design, which means you can use it both as a laptop or tablet. It comes with a detachable keyboard that you might think isn’t large enough, but its size is perfect for your kid’s tiny hands. When your child wants to take a break from schoolwork, they can remove the keyboard and have an easier time watching videos or playing games. The device features a 10.1-inch Full HD IPS display, and the fact that it’s a touchscreen display will make it easier for young ones to use. In addition, the screen is compatible with USI pens that kids can use to draw or write on the device, but you’ll have the pen separately. It features a MediaTek Helio P60T processor and 4GB RAM, which can handle all the basic tasks your child will be doing. That’s also enough for some simple games from the Play Store. The Chromebook comes with 128GB of SSD storage, which is sufficient for storing all your child’s school files and more. You can always get cloud storage for a fee if you need more space. The Chromebook Duet comes with two cameras. The front camera is a 2 MP fixed-focus design with an LED indicator, while the rear camera has 8 MP and auto-focus. This makes the tablet ideal for taking videos and pictures. You never know; your kid playing around with its cameras can help them unlock new talents and turn them into skilled photographers or videographers one day. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet’s integrated 802.11AC Wi-Fi delivers a decent network performance, and its Bluetooth 4.2 technology ensures you can conveniently connect external accessories. One thing to note about the device is that you can’t install Microsoft Office directly, so you will have to use their online versions instead. The good thing is that Google offers alternatives like Google Docs and Google Sheets, which your kids can still use for their projects or papers. The Chromebook’s battery life is impressive because you can expect up to 12 hours of usage per charge. As of 2022, you can purchase the device for about $220, an incredibly affordable price tag for a gadget you’re buying for a child.

 

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Decent processing power
  • Two-in-one design
  • Touchscreen display
  • Impressive battery life
  • Lightweight and portable

Cons

  • Wi-Fi can be spotty
  • No headphone jack
  • Can't install Microsoft Office

Specification

  • Price $229.90
  • RAM 4 GB
  • Storage 128 GB
  • Processor MediaTek Helio P60T processor, 8-core, 2.0GHz
Lenovo Chromebook Duet

02 ASUS Chromebook Flip C214

Some parents might not be sure if their kids are ready to start using their own laptops because their clumsiness can lead to accidental damage done to the device. Thankfully, you can find rugged options like the ASUS Chromebook Flip C214. The Chromebook has a durable Mil-STD-810G construction, which allows it to survive drops. It’s also water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about minor spills here and there. It looks like a standard laptop, but it also features a 2-in-1 design. It doesn’t have a detachable keyboard like other options on the market, but you get a 360-degree hinge that allows you to fold the screen all the way back and use it as a tablet. The ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 has an 11.6-inch HD touchscreen display, and while its thick bezels might bother many adults, children won’t really mind. Something unique about the device is its integrated stylus. You won’t even need to look for a place to keep it when you’re not using it because it already has a dedicated slot integrated into the device. In terms of performance, the Chromebook delivers a decent performance for most basic tasks. It features an Intel Dual-Core Apollo Lake N4000 processor and 4GB DDR4 RAM. You will only get 32GB of storage, so it might not be the best option for those whose kids always have to save large files. The device features a standard webcam and a special world-facing camera on the bottom area of the keyboard, but you shouldn’t expect much when it comes to its quality. Your kids can use the Chromebook for an entire school day without worrying about running out of juice because it delivers around 11 hours of usage per charge. Its port selection is better than many of its competitors because you get a USB Type-A port, a USB Type-C port, and a microSD card reader. The card slot allows you to expand its memory, but you will also get 100GB of Google Cloud Storage for free upon purchase. 

