Greatest gaming Chromebooks in 2024

The Chromebook has turn out to be the “do-it-all” machine, greater than price its worth. And you would be forgiven to suppose that gaming does not fall into its space of experience, however Chromebooks from Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo say in any other case. They deal with the finest Android video games and superb Triple-A titles, too.

With Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now letting you play the newest and best with out relying closely on a Chromebook’s energy and the latest wave of Chromebooks primed for gaming, these dependable machines have turn out to be a viable possibility for avid gamers of every kind. They boast 120Hz shows, RGB-lit keyboards, and extra. Nowadays, you will even discover Steam for Chrome OS (nonetheless in beta). Whether or not you are after the finest Chromebook with a aspect of gaming or a Chromebook tuned for play, this gaming Chromebook listing will allow you to stream or play on-device with no hitch.

Prime gaming Chromebooks

Acer’s Chromebook 516 GE is likely one of the first of its type, providing a platform designed particularly to deal with cloud streaming and native gaming. Past gaming, it is also a high decide on the subject of the general finest Acer Chromebooks due to its high-end construct high quality, attractive show, and speedy processor. The most typical configuration accessible now features a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i5-1240P CPU with built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics. Acer does listing a Core i7 possibility, although it appears to be a lot tougher to search out presently. The 516 GE is most generally accessible with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM. Amazon at present presents transportable SSDs at as much as a 2TB capability, although this is not in all probability mandatory until you are going all-in on native Steam gaming.

The laptop computer has 4 audio system with DTS Audio and a sensible amp to spice up the sound; two of them hearth up from the keyboard whereas the opposite two level down from the bottom. The keyboard has customizable RGB lighting and its anti-ghosting properties assist with frantic gameplay. Even in case you are having fun with quick video games, the large 16-inch show with a 120Hz refresh charge will be capable to sustain. The whole lot will look {smooth}, and the 2560×1600 decision with 100% sRGB shade actually does not get a lot better.

This Chromebook is able to tackle sport streaming due to a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for a blistering wired connection and Wi-Fi 6E for a dependable wi-fi sign. It is also one of many fashions explicitly supported by the Steam for Chrome OS beta. In case you’re on the lookout for a well-rounded Chromebook with cloud and native gaming on the forefront of its priorities, it is a good spot to begin.

The Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip is a beautiful convertible laptop computer that can excel at cloud gaming, and it is also on the Steam beta compatibility listing. Its Eleventh-gen Intel Core CPUs aren’t as fast because the newer Twelfth-gen chips present in another choices right here, however they’re going to nonetheless ship a good native gaming expertise. Simply make sure you splurge for a Core i5 or Core i7 chip with Intel Iris Xe built-in graphics should you’re trying to get pleasure from some native Steam titles. The CPUs are joined by as much as 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and as much as 512GB of storage.

The 360° convertible hinges maintain a 15.6-inch contact show with 1920×1080 decision. It has a 16:9 side ratio, as much as 250 nits brightness, and slim bezels for a contemporary look. One of the best half? It is obtained a 144Hz refresh charge for a super-smooth gaming expertise. The keyboard is snug for typing or gaming with a minimal 1.4mm of journey and its anti-ghosting properties provide you with an correct enter. It does not have customizable RGB lighting, but it surely does have a backlight and highlighted WASD keys.

A scarcity of a local Ethernet port means you will largely depend on Wi-Fi 6, however you may at all times add an Ethernet adapter to attach through USB-C. This can be a smooth and versatile laptop computer with loads of completely different efficiency ranges accessible, supplying you with loads of alternative to get what you must have a little bit of enjoyable from one of many finest Asus Chromebooks round.

Lenovo’s IdeaPad lineup has at all times been about maximizing worth, and this gaming Chromebook is not any completely different. It prices greater than our different high picks in some instances, but it has a high-end characteristic set that ought to enchantment to many individuals. The large 16-inch show has a crisp 2560×1600 decision with a 120Hz refresh charge and is rated for as much as 350 nits of brightness. It additionally has 4 audio system, a webcam with 1080p decision and privateness shutter, and Wi-Fi 6E, which is on the market for a speedy wi-fi connection whereas streaming video games. There is no native LAN port, however you may at all times use an adapter with one of many USB-C ports.

In case you’re trying to check out some Steam video games, it is beneficial that you just follow a setup that includes a Core i5 or Core i7 CPU. The U-series chips seen on the IdeaPad aren’t as highly effective because the P-series chips in one thing just like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, however you may nonetheless get respectable gaming efficiency. It is all powered by an enormous 71Wh battery.

