Acer laptop advantages and disadvantages

Table of Contents
Who should buy a Windows laptop?
Who should buy a Chromebook?
Whatâs the difference between a Chromebook and a Windows PC?
How fast do I need a Chromebook to be?
Is a Chromebook or laptop better for office work?
Which is better for web browsing, a Chromebook or Windows PC?
Can a Chromebook play games as well as a Windows PC?
Which offers more apps, Chromebooks or Windows PCs?
Can I run Windows apps on Chromebooks?
Whatâs it like using a Chromebook vs. a Windows PC?
Which is more secure, a Chromebook or a Windows PC?
Which can be personalized more, a Chromebook or a PC?
Which lasts longer, a Chromebook or a PC?
How does Windows 11 influence my purchase?
Which Chromebook or laptop should I buy?
Which is better, a Chromebook or laptop?
...

Should I buy a Chromebook or a Windows laptop? Its a common question, whether asked by parents weighing the best computer option for back-to-school or by people who just want an inexpensive computer for themselves. Well help you choose the right one.

Our latest update includes more answers to questions you might have: such as, how slow [and inexpensive] can a Chromebook be before it stops being usable? What does Windows 11 and Windows 11 SE mean for laptops?Read on for the answers, plus our up-to-date buying guide for November 2021 and Black Friday, plus more details and what to buy.

A notebook PC or laptop powered by Microsoft Windows offers several advantages. Windows offers the most flexibility to run just about any app, your choice of any browser, and configure antivirus options, utilities, and more. You can tweak and configure your PC as you choose.

That convenience demands more computing horsepower, and often a higher price compared to most Chromebooks. Prices can soar into the thousands of dollars, and if you need a powerful PC for gaming or video editing, Chromebooks cant compete, and they dont try to. But youll find some great deals among our more affordably priced, top Windows picks. See our

{{#url}}buying guide to the best laptops{{/url}}{{^url}}buying guide to the best laptops{{/url}}

for even more options.

A Chromebook powered by Googles Chrome OS is a simpler, more optimized affair. Essentially, its useful to think of a Chromebook as a dedicated Chrome browser running on top of secure hardware. It can also be hundreds of dollars cheaper than a comparable Windows PC, even with the same processor inside! Numerous American classrooms have settled on Chromebooks for in-person and distance learning, and often made them available for loaning to students.

Now, however, Chromebooks can do much more, including Android apps and cloud gaming, making them entertainment as well as productivity devices. Google is also adding more features to Chromebooks to make them as useful as Windows devices. Amazons list of the

{{#url}}best-selling laptops{{/url}}{{^url}}best-selling laptops{{/url}}

is often dominated by Chromebookssee for yourself! Pay attention during the holidays or peak sales periods like Prime Day, when prices can dropreally lowdown around $100 or more. Just make sure youre not buying a Chromebook thats

{{#url}}fallen out of the support window{{/url}}{{^url}}fallen out of the support window{{/url}}

. [Well talk more about that, below.]

Updates occur behind the scenes, so you can just open the lid and go. Google handles all the security, toonow with better biometric options up front, too. The internet offers much of what you need, whether that means working within web apps or using Chrome plugins. But its the workarounds and little inconveniences that you may find annoying.

Two other points: For years, there were plain, clamshell Chromebooks andnot much else. [Chromeboxes, a niche class of standalone Chrome OS-powered cubes that lack a display, arenearly defunct.] Now there are Chrome OS-powered convertibles like the

{{#url}}HP Chromebook x360 12b{{/url}}{{^url}}HP Chromebook x360 12b{{/url}}

[currently

{{#url}}$360 on Adorama{{/url}}{{^url}}$360 on Adorama{{/url}}

], as well as Chrome OS-powered tablets like the

{{#url}}Lenovo Chromebook Duet{{/url}}{{^url}}Lenovo Chromebook Duet{{/url}}

[currently

{{#url}}$300 at Best Buy{{/url}}{{^url}}$300 at Best Buy{{/url}}

]. In fact, it seems like many Chromebooks are now 360-degree convertibles, available to be flipped around and used as a thick tablet for Android apps.

Google and Parallels have also announced Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise,

{{#url}}a $69.99/user solution{{/url}}{{^url}}a $69.99/user solution{{/url}}

that will supportgasp!running Windows apps on Chromebooks, by building a version of Parallels into Chrome OS. [Parallels can already be used to provide remote access to Windows apps.] Youll need a very specific enterprise Chromebook to take advantage of it, however.

