The best cheap Chromebook deals in May 2017

If you don’t want to shell out hundreds for an Ultrabook or MacBook and an under-powered, cheap Windows laptop is not an option, a Chromebook is the cheapest way to buy a laptop. That said, scoring deals on already frugal laptops can be quite the challenge.

Even so, dig deep enough, and you’ll find Chromebooks from Acer, Asus, Dell and other big name device makers discounted drastically for the month of May. Below, we’ve listed the top deals on our favorite Chromebooks across the board. Just keep in mind that some of these deals may expire before our next update, so pay attention to the date published.

This is where you should begin your quest for a Chromebook. At 14 inches in screen size and inside a cute frame, the HP Chromebook 14 offers a decent middle ground for the indecisive shopper. With standardized parts inside, this Chromebook can do essentially everything its closest rivals can and then some, with its microSD card reader and slew of ports – unlike similarly-priced, tinier Chromebooks.

Read our full review: HP Chromebook 14

It’s almost as if Dell hand-crafted this Chromebook to work done in the classroom. It’s got an indicator light on the lid that teachers can use as if the student raised his or her hand to answer a question. And, it’s rubberized in many places to better survive drops and dents. It’s an awfully mobile laptop, too, making it ideal for work at almost any class level, or if you just want a lightweight web browser and email machine.

Read our full review: Dell Chromebook 11

If you’re seeking a large laptop but don’t want to pay the premium, Chromebook deals are the right ones to hunt. Acer’s crafted a powerful, 15.6-inch Chrome machine that can house plenty of stronger components than most other laptops at its price range. It doesn’t do much that’s unique to its larger size so much that it simply does those things more. For many, that’s a value proposition worth trying to find the best deal over, and this just so happens to be the best one.

Read our full review: Acer Chromebook 15

The R11's subtle design may not win any awards, but behind that white shell is a surprisingly fit notebook destined to last an entire day's work. It’s even among the first Chromebooks to support Android apps by way of the Google Play Store. So, if you’ve ever wanted to use Firefox on a Chromebook, now you can. The R11 packs day-long longevity, snappy performance and a 360-degree hinge with touchscreen. It won't burn your wallet, thereby making cons, like an iffy trackpad and barely-HD screen, a little easier to take.

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11

Acer tends to run the roost of our Chromebook roundups, and for good reason: it makes great Chromebooks. If you want the look and near-feel of a MacBook Air, despite it getting practically cut off, Acer makes a Chromebook for that. Its Chromebook 14 looks and feels like Apple’s famous notebook on the outside, but of course can’t feel like using one with how little it costs. Still, a full HD screen is one thing this super-cheap laptop has and the MacBook Air doesn’t, so there’s that.

Read our full review: Acer Chromebook 14