Should You Buy A Chromebook Or A Laptop
Picking up a laptop used to be fairly straightforward. It was a choice between a Windows laptop or MacBook, with a well-established tribal loyalty to each. Today, the two are arguably a lot closer than theyve ever been, and a newer challenger has entered the ring the Chromebook.
With their cheaper prices and simple approach, Chromebooks are becoming a smarter choice than regular laptops. In fact, unless you have to run a certain program that’s only available on Windows , we’d argue a Chromebook is the best purchase. They’re also quite secure, which will help guarantee that you aren’t the victim of a security breach.
More computing happens online, rather than on your computer itself, these days. Your email account? Synced via the cloud. Your documents? Backed up to Google Drive or Dropbox. Your music and videos? Streamed, not downloaded. Chromebooks are perfect for this always-online approach, and they’re so much cheaper than Mac or Windows alternatives.
Chromebooks, MacBooks and Windows laptops all have their advantages and disadvantages, and there are tasks that each can achieve better than the others. At their core though, theyre all essentially laptops, and can browse the web, stream video and handle documents.
Weve broken down what to typically expect from each operating system in the table below:
Let’s understand a few of those spec differences between Chromebooks, Windows Laptops and MacBooks
Operating system
Software on a Chromebook
Chromebook Processors
Advantages Of A Conventional Laptop For College Students
Buying a laptop with Windows or Mac is probably the first thing that comes to mind, given how universal these products are. Everyone has used a computer in their life, and perhaps jumping to a platform they do not know is not a very interesting option.
In any case, if you decide on a conventional laptop, you will enjoy the following advantages:
The Chromebook Just Works
The Chromebook, on the other hand, is a totally different experience. A Chromebook boots within seven seconds and you can be on the internet browsing within about 15 seconds flat. This never changes, it does not matter whether youve had your Chromebook for a week or two years it still works as it did the day you bought it.
This is why the Chromebook has grown in popularity. Its no longer the case to access the internet you need to either go for Apple or Microsoft. You now have a choice and for the majority of people choosing a Chromebook makes absolute sense.
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How Are Chromebooks For Offline Use
Chromebooks are designed to rely heavily on the Internet, which means that many apps simply won’t work if you’re out of Wi-Fi range. There are more than 200 offline Chrome apps that can work without Internet connectivity, including Gmail, Pocket and Google Drive, and tons of the Android apps will also work offline.
They Are Not As Functional Offline
Chromebooks are, for obvious reasons, less useful offline than online but you can still use them to , and you can use Gmail in an offline mode too.
And an increasing number of other apps which work offline are being made available for Chrome OS too.
So, as long as you plan things in advance and make sure you save the right files onto your Chromebook before you go offline, you should still be able to get a decent amount of work done when you are not connected to the internet.
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How To Create Chrome Os Flex Installation Media
To create the installation media for Chrome OS Flex, you will need a computer running Windows or macOS with a current version of the Chrome browser and a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space. Then, just follow the steps below:
Google warns that from time to time, some USB drives will not function properly with the installer. If you have trouble creating or running the installation media, try a different USB drive. Our first attempt to install Chrome OS Flex failed, but we were able to install the system without any issue by using another USB drive.
To get started, go to Chrome Web Store in your current Chrome browser and install the Chromebook Recovery Utility.
After adding the extension to Chrome, click on the Extensions icon at the top right corner of your browser window and select the Chromebook Recovery Utility from the list that appears. This will start the Chromebook recovery process which will allow you to create a bootable Chrome OS Flex USB drive.
When you start the recovery setup process, the utility will ask you to identify your Chromebook. Click on Select a model from a list.
From the list that opens, select Google Chrome OS Flex.
Another drop-down list will appear to allow you to select the version of the OS that you would like to install. At the time of writing, Chrome OS Flex is the only option.
What Is The Difference Between A Laptop And A Chromebook
The important difference between a laptop and a Chromebook is the operating system. Chrome OS runs web-based apps, not software that you install on your laptop. The advantage of this is it reduces the demand on your RAM and increases the efficiency of your system. While it is possible to work offline, Chrome OS was specifically designed to work online, so you will need an internet connection to get the most out of a Chromebook.
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Microsoft Windows Is Outdated Technology
Lets start off by saying Microsoft Windows is going nowhere soon. This is mainly because it is used by most businesses around the world. However, for the consumer, its an outdated technology. How often have you had to deal with your computer crashing or updates that take ages?
How often have you bought a brand new Microsoft Windows laptop and for it to work perfectly for a few weeks, then you start to see a decline in its performance? It starts to take ages to boot up, you get error messages that just appear, but you just get used to them and click continue. Before you know it, it can take 10 minutes to boot up your PC and get access to the internet. Why bother with all this if you spend most time surfing the web?
