Picking the best Dell Chromebooks in 2025 can be tricky, especially with multiple models still in rotation. Each one offers a different balance of durability, performance, and usability. Dell remains a solid choice for education and home use, but the details matter. I tested the top three options and found key differences worth knowing. This guide breaks down what each one does best and how to make the most of it.
Dell Chromebook 11
The Dell Chromebook 11 is a straightforward, reliable option built for everyday use. Its compact size and rugged design make it a solid fit for students, classrooms, or anyone needing a low-maintenance device. With a spill-resistant keyboard and long battery life, it’s designed to handle bumps, drops, and long study sessions. It’s not made for multitasking or heavy workloads, but it runs web apps and Google Workspace smoothly. For basic tasks like writing, browsing, and watching videos, it’s a dependable pick.
Key Specs:
11.6” HD display
Intel Celeron N4020
Rugged design with spill-resistant keyboard
Up to 10 hours battery life
ChromeOS with auto-updates
Pros:
Built tough for classrooms
Budget-friendly
Excellent battery life
Cons:
Slower with multitasking
Small screen limits productivity
Dell Chromebook 3110
The Dell Chromebook 3110 is a solid step up from the basics, offering faster performance and more flexibility. With upgraded internals and improved ports, it’s built for students, remote workers, and anyone juggling multiple tabs or video calls. It still keeps the lightweight, durable design but adds features like an optional touchscreen and better speakers. You’ll notice smoother multitasking and quicker responses across common apps. If you want something affordable that can handle a bit more, the 3110 fits that middle ground well.
Key Specs:
11.6” anti-glare HD display
Intel Celeron N4500 or N5100
USB-C and HDMI ports
Durable chassis and spill-resistant keyboard
Optional touchscreen model
Pros:
Faster and smoother performance
More connection ports for accessories
Upgraded webcam and speakers
Cons:
Still entry-level specs overall
Touchscreen version costs more
Dell Chromebook 3180
The Dell Chromebook 3180 may be an older model, but it still gets the job done for light, everyday use. It’s compact, easy to carry, and durable enough to handle regular wear and tear. Battery life is solid, making it a reliable choice for web browsing, emails, and basic document work. It’s not built for speed or multitasking, but for simple tasks, it holds up well. If you just need something basic that works without fuss, the 3180 is still a dependable option.
Key Specs:
11.6” HD screen
Intel Celeron N3060
Compact and rugged design
ChromeOS with cloud-based storage options
Pros:
Easy to carry around
Durable design for everyday use
Reliable battery life
Cons:
Outdated hardware
Shorter support window than newer models
Comparison Table of Dell Chromebooks
Here is a side by side comparison of the best dell chromebooks:
Chromebook Model | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
Chromebook 11 | N4020, rugged, 10hr battery | Durable, budget-friendly | Basic performance, small screen |
Chromebook 3110 | N4500/N5100, HDMI/USB-C, optional touch | Faster, more ports, good audio | Entry-level specs, touch costs |
Chromebook 3180 | N3060, compact, good battery | Portable, reliable for basics | Aging specs, limited support |
Each Dell Chromebook serves a slightly different purpose. The 11 is best for durability and budget use, especially for students. The 3110 offers better performance and port options, making it ideal for more active multitasking. If battery life and portability top your list, the 3180 still holds up well despite its age.
WPS Office – A Practical Companion for Dell Chromebooks
Once I had each Dell Chromebook set up and running, I started looking for a way to handle my everyday work without adding unnecessary bulk to the system. I didn’t want to install a bunch of separate apps just to take notes, edit a document, or check off a to-do list. That’s when I gave WPS Office a try. I wasn’t expecting much at first, but it turned out to be one of the few tools that actually ran smoothly on all three models. It didn’t lag, didn’t hog memory, and let me do everything in one place, from lesson prep to quick PDF edits.
Why WPS Office Works Well on Dell Chromebooks
WPS Office is lightweight, reliable, and surprisingly capable for a free suite. It handled everything I needed while keeping things clean and efficient. It kept things simple, which honestly made a big difference when switching between devices during a busy day. Here are a few features that stood out:
Writer: Great for creating homework sheets, lesson plans, or notes. The formatting tools are easy to use, and it autosaves everything in the cloud.
Spreadsheet: I used it to organize schedules and keep track of student progress. Even with large tables, it didn’t lag or crash.
Presentation: The pre-built templates came in handy when I needed to throw together quick lesson visuals or workshop slides.
PDF: Opened and annotated school forms, assignments, and admin docs. I could also combine PDFs easily before sharing them.
AI Tools: Helped polish my notes and summaries without switching apps. It made edits directly inside the document, which saved me time.
WPS Office didn’t try to replace everything, it just made the day-to-day work easier. If you're using a Dell Chromebook and want something that covers all the basics without eating up resources, it’s a smart fit.
FAQs
Q1: Which Dell Chromebook is best for school?
Both the Dell Chromebook 11 and 3110 are great for school use. The 11 offers strong durability, while the 3110 adds better speed and ports.
Q2: Can these Chromebooks run Microsoft Office?
Not directly, but you can use Microsoft Office web apps or install WPS Office, which supports all major file types.
Q3: Is WPS Office really free and safe?
Yes. WPS Office is 100% free for core features and widely used across schools and businesses. It’s also trusted on ChromeOS.
Q4: Does WPS Office work on Dell Chromebooks?
It works great. You can use the web app or Android version on ChromeOS with full functionality.
