Best Chromebook for gaming in 2024 – our top picks

If you’re looking for the best Chromebook for gaming, we suggest you check out the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34. Chromebooks are usually meant to be cheaper than regular laptops, but this one leans towards the expensive side due to its specs and features.

The Vibe CX34 comes packed with the Intel Core i5-1235U 1.3GHz processor. The processor has 10 cores and 12 threads, and its frequency can be boosted up to 4.40GHz. This makes it a decent processor for gaming and basic tasks. As for the graphics processor, we have the Intel Iris Xe Graphics. Coming down to the storage and RAM, we get a 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM. The storage could’ve been better, but this is what you normally get in Chromebooks. As for the RAM, it is enough for casual gaming.

For the display, we have a 15.6-inch FHD screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9. On top of that, it has a refresh rate of 144 Hz, something that improves the gaming experience. Overall, the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 is a powerful machine. It does not disappoint when it comes to aesthetics with its beautiful design. As a cherry on top, the Chromebook also has an RGB backlit anti-ghosting keyboard.

As you can probably guess from the name, the Acer Cloud Gaming Chromebook 516 GE is specifically geared towards gaming. By that, we don’t mean cloud gaming services, as it’s quite capable of running Steam for ChromeOS thanks to its 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240P paired with Intel Iris Xe graphics. While gaming Chromebooks are expensive, this one is still relatively cheap when compared to other options present in the market, something that makes it the best budget Chromebook for gaming.

The processor has 12 cores and 16 threads and features a Max Turbo Frequency of 4.40 GHz. This makes it one of the most powerful processors you’ll see in a Chromebook in terms of single and multi-core processing.

On top of this, it comes with a 16-inch 1600p resolution display with a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The high refresh rate gives gamers an edge in competitive FPS games. While you’re unlikely to reach around 120 FPS with the hardware packed inside the Chromebook, you can certainly achieve it via cloud gaming. However, for that, you’ll need a good internet connection.

If we talk about storage and RAM, we get 256GB SSD paired with 8GB LPDDR4X RAM. We also get a solid selection of ports, including an ethernet socket for that all-important ethernet connection for cloud gaming. Overall, the Acer Cloud Gaming Chromebook 516 GE is an excellent choice for those who want something powerful yet not as expensive as the first option on our list.

For Android games, you don’t need something flashy, as unlike PC games, they don’t require powerful components. For such games, we recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3. In fact, we think that the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 is the best gaming Chromebook for Android games. 

The Chromebook features the ‎Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c graphics coprocessor, which can run Android games smoothly without lagging. As for the CPU, we have the Snapdragon ‎2.55 GHz octa-core processor, which can handle gaming and everyday tasks pretty well. Speaking about storage, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 has a 128GB eMMC. For those who are hearing about it for the first time, eMMC refers to Embedded MultiMediaCard storage and it is mostly found in mobile devices and smaller laptops.

As you’ll be focusing on Android games only, you’ll be fine with the 128GB of storage. As for the RAM, we get ‎4 GB of DDR4 RAM, thanks to which you won’t face any performance issues.

Coming down to the display, it is an 11-inch 2K multitouch screen. The refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, but this is something you’d already expect from a Chromebook meant for Android games. Overall, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 is an excellent Chromebook for those who only want to play Android games and push through basic daily tasks. 

The 14″ Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is the latest iteration in a line that has previously included the 13.5″ Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (another solid high-end pick). This version offers an Intel 12th-gen CPU along with the classic 2-in-1 convertible design that lets you transition between a laptop and a tablet.

The version we’ve picked comes with 512GB of SSD storage, something that is not common in Chromebooks. As for the processor, we get the Intel Core i5-1235U, which comes with 10 cores and 12 threads with a Max Turbo Frequency of 4.40 GHz. While it may not be the best processor, it is still excellent for casual gaming and basic daily tasks. As for the RAM, we get 8GB of DDR4 RAM in this Chromebook. This is the standard cap for nearly every Chromebook device, so we can’t really complain too much about it. Ultimately, it will run non-demanding games on low graphical settings that don’t require more than 8GB of memory.

Although the Spin 713 comes with a 2K screen option, we’ve picked this 1200p variant of the newer model as it’s a better option for gaming due to its components. You can rely on it for gaming via Steam for ChromeOS rather than using Cloud services. However, the screen’s refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, which may be a negative point for those looking to play competitive FPS games. Overall, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is a great option for those who want the best 2-in-1 Chromebook for gaming.