Chromebook prices are getting out of hand, and it’s a big problem

For about a year now, I have been unapologetically calling the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 the best Chromebook ever made. From its stunning OLED display to the absolute powerhouse that is the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra chip, it has been an absolute delight to use day in and day out.

At its launch price of $749 for the best-equipped model, it was a premium ask right out of the gate, but one that was easily justified by the sheer quality of the experience. But this week, we now find ourselves in a reality where that same device now costs a staggering $999. What is going on??

An unheard of price hike

A $250 price jump overnight is unheard of in this space. While we have seen other manufacturers adjust pricing slightly due to the rising cost of RAM and components, those bumps have been in the $50 range. For Lenovo to add a third of the original asking price to the tag feels like a massive misread of the current market.

At $749, the Chromebook Plus 14 stood alone as a high-end alternative to Windows laptops. At $999, it is now sitting at an eye-watering $400 more than the Macbook Neo. Regardless of how much we love ChromeOS and have high hopes for Project Aluminium, asking a cool grand for a Chromebook – even one this good – is a nearly impossible sell for the average consumer.

The Competition is looking better than ever

What makes this move even more confusing is that Lenovo’s direct competitors aren’t following suit. The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514, which shares much of the same Kompanio Ultra DNA, did see a modest $50 increase in its MSRP, but it is currently on sale for just $599.

When you can get 90% of the Lenovo experience in a versatile 2-in-1 form factor for $400 less, the math simply stops working for the Chromebook Plus 14. And when a competent Macbook is looming heavy over the whole scenario, things just get incredibly tough for the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14.

We still stand by our review that this is an incredible piece of hardware, but at $999, it’s no longer the de facto recommendation. If you were on the fence about the Lenovo, you might want to wait for a significant sale or consider the Acer Spin 514 while it’s still sitting at that $599 sweet spot.