Pros

  • Rugged and water-resistant design
  • 360-degree hinge
  • Touchscreen display
  • Comes with a stylus
  • Fantastic battery life
  • Decent port selection

Cons

  • Not the cheapest
  • Only 32GB of internal storage

Specification

  • Price $404.99
  • RAM 4 GB
  • Storage 32 GB
  • Processor Intel Dual-Core Apollo Lake N4000
ASUS Chromebook Flip C214

03 Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 (2021)

The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is perfect for those who want to get their children a Chromebook that they may continue using as they get older. It doesn’t have the most basic specs, so your kids will continue to like it even when they gain more knowledge about technology. The device has a 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen display, and since its screen isn’t too small, they will enjoy watching cartoons on it during their free time. Its 250-nit brightness is underwhelming, but it isn’t a dealbreaker for young ones. As the “flex” in its name already gives it off, its display has a 360-degree hinge that allows you to use it in various ways. The Chromebook is equipped with a 10th Generation Intel Core i3-10110U processor that can reach a maximum speed of 4.10GHz with Turbo Boost. You can trust that it will survive all the research and papers your kids will do for school. Its 64GB eMMC storage will be enough for children, but when they begin to need more space as they advance to a new level in school, you can use its microSD card slot to get more space. The device isn’t still that reliable for heavy multitasking because it only comes with 4GB RAM. If ever you have a kid who takes classes online, you will get to benefit from its built-in 720p camera. The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 has a responsive keyboard they will enjoy using to improve their typing skills. Its built-in speakers are pretty decent, so you won’t need to spend extra money to get speakers for them to use with the Chromebook. The device comes with two USB Type-C ports, one USB Type-A port, and an audio jack. Regarding its battery life, a single charge brings you about 9 hours of usage. It might be enough for one day of school, but we wish it could’ve reached at least 11 hours. 

Pros

  • Lightweight design
  • 10th Generation Intel Core i3-10110U processor
  • Flexible 13.3-inch Full HD touchscreen display
  • Decent port selection
  • Excellent keyboard

Cons

  • Battery life could be better
  • Display is pretty dim

Specification

  • Price $429.99
  • RAM 4 GB
  • Storage 32 GB
  • Processor Intel Core i3-10110U
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 (2021)

04 Dell Chromebook 11 (3100)

The Dell Chromebook 11 (3100) is another fantastic option for parents who prefer to invest in a rugged device for their child. You can trust that the Chromebook will be alright for them to use even if you don’t supervise them all the time because it can survive accidental drops, and its rubberized edges help minimize impact even more. Its durable build was tested to live up to MIL-STD standard. Dell also did an excellent job ensuring their keyboard is protected because they made it tamper and spill-resistant. They say its keyboard can survive accidental spillage of up to 12 ounces of liquid. If ever the keyboard gets damaged, you won’t need to replace the whole palm rest because of its top-mounted design. The Dell Chromebook 11 (3100) features an 11.6-inch HD non-touch display. It only has a 60Hz refresh rate, but it isn’t a deal-breaker since your children will mostly play basic games rather than ones that require top-notch graphics. Kids can do all their needed research and write papers with this Chromebook since its Intel Celeron N4120 processor delivers the necessary performance they need. Its 8GB RAM is impressive compared to its rivals’ 4GB RAM, so there’s no doubt that the device can handle even their heavier workloads when the time comes. Unfortunately, the device is lacking in the storage department because it only comes with 64GB of eMMC storage. It doesn’t come with a card slot for quick storage expansion, but you can subscribe to a cloud storage service if your kids need more space for school projects. You won’t have issues plugging flash drives or mobile devices into the Chromebook because it has two USB Type-A ports, two USB Type-C ports, and a headphone/mic combo jack. The device’s battery life is also not disappointing because you can get around 10 hours of usage per charge, which is enough for an entire school day. 

