Chromebook vs Laptop: What can and can’t I do with a Chromebook?

Chromebooks are a tempting option for budget-conscious people, especially if you’re looking for one New computer Which you can easily take on the go. The main thing to keep in mind when comparing a laptop to a Chromebook is that it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. The main difference, besides the price, is the operating system. If you are accustomed to using Windows or MacGoogle chrome The operating system may not have all the functionality you need. But then again, it might happen, and with some Chromebooks Even dipping under $300You can probably save a bunch of cash by canceling features you don’t use anyway.

Read more: Best laptop under $500 of 2024

When Chromebooks It first arrived in 2011they’re routinely ridiculed — and rightfully so — for their limited functionality and reliance on a stable Internet connection. The operating system is now more than a decade old Old, and current Chromebooks, which come in both Laptop and Two in one Designs, that is Far from where they started. However, some things have not changed, and they may not be willing to work with the limitations they have. (Also, if you don’t want to read this and would rather just try out Chrome OS, here you go How to temporarily run it on any laptop with an inexpensive USB flash drive You may have already laid down.)

What can and can’t I do with a Chromebook?

When ChromeOS launched, that was basically it Google Chrome web browser. For those used to an operating system like Windows and Mac, it made a regular Chromebook seem like little more than a laptop that ran a web browser, and that’s that.

Even if ChromeOS never matures beyond that, the fact is that a lot of things can be done entirely on the web these days. Evaluate everything you do on a daily basis, and you may find that there’s nothing you can’t accomplish with ChromeOS at its most basic level.

However, a Windows laptop or MacBook can run the Chrome browser and other software supported by those operating systems. Even if you don’t immediately need a particular program, it’s nice to have that option. Additionally, if you’re shopping for a Chromebook for distance learning with Google Classroom, a Mac or Windows PC will work, too.

Along these lines, Chromebooks are not natively compatible with Windows or Mac software. However, the Google Play Store has A whole world of Android applicationsand many websites are available as Progressive Web Apps (more on those in a second). Also, if you’re thinking of using your Chromebook as a secondary device, you can Use Windows or Mac software on your Chromebook with Remote Desktop from Chrome feature, and it works really well.

Read more: ChromeOS’s new AI tools are amazing

One big hurdle that many people face is access to Microsoft Office. You can’t install the full Windows or MacOS desktop versions of Office programs on a Chromebook, however You can use Office 365 online and install Office Progressive Web Apps. PWAs work just like mobile apps, so you can use them offline, get notifications, and pin them to your taskbar. But in general, if you need or want a specific app for Windows or Mac — and there’s no suitable alternative to the web app or Android app — don’t get a Chromebook.

Also, if you need advanced photo and video editing capabilities to use locally on your laptop, you’ll need a Windows, Mac, or Linux laptop. There are many cloud-based and mobile app options available for photo and video editing, Including Adobe toolsso it is possible to do some professional modifications to your Chromebook. Google’s Photos app also has some powerful editing capabilities. But you won’t have the option to install Windows or Mac software or perform complex rendering tasks.

You will encounter a similar problem with games. With game streaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now, Amazon Luna

and Xbox cloud gamesChromebooks can run more than just Android and browser-based games (although they’re great for those, too). There now Tools built into ChromeOS to make gaming more funAnd even Gaming Chromebooks with faster 120Hz displays and RGB lighting. But if computer gaming is your goal, Windows gaming laptop It is a better starting place.

What is a good Chromebook?

Years ago, all Chromebooks were pretty much the same no matter which company made them. There is now a much wider range of laptops and dual-device devices — convertibles and tablets — to take advantage of ChromeOS’ current capabilities. You’ll still find more sizes and styles when it comes to Windows laptops, especially if you need really powerful processing and graphics performance, but the variety of options is much better than it was in the past.

If you’re looking for a good basic experience with a Chromebook, the small, lightweight operating system has minimal hardware requirements. Having a faster, advanced processor, more memory, and more storage space for files and applications will help keep up with the demanding multitasking; An Intel Core series or AMD Ryzen processor, 8GB of memory, and 128GB of solid-state drive for storage will take you far but definitely increases the cost. Here’s what I recommend when I’m asked what key Chromebook specs to look for:

• Intel Core, AMD Ryzen, Qualcomm, or MediaTek processors
• 4 GB of memory
• 64 GB of storage
• Full HD display (1,920 x 1,080 pixels).

However, there is a new category of devices called Chromebook Plus. These models have a basic standard of specifications, so you are guaranteed a higher level of performance and features regardless of price. All Plus models include at least the following:

• 12th generation Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 processor or better
• 8 GB or more of memory
• 128GB or more storage space
• 1080p IPS LCD or better
• 1080p webcam with temporary noise reduction

No matter which Chromebook you buy, before purchasing it, you should know the specifications of the device Automatic update expiration dateor the European Union. Currently, non-Google devices are only supported for so long before they stop receiving Chrome OS and browser updates, including security updates. Chromebooks now receive automatic updates for 10 years starting from the device’s initial release. Models released before 2021 are generally good for 7 or 8 years, but some features and services may not be supported. Google maintains a list of AUE dates for all models You should check it before purchasing a Chromebook, new or used.

Do Chromebooks need an Internet connection?

When Chromebooks first launched, they essentially became a paperweight when offline — a real problem if you were in the middle of editing an important document and suddenly couldn’t save your work because your Internet connection dropped. Fortunately, this is no longer the case as Google has improved the offline capabilities and popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify have offline options as well.

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For a regular laptop, being offline is a little less of an issue since you’re usually using installed software that saves to the internal storage. While neither is a great offline experience these days, Chromebooks aren’t a great choice if you’re not willing or able to be online most of the time. On the plus side, Google has made it easier for Android users to turn their phones into instant mobile hotspots and get… Chromebooks and Android devices work best together.

Are Chromebooks cheap?

Because ChromeOS has lower hardware requirements, Chromebooks can be lighter, smaller, and last longer than a regular laptop. It is also generally less expensive.

New $200 Windows laptops are few and far between, and frankly, rarely worth buying. Find a good Chromebook for $200On the other hand, it is very easy to do. Even the high-end Chromebook Plus models start at $399. Although spending more will get you better build quality, more features, or faster performance, even premium Chromebooks typically stay under $800.

With Windows laptops, you typically need to spend $700 or more to get a thin and lightweight model that has decent performance and battery life that will keep it performing for years to come. The same goes for MacBooks.