Tech Talk

While many of us have spent the last year working from home and distance learning, with the world opening back up, it's time to take a trip and explore. Taking your primary laptop with you on vacations and afternoon jaunts to the coffee shop can be risky business — what if it gets stolen? Or breaks? — and let's be real, when you're out in the world, you're usually just using your laptop to check email and kill time.

You don't need your clunky old 15 or 17-inch laptop for any of that! Instead, you can save your back, your sanity, and your private data by taking advantage of fantastic Prime Day Chromebook deals to grab a lightweight, quick-to-boot Chromebook that's ready for all-day excursions and whatever vacation you're planning this summer.

HP Chromebook 11a | $32 off at Amazon

It may lack a touchscreen, but this Chromebook has the essentials you need to browse the web, play some Android games, and get homework done. It features the same MediaTek 8183 processor many top compact Chromebooks use, and I'm digging the finish around the keyboard and trackpad.

$190 at Amazon

Chromebooks are a favorite among frequent travelers for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they're secure. Chrome OS sandboxes Android apps and Linux apps away from the core Chrome OS system, so it's hard for anything malicious to get installed on your laptop when you're on unfamiliar Wi-Fi, not to mention all of the best VPN apps work on Chrome OS via their Android apps; I'm using the Google One VPN on my Chromebook right now as I type this.

Next, Chrome OS is super easy to get started with if you've been using the Google Chrome browser on your current computer. Just log into your Google account. All your bookmarks, extensions, even your Chrome theme will instantly sync over. If you already own a Chromebook, all your Android apps will automatically install so they're ready to use. I set up my current Chromebook in seven minutes — and that includes signing in to all my favorite websites and apps — and since the Chrome OS system is streamlined, you'll get the hang of it in no time at all.

Of course, you can't beat the affordability of Chromebooks like the HP Chromebook 11a. This 11.6-inch clamshell Chromebook features a MediaTek MT8183, the upgraded model from the 8173 used in the popular and much-beloved Lenovo C330. In addition, this Chromebook uses 45W USB-C Power Delivery charging, meaning you won't have to go hunt down some specific barrel connector like cheap Windows laptops use, not that you'll need to charge the 11a that often. Between the efficient MediaTek processor and the 37Whr battery, you can expect 12-15 hours of use on a single charge, which usually lasts me two days.

Unlike most compact Chromebooks, the 11a has a nice Snow White finish with a very pleasant brushed pattern on the inside around the keyboard and trackpad.

I wish this Chromebook had a touchscreen, but there are touchscreen Chromebooks on sale this Prime Day, too, including the $225 Acer Chromebook Spin 311 deal that's only a few dollars more than the HP Chromebook 11a.