Funny story.

Back in 2020, before Tech Origins was even its own brand, our team was sitting on thousands and thousands of Chromebooks. And there was very little demand for them.

Then COVID hit.

Overnight, every school went online and every student needed a device. Suddenly everyone wanted a Chromebook. We sold every single one we had.

That year taught us more about Chromebooks than any spec sheet ever could. The biggest lesson: not all Chromebooks are made equal.

What a Chromebook actually is

A Chromebook is a laptop that runs Google's ChromeOS instead of Windows or macOS. It's built around the Chrome browser and Google's apps: Gmail, Docs, Drive, YouTube, Classroom. Most models also run Android apps from the Google Play Store.

What it doesn't do: run normal Windows software. No Microsoft Office desktop apps (you use the web versions instead), no Photoshop, no AutoCAD, no Windows games.

This is where it gets awkward. Customers sometimes order a Chromebook thinking it's a normal laptop. Then it arrives and they can't install the program they need. That conversation is no fun for anyone. So before anything else: a Chromebook is not a Windows laptop. If you need Windows software, don't buy one.

Why used Chromebooks are so cheap

Every Chromebook has an Auto Update Expiration date, set by Google. After that date, it stops getting ChromeOS updates.

Most used Chromebooks are inexpensive because they've already reached that date, or they're close to it. That's the honest reason behind the low Chromebook price in UAE shops.

Does that make them useless? No. A Chromebook past its update date still turns on, connects to Wi-Fi, browses the web and runs Google Docs. Plenty of people use them happily for years. But you should know the date before you buy, especially if it'll be used for banking or anything sensitive.

How to check: on the Chromebook, open Settings → About ChromeOS → Additional details → Update schedule.

Who a used Chromebook is good for

• Young students doing schoolwork in Google Classroom and Docs.

• Schools and training centres that need lots of identical, simple devices.

• A second device at home for browsing, YouTube and video calls.

• Anyone on a very tight budget who lives in the browser anyway.

Who it's not for: anyone who needs Windows programs, office workers on desktop Excel, designers, gamers.

What we stock

The Chromebook we always have on hand is the Lenovo 300e. It's a very common model, and we always have some sitting in our warehouse ready to ship.

Lenovo 300e Chromebook, touchscreen, 360° rotating – 199.99 AED

It's a touchscreen that folds all the way back into a tablet, it's built tough for classrooms, and it runs Play Store apps.

But the 300e is only what's listed. We hold far more Chromebook models than we put on the website. We regularly sell premium ones too, like the Google Pixelbook with a Core i7 and up to 512GB of storage.

NOTE FOR MUNEEB: Your brief says the Pixelbook has a 4K display. The original Google Pixelbook has a 2400 × 1600 display (very sharp, but not 4K). The Pixelbook Go has a 4K option, with up to 256GB. I've written "Core i7 and up to 512GB" and left out 4K. Tell me which model you stock and I'll fix it.

Why aren't they all on our website?

Two reasons.

First, they sell before we can list them. We hold so many models that listing them all is a headache, and half of them are gone before the listing goes live.

Second, we import everything ourselves. We bring Chromebooks in by the container from the USA, thousands at a time. We don't buy locally. And we have a rule: we don't list items we can't restock. We'd rather not show you something today that we can't get for you tomorrow.

Most of our Chromebook volume goes out in bulk to schools, resellers and wholesale buyers. If you need Chromebooks for a school or an organisation, talk to us.

Chromebook price in UAE: what to expect

From what we see in the market:

• Basic used Chromebooks (school models like the 300e): around 200 AED.

• Mid-range used Chromebooks with bigger screens or better processors: a few hundred dirhams more.

• Premium Chromebooks like the Pixelbook: closer to a good Windows laptop's price.

NOTE FOR MUNEEB: Give me your rough price for a Pixelbook and for a mid-range Chromebook and I'll put real numbers here.

If you're paying more than about 500 AED for a basic Chromebook, compare it with a used Windows business laptop first. At that price you can get a full Windows 11 machine.

So, is a used Chromebook worth it?

Yes, if you live in Google's apps, need something simple and tough, and want to spend as little as possible. For a child's schoolwork, nothing beats it on price.

No, if you need any Windows software. Spend a bit more and get a proper laptop from our laptops under 500 AED collection.

Every Chromebook we sell is tested before it leaves us, and we make sure it's good to go.

Want to see what's in stock beyond the 300e? WhatsApp us at +971 55 184 0091 and we'll send you what we have today. And if you want more Chromebooks listed on our website, tell us. If enough of you ask, we'll do it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Chromebook price in UAE for a used model?

A basic used Chromebook in the UAE costs around 200 AED. The Lenovo 300e touchscreen Chromebook is 199.99 AED at Tech Origins. Premium models like the Google Pixelbook cost more.

Can a Chromebook run Microsoft Office?

Not the desktop version. Chromebooks run ChromeOS, so you can use the web versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, but you can't install Windows programs like desktop Office, Photoshop or AutoCAD.

What happens when a Chromebook reaches its Auto Update Expiration date?

It keeps working, but stops receiving ChromeOS updates. You can still browse, use Google Docs and watch videos, but it's better not to rely on it for banking or sensitive work.

How do I check a Chromebook's update expiry date?

On the Chromebook, go to Settings, then About ChromeOS, then Additional details, and look at Update schedule.

Is a Chromebook good for school students?

Yes, especially for younger students using Google Classroom and Google Docs. Chromebooks are simple, tough and inexpensive, which is why demand for them exploded when schools went online during COVID.

Does Tech Origins sell Chromebooks in bulk?

Yes. We import Chromebooks by the container from the USA, thousands at a time, and supply schools, resellers and wholesale buyers. WhatsApp us at +971 55 184 0091 for bulk pricing.

About the author

Muneeb Bukhari is the CEO of Tech Origins and has been refurbishing laptops in the UAE since 2016. He's the second generation running the family business, with a retail showroom in Bur Dubai and a wholesale warehouse in Sharjah. He has owned everything from Sony VAIOs to ThinkPads and XPS machines, and when he recommends a laptop here, his team has bought it, tested it and sold it. Questions? WhatsApp +971 55 184 0091 or connect on LinkedIn.