Chromebook or laptop: which is better? There’s nothing more common than this question, whether it’s asked by parents weighing the best computer option for school or by people looking for an inexpensive computer for their home or office. Our team will help you decide between a Chromebook and a laptop and choose the right one.
Those looking for a new laptop have probably seen some Chromebooks at local stores or online. Despite looking like any other laptop, they are typically much cheaper. However, you still get great value from them.
Chromebooks may be better than Windows and macOS computers, depending on your needs. No matter what, you should do your research before purchasing a Chromebook – you might not need one if you have special needs. Choosing between a Chromebook and a laptop can be challenging, so let’s get into what makes them different.
What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop?
Chromebooks and laptops are both portable PCs that can be used anywhere a computer is needed: at a desk, on the couch, or the go. But there are some important differences:
Laptop: Runs a PC operating system such as Microsoft Windows 10, with a “desktop” workspace from which the user can access previously loaded programs. A spinning hard disk or a solid-state drive provides internal storage. Usually has additional built-in features such as optical drives (DVD, CD, etc. ), multiple ports for attaching external devices, etc.
Chromebook: A laptop running Google’s Chrome operating system uses the Chrome browser as its primary user interface. It relies primarily on internet-based applications and cloud storage (internal storage is relatively limited and always solid-state). In order to keep system size to a minimum, additional hardware features are omitted.
Difference between Chromebook & a Laptop: a Comparison:
| Chromebook | Laptop | |
| Definition | The type of tablet or laptop that uses a Linux-based operating system called Chrome OS as its operating system | Simply an electronic gadget that has a display screen and a keyboard with both alphabet and numerical keys. |
| Operating system | Chrome OS | Windows, Mac OS (for Apple MacBook only) |
| Web browsers | Google Chrome only | All the browsers can be used |
| Data Storage | Only in online mode on Cloud | Both offline and online modes are available |
| Antivirus | Preinstalled antivirus from Google | Antivirus has to be installed by the user |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can a Chromebook replace a laptop?
A: You can never replace your laptop with a laptop if you buy a Chromebook tablet. But for the Chromebooks that look like laptops, they can easily replace the laptop with ease. Although, people tend to stay on the safer side by avoiding Chromebooks and buying Windows-operated laptops or MacBooks out of habit.
Q: Can I use Word on a Chromebook?
A: Yes, you can not only use Word, but you can also open, edit, download, and convert other Microsoft Office files including but not limited to Excel, PowerPoint, MS Paint, etc.
Q: Can I install Windows on a Chromebook?
A: Well, you can do that, but it is not easy. Chromebooks are not exactly compatible with Windows. If you want Windows to run on a desktop, don’t buy Chromebook.
Conclusion:
And there you have it, the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop. You can quickly get both of them, but always pay attention to your preferences. Both have their own pros and cons, and Chromebook can prove to be a really advantageous gadget if you are up to trying new things.
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