Chromebooks vs. PC: The Differences Between Chrome OS and Windows

Large limitation with Chromebook software is to download applications from the web. With chromebooks, you just can’t. This therefore means that you cannot download more advanced software such as video editing, photo editing or specific apps for industry. The only applications you can download are the Android applications you will find in the Google Play Store. This can be useful to fill the gaps, although most web applications are better solutions, because all these applications are not well optimized for touchpads. Fortunately, there are many chromebooks compatible on the touch screen that seem more natural to control.

Because it is mainly a web browser, chromebooks are not as useful when they are far from Wi-Fi. You can always use offline mode in certain applications like Google Docs, but for the most part, you will want to stay connected. These days, I’m not sure it’s too different from how people use Windows laptops.

Material compatibility is the other big problem that you could encounter. Most printers, mice, keyboards and other accessories should work very well on chromebooks. In some cases, such as Wacom tablets, there are certain models that Google has specifically certified. But again, some of the gadgets specific to the industry will cause problems with chromebooks. For example, I cannot use my USB colorimeter, that’s how I test and calibrate the screens. Because there is no compatible software, this colorimeter does not work. On the other hand, Windows is the default native operating system, which means that each imaginable application is available for download.

Chromebook plus against Windows laptops

Although the best laptop hardware is still in Windows laptops and MacBooks, ChromeBooks catch up. The “Chromebook Plus” certification has helped in the past two years, which is the relatively recent Google program to increase the material standards of ChromeBooks.

The Chromebook Plus models must have faster fleas, such as an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3, as well as at least 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage and an IPS 1080p screen. You can also find a lot of Chromebook Plus models for about $ 500, such as the Acer Chromebook plus 515 or the HP Chromebook plus x360.

But this year, the standard was even further away with the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14. As I indicated in my review, it is the best Chromebook ever made, going beyond the requirements of Chromebook Plus. It has a shiny OLED screen, has a webcam and solid speakers, up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of storage. More importantly, he obtains a fantastic, competitive battery life with some of the last Windows laptops. For $ 750, it is a really solid affair for equipment. He has a better display than something like Asus Vivobook 14, and you would find it difficult to find something at this price with better equipment. You can argue that you get a more limited software experience, but in terms of hardware, it is a great value.

There is Windows laptop equipment that you will never get on chromebooks, such as discreet graphics. You are probably not considering a Chromebook if you are a PC player anyway, unless it’s just for game streaming via GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass.

Why buy a Chromebook in 2025?

Chromebooks are more than inexpensive laptops, but that does not mean that they do not exceed these lower prices. About $ 500 is the cutting point of what I would consider as really cheap laptops, and you will always have to accept a certain level of compromise in this level. Windows laptops of less than $ 500 are often swollen, too thick and poor which are both ugly and have a disappointing battery life. Most often, these are not good options, even for students.

On the contrary, there are a lot of chromebooks of less than $ 500 that will make you much better. I recently tested the ASUS Chromebook CX14 and CX15, both of $ 300. These are in no case perfect laptops, with lower quality screens that I do not wish. But as a basic portable computer, it is certainly better than any Windows laptop at $ 300 that you could find.