Hey OzB!
I'm looking for a cheap ~$400 Chromebook for school use. I would prefer a Chromebook just because they're harder to install games and things on so I wouldn't get distracted easily.
I will mostly use the machine for word processing (writing essays and reports), note taking, as well as the occasional movie. I have a capable desktop already to do more heavy tasks.
I also want the device to be portable. An 11.6" or 13.3" is ideal.
Thanks all!
Toshiba Chromebook 2 for ~$415 shipped from amazon is probably the best you can get for the price range. Relevant deal here
Thanks mate, I'll be on the lookout for deals.
I've just done a big search and it is difficult to get ANY Chromebooks in Australia, so then you're stuck importing from Amazon or similar.
Officeworks has a grand total of 2 low end models, a 14" HP is the better of the two. I played with it for a while in store and it seemed OK, but never tried using one in earnest.
I and a few others, have the Acer 13, while most of my friends have the Acer 11 for school.
I have one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/C300SA-DS02-Chromebook-1366768-Storag…
It's very good.
$199.99 USD plus postage.
Not a chromebook but the Jumper EZbook2 @ USD$189.99 fits the bill. Here is a solid review from TechTablets.
r/chromeos has regularly updated buying guide. For example Summer 2016 Chrome OS Buying Guide. If you are looking for a good note-taking Chromebook, get a smaller 11.6" with a good keyboard. I'll go for either ASUS C201 (long battery life) or C202 (rugged). This deal is live again or this one here.
I'm not sure which one you should get, but I'd make it as newish as possible to it could eventually be compatible with the Google Play store.