Chromebooks are no longer those laptops that kids use in school and are completely reliant on an internet connection to be useful. Chromebooks can actually game now. Thanks to services like NVIDIA’sGeForce Now,Xbox Cloud Gaming, and the beta version of Steam for Chrome OS, these Chromebooks can be an excellent choice for gamers on the go. Of course, a lot of Chromebooks still fall into the productivity and student-orientated functions, and if that seems like a better fit,check out Game Rant’s best Chromebooks guide.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
Acer Chromebook 2023 Flagship Laptop Computer
Chromebooks have come a long way. From budget-oriented hardware to high-end components that not only enhance productivity but also the gaming experience through a better display, easier controls, and gaming laptop-like aesthetics. Whether users are looking to play some browser games, Android games, or do some cloud gaming, here are the best Chromebooks for gaming in 2024.
How To Choose The Perfect Chromebook For Gaming?
Form Factor
The form factor of a Chromebook is crucial. Like any other portable device, a Chromebook needs to fit into its user’s lifestyle and needs to make it a good fit. Everyone doesn’t need a giant Chromebook that is hard to carry around, but for those who do, there are options. The best way to determine what form factor will work best is to think about how the Chromebook will be used. Will this device usually sit in one or two spots around the house ready to be charged and make use of the cloud? Or will this Chromebook go everywhere and need to provide good performance even in less-than-ideal settings?
Gaming Type & Performance
Unlike other gaming laptops, Chromebooks have two main ways to game. Local gaming through the Steam beta for Chrome OS or cloud gaming through services like GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming. Determining how games are played will give gamers a better idea of what specs will deliver the best results. For gamers who want to use local gaming, be sure to look for Chromebooks with fast CPUs and, ideally, 8 GB of RAM. Other than that, the most important spec to look at is storage. 256 GB of storage will allow gamers to have a healthy game library to choose from, outside massive Triple-A games like Call Of Duty. Also, make sure the storage is SSD and not eMMC. Gamers will not get the speed needed out of eMMC storage.
Gamers who want to use cloud gaming instead don’t need high-rated specs. The most important thing to pay attention to is internet connection adapters. For services like GeForce Now, there are no required specs to access it. Chrome needs to be at version 77.x or later and have an internet connection of at least 15Mbps. WiFi 6E adapters will help provide a fast, stable internet connection immensely. And if it is accessible, an Ethernet connection is even better.
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Chromebooks For Gaming in 2024
Acer Chromebook 516 GE
The Acer Chromebook516 GE cloud gaming laptop is a reliable utility for avid gamers who desire simplicity and efficiency in their PCs. It has a high-speed refresh rate of up to 120Hz and high bandwidth with a built-in RJ-45 2.5G Gigabit Ethernet (2.5GbE) LAN port and Wi-Fi 6E support. Take full advantage of the crisp and clear frame rate. It also looks stunning in its slim design, enhanced by a four-zone RGB backlit keyboard.
Gaming laptops are renowned for their power, which is precisely what players will notice when using the Acer Chromebook 516 GE. This laptop runs on a potent 12th-generation Intel Core i512-core processor. The robustness of the processor makes the laptop functionally versatile, as it can handle several demanding tasks apart from gaming, such as programming and video editing.
The Intel Turbo Boost technology further improves the performance of the PC. This Acer Chromebook for gaming has a 120-Hz refresh rate and a high bandwidth, perfect for heavier Triple-A titles.
Convenience is another standout element of this gaming Chromebook, which users can appreciate from its excellent display. The 16-inch screen has a 2560 x 1600p resolution, better than most gaming laptops. On the outside, the Acer 516 GE is also well-built. It sports a QHD+ 16-inch screen plus four speakers that offer a fairly wide soundstage.