Read on for a deeper dive into the differences between the Chrome OS and Windows platforms, as well as some recommendations on what to buy. Just be aware that theconversation will focus on inexpensive machines that can accomplish basic tasks. Chromebooks cant hold a candle to $2,000 gaming PCs, though some cloud gaming services get close.

Chrome OS or Windows? The choice is up to you.

Though you probably already know what differentiates a Windows PC from a Chromebook, heres a brief refresher: Windows PCs run Microsoft Windows 10 [and soon,

{{#url}}Windows 11{{/url}}{{^url}}Windows 11{{/url}}

], the dominant operating system for traditional PCs for more than 25 years. They run Windows applications, from Microsoft titles to a raft of third-party software. Windows PCs are available in desktop and laptop forms, and can be configured in infinite ways to accommodate needs from basic productivity to resource-intensive workstations.

For the last few years, Microsoft has marketed

{{#url}}Windows 10 S{{/url}}{{^url}}Windows 10 S{{/url}}

[or Windows 10 Home in S Mode] as its operating system for schools and a direct competitor to Chromebooks. As our linked review shows, it was essentially a locked-down version of Windows 10 without the ability to run third-party apps. Youll find it on less expensive PCs like the

{{#url}}Surface Laptop Go{{/url}}{{^url}}Surface Laptop Go{{/url}}

, as well as some third-party laptops.

Windows 11 SE, which well discuss further a few sections below, is the sequel to Microsofts Chrome OS killer. Windows 11 SE will only be available to PCs designed for education, which is the target market for Chromebooks. Windows 11 SE laptops also wont be sold in retail stores, either well, thats the plan, anyway. The idea is that Microsoft wants your kids learning computing on Windows, not Chrome OS.

The Start menu is command central for Windows 10. [Click image to enlarge it.]

Chromebooks are much simpler. They run Chrome OS, essentially a Chrome web browser vehicle, and are often priced several hundred dollars less than a Windows PC. The newest Chromebooks contain a bonus, however: the ability to run some Android apps [more on this laterAndroid apps are coming to Windows 11, too.]. Another perk: the

{{#url}}ability to run Linux{{/url}}{{^url}}ability to run Linux{{/url}}

not something that most users will care about, but a useful niche addition. [

{{#url}}Windows 10 users can run Linux{{/url}}{{^url}}Windows 10 users can run Linux{{/url}}

as well.] Chromebooks may be cheap, but theyre surprisingly flexible.

In a Chromebook, many of the apps residebelow the taskbar.

Physically, a Chromebook looks much like a Windows-powered notebook, with a keyboard, a display, a front-facing camera for videoconferencing, and so on. But there are a few key differences: Chromebooks typically include a dedicated search keyboard key, while Windows emphasizes the Windows key. With Windows, youll have many hardware choices, including a typical clamshell notebook, convertibles with 360-degree hinges; 2-in-1 Windows tablets with detachable keyboards, or pure Windows tablets.

Most Chromebooks are clamshells, but were seeing a lot more convertibles now that Android apps are supported. Because Chrome OS and Android are now conjoined, a key reason to choose a Chrome OS tablet instead of a clamshell hinges on how often youll use Android apps. Android apps run acceptably in a laptop form factor, but theyre arguably more convenient when used as a tablet, and held in your hand. Remember, most 360-degree convertibles/2-in-1s flip the keyboard out of the way, essentially transforming the Chromebook into a big, bulky tablet. We prefer this approach.

Microsoft Cortana runs within Windows, but the Google Assistant is only in Googles own Pixelbook devices.

Inside, the only real differences are the processor. Windows PCs have a wide range of microprocessors powering them, usually chips from AMD and Intel, or more recently, a Qualcomm Snapdragon.

Chromebooks generally favor lower-performance Intel Atom chips [branded as Pentium or Celeron], Snapdragons, or lesser-known processors from the likes of Mediatek or Rockchip, that are suited to the lighter demands of Chrome OS. But AMD has made aggressive, recent moves to

{{#url}}bring its powerful Ryzen chips into Chromebooks{{/url}}{{^url}}bring its powerful Ryzen chips into Chromebooks{{/url}}

, and Intels 11th-gen

{{#url}}Tiger Lake Core chips, are headed to Chromebooks as well{{/url}}{{^url}}Tiger Lake Core chips, are headed to Chromebooks as well{{/url}}

. Look for CPU buying advice in the next section.

More recently weve seen pricier corporate and luxury Chromebooks include Intel Core CPUs, including the

{{#url}}Samsung Galaxy Chromebook{{/url}}{{^url}}Samsung Galaxy Chromebook{{/url}}

but the jurys still out on who will pay upwards of $1,000 for a Chromebook. [Wed advise you not to.]

