Laptops with ChromeOS are an innovative alternative to most computers available on the market. If you are looking for a laptop with a simple operating system, that is easy to use, and that is not a pain on your wallet, you are forced to investigate what a Chromebook is, you never know, it could be all you need.
There are a few things to consider before buying a Chromebook, such as its limited hardware and overall capabilities. Read on to learn how Chromebooks perform compared to other options.
The basics
Chromebooks are lightweight laptops that rely heavily on the Google Chrome environment. Although, they do have specific operating system features such as a file manager, an application launcher, a taskbar, etc. Most of your work resides in a Chrome tab. This dependency translates to a low load, allowing for super fast startups and nimble performance on even most low-end rigs.
Like Android, Chrome OS focuses on Google services like Gmail, YouTube, Maps, and Docs. For now, you can still install web-based apps from the Chrome Web Store , which is essentially web-based functional code bundled in a single package that installs, looks like, and works like mobile apps, many of which require a connection. to the internet and others not.
However, Google discontinued the Chrome apps on macOS, Linux, and Windows in June 2020 as they are rarely used. Google will disconnect Chrome applications for Chromebooks in June 2022. Currently, to fill the software gap on Chromebooks it is allowed to use Android applications installed from the Google Play Store.
Local storage is generally limited, but with 100GB online and the option to expand it if desired, it’s enough for most laptop tasks and styles of use. Some Chromebooks come with more storage space, which is obvious, it will cost you more.
The benefit of saving almost anything on the web is that you have access to everything from another computer. Plus, if your Chromebook bites the dust, you won’t have to worry about losing all your apps, documents, and settings.
Finally, screen sizes tend to be more comparable to their Windows counterparts, with everything from miniature 12-inch Chromebooks like the Pixel Slate to 15-inch models like the Lenovo Yoga C630. There are no bigger ones, but Chromebooks work well with external monitors for those who need big screens.
Resolutions can be high. The Pixel Slate screen has a resolution of 3,000 x 2,000 pixels and it looks amazing. There’s even a 4K Chromebook made by Lenovo that we particularly like, and Samsung has one that comes with a 4K AMOLED display and next-gen Intel Comet Lake processors.
Chromebooks work offline
Most Chromebooks connect to the internet using Wi-Fi, although some higher-priced models offer cellular connectivity. However, if you can’t find a signal, there are solutions for many routine tasks; don’t let the heavy dependency on Chrome fool you.
For example, you can compose, read emails with Gmail , work on documents with Google Drive , download and play offline. The apps will automatically save your work and sync with online services when your Chromebook reconnects.
Chromebook performance
The Chromebook’s specs often seem weak compared to its Windows portable counterparts, but that’s because they don’t need to be super powerful. ChromeOS was never intended to run desktop software, or Android apps.
Due to this approach, ChromeOS is light enough that you don’t need the same processing power as a Windows laptop.
What’s more, lower-end components generally require less power to operate, helping to significantly extend the Chromebook’s battery life – another great original selling point.
There are some highlights from Google’s Pixelbook and Pixelbook Go, both of which paved the way for a new generation of premium Chromebooks with high-end hardware and even higher performance.
Most Chromebooks don’t have such impressive specs. They typically offer entry-level processors that are designed to be more energy efficient than number processing or 3D rendering. There are some Core i5 and Core i7 settings, but they feel like overkill on Chrome OS.
The memory can be limited to 2 or 4 GB, which is not much by Windows laptop standards, it is even more than enough for most ChromeOS tasks.
Currently, there are no Chromebooks with dedicated video chips, although some offer more capable integrated graphics than others. The Acer Chromebook 315 offers configurations with an AMD APU that includes Radeon integrated graphics, but even this model is designed to speed up web services, more than games.
Gaming
Gaming is definitely not the Chromebook’s specialty, in part due to limited storage and relatively weak specs.
Some Android games and apps don’t fit well on the larger screens of a Chromebook. In fact, many games are only played in smartphone mode and crash if you expand the view to full screen. Unless they are developed for a tablet, don’t expect them to play on a laptop.
