So, this one’s tricky. Up until a few months ago, the latest Toshiba Chromebook 2 was far and away the smartest purchase you could make on a Chromebook. For $299, you get a machine that’s faster than either notebook above, with a 13-inch IPS display that’s just as sharp and has better colors. The keyboard is fine, the trackpad is good, and while it doesn’t feel as nice as the Acer or Dell, it’s still light and not-flimsy.
A couple things have happened, though. One, as noted above, is the Play Store’s arrival — although the Chromebook 2 will gain access, it’s not getting a touchscreen.
That ties to thing number two: Toshiba's stopped making consumer laptops in the US. It’ll still honor warranties, but it’s not actively selling the Chromebook 2 anymore. Pretty soon, it’ll be gone for good.
As of this writing, though, it’s still hanging around. It might fluctuate in price, but if you can find it on Amazon or any other trusted retailer, it’s still worth the plunge.