Chromebook and Windows PCs features have a lot of overlap, too. Though youll find that many Chromebooks and inexpensive laptops feature a similar HD [1366×768] or Full HD [1920×1080] display, Windows usually requires a bit more in terms of memory and storage. Both a Chromebook and a laptop can run acceptably on 4GB of memory, but 8GB is preferred where Windows notebooks are concerned.

Windows notebooks, too, typically include more local storage for the Windows OS and associated apps: 128GB or 256GB is acceptable, though theres really no upper limit. Chromebooks, meanwhile, dont need much more than 16GB or so, assuming Google-oriented users are taking advantage of the Drive online storage, or stashing Android apps on an SD card. Less storage means less cost; many Chromebooks also use inexpensive eMMC flash storage to save even further. Both Chromebooks and Windows tablets allow external storage.

Though the Chrome OS Files app within Chromebooks is a little rougher than Windows, its been designed with cloud storage [in Google Drive] from the beginning.

The only Chromebook with Google Assistant support so far is the Google Pixelbook. Instead, Googles built-in intelligence is primarily put to use in the Chrome OS Launcher. Like the Chrome browser, you type a search question into the Launcher and Google will return answers. The feature is

{{#url}}rolled out on Chrome OS 90{{/url}}{{^url}}rolled out on Chrome OS 90{{/url}}

Its not quite the Google Assistant, but its getting there.

Microsofts own digital assistant, Cortana, is supported on all Windows PCs that include a micwhich is virtually all of them. Now, however, Amazons

{{#url}}Alexa has also been added as a Cortana partner application{{/url}}{{^url}}Alexa has also been added as a Cortana partner application{{/url}}

or skill, which means Windows users get two assistants for the price of one. [The Windows 10 May 2020 Updates Cortana app does not support Alexa, however.] Cortana is also now an app on Windows PCs and doesnt play as much of a role as she used to. In fact, on Windows 11 youll need to add the Cortana app manually.

Windows 11, the successor to Windows 10, rolled out in the fall of 2021. It provides a visual refresh of Windowsthat looks rather like a Chromebook, actually. You can read

{{#url}}our Windows 11 superguide{{/url}}{{^url}}our Windows 11 superguide{{/url}}

for more.

An example of the Windows 11 desktop and taskbar.

Michael Crider/IDG

Buying a laptop is relatively easy: simply look for an up-to-date AMD or Intel processor, and look for the lowest price. But Chromebooks can have a variety of low-end microprocessors to choose from, some of which you may have never heard of.

PCWorlds Alaina Yee

{{#url}}recommends buying a Chromebook{{/url}}{{^url}}recommends buying a Chromebook{{/url}}

with a Pentium or Celeron processorand thats a good place to start if you dont feel comfortable parsing Chromebook specifications. Anything more powerful than that, like an Intel Core chip, is just fine too.

Productivity appsword processing, spreadsheets, and the likerepresent the majority of the working day. Here, both Windows and Chromebook users alike have several choices, and both are honestly about equal in this regard. Chromebooks can run Microsofts Office apps as Android applications, while Windows PCs can run Google Workspace apps on the web.[

{{#url}}Google Workspace was formerly named G Suite,{{/url}}{{^url}}Google Workspace was formerly named G Suite,{{/url}}

and before that Google Apps.]

Mentioned in this article

Office 365

{{#url}}Read our review{{/url}}{{^url}}Read our review{{/url}}

{{#string}} {{best_price_label}} {{/string}} {{#separator}} | {{/separator}} {{#url}} {{string}} {{/url}} {{^url}} {{string}} {{/url}}

You might think that Office would be restricted to Windows, but thats not true either: Office.com, also known as Office Online, runs in a web browser, andassuming you have a subscription to Office 365 [

{{#url}}now called Microsoft 365{{/url}}{{^url}}now called Microsoft 365{{/url}}

]offers nearly all the functionality that the Office 365 suite does. [Microsoft Office apps are also available as Android apps, but its simpler to run them within the browser.] In fact, given that its powered by the cloud, youll find that Office Online sometimes gets updated with new features before they arrive on Microsoft 365. Office is typically used by most enterprises, and if your company administrator allows it, even shared corporate resources may be accessible via a Chromebook.

Theres one tweak: as of August 2021, Microsoft

{{#url}}wont support{{/url}}{{^url}}wont support{{/url}}

the Android version of Office apps on a Chromebook. That doesnt mean you cant run Office on a Chromebook; youll just need to use Office.com [AKA Office Online] instead.