The anti-glare display is comfortable for gamers, who can play for hours without risking eye strain. Furthermore, the laptop is light, weighing only 3.75 pounds, ideal for gamers who frequently move around with their utilities. Its 9-hour battery life means users don’t have to stress about the laptop dying on them while they are gaming. The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a looker, boosted by its thin bezel design and stunning RGB backlit keyboard.
ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip AS562T
The Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip has an excellent edition that brings a fantastic display with a 144Hz refresh rate for superfluid gaming and comes with plenty of storage space and 16GB of RAM. Users will get a flippable design and three months of Geforce Now for absolutely free. The laptop has an 11th gen Core i5 CPU, WiFi 6, and Bluetooth support.
If the hardware specifications of the overall best Chromebook don’t look too impressive, users can opt for this model which brings significantly better hardware. Thescreen refresh rate is 144Hzand there is a higher capacity storage and RAM size. Unfortunately, the CPU is from the 11th gen but still brings the Intel Xe Iris iGPU onboard. While Chromebooks are aimed at performing basic operations, this one outperforms others in running browser games with more fluidity.
Thanks to the 144Hz and good hardware, not only will playing Android games be easier, but the games streamed through cloud services will also run buttery smooth as a result of a high refresh rate display, considering that users use Geforce Now Ultimate. However, users should be aware that the high refresh rate screen does affect the battery life drastically. The Asus Chromebook CX55 can be flipped like a flippable phone and comes with a standard 15.6" screen with afull HD resolution. The manufacturer is providing three months of Geforce Now subscription for absolutely free. So, users can get into the gaming world right away without having to invest more cash.
ASUS Cloud Gaming Chromebook CX55 Flip 2-in-1 Convertible
With ASUS Cloud Gaming Chromebook CX55 Flip 2, users will get a touchscreen feature to quickly get their job done. The Chromebook boasts a 15.6" screen with a high refresh rate of 144Hz for excellent fluidity in gameplay. The system is powered by Core i5 1135G7 and 8GB RAM to make sure users don’t lag behind in performance.
Productivity and gamingcan go hand-in-hand and there is nothing better than the Cloud Gaming Chromebook CX55 that brings a Flip 2-in-1 convertible feature that allows the screen to flip up to 360 degrees on the other side. Users can flip it and use it like a tablet for easy access to everything on the screen. Furthermore, the touchscreen feature makes it possible to use fingers to work like we do on a mobile phone or tablet. When gaming, simply flipping it back to its original state will let users use the sturdy keyboard.
It boasts an 11th gen Core i5, Intel Xe Iris iGPU, 8GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD for providing sufficient power to play intensive Android orBrowser games. Nonetheless, Game Rant recommends cloud gaming for Chromebooks, and it will exceed expectations by providing great fluidity in gameplay through its 144Hz refresh rate. But it will require users to get the Geforce Now Ultimate membership if they want to experience at least a 120Hz refresh rate.
Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip
ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip is engineered with a striking aesthetic and powerful components for non-stop cloud gaming. The Gorgeous 144 Hz Full HD display and anti-ghosting keyboard make any game a joy to play on this Chromebook. The 2-in-1 display allows gamers to play in a traditional laptop form, as well as a tent mode that allows gamers to immerse themselves in a game with a controller or separate mouse and keyboard.
The Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip is the best gaming Chromebook for people who want fantastic performance and high build quality but don’t want to break the bank on a Chromebook like the Framework Chromebook. Powered by an 11th Generation Intel CPU, the performance isn’t as snappy assome 12th Generation CPUs, but both NVIDIA GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming provide excellent performance with very few problems.
The rotatable display offers a ton of versatility, from traditional laptop-style gaming to a tent mode that is perfect for controller games or people who want to use a separate mouse and keyboard. A lot of the other 2-in-1 Chromebooks on the market do not have this much power under the hood, and the display itself for the Vibe CX55 Flip is gorgeous, with a 144Hz refresh rate.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is a budget-friendly option for gamers that provides Core i3 from the 12th gen series, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage. The laptop features a 14-inch display with a Full HD resolution to make visuals detailed and crisper and is ideal for both cloud gaming and browser/Android games.
