Gadgets | August 18, 2020 11:10 am

Deal: If You're in Dire Need of a Cheap Laptop, Try These Chromebook Sales

Work and school at home means there's been a run on computers, but you can still find a good machine for under $300

A new, discounted Samsung Chromebook will be available in a few weeks

B&H

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When “back to school” really meant “back to home for virtual learning,” it meant that the current rush on laptops was going to continue … and getting one, let alone finding a deal, was going to be difficult.

If MacBooks are out of your league, try a Chromebook. For several hundred dollars less, you’ll get all the connectivity you need for classrooms and work situations that don’t need complex software, plus portability, built-in security and an ecosystem built around Google’s OS — these tend to be safe, efficient machines that’ll boot up quickly. While lacking a lot of on-board storage, these models offers access to cloud storage via Google Drive and the use of millions of Android apps.

The downside? Inventory is sparse — we couldn’t find a single Chrome machine in stock at B&H, for example.

If you can wait a few weeks, however, that retailer has a sale going for the new Samsung 15.6″ Chromebook 4+ (now $250-$300), which offers a big screen and works almost 11 hours per charge.

It’s not reflected in the price, but Acer’s Chromebook Spin 11 ($325) has dropped 28% in the last month on Amazon and the laptop is available in just two weeks. What it lacks in screen size the Acer makes up for in versatility; it’s a touchscreen with a 360° Dual-Torque Hinge that lets you rotate it to any angle to create a notebook, stand-up display, tent or tablet.

If you really want to save money, go refurbished. Back Market has inventory and offers discounts around 50% off along with a year-long warranty on their various (admittedly much older) Chromebooks, like this 2016 Acer model at $199 (down from $399).