Consider the Acer Chromebook 714 if your youngster need a large screen, a strong CPU, and 8GB of RAM. This laptop is available in a variety of configurations, including the latest-generation Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors. The one we recommend for older kids costs $650 for the Core i3 and 64GB of storage, however you can purchase it for $500 with a 2.3GHz Intel Pentium 4417U and 8GB of RAM. That’s plenty of RAM for navigating Chrome tabs and activating many applications at once.
Whatever hardware combination you pick, the Chromebook 714 has the same all-aluminum, visually attractive body, as well as a backlit keyboard and a snappy touchpad. The casing is also fingerprint-resistant, so it remains smooth, and there’s a fingerprint scanner for locking the gadget away from nosy parents’ prying eyes. The main drawbacks are that the Chromebook 714 doesn’t have the most brilliant display or the loudest speakers.
What is the best Chromebook for your child?
Children do not need all of the bells and whistles of a premium Chromebook. They need something that is functional enough to check them in and enable engagement. Chromebooks powered by lesser-known CPUs like the MediaTek Helio P60T and the Intel Celeron N4000 are certainly capable, but they are not workhorses like the Intel Core M3 and Core i5 processors. 8GB of RAM is a minimum need for something more powerful and capable of running several Chrome tabs at once, as well as Android applications when suitable. At the very least, you won’t have to worry about battery life differences between the models indicated here since education-focused Chromebooks are built with the least-demanding specs.
A standard laptop-type Chromebook can fine for a youngster who is usually stuck at the desk doing homework, however you’ll want to select an exterior that is simple to wipe clean when messes develop. If your youngster likes to browse using a mouse, get one with a normal USB input. It streamlines the procedure of attaching a mouse and eliminates the need to purchase a USB-C dock. A 2-in-1 Chromebook tablet provides the same capability as a desk-bound Chromebook, but with the added benefit of being able to complete homework in a beanbag chair or similar exceptionally comfortable setting.
When it comes to screen size, an 11-inch display is sufficient for smaller children. A bigger display, or anything 13-inches or greater, will assist older children and middle-schoolers more. If you don’t like the Chromebook’s display—perhaps it’s a little washed out, or it’s too small for your child—you can always invest in the USB hub indicated above to add HDMI and connect to an external monitor.
Finally, since Chromebook models aren’t frequently changed yearly, consider if the Chromebook model you choose will get software and security upgrades in the future. The majority of the Chromebooks shown here will be updated until 2026. (If you want to seek for a particular model, Google has a good support page.) This assures software compatibility and that your child’s laptop is not vulnerable to severe security flaws. To keep the gadget up to date, you may need to undertake some manual parental maintenance.