A Chromebook was one of the most valuable freebies I have ever received from any company. The CR-48 was the original Chromebook that was made available to the public. I received mine as part of the Chrome Notebook Pilot Program a decade ago. In the years that followed, Chromebooks have been a popular and affordable alternative to expensive Windows and Mac laptops. We’ll take a closer look at the modern Chromebooks to see if they might be a good fit for you.
What is a Chromebook?
Chromebooks are laptops that run the Google Chrome operating-system. They share a name with Google Chrome, the most popular web browser. Chromebooks are a combination of laptops, desktops, and tablets that run the lightweight Chrome OS experience.
Chrome OS can support many apps from the Google Play Store. It is very similar to installing an app on your Android phone or adding a plugin to your Chrome browser. Many Chromebooks are capable of running Android apps directly.
Chromebooks have proven to be a great choice for tasks that you can perform from your web browser. This includes email, web browsing and watching videos. It also allows you to edit documents, spreadsheets, and light gaming. While you can still use some of these features while your Chromebook’s offline mode is active, it’s a web-first experience.
Can a Chromebook be used to replace a Mac or Windows laptop?
For those with basic computer needs, Chromebooks can be a great choice. A Chromebook is a great choice if you are a frequent online user, such as browsing the internet, checking your email and visiting social media.
Apps available for Chromebooks include Google Workspace (Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc. ), Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc. ), Google Keep and Dropbox, Evernote, Spotify.
Chromebooks are made with lower-power processors than Mac and Windows computers. This means that they can run slower for more intensive computing tasks. If you choose the right Chromebook, you will find a good battery life and a fast experience for web browsing and email.
My first Chromebook was a Windows laptop. Today, my primary computer is a MacBook Pro. A Chromebook is not ideal for my heavy-duty computer requirements, as I spend most of my workday online and use multimedia heavily.
Pricing for a typical Chromebook
Chromebooks starting at $200-250 are value-priced, but you may be able to find cheaper models if your looking for a bargain. Midrange Chromebooks are available for around $300-$500. The Google Pixel book Go and high-end Chromebooks cost between $600 and $900. Chromebooks are often on Black Friday deals so you may be able to get one at half the price if you shop towards the end of the year.
A budget-priced laptop around $250 to $350 will suffice if you are looking for a basic laptop that can browse the internet, shop, use Facebook and check your emails.
Business users and gamers who are interested in gaming will want a more powerful version that has a faster processor, more RAM, a larger hard drive and a better graphics card.
How to choose a Chromebook
Understanding your requirements is key to choosing a Chromebook. Understanding how you plan to use the computer will help you choose the best price and features that meet your needs.
A Chromebook is a great option for those who already own a desktop. If you are looking to replace an everyday-use laptop, however, you might want to pay a bit more to get more power and more features.
The budget Chromebooks below $250 might feel slower than the mid-range. Power users will want to spend more for the top-of-the line version.
Google’s high-end Pixel book is Google’s Chromebook. It was developed entirely by Google and can compete with the Microsoft Surface tablet PCs. Although they are more expensive, Pixel books are great for Google enthusiasts and those who are already part of the Google ecosystem. Many of the same companies that sell Windows PCs make Chromebooks at a variety of prices, including Dell, HP and Samsung as well as Lenovo, Asus and Acer.
Are you a Chromebook user?
You’ll find that a Chromebook will work for you if you read this article. These computers are a good choice for everyday computing and often come at a lower cost than Mac and Windows alternatives.
You can shop for a Chromebook at Amazon, Best Buy and Target as well as the Google Store.
