Best Chromebooks with backlit keyboard

Chromebooks are relatively recent in the computing scene, having come on the scene in 2011. They are some of the most abundant laptops today, as they run a unique OS system and are designed beautifully – including their use of backlit keyboards.

As time has gone on, Chromebooks have also gained the reputation of excellent portability, ease of use, and great flexibility, ultimately proving to be well-suited for a conventional lifestyle. This makes it more surprising that they include what many would term as ‘fancy features’ like backlit keyboards, yet that does not diminish their budget-friendly prices.

Backlit keyboards are among the newest forms of computing technology, but they are very popular because of their easy use in a dark environment. In this article, we will look at 5 of these options, as well as the criteria to look for when selecting these types of Chromebooks.

Comparison table

The best Chromebooks with backlit keyboard – Reviews

ASUS C302 Chromebook Flip – very good choice for budget buyers, our pick

This Chromebook offers you everything you could want in a premium machine, without the high price tag. It weighs 2.6 lbs. and has a screen display of 12.5 inches, making it a lightweight and portable companion, even more than what the Google Pixelbook offers.

Specs

• 360-degree hinge that allows for use in both laptop and tablet mode
• Screen measures 12.5 inches
• Uses an Intel Core m3, m5 or m7 processor, alongside 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage
• Battery life of 10 hours
• Lightweight, weighs only 2.65 pounds

The machine comes with the Intel Core m3 processor, though you can also get the m5 and m7 processors, and includes a Turbo Boost feature that goes up to 2.2GHz. Its graphics are also impressive, as it uses the Intel HD graphics 515. In addition to that, it has a magnetic clasp that is cleverly placed, which pulls its screen lid tightly to the underside when you close it.

The design is also attractive, as it has a screen display size of 12.5 inches that is easy to convert, while its touchscreen design makes it more convenient for use. The entire body is metallic and includes gorilla glass, while the backlit keyboard makes its appearance very attractive.

Verdict

Regardless of how much time passes, this Chromebook is definitely worth its stature, thanks to the classy design, tactile keyboard, and dazzling screen. It works very well whether it is in lap[ptop or tablet mode as well.

ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 – best for 2-in-1 displays

This is not surprising to see on the list, as it is among the best Chromebooks in the market – even though the price tag is quite prohibitive to many potential buyers.

Specs

• Uses an Intel Core i3-19119U processor
• 360-degree hinge that you can use to flip the touchscreen display
• 3 display modes – tablet, stand, and tent
• Illuminated keyboard and 2x USB Type-C ports
• 14-inch touchscreen with 4-sided NanoEdge display
• Body made from 2.58 lbs magnesium-alloy, includes a laptop sleeve
• It includes all Google apps, as well as allowing you to download and edit Microsoft Office files

The design of the laptop is sleek and attractive, with certain elements in its design easily sticking out. The main aspect is its white ivory lid, which contrasts with the ASUS logo and adds a clean sheen to its appearance, while its hinges aslo have interesting stippling detail to add a regal element and cover its rectangular surface.

On the other hand, the display is very sharp, htough it carries on the weakness of ASUS laptops – not being bright enough. We really enjoyed using its keyboard though – the keys are very responsive, and it has offset arrow keys for easy identification. The volume is one aspect we did not enjoy – it tends to distort the sound when you max out the volume.

The operating system is worth mentioning – it is lightweight, and has little to no problems during testing due to the use of the Intel Core i3-10110U. The only disadvantage here is the inability to play very demanding games due to the Intel UHD graphics.

Verdict

Thanks to its beautiful design and excellent levels of performance, this is definitely worth its buy even though the price is quite hefty.

HP Flagship 15.6″ Chromebook – best for beginners

If you are apprehensive about getting a Chromebook because all the ones you see are underpowered and small, the HP 2019 Flagship Chromebook might change your mind. This will easily work for you if you don’t consider mobility issues as a major concern.

Specs

• Uses Chrome OS
• Storage memory of 128 GB, as well as a RAM of 4 GB
• Uses the Intel Core i3-8130U, with a 15.6-inch display size

Weighing just below 4 pounds and a thickness of 0.7 inches, this is slim enough to allow you to move around with it, while the keyboard deck and metallic lid feels strong and looks sleek. Despite that, the laptop is among the largest Chromebooks in the market today, with a screen size ranging from 11.6 to 14 inches. This extra space is more enjoyable to work with, while the laptop allows you to connect an external display through its two USB-C ports if the HD display is not enough.

Its display is also of the touchscreen kind, which makes it handy for using Android apps, and the Intel Core i3 processor handles complex tasks, which include mobile games. The only thing we do not like is the high-pitch sound the cooling fans produce when the system is under stress, which tends to be unpleasant.

Regardless of that, the battery life is very good, lasting for almost 16 hours in our test. Its touchpad and keyboard are solid as well, and it offers a number pad along with a Delete key – something very rare on Chromebooks.

Verdict

Chromebooks are not for everyone, but the HP Chromebook offers you solid performance into their operation while coming with all the useful functionalities of Google web apps.

Google Pixelbook Go M3 Chromebook – best for students

Among the products that promote portable computing, this has to take the cake. It not only offers an excellent backlit keyboard with plenty of noise reduction hush keys, but also gives a battery life of 12 hours.

