At some point over the past couple of weeks, HP quietly rolled out a budget-minded 11.6″ Chromebook powered by the same MediaTek ARM processor found in the Lenovo Duet tablet. While we haven’t had the opportunity to review the HP Chromebook 11a, it looks as though it could be a great Chromebook when you’re looking at the $200 price bracket. The MediaTek MT8183 processor has proven to be a decent little performer but it still lacks the processing power found in the Intel N4020 CPU that powers comparable devices such as the Lenovo Chromebook 3 I recently reviewed. That said, the HP Chromebook 11a will have a slight edge when it comes to running Android applications due to its ARM architecture.
All that to say, HP’s newest budget device will likely be a great Chromebook for users wanting simple, inexpensive and actually usable. It’s for that reason, we bring you two really good deals on the two aforementioned devices. Which one you choose is really up to you but either way, these two Chromebooks will only set you back $169 and that’s worth writing home about.
HP Chromebook 11a non-touch
We just discovered the touch version of the HP Chromebook 11a a couple of days ago and while I find it tough to recommend at $259, the non-touch model can be had for only $169 right now thanks to a little deal from Target. This version of the HP Chromebook 11a comes not in Indigo Blue but a more reserved Ash Gray. It features the same MediaTek processor, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage found in the model over on HP’s website but forgoes the touchscreen. You get a single USB-C and USB-A port but HP was considerate enough to include a MicroSD reader for extra storage space.
The HP Chromebook 11a comes with a 220 nit HD display. This isn’t a device that you’ll want to use while sitting outside in direct sunlight but it will be good enough for daily use around the house or as a travel companion for light workloads. This would also make a cost-effective device for the kids that need an inexpensive Chromebook for classwork and online learning. You can find the HP Chromebook 11a at Target for $169 and have it in your bag by the weekend.
Lenovo Chromebook 3
When we’re talking sub-two hundred dollar devices, the Lenovo Chromebook 3 is almost always at the top of my list as it is one of the few Chromebooks in this price range that’s actually a delight to use. When you spend a couple of hours working from this device, you quickly forget that the Chromebook is a “budget” device. The N4020 CPU chews through documents, web browsing and even lightweight Linux applications while the build-quality of the Chromebook 3 is on par with devices that cost twice as much. You can pick up the Lenovo Chromebook 3 from Walmart for $169 which is $30 off the regular retail price.
Lenovo Chromebook 3 at Walmart
