Chromebook has emerged from its niche category and is not only suitable for kids and students. Laptop manufacturers are now launching Chromebooks with powerful internals that can easily rival the best laptops based on Windows and macOS. Further, Google added support for Linux and brought many UI improvements to Chrome OS, turning it into a desktop-class operating system. Keeping all these points in mind, it seems Chromebook is finally ready to confront the competition head-on. So in this article, we bring you a detailed analysis of the differences between Chromebook vs laptops. From performance and security to battery life and user interface, we have compared laptops and Chromebooks exhaustively. So without wasting time, let’s find out who wins the Chromebook vs laptop battle in 2023.
Since Chromebooks are far less popular among users, we have tried to explain the features in more detail. Also, we are using Windows as our main comparison tool, but most of these points remain valid for other desktop operating systems like Linux and macOS. Having said that, let’s begin our comparison:
- Comparing the Operating SystemsChromebook vs Laptop: HardwarePerformance and BenchmarkUser Interface and User ExperienceChromebook vs Laptop: App SupportGaming SupportOffline SupportVoice AssistantSecurityBattery LifeChromebook vs Laptop: Pricing
Comparing the Operating Systems
The prime difference between Chromebook and laptops lies in their operating system. Simply put, Chromebook runs Chrome OS — a lightweight, Linux-based operating system developed by Google. On the other hand, laptops mostly run Windows and macOS, which are developed by Microsoft and Apple respectively. So how does Chrome OS fare against Windows and macOS in this battle of Chromebook vs laptop?
All these numbers indicate that Chrome OS has a small footprint on the hardware resources and that reflects in its performance (more on this below). For now, we can infer that Chromebooks have little resource overhead in comparison to laptops, mostly because of the lightweight operating system.
However, there is a reason why Windows is so heavy and resource-intensive. If you want to play graphics-heavy games, do 3D modeling or create large document projects, Windows stands as a reliable platform. I have discussed the capabilities of both operating systems in detail ahead, so read on to get a better idea about both ecosystems.
Since Chromebook does not run on a demanding operating system, it does not need top-of-the-line hardware. You can run Chrome OS on any low-powered chipset without worrying about performance. For example, you can comfortably use Chrome OS on Celeron or Pentium processors, which, by the way, are not counted among the best chipsets and can get fairly decent performance.
Coming to laptops running Windows and macOS, you need a powerful processor to get the operating system running. As these operating system are demanding, you need at least an Intel i3 to get a decent performance out of the laptop. This translates to more cost, but you can perform several tasks that Chrome OS inherently lacks like video editing and gaming (somewhat, as we explain more on this below).
Performance and Benchmark
After understanding the difference in terms of OS and hardware, we can move on to the performance front and find out who wins the battle between Chromebook vs laptop. Let me put it straight, Chromebooks perform far better than traditional laptops as far as general tasks are concerned.
To give you an example, I use an Intel i5-powered Chromebook and a similarly-specced i5-powered Windows laptop regularly for my work purposes, and the performance difference is significant. After turning on the Chromebook, I am able to sign in within seconds, whereas the Windows laptop takes considerable time to boot. Further, after sign-in, Chromebook is ready to perform whereas the Windows laptop takes some more time to start its services and become functional.
The difference in performance is understandable, though, as Windows has been in existence for years and has added libraries for games, developer tools, recovery tools, drivers, network utilities, support for third-party applications, and innumerable other things. On the other hand, Chromebook does not have the burden of maintaining compatibility with so many things. It does not have support for native apps, games, special software, or countless third-party utilities.
User Interface and User Experience
Chromebook was first conceptualized in 2009, so the underlying operating system is quite modern in comparison to Windows laptops. You have a centered taskbar, an app launcher similar to what we have on smartphones, a quick setting panel, and more. Basically, Chrome OS seems inspired by the smartphone interface, particularly by the Android design language.
Apart from that, the positive result of following the smartphone design language is that you get a granular permission system similar to Android. It basically means that unlike Windows, apps and websites on your Chromebook need explicit permission to access local files, microphone, webcam, notifications, etc.
Having said that, the reason Chromebooks feel so responsive and snappy is perhaps because of this minimal approach. Sure, Windows laptops have tons of file explorer and UI customization features, but that is exactly why it feels sluggish — features packed to the brim but of little use for general users. So to conclude, in comparison to laptops, Chromebooks fall short on UI customization and file management features. However, the user experience remains solid because of the mobile-driven UI, gestures, tablet mode, notification, and permission controls.
Chromebook vs Laptop: App Support
If you are confused about whether to choose a Chromebook vs laptop, this section would help you quickly make a decision. Chromebooks primarily support web and Android apps. By web apps, I mean websites that work and behave more like an app with offline support. They are also called PWA (Progressive Web Apps). For example, Twitter, Pixlr, Spotify, Zoom, and more, all offer web apps and they work absolutely great, often better than native apps found on Windows laptops. In fact, companies are increasingly moving towards PWA apps, including Windows, which has started hosting web apps on Microsoft Store.