The

{{#url}}Google Workspace suite{{/url}}{{^url}}Google Workspace suite{{/url}}

also runs online, though its focused on the essentials, with fewer features than Office but a

{{#url}}renewed focus on collaboration{{/url}}{{^url}}renewed focus on collaboration{{/url}}

. I spent over a year exclusively working on a Chromebox [the nearly defunct desktop version of a Chromebook] and found Googles simple interface and instantaneous autosaves superior to the Windows version of Office at the time. [Office apps like Word now autosave, too.] For our purposes, both Google Workspace and Office Online will run on either a plain Chromebook or Windows PC; however, if you need access to a local copy of Office, only a PC will suffice.

Office Online [Office.com] is accessible via a browser from either a Chromebook or Windows PC.

As of September 2021, Google has begun rolling out Cursive, a Progressive Web App [though theyre powered by the Web, PWAs can be saved locally as apps] that is designed for detachable Chromebooks like the HP Chromebook X2 11. As the name suggests, Cursive is an app that allows you to jot notes in cursive, a bit like Microsoft OneNote. While its technically downloadable for the Chrome browser, many features reportedly wont work on anything but a Chromebook. Other Chromebooks will receive the Cursive app a bit later on.

The gist is that productivity is possible on either a Chromebook or Windows PC with a minimal amount of effort, though youll may want to pay for a subscription for either Office or Googles suite of apps to get maximum benefit and storage space. You may also find Windows PCs a bit more easy to configure for printing.

From a hardware perspective, its our view that a laptop form factor is more convenient than an add-on keyboard, or external Bluetooth keyboard option. Take the cramped detachable keyboard on the

{{#url}}Lenovo Chromebook Duet{{/url}}{{^url}}Lenovo Chromebook Duet{{/url}}

, for example. While tablets make Android apps more convenient, the tradeoff is less productivity when in laptop mode.

Its not quite true to say that Chromebooks and a Windows PC are equivalent in web browsing, but this is probably the closest point of intersection. Browsing the web using Chrome on a Chrome OS device is virtually identical to using Chrome on a PC. A Windows PC will allow other browser options, however, including Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Firefox. However, Microsofts

{{#url}}new Edge browser{{/url}}{{^url}}new Edge browser{{/url}}

is also based on Chromium, meaning that Edge can use Chrome plug-ins beginning in the

{{#url}}Windows 10 October 2020 Update{{/url}}{{^url}}Windows 10 October 2020 Update{{/url}}

. Theyre almost identical!

Because of the simplicity of Chrome OS, some complex sites simply feel more responsive within a Chromebook. On a Chromebook, with the same ad blockers, the site can actually be more responsive. Chromebooks usually ship with less memory than a PC, however, so youll be able to open fewer tabs. You can use other browsers with Chromebooks, like Opera, but theyre typically the mobile version of the browser running as an Android app.

With the vast history of classic PC games available to Windows machines, the PC is clearly dominant as far as on-the-device gaming is concerned. However, there are also games that are exclusive to Chromebooks, thanks to

{{#url}}2016s Chrome OS 53{{/url}}{{^url}}2016s Chrome OS 53{{/url}}

, and its ability to run Android apps and games.

{{#url}}All Chromebooks made since 2019 [and some earlier models]{{/url}}{{^url}}All Chromebooks made since 2019 [and some earlier models]{{/url}}

have this capability. But the distinction is not quite as profound as it once was.

If you buy a Chromebook that supports Android in tablet mode, then presto! Your Chromebook is now a large tablet.

While you wont be playing the latestBattlefield game on a Chromebook as a native app, cloud gaming services could come to your rescueand running them is the next best thing to loading and playing them on the Chromebook itself. In addition to the older

{{#url}}Parsec cloud gaming service{{/url}}{{^url}}Parsec cloud gaming service{{/url}}

, you now have

{{#url}}Nvidia GeForce Now{{/url}}{{^url}}Nvidia GeForce Now{{/url}}

, the

{{#url}}Blade Shadow{{/url}}{{^url}}Blade Shadow{{/url}}

service [hailing from Europe], and Googles own

{{#url}}Stadia, though its had a rocky start{{/url}}{{^url}}Stadia, though its had a rocky start{{/url}}

, all of which allow you to subscribe to a virtual PC that exists in the cloud, upon which you can play ordinary PC games.

Google believes strongly in cloud gaming, and as of February 2021

{{#url}}Google began pre-installing Stadia on all new Chromebooks{{/url}}{{^url}}Google began pre-installing Stadia on all new Chromebooks{{/url}}

. The service is available as a web app, optimized to get you up and running in no time.

