Chromebooks are wonderful devices. Not only are they easy to travel with, they also have some of the longest-lasting batteries on the market.
Those traits make them popular among students to freelancers, artists, and everyone in between.
However, Chromebooks are good for more than just their long battery life and excellent portability. There are many out there that are capable of playing a large number of different games such as Roblox and Minecraft.
This guide will take you through some of the best Chromebooks for gaming on the go.
Contents
Who Should Get This
If you’re looking to game on your computer, even if you’re on the go, these Chromebooks will meet your needs. Many can play a variety of different games such as Roblox and Minecraft, as well as Android titles too.
In addition to being good for gamers, many of these Chromebooks can do several other things as well. They’re great for watching videos, working, listening to music, or simply browsing the internet.
If you don’t like to play any games on a Chromebook or already have a decent gaming computer or laptop, you may not need another one.
Best Chromebook for Gaming: Our Picks
When looking for a gaming Chromebook, it’s hard to do better than the models analyzed in this section.
1. Acer Spin 13 Convertible
- Best for: Overall
- Key Features: Strong glass screen. Bright display. Stylish shell. Various ports and long-lasting battery life. Good storage.
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Screen Size: 13.5 inches
The Acer Spin 13 is a great, well-made gaming Chromebook with a tough shell and a lot of power. The high-quality screen is one of the biggest standouts here. It looks incredible in all different types of light, and the vivid colors pop no matter what you like to play.
There are also good internal specs, including the 128GB of internal storage, as well as different ports. The 10-hour battery allows you to game on the go without worrying about your laptop dying, and the stylish shell is incredibly modern.
This laptop’s biggest downside is the speakers. The audio, while serviceable, doesn’t quite have the crispness or power of other designs. You want headphones with this one.
2. Pixelbook Go M3
- Best for: Battery
- Key Features: Strong battery life. Hush keyboard. Intel UHD graphics 615 card. Dual stereo speakers. Compact.
- Weight: 2.33 pounds
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Screen Size: 13.3 inches
The Pixelbook GO M3 is a well-rounded, comfortable device. It feels good to use. That’s due to the beautiful display, as well as the hush keyboard. Not only are the keys silent as you type, but they feel great. That’s especially useful for games that require a lot of button pushing.
Adding to the design is the long-lasting 12-hour battery. You can run a lot of high-end titles on the Intel UHD Graphics 615 card and not worry about losing juice. The audio is also incredible. Everything you play is crisp and pops to life.
This laptop doesn’t come with SD card support, which some users may not like. The pad and case also tend to smudge. That’s not a huge deal, but know that you’ll be cleaning this one more frequently than other models.
3. Samsung 2-in-1
- Best for: Design
- Key Features: Versatile, 2-in-1 functionality. Built-in pen. Long-lasting battery. Expandable memory. Strong graphics.
- Weight: 2.98 pounds
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Screen Size: 12.2 inches
There are plenty of gaming Chromebooks on the market, but few of them allow you to freely switch modes like this model from Samsung. Built with a unique 2-in-1 design, it’s extremely versatile. You can work in the traditional mode, then kick back when you want something smaller.
That duality makes this one of the most versatile laptops around. The expandable memory adds another layer, as does the special pen. There are many ways to use this complete device, with gaming being only one of them. A great product for all of your needs.
The only issue some have is that, while it’s fine in laptop mode, this Samsung can be a bit heavy for a tablet. As long as you’re aware of that extra heft, you should be fine.
4. Lenovo ThinkPad C13
- Best for: Screen
- Key Features: Good security. AMD Vega integrated graphics available. Up to 256GB SSD. Solid ram. Backlit keyboard.
- Weight: 3.09 pounds
- Battery Life: 12.5 hours
- Screen Size: 13.3 inches
Lenovo makes a lot of reliable laptops, and the ThinkPad C13 is one of the most versatile. Not only does it work as a gaming option, but it can handle regular tasks with ease. The SSD is strong, the internal processor is fast, and the graphics look crisp.
Complimenting those features is a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and durable shell. The entire machine, while slightly on the heavier side, is easy to handle and will last quite a long time. A great choice for both simple and more advanced games.
That being said, the audio is definitely not up to snuff. If you’re someone who puts a lot of stock into sound, you’ll want to upgrade this or go with something a little more speaker-friendly.
5. HP X360
- Best for: Functionality
- Key Features: Full flip design. Multi Touch screen display. 10th generation Intel Core processor. 8GB RAM. 2 SuperSpeed USB Type-C port.
