Google announced back May of 2016 that soon Chromebooks will come bundling support for Android apps. Now it according to a recent update to the Chrome OS support page it seems like all Chromebooks coming out in 2017 and afterwards will have access to the Google Play Store.
Case in point, the new Samsung Chromebook Plus and Chromebook Pro and the ASUS Chromebook Flip C302CA which were introduced back at CES 2017 earlier this year.
Anyway Google also lists a bunch of older Chromebooks which will get Android app support at some point. There are many models in that list which don’t come with a touch screen, so the experience of running an Android app on it won’t be as good, but customers buying a Chromebook today would probably opt for a touch screen model.
Chromebooks are cheap laptop alternatives, but one of the major complaints for users is the skimpy app ecosystem. With the addition of Google Play Store this issue would be rendered a non-problem.
Currently Android apps are now available on the ASUS Chromebook Flip, Acer Chromebook R11/C738T and Google Chromebook Pixel 2. More manufacturers like HP, Lenovo, Dell or Toshiba will soon launch new models which will arrive with touchscreens and Google Play Store access.
Have a big family with 8 kids. Starting 2 years ago have been purchasing them Chromebooks instead of Macs. I can not imagine switching back.
Chromebooks are very poorly understood and there is tons of misinformation.
The biggest is that you need an Internet connection or they can not be used. Chromebooks do the exact same things that any PC does offline.
So play a game, write a paper, listen to music, watch a video. Recently on holiday and looking in the plane ride on our way home and my kids were all on their Chromebooks offline and seem to be doing something with them :).
The best Chromebook value, IMO, is the Acer 14. They are metal, great display, long battery life, and a bargin. You can get them $205 refurb from the Acer store on eBay.