Are Chromebooks Bad? 8 Advantages & Disadvantages

• Chromebooks are affordable, lightweight, come with cloud storage, and support Android and Linux apps.
• Chromebooks are not good for gaming, multimedia editing, or graphic design.
• Chromebooks are great for students, teachers, and businesses who use Google Workspace products.

What are Chromebooks?

Chromebooks are cloud-reliant laptop computers. Unlike PCs and Macs, which run on Windows or macOS, Chromebooks use Google's ChromeOS operating system. Chromebooks are more centered around the internet and the cloud than other laptops, and most applications are web-based.

Advantages

Chromebooks are cheaper. Chromebooks don't need the powerful hardware necessary to run Windows or macOS, so they're generally cheaper than traditional laptops. ChromeOS and its web-based apps don't need as much processing power or RAM to run. They also don't need large expensive hard drives, as they rely on cloud storage.

Chromebooks are more lightweight. Since Chromebooks don't require the same powerful hardware as other laptops, they tend to be thinner and weigh less. Chromebooks are easy to carry around, making them a convenient laptop option for college students and travelers.

Chromebooks have good battery life. Since Chromebooks don't need battery-intensive hardware, they don't use much power. Battery life on a Chromebook tends to be much better than the average PC laptop or MacBook.

Apps and data are stored in the cloud. Most apps that run on Chromebooks do not need to be installed on the laptop itself. Instead, you'll access apps online through the Chrome web browser. Because apps are stored in the cloud, they're accessible when you need them, and your data is automatically backed up. It's also easy to transfer your data from one Chromebook to another.

You don't have to update Chromebooks constantly. Unlike Windows and macOS, ChromeOS apps do not need to be updated often. Chromebook apps are updated and maintained by Google and third-party developers. You will always have the latest version of the app, and ChromeOS updates automatically.

Chromebooks are more secure and less virus-prone. Because Google uses a compartmentalized approach to security called "sandboxing," all Chromebook apps run in their own environment and cannot interact with other apps or ChromeOS. This makes it harder for viruses and malicious web pages to infect your Chromebook or other apps.

Software is more affordable. Windows and macOS software like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud require expensive subscriptions. Google apps like Google Docs and Google Sheets can be accessed within the Chrome web browser for free. You can also install many third-party apps on your Chromebook that cost little to nothing.

You can install Android and Linux apps. Most Chromebooks have access to the Google Play Store, which allows you to download and install your favorite Android apps. You can also install Linux on Chromebooks, which allows you to install and run Linux software.

Disadvantages

Chromebooks have small hard drives. Most Chromebooks come with hard drives that are between 32 and 64 GB. This limits the number of apps you can download and use offline. There are Chromebooks that come with larger hard drives, but they are more expensive.

Chromebooks need an internet connection to be useful. Because Chromebooks rely on cloud storage, you'll need a steady internet connection for your Chromebook to be useful. everything that is done on a Chromebook is done online. If you're not online, your Chromebook has very limited capabilities.

Chromebook hardware is not very powerful. Chromebooks do not have the latest processors. They also generally come with about 4 GB of RAM, which is half the amount of a standard laptop. This means that you may notice your Chromebook start to slow down if you are multitasking and have lots of tabs open. You also can't upgrade the hardware in a Chromebook.

Chromebooks have a limited display resolution. Most Chromebooks do not come with full HD screens. Most come with either 1366 × 768 or 1600 × 900. This means that pictures and videos are not as clear and crisp. There are Chromebooks with full HD (1900 x 1080) and even 4K (3840 x 2160), but they are significantly more expensive.

Chromebooks have limited software compatibility. While Chromebooks do support Android and Linux apps, they lack compatibility with Windows and Mac apps. If you rely on Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud, those apps are not available on Chromebook. You will need to jump through hoops if you want to install iTunes on your Chromebook.

Chromebooks are not good gaming laptops. Chromebooks do not have the RAM, CPU, or hard drive space needed to play most of the latest game titles, and most games are not available for Chromebook. While you may be able to install the Android version of Fortnite on your Chromebook, it won't run as well as it would on a Windows PC.

Chromebooks are bad for graphic design, audio, and video editing. Chromebooks do not offer many great options for multimedia editing. Adobe products are not available on Chromebooks and neither is Pro Tools. While there are web apps for video and photo editing, they are not as good as the desktop versions. Chromebook's low screen resolution and hardware limitations may make it so that it can't handle high resolutions and high-definition media files as smoothly.

Printing can be an issue on Chromebooks. While many newer printers are compatible with ChromeOS, older printers may not support wireless printing on a Chromebook. You may need to connect a printer to your Chromebook using a USB cable.

Who should get a Chromebook?

Teachers and students. Since Chromebooks are affordable, schools can buy them in bulk and issue them to students and instructors. Many Chromebook apps are geared toward learning and productivity, making them great educational tools.

Basic computer users. If you mainly need a computer to check your email, surf the web, and do a little word processing, a Chromebook may be all you need. Chromebooks are inexpensive, easy to set up, and have everything you need to get started right out of the box.

Businesses and employees who use Google products. If your business uses Google products like Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Classroom, Chromebooks can be a good option for your employees. Because they are so easy to use, they'll also cut down on your IT support needs.

Are Chromebooks bad?

Chromebooks can be good or bad depending on your needs. If you're a student or just need a simple, inexpensive laptop for getting online, a Chromebook may be right for you. If you need a powerful computer for gaming or multimedia editing, opt for a PC laptop or MacBook.