MacBook Pro 2016 release date, news and rumors

MacBook Pro 2016 release date, news and rumors

Update: Not only has Apple filed a patent for touchscreen notebook keyboards, but there's evidence suggesting the next MacBook Pros will support Siri as well, by way of OS X 10.12.

Apple's MacBook Pro range hasn't been updated for some time: the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina was refreshed in March 2015 and the 15-inch in May. New MacBook Pros are clearly imminent.

The biggest change is likely to be in the Pros' processors, and while there are rumours of detachable touchscreens we'd take them with a hefty pinch of salt.

Let's sift through the river of rumors to find nuggets of knowledge: what can we really expect from the 2016 MacBook Pro refresh?

• Also check out our MacBook Air 2016 release date, news and rumors article.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next generation of Apple's professional notebook
• When is it out? WWDC in June is most likely, but Apple may launch early
• What will it cost? Likely £899 (around $1,264/AUS$1,670) upwards

MacBook Pro 2016 release date

We'd expect to see the new MacBook Pro 2016 at Apple's annual developer event, WWDC, this June.

It's possible that Apple might choose to unveil the Pros earlier, but with a new MacBook and possibly MacBook Airs to show off this spring/summer too it makes sense to keep the Pros for the pro event.

According to one report by DigiTimes, Apple is gearing up to release new 13- and 15-inch MacBooks in the second half of 2016. It reckons they will feature hinges produced using a mechanism called 'metal injection moulding'. Said to be inspired by Microsoft's Surface Pro line of devices, the hinges will apparently be manufactured by Ampenol, who makes hinges for Microsoft's convertible tablet.

That report says that the new slim MacBooks will feature a pair of USB-C ports, one on each side, and will be offered in colors including Rose and Rose Gold. Apple has already unveiled its refreshed 12-inch MacBooks, so it sounds like the upcoming twin-ported machines could be new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air models.

MacBook Pro 2016 price

The current MacBook Pro range starts at £899 ($1,099) for the 13-inch non-Retina model, rising to £999 ($1,119) for the entry-level 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro and topping out at £1,999 ($2,099) for the 2.5GHz 15-inch Retina.

The 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro, tucked away apologetically at the foot of Apple's product page, surely can't be long for this world; come the updates we'd expect it to vanish in favour of a Retina 13-inch model instead.

Apple tends to keep its pricing similar between generations, so an £899 entry-level Pro with Retina display is likely to be the baby of the range.

MacBook Pro 2016: what's so special about Skylake?

The MacBook Pro is trailing PC rivals in the processor stakes: Dell and Microsoft have already moved to the sixth-generation Intel processors, but Apple is still on Broadwell and Haswell chips.

The move to Skylake processors should be more significant than the move to Broadwell, as the latter was more about battery life and energy efficiency than performance. Moving the MacBook Pro to Skylake should deliver massive speed improvements across the range as well as better battery life.

Skylake has some other tricks up its silicon sleeve including support for WiGig and WiDi short-range, high speed data transfer as well as wireless charging. Don't expect those features to be enabled in this year's notebooks, but they're likely to turn up in future iterations.

MacBook Pro 2016: fitter, happier, more productive

Faster is a given, better battery is almost certain. What about design changes? The current MacBook Pro is fairly porky compared to Apple's other notebooks, especially the minimalist USB-C MacBook.

That's partly because it's an older design and partly because the current MacBook Pro boasts lots of ports: twin Thunderbolt 2 and USB 3, an HDMI socket and an SDXC card slot.

Apple isn't sentimental about removing supposedly must-have features it deems redundant - the MacBook Pro lost its SuperDrive years ago - so could those ports be for the bullet too in favour of one or two USB-C ports?

It's certainly possible, especially since Intel has combined USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 to deliver USB, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, PCI Express and power in a single connection.

If the 2016 MacBook Pro doesn't have at least one USB-C port we'll eat an iPad - although it'll be interesting to see how much Apple prizes thinness over existing connectivity.

USB-C has the bandwidth for daisy-chaining even the most demanding devices, and of course Apple is always happy to sell reassuringly expensive adapters when it bins a previously popular port.

