Home PC Chromebook The Best Chromebooks for Artists and Creatives
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When you think of a laptop, your mind probably turns to a shiny new MacBook Pro, or perhaps one of the more admirable PC models growing in power and size. These computers are doubtlessly excellent and pack a serious punch that makes it easier for creative professionals to craft everything from pro-level movies to chart-topping pop hits in the comfort of their living room. The reality, however, is that most of us don’t need that much processing power to get through the day, and we’re dishing out way more money than we should on admittedly awesome-looking products that exceed our budget. For the average person who uses their laptop for surfing the web, sending emails, and watching the occasional Netflix show, there are far more affordable laptop computers that can handle these tasks perfectly well. These machines are called Chromebooks, and the truth is that many of the latest models can do way more than simply act as extensions of your smartphone. In fact, more and more creatives and artists are turning to the Chromebook as a valuable way to create everything from illustrations to more in-depth graphic design elements while saving more money in the process. Of course, you can still expect to spend a significant sum if you have your eyes on one of the more top-of-the-line Chromebooks. Here are the best Chromebooks for Artists and Creatives in 2022.
The Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook is an excellent choice for artists and creatives who are always on the go because of its 2-in-1 design. You can use it as a standard laptop, but you can quickly turn it into a tablet. The laptop’s 360-degree hinge makes it easy for you to find the perfect position for you to have maximum productivity. This Chromebook features a 13.3-inch touchscreen display with a 72% color gamut and 300-nit brightness. It’s equipped with an AMD Ryzen 3 3250C dual-core processor that will make your programs run smoothly, but some might find its 4GB RAM insufficient. You can expect the laptop to display spectacular visuals because of its AMD Radeon Graphics. It only comes with 128GB of SSD storage, so you might need an external hard drive if you regularly work with large files. The Chromebook comes with a 720p HD webcam and dual far-field mics, so you won’t have an issue answering Zoom calls between your projects. Users can expect top-notch network performance from the laptop because of its Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 support. In terms of connectivity, it comes with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, a headphone/mic combo jack, and a microSD card reader. The Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook can survive an entire work day with you because you get up to 12.5 hours of usage per charge. Customers will receive a 65W AC adapter that allows them to achieve impressive speeds when charging. You can opt to use this Chromebook with the Garaged USI pen, but it’s sold separately.
Flexible and stylish designAMD Ryzen 3 3250C dual-core processor13.3-inch touchscreen displayWi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 supportWide range of ports12.5-hour battery life
Only 4GB RAM and 128GB SSDNot the best webcam
The Google Pixelbook Go might be pricier than its rivals, but you can rest assured that you’re getting your money’s worth. The Chromebook features a 13.3-inch LCD touchscreen display. You can expect it to have a snappy performance because of its 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB RAM. Its slim and lightweight design makes it easy for you to carry around whenever you go through the entire day. You don’t have to worry about being close to a power outlet all the time because the laptop promises up to 12 hours of usage per charge. When you’re working in the creative field, you probably store tons of essential files on your laptop, and the Google Pixelbook Go ensures top-notch safety for your data and passwords. It’s all thanks to its Titan C security chip and built-in virus protection. The Chromebook has a backlit keyboard that’s comfortable and quiet to use. It has a stunning 1080p camera for high-quality video calls at any time of day. Sadly, the laptop doesn’t offer many connectivity options because you only get a single USB-C port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
13.3-inch LCD touchscreen displayPowerful processor and 8GB RAMSlim and lightweight design12-hour battery life1080p webcamTitan C security chip and built-in virus protectionNeeds more portsPricier than rivals
The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is another excellent choice for creatives and artists because not only does it look great, it also comes with impressive power as well. This Chromebook has a 13.5-inch 2K VertiView touchscreen display. It has a flexible screen you can push back all the way, so you can hold the device like a tablet. Its metal chassis ensures top-notch durability while making it look stylish and modern. You can expect everything to load quickly because of its powerful 10th Generation Intel Core i5 processor. The laptop has 8GB of memory and 128GB of SSD storage. It’s equipped with a 48Wh 3-cell battery that promises up to 10 hours of usage per charge. You can expect the Chromebook to get the best network reception possible because of its Wi-Fi 6 support. Users can connect an external display using its HDMI port, and you also get two USB Type-C ports for different compatible devices. It also has a microSD slot, a headphone jack, and a USB Type-A port. The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has a spacious backlit keyboard that’s both comfortable and responsive, and its touchpad has the perfect size to guarantee easy navigation. The laptop doesn’t have the best built-in speakers, so you will need to have a Bluetooth speaker ready if you’re the type who loves listening to music while working.
