Running Google’s Chrome OS, Chromebooks have seen a huge boost in popularity over the last few years. And there are lots of good reasons for that: they are reliable, affordable, and most of all, highly portable! Chromebooks are also very versatile, and if you’re looking for a touchscreen laptop for kids, or for drawing, then a Chromebook with a Touchscreen can be good option for you. After all, Chrome OS is naturally optimized for touch use, and with most Chromebooks being able to run Android Apps, the possibilities are unlimited!
In order to help you choose the best Chromebook with touchscreen, we have compiled a small list for you. But before that, let’s get more info about Chromebooks and how they are different from regular laptop. If you’re already familiar with Chromebooks, just skip this part.
What are Chromebooks?
Chromebooks are laptops that run Google’s Chrome OS as their operating system. These devices can variety of tasks using the Google Chrome browser, with most applications and data residing in the cloud rather than on the laptop itself.
Chromebooks were mainly designed to be used by kids, students, or teachers. But as they are becoming more and more capable, manufacturers are making more premium models, catering for small businesses and advanced users. The table below gives a brief idea about the main differences between Chromebooks and traditional laptops:
Chromebooks | Traditional Laptops |
Run Google’s Chrome OS | Run Windows, Mac OS or Linux |
Very few apps are available (no Photoshop, Skype, iTunes) | Support gazillions of apps and programs |
Limited hardware options | A lot of choice when it comes to hardware |
Security | Windows has long been a known target for viruses. |
Very affordable with prices starting as low as 150$ | Prices vary according to the specs |
Exceptional Battery life (most Chromebooks can get you 8 hours of use) | Battery life is average, and only higher end ultrabooks offer a higher battery life |
What to look for when buying a Chromebook?
Chromebooks are cheaper compared to traditional laptops; that’s because the specs a Chrome OS needs to run smoothly are arguably lower than a traditional Windows laptop. Although premium Chromebooks do exist, and you could happily take that route if you feel this new environment suits you the best. Here are a few things for you to consider when buying a Chromebook:
- RAM and processor. Most Chromebooks run smoothly on a mobile Intel Celeron processor and 4 GB of RAM. Though with the ever-growing assets of Android apps available in the Chrome OS environment, a Chromebook has the capability to run multiple web pages and apps at the same time. If you’re a heavy or an experimental user, you could consider upping your game to an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor and 8 GB of RAM.
- Storage space. Just like low to mid smartphones, most Chromebooks range from 32 GB to 64 GB of SSD storage space. You’re supposed to rely at least partially on cloud-based applications and storage, like Google Drive or Dropbox. But, with the possibility to mark a Google Doc available for offline editing, you can easily take your Chromebook to work in a dead zone. If you plan on saving more files on local, consider upping the storage space to 128 GB.
- Display quality. If you cut your budget when it comes to the OS and the tech specs, it allows you to spend more for a high-quality display. Look out for those if you’re going to stream on a daily basis on YouTube or Netflix.
How useful is a touchscreen in a chromebook, and what to consider when buying a chromebook with a touchscreen?
Just like Windows laptops, convertible Chromebooks are becoming more and more popular. That’s because they provide both the convenience of a tablet for browsing the internet or watching movies, and the practicality of a physical keyboard for writing and productivity tasks. Here are a few things to know in order to get best convertible chromebook for your needs:
- Most of the Chromebooks available today are able to run Android Apps, and because apps were designed to run on a phone or tablet, having a chromebook with a touch screen is a big plus.
- Google has gradually expanded Chrome OS’s touch support, introducing a variety of swipes and gestures. So make sure that your next chromebook has the latest version of the Chrome OS.
- Most Chromebooks have a 16:9 ratio display. However, some of them come with a 3:2 ratio screen, these are actually better for using android apps. So, if you’re going to use a lot of android apps on your Chromebooks, pick one that has a 3:2 display.
So, now that you have an idea about Chromebooks, and the benefits of touch screens on Chromebooks, let’s check some of the best Chromebooks with touchscreen available right now.
Best Chromebooks with Touchscreen:
Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1
The Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1 is possibly the best and cheapest Chromebook with touchscreen you’ll find. It’s a 11.6” touchscreen HD laptop with an IPS display, featuring a MediaTek MT8173C processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of SSD storage space.
The Chromebook C330 has a sturdy plastic chassis that keeps it lightweight, under 2.6lbs. It’s also thinner than one inch, making it a rather portable machine for daily computing and streaming in tablet mode. Unlike most cheap Chromebooks in the same price range, the processor is highly optimized for Google Play Store apps. You’ll also have one USB Type-C port, a USB 3.0 port, a SD card slot and an HDMI port for connecting to a separate monitor. Despite the remarkably low price, this machine is made to impress!
