5 Best High-Performance Chromebooks For Gaming in 2023
It is understandable why many people choose Chromebooks over laptops. Chromebooks use Chrome OS and are way cheaper than laptops. And Chromebooks have evolved a lot better in most important aspects like performance and storage. You may consider these characteristics reasonable to go for Chromebooks rather than laptops. But are Chromebooks really good for gaming?
Chromebooks are now specifically developed and created for the purpose of cloud gaming, like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, which is among the first Chromebooks created with the best performance for gaming. So in this article, you can find some of the amazing Chromebooks for gaming.
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- The Best Deals on Chromebooks – Top Chromebooks in 2022
- The Best Chromebooks for Every Budget & Need in 2022
Here’s a quick list of the best high-performance Chromebooks for Gaming,
- Acer Chromebook 516 GE Cloud Gaming Laptop
- Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebooks for Gaming
- Google Pixelbook Go
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebooks for Gaming
- Acer Chromebook 317
Now, we can see each Chromebook in detail and why it is good for gaming.
1. Acer Chromebook 516 GE Cloud Gaming Laptop
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is one of the Chromebooks developed specifically for cloud gaming powered by Chrome OS. It is unusual for Chromebooks to be solely based on PC cloud gaming, and the Chromebook’s hardware is nothing less than a classic laptop for Windows gaming.
The “GE” in the name stands for Gaming Edition Chromebooks. You will get some of the features for gaming purposes, like RGB, an anti-ghosting keyboard, and a 120Hz refreshing rate for the screen. With much less hardware than normally required for gaming, this Chromebook performs amazingly, even without a dedicated AMD or NVIDIA processor, as other Windows gaming devices would do. Overall this is one of the best Chromebooks for gaming.
Specifications
- Screen Size: 16 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1240P
- RAM: 8 GB
- OS: Google Chrome OS
- Touch Screen: No
Pros
- Surprisingly good hardware for a Chromebook in both the processing and storage aspect
- Gives an impressive performance in gaming
- Has several ports
- Comes with features like RGB and an anti-ghosting keyboard
- Offers a 120Hz refresh rate screen
Cons
- Not having a touch screen is one of the big downsides.
- It would have been nice if those USB-C ports were Thunderbolt 4.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5
This detachable Chromebook is the best one for light gaming. The 1080p OLED and the 13.3-inch generous display offer lively and vibrant clarity. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7c and Adreno graphics, it is perfectly suitable for mobile gaming.
The video can be supported up to 4K HDR. It is fast and efficient, with battery power lasting up to 13+ hours. This can be the best choice if you also look for a Chromebook for multitasking besides gaming. This is one of the best Chromebooks for gaming because it does not lag even during heavy usage. Overall, the Lenovo Ideapad Duet 5 has good performance and is suitable for gaming.
Specifications
- Screen Size: 13.3 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
- RAM: 8 GB
- OS: Google Chrome OS
- Touch Screen: Yes
Pros
- The OLED display is detachable.
- The front and rear cameras are very high quality.
- You get a kickstand and a keyboard cover.
Cons
- Compute performance is slow.
- It doesn’t have 4G or 5G LTE options or an audio jack.
Also Reads
- 5 Best Stadia Alternatives for Cloud Gaming in 2023
- 5 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 in 2023
- 5 Best Cloud Gaming Apps for Android in 2023
- 4 Best Wireless Gaming Keyboards in 2023
3. Google Pixelbook Go
Google Pixelbook Go is also one of the well-performing Chromebooks for gaming which is designed well and lets you experience the sleek performance of the Chrome OS. It is a relatively significant and well-built laptop. As you can see, it is relatively less expensive when compared to the Google Pixelbook, but it costs more than other Chromebooks. But if you prefer Chrome OS or if you can get this Chromebook at a discount, you can definitely go for this.
Specifications
- Screen Size: 13.3 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8200Y
- RAM: 8 GB
- OS: Google Chrome OS
- Touch Screen: Yes
Pros
- It has a sleek and elegant style.
- The body is alloy magnesium.
- You get a high-quality camera of 1080P.
- The audio output is good.
- Battery life is long.
Cons
- Digital stylus support is not provided.
- It’s a bit expensive for a Chromebook.
4. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook
The Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 tried hard to outpace the inexpensive Chromebooks and manage the price without inflating it. The design and build quality are more than classic and elegant. It is a convertible Chromebook with a nice 13.3-inch display. And since most people prefer smaller and more lightweight models when it comes to Chromebooks for gaming, this one might seem slightly heavy.
One of the important aspects everyone seems to like about this Chromebook is that it comes in a dark blue shade called Abyss Blue, which is a very eye-catching color you won’t be able to find in other Chromebooks.
Specifications
- Screen Size: 13.3 inches
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1115G4
- RAM: 8 GB
- OS: Google Chrome OS
- Touch Screen: Yes
Pros
- The performance of the Chromebook is powerful.
- The keyboard is very responsive.
- The design is very good.
Cons
- The display is slightly dim.
- HDMI port is not available.
5. Acer Chromebook 317
Chevy BelAir 1957 is no longer referred to as the “Big Chrome.” It’s been around a decade since Chromebook was introduced, but the Acer Chromebook 317 is the first one to bring a huge laptop screen of 17.3 inches. Instead of a solid drive, it has MMC Flash storage and a modest Intel Celeron CPU.
But it will be perfect for people who want to play games on a big screen or watch videos, and more than this large screen is portable and movable. So, if you are looking for Chromebooks for gaming with a huge display and also good performance, you can consider choosing Acer Chromebook 317.
Specifications
- Screen Size: 17.3 inches
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4500
- RAM: 4 GB
- OS: Google Chrome OS
- Touch Screen: No
Pros
- Large 1080p display
- Comfortable keyboard
- Has a slot for a microSD card, two USB-C, and two USB-A ports
- Available for an affordable price
Cons
- The keyboard is not backlit, and the HDMI port is not given.
- Performance is a bit tepid.
- The display is dim.
- The sound quality could have been better.
Suggested Reads
- The 4 Best Chromebooks Under $300 in 2021
- 5 Best Android Emulators For Chromebook in 2022
- Lenovo Chromebook 2022: A Detailed Review
- Pixelbook Go: A Chromebook with high-end specs and a budget-friendly price
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Chromebooks good for gaming?
Yes. Chromebooks are perfect for gaming and can take your gameplay to the next level with some great features like RGB (Red, Green, and Blue), anti-ghosting keyboards, and 120Hz rate, a refreshing and high-resolution screen.
Which is better for gaming, Chromebooks or laptops?
If you look at the performance aspect, laptops’ performance is way better than Chromebooks, which makes the laptop suitable for intense activities like gaming and video editing. On the other hand, Chromebooks are a little difficult to use, a bit slow, and have limited performing capabilities.
Why do Chromebooks lag so much?
Your Chromebook may lag if you have several tabs open simultaneously. It is best not to open 5 or more tabs at the same time. Or your operating system, the Chromebook, may need an update to adapt to the frequent updates and changes in Google Chrome.
Keep this in your mind
It is a bit tricky to choose the best Chromebooks in general, and that, too, a perfect and high-performance Chromebooks for gaming should take a lot of thinking and decision-making. The Chromebook you are buying should be worth the money you are spending and serve the purpose you need it for.
Even though the price of the Chromebook matters, you should also consider the performance and other factors like display size, clarity, quality of the display, performance, and storage, which are all important aspects when buying an electronic gadget.