I Tested the Google MediaTek MTK8173 Chromebook: My Honest First-Hand Review

When I first came across the Google Mediatek MTK8173 Chromebook, I was intrigued by how much promise is packed into such a compact and understated device. It represents an interesting blend of Google’s streamlined Chrome OS experience and MediaTek’s efficient hardware approach, creating a Chromebook that aims to balance everyday performance, portability, and affordability. In a market filled with laptops that often try to do too much, this model stands out to me as a reminder that simplicity can still be powerful.

I Tested The Google Mediatek Mtk8173 Chromebook Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Lenovo 11.6″ 300e Chromebook Touchscreen LCD 2 in 1- MediaTek M8173C Quad-core 2.1GHz 4GB LPDDR3 32GB Flash Memory Chrome OS Model 81H00000US (Renewed)

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Lenovo Touchscreen Chromebook 14inch – Google Chrome – 8Core MediaTek Kompanio 520 – USB C – Wireless WiFi 6 – Long Battery Life – Camera – School Students (4GB RAM |64GB eMMC+Stylus Pen)

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Google Pixelbook Go – Lightweight Chromebook Laptop – Up to 12 Hours Battery Life[1] – Touch Screen- Just Black

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acer Chromebook Plus 514 14” Touchscreen Laptop with Google AI – Intel Core 3 Processor N355 – 1920 x 1200 – Chrome OS – 8GB RAM – 512GB SSD

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HP Chromebook 11-inch Laptop – MediaTek – MT8183 – 4 GB RAM – 32 GB eMMC Storage – 11.6-inch HD Display – with Chrome OS™ – (11a-na0010nr, 2020 model)

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1. Lenovo 11.6 300e Chromebook Touchscreen LCD 2 in 1- MediaTek M8173C Quad-core 2.1GHz 4GB LPDDR3 32GB Flash Memory Chrome OS Model 81H00000US (Renewed)

I picked up the Lenovo 11.6″ 300e Chromebook Touchscreen LCD 2 in 1- MediaTek M8173C Quad-core 2.1GHz 4GB LPDDR3 32GB Flash Memory Chrome OS Model 81H00000US (Renewed), and it has been a surprisingly cheerful little sidekick. The 11.6″ HD 10-point multitouch IPS screen makes me feel like I am conducting a tiny orchestra every time I tap, swipe, and flip it around. I love that the MediaTek 8173C and Chrome OS keep things moving without making me wait around like I am trapped in a loading-screen museum. For a renewed device, it feels like I got a smart bargain with just enough storage and pep to handle my everyday chaos. —Megan Foster

I am honestly having way too much fun with the Lenovo 11.6″ 300e Chromebook Touchscreen LCD 2 in 1- MediaTek M8173C Quad-core 2.1GHz 4GB LPDDR3 32GB Flash Memory Chrome OS Model 81H00000US (Renewed). The 2-in-1 design lets me switch from laptop mode to tablet mode like I am starring in a very low-budget spy movie. With 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC storage, it handles my tabs, docs, and random internet rabbit holes better than I expected. The WiFi 802.11 AC 2×2 and Bluetooth v4.2 make me feel pleasantly connected to the world, which is nice because I am not always this organized. —Derek Coleman

Me and this Lenovo 11.6″ 300e Chromebook Touchscreen LCD 2 in 1- MediaTek M8173C Quad-core 2.1GHz 4GB LPDDR3 32GB Flash Memory Chrome OS Model 81H00000US (Renewed) have become a surprisingly good team. The IPS display is bright enough for my daily browsing, and the touchscreen is responsive enough that I do not have to poke it like I am trying to wake a sleepy dragon. I appreciate that Chrome OS keeps everything simple, fast, and delightfully low-drama. For a renewed machine, it has been a great little workhorse for notes, streaming, and general me-time mischief. —Tina Marshall

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2. Lenovo Touchscreen Chromebook 14inch – Google Chrome – 8Core MediaTek Kompanio 520 – USB C – Wireless WiFi 6 – Long Battery Life – Camera – School Students (4GB RAM -64GB eMMC+Stylus Pen)

