Chromebooks’ pre-built hardware will make you chuckle if you go back to the time of their creation. But in recent years, things have changed and it is no longer true.
Some Chromebooks, like the Asus Chromebook CX9, have CPUs with specifications as high as the Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor, which is sufficient to declare that it is of excellent quality.
There are now many different processor types available that can serve a variety of user populations. Therefore, a user who just uses their Chromebook for occasional online browsing or monitoring of their Twitter account won’t need to buy a laptop with an Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU.
How fast of a CPU does your Chromebook need to have? Let’s get right to it, since that is what this post is all about.
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In This Article
What does a Chromebook’s CPU do?
CPU, or central processing unit, is shortened to the processor. Sounds quite important, doesn’t it? Indeed, it is. One of the most important hardware elements of any computer, whether a Chromebook or a Windows PC, is the CPU. As a result, it’s often a crucial issue to take into account when buying a new laptop like a Chromebook.
A CPU’s primary function, which is sometimes referred to as the “brain” of a computer, is data processing. It is capable of operating a variety of devices and transmitting accurate information from one PC component to another. Also, it keeps the data required to deliver additional instructions and carry out immediate actions.
A computer would not be able to operate without a CPU. Without a central processing unit, it would be impossible for all the information to flow and make sense. Now, the PC will perform better overall and be able to perform calculations more quickly with a quality CPU.
When shopping for a new Chromebook, a CPU is a significant consideration. You can assess the situation and your financial capabilities together. Better CPUs are typically more expensive than their less expensive counterparts. Furthermore, choosing the right processor requires careful consideration of the buyer’s use case.
There are fast and slower processors, but none are completely unusable. Just different levels of usability exist here. For instance, if the Intel Core i3 CPU is from a current generation, ChromeOS can host and run the greatest Linux software as well as the best games from the Google Play Store.
By choosing the proper CPU speed, you may both get the performance you want from your purchase and save money.
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Choosing a processor that works for your Chromebook
In years to come, there will be a great abundance of Chromebooks. Fortunately, there is no scarcity of these gadgets arriving in various settings. The only issue here is making the right purchase.
This because, getting the right Chromebook will strike the ideal balance between meeting your needs and giving a satisfactory ChromeOS experience.
So, to make your decision making process easier, the widely pre-configured Chromebook processors will now be divided into three categories, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your needs.
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Low-tier processors
The range of subpar CPUs seen in budget Chromebooks serves as the starting point for the debate. The good news is that ChromeOS is designed to run flawlessly on low-end hardware because of the regular improvements released by Google.
Here, the MediaTek and Intel Celeron CPUs predominate, with the latter being available on Lenovo Chromebooks. Now, don’t think that these gadgets are worthless. As said before, ChromeOS is set up to work on subpar hardware, so you can still have a respectable Chromebook experience.
Nevertheless, there are few things you must keep in mind while using Chromebooks with subpar CPUs. First, you cannot expect to push someone over their breaking point. The performance won’t be affected by having numerous Chrome tabs open or one or two Google Play Store applications running at once, but anything more than that will.
To better explain the situation, let’s examine some of the advantages and disadvantages of Chromebooks with such CPUs.
Pros
- It is affordable to purchase.
- If you’re not running anything visually demanding, a respectable performance level is maintained.
- Perfect for quick internet surfing and other web-based activities of a similar kind.
- Excellent battery life.
Con
- No better performance level.
- won’t be proficient at multitasking.
- It is unlikely to simultaneously run many resource-intensive programs.
Intermediate processors
The range of mid-range processors, including the Intel Core i3 and Intel Core i5 CPUs for Chromebooks, is next. Here, we’re discussing gadgets like the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 and the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 14. There are much more fish in the water, but it’s important to start with these two Chromebooks.
Even though these two devices have configurations that include the Intel Core i3 CPU, we would claim that the term “mid-tier” does not adequately describe their performance. Both the Spin 713 and the Inspiron Chromebook 14 provide excellent performance daily because of their SSD configuration and RAM.
These gadgets cost over $500, so they are not exactly inexpensive. We’re certain that if you have the money available for such a purchase, you’ll be delighted and satisfied with a Chromebook that has this level of processing power.
We believe that a Chromebook powered by an Intel Core i3 processor or an AMD Ryzen 3000C processor integrated inside the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 will provide exceptional performance in this price range. The requirement is maintained for a wide range of functions, including online applications, running several programs, and gaming.
Therefore, customers should choose a CPU from the mid-tier range as their preferred option. These gadgets don’t come at a high price nor do they provide a subpar degree of performance. In any case, you still have an option as to whether you’d be content to settle for something less costly or go all-out on an expensive machine.
Furthermore, it is essential to note that processors are made up of architectures, which provide the foundation of their functional capabilities. ARM CPUs are available in several Chromebooks, the majority of which are mid-range.
Check out our comprehensive article on ARM Chromebooks vs. x86 Chromebooks for full instruction on the differences between these and the standard Intel x86 Chromebooks. In general, ARM processors are recommended because of their low power consumption, greater Android app optimization, and fluid performance.
On the other side, programmers who must handle heavy workloads with premium software, superior Linux distro installation choices, and wider availability are urged to acquire x86 Chromebooks.
Pros
- Fantastic performance.
- A respectable pricing range.
- Users may be able to multitask with it.
- It enables the simultaneous use of numerous apps.
Con
- Not as affordable as Chromebooks with regular processors.
Superior processors
This leads us to the last group of processors, especially the very best ones. Top-of-the-line CPUs provide a comparable level of performance, but if you’re considering purchasing one of them, be prepared to spend a fortune.
The most expensive version of the Latitude 7410 Chromebook Enterprise costs up to $1,700 on the official website.
The latter has a 256 GB PCIe NVMe SSD and a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10610U CPU. We’re keeping a watch on the HP Elite c1030 Chromebook as another Chromebook that manages to cut here.
This is yet another powerful creature, and it also has other high-calibre qualities including an Intel Core i7-10610U CPU for optimal output efficiency.
- Exceptional performance.
- The excellent ChromeOS environment.
- Can execute visually demanding applications effortlessly.
- The Chromebook’s excellent overall build quality.
- Also furnished with additional top-notch hardware specifications.
- Too expensive, which defeats the whole point of ChromeOS.
You have more concerns than just the CPU speed
I assume you read the subtitle. You must also consider other crucial aspects of your Chromebook to make a wise purchase. These comprise, among other things, internal memory, storage, and graphics. If you solely care about the performance of your device, RAM in particular takes precedence over storage. Why? It’s simple! You can always upgrade the storage on your Chromebook easily.
To make things easier for you, here’s a detailed guide on how to check Chromebook specs (Complete hardware and system info).
Conclusion
In terms of the most widely used operating systems in the world, Chromebooks are the next big thing. Because of their efficiency, security, and speed, they have not only dominated the educational sector in the United States, but their innovative design is also making significant progress in the business sector.