Youll never reach PC levels of graphics quality, like 2018sKingdom Come, without a cloud-gaming assist.

Theres anotherhuge bonus for Chromebook owners, though: They can play Xbox games in the cloud. Xbox cloud gaming is available as an Android app, and a Chromebook that runs Android can run those apps. Confused? Dont be.

{{#url}}We explain how Xbox cloud gaming runs on a Chromebook{{/url}}{{^url}}We explain how Xbox cloud gaming runs on a Chromebook{{/url}}

. Microsofts Xbox Support Twitter page originally claimed that ChromeOS wasnt supported for cloud gaming, but our tests, and others, show that that isnt true. Just make sure that you either have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription in place, or own an Xbox outright.

In June 2021, Xbox cloud gaming arrived on PCs via the Web browser. Weve already

{{#url}}tested Xbox cloud gaming on the Web{{/url}}{{^url}}tested Xbox cloud gaming on the Web{{/url}}

, and it runs pretty well.

But wait

{{#url}}the PC will be able to run Android apps and games{{/url}}{{^url}}the PC will be able to run Android apps and games{{/url}}

, too, as part of Windows 11. That capability will arrive in 2022, and wont include the Google Play Store; PCs will run Android apps from Amazon instead.[You can already run Android apps via Windows Insider builds, Microsofts beta program.]

Again, however, if youre trying to decide between a low-cost Windows PC and a Chromebook on the basis of games, dont. Though the PC is superior, the best low-cost PC for gaming is an Xbox One game console.

Games certainly fall into the category of local apps, but so do the numerous apps and utilities that can make everyday tasks a little easier. Here, its also a mixed bag.

Chrome apps can be found within the Chrome Web Store, where there are both utilities, educational tools, and more.

Android apps can include both games as well as mobile productivity apps. There were almost

{{#url}}3 million total in the Google Play app store as of June, 2020{{/url}}{{^url}}3 million total in the Google Play app store as of June, 2020{{/url}}

. Microsoft has stopped publicizing the number of Windows apps. That number says nothing about the quality of apps in either store, obviously, but it does indicate that Android has many more.

Not every Android app will run on a Chromebook. Chromebooks dont include GPS chips, so location-specific apps wont work. Ditto for those who rely on rear cameras that the Chromebook may or may not havePokemon Go, for instance.

One of the strengths of Windows, though, lies within its historical archive of bits of code, utilities, and other apps that have collected in dusty old hard-drive folders, FTP sites, and elsewhere. Batch resizing apps for images, custom calendar apps, macro managerseveryone has their favorites, and Chrome OS simply cant compete. On the flip sideand this is importantChrome OS doesnt include the type of crapware Windows PCs also sometimes ship with, requiring apps like

{{#url}}CCleaner{{/url}}{{^url}}CCleaner{{/url}}

to tidy up.

Quietly, Windows PCs are the platforms to run virtually everything: traditional Win32 apps,

{{#url}}Web apps{{/url}}{{^url}}Web apps{{/url}}

{{#url}}Linux apps,{{/url}}{{^url}}Linux apps,{{/url}}

and soon

{{#url}}Android apps via Windows 11{{/url}}{{^url}}Android apps via Windows 11{{/url}}

as well.PCs running Windows 10 S wont run anything but apps found in the Microsoft Store, which can be a hassle.

Chromebooks also have another advantage, although we certainly dont think this is for everyone: Linux. Some Chromebooks can run Linux, although it will take some fiddling. Our friends over at Computerworld have an up-to-date guide on

{{#url}}how to run Linux on a Chromebook{{/url}}{{^url}}how to run Linux on a Chromebook{{/url}}

Yes and no.Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise is a new feature that

{{#url}}Google just introduced{{/url}}{{^url}}Google just introduced{{/url}}

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 youwont 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

{{#url}}HP Pro c640 Chromebook Enterprise{{/url}}{{^url}}HP Pro c640 Chromebook Enterprise{{/url}}

, the

{{#url}}HP Elite c1030 Chromebook Enterprise{{/url}}{{^url}}HP Elite c1030 Chromebook Enterprise{{/url}}

and the upcoming

{{#url}}HP Chromebox Enterprise G3{{/url}}{{^url}}HP Chromebox Enterprise G3{{/url}}

, all powered by Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. [Its probable that these enterprise Chromebooks need the virtualization capabilities available in the Core i5 and Core 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.

While its easy to focus on what youre going todo with either a Chromebook or a Windows PCweb browsing! games!its easy to lose sight of the little things.

