The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 isn't the most cutting-edge device, but for kids you might not trust to take care of their things - or if you're just clumsy like me - it does the job just fine. While $700 is expensive for a Chromebook, we've often seen the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 $100-$150 off quite frequently at Best Buy, and Amazon's pricing dips even more regularly. (I confess I play far too much Stardew Valley and Merge Dragons on my Chromebook.) It can also go a full workday and then some before you'll need to find a charger.

The built-in USI stylus allows you to navigate and interact with complex Excel forms or Android games. USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports allow the Spin 714 to work with just about any docking station, dongle, and accessory. The webcam and microphones are better than most Chromebooks, and Wi-Fi 6E means that no matter how new the network, you'll get the top speeds for your conference calls or that championship live stream you've been waiting months to see. The screen has jumped to 14 inches, now at a 16:10 ratio, which is great for watching content and split-screening multiple windows. It comes packed with Intel's newest 12th generation Core i5 processor and 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, paired with 256GB of high-speed storage, adding up to a machine that can tackle almost any task. The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 improves on the previous model as the year's best 2-in-1 convertible in 2023. (While we're on the subject, please ignore any underpowered Pentium models you might come across the i3 models sell for about the same price.) While an i5 model would have been nice to see - and would've been eligible for the Steam on Chrome OS Alpha test - the i3 is more than enough for most workloads. Even with the extra performance of the 11th Gen i3, battery life should last a full workday and then some. The extra memory comes in handy when you're trying to multitask during video calls or juggling multiple monitors. We warmly welcome the memory upgrade, as 8GB RAM models of its predecessor were notoriously hard to find. Better stability and backlit keys improve productivity, further spurred by its 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM. The 2-in-1 convertible may not be as sexy as a detachable, but it's worlds better to use on the couch, the bed, the bus, and anywhere you aren't sitting immediately in front of a table or desk.

That said, when you need to get down to business, that's when the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook shines with its power and practicality. Lenovo's Duet 5 might be stealing all the limelight with that 400-nit touchscreen and the detachable keyboard.

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