Chromebook vs. laptop: How to find the right device

Windows has dominated the operating system market for decades. Noisy extra around 75 percent of all computers will still be working with Microsoft software in 2022. Of course there are also alternatives. Software developers like to use Linux laptops and photographers or videographers rely on MacBooks. This raises the question of which niche Google wants to conquer with its Chrome OS.

What Linux and MacBooks have in common is that they are (usually) only suitable to a limited extent for normal users. MacBooks are relatively expensive, especially if you only surf on them. Linux, on the other hand, is too uncomfortable as an operating system for most users. It is therefore reasonable to assume that Google wants to serve a target group that is looking for a cheap and easy-to-use computer for surfing and checking e-mails.

Chromebook vs Laptop: The Chromebook Advantages

This target group does not need a lot of power, but appreciates the convenience of a strong battery. Because nothing is more annoying than when the Sunday series marathon on the couch is interrupted by a charging cable. Chromebooks are excellent for precisely this target group, because Chrome OS is a very slimmed-down operating system. This is helpful in this context, because a lean system usually runs better on low-performance hardware than a chunk like Windows 10.

In addition, less powerful hardware naturally consumes less power, which in turn results in a longer battery life. Compared to normal laptops, Chromebooks are also cheaper in bulk: the inexpensive representatives of their category cost between 100 and 150 euros. No wonder Chromebooks are the dominant computers in North American schools. As early as 2020, Google stated that over 50 percent of the computers used in the education sector were Chromebooks.

Incidentally, anyone who owns an Android smartphone also benefits from the Chromebook. Both Android and Chrome OS are programmed by Google. Accordingly, the Android smartphone and Chromebook interact symbiotically. The exchange of images, saved passwords and contact data works almost seamlessly via the Google account. You can of course download your Android apps from the Google Play Store and use them on Chrome OS. This is not so easy with Windows. Emulators are needed here. The central control element of Chrome OS is the in-house Chrome browser.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3

This is a Chromebook that is worthwhile for frequent surfers and series junkies Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3. It has a touchscreen, so you can also use it as a tablet. Perfect when reading on the Chromebook or you like to draw with a pen on the tablet (pen not included). With a size of 11 inches, it is of course not particularly large. The display has a sharp resolution of 2000×1200 pixels. Of course, the supplied keyboard can also be detached from the Chromebook. There is a leg on the back. This is useful if you use the Chromebook in the kitchen, for example, to cook a recipe that flickers across the screen of the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3. According to the manufacturer, the Chromebook’s battery lasts up to twelve hours.

The cons of Chromebooks

Anyone planning to edit Word, Excel or PowerPoint files on the Chromebook will be disappointed. Microsoft Office Suite programs do not run on Chrome OS. Apart from two exceptions: The first solution is to use Word, Excel & Co. via the browser. Unfortunately, this is only possible in a slimmed-down version, but it is sufficient for most users.

Secondly, it is possible to create a virtual machine under Chrome OS that runs Windows and from which you can then use Word & Co. But this is very cumbersome and expensive, because it requires a Chromebook with hardware comparable to a decent laptop and paid software. Here it makes more economic sense to buy a Windows laptop right away. The same applies if users want to edit photos or videos on the laptop with Photoshop & Co. Here, too, the selection of professional software is larger with Windows laptops.

One weakness that Chromebooks and laptops share is connectivity. More and more manufacturers are giving up USB-A, Ethernet or microSD card slots for their models and instead rely entirely on USB-C. This is where a USB-C dongle makes sense for laptops and Chromebooks alike. If you want to gamble on a mobile computer, you should stay away from the Chromebook. Windows will always remain the first choice for gamers. Also because Google wants to stamp out its cloud gaming service Stadia in 2023. It would have been possible to play triple AAA titles on Chromebooks through him.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go

A reasonable laptop for office work with Word, Outlook & Co. is the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go. Compared to the Chromebook presented, it is slightly larger at 12.45 inches. However, you cannot detach its keyboard from it, even though it has a touchscreen. Its resolution is unusual at 1536×1024 pixels and not nearly as sharp as the Chromebook presented. With 128 gigabytes of storage space, it offers twice as much storage space. The same goes for the RAM, which at 8 gigabytes is twice the size of the IdeaPad Duet 3. Unfortunately, Windows 10 only works in S mode on the Surface Laptop Go, which means that you can only install software from the Microsoft app store . The installed Core i5-1035G1 processor from Intel offers four cores fewer than the one Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c (eight cores) in the presented Chromebook, but is significantly more powerful. And the battery performance of the Microsoft laptop is also convincing: According to the manufacturer, it lasts for a whopping 13 hours and thus beats the Chromebook competition. However, the laptop also costs about 150 euros more.

Chromebook vs. Laptop: Who Needs What?

Chromebooks are a good alternative for price-conscious buyers who want to surf, stream and check their email on their computer and appreciate good battery life. The computers also harmonize with Android smartphones. The usual apps from the smartphone also work via the Google Playstore. If you want to use it on a larger screen, you will find a new home in Chromebooks.

Users who want to work in Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint use the classic laptop. With Chromebooks, this is only possible in a slimmed-down form via the browser. Gamers don’t make a Chromebook happy either. In most cases, their hardware is not sufficient for this. The same applies if users want to edit photos or videos. Only the apps from the Google Playstore are available for Chromebooks. However, Photoshop & Co. for Windows offer more comprehensive editing options.

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