If you’ve checked your settings menu this week and seen the prompt to restart for ChromeOS 146, you might be wondering where the "What’s New" splash screen went. In an update that follows the now-understood trend of ChromeOS updates over the past year or so, we are looking at an one that is pretty … [Read more...] about ChromeOS 146 is rolling out, but Google is clearly eyeing a much bigger prize
Chromebooks
Chromebooks are the heart of the Chrome OS experience. At their core, Chromebooks are the purest expression of Google's operating system. Here, you'll find only articles and stories about Chromebooks, their features, and what makes them great.
Support our independent tech coverage. Chrome Unboxed is written by real people, for real people—not search algorithms. Join Chrome Unboxed Plus for just $2 a month to get an ad-free experience, access to our private Discord, and more. Learn more about membership here.
START FREE TRIAL (MONTHLY)START FREE TRIAL (ANNUAL)
I was wrong about upcoming MediaTek Kompanio 540 Chromebooks and tablets
For months, I’ve been tracking a growing family of upcoming Chromebooks codenamed 'Skywalker.' We’ve seen a flood of these devices hitting the repositories with names like 'Luuke', 'Yoda', and the recently discovered 'Dooku'. But if I’m being honest, I haven't been that excited about them. Why? … [Read more...] about I was wrong about upcoming MediaTek Kompanio 540 Chromebooks and tablets
No, the new MacBook Neo isn’t a threat to Chromebooks in the classroom
As it launched earlier this week, we talked about how the MacBook Neo puts massive pressure on Google’s upcoming 'Project Aluminium' devices in the consumer space. At $599, Apple has finally built a machine that makes you look twice at mid-range Chromebooks and Windows laptops. But it's not all … [Read more...] about No, the new MacBook Neo isn’t a threat to Chromebooks in the classroom
‘Sapphire’s boot screen inclusion could hint at bigger Chromebook changes
For the better part of a decade, the experience of booting up a Chromebook has been pretty uniform. Regardless of whether you spent $200 on a plastic clamshell or $1,000 on a premium convertible, the startup screen was always the same: a white or black background with the "ChromeOS" or "Chromebook … [Read more...] about ‘Sapphire’s boot screen inclusion could hint at bigger Chromebook changes
We have our first real leak of Google’s “Aluminium” project running on a Chromebook
Back in September, we caught the first scent of a massive shift happening behind the scenes at Google. I found evidence that developers were testing a full Android desktop experience on "Brya" Chromebooks, and at the time, we weren't quite sure what to make of it. Fast forward to today, and the cat … [Read more...] about We have our first real leak of Google’s “Aluminium” project running on a Chromebook
Why Intel’s Panther Lake actually has me excited for Intel Chromebooks again
It’s been a while since I’ve felt a real sense of anticipation for an Intel-based Chromebook. For the past couple of years, the conversation has largely been dominated by the incredible efficiency and battery life of ARM-based chips like the MediaTek Kompanio series. While Intel always brought … [Read more...] about Why Intel’s Panther Lake actually has me excited for Intel Chromebooks again
We’re headed back to CES for the first time in years: here’s what I’m excited for
It's been a whopping 3 years since I've been out to the desert in Vegas for CES - the massive tech conference that attracts well over 100,000 attendees each year. Things have changed in some pretty substantial ways for the Chromebook ecosystem since then, and there simply hasn't been much reason to … [Read more...] about We’re headed back to CES for the first time in years: here’s what I’m excited for
My new portable monitor for my mobile Chromebook setup is both unique and affordable
One of my favorite things about Chromebooks in general is the plug-and-play nature of these devices. Without too much thought, I can see a new accessory and immediately feel very confident that it will work well with my Chromebook without the need of drivers, setup, and other technical bits. Just … [Read more...] about My new portable monitor for my mobile Chromebook setup is both unique and affordable
I handled the new Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 and the build quality is impressive
So, we're still waiting on a review unit to show up for the new Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 that randomly showed up at Best Buy in late October this year; but I did get a chance to check it out at a local Best Buy this weekend, and I have to say that I'm very impressed by the overall fit and … [Read more...] about I handled the new Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 and the build quality is impressive
I’m sad Chromebooks never made it to their experimental form factor stage
As we look toward 2026 and the inevitable shift toward "Aluminium OS" - Google's ambitious project to re-baseline ChromeOS on the Android kernel - it’s hard not to feel a slight sense of melancholy. We are standing on the precipice of a massive convergence that promises a unified ecosystem and … [Read more...] about I’m sad Chromebooks never made it to their experimental form factor stage
New Chromebook for Christmas? 10 tips to help you get started in 2025
Regardless of the shifts coming on the horizon with Chromebooks and the Android Kernel, consumers are still buying Chromebooks in droves and plenty of you unwrapped one perhaps for the first time this past week. Whether you received a standard model or one of the powerful new Chromebook Plus … [Read more...] about New Chromebook for Christmas? 10 tips to help you get started in 2025
Is the AI boom could make Chromebooks more expensive in 2026 if the RAM and SSD prices keep rising
For years, we’ve enjoyed a period of cheap RAM and storage. It’s what allowed the Chromebook Plus initiative to flourish, giving us 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage as a baseline that began at $599 or less. But if you’ve looked at component prices lately, you know that the party might be coming to a … [Read more...] about Is the AI boom could make Chromebooks more expensive in 2026 if the RAM and SSD prices keep rising