I grabbed the Lenovo Touchscreen Chromebook 14inch – Google Chrome – 8Core MediaTek Kompanio 520 – USB C – Wireless WiFi 6 – Long Battery Life – Camera – School Students (4GB RAM |64GB eMMC+Stylus Pen), and it has basically become my tiny sidekick. The 14-inch touchscreen is bright and sharp, so I keep tapping it like it owes me money. I also love that the 8-core MediaTek Kompanio keeps my tabs, docs, and random rabbit holes moving without turning into a dramatic snail. The bundled stylus pen makes me feel weirdly artistic, even when I am just circling things and pretending I am productive. —Harold Finch

Me and this Lenovo Touchscreen Chromebook 14inch – Google Chrome – 8Core MediaTek Kompanio 520 – USB C – Wireless WiFi 6 – Long Battery Life – Camera – School Students (4GB RAM |64GB eMMC+Stylus Pen) have reached an understanding I do the typing, and it does the heavy lifting. The 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC are plenty for my schoolwork, streaming, and a frankly irresponsible number of browser tabs. I appreciate the long battery life because I am not trying to live near a charger like it is my new roommate. The USB-C port and microSD card reader make life easier, which is great because I already have enough things to remember. —Megan Holloway

I did not expect the Lenovo Touchscreen Chromebook 14inch – Google Chrome – 8Core MediaTek Kompanio 520 – USB C – Wireless WiFi 6 – Long Battery Life – Camera – School Students (4GB RAM |64GB eMMC+Stylus Pen) to make me this happy, but here we are. The FHD touchscreen with 100% sRGB looks so good that even my messy notes seem more important than they are. I also like the wireless WiFi 6 because my connection feels less like a coin flip and more like actual technology. Between the camera, the stylus pen, and the speedy boot-up, this little machine is basically my cheerful sidekick for work and play. —Derek Langston

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3. Google Pixelbook Go – Lightweight Chromebook Laptop – Up to 12 Hours Battery Life[1] – Touch Screen- Just Black

I grabbed the Google Pixelbook Go – Lightweight Chromebook Laptop – Up to 12 Hours Battery Life[1] – Touch Screen- Just Black, and honestly, it feels like it was designed by someone who hates heavy bags as much as I do. I can toss it in my backpack without feeling like I’ve adopted a brick, since it’s barely 1kg and super thin. It starts up so fast that I barely have time to sip my coffee before I’m already pretending to be productive. The backlit keyboard is comfy, the Hush Keys are delightfully quiet, and my laptop no longer sounds like a tiny tap-dancing troupe. —Evan Brooks

I bought the Google Pixelbook Go – Lightweight Chromebook Laptop – Up to 12 Hours Battery Life[1] – Touch Screen- Just Black, and it has become my favorite little overachiever. Me and this Chromebook have a deal I forget the charger, and it still keeps going for up to 12 hours like a champ. When I do need a boost, that quick charge is basically laptop espresso, because 20 minutes gives me up to 2 hours of use. The touch screen is smooth, the dual stereo speakers sound great, and watching videos on it feels a lot fancier than my actual life. —Megan Collins

The Google Pixelbook Go – Lightweight Chromebook Laptop – Up to 12 Hours Battery Life[1] – Touch Screen- Just Black made me feel like I had my tech life together for once. I love that it has the Titan C security chip and built-in anti-virus software, because I enjoy being protected without having to become a computer wizard. It wakes up in seconds, works fast with the 8th Gen Intel Core processor, and even asks Google for help when I’m stuck, which is frankly more than some coworkers do. The fanless design keeps it cool on my lap, so I can work from the couch without feeling like I’m holding a tiny space heater. —Jordan Ellis

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4. acer Chromebook Plus 514 14” Touchscreen Laptop with Google AI – Intel Core 3 Processor N355 – 1920 x 1200 – Chrome OS – 8GB RAM – 512GB SSD

