Chromebook Vs Laptop: Which One is Better For You?
Chromebook vs. Laptop: What to Buy?
We all know how overwhelming it can be to shop for a new device, especially with so many options out there. When purchasing a new computer, you are likely to run into a vast variety of products, all made to suit different needs and at varying price ranges. One of the questions you might find yourself asking is: what is the difference between a Chromebook and a Laptop anyway?
The first step in evaluating which type of PC will work best for you is to think about your needs.
● What is your main reason for using this device?
● Where do you plan to be using it?
● How much storage will you likely need?
These questions act as a foundation to help you select the device that will best suit your needs.
You can also consider what features are most important to you. Some users value synchronicity and lean toward the device that will allow them to sync their experience with their other devices. Others may be more concerned by speed with performance and even price. Every consumer is different with unique needs that can inform your decision before purchasing a new PC.
Let’s dive into the pros and cons of Chromebooks and Windows laptops to help you decide which one is right for you.
Pros & Cons of Chromebook
Considering a Chromebook? Here are the things you need to know to decide if it is the right purchase for you.
Pros of Chromebooks:
More Affordable
Chromebooks are often the more economically friendly option compared to laptops. A basic Chromebook that can suit basic needs such as searching the internet and creating, editing and sharing files, can be purchased for as little as $250. If you need more power or are worried about the performance of your Chromebooks, you can buy the high-speed version for around $999.
Fast Functionality
One major difference between a laptop and Chromebook is speed. Chromebooks often function much faster than a traditional laptop because they do not typically run programs that require a large amount of bandwidth. Whereas laptops can run programs in the background that could disrupt your speed, Chromebooks focus primarily on online-based functions such as searching the web and using Google apps such as Google Docs and Google Slides to create, edit, and share files. Since these functions are prioritized, they can work much quicker than when doing the same functions from a traditional laptop.
Longer Battery Life
Chromebooks offer an extended battery life compared to a normal laptop, with a full charge lasting up to 10 hours. This is convenient for users who plan to work in environments where they may not have access to an outlet or charger, such as school or the airport.
Chromebooks offer the battery life of devices that usually cost much more at a significantly lower price point. A laptop with similar battery life would usually cost a few hundred dollars more than the average Chromebook.
Not Prone to Viruses
If cybersecurity is a concern for you or you often work with sensitive content or data, a Chromebook may be a better option for you. Chromebooks are designed with cybersecurity in mind. Because Chromebooks can be used to save your content entirely in the Cloud using applications like Google Drive, your documents are safe from potential viruses that could be downloaded onto your device. If this is a feature that you value or need for your usage, then Chromebook might be the better option for you. However, you should still always be conscious about what links you are clicking to assure that you do not download malware or apps that are not on the Google Play store.
Cons of Chromebooks:
Low Storage
Although there are benefits to Chromebooks being reliant on the Cloud for saving documents (like cybersecurity), this may not be what is best for your usage needs. Because it is expected that Chromebook users will save their files in this way, the devices have less storage than a traditional PC. If you don’t intend to save your documents in the Cloud, then Chromebook might not make the most sense for you.
Cannot be Used Offline
One major difference between Chromebooks and laptops is that Chromebooks are much more Wi-Fi dependent than other PCs. Because files are saved in the Cloud, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi to access your files. If you often work in areas that are not Wi-Fi equipped or you do not have a cellular hotspot to connect to, it may make more sense for you to choose a traditional PC instead of a Chromebook.
Pros and Cons of Windows Laptops
Pros of Laptops
Offline Operation
One difference between laptops and Chromebooks that leans in favor of the laptop is accessibility offline. Unlike Chromebooks, laptops are still functional when offline. Where Chromebooks are nearly unusable when not connected to Wi-Fi, laptops can still carry out major functions. Additionally, all of your files should still be accessible despite what level of internet connection you have. If you have a poor Wi-Fi connection or often work in areas where Wi-Fi is not accessible, then a traditional PC laptop would be the better option for you.
Mobility
If you value mobility when it comes to your PC usage, then a laptop may be a better option for you than a Chromebook. Laptops can be taken anywhere and are more mobility friendly due to the fact that they do not necessarily have to be connected to the web to function. Laptops can also be found in models that are slimmer and more lightweight than Chromebooks.
High Storage
Laptops typically have much more storage than Chromebooks since they are not dependent on online storage like the Cloud. However, you can still download Google Drive or upload your data to the cloud if that is what you prefer. Having a PC instead of a Chromebook gives you the option to save your documents remotely or online. If you need to save a lot of documents, a laptop might be the better option for you compared to a Chromebook.
Better Functionality
With more power and capability to run programs, laptops tend to have better functionality than Chromebooks, especially because they can still function when offline. Laptops also have stronger processors that are more likely to be able to successfully run programs. Overall, laptops are able to function beyond the basic functions of creating/saving files and searching the web whereas Chromebooks are more useful for these basic functions.
Cons of Laptops
Shorter Battery Life
A major difference between Chromebooks and laptops is that laptops do not have the same battery life as a Chromebook. Laptop batteries can be unpredictable and often only last a couple hours whereas Chromebook batteries can last up to ten hours. If you often work in Wi-Fi connected areas with no outlet or charging availability, it may be better for you to opt for Chromebook.
Laptop batteries are unpredictable. Depending on what you are doing on your laptop, it can be impossible to know exactly how much of your battery life will be used up. Running a program will cause your battery to die quickly, whereas typing in a document takes little power. If you are not occasionally checking your battery-life while working, your laptop may unexpectedly die.
Sensitivity
One big difference between laptops and Chromebooks is that laptops are much more sensitive than Chromebooks. Chromebooks are made to be more dexterous, whereas laptops tend to break easily. It is important that you take care of your laptop and treat it like it is delicate, one drop can be enough to shatter your device.
Constant Updates
Laptops constantly need to be updated when new software is available. Although this might be a minor annoyance for some, it can be bothersome when your laptop stops running correctly and you need to stop your work to complete an update.
Chromebook vs. Laptop: Which One is Better For You?
To put it simply:
● Buy a Chromebook if:
- Your work or school needs can be accomplished using Google apps and cloud storage.
- You want to simply browse the internet, check emails, and do basic tasks.
- You are not concerned with the appearance and sleekness of the device.
- You do not use the device in sync with other Windows-based devices.
- You can only rely on limited cloud storage. (Source: Laptop or Chromebook: Which one to Buy?)
- You value long lasting battery life.
- You rarely work in areas without Wi-Fi.
● Buy a laptop if:
- You want to run dedicated programs.
- Work in sync with other Windows users and devices.
- Need high volume offline storage.
- You want faster speed.
- You need to work in areas with no Wi-Fi.
Source link: Chromebook Vs Laptop: Buying the Best
With endless options at your fingertips, shopping for new technology can be overwhelming. Knowing your needs and the features that are most important to you can make this process smoother and your shopping experience more enjoyable. The guide above provides the information you need to evaluate whether a laptop or a Chromebook is the right choice for you.
Once you’ve selected which device is best for you, you can equip it with Smart Net Plus from EPB. This Wi-Fi offering features parental controls, device management, built-in privacy measures, and ultra-fast speeds. Read more about EPB Smart Net Plus’ robust features and availability here.
