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8 Best Chromebook Alternatives with Windows

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Google Chromebooks are so popular with educators that PC makers have created their own Chromebook alternatives with Windows. You really can’t attend an after-school program or enter a grade school classroom without seeing these low-cost, durable laptops on a desk. And unlike a Chromebook, you can use Chromebook alternatives with Windows fully without an internet connection.

The HP Stream 11

Chromebooks owe their popularity to four key things. First, they’re priced well. Chromebooks don’t cost more than $300 dollars, usually. This allows educators and parents to spend money on tech they need and not expensive hardware. Second, Chromebooks are not a huge target for hackers, and they have a built-in app store that lets owners add new functionality without risking their device’s security. Also, Chromebooks usually have 11-inch displays, making them easy to stuff in a bag.

Chromebooks’ biggest advantage is Chrome OS’ close relationship with Google services. The operating system connects to Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs and other Google services directly. Many people use these services on their smartphone already.

Read: 5 Best Chromebooks for 2017

The best Chromebook alternatives with Windows copy these advantages as best they can. It’s easy to stuff them in a bag because they don’t have very big screens. Windows 10 and Windows 10 S have an app store that lets users safely add new features to their device without getting a virus. OneDrive cloud storage is built into Windows 10 and some PC makers include a free year of Microsoft’s Office 365 service so that buyers don’t need to purchase Word or PowerPoint separately.

Read: Google Chromebooks vs Windows: What You Need to Know

Here are the 8 best Chromebook alternatives with Windows. Buy one of these to get you as close to a Chromebook experience as you can get without switching to Chrome OS.

8 Chromebook Alternatives with Windows

  1. HP Steam 11
  2. Dell Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1
  3. Asus Transformer Mini T102HA
  4. Lenovo IdeaPad 120S (11″)
  5. HP Stream 11 Pro
  6. Surface Laptop
  7. Lenovo N24
  8. Asus VivoBook Flip 12

HP Stream 11 - $199

HP Stream 11 - $199

The HP Stream 11 is the ultimate Chromebook alternative for adults on a budget and kids with a lot of personality.

Like other inexpensive laptops, the HP Stream has a plastic shell. You decide whether you want that shell in blue or a more playful purple. Either way, the keyboard deck has white keys and an unobtrusive decoration. It weighs 2.6 pounds.

The notebook's internals are modest. It has 4GB of RAM, an Intel Celeron N3060 dual-core processor and 32GB of storage. It's 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 display doesn't have touch. A built-in web camera lets you video chat, and the media card reader provides a convenient way to add storage or move files. A USB 2.0 port, HDMI port, headset jack and a USB 3.0 port all sit on the notebook's left and right edges. HP says that the machine lasts for 10 hours on a single charge.

Read: $199 HP Stream Notebook Reveals How Chromebooks Will Die


The best thing about the HP Stream 11 is its value. More expensive Windows 10 laptops only come with free trials of Microsoft Office, but the HP Stream 11 includes a $69.99 Office 365 Personal subscription. The service adds OneDrive storage, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Buy the HP Stream 11 from Amazon for $199

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