Value Chromebooks

Best Chromebooks 

If you're looking for a cheap computer to surf the Internet, or for your kids, a Chromebook might be a good option for your needs. Chromebooks have very limited capabilities, and I generally prefer—and advise—computers with more robust capabilities. 

But if a Chromebook (or a cloud-first Windows netbook) is all you need, here are some of the best options:

Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga Chromebook; $200
http://amzn.to/2nXZ5ED

*My top recommendation
   -360-degree hinge, 4 GB RAM, 16 GB eMMC SSD storage, 11.6" HD screen, decent Intel Celeron N3150 processor, very positive reviews


Lenovo Thinkpad 13 Chromebook; $210
http://amzn.to/2olebQR

   -4 GB RAM, 16 GB eMMC SSD storage, 13.3" HD screen, good Intel Celeron 3855U processor

ASUS Flip Chromebook; $280
http://amzn.to/2mFtg3k

   -360-degree hinge, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC SSD storage, 10.1" HD screen, decent Rockchip 3288-C processor, good reviews

ASUS Chromebook C202-YS02; $200
http://amzn.to/2nlL8gR

   -Ruggedized, 180-degree hinge (not 360 degrees!), 4 GB RAM, 16 GB SSD storage, 11.6" HD screen, slow Intel Celeron N3060 processor

Lenovo IdeaPad N42-20 Chromebook; $175
http://amzn.to/2ol3UEq

   -4 GB RAM, 16 GB eMMC SSD storage, 14" HD screen, slow Intel Celeron N3060 processor

Want Windows instead?

ASUS L402SA; $200
http://amzn.to/2mFibzi

   -4 GB RAM, 32 GB SSD storage, 14" HD screen, decent Intel Celeron N3150 processor, ~10-hour battery life

Older models:

Toshiba Chromebook CB35-B3340; $270
http://amzn.to/1QonqKa

   -Celeron N2840, 4 GB RAM, 16 GB SSD (no full Office; only QuickOffice/Microsoft Office Online/Google Docs), 13.3" IPS Full HD screen, 9-hr battery life
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I've discovered that you can run a full version of Linux on some Chromebooks:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2984834/chromebooks/installing-linux-on-a-chromebook-what-you-need-to-know.html,
http://www.androidcentral.com/putting-linux-your-chromebook-easier-you-think,
...
and GalliumOS, which is designed to be run on a Chromebook...but unlike Chrome OS, it doesn't prevent you from installing programs and doing what you want!

But keep in mind: you should get one with an Intel processor, and one with 32 GB of storage is preferable: https://www.howtogeek.com/185039/4-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-buying-a-chromebook-for-linux/

If these options don't meet your needs, please check out 

my list of the best value laptops on the market today!