Large flexible displayExcellent 10th Generation Intel Core i5 processor8GB RAM and 128GB SSDFantastic port selectionSpacious keyboard and touchpadBattery life could be betterNot the best built-in speakersNot the most affordable option
If you’re a Samsung fan, you will surely be delighted to discover that they have a fantastic Chromebook offer: the Chromebook Plus V2. It’s a stylish Chromebook with a 2-in-1 design, so it doubles as a tablet. Its flexible 12.2-inch screen and lightweight design make it ideal for creatives who move around a lot. It features an Intel Core m3 processor and 4GB of RAM. You only get 64GB of internal storage, but you can get more space by using a microSD card. Other Chromebooks don’t have a stylus pen included with the device, but the Chromebook Plus V2 comes with a built-in pen for convenient editing, writing, sketching, etc. It’s undoubtedly a unique laptop because it has a 13MP camera with autofocus you can use for taking photos of memorable moments. The Chromebook also has a front camera for your video calls. You can expect a user-friendly experience from Chrome OS, and its access to the Google Play Store allows you to download many apps that will boost your productivity. Users can expect up to 10 hours of usage per charge, which is enough for surviving an entire day of work. The laptop is lacking when it comes to its connectivity options because it only comes with two USB Type-C ports.
2-in-1 designSlim and lightweight13MP camera10-hour battery lifeNot the best keyboardLimited RAM and storageNeeds more ports
ASUS doesn’t disappoint when it comes to less expensive laptops, and their ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 is a fantastic choice for creatives looking to invest in a Chromebook. It features a 14-inch FHD NanoEdge display and a built-in Garaged USI Stylus. Its 360-degree ErgoLift hinge makes it quick and convenient for you to use it on tablet, tent, or stand mode. The laptop has an Intel Core i3-1110G4 processor with a maximum speed of 3.9 GHz. It comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage, but you can opt for a 512GB model if you have extra money to spend. The Chromebook has a magnesium-alloy chassis body that enhances durability but doesn’t add excess weight, resulting in a strong and lightweight design. You can rest assured that the device is future-proof because of its Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 support. The laptop has two USB Type-C ports, one USB Type-A port, a microSD slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack, but it lacks an HDMI and Ethernet port. You can use the laptop for video calls anywhere you go since it has an HD webcam and microphone. Users reported that they get up to 7-8 hours of usage per charge, but it’s safe to say that its battery life could use some significant improvements.
Beautiful display with 360-degree ErgoLift hingeDurable, stylish, and lightweightBluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 supportBattery life could be betterNo HDMI and Ethernet port
For those who want a valuable budget-friendly Chromebook, you might want to check out the Acer Chromebook Spin 314. For less than $400, you get a laptop with a 14-inch HD multi-touch display that will work with a USI stylus. It features a convertible design, which most creatives and artists find beneficial. The device has an Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor that promises speeds of up to 3.3 GHz, and its Intel UHD Graphics ensures you get decent visuals for its price. Since it’s way more affordable than its competitors, you shouldn’t be surprised that it only comes with 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage. Acer sells variants with higher RAM and a more high-quality display, but you will have to pay more. Thankfully, the Chromebook is still an impressive deal since it comes with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 support. The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 has two built-in face-up stereo speakers with DTS Audio compatibility. Its battery life is pretty decent since you get up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge. The laptop comes with one USB Type-C port, two USB Type-A ports, an HDMI port, and a microSD card slot.
AffordableIntel Pentium Silver N6000 processorStylish and durableDecent battery life and port selectionWi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 supportCould use better RAM and storageStylus not included
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