The keyboard is on level with four-zone customizable RGB lighting and anti-ghosting properties. Its 1.5mm key journey additionally makes for a cushty day of typing. In case you’re on the lookout for an entire lot of laptop computer that may simply deal with cloud gaming and native Steam gaming, you may get an important one within the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook (16-inch) for an important value.

The brand new Acer Chromebook Spin 714 refreshed for 2023 is certainly one of our high picks for the very best Chromebooks available on the market as we speak. That is all due to its smooth convertible design, 14-inch contact show, webcam with 2K decision and privateness shutter, Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for {smooth} cloud gaming, and powerful battery life. Whereas it is a wonderful all-around possibility for energy customers and professionals, it may well additionally double as a gaming machine due to its thirteenth Gen Intel Core i5-1335U CPU with Intel Iris Xe built-in graphics and Steam assist.

Video games look nice on the 14-inch show and its FHD+ decision possibility, and the convertible design means you may flip it round for a pure Android gaming expertise. Its Intel Core U-series CPUs put up a powerful battle, although chances are you’ll wish to take into account a laptop computer with P-series CPUs should you plan on largely gaming regionally with Steam. In any other case, you may get pleasure from cloud gaming to your coronary heart’s content material. This Chromebook can excel as a accomplice in your work life, however its gaming capabilities will preserve you in entrance of the show when the day’s finished.

As the very best Chromebook accessible proper now, there’s so much to like in regards to the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. The machine is a significant workhorse, boasting a thirteenth Gen Intel i3-1215U processor and a considerable 10-hour battery life, so it is match for work, examine, and would not you already know it, gaming. Extra so within the cloud gaming division than regionally, although, as its Wi-Fi 6E connectivity presents dependable streaming with out the nuisance of enter lag.

For beneath $500, you may anticipate a slick 2-in-1 design, a good 14-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) show, and all of the perks that include Chromebook Plus. That is a wonderful deal, particularly if you wish to energy by a number of Chrome tabs. It is a disgrace its thirteenth Gen Intel energy, and 8GB of RAM does not translate to formidable gaming energy, because it will not be capable to deal with the extra demanding PC video games on the market. Nonetheless, that does not imply it is not ideally suited for lighter titles on Steam or hard-hitting Android video games on the Play Retailer.

It is transportable sufficient to sport on the transfer, even when it is on the heavier aspect, and may final an entire day of labor and play without having any juice. If you end up away from a desk most of the time and revel in tackling much less demanding titles after a day’s work, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus will fortunately oblige. Plus, taking advantage of your web speeds means seamless cloud gaming.

Getting the very best Chromebook for gaming

Chromebooks aren’t nearly optimized web productiveness for employees and college students, as many now have the proper stuff beneath the hood to enterprise past Android video games (though trendy Android gaming can already be fairly demanding). With upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity to breeze by cloud gaming from GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna, and succesful internals that may deal with waves of the very best video games on Steam, you will discover that the newest Chromebooks for gaming are price their weight in gold (or V-Bucks, relying on the video games you are taking part in).

That is why the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is our best choice, because it ticks all the proper packing containers to make video games shine. Its dazzling 16-inch QHD+ show with a 120Hz refresh charge makes body charges buttery {smooth}, its Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and useful 2.5Gbps Ethernet port make cloud gaming a cinch, and an RGB-lit keyboard with anti-ghosting matches that gamer aesthetic. It might probably additionally deal with video games regionally, providing as much as 2TB of storage.

To actually profit from taking part in Steam titles regionally, the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip ought to be your go-to decide. Whereas the Eleventh Gen Intel chip could also be older, it is backed by having i5 and i7 Intel Core choices, 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and as much as 512GB of storage. That is a lot to deal with a wealth of video games on Steam, and these titles might be proven off on its 15.6-inch contact show with an enviable 144Hz refresh charge. Whereas nonetheless a tad dear, you will discover it is rather more reasonably priced than many Home windows-based gaming laptops.

If funds is in your thoughts, however gaming nonetheless takes priority, look no additional than the gaming-ready Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook. This reasonably priced machine is made to sport, with a 16-inch QHD+ show with 120Hz refresh charge, Twelfth Gen Intel Core U-series chips, a Wi-Fi 6E connection for cloud gaming, and a four-zone customizable RGB-lit keyboard — all for beneath $500. Its U-series processors cannot fairly match the facility of others on this listing, however there’s greater than sufficient right here to get pleasure from cloud gaming and lightweight native gaming at its best.