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Two standout budget offers in Laptop Mag’s August 22, 2024 back-to-school roundup were the HP Chromebook Plus 14a for $399 at Amazon and the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 for $369 at Best Buy. Both had 8GB of RAM and 128GB of listed storage, but they suited different needs: the HP was a conventional Chromebook, while the Lenovo was a convertible with an OLED touchscreen. These are historical prices, not current offers.
August 2024 budget Chromebook deals at a glance
| Model and reported price | Configuration reported by Laptop Mag | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| HP Chromebook Plus 14a — $399 at Amazon | 14-inch FHD anti-glare display; Intel Core i3-N305; 8GB RAM; 128GB storage; webcam; dual speakers; ChromeOS. | A conventional laptop for browser-based schoolwork and everyday use. |
| Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 — $369 at Best Buy, reported as $130 off its listed $499 price | 13.3-inch 1920×1080 OLED touchscreen; Snapdragon 7c Gen 2; 8GB RAM; 128GB eMMC storage; ChromeOS. | A tablet-style convertible for readers who value a touchscreen and flexible form factor. |
Prices and configurations in this table are those reported by Laptop Mag on August 22, 2024, not verified current listings. Its back-to-school roundup used the headline claim “Save up to 70%.” That was the publication’s claim for its deal roundup, not a measured market-wide estimate of laptop savings.
Which August offer made more sense?
HP Chromebook Plus 14a: a conventional school laptop
The HP’s listed Intel Core i3-N305 processor and 8GB of RAM distinguish its configuration from some lower-spec bargain machines, while its 14-inch FHD anti-glare display offers a standard clamshell format. Laptop Mag said its testing handled 24 Chrome tabs and several YouTube videos with little slowdown. That observation belongs to Laptop Mag’s testing; it is not a guarantee for every workload or a result from independent testing here.
The listing described the drive as 128GB storage without specifying the storage type in the cited roundup. Don’t assume it uses the same storage technology as the Lenovo simply because both list 128GB.
#1 Best Overall
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5: a convertible with an OLED screen
The Duet 5’s 13.3-inch OLED touchscreen and convertible, tablet-style design are the main distinctions from the HP’s conventional 14-inch laptop form. Its reported configuration paired a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage. The reported $369 price was $130 below the listed $499 price at Best Buy in the August roundup.
What to check before choosing a Chromebook
- Software compatibility: Both offers were ChromeOS machines. Check that required school, work, or specialist applications run in ChromeOS before buying; a Chromebook is not automatically a substitute for a Windows or macOS laptop.
- Workload: The HP’s specified processor and memory are useful configuration details, but the cited performance observation covers browser tabs and video playback, not demanding creative or professional applications. The roundup provides no equivalent hands-on performance result for the Duet 5.
- Storage: The HP listing says 128GB storage; the Lenovo listing specifies 128GB eMMC. Compare the stated capacity and type rather than treating the two descriptions as identical.
- Screen and form: Choose between the HP’s 14-inch anti-glare clamshell display and the Duet 5’s smaller OLED touchscreen convertible design based on how you intend to use the device.
- Live offer details: Confirm the retailer, exact configuration, stock, and price before purchase. The August 2024 reports do not establish how long either price lasted.
How these fit the August sale season
Laptop Mag’s August 2024 deals archive lists a back-to-school roundup on August 22 and Labor Day laptop coverage later that month. This shows seasonal sale coverage, but it does not establish that either named price remained available throughout August. Hilda Scott, the roundup’s author, wrote: “It’s the end of August and the best back-to-school laptop deals are upon us.”
Rank #2
- Intel Celeron N4120: 4 Cores & Threads, 1.1GHz Base Clock, Up to 2.6GHz Boost Clock, 4MB Cache, Intel UHD Graphics 600. The perfect combination of performance, power consumption, and value helps your device handle multitasking smoothly and reliably with four processing cores to divide up the work.
The roundup covered multiple price tiers, so its “up to 70%” headline should not be read as a budget-laptop statistic. The two sub-$500 Chromebook examples above are the relevant low-price offers identified here.
Other sub-$500 prices were reported earlier in 2024
For context only, these June offers were not August deals and should not be treated as prices available later in the summer:
Rank #3
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
- Reviewed’s June 5 roundup listed the Lenovo IdeaPad 1i at $349.99, Acer Aspire 3 at $299.99, and Acer Chromebook 516 GE at $499. See Reviewed’s laptop deals under $500.
- Tom’s Guide’s June 28 roundup listed the Lenovo IdeaPad 1i at $329 and Acer Chromebook 315 at $179. See Tom’s Guide’s Best Buy laptop deals.
These are dated deal-page prices, not a basis for estimating typical August savings or the broader laptop market.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Efficient Performance for Everyday Computing: Powered by Intel N150 processor with up to 3.6 GHz Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 6 MB L3 cache, 4 cores, and 4 threads, this HP laptop delivers responsive performance for web browsing, streaming, document editing, and multitasking. Paired with 4GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB UFS storage, it handles daily tasks smoothly. Includes 1-year Microsoft 365 Personal subscription for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and cloud storage to maximize your productivity.
- 14-Inch HD Micro-Edge Display:Enjoy clear visuals on the 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare screen with 250-nit brightness and 62.5% sRGB coverage. The micro-edge bezel delivers a 79% screen-to-body ratio in a compact design. An HP True Vision 720p HD camera with noise reduction and dual-array microphones supports clear video calls, remote work, and online learning.
- Modern Connectivity and Wireless Technology: Stay connected with Wi-Fi 6 (2x2) for faster wireless speeds and Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless pairing with accessories. Versatile port selection includes 1 USB Type-C 10Gbps with DisplayPort 1.2 for external displays, 2 USB Type-A 5Gbps ports for peripherals, 1 HDMI 1.4b port, 1 headphone/microphone combo jack, and 1 multi-format SD media card reader. Connect monitors, transfer files quickly, and expand your workspace with ease.
- All-Day Battery Life and Portable Design: Enjoy up to 11 hours of video playback, 7.5 hours of mixed usage, or 7.5 hours of wireless streaming on a single charge, perfect for students and professionals on the go. Weighing just 3.24 lb and measuring 12.76" x 8.86" x 0.71", this lightweight laptop fits easily in backpacks and bags. The stylish willow green top cover with matte finish and natural silver keyboard deck with vertical brushing pattern offer a modern, professional look.
- AI-Enhanced Productivity: Access Microsoft Copilot instantly with the dedicated Copilot key for faster assistance. AI Noise Reduction filters background sounds and improves voice clarity during calls. Dual speakers provide clear audio, while the full-size natural silver keyboard and HP Imagepad support comfortable typing and navigation.
Rank #4
- Intel Processor Up to 2.80GHz, 4GB DDR4, 128GB Storage
- 15" FHD IPS Display, Intel UHD Graphics
- 1x USB Type C, 1 x USB Type A, 1x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, HDMI
- Fast WiFi and Bluetooth, Integrated Webcam
- Chrome OS, AC Charger Included, Pastel Silver
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
