Computers have improved very much over the past couple of decades. A super high-end PC from two decades ago is worthless. It is a waste of space. They were once heavy blocks of plastic and metal that required a suitcase to carry around. Now they are thin and sleek notebooks that you can take with you anywhere.
The cheapest and most lightweight laptops of today are technically something else. These are known as Chromebooks. You must have stumbled across this term while surfing for a new laptop without knowing what it means. There is a lot of difference between a Chromebook and a regular laptop.
What do you mean by Chromebook?
The Chromebook term is used to describe not just laptops but also tablets and two-in-one devices running on Google’s Chrome OS. Chromebooks first appeared on the market as a successor to notebooks in 2010. The history of Netbooks tablets and Chromebooks is an interesting one.
Chromebooks can appear indistinguishable from a regular laptop at first glance. It still has the same flip-up design. It has a similar screen and a keyboard. The main difference is in the software. They offer different user experiences. The difference between Chromebooks and laptops runs deeper than that.
Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system. It is much lightweight than Windows or Mac OS. It is heavily reliant on the internet and cloud storage. Chrome OS is a kind of mobile operating system other than desktop.
It can run android apps from the Google Play Store. This feature has its benefits but also has some drawbacks.
Comparison Between Chromebook and Laptop
Comparison between Chromebook and Laptop will have the results known by everyone. But it depends upon the person’s needs and preferences as a user. Both devices excel in different things and offer different advantages.
Screens and Keyboards
The screens on Chromebooks are smaller than they are on laptops. This can be a major issue if you want more screen size. It can reduce productivity, especially multitasking. If the screen size is smaller, then the keyboard size is smaller as well.
The keyboards of Chromebooks are far from ergonomics. So if you need to do a lot of typing, then go for traditional laptops.
Compatibility
It depends upon what types of applications do you plan to run on your portable computer. If you want to play games or run professional applications, then a Windows or Mac OS laptop is a great and only choice. However, all chrome os does not even support Microsoft office.
On the other hand, if you mainly need a device for web browsing, casual gaming, or work through all apps on Chrome OS, Chromebooks can become a strong solution.
Storage
Chrome OS relies heavily on cloud storage and internet connection. This is because the Chromebooks come with limited local storage. This is a tremendous issue for those who do not have access to a stable internet connection.
Many people prefer having their files stored locally. However, you can connect an external storage device to a Chromebook. This will not match the portability of Chromebooks.
Battery Life
Another benefit of Chromebooks is their long battery life. It is because Chrome OS is such a lightweight system that it does not need much hardware power to operate. In other words, battery life can go much longer on a single charge than on any laptop; it makes Chromebooks more portable. They are smaller and can be carried around and used without the charging cable.
High-End Chromebooks
High-end Chromebooks are also available in the market. But there is no situation where it would be preferable over High-end gaming laptops. You can also get a two-in-one Chromebook
Conclusion
Chromebooks are great if you need a portable and affordable device with great battery life and a simple operating system. It can be easily used for browsing, casual gaming, and basic productivity tasks. Chromebooks are not suited for more severe gaming and professional applications due to limited hardware. So, if you want a device for editing or gaming, you should select laptops or MacBooks.
Source :-
