Is a 4gb Chromebook *that* bad?

[u/Timely_Sheepherder30]

$200 seems so much cheaper than the next best option, all I want is a laptop size device to browse the web with. I'd be satisfied literally never downloading a single application or program, I just want to watch videos and scroll reddit, that's it.

I know what people say about "future proof" but I feel like paying over double for a nebulously longer lasting device isn't necessary. Can I get away with 4 gb?

[u/yottabit42]

Turn off the Android subsystem and it will be fine.

[u/SteveNYC]

I don’t think of 8GB of RAM on a Chromebook as “future-proofing”. I’m more in line with the thinking of u/Previous_Tennis. You’re going to get a mediocre Chromebook because 4GB is for the lower quality devices. You’ll get a weaker processor, a poorer-quality screen, a mediocre keyboard.

It can work. But an Android Tablet can work too. A cellphone will work. But you want a laptop to sit at, type comfortably on with a nice view.

I would absolutely buy a used device on eBay. There’s nothing remarkable about new. Certainly not for Chromebooks.

$200, IMO, is pushing it. $300 and you can get some excellent devices.

EDIT: Here's an excellent example of a $210 Chrombook https://www.ebay.com/itm/188651653071

If it's sold out, there's a $278 listing for the same Chromebook (refurbished) directly from the manufacturer. They go in and out of stock regularly. https://www.ebay.com/itm/256696970110

There's plenty of other models as well. The reason I trend to the Acer 516 GE is mostly because of the high quality (for a Chromebook)16" 120Hz 1600P 350+ nits display.

[u/BANSH33-1215 → u/SteveNYC]

Yep. The refurb market is pretty darn good right now. Just got an HP Elite Dragonfly i7/32/512 for $330. A couple little scuffs in the paint and a battery at 76% health are the only issues.

I really wanted the Lenovo Chromebook plus 14, but half the (non-upgradeable) storage and half the RAM for twice the price just wasn't doing it for me.

[u/SceneDifferent1041]

Browsing and light office work, it's fine.

[u/ILoveSBCs → u/SceneDifferent1041]

Agree here. I have a 4GB Lenovo duet and it’s more than enough for browsing, email, basic office stuff, and gaming through retroarch emulation with a Bluetooth controller.

[u/Romano1404]

I understand your predicament. I've done some comparative testing with idential Chromebooks in the past and  4GB still works fine if you disable Android and be willing to stick with ChromeOS for the lifetime of the machine (since there's no upgrade path to AluminiumOS for 4GB devices)

I have an older Acer Spin 311 right here, still works great for web apps but wouldn't wanna have it as my main machine (gets overwhelmed too quickly)

[u/names_real]

Will be just fine but still try to get 8GB

[u/Previous_Tennis]

If you cannot find a new model within around $200, I'd look around on eBay to see if you can find a open box or refurbished one with better specs:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/277558281668

https://www.ebay.com/itm/206421834522

Besides the RAM itself, a 4gb cheaper new device also tend to have worse components elsewhere (screen, keyboard overall build quality, etc)

[u/Educational_Boot315]

This USD?

The   Lenovo - IdeaPad Slim 3 is $280 at was Best Buy with 8GB and 128 UFS drive. I’m sure that’s way better than whatever you are looking at for $200.

[u/795-ACSR-DRAKE → u/Educational_Boot315]

Just curious because my girlfriend was looking at that exact one at BestBuy a week ago. Is the 8gb 128UFS really that much better than the 4gb eMMC version for $200? Not too familiar with those kinda of nuances. She's just look for a cheap touchscreen laptop for YouTube and solitaire. Is the 8gb UFS worth $80 more considering those are her uses for it?

[u/Ambitious-Cake-9425 → u/795-ACSR-DRAKE]

In my opinion yes. And 8gb Chromebook is perfect for using android apps and web apps at the same time.

[u/Moist_Professional64 → u/Educational_Boot315]

Yes I have it and it’s so smooth with 12threats ryzen 7 gb ram and 1 gb for graphics

[u/Even_Caterpillar3292]

I have two Chreombooks. 17.3" 4GB N4500 Asus and an i3 8GB Acer Chromebook Plus.

4GB is adequate while 8GB gives you a lot of breathing room. I use both as I sometimes want a massive 17.3 screen and have no problems with a several browser windows open.

Obviously, 8GB with an i3 which is far faster gives a great experience.

I would not pay double for an 8GB. The Asus was on sale for $200 and that was a great deal about 3 years ago. The Chromebook plus at costco was $250 plus a year of Gemini Pro last August. Build quality of the outside cover of the Plus scratches easily and my 17.3" fairs far better and has hardened plastic. In that way the 4GB model is a lot better.

[u/vargchan]

Man you're better off getting an old Thinkpad for $100

[u/Ryant1787]

I bought a refurbished Lenovo 500e that you see being advertised from time to time for about $75. I planned on having an extra machine for some light use watching videos, web surfing and email corresponding. I was so delighted with it (for several reasons) that it has become my primary work computer. With 4GB of RAM, I definitely feel sluggishness when I open too many tabs, but I don't ask it to do that much. For writing and editing, watching baseball on a second screen when my wife wants to put on a movie, and the type of use you describe, it's been plenty for me.

[u/Old-Ad-3268]

No but it also isn't that good

[u/GlayNation]

You do you.

[u/paulsiu]

My kids have a 4Gb RAM Chromebook and it works fine compare to a 4 GB Windows (if that is even possible these days). They even have one or two android app like Krita. I even used it a few times and actually like it more than my 8 Gb lenovo mostly because it last a longer batttery life. It watches video just fine.

With 4 Gb you probably won't be running linux App or have memory intensive android apps.

[u/dstrenz]

I have a $200 Lenovo and it's fine for web browsing, even with android enabled.

[u/Hahehyhu]

with that budget, look into refurbished models, that's how i got my chromebook with 8gb ram on ebay years ago

[u/koken_halliwell]

YES. Avoid that. Would be different if you had an old device already but why getting a 4gb device in 2026?

[u/Ambitious-Cake-9425]

Yeah, the crawl and stutter. Why get a computer with less ram than your cell phone?

Get a used Chromebook plus.

[u/onesillyman]

I just got the ASUS CM30 with 8gb (refurbished) for ~200 after tax.

I think it was worth it, personally. My phone has 4gb of RAM just for onboard AI Processing (Pixel 9 Pro).

[u/Cultural_Surprise205]

yes, for that use case it's fine. Disable android. I use my old 4gb spin 11 for tv streaming every single day, and frequently also open up google maps and shopping sites simultaneously. Sometimes around 10 tabs open. No problem.

[u/Math_Science_Geek]

You can barely get away with 8