Running Google’s Chrome OS, Chromebooks have seen a huge boost in popularity over the last few years. And there are lots of good reasons for that: they are reliable, affordable, and most of all, highly portable!
Chromebooks are also very versatile, and if you’re looking for drawing, then a Chromebook with a touchscreen can be a good option for you.
After all, Chrome OS is naturally optimized for touch use, and with most Chromebooks being able to run Android Apps, the possibilities are unlimited!
In order to help you choose the best Chromebook for artists, we have compiled a small list for you.
But before that, let’s get more info about Chromebooks and how they are different from the regular laptops. If you’re already familiar with Chromebooks, just skip this part.
What are Chromebooks?
Chromebooks are laptops that run Google’s Chrome OS as their operating system. These devices can a variety of tasks using the Google Chrome browser, with most applications and data residing in the cloud rather than on the laptop itself.
Chromebooks were mainly designed to be used by kids, students, or teachers. But as they are becoming more and more capable, manufacturers are making more premium models, catering for small businesses and advanced users. The table below gives a brief idea about the main differences between Chromebooks and traditional laptops:
| Chromebooks | Traditional Laptops |
| Run Google’s Chrome OS | Run Windows, Mac OS or Linux |
| Very few apps are available (no Photoshop, Skype, iTunes) | Support the gazillions of apps and programs |
| Limited hardware options | A lot of choices when it comes to hardware |
| Security | Windows has long been a known target for viruses. |
| Very affordable with prices starting as low as 150$ | Prices vary according to the specs |
| Exceptional Battery life (most Chromebooks can get you 8 hours of use) | Battery life is average, and only higher-end ultrabooks offer a higher battery life |
Best Chromebooks For Artists
- Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1
- ASUS C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook
- HP Chromebook x2 12-f014dx
- Samsung Chromebook Plus XE513C24-K01US
- Acer Chromebook Spin 13 CP713-1WN-53NF
1. Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1
- Get high performance when you need it – the Chromebook C330 boots up in seconds* and features easy-to-use Chrome OS, plenty of memory and storage, and so much more
- Sleek, stylish, and secure, this 360⁰ convertible laptop is less than 1-inch thin and about the weight of a hardback book, with an 11-inch touchscreen display thats perfect for day-to-day computing and multimedia, on or offline
- The Lenovo Chromebook C330 is easy to use, offers built-in virus protection and keeps going with long battery life. No setup needed – just login with a Google account so emails, maps, documents, and photos stay with you via cloud storage
- Built to connect, this notebook computer includes a variety of USB ports for effortless connectivity. Plus, stay in touch with the built-in camera
- Users love it! High end features for a low price, says one happy reviewer. Another adds, This Chromebook has far exceeded my expectations. ... The speed is snappy and the device responds quickly to gestures and commands.
The Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1 is possibly the best and cheapest Chromebook for artists you’ll find.
It’s an 11.6” touchscreen HD laptop with an IPS display, featuring a MediaTek MT8173C processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of SSD storage space.
The Chromebook C330 has a sturdy plastic chassis that keeps it lightweight, under 2.6lbs. It’s also thinner than one inch, making it a rather portable machine for daily computing and streaming in tablet mode.
Unlike most cheap Chromebooks in the same price range, the processor is highly optimized for Google Play Store apps.
You’ll also have one USB Type-C port, a USB 3.0 port, an SD card slot and an HDMI port for connecting to a separate monitor. Despite the remarkably low price, this machine is made to impress!
2. ASUS C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook
- The flexible 360 Degree hinge and 12.5 inches full HD touchscreen lets you use the C302 in tablet or laptop mode
- Intel Core Processor with 64GB storage and 4GB RAM for fast and efficient performance with a bright backlit illuminated keyboard
- Extremely lightweight at 2.65 pounds with the protection of a sleek aluminum metal body
- Starts up in seconds and lasts all day, thanks to a long battery life rated up to 10 hours
- Make sure latest chrome version is up to date and is using the device in stable channel
- NOTE: Check User Manual in Technical Specification before use
Next, we recommend the ASUS C302CA-DHM4, a 12.5” touchscreen and convertible Full HD Chromebook.
It features an Intel Core m3 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of SSD storage, in a sleek all-metal body. Just like the Chrome OS, this machine embodies the quintessence of minimalism with its clean design.
It’s also packed with a Gorilla Glass protection for the display. The tech specs are balanced for the classic Chrome OS experience.
The C302CA-DHM4 Chromebook features one USB Type-C port that you can use for all purposes, including charging your device.