You may not even see your favorite Android games on Google Play when using a Chromebook. That’s due to the computer’s processor. Why? Most smartphones and tablets are based on a different processor design ( ARM) than that used in laptops and desktops (x86). Possibly your favorite game is not written for an Intel processor even though it works fine on your Qualcomm Snapdragon phone.
An alternative for Android games is to install Linux, if you have the space. With this platform, you can use Steam and any game in its library that offers a Linux option, with no additional purchase required.
Even then, the underlying hardware for Chromebooks is generally chosen to speed up web-based tasks and keep the overall price low. Limited storage capacities prevent the installation of large or multiple games, and the performance is far from giving you those excellent frame rates on your favorite AAA games that you are used to.
Even so, we have a list of the best games for Chromebooks if you are interested in what is available and easy to play.
Chromebook limitations
Chromebooks have their strengths, but also weaknesses. At first glance, its biggest flaw is the inability to install traditional desktop software. For example, there doesn’t seem to be any means of installing photo-editing applications like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP.
To compensate, there are plenty of Android and ChromeOS apps that can fill the niches that Windows or macOS tends to take. Unfortunately, the ChromeOS and Android counterparts are not always a perfect alternative, or that great.
None of this is particularly problematic if you are a prolific user of Google products, as all of those services and apps are intertwined with ChromeOS and work well with it. The problem lies with those who want and need more than that from their laptop.
Getting the desktop software on a Chromebook isn’t impossible either. Experienced users can install any Linux-based version of their favorite programs, including GIMP, Discord, LibreOffice, and more, which are the open source alternative for Windows and MacOS.
Unfortunately, you won’t find a Linux version of every desktop app that is available on Windows and MacOS. Sometimes, you will be forced to rely on Android versions or web-based alternatives.
The variety of supported peripherals is not ideal, as new accessories sometimes lack the necessary drivers to function properly on a Chromebook. Support may or may not come later, leaving users limited in their choice of accessories, compared to Windows laptops.
Local storage still tends to be limited between 16 and 64 GB, and it is almost exclusively eMMC flash. That means it is relatively fast, but space is restrictive.
Why so little? Again, Chrome OS was originally designed to be an affordable, lightweight solution that relies on web-based applications. Now that the platform supports Android apps and Linux desktop software, storage needs have exploded, but capabilities are still restricted.
That’s where Google Cloud comes in. You get 100GB of free cloud storage for 12 months, but after that, you are charged $ 20 annually, which is not bad. Other Google One plans range from 200GB to 10TB, costing up to $ 100 per month.
The Chromebook’s low storage pushes you to rely on subscription-based cloud services. However, an alternative solution is to install an SD card, as long as the laptop includes a slot. Currently, you cannot download Android applications to an SD memory and the capacity of these varies by model.
You can also use an external hard drive if you want more local storage space.
Should you buy a Chromebook?
First, ask yourself this question: why do I need a laptop? Dig deeper and consider what you need from a laptop.
If you need a laptop to enjoy Netflix, surf the web and write emails, we highly recommend that you buy the best one. They are cheaper than their Windows counterparts and they are fast and responsive. They work particularly well with Google software and services, so if you use Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Docs regularly, a Chromebook might be ideal for you.
Most importantly, if you are looking to buy a laptop for less than $ 500, you will probably end up with a better experience using a Chromebook. Windows laptops at that price are often bulky, have poor battery life, and don’t perform as well.
If you want a laptop for high-resolution gaming, 4K video editing, or other high-performance multitasking scenarios, forget about a Chromebook.
Chromebooks are great at what they can do. The low price is of particular interest, which makes them perfect for a certain audience. Note taking and media viewing are very student-centric tasks, and a limited budget is a hallmark of that audience base.
Ultimately, Chromebooks may not be as capable as many Windows laptops or Apple MacBooks, but they are more than enough for some people.
They are certainly not for everyone, but if you think they might be a good option for you, give it a try. You will be surprised how much you can like it.
