Is a Chromebook Right for You? Pros and Cons to Be Aware Of

Maybe your child introduced one house from faculty. Or possibly you’ve got seen them discounted throughout a sale and thought, “What’s a Chromebook and how’s it different from my laptop?”  Put merely, Chromebooks are laptops operating on Google’s Chrome-based working system, ChromeOS. If you are used to utilizing Windows or MacOS computer systems, ChromeOS is not too far off, but it surely nonetheless could not have all of the performance you want. But then once more, possibly it does. With some Chromebooks even dipping under $300, you may stand to avoid wasting a bundle of money by nixing the options you do not use anyway.  Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based opinions. Add CNET as a most popular Google supply.I’ve been testing and reviewing Chromebooks since they first arrived in 2011. Those early gadgets had restricted performance and relied on a constant web connection. But in comparison with immediately’s Chromebooks, they’re relics of a bygone period. Modern Chromebooks and ChromeOS are stuffed with helpful options, and may do absolutely anything you wish to do — from primary work and college duties to gaming and content material creation to planning your subsequent trip with Gemini AI. (Also, in case you do not feel like studying this and would simply fairly expertise ChromeOS, here is how one can briefly run it on any laptop computer utilizing a reasonable USB flash drive you in all probability have already got mendacity round.) Watch this: Control Your Chromebook With Gestures and New AI Features
04:14 What can and may’t I do with a Chromebook? When ChromeOS launched, it was basically Google’s Chrome net browser. For these used to an working system like Windows and Mac, it made the typical Chromebook seem to be little greater than a laptop computer that runs an online browser, and that is all.  Even if ChromeOS by no means matured a lot past that, rather a lot could be executed solely on the internet nowadays. Take inventory of every part you do each day, and you could discover there’s nothing you’ll be able to’t accomplish with ChromeOS at its most elementary degree.  That stated, a Windows laptop computer or MacE book can run the Chrome browser and different software program supported by these working methods. Even in case you do not instantly want a selected piece of software program, it is good to have the choice. Plus, in case you’re searching for a Chromebook for distant studying with Google Classroom, a Mac or Windows PC will work for that as nicely. Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus is a superb selection in case you’re in search of all the newest ChromeOS options and an enormous 15.6-inch show.  Josh Goldman/CNETAlong these strains, Chromebooks are usually not natively appropriate with Windows or Mac software program. One of the large hurdles right here for many individuals is entry to Microsoft Office. You cannot set up the complete Windows or MacOS desktop variations of Office software program on a Chromebook. Instead, Chromebooks use progressive net apps and Android apps you’ll be able to obtain from the Google Play Store.  Sticking with Microsoft Office for example, you should use Office 365 on-line and set up the Office progressive net apps. PWAs act similar to cell apps, so you should use them offline, get notifications and pin them to the taskbar. But usually talking, in case you want or need a particular Windows or Mac software — and there isn’t any appropriate net or Android app substitute — do not get a Chromebook.  The Google Play Store does have an entire world of Android apps, and plenty of web sites can be found as progressive net apps. (Google has plans to combine extra of Android into ChromeOS, so I’m hoping for much more app compatibility within the close to future.) Also, in case you’re contemplating a Chromebook as a secondary gadget to a Mac or Windows PC, you’ll be able to use Windows or Mac software program on a Chromebook through the use of Chrome’s Remote Desktop characteristic, and it really works rather well, assuming each computer systems have a strong net connection. Read extra: ChromeOS’ AI-Powered Tools Are SuperbAlso, if it’s essential to do demanding picture and video enhancing, particularly in case you’re coping with massive recordsdata edited domestically, you may need a Windows laptop computer MacE book. There are a number of cloud-based and cell app choices obtainable for picture and video enhancing, together with Adobe instruments, so it is potential to do some pro-level enhancing on a Chromebook. Google’s personal Photos app, which now has highly effective Gemini AI instruments, additionally has some sturdy enhancing capabilities. But you will not have the choice to put in Windows or Mac software program, or the efficiency for advanced rendering duties.   Can you sport on a Chromebook? The brief reply is sure. However, it may not be the gaming expertise you are after. With streaming sport companies like Nvidia GeForce Now, Amazon Luna and Xbox Cloud Gaming, Chromebooks can play greater than Android and browser-based video games (although they’re nice for these, too). There are actually instruments constructed into ChromeOS to make gaming extra enjoyable, and even gaming Chromebooks with quicker 120Hz shows and RGB lighting. But if PC gaming is your aim, an entry-level Windows gaming laptop computer is a greater beginning place. Acer’s Chromebook Plus 516 GE is nice for ChromeOS gaming and is only a nice Chromebook generally.  