One of the best features of a Chromebook thats easily overlooked is Googles approach to updates and security. Everything takes place behind the scenes. Windows downloads updates for antivirus and other programs in the background, but others require reboots. If you dont have Windows properly configured, those reboots can even occur while youre using the PC, which can be hugely annoying. While Chromebooks occasionally need to be rebooted to apply updates, the process is quicker and less intrusive, as Google reloads the pages you were on quite quickly.

In fact, quick is one of the best features of a Chromebook. While theyre less full-featured than a Windows PC, booting and resuming them just generally feels more efficient than it does on Windows. Part of that is the simplicity: Google takes care of most of the mundane tasks of powering a PC, like security and driver updates. Blue screens of death occur on Windows; Chromebooks rarely crasha fact

{{#url}}Google emphasizes in commercials{{/url}}{{^url}}Google emphasizes in commercials{{/url}}

Still, some of those more mundane tasks can be irritating to Chromebook users, too: such as printing, file management, and utilities: This is where the differences between the two platforms can become abrasive, especially if youre used to doing things in a certain way. For example, Googles trying to add diagnostics to the Chrome OS platform, but its still doing it its own way.

Googles new Chrome OS Diagnostics features are part of Chrome OS 90.

Take printing, for example. The worlds printers were designed from the ground up for Windows and Macs, and can print either over a wireless network or from a USB cable. Chromebooks, on the other hand, have struggled with direct printing or using the more advanced features of certain printers.

{{#url}}Google Cloud Print{{/url}}{{^url}}Google Cloud Print{{/url}}

was the companys workaround, requiring a Wi-Fi enabled printer; however, this feature was phased out by the end of 2020.

Certain tasks also require a different way of doing things on a Chromebook versus a Windows PC. Sure, there are the

{{#url}}Chrome OS keyboard shortcuts{{/url}}{{^url}}Chrome OS keyboard shortcuts{{/url}}

, where taking a screenshot or a portion of one requires knowing to press the Ctrl + switcher key. When you take that screenshot, youll see it saved inside a folderbut you wont be able to rename that file without opening it. Windows allows you to right-click a file and perform any number of operations on it; Chrome OS does not.

Even accessing those files on Chrome OS requires clicking the home circle in the lower-left corner, then either swiping or clicking the exposed up arrow to access the Chrome OS apps, some of which can be stored in the taskbar dock for easy access.

Staring soulfully at a Windows Hello-enabled PC for a second or two can automatically log you in, a capability Chromebooks dont provide.

The same goes for alternative input modalities. While Chromebooks allow for inkingyoull generally need to supply your own stylus or use your fingerand can record audio, dont expect a Chromebook to include pen input thats translatable into text. Windows exclusively provides this.

Interestingly, though,

{{#url}}Chromebooks are adding more features that were originally part of Windows{{/url}}{{^url}}Chromebooks are adding more features that were originally part of Windows{{/url}}

. Windows offers Your Phone, an app that allows you to send texts from your PC and move photos back and forth from your phone. In the M89 release of Chrome OS, Google added Phone Hub to connect your phone, Nearby Share to beam documents to nearby phones and other Chromebooks, and a way to share Wi-Fi passwords among trusted devices, too.

To be fair, Windows 11 looks a lot more like a Chromebook than it did before. The Windows 11 Taskbar [for now] can only be oriented at the bottom of the screen, where apps pop up from a Start menu that looks somewhat like the Chrome OS launcher.

Our colleagues over at Computerworld include a

{{#url}}Chromebook cheat sheet{{/url}}{{^url}}Chromebook cheat sheet{{/url}}

that you may find useful with more details on the ins and outs of Chromebooks.

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. [Our sister site, TechAdvisor, has a more

{{#url}}detailed explanation{{/url}}{{^url}}detailed explanation{{/url}}

.] 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 is a much more complicated business. Security starts as soon as you begin

{{#url}}setting up a new PC{{/url}}{{^url}}setting up a new PC{{/url}}

. 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/Spectrevulnerabilities, as well as the more recent

{{#url}}Foreshadow/L1TF{{/url}}{{^url}}Foreshadow/L1TF{{/url}}

exploit. You have to be vigilant, or at least not too lazy, to protect your Windows PC. Fortunately, Windows built-in

{{#url}}Windows Defender software isfar better than it used to be{{/url}}{{^url}}Windows Defender software isfar better than it used to be{{/url}}

, enough that Windows can basically take care of itself.