Pros

  • Durable build
  • Keyboard is spill-resistant
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Decent port selection
  • 8GB RAM
  • CPU performance is enough for kids

Cons

  • Display and touchpad could be better
  • Wi-Fi signal reception isn't the best
  • Limited storage
  • No SD card slot

Specification

  • Price $379.00
  • RAM 8 GB
  • Storage 64 GB
  • Processor Intel Celeron N4120
Dell Chromebook 11 (3100)

05 Acer Chromebook 317

If you’re the type of parent who doesn’t plan on letting their kids bring a Chromebook with them to school and want a device they can use when they’re doing schoolwork at home, you can opt for a larger option like the Acer Chromebook 317. It features a 17.3-inch FHD display that will make them feel like they’re working on their own desktop computer. You might think that larger devices will empty your pockets, but that’s not true at all because it would only cost you around $195. Its Intel Celeron N4500 professor is far from being ultra-powerful, but it’s enough for the basic tasks your children will be doing for school or playtime. The device comes with 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage. Like other Chromebooks on the market, it has a microSD card reader that allows you to get more storage when needed. The Acer Chromebook 317 also has two USB Type-C ports, two USB Type-A ports, and a headphone jack. They can play audio out loud whenever they’re watching videos because it has two upward-facing speakers. It also has a built-in mic and webcam that become useful if ever they have online classes or whenever you’re away from home and want to check up on them. The Acer Chromebook 317’s isn’t the best compared to its rivals because you only get about 9 hours of usage per charge. The device clearly has some areas where it’s significantly lacking if you were to buy it for an adult, but there’s no doubt that it will be okay to use for a young child.

Pros

  • Large display
  • Spacious and comfortable keyboard
  • Expandable storage vis microSD slot
  • Has Type-C and Type-A ports
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • Could use a slightly better CPU
  • Dim display
  • Not the best speakers
  • Keyboard isn't backlit

Specification

  • Price $194.60
  • RAM 4 GB
  • Storage 64 GB
  • Processor Intel Celeron N4500 1.10 GHz dual-core
Acer Chromebook 317

06 Google Pixelbook Go

For those willing to spend more on a Chromebook, you won’t be disappointed with the Google Pixelbook Go. It’s more expensive than its rivals because it’s priced at $849, but at least you get a faster and more reliable device that your child may get to use until they become teenagers. The Chromebook features a vibrant 13.3-inch Full HD LCD touchscreen display. It has a modern and premium build that your child won’t get tired of even when they develop their own sense of style. Google offers flexibility with what type of hardware you want the Chromebook to have, but we suggest you get the model with the Intel Core i5 processor if you want them to be able to use it until high school or beyond. It guarantees a decent performance for writing documents, searching the web, watching videos, playing games, etc. Its 16GB RAM also allows them to rely on the Chromebook to handle using several programs simultaneously. You will get about 128GB of SSD storage, which is a lot of space for different school projects. The Google Pixelbook Go comes with a comfortable full-sized backlit keyboard and a large multi-touch trackpad. It has a decent 1080p camera they can use for Zoom calls or taking random videos and pictures. The device is safe from data breaches because it has the Titan C security chip. If you need a Chromebook for your child with tons of ports, it won’t be the right option for you because it only has a USB Type-C port and a headphone jack. You will need to purchase adapters separately for USB Type-A or HDMI connections. The Google Pixelbook Go beats many of its competitors in the battery life department because a single charge can bring you around 11 hours of playtime, or even more with light usage. One thing to note before purchasing the device is that you will need a Google Account and Wi-Fi to set it up. 

Pros

  • Modern and stylish design
  • Excellent battery life
  • Impressive keyboard
  • 1080p webcam
  • Fantastic CPU performance

Cons

  • Pricier than rivals
  • Needs more ports
  • Can't use it with a digital stylus
  • Needs to be connected to the internet for most tasks

Specification

  • Price $849.00
  • RAM 8 GB
  • Storage 128 GB
  • Processor Intel UHD Graphics
Google Pixelbook Go

Jessie Richardson

Aug 11, 2022

266 Articles Published

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We're not just tech junkies, but we're also tech experts. Each and every "Best of.." list on TechJunkie is curated by our content-area subject matter experts to provide a well-rounded, unbiased perspective to help and inform you, our reader. Our lists are constantly reviewed and updated, so you can be sure you're reading relevant and up to date information.

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