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Whether you're headed back to school in the fall or taking a work-related trip, sometimes a good but affordable Chromebook is just what you need. These user-friendly, no-frills laptop computers are perfect for everyday tasks like browsing the web, writing essays, publishing blog posts and managing social media, managing spreadsheets, and anything else that can be done in a simple browser like Google Chrome. I bought one for a work trip in 2019, and it put my mind at ease knowing that I had a decent computer to work on without dragging an expensive MacBook to a crowded convention center.
If you're considering a new laptop for the fall semester, you can get a $1,070 ruggedized Asus Chromebook with tons of storage for just $200 on Amazon right now.
Asus Chromebook CM14, $200 (was $1,070) at Amazon
You can probably drive to your local Walmart or Best Buy and find a decent, barebones Chromebook for a few hundred bucks. But a lot of the appeal of this Asus Chromebook comes from its significant quality-of-life upgrades. It's been built to meet military standards for rugged durability, it has 4 gigabytes of RAM, and it's got 64 GB of built-in eMMC storage, so you won't have to worry about suddenly running out of space for your school projects — unless you're taking several photography classes at once, maybe.
The display is a 14-inch, high-def 1080p screen with 250 nits of brightness, an anti-glare surface, and support for external monitors via USB-C. It has a refresh rate of 60 Hz. As far as compatibility with other devices and accessories, the Chromebook CM14 is equipped with two USB Type-C ports with charging capabilities, one USB-A port, a microSD memory card reader, and a classic 3.5-millimeter audio jack for your favorite pair of headphones.
“I love this for running my business,” said one shopper. “It's built lightweight and is small enough to carry with you but also large enough to be able to see exactly what you're doing. The battery lasts forever, and that's a huge bonus when I'm often working on the go. The Chromebook is sleek and looks high-quality. It processes things fast and functions as a pricier laptop would at a fraction of the price. The keyboard's also fluid and easy to use. Definitely worth the money.”
If a new Chromebook sounds like the perfect computer for your next school semester or work trip, save 81% on the Asus Chromebook CM14 at Amazon.