Chromebooks are dead. Long live Googlebooks. OK, that’s an exaggeration, but Chromebooks seem to be on their way out. Google has introduced a new line of laptops, Googlebooks, which certainly look like an evolution from Chrome OS. Google announced that standard Chromebooks will remain in the lineup for the foreseeable future, but it also stated some of the latest models will be eligible for an update to the new Googlebook operating system.

Five Googlebook models have been released so far, and I’ve been testing them for the past couple of weeks. Despite being some of the most premium laptops Google has ever had in its laptop ecosystem, that doesn’t mean you should rush out and buy one. First-generation products always come with their fair share of compromises, and that’s certainly true here. As someone who’s been testing Chromebooks for over a decade, here are my suggestions on which to buy—and which to skip.

For more recommendations, check out Best Laptops, Best Cheap Laptops, Best Android Tablets, and Best Android Phones.

Unlike my Windows or MacBook laptop recommendations, I’m starting with something on the cheaper end of the spectrum. Despite Google’s best efforts, I still believe most people looking for a Chromebook in 2026 choose price first. Chromebooks have always been pitched as a cheaper alternative to PCs and Macs, and that’s still their strongest attribute—even with the arrival of Googlebook. And that’s why the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 is at the top of my list.

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