Another Prime Day is just around the corner, and while the main event runs October 7-8, you can already find some early Chromebook deals ahead of time. Amazon’s Chromebook sales are starting to roll out, giving shoppers a chance to lock in discounts before the official start. Check out all the best early October Prime Day deals on PCWorld’s landing page here.
We already test and recommend the best Chromebooks, so we know what makes a great device. Over the past few years, I’ve compiled lists of the top Chromebook deals for Prime Day, Black Friday, and more. While the very best Chromebooks don’t always see big discounts for Prime Day, there are still solid deals to be found, and figuring out which ones are worth it is where PCWorld, and I, come in.
To compile PCWorld’s list of Chromebook deals for early October Prime Day deals, I looked at the specifications, the price, the manufacturer, and any reviews we’ve published on a specific Chromebook.
Table of Contents
Best early October Prime Day Chromebook deals at Amazon
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook, MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor/14-inch 1920×1080 display/4GB RAM/64GB storage, $178.98 ($41.01 off at Amazon)
- HP Chromebook, Intel N200 processor/15.6-inch 1366×768 display/8GB RAM/128GB storage, $296.99 ($33 off at Amazon)
- Acer Chromebook Plus 514, Intel Core i3-N305 processor/14-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/128GB storage, $369.99 ($30 off at Amazon)
- Asus ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus, Intel Core Ultra 5 processor/14-inch 2560×1600 display/8GB RAM/128GB storage, $599.99 ($100 off at Amazon)
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is a solid, cheap pick at $178.98. It’s got a 14-inch 1080p screen and it can handle everyday stuff like browsing the web or doing homework without any trouble. Not fancy, but it gets the job done without costing much.
Best early October Prime Day Chromebook deals beyond Amazon
- Asus CX15 Chromebook, Intel Celeron N4500 processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/4GB RAM/128GB eMMC storage, $139 ($80.99 off at Walmart)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook, MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor/14-inch 1920×1080 display/4GB RAM/64GB eMMC storage plus a 256GB Micro SD card, $255.55 ($44.44 off at Walmart)
- Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook, MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor/11-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/4GB RAM/128GB eMMC storage, $349 ($50 off at Best Buy)
- Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook, Intel Core i3-1315U processor/14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/8GB RAM/128GB storage, $419 ($180 off at Best Buy)
The Asus CX15 Chromebook falls in the ultra-cheap category at just $139, but it still delivers a lot for the price. You’re getting a spacious 15.6-inch 1080p display plus 128GB of storage, which is more than enough for day-to-day browsing and streaming. It’s the kind of Chromebook that makes sense if you want a big screen without emptying your wallet, and the deep discount makes it an easy pick.
Other great early October Prime Day deals
These aren’t the only Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with the juiciest tech sales, hit the links for only the best expert-curated picks we’ve found.
FAQ
How much should I pay for a Chromebook during October Prime Day?
Expect to pay roughly $130 to $250 for most Chromebooks, depending on the configuration. The cheapest options can dip into the $130–$170 range, while more premium models typically cost $250 and up. We’ve used this guidance for the past few years, and even with inflation, it still holds true.
What’s a good Chromebook to buy during October Prime Day sales?
There are two ways of shopping during Amazon’s October Prime Day. The first is to go down our list of recommended Chromebooks until you find a price you like. Our real-time pricing services should reflect real-time discounts, but occasionally “lightning” or instant sales may slip through.
The other way is to shop using our recommended deals above. Typically, I look for at least a large 1080p display unless it’s an absolute budget model. (Anything higher than 1080p is a bonus.) I also really prefer a Chromebook with at least 8GB of RAM, for keeping many tabs open and running programs. The third priority is actually the processor, and it’s a bit of a challenge to explain which is the “right” chip to buy. A recent Intel Celeron, AMD Ryzen, or Arm chip from Qualcomm or Mediatek is a good choice.
How does PCWorld decide what a good Chromebook deal is?
Generally, Chromebooks tend to fall into three categories: ultracheap models at about $100 to $200, which can offer solid discounts but can hide gotchas like a subpar screen; the typical midrange price of between $250 and $400; and premium Chromebooks at $500 or more. Those prices can sometimes blur together, of course.
I basically compare the price with the specifications. As I said above, I’m looking for a Chromebook with 8GB of RAM and at least a 1080p screen, along with a “good” processor. (I typically make a list of processors, mental or otherwise, with the relative performance of each one and how old they are.) I then start selecting candidates for good deals. Are they one of our recommended Chromebooks? They then go to the top of the list.
At this point, I start checking for how long the support window is. Chromebooks are supported for ten years after their ship date, but most of these deals use Chromebooks which have been on the market for at least a few years. No one wants a Chromebook which won’t receive upgrades next year.
I also almost always recommend a “new” Chromebook, rather than one which has been refreshed or “renewed” by Amazon.
Will tariffs affect October Prime Day Chromebook deals?
Yes and no. Remember, tariffs only take effect when the product enters the United States, so it’s very likely that a bargain Chromebook has been available on the market and even sat on a U.S. store shelf for a few years. Chromebooks are very price-dependent.
Are the best October Prime Day Chromebook deals only at Amazon?
Amazon would like to think so! But we check other sites as well, just to make sure. You’ll find those Chromebook deals from sites other than Amazon listed above, too.
Does a Chromebook’s brand matter?
Interestingly, Chromebooks are one of the few tech categories whose products are almost all made by big “name” brands. We might prefer a Chromebook made by one company over another, but generally Chromebooks are manufactured by companies like Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, Samsung and more — all big, reputable brands.