Chromebook VS Laptops

There are several distinct differences between a Chromebook and a normal laptop that you need to be aware of before being drawn in by that low price. Chromebook have been growing in popularity, especially this year. In the second quarter of 2020, they reached a milestone of being 25% of the total quarterly notebook shipments. Factors for the growing popularity of this budget notebook include:

• More distance learning during the pandemic
• Families & businesses watching their budget
• Low price
• Ease of use

Standard computers will usually run either Windows or the macOS. Some may even run Linux. Users have more flexibility with these operating systems, including multiple settings and device-based applications.

Chromebook run Google’s Chrome OS, which is a completely different type of operating system. It’s a glorified version of a Chrome browser, which is made to look similar to a Windows desktop.

One of the biggest differences between a Chromebook and a normal Laptop is that Chromebook are designed to use web-based applications. When you launch an app, it will open in a new tab in Chrome.

Normal laptops allow you to download software and use it from your PC. This includes programs like Photoshop, iTunes, Skype, QuickBooks, etc. This is a big limitation of the Chrome operating system, which doesn’t accommodate software run from a hard drive, and instead is geared to have you use everything in a browser. You can also download certain apps to run on Chromebook, but they’re not always designed for the environment (being made for smartphones or tablets), so may not look native to the notebook.

​​Chromebook are very popular for students as 1:1 classroom devices and for use at home by children because they’re streamlined and inexpensive. They also have far fewer settings and do not have the ability to download software to the hard drive, making them less susceptible to user errors or security problems. If you work mainly with web applications and are just looking for something to use that’s bigger than a tablet and gives you the flexibility of a keyboard and mouse, then Chromebook could be an excellent option.

If you need to use software on your computer, whether it’s an industry-specific software or programs like Photoshop or QuickBooks, then you’ll want to stick with a standard laptop. Laptops are going to be the best choice for most companies and at-home workers, so they’ll have the flexibility of running the programs they need to and work either online or offline.

I am more of a Chromebook person, therefore I would like to give you a few options for a Chromebook that you can buy right now.

Chromebook Detachable CM3

One of the best options of a Chromebook right now is the Lenovo Chromebook Duet and it was about time, the users had a few more options to choose from and that’s where ASUS jumps right in. It is designed to deliver performance beyond the known parameters to make the experience rich and satisfactory for the user. Much like a Surface Go 2, the keyboard cover clings on magnetically, with the tablet itself having a detachable fold-out stand on the rear that can hold it at multiple angles. The display is a 10.5-inch 1920 x 1200 multi-touch panel, with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Inside, there’s a MediaTek MTK8183 processor with 4GB of LPDDR4X memory and either 64GB or 128GB of storage.

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5

With a powerful 10th Gen Intel Core i3 chip, a beautiful 13-inch 1080p touchscreen, backlit keyboard, and remarkably reasonable price, the Flex 5 is a great Chromebook for just about everyone. Despite a slim and lightweight build, the Flex 5 has a 360-degree hinge for easy conversion to tent or tablet mode, along with upward-firing stereo speakers, and support for both USI Stylus and Wi-Fi 6 for power-users.

Acer Chromebook 713

Best Chromebook for gaming and performance

If you need performance and power in your Chromebook, you’ll want to look at a Project Athena Chromebook so that you know it’s powerful, fast, and secure. This 13.5-inch 2-in-1 outdoes the rest of the current Project Athena crop in ports, durability, and value, giving you a robust laptop for hundreds less than its competitors. There’s even an HDMI port built-in, for professionals that are constantly hooking up to external monitors or the projector in the conference room.