Dell Chromebook 2019 Chromebook 3100 2-in-1 11.6" Celeron-N4000 Dual Core 2.6Ghz Review

This Dell Chromebook is a weird one. It's a 2019 model that's still kicking around, and honestly, it's only for a very specific person. The one thing you need to know is this: it's a cheap, simple machine for doing cheap, simple things. If you need a basic web browser in a rugged-ish 2-in-1 form factor and nothing more, this is it. But you're making some serious compromises to get there.

Don't expect much from the Intel Celeron and 8GB of RAM. It'll handle a dozen Chrome tabs and YouTube just fine, but that's about its limit. The GPU lands in the 18th percentile, so even basic Android games from the Play Store might stutter. The real surprise is how well it scores for 'compact' use (97th percentile). That just means it's small and light, which is its main selling point, not that it's powerful.

At $119, it's hard to complain too much. You get what you pay for. The value is purely in its low price and portability. If your budget is rock-bottom and your needs are minimal, it's worth it. If you can spend even $50 more, you can probably do better.

Forget the MacBook Pro and gaming laptops on the competitor list—they're in a different universe. A more relevant comparison is other cheap Chromebooks or used laptops. Compared to a new $250 Chromebook, this Dell loses on screen, storage, and modern connectivity. But it wins on price. It's also more portable than many clamshell-only budget options because of the 2-in-1 hinge. Your real choice is between this ultra-budget new device or a slightly older, but more capable, used business laptop for the same money.

This is a niche pick. I can only recommend the Dell Chromebook 3100 if your top priority is spending as little money as possible on a new, ultra-portable web machine for a student or as a secondary device. For everyone else, the awful screen and tiny storage are dealbreakers. Save up a little more for a better experience.