Josh Goldman/CNET What is an effective Chromebook? Years in the past, all Chromebooks have been just about the identical, no matter what firm made them. Now, there is a far better number of laptops and two-in-ones — convertibles and tablets — to benefit from ChromeOS’s present capabilities. You’ll nonetheless discover extra sizes and kinds on the subject of Windows laptops, particularly in case you want actually highly effective processing and graphics efficiency, however the number of choices is significantly better than up to now.  Watch this: Here’s why a Chromebook may be all of the laptop computer you want
05:25 If you are simply after a great, primary expertise with a Chromebook, the small, light-weight OS has minimal {hardware} necessities. Having a quicker, higher-end processor, extra reminiscence and better storage for recordsdata and apps will assist preserve demanding multitaskers transferring alongside; an Intel Core sequence, AMD Ryzen or MediaTek processor, 8GB of reminiscence and a 128GB solid-state drive for storage will take you far, however definitely drives up the price. Here’s what I like to recommend when I’m requested what primary Chromebook specs to search for: Intel Core, AMD Ryzen, Qualcomm or MediaTek processors4GB of reminiscence64GB of storageFull HD (1,920×1,080 or 1,920×1,200 pixels) showHowever, there may be one other class of gadgets known as Chromebook Plus. These fashions have a base customary of specs, so that you’re assured the next degree of efficiency and options no matter value. All Plus fashions embrace not less than: 12th-gen Intel Core i3, AMD Ryzen 3 7000, MediaTek Kompanio Ultra processor or better8GB or extra of reminiscence128GB or extra of storage1080p IPS LCD or higher1080p webcam with temporal noise reductionRegardless of what Chromebook you purchase, before you purchase it, it is best to discover out the gadget’s Auto Update Expiration date, or AUE. Currently, non-Google {hardware} is just supported for therefore lengthy earlier than it stops receiving ChromeOS and browser updates, together with these for safety. Chromebooks now obtain 10 years of computerized updates from the preliminary launch of the gadget. Models launched previous to 2021 have been usually good for 7 or 8 years, however some options and companies may not be supported. Google maintains a listing of AUE dates for all fashions, and it is best to verify it before you purchase a Chromebook, new or used.  Do Chromebooks want an web connection? When Chromebooks first launched, they mainly grew to become paperweights after they have been offline — an actual concern in case you have been in the course of enhancing an vital doc and also you immediately could not save your work as a result of your net connection dropped. That’s fortunately now not the case as Google improved offline capabilities and customary apps like Netflix, YouTube and Spotify have offline choices as nicely.  Read extra: Best VPNs for ChromeFor an everyday laptop computer, being offline is rather less of an issue because you’re extra usually utilizing put in software program that saves to inner storage. While neither expertise is nice offline nowadays, Chromebooks are usually not an awesome selection in case you’re not keen and capable of be on-line more often than not. On the upside, Google has made it straightforward for Android customers to show their telephones into on the spot cell hotspots and to have Chromebooks and Android gadgets work higher collectively.  Are Chromebooks low-cost? Because ChromeOS has decrease {hardware} necessities, Chromebooks could be lighter, smaller and last more than the typical laptop computer. They’re additionally usually cheaper. New Windows laptops for $200 are few and much between and, frankly, are hardly ever value shopping for. Finding a great Chromebook between $200 and $300, alternatively, is fairly straightforward to do. Even the higher-end Chromebook Plus fashions begin at $399 and go on sale for much less. While spending extra will get you higher construct high quality, extra options or quicker efficiency, even premium Chromebooks usually keep under $800, together with the most effective Chromebook I’ve examined this 12 months, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14.  Read extra: Best VPNs for 2025With Windows laptops, you usually have to spend $700 or extra to get a skinny, light-weight mannequin with respectable efficiency and battery life that can maintain its efficiency for years to come back. The similar goes for MacBooks.  Josh Goldman/CNET The simplicity of a Chromebook cannot be beat. If every part you do could be executed in an online browser or with net or Android apps, there’s little purpose to not go together with a ChromeOS gadget. Matt Elliott/CNET With a broad vary of designs, sizes and kinds that may be configured with all types of parts and obtainable with costs going from a pair hundred {dollars} to hundreds, a Windows or Mac laptop computer provides better selection in efficiency and use, particularly if you wish to simply use software program or play video games solely obtainable on these working methods.