Is there a good case to be made for a Chromebook in 2026? In my mind, there are two primary reasons. The first is if you need a laptop under $500 that isn't awful. If that's your budget for a new laptop, whether for yourself or for a family member, you're better off buying a Chromebook than an ancient Windows laptop or MacBook.

Things get fuzzier if you can afford to stretch a few hundred more dollars. All of sudden, you have to compare against heavy hitters in the world of budget laptops like the MacBook Neo or Dell 14 Plus. Not only do these laptops tend to have better specs, they also have a more open software platform that far less limiting than Chrome OS. But if you're willing to be honest about your needs, I think you'll find that even a more expensive Chromebook could be the best option for you—and I know just the one.

Some Serious Chrome

There's no Chromebook quite like the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14. Not since the days of the original Pixelbook has a piece of Chrome OS hardware come along that so wanted you to believe in the platform. The laptop chassis feels immaculately designed, and both the keyboard and touchpad are a joy to use.

But you'll be paying extra for all that. The retail price is $749, and even though it frequently is discounted to $649, that's still considerably more than most people are willing to pay for a Chromebook. Battery life is also really strong, which is an area that Chromebooks used to lead in.