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Chromebook buyer's guide: What is a Chromebook, what can and can't it do?

Viable laptop alternatives, or a different class of devices? We explain.
By
April 20, 2023
ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip review 2
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Chromebooks are taking the computer market by storm. They’ve managed to find their own position in the portable computing space, standing against the massive demand for traditional laptops, as well as good tablets like iPads. These machines are in demand at this point, with many opting for a Chrome OS laptop over an affordable Windows laptop.

The need for a traditional computer is no longer dire. Phones and tablets are often more than sufficient for casual users. Chrome OS computers provide bigger screens and a proper keyboard, while also keeping the experience portable and light. Not to mention they tend to be pretty affordable. We’re here to answer all your burning questions — what a Chromebook is exactly, how it differs from a traditional PC, and which one you should buy.

What is a Chromebook?

Google Pixelbook Go Review open with pixel 4
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

You may be used to choosing between Apple’s MacOS and Windows when shopping for a new computer, but Chromebooks have offered a third option since 2011. What is a Chromebook? These computers don’t run the usual Windows or macOS operating systems. Instead, they run on Linux-based Chrome OS.

These are designed to run workflows that generally run in a browser. They have plenty of app support but are mostly not meant for heavy workloads. As a general rule, if the work resides mainly in a web browser, you can use a Chrome OS machine to get it done. In the case of complicated workflows that need specific desktop-level apps, a Chromebook may not be the best fit.

What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop?

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Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Chromebooks aren’t all that different from traditional laptops from a hardware perspective. In fact, most of them are technically laptops, unless they are Chromebook tablets.

They’re portable computing devices that are rather similar to laptops in terms of design and basic hardware. The primary difference comes down to the operating system on board, which is Chrome OS, compared to Windows on traditional laptops, and macOS on MacBooks.

One of the significant hardware differences is the built-in storage space. Given that Chrome OS is relatively light, and most of the apps are really web apps and Android applications, most Chrome OS laptops come with limited internal storage. Most Chrome OS users don’t need a lot of storage, though, and there are always additional storage options like external HDDs/SSDs, if required. You also get an SD card slot with some of these Chromebooks. Not to mention Chrome OS relies heavily on cloud storage.

We have a dedicated Chromebook vs laptop comparison if you want to dig deeper into the differences.

What is Chrome OS?

Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook open on table showing screen and keyboard
Kris Carlon / Android Authority

In the most basic sense, Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system backed mainly by the Chrome browser you probably already know and love. That means anything you can do in Chrome for Windows or Mac, you can also do in Chrome OS.

This may sound like a glorified browser, and it used to be, but things have changed in recent years. Chromebooks can now run Android apps, and some even support Linux applications. This makes Chrome OS laptops helpful for doing more than simply browsing the web. You won’t get the full desktop software portfolio Windows and macOS rock, but millions of Android apps and a wide variety of full Linux desktop apps are at your disposal.

Can you run Windows on a Chromebook?

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

As mentioned above, Chrome OS laptops generally have a lower storage capacity. This makes them less than ideal for running Windows. There are some exceptions these days, though. There are high-end Chromebooks available, as well as gaming Chromebooks. These machines can run Windows, if you really want them to. The process is quite complicated, and can potentially damage your device and/or void your warranty (depending on the method).

We recommend you don’t use Windows on a Chrome OS laptop. If you want Windows, it’s best to get a Windows computer. Although, if you’re looking for a Windows alternative to Chrome OS in general, Microsoft has Windows 11 SE, which is trying to do something similar.

There are Android and Linux apps you can run on a Chrome OS device that will do a better job of getting your work done than installing Windows on a Chrome OS laptop. Additionally, there are also ways of running Windows apps on these Chrome OS laptops. We’ll detail all the possibilities in our dedicated guide, including how to install Windows on a Chromebook.

Chrome OS advantages and disadvantages

ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip review 14
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Chromebooks are perfect for some use cases, and not so ideal for others. Let’s get into the major advantages and disadvantages of these computers.

Advantages

Here are some scenarios where Chromebooks make the perfect computing devices:

  • They’re great for students and light office use. Chromebooks do well with work that must mostly be done in a browser. From the typical work-from-home workflows, including online classes and meetings, to word processing and spreadsheets, Chromebooks do it all. They’re the ideal machines for such work, especially as more and more work in these use cases has moved online with services like Google Docs Editors suite and Office 365, among others.
  • They generally have a better battery life than similarly-priced laptops. Chrome OS is relatively light compared to Windows, which shows when you’re using a Chrome OS laptop for its intended usage. Most of these machines, especially the cheaper ones, will give you a pretty decent battery life.
  • They’re often cheaper. Chromebooks are often relatively more affordable than Windows laptops with the same processor and similar specifications. This has been a significant reason why the education community has adopted them. It’s also led to their growing popularity in the low-end segment of the portable computer market. Premium options can cost quite a lot, but those aren’t for everyone.
  • They’re faster! You need a Windows PC with a lot of power to meet Chromebook performance. These lightweight Chrome OS computers can operate very efficiently. The operating system is straightforward, and mobile hardware is getting very capable.