Users who are looking for something that is not only great but also affordable can opt for the Chromebook Plus CX34, which adheres to modern hardware standards. Featuring a 12th gen Core i3 processor, it provides 2 Performance and 4 Efficient cores to get the job done easily. It may not be as powerful as the ones listed above, but it surely is capable of playing almost any browser or Android game via Intel UHD graphics, and of course, cloud gaming is what Game Rant recommends, as said earlier.
The build quality is impressive, the touchpad is big, and the screen is a decent-sized display with full HD resolution and an excellent battery backup. While higher-end Chromebooks tend to work for only a couple of hours when gaming, users can expect it to last a few more hours. Connectivity options are also adequate, providing users with multiple USB ports, including Type A and Type C ports forperipherals and other USB devices.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 is a tiny 2-in-1 detachable Chromebook that delivers both laptop and tablet functionalities. It shatters the stereotype of small, inexpensive Chromebooks.
For those gamers who aren’t interested in PC gaming, but want more out of Android games, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is one of the best options. This 10.1-inch tablet offers some excellent performance, not to mention an OLED screen!
Unlike some of the other Chromebook models, this is not a great choice as a laptop replacement. Instead, it serves as a great addition to an existing laptopor gaming desktop setup. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, the Duet 5 can handle pretty much any productivity task thrown its way. The 3D rendering performance on the other hand leaves something to be desired, but for Android-based games, this 2-in-1 tablet should handle them with no problem.
For those looking for tablet alternatives compared to the iPad, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is an excellent choice, offering specs and performance equivalent to the much more expensive iPad, which doesn’t even come with a folio keyboard.
The Acer Chromebook516 GE cloud gaming laptop is a reliable utility for avid gamers who desire simplicity and efficiency in their PCs. It has a high-speed refresh rate of up to 120Hz and high bandwidth with a built-in RJ-45 2.5G Gigabit Ethernet (2.5GbE) LAN port and Wi-Fi 6E support. Take full advantage of the crisp and clear frame rate. It also looks stunning in its slim design enhanced by a four-zone RGB backlit keyboard.
Novice gamers can start their gaming journey with mid-range machines like the Acer Chromebook thin light Flagship laptop. A Dual-Core Intel Celeron processor powers this gaming Chromebook and sports an efficient architecture to enhance its performance. The processor’s design targets fast adaptability, which makes it perfect for multitasking. The laptop’s 15.6-inch display is convenient for gamers, who get a reasonable canvas to advance their gameplay. It has an anti-glare coating to prevent eyestrain, which is common among users who stay in front of the screen for extended periods.
This Acer Chromebook has 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB EMMC flash memory for fast processing and startup. These memory features ensure gamers have an easy time launching programs and shuffling in between them. This Chromebook has a sleek look, perfect for gamers who value appearance. The laptop’s thin bezel and compact build look amazing, and users can easily carry it around. The battery is long-lasting, with a 12-hour service life. Gamers who buy this PC also get the 5-in-1 value bundle, including wireless earbuds, a mouse, a mousepad, a USB cable, and an HDMI cable. But for the best gaming,gamers will probably want to pick up a gaming mouse.
FAQ
Q: Can I play Steam games on a Chromebook?
Yes Chromebooks can play Steam games now, thanks to the beta version of the app. That being said this beta version of the app is only supported on a few higher-end Chromebooks at the moment. But for those gamers using other Chromebooks the cloud service Steam offers, Steam Link, is still available.
Q: Is Amazon Luna discontinued?
Q: Can a Chromebook replace a laptop?
Chromebooks are excellent, more affordable options compared to Windows or MacOS laptops. There are some drawbacks to Chromebooks, but with the leaps in performance, they have seen. Lately, there is a better and better argument to pick up a Chromebook instead of a laptop.
