The Asus Flip is the first Chromebook to support Google Play, and if you own one you can actually try it out now. Open your Chromebook’s Settings and click on About Chrome OS. From there select More Info. You’ll see a setting for Channel—click the button to Change Channel and select Developer.
The Asus Flip features a touchscreen, which makes using Android apps even easier. You can flip the keyboard around to the back side of the machine and use it just like a tablet, making it a great option for those who want the best of both worlds.
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Prices are current as of publishing. They may change in the future.
The Acer N11 was just added to the short list of Chromebooks that can run Google Play right now, so if you’re the owner of one of these models you can get access by turning on the Developer channel. The steps are the same as those on the Asus Flip.
The Acer N11 has a fully hinged lid and a touchscreen, just like the Asus Flip. It weighs a bit more, though, so if you want something that’s going to vanish into your laptop bag the Asus might be a better choice.
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Prices are current as of publishing. They may change in the future.
The Pixel is the last of the three Chromebooks that will run Google Play right now using the same steps as the Acer and Asus machines. This is Google’s own Chrome OS machine, and it’s perfect for those who think a cheap Chromebook is a lousy Chromebook.
The Asus Flip and Acer N11 both price around $300 right now. That’s actually a bit steep for a Chromebook, but it’s nothing compared to the Pixel: it’s currently priced at $1,299.That’s a lot of money for a Chromebook. The specs are impressive; whether or not they’re worth the cost is up to you.
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Prices are current as of publishing. They may change in the future.
Here’s where we start the list of models waiting for Google to release the Google Play Chrome OS update publically. If you own a Chromebook 3 or any of the models listed after this don’t bother trying to turn on Developer mode—you still won’t be able to access the Play store.
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Prices are current as of publishing. They may change in the future.
Don’t get caught up thinking you need a touchscreen, high-end hardware, and lots of RAM to access Google Play on a Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook 15 is definitely a budget model, and it will still be able to run Android apps.
How well the apps will run is a mystery for now. The three models that can run the Play store now are all higher end—good press for Google, but not a good look for consumers.
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Prices are current as of publishing. They may change in the future.
It can be hard to determine what exactly makes a Chromebook like the Asus C300 cost nearly $200 more than the Acer 15 from the previous page. The only real spec difference is the two additional gigs of RAM the Asus C300 has.
When it comes to budget laptops like most Chromebooks it’s a good idea to go to a store where you can play with one first. That difference could very well be due to the quality of the build and how long it will last.
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Prices are current as of publishing. They may change in the future.
Dell’s latest entry into the Chromebook market isn’t unique among the budget-priced models. The case is made from a blend of carbon fiber and magnesium alloy, which may make it a bit more hardy than some of the plastic models.
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Prices are current as of publishing. They may change in the future.
Somehow HP’s Chromebook 13 is newer than the 14. It’s a bit confusing, especially since its first model was the 11. HP is one of the few Chromebook manufacturers that mention RAM upgrades as a possibility, so if you’re willing to do some tinkering you might love the HP 13.
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Prices are current as of publishing. They may change in the future.
It might be nostalgia that makes me love the form factor of Lenovo ThinkPad laptops. If you’re anything like me you have a spot in your heart for the black and red design that has been mostly unchanged since the early 1990s.
The Thinkpad 13 is yet another moderate redesign to the same old form factor. Lenovo says the durability is still there, so if you’re a ThinkPad junkie this might be the one for you. There’s also the reported 13-hour battery life, which makes it even more appealing.
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Prices are current as of publishing. They may change in the future.
Toshiba’s Chromebook is pretty standard, which begs the question as to why it’s $435. With no outstanding specs and a relatively short battery life it isn’t an amazing option.
Still, Toshiba has been making solid machines for years, and its Chromebook is just as favorably reviewed as any other laptop it’s made.
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Prices are current as of publishing. They may change in the future.
Chrome OS 53, which will bring the Google Play store to eligible machines, is still in production. I’m excited for it, and I’m sure other Chromebook users are as well, but it could still be a few months before wide-scale release happens.
If you want to see a complete up-to-date list of Chromebooks that will run the Google Play store check The Chromium Projects’ page here.
Brandon is a Staff Writer for TechRepublic. He's an award-winning feature and how-to writer who previously worked as an IT professional and served as an MP in the US Army.
