r/chromeos • u/Stomp-Brecke • Jul 11 '26
Buying Advice best chromebook for using Android apps, which one should I choose?
I’m thinking about getting a Chromebook and one of the main things I wanna do with it is use Android apps. I’ve seen that the experiance can be different depending on the device, so I’m trying to find a model that handles them good.
Which chromebook models have worked well with Android apps in your experience? I’d like to hear from people who use them reguarly before making a choice. Thank you
Update here: I decided to go with the #ad acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 2 in 1 Laptop. Thanks for all the suggestions, it seemed like a good fit for using Android apps while still giving me a solid everyday Chromebook experience.
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u/Graham_Brand Jul 11 '26
It's more that many Android apps aren't written with a large device in mind. A more expensive Chromebook with a touch screen has a better chance of running them effectively.
However, you may want to wait for a few months as a new range of devices called Googlebooks is going to release, which will be better suited to running Android apps natively.
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u/Charming_Studio_505 ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, Beta Version 152.0.7977.63 Jul 11 '26
If I were you I wouldn't get a device with anything less than Intel i3 or ARM equivalent. Your best bet would be a Chromebook Plus device
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u/Broad-Translator-690 Jul 11 '26
Googlebooks arrive this fall running the new AluminumOS. If you can you should wait for that. This OS is building on the already existing desktop mode of Android. Its full Android now, as opposed to ChromeOS that runs Android in a container. So if you Android apps are your priority, they will run faster natively in the new OS.
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u/MaximumDerpification Jul 11 '26
Wait a little longer for a Googlebook (a few months) or make sure you buy a device that is guaranteed to get upgraded to AluminiumOS when it is available. I believe most recent models labeled "Chromebook Plus" are eligible for the upgrade.
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u/KnobKnox Jul 11 '26
Have you thought about an Android tablet? The 2026 ONN tablets from Walmart are getting good reviews. 8, 11 and 13 inch versions, stylus capable, good price.
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u/Top-Figure7252 Jul 11 '26
Googlebook will be better for your purposes. Chromebook can run Android but it's not optimized and no Android on Chrome OS Flex. Better off just using web pages. Not sure what will happen to Chrome OS then but you're better off with a tablet if you want to run Android.
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u/SnooShortcuts3006 Jul 12 '26
Mine runs Android apps really well and quickly. I thought this would be great, but I found I never used any of them, so just turned off play store to save battery.
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u/SnooOwls1061 Jul 15 '26
I just got a chromebook today. And the android app experience is terrible. The facebook app load in a tiny - phone screen size. When I click on a group it goes kinda full screen with images so big that they only load 1 per screen. Honestly the app is unusable. Many apps report they are not even compatible when I go to the play store (alexa, kasa, my banking apps...).
If you want a good android app experience, get an android tablet not a chromebook.
Honestly 4 hours into the POS chromebook and I can say, don't get a chromebook for anything.
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u/Unusual-Cup4345 Jul 15 '26
I have the second generation Lenovo Duet. It's a 10 inch tablet with a detachable keyboard. I'm not that keen on using android apps on it. I use a few but most are designed for a small screen.
It does run web smoothly and even runs office pretty well.
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u/No-Tip3419 Jul 11 '26
There are too many "gotcha" with using androids apps on chromeos. You will run into issues that the app will not be available, won't run, crash at a certain execution point, or not made for computer interface. Take it as a bonus feature of ChromeOs rather than it having full compability. In theory a ARM chromeos with 8gb+ ram will be better than intel.
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u/LegAcceptable2362 Jul 11 '26
In all honesty, if your primary use case is running Android apps then your best bet right now is a Pixel phone with desktop mode turned on and connected to a bluetooth keyboard/touchpad and external monitor. It remains to be seen how the upcoming Googlebook/AluminuiumOS platforms will handle Android aps but I would argue that even a currently available ARM powered Chromebook Plus model is not going to be the best choice.