MacBook Pro 2016: Touch ID and next-gen SSDs?

The Pros are all about performance, so will they get next-generation SSDs? It's a nice thought, but while Intel's blazingly quick Optane SSDs are destined for Macs, they aren't likely to appear in any this side of 2017.

Another persistent rumour is TouchID fingerprint recognition, but that particular pundit also predicted TouchID in the recent Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad updates, which of course didn't happen.

MacBook Pro 2016: Detachable keyboard and screen?

One of the most interesting MacBook Pro rumours is that it's getting a touchscreen, and perhaps a detachable keyboard, too. We think that's spectacularly unlikely, for several reasons.

Those reasons are: iPad Pro, iPad Pro, iPad Pro, iPad Pro and iPad Pro. Apple already has a device with a touchscreen and detachable keyboard, and it isn't a MacBook.

There's another reason for our cynicism, and that's OS X. OS X 10.11 El Capitan's interface isn't optimised for touch because Apple already has a touch-optimised operating system, iOS.

Of course Apple has a track record of saying it won't do something and then doing it a few years later, but with two sizes of iPad Pro offering touchscreens, optional keyboards andApple Pencil there's no obvious need for a touchable MacBook Pro, too.

More likely to come true is the theory that Apple will implement touchscreen keyboards in its next MacBook Pro. A recent Apple patent suggests an iPad-like interface isn't out of the question to replace the physical keyboards we've all come to know and love from Cupertino's OS X devices.

While this may cause a stir with laptop enthusiasts, it could help Apple draw from the ever-flourishing 2-in-1 market.

MacBook Air 2016 release date, news and rumors

Introduction

Update: Could Siri integration and a touchscreen keyboard be in store for the next MacBook Air? Read on to find out more.

The MacBook Air has been with us for eight years and it's barely changed in that time: the rumored Retina display hasn't made it onto it yet despite last year's frenzied rumors.

It's been a whole year since the last minor speed bump and the Airs are still rocking Intel Broadwell processors, rather than the company's sixth-generation Skylake variants.

That means the time is ripe for a new model, and rumors suggest that there could be some radical changes. They might include the retirement of the 11-inch MacBook Air and the introduction of a 15-inch version instead.

That's assuming Apple intends to keep the Air, however. And it might not, because having two product lines - the 12-inch MacBook and the MacBook Pro - is a lot simpler. Here's what we know so far.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next generation of Apple's entry-level notebook
• When is it out? WWDC in June for the launch, shipping shortly afterwards
• What will it cost? Likely to start at £749 (around $899, or AUS$1,399) like today

MacBook Air 2016 release date

Apple tends to sneak out minor updates with minimal fanfare, but if the MacBook Air 2016 has the improvements we expect then we'd expect Tim Cook to make a fuss about it, most likely at WWDC in June. At least one source, Economic Daily News, believes that the on-sale date will be in Q3 2016; in Apple's world that's the financial quarter ending in June.

MacBook Air 2016 price

The current MacBook Air starts at £749 ($899, AU$1,399) for the 11-inch model and £849 ($999, AU$1,549) for the 13-inch. Apple tends to stick to its favorite price points, but one tasty rumor suggests that, while the prices will remain the same, the sizes will increase - so, you'll see a 13-inch Air at £749 and a 15-inch model at £849 to start.

Then again, that rumor comes courtesy of Digitimes and Digitimes' track record in Apple rumors is patchy to say the least. Economic Daily News believes that the price will go down and up: down for the 13-inch, but up for the 15-inch.

MacBook Air 2016: thinner, lighter, more powerful

Reports from Economic Daily News late last year predicted a "significant refresh" of the Air line-up in mid-2016. EDN's sources say the new Airs are significantly thinner and lighter than the current models, with new batteries and cooling systems, Intel Skylake processors and USB-C.

We've already seen USB-C in the MacBook, which owes much of its thinness to removing all the ports, and USB-C in the Air would enable Jonathan Ive to shave a few more millimeters off the Air too.

