Intel Celeron 2955U Chromebooks

The Intel Celeron 2955U was a watershed processor for the Chromebook platform, arriving in Q3 2013 as one of the first chips to bring Intel’s Haswell architecture to Chrome OS devices. Built on a 22nm manufacturing process, the 2955U delivered a combination of responsive performance and impressive battery life that competitors simply could not match at the time. This dual-core, dual-thread processor operates at a fixed 1.40 GHz clock speed with no turbo boost, drawing just 15 watts TDP, which enabled Chromebooks to achieve 7.5-8.5 hours of battery life while maintaining snappy responsiveness for web browsing and productivity tasks.

The Celeron 2955U belongs to Intel’s 4th generation Core architecture (Haswell), positioned as the entry-level option in the mobile processor lineup. Despite the budget-oriented Celeron branding, reviewers at the time consistently noted that it outperformed the ARM-based and older Intel Atom processors that dominated earlier Chromebooks. The chip includes 2 MB of Intel Smart Cache, supports DDR3L memory up to 1600 MHz across two channels, and integrates Intel HD Graphics (Haswell) with 10 Execution Units clocked up to 1.0 GHz. This combination enabled the first generation of truly viable Chromebooks that could handle real productivity workloads without frustrating lag.

The 2955U became legendary among Chromebook enthusiasts and Linux users alike. Devices like the Acer C720 and C720P achieved widespread popularity for their excellent price-to-performance ratio, typically priced between $199 and $350 depending on configuration. The processor’s full upstream Linux kernel support and compatibility with Ubuntu, GalliumOS, and other distributions made 2955U Chromebooks particularly attractive for users who wanted to dual-boot or replace Chrome OS entirely. While Chrome OS support for these devices ended in 2019, many continue to serve as capable Linux machines thanks to the solid Haswell foundation.

Performance

The Intel Celeron 2955U delivers performance that was considered impressive for entry-level Chromebooks in 2013-2014 but has been thoroughly surpassed by modern processors. With a PassMark CPU Mark score of approximately 905 (multithread) and a single-thread rating of 793, the 2955U ranks around 4501st among all benchmarked processors. The Octane 2.0 score of approximately 11,600 reflects adequate JavaScript performance for basic web browsing, though this falls below modern entry-level chips.

Real-world testing from the era showed the 2955U handling everyday Chrome OS tasks with confidence. NotebookCheck reviewers found that web browsing, switching among multiple tabs, and streaming YouTube videos all worked without noticeable delay. Computerworld testing noted that boot times averaged around 7 seconds, significantly faster than ARM-based alternatives like the HP Chromebook 11 (11 seconds) or Samsung Chromebook Series 3 (11.3 seconds). TechRadar found that the processor handled heavy browsing with almost two dozen tabs open across multiple windows without significant stuttering.

Compared to its contemporaries, the 2955U offered substantial advantages. The Haswell architecture delivered roughly 2x better performance-per-watt than previous generation Intel chips, which translated directly into the exceptional battery life that made these Chromebooks so popular. However, the 2955U shows its age when compared to modern processors: the Intel Celeron N4000 (Octane 20,000) outperforms it by approximately 72% in web workloads, while the Intel Processor N100 (Octane 23,000, CPU Mark 5,643) delivers roughly 6x the multi-threaded performance. For perspective, the 2955U was roughly competitive with the Core i3-4005U of the same era (Octane 14,600) in basic web tasks.

Ideal Use Cases

The Intel Celeron 2955U remains best suited for users with modest computing requirements who have obtained these devices at very low cost on the secondary market. Basic web browsing, email, document editing in Google Docs, and streaming video remain functional on devices with this processor, provided expectations are calibrated appropriately. Educational institutions that acquired C720 fleets years ago found them durable and reliable for standardized testing, research, and writing assignments.

The 2955U’s strongest modern use case involves Linux enthusiasts who appreciate the processor’s excellent open-source driver support. Unlike many ARM-based or more obscure Intel chips, the 2955U works with vanilla Linux kernels without proprietary blobs, making it straightforward to install and maintain Ubuntu, Debian, Arch Linux, or other distributions. The user-upgradeable M.2 SSD found in devices like the Acer C720 allows owners to expand storage to 64GB, 128GB, or beyond, transforming these affordable machines into capable lightweight Linux laptops for coding, system administration, or learning.

However, the 2955U is not appropriate for users expecting modern Chromebook performance. Multi-tab browsing beyond 10-15 simultaneous tabs causes noticeable slowdowns. Android app support (where available) runs sluggishly, and demanding web applications like complex Google Sheets documents or video conferencing with screen sharing will struggle. Most critically, Chrome OS support ended in 2019 for all 2955U devices, meaning they no longer receive security updates and should not be used for activities involving sensitive personal or financial information unless repurposed with a current Linux distribution.

What to Look For

When considering a 2955U Chromebook today, recognize that these are legacy devices suited primarily for specific niche uses or extreme budget constraints. All 2955U Chromebooks have passed their Chrome OS Auto Update Expiration (AUE) dates, so plan to install Linux if you intend to use the device for anything requiring current security updates.

RAM configuration significantly impacts usability. Models with 4GB RAM (like the Acer C720-2420 or C720P-2457) provide noticeably better multitasking capability than 2GB variants, which struggle with even moderate numbers of browser tabs. Since RAM is soldered and non-upgradeable on all 2955U Chromebooks, the 4GB models command a premium on the used market for good reason.

Storage upgradeability distinguishes certain 2955U devices from others. The Acer C720 series featured a user-accessible M.2 2242 SATA SSD that could be replaced with higher-capacity drives, a rarity among Chromebooks that enthusiasts greatly value. The ASUS Chromebox also supports storage upgrades. In contrast, other devices like certain HP Chromebook 14 variants use soldered eMMC storage that cannot be expanded. If Linux installation or expanded local storage matters to you, prioritize devices with replaceable storage.

Form factor varies across 2955U products, from traditional notebooks like the Acer C720 (11.6-inch, 2.98 lbs) to touch-enabled convertibles like the C720P, the LG Chromebase all-in-one with a 21.5-inch IPS display, and the ASUS Chromebox desktop. Consider which form factor suits your intended use case, keeping in mind that the desktop and all-in-one variants offer better connectivity options (including Ethernet) for stationary use. Battery condition on portable models will have degraded over the years, so factor in potential battery replacement costs when evaluating used notebook purchases.