We have have recently reviewed some of the best Chromebooks with 8GB RAM, but for most people, getting a Chromebook with such specs can be overkill; especially If you’re mainly looking for a laptop to browse the internet and watch youtube videos. After all, the Chrome OS was built around Chrome the browser, and is very optimized when it comes to RAM usage. In this article, we will list some of the best Chromebooks with 4GB RAM available right now. But before that, let’s have an idea about  Chromebooks and the advantages of a getting Chromebook instead of a cheap budget laptop.

What are Chromebooks and what to consider before buying a new Chromebook?

When they first launched, Chromebooks were designed to be used as an affordable laptop to connect to the internet, that would be used mainly by students, kids, and 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

 

Tired of reading through spec talk? Let’s get into some of the many perks of owning a Chromebook.

  • Fast user experience. When your Chromebooks makes the way to your home, you just have to power it, log in to your Google account (don’t tell me you don’t have one) and connect to a Wi-Fi network. That’s it. Chrome OS works just out of the box. And there’s virtually no learning curve, thanks to the app-friendly environment we’re so much used to, in the smartphone era.
  • A lifespan to envy. Being so minimalistic and stripped-down systems, Chromebooks load in the blink of an eye and keep doing that. Unlike Windows machines, the computing performance is going to be the same for so many years.
  • Forget about viruses. You’re not going to mess around with software installments on a Chromebook. And I’m not aware of any viruses you can get through the Play store, either. You’ll just have restful nights, having one less concern.
  • Get things done through one account only. If you’re going to dive into the minimalistic wave, you could as well resort to your Google account for your work, education or personal use. Google Docs is such a rich environment now, it’s going to be enough for the typical user. For anything else, there’s the Android apps. We’ve never been so close to the one account, one password dream.

Is a Chromebook with 4GB RAM enough?

When it comes to Windows laptops, 4GB RAM is not enough nowadays, but that’s a different story if you’re using a Chromebook. In fact, a Chromebook with 4GB RAM and a mobile processor will offer a fluid experience when it comes to browsing the internet and watching videos. Like Linux operating systems, the way a Chromebook manages the RAM enables it to do more with less. While you continue browsing and operating on your laptop, the system shuts down old tabs in the background to never get out of memory. You won’t even notice it!

Is 4GB RAM really enough, though? For most users, the answer is YES: But it is also going to heavily depend on the way you’re planning to use your Chromebook. Some heavy users, who’re usually juggling with 30+ open tabs on their browser, or are going to run some demanding Android Apps, may need a chromebook with more RAM. But I see that as something very specific. Truth is, for everyday use you’re going to be totally fine with a 4GB RAM Chromebook.

So, enough with the talking, and let’s check some of the best Chromebooks with 4GB RAM available right now. We will be updating this list on a continuous basis!

Best Chromebooks with 4GB RAM:

Acer Chromebook 514, B07L25B814

First on our list, we have the Acer Chromebook 514, B07L25B814 , a 14” Full HD Chromebook that comes in a stylish sleek design. It features an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 32 GB eMMC storage. Considering the array of specs and the features, the Acer 514 gives a good value for its price.

The Acer 514 Chromebook also comes with a backlit keyboard, which is  going to be so good for the writers out there, who’ll get to navigate through the Google Docs apps. The balance between functionality and price make the 514 one of the customer favorites in the 2018/2019 years. If you’re considering getting into the Chromebook wave, this is definitely a good investment to start! You’ll enjoy the standard Chromebook connectivity options and the 12 hours of battery life on average use.

Processor Intel Celeron N3350
RAM 4GB
Storage 32GB, flash memory solid state drive
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 500
Screen 14 inch, 1920 x 1080 IPS
Connectivity and Ports 2- USB 3.1 type C

2- USB 3.0

Card reader, Bluetooth 4.2

Battery up to 12 hours

Lenovo Chromebook C330

At a slightly more affordable price tag, the Lenovo Chromebook C330 is a 11.6” HD Chromebook, with a convertible and touchscreen design. It features a MediaTek MT8173C processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 64 GB SSD. The sleek, white body is only 2.6 lbs light, making it a perfect machine to use on the go. You’ll recharge it through a USB Type-C port, without any need for a bulky A/C adapter.

