Which laptop should I buy: Chromebook or Windows?

Here are some things to consider when choosing between these two pieces of hardware.

Work on the web? Go for Chromebooks!

The pandemic has made working from home necessary, and many people remain resistant to returning to the office, at least for the entire workweek. Many web-based tools like Slack make it easier for teams to stay in touch, no matter where they are.

Now, doing office work on the web is also becoming more popular. Google Docs is a popular online word processor because it makes it easy to work on documents with others.

If you use web-based tools like these, you should seriously consider a Chromebook.

Want a neat computer? Choose a Chromebook!

Although Windows has long led the laptop market, it has been around for so long that it has quite a burden. Many Windows machines come with a plethora of programs and utilities. They are pre-installed whether you want them or not. People call these programs "bloatware".

In contrast, Chromebooks are much neater. The only software you'll find are the apps installed by default. This is why Chromebooks have a reputation for being lightweight.

You are a student? Chromebooks may be the ideal choice

Chromebooks have become popular in schools. This is likely due to Chrome OS's simplicity as well as its low hardware costs compared to standard Mac laptops and PCs. These are the reasons why more and more schools are issuing Chromebooks to their students.

In a Keyword blog post, Google claims that more than 50 million students and teachers use Chromebooks.

Using Office apps? Stick with Windows!

Even though Microsoft has made Office, or rather Microsoft 365, available online (including on Chromebooks), if you use a lot of Office apps, Windows is still the best choice for you.

Serious about budget issues? Pick up a Chromebook!

Chromebooks have become popular thanks to their low price. While you can buy high-end models, such as the Chromebook Plus line, entry-level machines don't have much lower specs, as long as you can accept some compromises in build quality.

You can get a good basic Chromebook laptop for under $500.

Are you a Linux fan? Go for Chromebooks!

If you're a Linux fan, a Chromebook might be a better choice. While you can run a Linux development environment on both Chrome OS and Windows, Chromebooks have the upper hand because the operating system is based on Linux.

Windows is best for gamers

Although Chromebook gaming laptops have made many advances, the Windows gaming market has a much longer history, dating back to the days of MS-DOS. Most popular games are available on Windows. Chromebooks will limit you to primarily web-based, Android, Linux, and streaming games.

The Chromebook gaming market is still very new and it's unclear what the level of long-term support will be.

Want strength? Stick with Windows!

If you care about performance, you should probably choose a standard Windows laptop. There are more high-end laptops, like the Dell XPS line, than Chromebooks. Professional software, such as Adobe's creative apps, is also much more developed on Windows - although Lightroom is available as an Android app from the Google Play Store.

Chromebooks tend to use less powerful processors, especially in the low-end options. Their software base is also limited to web, Android and Linux apps, as well as Chromebook games. However, remember that you will be able to install powerful Linux tools like GIMP and ImageMagick.

While choosing between a Windows laptop and a Chromebook may seem difficult, it comes down to what you're using the device for. If you're looking for a simple, uncomplicated computer, you should consider a Chromebook. If you need more power for increased productivity, go for a Windows machine.

Jessica Tanner

Update 03 November 2023