Some rumors predict TouchID fingerprint recognition, but we think that's wishful thinking: the source for that particular prediction also promised that TouchID was coming to the revamped Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad late last year. It wasn't. However, Apple has since filed a patent for a Magic Mouse with Force Touch tech, so the report might have been on the money after all.

Apple is working on a version of Apple Pay for its Safari web browser, but that's going to be on iOS: if it's coming to Macs, it won't be for some time after that.

In the meantime, if TouchID is likely coming to the Mac via Continuity - which enables the Mac to pick up on what you're doing on your iPhone or iPad - there are already multiple third-party apps that enable you to unlock your Mac via TouchID on your phone.

One feature that could certainly make its way to the next-gen MacBook Air from iOS, however, is Siri. The virtualized personal assistant on mobile has been spotted running on an early build of OS X 10.12, which will presumably arrive alongside the new range of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 2016 models.

Furthermore, while it's an unlikely scenario - especially on an entry-level MacBook Air - it's also worth considering a patent recently filed by Apple that suggests a MacBook without the physical keyboard. Instead, if this patent gets its way, we could see the intervention of touchscreen keyboards across an entire line of Apple products.

We don't think blazingly fast next-gen SSDs will quite make it to the 2016 Air, though: Intel's Optane SSDs are destined for Macs, but that's likely to happen in 2017 - not this year.

MacBook Air 2016: what's so special about Skylake?

The move to Skylake processors should be more significant than the move to Broadwell, as the latter was more about battery life and energy efficiency than performance. According to Intel, the Skylake processors likely to power a 2016 Air are 10% to 20% faster, have 34% faster graphics and last for more than an hour longer than Broadwell processors.

Skylake has some other tricks up its silicon sleeve including support for WiGig and WiDi short-range, high speed data transfer as well as wireless charging. Don't expect those features to be enabled in this year's Airs, but they're likely to turn up in future iterations.

MacBook Air 2016: Retina or no Retina? That is the question

The Air was widely predicted to gain a Retina display last year, but it turned out that the Retina displays channel sources had spotted were destined for the new MacBook. If Apple plans to cut the price of the 13-inch Air it might not be able to afford to stick a Retina in there, at least on the most basic model, although as with the current MacBook Pro it might decide to offer the 13-inch Air in a cheap non-Retina and a more expensive Retina version.

MacBook Air 2016: What we'd like to see

We've said it before: we think Apple is falling behind other laptop firms who have largely caught up and in some respects overtaken notebook Macs. As Kevin Lee put it: "Cupertino's Air and Pro series machines are long overdue for a makeover that goes beyond a simple internal refresh. The design and specs of both models are long in the tooth: the MacBook Air is sporting the same HD screen resolution it has for the last six years."

Some of Lee's suggestions are firmly in the "we wish" category than the "we expect" category - a touchscreen Air seems unlikely when there's the iPad Air and iPad Pros for touchy-feely stuff, and OS X isn't currently optimised for touch - but there's no doubt that the MacBook Air is starting to feel a little old compared to faster, thinner, sharper rivals.

MacBook Air 2016: is it going to get the bullet?

It's possible, although unlikely: the incoming, updated 12-inch MacBook that's mentioned in OS X's server code is going to be significantly more expensive than the Airs that you see absolutely everywhere. Why kill off a model that's so successful? What's more likely is the end of the 11-inch model, which would leave Apple with a 12-inch MacBook, 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs and the 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pros.

MacBook Air 2016: when will the specs start to leak?

If Apple's gearing up for a June reveal and product launch, the leaks should start coming thick and fast any day now: that's only three months away, and that means production's going to start very soon. If there's one thing we know about Apple's supply chain, it's that it tends to get awfully leaky once the production lines start work.

What would you like to see in a 2016 MacBook Air? Tell us your must-haves, would-love-to-haves and not-on-your-nellys in the comments.

Thinner Apple MacBook Pro laptops could have OLED screen and Touch ID

he MacBook Pro range hasn't had a major refresh for quite a few years but expect things to be different this year.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities and 9to5Mac (citing their own sources), Apple will introduce a "dramatically overhauled" MacBook Pro later this year, probably in Q4.

This will coincide with the lucrative back-to-school programme in the US (which also kicks off the three-month run to Christmas).

