Intel Celeron N2840 Chromebooks

The Intel Celeron N2840 is a dual-core processor from Intel’s Bay Trail-M platform, launched in Q2 2014. Built on a 22nm manufacturing process using Intel’s tri-gate transistors, the N2840 represented a significant leap forward from previous Atom processors. With a thermal design power (TDP) of just 7.5 watts, this processor enabled manufacturers to build thin, fanless Chromebooks that operated silently while delivering all-day battery life. The N2840 powered some of the most popular budget Chromebooks of the 2014-2016 era, including devices from Toshiba, Acer, Samsung, Lenovo, HP, Dell, and Haier.

The N2840 runs at a base frequency of 2.16 GHz with burst speeds reaching 2.58 GHz when additional performance is needed. It features 2 cores and 2 threads, 1 MB of L2 cache, and Intel HD Graphics based on the Gen7 architecture supporting DirectX 11. The processor supports DDR3L-1333 memory up to 8 GB, though most Chromebooks shipped with 2-4 GB configurations. Intel included support for Quick Sync video encoding and Wireless Display, useful features for media consumption and presentation scenarios. The Silvermont architecture cores represented Intel’s first out-of-order design for Atom-class processors, delivering roughly 50% better performance per clock compared to the previous Atom generation.

During its era, the N2840 appeared in Chromebooks ranging from compact 11.6-inch notebooks to the 13.3-inch Toshiba Chromebook 2, which gained particular acclaim for its IPS display. These devices typically sold in the $150-$330 price range, making them accessible options for students, casual users, and anyone seeking a straightforward web browsing device. The fanless designs enabled by the N2840’s low power consumption meant completely silent operation, a feature appreciated in libraries, classrooms, and quiet home environments.

Performance

The Intel Celeron N2840 delivers entry-level performance that was adequate for basic Chrome OS tasks when these devices were current. With a PassMark CPU Mark score of 583 and an Octane 2.0 score of approximately 8,700, the processor handles fundamental web browsing, email, document editing, and standard-definition video streaming. NotebookCheck’s Cinebench R15 tests measured the N2840 at around 74 points multi-core and 39 points single-core, placing it roughly on par with older dual-core processors like the Intel Core 2 Duo series.

The N2840 offers modest improvements over its Bay Trail siblings. It outperforms the N2830 (Octane 7,198) by approximately 21% and the slower N2807 by about 17%. However, even within its generation, the quad-core N2940 (Octane 16,000) offered nearly double the performance for users willing to accept slightly higher power consumption. Compared to later processors that appeared in Chromebooks, the gap widens considerably: the Celeron N3350 (Octane 15,000) outperforms the N2840 by 72%, the N4000 (Octane 20,000) by 130%, and the modern N4500 (Octane 21,000) by 141%.

For Chromebook usage, the Octane score provides the most relevant real-world indication. The N2840’s score of 8,700 places it below what most users would consider responsive for modern web applications. Contemporary reviewers noted that performance was “adequate for simple everyday tasks such as Internet or Office” but “not for complex software or modern games.” Amazon and Best Buy customers praised these Chromebooks for their simplicity and fast startup times, but noted that loading times could be slow and that the 2GB RAM variants in particular struggled with more than a handful of browser tabs open.

Ideal Use Cases

All Chromebooks powered by the Intel Celeron N2840 have passed their Auto Update Expiration (AUE) dates, with the last models expiring in September 2021. This means these devices no longer receive Chrome OS security updates, making them unsuitable for continued use in scenarios involving sensitive data, online banking, or other security-critical applications. Google recommends retiring Chromebooks that have reached AUE for most typical computing tasks.

That said, N2840 Chromebooks can still function as offline devices or for isolated non-critical use cases. Some users repurpose expired Chromebooks by installing Linux distributions (via developer mode or full Chrome OS removal), giving them new life as lightweight Linux machines for basic tasks or educational experimentation. Others use them as dedicated devices for specific purposes where internet security concerns are minimal, such as displaying recipes in a kitchen, controlling smart home devices, or serving as a secondary screen.

For anyone considering purchasing an N2840 Chromebook today (typically available for under $50 on the used market), understand that these are legacy devices suitable only for experimental purposes, offline use, or as Linux installation targets. The performance limitations that were acceptable in 2015 feel considerably more constrained against modern web applications, and the lack of security updates means they should not be used for general web browsing with personal accounts logged in.

What to Look For

If you’re acquiring an N2840 Chromebook despite the AUE limitations (perhaps for Linux experimentation or as a collector’s item), several factors differentiate the available models. The Toshiba Chromebook 2 stands out with its 13.3-inch IPS display, offering significantly better viewing angles and color reproduction than the TN panels found in most 11.6-inch competitors. The 4GB RAM variants (versus 2GB) provide noticeably better multitasking performance, with Amazon reviewers noting that “the 4GB one cut loading times in half” compared to 2GB models.

Storage across N2840 Chromebooks ranges from 16GB to 32GB eMMC, with the HP Chromebook 11 G4 offering 32GB while most others shipped with 16GB. Either way, these capacities feel extremely limited today, though SD card slots provide expansion options. Battery life was consistently excellent across N2840 models, with manufacturers claiming 8-10 hours and users often achieving similar figures. The Dell Chromebook 11 claimed 10 hours, while the Acer CB3-131 delivered up to 9 hours of real-world use according to reviewers.

Build quality varied significantly. The Acer Chromebook 11 CB3-131 featured a textured finish that resisted fingerprints effectively, while the Samsung Chromebook 2 offered a leather-like texture on its lid. Some reviewers noted that budget models felt “hollow” or less substantial than premium alternatives. For educational or rough-use scenarios, the Dell Chromebook 11 3120 offered more rugged construction. Most N2840 Chromebooks included full-size HDMI ports, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, headphone jacks, and SD or microSD card readers, providing reasonable connectivity for the era.