Got around $300 and an Internet connection? Lenovo and Intel want to sell you a new Chromebook.
The budget-friendly computers, which run on Google’s Chrome OS, are quickly becoming an attractive alternative to traditional laptops and tablets. They are especially popular with schools and businesses, probably because they average only about $338, according to a report from ABI Research.
Lenovo announced its first entries into the market, the N20 and N20p, on Tuesday. Both feature 11.6-inch displays, 16 GB of internal storage and 100 GB of Google Drive space for $279 and $329, respectively. The N20p boasts a swiveling, touch-screen display.
On the same day in San Francisco, Intel revealed that Chromebooks from Dell and Acer will use its Core i3 processor, making them some of the fastest models on the market. The Acer C720, due out in the fall, will sell for $349, while details for the Dell Chromebook have not been released.
Intel also announced laptops running on its Bay Trail-M chipset, which will offer less speed but longer battery life. Overall, 20 Chromebooks running Intel chips are expected to hit stores by the end of the year.
In 2013, 2.1 million Chromebooks were sold, according to the ABI Research report. That number is expected to grow to 11 million by 2019.
For those who want to spend a little more cash, there is always the $400 faux-leather-clad Samsung Chromebook 2, which features a 13-inch, 1080p display.