Disadvantages

Basically, Chrome OS is excellent unless you’re using it for certain types of tasks. Here are some particular situations where they aren’t the best option:

  • They aren’t great for gaming. Sure, Chrome OS laptops have Android app support, so mobile gaming is an option. There are also browser games. But if you’re looking to play high-profile PC games, you should look elsewhere, unless you can live with cloud gaming from services like Xbox Game Pass and GeForce Now. In fact, some newer Chromebooks are built with cloud gaming in mind, and these even have gamer aesthetics. Cloud gaming services require an excellent internet connection, though. Our own Andrew Grush has expressed his thoughts on gaming Chromebooks, and actually managed to play games locally using Steam Beta. Still, the experience, while pretty good, isn’t as polished as in Windows machines. And if you’re spending top dollar on a high-end Chromebook that can run games, you might as well get yourself a Windows machine.
  • These computers aren’t always an excellent option for creative professionals. That’s unless you’re a writer, in which case they work wonderfully. Google Drive is baked in, and there are ways to get Microsoft Office and Skype working. Unfortunately, most of these devices aren’t powerful enough for 3D editing. Even if you pay big bucks for one of the powerful machines, the most popular creative software isn’t available for Chrome OS. Photographers could live off the Lightroom Android app and other mobile editing options, and there are some ways to edit video. Still, most options require significant sacrifices, and/or pretty fast internet.
  • They aren’t powerhouses…though there are exceptions. Many of them are affordable, low-end machines. That means a Chromebook typically can’t handle 500 browser tabs and other intensive tasks. Of course, more powerful options exist. If you really want Chrome OS and the power to run Linux apps, Android apps, and more, you could go for something like the Pixelbook Go or the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2. If you want even more power, check out gaming Chromebooks like the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip.

How to use a Chrome OS computer

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Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

A Chromebook is a computing device at the end of the day and is actually simpler to use than many modern computers. Chrome OS has that going for it on the whole. While different, it won’t really be unfamiliar to most users. It borrows a lot of cues from Android, the Chrome browser, and its ecosystem of apps.

Chrome OS is made for fundamental tasks, and if your machine supports it, you can expand the functionality by installing some Android apps or even some full Linux apps. Below are some guides to help you get the most out of your Chrome OS machine.

How much does a Chromebook cost?

Money Stock Photo 1
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Chromebooks cost as little as $150-$200 and go up to well over a thousand dollars if you want one of the fancy ones. They typically cost less than Windows laptops with similar specifications. There are many sub-$200 Chrome OS laptops, and some pretty good ones under $300 as well. The best value for these machines usually lies under the $500 mark, where you get a solid balance of specifications for the price.

Those with higher-end needs will have to really pay up to get a superior Chrome OS laptop. Such machines can easily cost over $1,000. At that price point, there are many other options to consider, many of which have an entire desktop OS.

Chromebooks and Android app support

Zoom Meetings on Google Play Store for Chromebook 1
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Chromebooks have a solid selection of apps on their own, but it’s no match to Android apps. There is a wide variety of Android apps out there, and they can help enhance the Chrome OS experience greatly. Most Chrome OS laptops released after 2017 support Android apps, but keep in mind not all Android apps are optimized for Chrome OS, except the more popular ones.

Chrome OS laptops that support Android apps get the Google Play Store. This means you have most Android apps available on the Play Store ready for installation. This includes many of the best Android apps out there, including almost any messaging, chat, video call app, music streaming, and video streaming apps. You also get other popular apps like Adobe Lightroom, Google Drive, Gmail, Reddit, VLC, and many more.

Linux app support

Linux app downloaded and open terminal Chromebook

If Android apps aren’t your thing, and you want more of a desktop experience with your Chrome OS laptops, you can install full Linux apps on your machine. If the device runs Chrome OS 69 or later, it can run Linux apps. The process is a little complicated, but it’ll be worth the hassle if you want to unlock the power of Linux apps on a Chrome OS laptop.

Full Linux app support means many full desktop apps are available. A catch here is that these Chrome OS laptops come with both ARM-based and x96 CPUs. Therefore, some of these apps may not work as expected, or at all, depending upon the CPU architecture used in your device. However, if you have an Intel or AMD-based Chrome OS laptop, the chances are you’ll be able to use nearly every Linux app.

We have dedicated guides if you want to check if your Chromebook can run Linux apps, and want to go on and install them.

Who makes Chromebooks?

ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip review 1
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Chromebooks have been widely adopted, and, as a result, more or less every mainstream PC manufacturer makes them. Big laptop makers like ASUS, HP, Acer, Dell, and Lenovo have their own Chrome OS laptops. Many companies offer Chrome OS equivalents of some of their laptop offerings as well. There are also Chromebook offerings available from some lesser-known brands, mainly on the lower end of the market. Google also has its Pixelbook lineup, in case you want that Pixel-like experience with Chrome OS.

Let’s take a look at some of the key Chrome OS laptop manufacturers.