The low price and versatility make the C330 one of the most popular Chromebooks in its range. The 64 GB SSD is fairly good, considering you won’t use offline documents that much, but in the case that’s not enough you’ll get a microSD slot to easily upgrade it. The ARM processor is optimized for Android apps, that you can navigate through easily with the touchscreen display. What’s more to say? Oh, just enjoy your 10+ hours of battery life.

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 3.11- USB 3.1 Type C

1 – HDMI port,

Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0

Battery up to 10 hours

Acer Chromebook R11 CB5-132T-C1LK

Next, the Acer Chromebook R11 CB5-132T-C1LK is another 11.6” HD laptop that is similar to the previous one. You’ll get a convertible and touchscreen design, an Intel Celeron N3150 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 32 GB SSD. All for a price lower than $300. As you can figure, the only difference from the Lenovo model is the processor, which is arguably better in this one. You’ll sacrifice some of the storage space, but that’s up to how you expect to use this device. If you’re not going to download many documents to work on online, then you can’t go wrong with this purchase.

As with other competitors in this range, you’ll charge your Chromebook through a USB Type-C cable. You’ll get a microSD slot, the functionality of the Chrome OS environment and 10 hours of battery life on average use.

Processor Intel Celeron N3150
RAM 4GB
Storage 32GB, flash memory solid state drive
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 500
Screen 11.6 inch, 1366 x 768
Connectivity and Ports 1- USB 3.0

1- USB 2.0

HDMI, Bluetooth 4.0

Battery up to 10 hours

Lenovo Chromebook S330

For a change of pace, we have the Lenovo Chromebook S330 81JW0000US, a 14” Full HD laptop, with a 180 degrees hinge. It features a MediaTek Mt8173C processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 64 GB SSD. If you don’t care for touchscreen and 2-in-1 designs, but you’d rather have a larger view with a sharp definition and a comfortable keyboard to write, then go for it. It’s all within the $250-$300 budget range.

Use the S330 to edit your docs, browse through the web and stream your videos and movies, along with some Android apps on the side. As with other Chromebooks, you’ll enjoy the connectivity options and the great battery life that comes with it.

Processor MediaTek MT8173C Processor
RAM 4GB
Storage 64GB, eMMC
Graphics Integrated, PowerVR SGX543
Screen 14 inch, 1920 x 1080
Connectivity and Ports 1- USB 3.0

1- USB 3.1 Type C

1 – HDMI port,

Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0

Battery up to 10 hours

HP 14 Chromebook 14-ca043cl

The HP 14 Chromebook 14-ca043cl is another 14” Full HD laptop, with a sleek and dark grey chassis design. It features an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 32 GB SSD. As with the 11.6” models, the difference from the previous Lenovo Chromebook is the balance between processor and storage space. A nice trick from the manufacturer is that they included a HP sleeve and a wireless mouse in the package, giving the 14-ca043cl a great value for its limited price.

You’ll get great connectivity options with an USB Type-C port, a USB 3.0 one, and a microSD card reader. There’s so much to be done in a Chrome OS within the ten hours of battery life!

Processor Intel Celeron N3350 Processor
RAM 4GB
Storage 32GB, eMMC
Graphics Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics 620
Screen 14 inch, 1920 X 1080
Connectivity and Ports 2- USB 3.1 Type C

2- USB 3.0

Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0

Battery up to 11 hours

Acer Chromebook R 13 CB5-312T-K5X4

Turning back to the convertible and touchscreen design, we highly recommend the Acer Chromebook R 13 CB5-312T-K5X4, a 13.3” Full HD laptop that you can easily bend to use it in different modes. For a slightly higher price, you’ll get to watch your Netflix movies and videos on a larger, and sharper screen compared to lesser models. The R 13 features a MediaTek Mt8173C processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 32 GB SSD.

Even though a touchscreen display is usually draining more battery power, the R 13 is expected to last up to 12 hours on average use, which is impressing. As with most competitors in this range, you’ll get a device that you can easily connect and power through a USB Type-C cable, with a microSD slot for additional storage space.