Taking a leaf out of the new MacBook's book, it will feature a "thinner and lighter" design with its curved bottom likely to be trimmed.

Fat with all the trimmings

This being a Pro laptop, ports are likely to remain untouched with more powerful Intel Core i5/i7 processors and a discrete graphics card.

The laptop is likely to be available in 13-inch and 15-inch form factors with physical function keys replaced by an OLED display touch bar, together with metal injection moulded hinges, Touch ID, USB-C and Thunderbolt 3.

Kuo, who correctly predicted a few Apple products in the past, said that the MacBook Air will remain the entry-level model, while the MacBook and the MacBook Pro will remain take the mid-tier and the top-end slots respectively.

LG's ultra-portable Gram 14 notebook reaches Indian shores through Paytm

LG has just announced two models of the 14-inch Gram 14 for the Indian markets, set to appeal to a wide consumer base. Both notebooks are under 1KG in weight, which makes them extremely lightweight to carry around compared to conventional laptops of the same size. They are powered by Intel's 6th generation Core i5 processors under the hatch, making them very exciting prospects for those looking to get a new notebook.

LG has mentioned that Paytm's exclusivity over the notebook will be limited and the Gram 14 will be gradually available from a wider set of retailers across the country.

The model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage will come in a solitary Gold color option, while the 4GB variant will be available in Black.

Paytm currently has the Gold (256GB + 8GB RAM) variant listed on its site for Rs 84,499 with a Rs 8,000 cashback offer being mentioned as well. So it seems like there are plenty of incentives if you're looking to get this attractive new offering from LG. We couldn't find the 128GB model of the Gram 14 as of yet, but we're sure it will be up on the company's site soon.

On the occasion of the launch, Mr Sanjeev Mittal, PGMH, IT Products, LG India, said, "At LG, we have always strived hard to bring innovative products for our consumers. The LG Gram 14 is the newest addition to our monitor and PC portfolio and we're thrilled about it as it brings breathtaking aesthetics and unparalleled user experience to the consumers."

LG Gram 14 hardware specs include:

14-inch Full HD (1920x1080) display
2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 processor
128/256GB SSD storage
4/8GB RAM
Windows 10
2-cell 34.61 Wh battery (7.5 hours backup)

Overhauled HP Omen laptops respect that PC gaming is pricey enough already

PC gaming is expensive enough - especially when all you might have room for is a gaming laptop. HP has finally come around to this widespread attitude with a fresh take on its classic Omen line of gaming notebooks and desktops.

The firm is keeping it simple (enough) and approachable this year, issuing 15.6 and 17.3-inch versions of the Omen gaming laptop - based on its latest budget multimedia Pavilion line - and a single gaming desktop. It's also known as the Omen.

Want a 15.6-inch HP Omen (read that review and you might) laptop? They start at $899 (about £611, AU$1,252). Need something bigger? The 17.3-incher goes for $979 to start (£665, AU$1,363). Both are slated to hit Best Buy and HP.com on July 10, though the 17-inch model asks for $1,029 (about £699, AU$1,433) on the latter.

There's one type of Omen PC, due out in August, but HP won't talk price just yet. So, are you going to want this thing?

Aiming for the new wave

One look at the spec sheet for these gaming laptops and one thing is obvious: these rigs are not for the power-hungry PC gamer. The new Omen is looking squarely at the entry level, the ground floor, the first rong - and the PC gaming masses.

With a graphics chip starting at Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M and up to - up to - 965M, seasoned frame rate junkies won't give these machines a glance. But, what are the most-played PC games?

League of Legends, Minecraft and Hearthstone are a quick few that come to mind - none of which recommend anything close to what these machines provide.

Rounding out the spec sheet is an Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor at 2.5GHz (which comes standard), 8GB (up to 16GB) of DDR4 RAM, a 1TB (7,200 rpm; up to 4TB) hard drive paired with a 128GB solid-state drive and an FHD (1,920 x 1,080; 4K also available) IPS LED screen. All of that is said to run for up 6 hours for the 15-inch and 8 hours and 15 minutes for the 17.