Specs

• Has a battery life of up to 12 hours, and 20 minutes of charging gives a battery life of 2 hours
• Very lightweight, only weight 2 pounds
• A thickness of 13mm, and easy to carry due to its grippable design
• Uses an 8^th Gen Intel Core processor
• Includes a built-in antivirus software and Titan C security chip to increase your online security
• 13.3-inch HD screen display for extra clarity
• Hush keys to make it quiet during use

Its battery life is so impressive – you can get 2 hours of use if you charge it for only 20 minutes. It will work very well for a travel-intensive lifestyle, since it is very lightweight (2 lbs.) and thin enough to fit in your backpack (0.5 inches).

In addition to that, the laptop includes in-built antivirus software, as well as a Titan C security chip. If you frequently use the computer in a shared network, these will help to protect your data, and offer a great method of boosting the security that the Chrome OS already offers.

In terms of processing, the laptop has 64 GB storage, 8 GB RAM, and an Intel Core M3 processor. Its fanless design will also keep it cool without noise, and its display is beautifully vivid.

Verdict

This is the ultimate Chromebook if you do not want to spend a fortune on the previous Google Pixelbooks. It offers you impressive battery life, as well as an impressive keyboard, and overall does not have many disadvantages to put you off – as long as you can afford it.

The products we don’t recommend

Google Pixel Slate Chromebook – its prohibitive cost

This Chromebook looks great, and works well for bloggers, graphic designers, and artists. Thanks to its great storage space of 128 GB, it allows you to store whatever you want, while the 8 GB RAM helps in multitasking.

However, its goodness has a significant drawback – the keyboard and stylus are sold separately, making it among the most expensive Chromebooks in the market. Unless you really want it, you are actually better off looking for other options.

Verdict

While this option works well as a tent, tablet or laptop, it comes at a prohibitive price and some crucial components are sold separately.

Are Chromebooks for you?

Despite Chromebooks being flexible to use, they are not always a great option for everyone. Before spending on them, you need to know if they will fit your needs. They will work best for:

Students or young professionals

Chromebooks fit very well for young professionals and college students. This is because it is built to handle functioning on the run, has long battery life, very agile, and works well as a full-time companion to help you handle your assignments.

Passionate travellers

The best aspect about Chromebooks is their ability to travel very well. This is mainly due to the very sleek and lightweight design, which makes them easy to slip into backpacks without bringing you down with extra weight. Their long battery life also allows them to work as entertainment devices on your journey, as they can stay on for longer as you keep up with emails or watch movies.

Those who want a computer that handles daily tasks

Thanks to their setup, these devices work well for daily activities like watching movies, listening to music, working on presentations, browsing the internet, and checking your emails. They also work for home usage, like video devices for kids.

If you want a computing device on a budget

If you want a basic laptop without breaking the bank, then a Chromebook is generally a good option.

If you do not know what to get between a laptop and tablet

The Chromebook is the best hybrid between a laptop and tablet, because it has the versatility of a full-purpose computer, with the speed of a smartphone.

What to look for in a Chromebook

There are numerous choices in the market, so it is easy to feel overwhelmed with everything you see. This makes it a useful choice to know what to look for when scouting for the device, regardless of the Chromebook you choose. There are some aspects you must check for, and they are:

Long battery life

Among the non-negotiable aspects of Chromebooks, battery life has to top the list. This is because Chromebooks are very portable, and you do not want it to die on you in the middle of a long journey or task because you lacked a power supply station for a considerable length of time.

Make sure to choose a Chromebook with a battery life ranging from 8 to 10 hours – the longer it is the better. Some will even offer a backup of 13 hours or higher.

Storage space

This will apply even if you do not store too much information on your Chromebook, because you still require space for multimedia files, presentations, and documents. You should always aim for a minimum storage of 32 to 64 GB, and a RAM that ranges from 4 GB to 8 GB to allow for running of apps without lagging.

Thin profile and lightweight design

Because you are purchasing a Chromebook, the last thing you need it to be is bulky and weighing you down all the time as you move between places. The best Chromebooks will usually weigh 2.5 to 5 lbs., while their thickness will range from 0.5 to 1 inch.

Any useful additional features

There are some Chromebooks that will also add some useful aspects like screens that you can lay out flat (such as when you present a deck to your colleagues), a 4K display for extra clarity, and digital assistants.

This brings us to:

Do you require a backlit keyboard?

Knowing whether you need a Chromebook raises this question, which is important to answer. As a start, the backlit keyboard should serve the basic function of allowing you to see in the dark, although they have other advantages that include their attractiveness.

The disadvantage with these keyboards though is that they use more power, which ultimately limits the battery backup you expect. If you need a computer that offers long hours of unplugged use, keep this in mind.

As a general rule, here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a backlit keyboard:

• If you are a gamer or work with multimedia all the time, and you want to do some creative work like 3D modeling, simulation, and animation.
• You like to look at the keys as you type.
• You frequently travel and use the laptop in dimly lit settings
• You tend to use plenty of keyboard shortcuts and special characters
• You do programming work and work late into the night, as it will reduce your chances of getting headaches
• You love using aesthetics and special effects.

On the other hand, you can opt to not purchase a Chromebook with backlights if:

• You rarely look at the keys, instead using the touch type method
• You rarely use your laptop for multimedia tasks like gaming
• You want an inexpensive laptop because you are on a budget
• You usually work on the laptop in a well-lit room or workstation
• You find the screen brightness comfortable enough to work with, even in a dimly-lit environment
• You do not want features that eat up your power storage

 

Final thoughts

Depending on your lifestyle and computing requirements, you can take the time to browse through the Chromebook with backlit keyboard options and select the best pick. However, keep in mind that paying a high amount of money for these features might not be the best idea, because Chromebooks are meant to provide a chance for you to enjoy affordable computing.