In addition to that, you also have access to Android apps on Chromebooks. And the best part is that Android apps are optimized to work in full-screen mode with mouse and keyboard support. You have access to many quality Android apps like Microsoft Word and drawing apps on Chromebook straight from the Play Store. However, keep in mind that some Android apps don’t offer the full set of desktop features on Chromebook (like Microsoft Word) as you would get on a Windows laptop.
Coming to Windows laptops, there is not much to write home about app support. Since the platform has been in existence for the last four decades, laptops enjoy incredible support from developers around the world. From basic photo-editing apps to professional-grade software, laptops have wider support, and you can get dedicated native apps and utilities for almost everything.
Another big win for laptops is the app features. While the same apps may exist on both platforms, the apps on Windows devices offer more features. Take Microsoft Word as an example. Since you can only use the mobile app or web app version of Word on Chromebooks, you are using a watered-down version of the app. Having said that, Chromebooks have also improved, and there is almost everything available for a general user. Not to mention, with the Linux support in tow, Chromebooks have become a solid machine for developers too.
In the gaming war between Chromebook vs laptops, there is simply no competition as far as local gaming is concerned. Chromebooks are not the best gaming machines, and you should look at laptops for locally playing games, preferably a Windows laptop (not MacBook). Some good Android games are available on Chromebook, and they run well, but again, you won’t find AAA titles and other popular games natively.
That said, with Linux support, you can install Steam on your Chromebook and play FPS games like CS: GO, but you will need larger storage and a powerful processor. Google has also released a new Borealis container (Steam Gaming) to bring support for major AAA titles through Steam, but it’s in beta, and only a handful of Chromebooks support it. If you are fine with cloud-gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, etc., you are going to get the best gaming experience on Chromebooks.
You can run most of the PC titles on your Chromebook, and they run great. The new Gaming Edition Chromebooks are also gaining traction as they come with RGB lighting and other gamer-centric design features. Overall, you should go with a Windows laptop if you want the best gaming experience, but Chromebooks will not disappoint you if you are content with cloud gaming.
Contrary to popular misconception, you can use Chromebooks even when you are offline. You can log in to your Chromebook, play songs or watch downloaded movies, use offline apps, continue writing documents, and much more. For instance, to use Pixlr (photo editing website) while offline, all you have to do is create a PWA of the website. Click the “Install” button in the address bar and an app will be created.
Now, you can use it even when you are offline. In case, a website does not have offline support, you can download its Android counterpart. For example, Office 365 (now called Microsoft 365) does not have a PWA, so you can download Microsoft Word or Excel from the Google Play Store, and it comes with offline support.
Many companies tried their hands at voice assistants, but Google Assistant still remains the reigning champion. And the best part is that Chromebooks ship with Google Assistant support, including a dedicated Assistant button on the keyboard. With Google Assistant enabled in Chrome OS, you can ask questions, create a timer, play songs, set a reminder, and more, and everything will be synced to your Android smartphone. Check out some popular Google Assistant commands to enhance your experience.
Similarly, all calendar notifications from your smartphone will appear on your Chromebook. How awesome is that? In contrast, Cortana on Windows laptops is almost dead, and it fails to recognize your voice instructions most of the time. I would say, in the Chromebook vs laptop battle, Chromebook records a thumping win in the voice assistance department.
In terms of security, Chromebooks are considered one of the most secure devices, and it’s partly because of the update mechanism. Google tightly controls the update mechanism on Chromebooks, unlike Windows laptops where the update system is plain horrible, even on the Windows 11 release. Since Chromebooks are made for general users, Google has devised a seamless way to update the operating system.
It works in such a way that users don’t even realize that their machine got updated. With something called a Seamless Update Mechanism, the update gets downloaded in the background and installed in a secondary partition. Now, when you restart your Chrome OS device, the boot slot is switched and the OS is updated within seconds. So if you want a secure and no-frills machine, especially for general users that updates in a jiffy, I would recommend Chromebook over laptops any day.
As mentioned above, Chromebook is powered by a lightweight OS and there is no overhead, hence, no strain on the crucial resources. As a result, you get stellar battery life on Chromebooks. I use a Chromebook and Windows laptop side by side, and the former lasts me more than 10 hours of continuous usage on a single charge whereas the latter fizzles out in just 4 hours.
Chromebook vs Laptop: Pricing
The final point we need to discuss is the pricing. Since Chromebooks can run on older hardware, you can find capable Chromebooks starting at around $300. You can go even cheaper if you want to, but it’s at the $300 price mark that you get capable devices for daily use. Lately, Chromebooks are also getting pricier with the release of Gaming Edition Chromebooks and top-tier machines from Acer and HP. If you are into development, these expensive Chromebooks for gaming can handle your needs.
On the other hand, buying a good Windows machine will cost you upwards of $500. The entry point for a macOS notebook is $999, so there’s no point in discussing it here. The bottom line is that if you have budget constraints, you will be better off buying a capable Chromebook than an average laptop for the same price.
To find out whether Chromebook or laptop is suitable for your needs, you should begin with the objective first. What do you want to do on a computer? If you want to browse the web, write articles, create presentations, watch videos, edit photos, or draw a sketch, Chromebook is a perfect pick and way better than traditional laptops. Performance, battery life, and security are top-notch on Chromebooks.
