Are Chromebooks Bad? 8 Advantages & Disadvantages

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Why you should get a Chromebook, or why you should avoid them

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: February 8, 2024 Fact Checked

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What are Chromebooks?

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Advantages

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Disadvantages

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Who should get a Chromebook?

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Are Chromebooks bad?

Are you thinking about getting a Chromebook? Maybe you have a Chromebook but think a different laptop might better suit your needs. Chromebooks have a reputation for not being as good as other computers, but they aren't all bad. While Chromebooks do lack the computing power of MacBooks and many Windows laptops, there are some advantages to using a Chromebook. This wikiHow article will teach you the best and worst things about Chromebooks, and help you decide whether a Chromebook is the right laptop for you.

Things You Should Know

Chromebooks are affordable, lightweight, come with cloud storage, and support Android and Linux apps.
Chromebooks are not good for gaming, multimedia editing, or graphic design.
Chromebooks are great for students, teachers, and businesses who use Google Workspace products.

Section 1 of 5:

What are Chromebooks?

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Unlike PCs and Macs, which run on Windows or macOS, Chromebooks use Google's ChromeOS operating system. Chromebooks are more centered around the internet and the cloud than other laptops, and most applications are web-based. ^{[1]
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Section 2 of 5:

Advantages

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Chromebooks don't need the powerful hardware necessary to run Windows or macOS, so they're generally cheaper than traditional laptops. ChromeOS and its web-based apps don't need as much processing power or RAM to run. They also don't need large expensive hard drives, as they rely on cloud storage.
Since Chromebooks don't require the same powerful hardware as other laptops, they tend to be thinner and weigh less. Chromebooks are easy to carry around, making them a convenient laptop option for college students and travelers.
Since Chromebooks don't need battery-intensive hardware, they don't use much power. Battery life on a Chromebook tends to be much better than the average PC laptop or MacBook.
Most apps that run on Chromebooks do not need to be installed on the laptop itself. Instead, you'll access apps online through the Chrome web browser. Because apps are stored in the cloud, they're accessible when you need them, and your data is automatically backed up. It's also easy to transfer your data from one Chromebook to another.
Unlike Windows and macOS, ChromeOS apps do not need to be updated often. Chromebook apps are updated and maintained by Google and third-party developers. You will always have the latest version of the app, and ChromeOS updates automatically.
Because Google uses a compartmentalized approach to security called "sandboxing," all Chromebook apps run in their own environment and cannot interact with other apps or ChromeOS. This makes it harder for viruses and malicious web pages to infect your Chromebook or other apps. ^{[2]
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Windows and macOS software like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud require expensive subscriptions. Google apps like Google Docs and Google Sheets can be accessed within the Chrome web browser for free. You can also install many third-party apps on your Chromebook that cost little to nothing.
Most Chromebooks have access to the Google Play Store, which allows you to download and install your favorite Android apps . You can also install Linux on Chromebooks, which allows you to install and run Linux software. ^{[3]
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Section 3 of 5:

Disadvantages

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Most Chromebooks come with hard drives that are between 32 and 64 GB. This limits the number of apps you can download and use offline. There are Chromebooks that come with larger hard drives, but they are more expensive.
Because Chromebooks rely on cloud storage, you'll need a steady internet connection for your Chromebook to be useful. everything that is done on a Chromebook is done online. If you're not online, your Chromebook has very limited capabilities.
Chromebooks do not have the latest processors. They also generally come with about 4 GB of RAM, which is half the amount of a standard laptop. This means that you may notice your Chromebook start to slow down if you are multitasking and have lots of tabs open. You also can't upgrade the hardware in a Chromebook.
Most Chromebooks do not come with full HD screens. Most come with either 1366 × 768 or 1600 × 900. This means that pictures and videos are not as clear and crisp. There are Chromebooks with full HD (1900 x 1080) and even 4K (3840 x 2160), but they are significantly more expensive.
While Chromebooks do support Android and Linux apps, they lack compatibility with Windows and Mac apps. If you rely on Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud, those apps are not available on Chromebook. You will need to jump through hoops if you want to install iTunes on your Chromebook.
Chromebooks do not have the RAM, CPU, or hard drive space needed to play most of the latest game titles, and most games are not available for Chromebook. While you may be able to install the Android version of Fortnite on your Chromebook, it won't run as well as it would on a Windows PC.
Chromebooks do not offer many great options for multimedia editing. Adobe products are not available on Chromebooks and neither is Pro Tools. While there are web apps for video and photo editing, they are not as good as the desktop versions. Chromebook's low screen resolution and hardware limitations may make it so that it can't handle high resolutions and high-definition media files as smoothly.
While many newer printers are compatible with ChromeOS, older printers may not support wireless printing on a Chromebook. You may need to connect a printer to your Chromebook using a USB cable. ^{[4]
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Section 4 of 5:

Who should get a Chromebook?

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Since Chromebooks are affordable, schools can buy them in bulk and issue them to students and instructors. Many Chromebook apps are geared toward learning and productivity, making them great educational tools.
If you mainly need a computer to check your email, surf the web, and do a little word processing, a Chromebook may be all you need. Chromebooks are inexpensive, easy to set up, and have everything you need to get started right out of the box.
If your business uses Google products like Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Classroom , Chromebooks can be a good option for your employees. Because they are so easy to use, they'll also cut down on your IT support needs.

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