Install Chrome Os Flex From Usb Recovery Media
Once you have created the Chrome OS Flex recovery media, you’ll need to restart your computer with the USB drive connected, enter the BIOS boot menu, and select your USB drive as the boot device. The process for entering the boot menu varies from one manufacturer to another. If you don’t know how to access the boot menu on your system, you should refer to the manufacturer’s support material.
The initial Chrome OS Flex installation screen should load up within a few moments and the installer will ask if you would like to install to the hard drive on your computer or try it from the USB media.
One of the most interesting things about the Chrome OS Flex USB installation media is that it uses persistent storage. Unlike most live USB systems, if you elect to try Chrome OS Flex without installing it to your computer’s hard drive, it’ll save the account you set up and the options that you choose on the USB and use it automatically the next time you boot from the same media. You will still be able to install the system to your device’s hard drive at any time.
Next, it’ll ask you if you’d like to set up your new Chromebook for yourself or your child. All you need to do is follow the prompts and enter the account information for whichever option you choose. If you choose to set up the device for your child, the installer will give you extra options for setting parental controls.
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Which Is More Secure A Chromebook Or A Windows Pc
Security isnt a question that can be answered absolutely, but Chromebooks and Windows PCs differ fundamentally here. The relative simplicity of a Chromebook offers a far smaller attack surface than a Windows PC does. The complexity of Windows PCs, including the software Windows supports, provides hackers many more opportunities to attack.
Google developed Chromebooks with security as a priority, using everything from isolated, sandboxed processes to verified boot to help protect your system. For people who worry about websites that hijack your browser or download malware, a Chromebooks defenses protect you without making you think about it much.
Keeping a Windows PC safe can be a much more complicated business. Security starts as soon as you begin setting up a new PC. Regular maintenance is required for both your antivirus software and the Windows operating system, though most happens automatically. Still, holes are constantly being discovered, such as the Meltdown/Spectre vulnerabilities, as well as the more recent Foreshadow/L1TF exploit. You have to be vigilant, or at least not too lazy, to protect your Windows PC. Fortunately, Windows built-in Windows Defender software is far better than it used to be, enough that Windows can basically take care of itself.
Windows 11, though, introduces a huge wrinkle: some PCs simply wont be upgradable to Windows 11, because they lack the required hardware, including whats known as a TPM.
What Is Convertible 2 In 1
Picture of Convertible 2 in 1 Laptop
Convertible 2 in 1 computer is also a type of laptop computer, which you can also call a personal computer, this portable computer.There are many qualities in convertible 2 in 1 computer, if you use convertible 2 in 1 then sometimes you will experience that you are using a tablet PC and sometimes you will experience that you are using a laptop computer.There are many advantages of using a convertible 2 in 1 computer, as the name suggests, this laptop works for two computers. For example, convertible 2 in 1 has a touch screen which you can also use as a tablet pc.
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What Is The Difference Between Chromebook And Laptop
Last Updated on by David Wilson
Computers are revolutionizing from computer to laptop, laptop to Chromebook, and so on. You must have heard and used along with many other Google services. Chromebook is one of the latest additions to it. While Chromebooks fall under the broad category of laptops, there is actually a long list of differences between Chromebook and laptop. If you are about to buy a new device and not sure what to choose between a laptop and a Chromebook, then this article should be fruitful for you to take the right decision. Lets start with defining the two devices in the field of computer technology.
Best Chromebook On A Budget
If youre looking for an affordable device for on-the-go work, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet delivers excellent value for its low price. Its an ultra-portable 10.1-inch 2-in-1 device with a detachable keyboard and kickstand cover.
The Duet contains a MediaTek Helio P60T processor, 4GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of storage, and it performs well if youre just browsing and dont plan on using a super heavy load. It also uses a version of Chrome OS thats made for its convertible form factor, including the first version of Chrome thats optimized for tablet use. When detached from its keyboard, the Duet supports an Android-esque gesture navigation system that makes switching between apps a breeze. But the most impressive feature is battery life I got close to 11.5 hours of fairly heavy use.
Of course, there are drawbacks. The touchpad and keyboard are quite small, theres no headphone jack , and the 16:10 screen is a bit dim. But those are reasonable trade-offs to make for such an affordable price. It makes a great secondary device for schoolwork or on-the-go browsing.
If youre looking for a larger device with more power, one of the best Chromebooks you can buy is the HP Chromebook x360 14.
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The Differences Between Chromebooks And Laptops
A Chromebook is a special kind of laptop, different from standard Macs and PCs.