So, how did HP bring the price down so low coming from last year's super-premium model? Turn an existing, affordable design into something gamers might appreciate. Using the Pavilion frame and similar build materials (plastic, soft-touch paint, etc) must have help keep costs down.

Plus, HP sticking to its guns on graphics options - aiming squarely at a helluva lot of people - had to have helped here as well. This focus gave room for HP to hone in on the other modern basics of a solid gaming laptop: namely 802.11ac Wi-Fi, backlit keyboard and HDMI 2.0.

Oh, and two top-firing Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers.

HP left the room for those fancy premium options, like an Intel RealSense camera or a 4K display, but they honestly only betray the spirit of this laptop.

Going hog wild on the desktop

While HP is keeping it approachable and focused in gaming laptops this year so far, it's approach to desktop gaming is about as hardcore as it gets. You're looking at a monolithic new chassis with sharp lighting effect options that can even represent its current CPU temperature.

How's that for something different?

Inside, HP is all about this box taking you to VR land, ideally in an HTC Vive. The computer maker has teamed up with HTC to tune each Omen desktop for an "out-of-the-box" experience with its headset. This rig is certifiably ready for the highest end of virtual reality gaming.

The firm isn't being specific about the system's hardware yet, but promising support for up to an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 or an AMD R9 390X video card and Intel Core i7-6700K CPUs. You'll also get to cram up to 3TB worth of hard drive in there with up to a 512GB SSD and as much as 32GB of RAM.

Plus, toolless entry should make upgrading or maintaining easier than with most cases, while optional liquid cooling could allow for overclocking. Something's got to power that 4K,three-screen driving rig setup of your dreams, right?

Speaking of which, HP might not have a 4K display in the works, but it'll do you 2,560 x 1,440 pixels on a 32-inch panel. Set to launch in August with the Omen desktop, the screen is nearly bezel-less and hits 100% of the sRGB color space.

HP is firmly planting itself with AMD's FreeSync monitor-GPU-synchronization tech, likely because it's open source whereas Nvidia's version requires special hardware in each screen.

At any rate, it's clear that HP is re-entering the PC gaming bout with more refined focus than ever. We'll see how well that focus has paid off once we get these rigs in for review.

LG brings ultralight 14-inch laptop to India

First unveiled during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year, South Korean company LG Electronics has now launched its ultra-light "Gram PC" in India.

The device is available on mobile payment and commerce platform Paytm and will soon be available at all LG brand stores and IT multi-brand outlets, the company said in a statement.

Despite a larger 14-inch screen size, LG Gram PC 14 weighs just 980 grams.

"The LG Gram PC is the newest addition to our monitor and PC portfolio and we are thrilled about it as it brings breathtaking aesthetics and unparalleled user experience to the consumers," said Sanjeev Mittal, PGMH, IT products, LG India.

With a 6th Gen Intel Core processor and Windows 10, the LG gram 14 prioritises both productivity and mobility.

The device is available in two models. The first model with 14-inch screen size, 8GB RAM and 256GB storage is available for Rs.94,990.

The other model is available with 14-inch screen size, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage and black colour for Rs.79,990.

10 best Chromebooks 2016: top Chromebooks reviewed

Best Chromebooks

Update: Not only is Chrome OS getting access to Android apps later this year, but Chromebooks are actually selling better than the Mac. Read on to find out more.

Chromebooks are wallet-friendly laptops that are both quirky and smart, low-impact and capable.

Running Google's Chrome OS operating system rather than, say, Windows 10, they're aimed at what computing has been all about since the late '90s, the internet and your web browser. Soon, however, with the introduction of Android apps to Chrome OS, you'll reap the benefits of two different platforms in one device.

Mostly with low-power processors and low-end HD screens starting at 1,366 x 768 pixel count, most of these notebooks are designed to last. Almost every Chromebook claims between 7 and 9 hours of battery life and ends up within a few hours of that estimation, based on our testing. If you're not sure of what you should look for when buying a Chromebook, we've developed a handy cheat sheet for you.

• Why do Chromebooks look better than Windows laptops now?