Login security works about the same on both platforms. Logging into a Chromebook requires a Google account and its password. While U2F hardware keys for logging in can be used, a typical home user probably wouldnt. Windows PCs also prefer a Microsoft account and password [though you can log into the PC locally without one]. Authentication options include Windows Hello [either via a fingerprint reader or depth camera, or else with a short PIN], which provides a casual level of security that also lets you resume work quickly and easily. Its a cross between ease-of-access and security that Microsoft has invested in heavily, and its a convenience that most Windows users appreciate.

Still, Chromebooks have improved here as well.

{{#url}}Chrome OS 88{{/url}}{{^url}}Chrome OS 88{{/url}}

, which rolled out in January 2021, supports WebAuthn, a feature that allows you to log into a website using your fingerprint or PIN. [Your Chromebook needs to have a fingerprint reader for this to work.] In this case, your phone replaces your PIN as a means of

{{#url}} two-factor authentication{{/url}}{{^url}} two-factor authentication{{/url}}

Windows 11, though, introduces a huge wrinkle: some PCs simply

{{#url}}wont be upgradable to Windows 11{{/url}}{{^url}}wont be upgradable to Windows 11{{/url}}

, because they

{{#url}}lack the required hardware{{/url}}{{^url}}lack the required hardware{{/url}}

, including whats known as a TPM.

Typically, Windows PCs have offered an enormous variety of options to allow you to tweak things as you like, which weve covered in our feature of

{{#url}}how to personalize your PC{{/url}}{{^url}}how to personalize your PC{{/url}}

. Most of this is already built into Windows, though there are wallpaper theme packs and

{{#url}}even a Bing Wallpaper app{{/url}}{{^url}}even a Bing Wallpaper app{{/url}}

to allow further customization.

Chromebooks have generally not offered these capabilities, though theres now an option to

{{#url}}personalize your lock screen{{/url}}{{^url}}personalize your lock screen{{/url}}

with either one of your own photos or an image preselected by Google. Music controls are available, too.

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.

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

{{#url}}hardware restrictions{{/url}}{{^url}}hardware restrictions{{/url}}

. Older PCs, even

{{#url}}Surface devices made by Microsoft{{/url}}{{^url}}Surface devices made by Microsoft{{/url}}

, 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:

{{#url}}Google tells you{{/url}}{{^url}}Google tells you{{/url}}

. In the beginning, it was just five years after the original production date for any Chromebook [keep this in mind if youre buying an older Chromebook, or a used one]. More recently, Googles begun

{{#url}}extending the time it supports Chromebooks{{/url}}{{^url}}extending the time it supports Chromebooks{{/url}}

by about six months to a year, and even up to eight years in some cases. Beginning with Chrome OS 80, in February 2020, it

{{#url}}appears{{/url}}{{^url}}appears{{/url}}

youll be able to dive into the Settings menu and discover exactly when your device will lose support.

Google also said recently that its working to

{{#url}}separate the security aspects of Chrome OS from new features{{/url}}{{^url}}separate the security aspects of Chrome OS from new features{{/url}}

. Right now, when a Chromebook exits the support window, thats it: no new features, no new security updates. In the future, though, Googles support window may put a hard stop on new Chrome OS features, but may keep adding security patches for longer.

Windows 11, Microsofts next operating system, will debut this fall. [You can

{{#url}}follow our Windows 11 superguide{{/url}}{{^url}}follow our Windows 11 superguide{{/url}}

here, or

{{#url}}read our Windows 11 FAQ{{/url}}{{^url}}read our Windows 11 FAQ{{/url}}

here.] Essentially, it revamps the look and feel of Windows 10, offers new features such as Android apps, and cuts off millions of existing PCs in the name of security. If you buy a new PC, however, you simply wont have to worry about the hardware issues.Some even think that Windows 11 looks a bit like Chrome OS.

Windows 11 SE adds another wrinkle.

{{#url}}Microsoft launched Windows 11 SE{{/url}}{{^url}}Microsoft launched Windows 11 SE{{/url}}

in November 2021, and its a direct challenge to Chromebooks in the education market. Windows 11 SE wont be sold at retail, and the devices that run it, such as the shockingly cheap

{{#url}}$249 Surface Laptop SE{{/url}}{{^url}}$249 Surface Laptop SE{{/url}}

, wont be sold at retail, just directly to schools.

Windows 11 SE requires a little explanation. Windows 10 S [Windows 10 Home in S Mode] prevented you from running third-party apps that werent in the Microsoft Store, helping secure PCs from unauthorized apps but also proving massively inconvenient to add third-party utilities. Here are the key differences from Windows 11: Microsoft discarded the distracting Widgets menu in Windows 11 SE. Apps will be launched in full-screen mode by default. Windows 11 SE PCs will only be able to run two apps side-by-side, rather than four. Finally, the Start menu will only include four Recommended files to help kids find what they need. Microsoft also has a

{{#url}}promotional site for Windows 11 SE{{/url}}{{^url}}promotional site for Windows 11 SE{{/url}}

with more information.