Its operating system the software that decides how the computer works and what programs it can run is called Chrome OS. It’s made and updated by Google.
As you might expect, Chrome OS is primarily built to run Google apps like , Docs, and YouTube, which are all installed on the Chromebook by default . You log into the device itself using your Google account and password, and will need an internet connection to use most of its features.
The keyboard also has keys you won’t recognize. Instead of a Caps Lock key, it’s got a button called “Search” or “Launcher” that lets you search your device or the internet for anything you type. And in place of the Windows or Command key, there’s a key that’ll bring up .
Finally, they’re not as powerful as most high-end MacBooks, and nowhere near as powerful as high-end PCs. If you want a computer for gaming, animation, or image and video editing, look elsewhere.
The chart below compares a top-of-the-line Chromebook with similarly priced PC and Mac models. The best of every category will be highlighted.
*Based on third-party benchmark tests, as Apple hasn’t released their own stats.
But when it comes down to it, a Chromebook is just another type of laptop. You can think of it like this: All Chromebooks are laptops, but not all laptops are Chromebooks.
If you mostly use Google apps, or are tired of Macs and PCs, Chromebook laptops might be worth a look.
Which Lasts Longer A Chromebook Or A Pc
The longevity of a PC is basically determined by how demanding Windows is, compared to the hardware powering it. The willingness of the PC maker and component makers to provide drivers also plays a role. Hardware failures will eventually occur. Every processor that Intel launches is accompanied by statements comparing the new chip to a 5-year-old PC, with performance improvements in the 30 to 40 percent range. Otherwise, a PCs lifespan could go on for years, even decades, as long as the operating system is kept up to date.
Or we thought so, anyway. As the previous section noted, Windows 11 suddenly cut off millions of PCs from an upgrade to Windows 11, because of new hardware restrictions. Older PCs, even Surface devices made by Microsoft, are being cut off. Could Microsoft do this again in the future? We dont know.
A Chromebook lasts as long as Google is willing to support it, and thats much easier to determine: . In the beginning, it was just five years after the original production date for any Chromebook . More recently, Googles begun extending the time it supports Chromebooks by about six months to a year, and even up to a total of eight years in some cases. Beginning with Chrome OS 80, in February 2020, it appears youll be able to dive into the Settings menu and discover exactly when your device will lose support.
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You Cant Install The Full Versions Of Microsoft 365 Apps On Chromebooks
If you are particularly attached to Microsoft apps like Outlook, Word and Excel, you should note that you cant install the full desktop versions of them on a Chromebook.
Accordingly, a lot of Chromebook users end up making a move to Google Workspace, which, being a Google product, works very well in a Chromebook context.
However
-
switching to Google Workspace will inevitably bring a learning curve
if youve never used it before
-
even if you start using Google Workspace, youll probably still end up with a need to occasionally supply content to other people or organisations in MS Office format.
The good news is that it is perfectly possible to create, save and edit Microsoft 365 files using Google Workspace but if youre dealing with more complex documents, you may occasionally encounter formatting problems when you save your files.
You can still use Microsoft products on a Chromebook, however, via the online version of Microsoft 365.
Whilst not providing quite as comprehensive a set of tools as the desktop version of the Microsoft productivity suite, the web-based version nonetheless enables you to access and edit most Word, Excel and Powerpoint files in a browser and without some of the formatting headaches you occasionally run into when you try to edit Microsoft files with Google Workspace.
But if you are a power user of Microsoft products, and you cant live without the installed desktop Microsoft 365 apps, maybe a Chromebook is not for you.
Can I Run Windows Apps On Chromebooks
Yes and no. Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise is a new feature that on Chromebooks, but not all of them. Parallels provides quick access to legacy and full-featured applications, like Microsoft Office, locally on Chrome OSwhich means that theyll even work offline. However, Parallels is a managed solution for enterprises with IT managers, meaning that you wont be able to take advantage of this with a cheap Chromebook that youll buy from Amazon.
Instead, only very specific enterprise Chromebooks will be able to access Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise: the HP Pro c640 Chromebook Enterprise, the HP Elite c1030 Chromebook Enterprise and the upcoming HP Chromebox Enterprise G3, all powered by Intel Core i5 and i7 processors.
Could this capability to run Windows apps be extended to consumer Chromebooks in the future? Possibly. But right now its out of reach for most users.
A better solution may be Windows 365, Microsofts program for running Windows via the cloud. Windows 365 is essentially the Windows equivalent to cloud gaming Windows lives in the cloud, and is streamed down to the local PC. However, Microsoft designed Windows 365 for business users, so consumers wont have access to this for now.
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