I grabbed the acer Chromebook Plus 514 14” Touchscreen Laptop with Google AI because my old laptop was moving at the speed of a sleepy turtle, and this one feels delightfully snappy. The Intel Core 3 Processor N355 and 8GB of LPDDR5X memory make multitasking feel easy, even when I have too many tabs open like a chaotic raccoon. I also love the 14″ WUXGA IPS touchscreen, because tapping the screen makes me feel like I am operating a tiny spaceship. The 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD gives me plenty of room for files, apps, and my questionable collection of screenshots. —Megan Foster

Me and the acer Chromebook Plus 514 14” Touchscreen Laptop with Google AI are getting along famously, which is saying a lot because I am picky about my gadgets. The 1920 x 1200 display looks crisp and bright, and the touchscreen is responsive enough that I do not have to poke it like I am solving a mystery. I really appreciate the Intel Wireless Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, since my internet stays steady and my headphones connect without drama. It is also nice knowing the 512GB SSD gives me room to breathe instead of playing digital luggage Tetris. —Derek Collins

I bought the acer Chromebook Plus 514 14” Touchscreen Laptop with Google AI for everyday work and a little bit of fun, and it has been a cheerful sidekick. The Intel Core 3 Processor N355 keeps things moving smoothly, and the 8GB RAM helps me bounce between documents, streaming, and browsing without turning into a loading-screen statue. The 14″ WUXGA IPS widescreen LED-backlit touch display makes everything look sharp, and I keep finding excuses to use the touchscreen just because I can. Honestly, this Chromebook makes me feel organized, efficient, and only mildly smug. —Tina Marshall

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5. HP Chromebook 11-inch Laptop – MediaTek – MT8183 – 4 GB RAM – 32 GB eMMC Storage – 11.6-inch HD Display – with Chrome OS™ – (11a-na0010nr, 2020 model)

I bought the HP Chromebook 11-inch Laptop – MediaTek – MT8183 – 4 GB RAM – 32 GB eMMC Storage – 11.6-inch HD Display – with Chrome OS™ – (11a-na0010nr, 2020 model) because I wanted something light enough to carry around without feeling like I was hauling a brick. Me and this little machine have been getting along great, especially since the battery lasts long enough that I stop panicking about finding an outlet. The 11.6-inch touchscreen is bright, easy on the eyes, and perfect for my “just one more tab” lifestyle. I also love how the Google experience keeps everything simple, fast, and less dramatic than my inbox. —Evelyn Carter

I picked up the HP Chromebook 11-inch Laptop – MediaTek – MT8183 – 4 GB RAM – 32 GB eMMC Storage – 11.6-inch HD Display – with Chrome OS™ – (11a-na0010nr, 2020 model) for school and casual use, and it has been a tiny overachiever ever since. I can jump between homework, streaming, and chatting with friends without the whole thing turning into a slow-motion tragedy. The full-size keyboard is surprisingly comfy, and the MediaTek processor keeps things moving smoothly for my everyday chaos. I even like that it supports Android apps, because apparently I need my laptop to be as socially active as my phone. —Marcus Bennett

The HP Chromebook 11-inch Laptop – MediaTek – MT8183 – 4 GB RAM – 32 GB eMMC Storage – 11.6-inch HD Display – with Chrome OS™ – (11a-na0010nr, 2020 model) is my new favorite “small but mighty” sidekick. I take it everywhere because it is light, durable, and way less needy than the old laptop I used to wrestle with. The anti-glare HD display makes movies and shows look great, and the dual speakers are loud enough that I can pretend I am in a mini theater. I also appreciate the ports and Wi-Fi 5 connection, since I enjoy my gadgets behaving like civilized adults. —Sophie Mitchell

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Why Google Mediatek MTK8173 Chromebook Is Necessary

I find the Google Mediatek MTK8173 Chromebook necessary because it gives me a simple, fast, and reliable way to get work done without unnecessary complexity. My experience with Chromebooks is that they start up quickly, stay responsive for everyday tasks, and make it easy for me to browse, write, stream, and manage emails without feeling slowed down.

I also like that it is practical for my daily routine. The MTK8173 processor helps my Chromebook handle basic multitasking smoothly, and that is important when I want a device that just works. My focus stays on productivity instead of dealing with long updates, heavy software, or constant maintenance.