With an impressive 10 hours of video playback, the battery life can easily get you through the workday with a single charge. Then, as a nice additional feature, it comes with a backlit keyboard.
3. HP Chromebook x2 12-f014dx
- 12.3 diagonal 2K WLED-backlit touch screen (2400 x 1600)
- Intel Core m3-7Y30 (1 GHz base frequency, up to 2.6 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 4 MB cache, 2 cores)
- 32GB eMMC | 4 GB LPDDR3-1600 SDRAM | 802.11ac WiFi (2x2) and Bluetooth 4.2
- Wide Vision 5MP Front Camera | 13MP Rear Camera | 1 headphone/microphone combo; 2 USB 3.0 Type C
- Chrome OS Operating System | Google Play Store Pre-installed
For a slightly higher price, we recommend the HP Chromebook x2 12-f014dx, a 2-in-1 2K laptop.
Other than its impressive resolution, the display has a 3:2 aspect ratio that is so good for using it in tablet mode and casually scrolling through your documents.
The x2 features an Intel Core m3 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of SSD storage space. Although keep in mind that you can easily up the memory through the available microSD port.
Unlike other touchscreen Chromebooks, the x2 is fully detachable. You’ll definitely enjoy the tablet experience, though you’ll be just a docking away from having a complete laptop for your desktop work.
The x2 includes two USB Type-C ports, one of which you can use for charging the device. It also comes with an HP stylus pen.
4. Samsung Chromebook Plus XE513C24-K01US
- Speed (GHz):2Ghz.
- Flexible 360° profile. Enables you to use upright as a computer to reply to emails or finish a paper and recline for a tablet view ideal for surfing and viewing
- This Device comes with the pen out of the box. Power to personalize your communications by writing directly on screen. Take notes, make a sketch, capture part of the screen, etc
- All the apps you love on your phone are now available on your computer. Over a million apps are waiting for you. Find your favorites or explore whats new
- Your world doesnt have to hit pause when youre not online. Continue to get things done using docs and apps in offline mode
- Makes it easy to carry with you wherever the day takes you. Turn heads with a full, metal design thats a touch above the typical Chromebook
Next, we’ve enjoyed the Samsung Samsung Chromebook Plus XE513C24-K01US, a Quad HD (2400×1600) 12.3” convertible device.
Its 3:2 display comes with an amazing 400 nits of brightness, which allows for an astonishing visual experience at a rather low price range.
The Chromebook Plus features an Intel Celeron N3060 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of SSD storage space. You can easily up your game with the MicroSD slot.
The Chromebook Plus comes with a built-in pen that you can pull out from the all-metal body of the device. It allows for a user-friendly experience with Google Play Store apps, taking notes and sketching on the go.
This machine includes two USB Type-C ports for better connectivity. The quality design of the Chromebook Plus is simply unparalleled by traditional Windows machines at the same price range!
5. Acer Chromebook Spin 13 CP713-1WN-53NF
- Chromebook runs on Chrome OS an operating system by Google that is built for the way we live today. It comes with built in virus protection, updates automatically, boots up in seconds and continues to stay fast over time. (Internet connection is required)
- All the Google apps you know and love come standard on every Chromebook, which means you can edit, download, and convert Microsoft Office files in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides
- With the Google Play Store, you can access a rich library of apps, games, music, movies, TV, books, magazines, and more, all from your Chromebook
- Chromebooks come with built in storage for offline access to your most important files and an additional 100GB of Google Drive space to ensure that all of your files are backed up automatically
- Convertible Chromebook with Intel Core i5 8250U, 13.5 inches (2256 x 1504) Corning Gorilla Glass NBT IPS 10 point multi touch screen, 8GB Memory, 128GB eMMC and Up to 10 hour Battery Life.Maximum Power Supply Wattage:45 W
Last but not least, we have a premium Chromebook for those of you looking for the best Chromebook for artists and high-end specs.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 13 CP713-1WN-53NF is a 13.5” 2K (2256×1504) convertible device, featuring an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage space.
It has a nice aluminum chassis with a backlit keyboard, which is so good for your productivity.
Like other Chromebooks in the list, the Spin 13 has a display with 3:2 aspect ratio. But, thanks to the premium processor and the high amount of RAM, you can easily make the most out of it.
Create amazing designs! A stylus pen is included in the package. The 128 GB of storage space is definitely more than you’ll need on a typical Chrome OS experience.
With the 10 hours of battery life, there’s nothing more that you could wish for in a luxury Chromebook for your productivity and free time.
