Seniors don't often get along with technology. Although modern technological advancements paved the way for thousands of new convenient features and functions, most older adults can't understand them. Keeping up with technology is challenging as you age. If you want to gift your senior loved one a modern device, consider something uncomplex — like a Chromebook.
The best Chromebook for seniors focuses on ease and functionality. No, Chrome OS doesn't accommodate the same customization as Linux or Windows, but it has an easy learning curve. Seniors wouldn't spend much time studying it. They can just hop on the Chromebook and access the internet right away.
To ensure that you get the best Chromebooks for seniors, narrow down your options based on the following factors:
With thousands of Chromebooks on the market, you might have trouble sorting through your options — especially if you don't have much experience with tech. You might not even know what unique features the best Chromebook for seniors has.
To give you a helpful starting point, we reviewed the most widely used Chromebook models among seniors.
| Product Name | Acer Chromebook 514 | Dell - Inspiron 2-in-1 | Acer Spin 13 Convertible Chromebook | ASUS Chromebook C523 | HP - 2-in-1 14" Touch-Screen Chromebook | Google Pixel Slate 12.3-Inch 2 in 1 Laptop |
| Weight & Size | 3.9 lbs. and 12.73" x 9.13" x 0.66" | 3.9 lbs. and 13" x 9.06" x 0.66" | 3.6 lbs. and 9.68" x 12.19" x 0.67" | 1.2 lbs. and 14.1" x 9.79" x 0.59" | 2.09 lbs. and 12.79" x 8.90" x 0.59" | 1.58 lbs. and 11.44" x 7.95" x 0.27" |
| Specs & Display | 14" Full HD Touch Display | 14" Touch-Screen | 13.5” IPS touch screen | 15.6" FHD NanoEdge | 14" touch screen | 12.3” molecular display |
| Memory & Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Battery Runtime | 12 hours | 24 hours | 10 hours | 7 hours | 14 hours | 10 hours |
| Ease Of Use | 4.5 out of 5 Amazon rating | 4.4 out of 5 Amazon rating | 4.3 out of 5 Amazon rating | 4.4 out of 5 Amazon rating | 4.5 out of 5 Amazon rating | 4.3 out of 5 Amazon rating |
The Acer Chromebook 514 is the best budget Chromebook for seniors. It costs less than most cheap laptops, but it also has extensive features that you can use for business and entertainment purposes. You can use it to watch videos, type in documents and spreadsheets, and play a few lightweight games.
Another selling feature of this Acer Chromebook is its reliability. No other Chromebook within its price point offers a full-HD screen, super-long battery life, and multi-touch display.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable price tag | Minimal available replacement parts |
| Excellent battery life | RAM and processor can only support lightweight apps |
| Full-HD screen features vibrant colors | Poor tech support |
Creatives who draw digital art or write short stories should check out Dell - Inspiron 2-in-1. It has a 14" touch screen for digital drawing. Meanwhile, its lightweight hardware and fast processor make it the perfect writing tool for writers.
Another cool feature of the Dell - Inspiron 2-in-1 is its battery life. A single charge cycle willA legal document that states how a person's property should be managed and distributed after death. last you up to 24 hours if you don't abuse the screen's brightness display and if you run light programs.
| Pros | Cons |
| Integrates well with smartphones | Long waitlist with warranty support |
| Super easy to set up | Speaker is relatively soft |
| Much faster processor than other Chromebooks within its price range | No replacement parts |
If you or your loved ones tend to browse multiple sites simultaneously, try out the Acer Chromebook Spin 13. It has a reliable i5 CPU with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Not only does it support multi-window browsing, but it can also play multiple media windows at the same time.
You'll also love its stylus setup. The Acer Chromebook spin is marketed as a drawing table, and the super-sensitive feature on its stylus pen and pad does not disappoint. You can definitely use it for digital art.
| Pros | Cons |
| Helpful customer service team | Takes a while to calibrate and set up |
| Comes with MicroSD card slot | USB-C ports can't charge multiple devices |
| Feels more premium and refined than its alternatives | Reboots when you run intensive programs |
ASUS Chromebook C523 stands as the most powerful and expensive model in this list. It can accommodate media, games, and apps. You can even use it to watch streaming services on a full-HD display without lagging.
However, keep in mind that these extra features eat up power. A single charge cycle on the Asus Chromebook only lasts up to 7 hours — or less if you watch full-length movies. For this reason, make sure to bring a charger on long trips. Otherwise, your Chromebook might not even reach your destination running.
| Pros | Cons |
| Processor can accommodate streaming services | Steep price tag |
| Rarely crashes or freezes | Warranty replacements take a long time |
| Super responsive touch screen display | Short battery life |
This HP Chromebook is a lightweight, compact model that features an excellent battery life of up to 14 hours. It works well with lightweight apps for surfing and typing.
Users also praise it for its functionality. All Chromebooks on this list double as tablets, but only this model folds as flat as a table. It might seem like a useless feature. However, older adults with limited mobility will appreciate the reduced stress on their wrists.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent battery life | Microphone and speakers aren't high-quality |
| Lightweight, compact frame mimics tablets | No replacement parts available |
| Affordable price tag | Poor customer service |
If your senior loved one wants a straightforward, unchallenging device, try the Google Pixelbook Slate 12.3-Inch 2 in 1 Laptop. Google's Chrome OS is very easy to navigate. Even older adults who have only used radio clocks can quickly familiarize themselves with the tablet's features.
However, avoid running heavy programs. Although this device has a user-friendly interface, it has a relatively slower processing system.
| Pros | Cons |
| Full-HD display almost at 4K quality | Customer service responds slowly with replacement requests |
| Excellent sound and graphics | Can't run Android games |
| Processor functions smoothly with lightweight apps | Freezes when running intensive programs split-screen |
Don't worry if you're still on the fence about the best quality yet affordable Chromebook. Go through some questions first-time shoppers commonly ask about Chromebooks to get a better grasp of your options.
The Acer Spin 13 Convertible Chromebook is one of the easiest, simplest Chromebooks for seniors. Its portable performance makes it suitable for both business and entertainment.
The AARP doesn't directly promote any brand, but the HP Chromebook TouchSmart 610 checks all its criteria in terms of gadget accessibility. Of course, many other traditional laptops and modern Chromebooks offer the same functionality, such as Acer's Spin 13 Convertible Chromebook and Chromebook 514.
The main difference between laptops and Chromebooks is their operating system. The latter only runs on Chrome OS, while laptops use widely known options like Linux, Windows, and Mac OS.
When it comes to affordability, functionality, and versatility, the Acer Chromebook 514 tops the list without a doubt. It only costs as much as the Google Pixelbook Slate. However, it offers the same features (i.e., tablet and laptop mode) as pricier options like the Acer Spin 13 Convertible Chromebook.
Of course, every Chromebook we mentioned above has its advantages and disadvantages. If you don't think this Acer Chromebook suits you or your elderly loved one, look into other Chrome OS tablets. Find a model that matches your technical knowledge and lifestyle.
Do you or your senior loved ones find smartphones too confusing? Senior Strong has you covered. Check out our comprehensive review of the best Jitterbug smartphones for older adults.