Processor MediaTek_MT8127 Processor
RAM 4GB
Storage 32GB, flash memory solid state drive
Graphics Imagination PowerVR GX6250
Screen 13,3 inch, 1920 x 1080 IPS
Connectivity and Ports 1- USB 3.1 type C

1- USB 3.0

1 – HDMI port,

Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0

Battery up to 12 hours

ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02

We promised we were going to suggest Chromebooks in all shapes and sizes. That’s where the ASUS Chromebook C523NA-DH02, a 15.6” laptop for those who are used to a standard large view. The HD display has a narrow bezels design, allowing for the laptop to be tinier than your usual 15.6” machine. The C523NA-DH02 features a 180 degrees hinge, an Intel Dual Core Celeron N3350 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 32 GB SSD.

If you’re up to having more offline storage space, you have the option of buying a 64 GB model for a slightly higher price. After that, you’ll rely on the microSD slot, given that you’re even going to use any offline documents. While a HD display might not be that good to look at on a 15.6” laptop, there’s definitely a great value for the price, if you plan on using your Chromebook for fast browsing on your counter.

Processor Intel Celeron N3350 Processor
RAM 4GB
Storage 32GB SSD, + 64GB External Storage
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 500
Screen 14 inch, 1920 x 1080
Connectivity and Ports 2- USB 3.1 Type C

2 – USB 3.0

Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0

Battery up to 10 hours

Dell Inspiron Chromebook 2-in-1 14 C7486

Moving towards a more range options, we have the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 2-in-1 14 C7486, a 14” Full HD laptop with a convertible and touchscreen design. The higher price is definitely worth it, considering that the C7486 features an 8th generation Intel Core i3 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD, which is rare to see on a Chromebook.

This Dell take on the Chromebook comes with a balance of specs that is great for people who’re first trying out a Chrome OS machine. They might feel a little anxious about relying on Cloud storage only, so the added offline storage space will come in handy. Then the backlit keyboard comes as the cherry on the top, making this yet another great model for writers and bloggers.

Processor Intel Core i3-8130U Processor
RAM 4GB
Storage 128GB, eMMC
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 620
Screen 14 inch, 1920×1080
Connectivity and Ports 2- USB 3.1 Type C

1- USB 3.0

Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0

Battery up to 10 hours

Samsung Chromebook Pro XE510C24-K01US

Next, we have the Samsung Chromebook Pro XE510C24-K01US, a 12.3” 2K laptop. It comes with a convertible and touchscreen design, and a built-in pen for sketching and writing down your notes on the go. The best feature of this model is the display, that’s not only sharper than your usual Chromebook, but also has a 3:2 aspect ratio, in the iPad fashion. That’s arguably the best solution to this day for drawing and scrolling through text documents. The XE510C24-K01US features an Intel Core m3 processor 6Y30, 4 GB of RAM and a 32 GB SSD.

Weighting only 2.3 lbs, this model is a great one to carry along. You won’t have to worry that much about using it outdoors, thanks to the 400 nits brightness. I can’t express enough praise for this display!

Processor Intel Core M3 Processor 6Y30
RAM 4GB
Storage 32GB, eMMC
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 515
Screen 12,2 inch, 2400×1600
Connectivity and Ports 2- USB 3.1 Type C

Card reader, Bluetooth 4.0

Battery up to 10 hours

Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 XE520QAB-K02US

Last, we recommend another Samsung model, the Chromebook Plus V2 XE520QAB-K02US. It’s a 12.2” Full HD Chromebook, with a convertible and touchscreen design. In the manufacturer’s fashion, it comes with a built-in pen that you can use for your apps and drawing. Weighting under 3 lbs, it’s a good alternative to your typical sketchbook! The Plus V2 features an Intel Core m3 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 64 GB SSD.

The display comes in a 16:10 ratio, that’s close to the golden rule. It’s no surprise you see that so much in tablets and the likes. Another features that makes this model similar to the tablet experience is the dual camera, with a 13MP world-facing camera with autofocus. Some people argue that Chromebooks are a slightly better version of the Android tablet format. With the Plus V2 and the availability of the Play store apps, that’s never been so true!

Processor Intel Celeron 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

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