Prices do start to rise above the "affordable" range, as is the case with the MacBook-rivaling, $999 Chromebook Pixel 2 (£670, AU$1,320), especially in the classroom, where Chromebooks are gaining significant influence.

In fact, IDC reported in May 2016 that, for the first time ever, Chromebook sales wereoutpacing Apple's Mac line, likely due to their price and versatility. Despite their growth, there should always be a Chromebook within your budget.

Then, it all comes down to size and price, with Chromebooks available as little as 11.6 inches and as wide as 15 inches. (There are even 2-in-1 Chromebooks available.) Always up-to-date, here are our top-ranking Chromebook reviews.

1. Toshiba Chromebook 2

Full HD on a Chromebook just got better

CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core i3-5015U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500 | RAM: 4GB | Screen:13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 | Storage: 16GB eMMC | Connectivity: Intel Dual-Band Wireless-AC 7260; Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: HD webcam | Weight: 2.97 pounds | Dimensions: 12.6 x 8.4 x 0.76 inches (W x D x H)

See more Toshiba Chromebook 2 deals

Gorgeous 1080p screen

Intel Core i3 power

Screen glare

A bit pricey

For a steeper $429 (about £299, AU$612), the newest Toshiba Chromebook 2 is a gorgeous laptop that - clearly, seeing the price - has few flaws. It comes with more memory and a 1080p display, lining it up with rival, (pseudo-) premium models on the market, like the Dell Chromebook 13 and Chromebook Pixel.

However, note: the Toshiba Chromebook 2 is now officially in budget Windows 10 laptop territory. Unless you're buying this machine solely for the Google ecosystem, you may be overpaying. That said, the Intel Core i3 chip behind that 1080p screen is an obvious bonus.

Read the full review: Toshiba Chromebook 2

2. Dell Chromebook 11 (2015)

Dell's updated Chromebook is a star in almost every regard

CPU: 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Celeron Bay Trail-M N2840 | Graphics: Intel HD for Intel Celeron processors | RAM: 4GB RAM (DDR3L, 1,600Mhz) | Screen: 11.6-inch HD, 1366 x 768 touchscreen |Storage: 16GB SSD | Optical drive: none | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0; 802.11ac (B/G/N), dual-band Wi-Fi | Camera: 720p webcam | Weight: 2.91 pounds Dimensions: 12.6 x 8.4 x 0.76 inches

See more Dell Chromebook 11 deals

Rugged design

180-degree barrel hinge

Touchscreen not standard

Small keyboard

Don't let the subtle looks of the $249 (£170, AU$320) Dell Chromebook 11 trick you. Dell stuffed in features that are typically reserved for more premium business notebooks into its Chromebook 11, an effort to create a durable device for schools.

In the Chromebook 11, you'll find a 180-degree reinforced hinge, rugged design, sealed keyboard and trackpad, and a punchy typing experience inside a portable package. In addition to using the Chromebook for school work, students will appreciate the loud stereo speakers for videos.

There's a new version of this Chromebook available, too. We've jotted down our first impressions here.

Read the full review: Dell Chromebook 11 (2015)

3. Asus Chromebook Flip

A flipping premium Chromebook for almost nothing

CPU: 1.8GHz Rockchip 3288-C (quad-core, 1MB cache) | Graphics: ARM Mali T624 | RAM:2GB LPDDR3 SDRAM | Screen: 10.1-inch, WXGA (1,280 x 800) IPS multi-touch display |Storage: 16GB eMMC | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 720p HD webcam | Weight: 1.96 pounds | Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.2 x 0.60 inches (W x D x H)

See more Asus Chromebook Flip deals

Fully metal construction

Excessive battery life

Occasional crashes

Large screen bezels

The Asus Chromebook Flip isn't perfect, but it's an impressive little piece of kit. At just $249 (about £160, AU$337), it's so affordable that you might want to pick one up just to have a Chromebook on hand - even if you already own a MacBook or Windows laptop.

Aside from the budget price tag, the Flip is one of the best-built Chromebooks to blaze the trail onward for more convertibles. Touchscreen functionality feels slightly more logical, with a screen that actually rotates for once.