Google Chromebooks

Google Pixelbook Go Review rear profile
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Google’s Chromebook lineup is called Pixelbook, and it’s to Chrome OS what the Pixel phones are to Android. You get a great experience, as Google tries to demonstrate the ideal Chrome OS experience with these machines. Google has three lineups – the Pixelbook lineup, which is the premium and more expensive one, the more affordable Pixelbook Go lineup, and the Pixel Slate lineup. The Pixelbook and Pixel Slate are discontinued, though.

ASUS Chromebooks

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Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

ASUS is one of the most prominent PC makers, and it also carries the same weight in the Chromebook market. We have three main lineups from the company. The basic lineup has the more affordable options, and the Flip lineup has two-in-one designs with premium build and features. ASUS also has a Chromebook Detachable lineup if you like a tablet form factor with the option to attach a keyboard.

More recently, ASUS has started playing around with cloud gaming Chromebooks. The most notable one is the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip.

Acer Chromebooks

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 tent mode
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Acer has quite a few Chromebooks on offer as well. It doesn’t have clearly separated lineups, but it does have a few series labels you can use to identify the class of the Acer Chrome OS laptop in question. The basic series has affordable options here as well. Acer uses the Spin demarcation for its 2-in-1 designs, and the Enterprise range has top-of-the-line premium offerings that cost more. The Enterprise range also gets some Spin variants.

Lenovo Chromebooks

Lenovo Flex 5G rear panel
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Lenovo makes some of the best Chromebooks out there. It splits its offerings in two ways — School and Business. Both contain the basic range, the 2-in-1 range, which uses the Flex moniker, and the detachable range, which uses the Duet name. Lenovo provides some rather premium offerings at relatively affordable price tags. Its Flex range is particularly good value for money.

HP Chromebooks

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Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

HP is a massive player in the traditional laptop space, bringing the same expertise to the Chrome OS offerings. It has a relatively smaller portfolio, but it covers the three essential categories like the other brands mentioned above. The 2-in-1 range is called x360, just like HP’s laptop offerings, and HP uses the “Detachable” tag for the detachable. More recently, we’ve seen HP delve into the cloud gaming Chromebook market with the DragonFly Pro.

Samsung Chromebooks

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 closed up
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Samsung is another brand that keeps its Chrome OS portfolio relatively light. The Premium category has the Galaxy Chromebook, while the sequel, Galaxy Chromebook 2 has slightly lower-tier specifications and fits into the Everyday category. Now there’s also the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360. The Traveler category has the Galaxy Chromebook Go, the Student category has the Chromebook Plus, a 2-in-1, and the Chromebook 4/4 Plus, which are your regular, affordable machines. Samsung doesn’t have a detachable option.

Dell Chromebooks

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Dell’s Chromebook offerings are also available across some of its laptop ranges. The home computing range has the Chromebook 11 lineup, while the business range has a lot of offerings under the Latitude range, with the most expensive ones carrying the Enterprise tag and features to boot. Dell also lacks detachable options, and its convertible options don’t have a separate label, just a 2-in-1 tag added.

Which should I buy?

ACER Chromebook Spin 714 in hand
Austin Kwok / Android Authority

Do you want a Chrome OS machine but aren’t sure which one to buy? Just like Windows PCs, Chrome OS machines come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and form factors. There are larger-screened devices and some that are barely 10 inches in display size.

We have a list of the best Chromebooks you can buy, with various recommendations. Here are our top picks across the key categories.

Here are a few additional buyer guides to help you find the right laptop for your needs. Also, be sure to check out our guide for the best covers and cases.

Other frequently asked questions

As mentioned above, these machines start as low as $150-200, and go on to cost well over a thousand dollars. The sweet spot for these computers is around the $500 mark.

Yes, you can. Chrome OS laptops support Microsoft Office apps available via the Google Play Store. You can also use the web apps. Follow our guide on how to do it.

You can’t run the full version of Adobe Photoshop on one of these devices, but the mobile version is available via the Google Play Store. Check out our guide for more.

You can run some of the best Android games on Chromebooks via the Google Play Store. Theoretically, you should also be able to play some of the full Linux games, but the hardware in these machines isn’t designed for desktop games. Your best bet is cloud gaming, but there’s also Steam Beta.

Bluetooth is a standard feature on laptops these days, and as such, more or less all Chrome OS laptops have Bluetooth.

Just like Bluetooth, cameras are also a standard feature on laptops, and most Chrome OS laptops come with cameras.

These devices run on Chrome OS, which is an operating system that revolves around Google’s Chrome web browser and its apps.

In terms of battery life, most of these machines last between 7-13 hours. Light usage will get the average Chromebook through a typical working day. In terms of longevity, if you buy one from one of the major brands, a Chrome OS laptop will last just as long as the average laptop — between three to five years. Of course, this varies depending on your usage.

Chromebooks are great for educational use. Some college workflows may require using desktop apps that are not available on Chrome OS. However, a Chrome OS machine should do just fine for College workflows that rely on basic tasks like web browsing, documents, presentations, video conferencing, etc.