- Weight: 3.64 pounds
- Battery Life: 7 hours
- Screen Size: 14 inches
The Hp X360 is a powerful device fully outfitted with a 360-degree flip design. You get a lot of versatility through that one feature. It’s easy to use this as a traditional laptop, but you can also switch up the shell in order to best fit your individual needs.
Beyond that, this comes with an anti-glare, energy-efficient LED display, 10th Generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and various ports. The connectivity is incredibly reliable, and the backlit keyboard both looks and feels great.
If this laptop has one weak point, it’s durability. It won’t break at the first drop, but you want to be a bit more careful when using it than you would with other, more durable options. The storage space could be better too.
6. Samsung Pro 2
- Best for: Portability
- Key Features: Sleek look. Reliable connectivity. Foldable design. 6th Generation Intel Core processor. Responsive screen.
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
- Battery Life: 7 hours
- Screen Size: 12.3 inches
One of the lighter Chromebook options out there, the Pro 2 is a touchscreen device filled with great specs. This works great for lighter games due to the flash memory, Intel Core Processor, and internal graphics. The screen looks great and is also quick to respond.
Tying all of that together is the built-in pen, which greatly increases the general functionality. The device boots up quickly and comes with a decent amount of storage space. The connectivity is also strong, which is great for online gamers.
The only drawback here is the battery life. Clocking in at just under 8 hours isn’t too bad, but it’s a bit under what you’d want from a true gaming option. Don’t stray too far from an outlet when using this.
How to Choose a Chromebook for Roblox & Minecraft
Taking the following factors into account, your decision-making will be much easier.
Graphics and Power
Having a powerful Chromebook with a decent graphics card is one of the most important things to look for in a new device.
A quality graphics card will help your computer handle more intensive games without issue. A lower-quality graphics card can lead to a lot of lag or stuttering, which could then greatly ruin your gaming.
Battery Life
Many games you may play on your Chromebook are quite intensive. That can then quickly drain your battery. Always get a device with a lot of juice to ensure you can game as long as you want without interruption.
Sure, you could always be tethered to a charger on the wall, but that defeats the portable purpose and nature of a Chromebook.
Keyboard
While a Chromebook’s keyboard might be an afterthought to some, it shouldn’t be. When playing games like Roblox or Minecraft, you will primarily use the keyboard.
That’s why you want to make sure it’s a comfortable experience for you. It should be responsive, feel good, and not get stuck.
Useful Tips and Resources
Before you start gaming on your Chromebook, you need to make sure you know all the ins and outs of the device. That will help you get the most out of the laptop
Also, because speed and performance are the names of the game when it comes to gaming, learning how to keep your Chromebook fast is something to consider.
If you feel your computer getting too hot or loud during a gaming session, it’s a good idea to give it a little break. The last thing you want to do is to overheat your computer, as it could potentially cause lasting damage.
Also, as is always the case when traveling with technology, be sure to handle it securely and make sure that it doesn’t drop or constantly get knocked into things. We recommend having a bag or a secure spot in your backpack for your Chromebook.
FAQs
This section tackles some of the biggest questions surrounding Chromebooks and gaming.
Do Chromebooks have Graphics Cards?
So do, some don’t Though a few models come with nothing, most are equipped with some type (usually Intel UHD) of graphics card.
What Graphics Card does a Chromebook Have?
Though the specs differ from laptop to laptop, most Chromebooks come with an Intel brand graphics card. As to which one, you have to check the individual model you’re interested in.
Are Chromebooks Good for Gaming?
Chromebooks are not traditionally gaming laptops. However, while they struggle with larger titles, they can run plenty of popular lower games like Among Us.
Can I Play Fortnite on a Chromebook?
Out of the box, no. However, if you’re willing to use NVIDIA’s GeForce Now, it’s possible to play Fortnite on a Chromebook.
Can Roblox Run on Chromebook?
Yes. Though it’s not directly supported, Roblox can be played on any Chromebook that has full access to the Play Store.
Can a Chromebook Run Minecraft?
No. Minecraft is not currently supported on Chromebook’s default settings.
Final Words
If you want a Chromebook that’s both portable and good for gaming, any of the aforementioned choices are good options.
While they might not pack the power of a full-sized and expensive PC, they will likely be more than good enough for what you want to play.
Are you aware of any other great Chromebooks for gaming? If so, don’t hesitate to let us know about them in the comments below.