Processor | MediaTek MT8173C Processor |
RAM | 4GB |
Storage | 64GB, eMMC |
Graphics | Integrated, PowerVR SGX543 |
Screen | 11,6 inch, 1366 x 768 |
Connectivity and Ports | 1- USB 3.1
1- USB 3.1 Type C 1 – HDMI port, Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0 |
Battery | up to 10 hours |
ASUS C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook
Next, we recommend the ASUS C302CA-DHM4, a 12.5” touchscreen and convertible Full HD Chromebook. It features an Intel Core m3 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of SSD storage, in a sleek all-metal body. Just like the Chrome OS, this machine embodies the quintessence of minimalism with its clean design. It’s also packed with a Gorilla Glass protection for the display. The tech specs are balanced for the classic Chrome OS experience.
The C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook features one USB Type-C port that you can use for all purposes, including charging your device. With an impressive 10 hours of video playback, the battery life can easily get you trough the workday with a single charge. Then, as a nice additional feature, it comes with a backlit keyboard.
Processor | Intel Core M Processor |
RAM | 4GB |
Storage | 64GB, Flash Memory SSD |
Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 515 |
Screen | 12,5 inch, 1920 x 1080 |
Connectivity and Ports | 2- USB 3.1 Type C
Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0 |
Battery | up to 10 hours |
HP Chromebook x2 12-f014dx
For a slightly higher price, we recommend the HP Chromebook x2 12-f014dx, a 2-in-1 2K laptop. Other than its impressive resolution, the display has a 3:2 aspect ratio that is so good for using it in tablet mode and casually scrolling through your documents. The x2 features an Intel Core m3 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of SSD storage space. Although keep in mind that you can easily up the memory through the available microSD port.
Unlike other touchscreen Chromebooks, the x2 is fully detachable. You’ll definitely enjoy the tablet experience, though you’ll be just a docking away from having a complete laptop for your desktop work. The x2 includes two USB Type-C ports, one of which you can use for charging the device. It also comes with an HP stylus pen.
Processor | Intel Core m3-7Y30 Processor |
RAM | 4GB |
Storage | 32GB, Flash Memory SSD |
Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 515 |
Screen | 12,3 inch, 2400 x 1600 |
Connectivity and Ports | 2- USB 3.1 Type C
Card reader, Bluetooth 4.2 |
Battery | up to 8 hours |
Samsung Chromebook Plus XE513C24-K01US
Next, we’ve enjoyed the Samsung Samsung Chromebook Plus XE513C24-K01US, a Quad HD (2400×1600) 12.3” convertible device. Its 3:2 display comes with an amazing 400 nits of brightness, which allows for an astonishing visual experience at a rather low price range. The Chromebook Plus features an Intel Celeron N3060 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of SSD storage space. You can easily up your game with the microSD slot.
The Chromebook Plus comes with a built-in pen that you can pull out from the all-metal body of the device. It allows for a user-friendly experience with Google Play Store apps, taking notes and sketching on the go. This machine includes two USB Type-C ports for the better connectivity. The quality design of the Chromebook Plus is simply unparalleled by traditional Windows machines at the same price range!
Processor | Intel Core m3 Processor 7Y30 |
RAM | 4GB |
Storage | 64GB, eMMC |
Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 615 |
Screen | 12,2 inch, 1920×1200 |
Connectivity and Ports | 2- USB 3.1 Type C
1- USB 3.0 Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0 |
Battery | up to 10 hours |
Acer Chromebook Spin 13 CP713-1WN-53NF
Last but not the least, we have a premium Chromebook for those of you looking for the best Chromebook with touchscreen and high end specs. The Acer Chromebook Spin 13 CP713-1WN-53NF is a 13.5” 2K (2256×1504) convertible device, featuring an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage space. It has a nice aluminum chassis with a backlit keyboard, which is so good for your productivity.
Like other Chromebooks in the list, the Spin 13 has a display with 3:2 aspect ratio. But, thanks to the premium processor and the high amount of RAM, you can easily make the most out of it. Create amazing designs! A stylus pen is included in the package. The 128 GB of storage space is definitely more than you’ll need on a typical Chrome OS experience. With the 10 hours of battery life, there’s nothing more that you could wish for in a luxury Chromebook for your productivity and free time.
Processor | Intel Core i5-8250U Processor |
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | 128GB, eMMC storage |
Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
Screen | 13,5 inch, 2256 x 1504 IPS |
Connectivity and Ports | 2- USB 3.1 type C
1- USB 3.1 Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0 |
Battery | up to 10 hours |