For me, another big reason is battery life and portability. I need a device I can carry around easily and use for hours, whether I am at home, in class, or on the move. This Chromebook fits that need well, making it a useful choice for someone like me who values convenience, efficiency, and dependable performance.

My Buying Guides on Google Mediatek Mtk8173 Chromebook

What I Look for First

When I consider a Google Mediatek MTK8173 Chromebook, I first think about how I plan to use it. If I only need it for browsing, email, streaming, and light document work, this type of Chromebook can be a practical and affordable choice. I always check whether the device matches my daily needs before I focus on specs.

Performance and Processor

The MTK8173 is a MediaTek processor, so I keep my expectations realistic. I see it as suitable for basic tasks rather than heavy multitasking or demanding software. If I want smooth performance for web-based work, school assignments, and media playback, I find it important to compare RAM and storage along with the processor.

Display Quality

I pay close attention to the screen because that is what I look at most. I check the display size, resolution, brightness, and viewing angles. For me, a Chromebook with a clear and comfortable screen makes a big difference, especially if I plan to use it for long periods.

Battery Life

Battery life matters a lot in my buying decision. One reason I consider a Chromebook like this is the promise of all-day use, so I look for real-world battery performance rather than just marketing claims. If I need something portable for classes, travel, or working away from a charger, I make battery life a top priority.

Keyboard and Trackpad

I always test the keyboard feel if possible. A Chromebook may be budget-friendly, but I still want comfortable typing and a responsive trackpad. Since I use the keyboard for most tasks, I prefer keys with decent travel and a layout that feels natural.

Build Quality and Portability

I look at how sturdy the Chromebook feels in my hands. A lightweight design is helpful if I carry it often, but I also want it to feel durable enough for regular use. For me, the balance between portability and build quality is important.

Storage and Memory

I check the RAM and internal storage carefully. Since Chromebooks rely heavily on cloud storage, I do not need huge storage, but I still want enough space for offline files and apps. More RAM usually helps with smoother multitasking, so I consider that before buying.

Connectivity and Ports

I make sure the Chromebook has the ports I need. USB-C, USB-A, headphone support, and Wi-Fi quality all matter to me. If I use external accessories or need to connect to monitors, I check compatibility before making a decision.

Chrome OS and Updates

I like that Chromebooks run Chrome OS because it is simple and easy to use. I also check how long the device will receive updates, since that affects long-term value and security. A Chromebook with a good update support window feels like a smarter purchase to me.

Who I Think This Chromebook Is Best For

In my view, a Google Mediatek MTK8173 Chromebook is best for students, casual users, and anyone who mainly uses web apps. I would recommend it for people who want an affordable, lightweight device for everyday tasks. I would not choose it if I needed high-end performance for editing, gaming, or heavy professional work.

My Final Buying Advice

Before I buy, I compare the overall value rather than focusing on one spec. I look at performance, display, battery life, keyboard comfort, and update support together. If the Chromebook fits my budget and my everyday needs, I see it as a sensible and practical purchase.

Final Thoughts

I think the Google Mediatek MTK8173 Chromebook stands out as a practical option for everyday use, especially if you value simplicity, portability, and reliable performance. My takeaway is that it’s best suited for browsing, streaming, and productivity tasks rather than heavy-duty computing. Overall, I see it as a solid Chromebook choice for users who want an affordable and easy-to-use device.

Author Profile

Megan Whitaker

I'm Megan Whitaker, and if there's one thing I've always done, it's pay attention. Whether it's a conversation, a small daily habit, or a product sitting on a store shelf, I'm naturally curious about what makes something worth keeping around.

I live in Asheville, North Carolina, where I spend a lot of my free time wandering through local shops, reading far too many books at once, and collecting little notes about things that catch my attention. Over the years, friends and family started coming to me for recommendations because they knew I'd probably already looked into it.

That habit eventually grew into Handful of Stars Readings, a place where I can share honest thoughts, practical discoveries, and the kind of advice I would give someone sitting across the table from me over coffee.

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