Zoom is one of the most popular video conferencing platforms out there, especially for collaborating and holding business meetings among remote team members, or hosting online classes and webinars. If you’re looking to get a Chromebook for Zoom, then this article will help you make an informed decision.
As usual, here are a few tips to consider when looking for a Chromebook for Zoom meetings, before jumping to our list.
What to consider when looking for a Chromebook for Zoom?
Chromebooks are an excellent choice for video meetings on the go, they are lightweight, offer great battery life, and affordable, which makes them perfect for students. There are a few things to consider when looking for a Chromebook for Zoom, here are our recommendations in order to get the best user experience:
- CPU and RAM: Most Chromebooks available nowadays can run Zoom with no issues, however, but to ensure a hiccup free experience, it is recommended to find one with at least a in Intel Celeron processor, and 4GB of RAM (8GB is even better). A multi core processor will help when sharing your screen, or when running multiple apps in the same time. Having more RAM is also very helpful in this case.
- Display : In general, a screen size of 13 or 14 inch is recommended, as they provide a good balance between screen real estate, and portability. A smaller display doesn’t have enough space to do your work, and it will be very hard running two apps side by side. Also, a smaller screen also means a smaller keyboard, and smaller keys. Screen resolution is also important, and a full HD resolution is recommended.
- Webcam : If you use Zoom for video conferencing, then having a good built in webcam is a must. A webcam with a resolution of 720p should be the bare minimum, but there are other factors to consider in order to get a good image, including your internet speed, but also whether group HD video is enabled in your account AND in the meeting you are participating in. On the other hand, video quality will sometimes be capped by Zoom in order to connection seamless for every participant in real-time.
- Battery life: Chromebooks offer great battery life, but not all of them are equal. If you’re someone who likes working on the go, then consider a Chromebook that provides at least 8 hours of battery life. Most manufacturers include an estimated battery life, but it’s not the same thing as real world usage. In order to get an idea how long the battery life will last, you can read other users’ reviews or detailed tests for example.
These as the main things to consider when searching for a Chromebook for video conferencing, and Zoom in particular. Here are the best Chromebooks for Zoom we selected for you:
Best Chromebooks for Zoom in 2022:
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Lenovo Flex 5i 13 Chromebook 2-in-1
The Lenovo Flex 5i 13 is one of the best Chromebooks available right now. Not only is it good for Zoom meetings, but it’s also a great choice if you’re looking for a Chromebooks that offers great value for the money.
The Flex 5i 13 comes with an Intel i3-1115G4 processor, 8GB RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. This Chromebook also comes with a 13,3inch Full HD display, which can be folded 360° n order to use the it in tent or tablet mode.
There is also a 720p webcam with a built in privacy shutter, which can be handy for video calls. And in terms of ports, there are two USB-C ports, 1 USB3.2 type A, and a microSD card slot to help you add extra storage.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Good value for the money
➕ Good battery life |
➖ Limited built in storage |
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Acer Chromebook 315,CB315-3HT-C296
The Acer Chromebook 315 is an affordable 15,6 inch Chromebook with good value for its price. The model featured here comes with an Intel Celeron N4000, 4GB of RAM, and 32Gb of eMMC storage.
The display is definitely the highlight of this Chromebook. It’s a 15,6 inch full HD IPS touch scree, that’s good for running multiple apps, or watching movies.
In terms of ports, there are 2 USB3.1 type C ports, 2 USB 3.1 type A ports, and a micro SD card reader. The built in webcam has a 720p resolution with a 88 degree wide angle lens.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Good number of ports
➕ Good battery life |
➖ Limited built in storage |
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Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 XE530QDA-KA1US
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is not the cheapest on this list, but it’s one of the best Chromebooks available right now, and definitely one of the best Chromebooks for Zoom meetings, and working on the go. In terms of specs, the version featured here comes with an Intel Core i3 10110U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD drive.
The Galaxy Chromebook 2 also comes with an excellent 13,3 inch full HD display, which also supports USI pens. This Chromebooks is also lightweight and easy to carry around, at just 0.6 inch thick and 2.71lbs.
When it comes to ports, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 has only 2 USB-C ports, and a micro SD card reader. The webcam has a 720p resolution, and the keyboard is backlit.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Excellent display
➕ Good battery life |
➖ No USB type A ports
➖ A bit expensive |
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Acer Spin 514-1H 14
The Acer Spin 514 is a stylish and affordable 2 in 1 Chromebook. The version featured here (514-1H ) comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 3250C processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. This Chromebook is an excellent choice for students and teachers looking for an affordable and multi-purpose Chromebook for Zoom.
The Acer Spin 514 has a 14 inch display, which offers a good balance between screen real estate and size.
For ports, there are also 2 USB 3.2 type -C ports, 2 USB 3.0 type 1 ports, and a micro SD card reader.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Affordable
➕ Good number of ports ➕ Good battery life |
➖ No backlit keyboard |
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Acer Chromebook Spin CP514-2H-5556
For those of you who want a more powerful version of the Acer Chromebook Spin 514, there is a beefier version available. This one has an Intel Core i5-1130G7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. For most users, this is more than enough.
