The strongest budget examples in Laptop Mag’s August 22, 2024 back-to-school roundup were a $399 HP Chromebook Plus 14a at Amazon and a $369 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 at Best Buy. Those are historical prices, not current offers: neither the roundup nor its archive establishes how long either price lasted, and both may have expired.
August 2024’s budget Chromebook offers
Laptop Mag’s roundup covered a range of back-to-school laptop prices. For a budget-focused comparison, these two named Chromebook configurations stand out; the listed prices and specifications below are those reported by Laptop Mag on August 22, 2024.
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| Model and reported retailer | Reported price | Configuration | Best fit to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP Chromebook Plus 14a at Amazon | $399 | 14-inch FHD anti-glare display; Intel Core i3-N305; 8GB RAM; 128GB storage; webcam and dual speakers; ChromeOS | A conventional clamshell Chromebook for browser-centered schoolwork and everyday tasks. |
| Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 at Best Buy | $369, reported as $130 off its listed $499 price | 13.3-inch 1920×1080 OLED touchscreen; Snapdragon 7c Gen 2; 8GB RAM; 128GB eMMC storage; ChromeOS | A convertible, tablet-style option for someone who values a touchscreen form factor. |
Laptop Mag described the HP as a decent laptop for its price and reported that, in its testing, it handled 24 Chrome tabs and several YouTube videos with little slowdown. That is the publication’s observation, not a general performance guarantee or an independent market test. The roundup headline said “Save up to 70%”; that was Laptop Mag’s headline claim for its deal roundup, not a measured statistic about laptop prices or August savings across the market. Read Laptop Mag’s August 22 roundup.
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How to choose between the two
Check software needs before choosing ChromeOS
Both examples run ChromeOS, which can suit work done mainly in a browser. Before buying any Chromebook, check that the school, work, or personal applications you depend on are available and work as needed on ChromeOS. If you require software that needs another operating system, neither listing alone establishes that it will meet your needs.
#1 Best Overall
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
Compare the hardware, not just the discount
The HP listing specifies an Intel Core i3-N305 and 8GB of RAM. The Duet 5 specifies a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 and the same amount of RAM. Those specification differences are useful when comparing listings, but the source does not provide a direct performance comparison between the two models or evidence about demanding workloads.
Both listings state 128GB capacity, but the Lenovo specifies eMMC storage while the HP listing says “128GB storage” without naming its type. Do not assume those descriptions identify the same storage technology. The screen and form factor also differ: the HP is a 14-inch clamshell with an anti-glare FHD display; the Duet 5 is a 13.3-inch OLED touchscreen convertible.
Rank #2
- Intel Celeron N4120: 4 Cores & Threads, 1.1GHz Base Clock, Up to 2.6GHz Boost Clock, 4MB Cache, Intel UHD Graphics 600. The perfect combination of performance, power consumption, and value helps your device handle multitasking smoothly and reliably with four processing cores to divide up the work.
What the historical prices do—and do not—show
Laptop Mag’s dated August 2024 archive includes the August 22 back-to-school roundup and later Labor Day laptop coverage, placing the offers in a seasonal sale period. It does not establish that either price was available throughout August or give an exact end date. Verify current stock, price, and that a listing matches the stated configuration before treating either model as a purchase option.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsOther 2024 roundups offer context, but not additional August deals. Reviewed’s June 5 article listed the Lenovo IdeaPad 1i at $349.99, Acer Aspire 3 at $299.99, and Acer Chromebook 516 GE at $499. Tom’s Guide’s June 28 roundup listed the Lenovo IdeaPad 1i at $329 and Acer Chromebook 315 at $179. These are June-reported prices and should not be presented as August offers. See Reviewed’s under-$500 roundup and Tom’s Guide’s Best Buy roundup.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Efficient Performance for Everyday Computing: Powered by Intel N150 processor with up to 3.6 GHz Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 6 MB L3 cache, 4 cores, and 4 threads, this HP laptop delivers responsive performance for web browsing, streaming, document editing, and multitasking. Paired with 4GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB UFS storage, it handles daily tasks smoothly. Includes 1-year Microsoft 365 Personal subscription for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and cloud storage to maximize your productivity.
- 14-Inch HD Micro-Edge Display:Enjoy clear visuals on the 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare screen with 250-nit brightness and 62.5% sRGB coverage. The micro-edge bezel delivers a 79% screen-to-body ratio in a compact design. An HP True Vision 720p HD camera with noise reduction and dual-array microphones supports clear video calls, remote work, and online learning.
- Modern Connectivity and Wireless Technology: Stay connected with Wi-Fi 6 (2x2) for faster wireless speeds and Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless pairing with accessories. Versatile port selection includes 1 USB Type-C 10Gbps with DisplayPort 1.2 for external displays, 2 USB Type-A 5Gbps ports for peripherals, 1 HDMI 1.4b port, 1 headphone/microphone combo jack, and 1 multi-format SD media card reader. Connect monitors, transfer files quickly, and expand your workspace with ease.
- All-Day Battery Life and Portable Design: Enjoy up to 11 hours of video playback, 7.5 hours of mixed usage, or 7.5 hours of wireless streaming on a single charge, perfect for students and professionals on the go. Weighing just 3.24 lb and measuring 12.76" x 8.86" x 0.71", this lightweight laptop fits easily in backpacks and bags. The stylish willow green top cover with matte finish and natural silver keyboard deck with vertical brushing pattern offer a modern, professional look.
- AI-Enhanced Productivity: Access Microsoft Copilot instantly with the dedicated Copilot key for faster assistance. AI Noise Reduction filters background sounds and improves voice clarity during calls. Dual speakers provide clear audio, while the full-size natural silver keyboard and HP Imagepad support comfortable typing and navigation.
Rank #4
- Intel Processor Up to 2.80GHz, 4GB DDR4, 128GB Storage
- 15" FHD IPS Display, Intel UHD Graphics
- 1x USB Type C, 1 x USB Type A, 1x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, HDMI
- Fast WiFi and Bluetooth, Integrated Webcam
- Chrome OS, AC Charger Included, Pastel Silver
Rank #3
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