This is how Microsoft explains the differences between Windows 11 SE, Windows 11, and Windows 10. Some of this may be useful to youor not! [Its worth noting that Windows 10 supports touchscreen PCs and voice typing.]

{{#url}}Microsoft{{/url}}{{^url}}Microsoft{{/url}}

Chromebooks continue to add on to Chrome OS, just like Windows 11 does to Windows 10. Its these profound changes to the OS that justified the new name for Windows 11.

Of the Chromebooks weve reviewed, wed highly recommend these four: The

{{#url}}HP Chromebook x360 12b{{/url}}{{^url}}HP Chromebook x360 12b{{/url}}

is inexpensive but very well designedfinally, a budget pick for discerning users. The

{{#url}}Lenovo Chromebook Duet{{/url}}{{^url}}Lenovo Chromebook Duet{{/url}}

has a detachable keyboard, so it can be used as a tablet. Googles own, luxurious [though aging]

{{#url}}Pixelbook{{/url}}{{^url}}Pixelbook{{/url}}

and

{{#url}}Pixelbook Go{{/url}}{{^url}}Pixelbook Go{{/url}}

embody sleek luxury and workhorse practicality, respectively. And we like the

{{#url}}Lenovo Flex 5{{/url}}{{^url}}Lenovo Flex 5{{/url}}

, though the display isnt quite up to snuff.

Mentioned in this article

HP Chromebook x360 12b-ca0010nr

{{#url}}Read our review{{/url}}{{^url}}Read our review{{/url}}

{{#string}} {{best_price_label}} {{/string}} {{#separator}} | {{/separator}} {{#url}} {{string}} {{/url}} {{^url}} {{string}} {{/url}}

Because Chromebooks have a decent [and fixed] support cycle, dont be afraid to buy a slightly older Chromebook at a discount, but make sure you check its end-of-life date.

As far as notebooks are concerned, we have a

{{#url}}number of PCWorlds picks for best laptops{{/url}}{{^url}}number of PCWorlds picks for best laptops{{/url}}

from which to choose. If you have the budget for a Chromebook but prefer Windows instead, the

{{#url}}Acer Aspire 5 [A515-43-R19L]{{/url}}{{^url}}Acer Aspire 5 [A515-43-R19L]{{/url}}

is Amazons choice, and ours as well. Our best 14-inch workhorse laptop, the

{{#url}}HP Envy 14{{/url}}{{^url}}HP Envy 14{{/url}}

, gives you a discrete GPU at under $1,000. And theres a reason that we gave the

{{#url}}HP Spectre x13t{{/url}}{{^url}}HP Spectre x13t{{/url}}

a full five stars.

Theres one other factor which may influence your decision: a list of

{{#url}}free Chromebook perks{{/url}}{{^url}}free Chromebook perks{{/url}}

that Google makes available to Chromebook owners. Theyll change from time to time, but at press time

{{#url}}included a free trial of Googles Stadia service{{/url}}{{^url}}included a free trial of Googles Stadia service{{/url}}

, 100GB of Dropbox space, a Google One subscription, and a three-month subscription to Disney+.

Mentioned in this article

Acer Aspire 5 A515-43-R19L

{{#url}}Read our review{{/url}}{{^url}}Read our review{{/url}}

{{#string}} {{best_price_label}} {{/string}} {{#separator}} | {{/separator}} {{#url}} {{string}} {{/url}} {{^url}} {{string}} {{/url}}

While we cant say for certain which platform youll prefer, heres a suggestion: If you think that a Chromebook could be right for you, take a Windows PC, download the Google Chrome browser, and then work exclusively within it for a day or so. A Chromebook will also be more attractive if you own or are familiar with Android apps. We love both.

Its fair to say that Windows offers a more comprehensive experience, but Chrome OS is a significantly simpler, cheaper alternative. The buying decision usually works out to something like: I can do almost everything in Windows with a Chromebook, but Its that last little bitprinting, file management, etc. that will guide your decision. Good luck!

Updated on November 23, 2021, with details of Microsofts new Windows 11 SE, other details, and new buying recommendations.

Mentioned in this article

Office 365

Mentioned in this article

HP Chromebook x360 12b-ca0010nr

Mentioned in this article

Acer Aspire 5 A515-43-R19L

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