The Spin 514 also comes with a full HD 14 inch touchscreen, with 100% sRGB color coverage. It’s also one of the best Chromebooks for video conferencing, thanks to its 1080p webcam. In terms of ports, there are 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB 3.2 type A port, and an HDMI port.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Good performance
➕ Excellent number of ports ➕ Excellent build quality |
➖ A bit expensive |
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Asus Chromebook 17
There aren’t many 17 inch Chromebooks out there, but if you’re looking for one that has a large screen, then the Asus Chromebook 17 should be on your list. It has an Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage.While it’s not a performance beast, it should be enough for most users.
If mobility is not very important for you, then you will definitely benefit from the extra screen real estate that the 17,3 inch display provides. You can easily run multiple applications side by side, and watching movies is also better on a large display. This is also one of the few Chromebooks with number pad available right.
There’s also a good amount of ports, including 2 USB-C 3.2 ports, 2 USB-A 3.2 ports, and a Micro SD card reader.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Large display
➕ Full size keyboard ➕ Good battery life |
➖ Limited built in storage
➖ Average performance |
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Acer Chromebook 515 CB515-1W CB515-1W-54MS
The Acer Chromebook 515 is designed for those who need a powerful Chromebook for work and classes. It’s not the cheapest one on this list, but it’s one the best Chromebooks available right now. The Acer Chromebook 515 comes with an Intel i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD.
The Acer Chromebook 515 also comes with a 15,6 inch Full HD display, and there is a good number of ports too. Which includes 2 USB 3.2 type C ports, 1 USB 3.2 type A port, and a micro SD card reader. The webcam has a 720p resolution, and there is also a built in fingerprint scanner for enhanced security.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Excellent performance
➕ Good battery life ➕ Built in Fingerprint scanner |
➖ No touch screen |
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ASUS Chromebook Flip CX3, CX3400FMA-DH388T-S
The ASUS Chromebook Flip CX3 is a multi-purpose 14 inch Chromebook that has plenty of unique features for its price. It comes with an Intel Core i3-1110G4 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD. In terms of performance, this Chromebook should offer a smooth and fast experience for most users. For Zoom and video meetings, the Asus CX3 has a 720p webcam, which can be hidden thanks to a built in switch.
This Chromebook also sports a 14inch Full HD touch screen, and comes with a built in Stylus for taking quick notes. The screen also can rotate up to 360° degrees in order to use this Chromebook as a tablet. For taking photos and videos, there is a a second camera near the trackpad. This second camera has a 5MP resolution.
In terms of ports, there are 2 USB 3.2 type A ports, 2 USB 3.2 Type C ports, and a micro SD card reader. Build quality is also very good, and the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX3 is certified for the US MIL-STD 810H durability standards.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Build quality
➕ Good performance ➕ Built in Stylus |
➖ Second camera resolution |
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HP Chromebook 14a-nd0097nr
Back to more affordable options, we have the HP 14a-nd0097nr Chromebook which is priced just above the 300 dollars mark. This 14 inch Chromebook has an AMD 3015Ce processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 64GB eMMC drive. While it’s not the fastest processor out there, the HP 14a is one of the cheapest Chromebooks with 8GB RAM available.
In addition to that, the HP 14a Chromebook also comes with a Full HD touch display, and a 720p webcam. For ports, there are 2 USB 3.2 type C ports, 1 USB 3.2 type A port, and a micro SD card reader.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Affordable
➕ Good battery life |
➖ Average performance |
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ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5500FDA-DN344T
The ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5 is a professional looking and versatile 15,6 inch Chromebook. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 3250C processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage.
Designed with professionals in mind, the Flip CM5 has full size backlit keyboard, with a 1.4mm key travel distance, and plenty of connectivity options, including 2 USB 3.2 type C, 1 USB 3.2 type A, HDMI, and a micro SD card reader.
The screen has a Full HD resolution, and can rotate up to 360 degrees. The screen also support USI styluses.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Good number of ports including HDMI
➕ Good keyboard |
➖ Limited built in storage |
So now that you have reached the end of our list, let’s try to answer some of the questions you might have when it comes to using Zoom on a Chromebook.
FAQ:
Are Chromebooks good for zoom?
For most people, using a Chromebook for Zoom will be just fine, especially if you only need to participate in a Zoom meeting, and not host one. Zoom can be used on a Chromebook through Zoom’s progressive web app or using the web version that you can access through a browser. However, some features are not available on the Chrome OS version of Zoom, especially when compared to the windows version. So if any specific features and controls are important to you, it’s recommended to check whether they are available on the app or not. You can find a full detailed comparison of the Zoom Desktop, web Client, mobile app, and the PWA here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360027397692-Desktop-client-mobile-app-web-client-and-PWA-comparison.
