Buying a new laptop can be pretty daunting, and one of the first things you might want to know is whether you need a Chromebook or a laptop.
What is the difference between Chromebook and a laptop? We will compare them in different categories and draw a conclusion at the end.
Don’t forget that in the end you are the one who has to make the decision based on your preferences. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about Chromebook versus Laptop.
What is the difference between a chrome book and a laptop?
When you talk about laptops, you mean either Windows or Apple laptops, but Chromebooks are laptops too. However, Chromebooks are so special that they have their own category that it makes sense to discuss the difference right away.
Chromebooks are lightweight, portable laptops that are used at school, in business and at home. Most are designed for the Internet and run on Chrome OS, a Linux-based system that offers more privacy and security.
Chromebook vs. laptop
Laptops can have different operating systems, such as Windows or Mac OS, and you can usually find laptops with much more hardware. If you choose Chrome OS, you are certainly limited in terms of performance when it comes to intensive use.
Equipment
Chrome books usually have Pentium or Atom chips, and there are several that have an Intel Core i3, sometimes a Core i5, rarely a Core i7, and AMD is rare.
You don’t really pick your gear. You can only see which model best suits your needs. Chromebooks usually don’t have a lot of storage space, so data is stored in the cloud. This means you don’t have to worry about hard disk storage versus SSD storage and the like.
Chrome books
Laptops offer much more powerful hardware, and you can often customize them manually – which in some cases is not the case with Chromebooks, because it’s difficult to disassemble them and find certain parts on the Internet.
Let’s not forget that there are many more options to choose from as there are more laptops on the market than Chromebooks.
In general, you should use a regular laptop if you want powerful equipment or if you want to customize it. If you know you’re not doing too complicated tasks, or if you don’t mind doing something more user-friendly with less power consumption, Chromebook will do a good job.
Software
Chromebook runs under Chrome OS, which is very similar to most Android operating systems. It is based on applications downloaded from their store, and you can hardly install anything there. For example, you cannot get a real offline office software package because it is not pre-installed with Microsoft Office 365 and you can only use it via a browser. Instead, you get a G-Suite, an alternative to Google.
If you want to use your device without a network connection, Chromebooks is not a productive choice for you. They run on Google applications such as Gmail, Google Drive, G Suite and others. It all depends very much on the network.
Windows and MacOS laptops accept most third-party programs, so you can download anything you want. You also work offline in more situations and rely on physical storage instead of hard drives, but you can also use hard drives if you like.
Most people find these operating systems quite easy to use, but keep in mind that they can’t offer as much privacy as Chromebook. Moreover, they are more adaptable, but at the same time they cause more problems.
Price
Chrome books are usually cheaper, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best choice. Chromebooks hardware is not that advanced. But the operating system is also less demanding, so you get reliable performance for networking, file and document management and media enjoyment.
If you compare two models, a laptop and a Chromebook with very similar hardware, the Chromebook is cheaper. This is mainly due to the fact that when you buy Chromebooks, you pay for the portability, practicality and light weight of the construction.
Style
Many people have a personal opinion about what is beautiful and what is not, but usually chrome books are smaller and thinner, making them a little smoother. However, some aluminium laptops can be much more aesthetic, so you need to decide when to choose a particular model.
Powerful playbook
Powerful playbookMoreover, one can expect nothing but a plastic cover for Chromebooks in a lower price range. This is a big difference between the Chromebook and the notebook, because there are cheaper notebooks with an aluminum construction.
Practical power
When it comes to weight and portability, Chromebooks wins. They tend to be smaller, almost always lighter, so Chromebook tends to be always Chromebook as opposed to the laptop for university solutions.
Another thing that makes Chromebooks more convenient is the fact that they are cloud and disk driven, which means you can access all the information you need from other devices as long as you are connected to the Internet.
However, everyone defines the practical aspect differently, and some people find it useful to have configuration options that Chromebook lacks.
In short, Chromebook is portable and lighter, but you can’t fully customize it.
Chrome book vs. laptop: Final reflection
Which is better, a Chromebook or a laptop? It depends on your personal needs and what you prefer on your device. Most people agree that Chromebook is a great portable option, but if you have to work hard, you should buy a laptop or a more powerful PC at home.
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