All the while, the Flip meets all the core tenants of an ideal Chrome OS device, including stellar battery life. If you've been ho hum on Chromebooks before, this is definitely one to ... flip out about. (Sorry.)

Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip

4. HP Chromebook 14

A well balanced Chromebook

CPU: 1.83GHz Intel Celeron N2940 processor | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 2GB |Screen: 14-inch, 1,366 x 768 BrightView LED-backlit | Storage: 16GB eMMC| Connectivity:802.11ac Wi-Fi (2x2); Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: HP TrueVision HD webcam with integrated digital microphone| Weight: 3.74 pounds (1.69kg) | Dimensions: 13.54 x 9.45 x 0.7 inches (344mm x 240mm x 18mm) (W x D x H)

See more HP Chromebook 14 deals

Excellent keyboard, trackpad

Speedy and responsive

Crisp, vivid screen

Slower than some rivals

Average battery life

With a rock-bottom starting price, this is an excellent value for those seeking a basic web browsing machine. It's cheaper than the Toshiba Chromebook 2 while offering a bigger screen.

And, while Acer's Chromebook 15 serves up equal components behind a larger screen for the same amount of scratch, HPs' 14-incher is a bit more compact and better looking to boot, if coffee shop appeal is crucial.

For a modest investment, you'll get a responsive, friendly-looking notebook that's actually fun to use despite some minor shortcomings.

Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14

5. Acer Chromebook 15 C910

The colossus of Chromebooks

CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i5-5200 dual-core processor | Graphics: Intel HD 5500 Graphics with shared memory | RAM: 4 GB, DDR3L SDRAM | Screen: 15.6-inch full HD (1,920 x 1,080) |Storage: 32GB SSD | Optical drive: none | Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi | Camera:720p HD webcam |Weight: 4.85 pounds Dimensions: 1.0 x 15.1 x 10.1 inches (H x W x D)

See more Acer Chromebook 15 deals

Fast processing speed

Long battery life

Very heavy

Awkward keyboard

If you're mulling over the $279 (about £195, AU$389) Acer Chromebook 15 C910 for your next notebook, then you'd better have big ideas. Compared to most other Chromebooks, the C910 has more screen real estate, more processing power and unsurprisingly costs more as a result.

The C910 took this series of laptops to two new places, as the first with a 15.6-inch screen and the first to introduce the fifth-generation Broadwell CPUs to Chromebooks.

Specifically geared toward students and teachers - thanks to its durable frame and gorgeous visuals - the C910 is fine for any consumer who doesn't mind lugging around a few extra pounds and inches.

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15 C910

6. Google Chromebook Pixel 2015

The end all, be all of Chromebooks.

CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i5-5200U (dual-core, 3MB cache, up to 2.7GHz with turbo boost) |Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500 | RAM: 8GB DDR3 | Screen: 12.85-inch 2,560 x 1,700 IPS touchscreen display | Storage: 32GB SSD | Optical drive: none | Connectivity: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260; Bluetooth 4.0 LE | Camera: 720p HD wide angle camera with blue glass |Weight: 3.3 pounds Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches (W x D x H)

See more Google Chromebook Pixel 2 deals

Inter Core i5 or i7 processor

Long, long battery life

Very expensive

3:2 screen hurts multitasking

Outfitted with a Core i5 processor, USB 3.1 (and USB-C) ports, a beyond-HD display, and more RAM than it will ever need, the Chromebook Pixel sets a high bar for Chrome OS machines.

Hardware and performance aside, the Pixel is one of the few Chromebooks that seems like it has itself completely figured out. The build quality of this machine is superb; the design has been engineered down to a science. A vibrant screen - plus the tactile keyboard and trackpad - helps to round out the Pixel as one pretty, premium package.

That said, this one's quite an investment. At this price, you could buy several Chromebooks or a far more powerful Windows laptop. So, before you buy, we suggest you consider all the much more affordable (or better) options out there before plunking down so much money into the best Chrome machine.

