Is there a good case to be made for a Chromebook in 2026? In my mind, there are two primary reasons. The first is if you need a laptop under $500 that isn't awful. If that's your budget for a new laptop, whether for yourself or for a family member, you're better off buying a Chromebook than an ancient Windows laptops or MacBook. Things get fuzzier if you can afford to stretch a few hundred more dollars. All of a sudden, you have to compare against heavy hitters in the world of budget laptops like the MacBook Neo or Dell 14 Plus. Not only do these laptops tend to have better specs, they also have a more open software platform that far less limiting than Chrome OS. But if you're willing to be honest about your needs, I think you'll find that even a more expensive Chromebook could be the best option for you—and I know just the one. Some Serious Chrome Cheap Chromebooks That Are Worth It Other Good Chromebooks We've Tested What Specs Should You Look for in a Chromebook? What Is Chromebook Plus?…