Read the full review: Google Chromebook Pixel 2

7. Acer Chromebook R11

360-degree flips all day long

CPU: 1.6 GHz Intel Braswell Quad-Core Celeron N3150 Processor | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 4GB DDR3L | Screen: 11.6" 16:9 HD (1366x768) | Storage: 32GB | Optical drive: none | Connectivity: Dual-band 802.11ac; Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: HD Web Camera | Weight: 2.76 lbs | Dimensions: 11.57 x 8.03 x 0.76 inches (WxDxH)

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Convertible

Good battery life

HD-only display

Terrible trackpad

The Acer Chromebook R11's minimalist design may not be the most alluring, but that shell hides a surprisingly ready laptop that will last all day. Oh, and it can flip 360 degrees into a tablet. No big deal.

Acer's R11 packs in day-long battery life, punchy performance and a 360-degree hinge with touchscreen into a subdued design for just $289 (about £202, AU$402). That makes flaws, like an iffy trackpad and barely-HD touch display, a little easier to swallow.

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11

8. Acer Chromebook 13

With incredible battery life, the Chromebook 13 is a winner

CPU: 2.1GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 CD570M-A1 (quad-core) | Graphics: Nvidia Keplar | RAM: 2GB DDR3 (1,333MHz) | Screen: 13.3-inch, 1.920 x 1.080 | Storage: 16GB SSD | Optical drive:None | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 720p HD webcam | Weight: 3.31 pounds Dimensions: 12.9 x 9 x 0.71 inches (W x D x H)

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Battery life

Great speakers

Strange port locations

Lackluster visuals

Powered by Nvidia's powerful Tegra K1 chip, this Chromebook packs a lot of punch in a tiny frame. Users will love its 13.3-inch, 1080p resolution screen, as well as its portability. At 3.31 pounds, the Acer Chromebook 13 is a relatively feathery notebook.

This Chromebook does have some minor issues: it doesn't multitask very well, and the laptop itself only comes in one color. But, for the tiny price of $249 (about £174, AU$347), you're likely to enjoy the simplicity and productivity as you learn to overcome its limitations.

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 13

9. Asus Chromebook C300

A long-lasting Chromebook that just won't quit

CPU: 2.16GHz dual-core Intel Celeron N2830 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 2GB |Screen: 13.3-inch, 1366 x 768 HD display | Storage: 32GB SSD | Connectivity: Integrated 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: HD webcam | Weight: 3.08 pounds | Dimensions:13.0 x 9.1 x 0.9 inches

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Great performance under pressure

Battery life goes on and on

Divisive bright colors

Narrow viewing angles

After years of refinement, we're finally at the point of seeing bigger, better and bolder Chrome OS devices, like the Asus Chromebook C300. This 13-inch Chromebook comes with a slightly faster processor than the rest of its cloud-based flock - all while ditching the fan simultaneously.

The TN screen unfortunately is a wash (both figuratively and literally in terms of color reproduction), but this Chromebook simply goes on and on with its nigh excessive battery life.

Read the full review: Asus Chromebook C300

10. Lenovo N20p Chromebook

A versatile Chromebook experience for a reasonable price

CPU: 1.83 GHZ Intel Celeron Processor N2930 | Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics |RAM: 2GB PC3-10600 DDR3L 1333 MHz | Screen: 11.6" HD (1366 x 768) dsplay with 10-point multitouch | Storage: 16GB eMMC storage | Optical drive: none | Connectivity: Bluetooth® 4.0, 802.11 a/c WiFi | Camera: 720p webcam | Weight: 2.86 lbs Dimensions: 11.6" x 8.34" x 0.70"

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Gorgeous design

Super fast

Poor viewing angles

Bad speakers

This is one of the "sexier" Chromebooks around, showcasing Lenovo's lust for style. However, the best feature is the N20p's 300-degree hinge, bending the N20p's display backward all the way into stand mode (or "tent" mode), which lends itself rather well to watching films or showing presentations.

The touchscreen controls also work in a snap for, say, watching shows on HBO Go or lurking around Pinterest. Still, there's some struggle when using it as a tablet, as Chrome isn't entirely made for touch as an almost exclusively browser-based interface.

It's not very tuned for work use, but the Lenovo N20p offers great versatility for a leisure notebook. Plus, with two USB ports (one 3.0), an HDMI port and an SD card reader, this Chromebook delivers a fine value.