Not everyone is tech-savvy when it comes to buying the best device. This is where the Chromebook comes in. With a 14.03-billion-dollar market, Chromebooks are taking the tech industry by storm.
Marketed as the innovative alternative to Windows and Apple OS laptops, Chromebooks are Google’s take on device system and functionality. With a simpler operating system and reduced prices, people around the world are buying them.
The big question now is, is it worth it? Not everyone seems to think so, and you deserve to make the right choice. So, read ahead and learn about Chromebook pros and cons.
The Main Pros
Many Chromebook pros and cons have areas that set the device apart. This includes the device’s minimal design and internet use. Generally, Chromebooks direct marketing towards first-timers in the device market.
Things included in the Chromebook’s assets are its simplified use and better functionality. People don’t have to worry about constant system updates or new installations. This is also why most people consider it to be the future of tech, as advertised.
Due to this convenience, many premium brands have started making their own devices able to support the OS. Today, heavy hitters such as Lenovo and Samsung all have Chromebooks in their device selection.
1. Better Budgeting
The Chromebook Immediately stands out among devices because of its catchy price tag. This is because Chromebooks arrive at a lower price point compared to other laptops. This price gets even more attractive when it offers the same functionality.
Chromebooks use this lower-priced budgeting to build a reputation of accessibility for the mass market. This further cements its appeal as a working man’s device able to match traditional laptops. This perception is widely received by customers looking for a device that fits an everyday lifestyle.
This lower price point is due to a few factors that come together. The first is in its design as a laptop for general use. Materials are cheap and affordable but still effective for the laptop.
Secondly, the Chromebook’s operating system design functions in a way that many high-end systems can’t. Their design consists of running programs on the internet quickly and efficiently. They don’t need as much power compared to traditional laptops in this regard.
This makes checking prices a good way to find a great device for any aspiring owner. To get the most power on a limited budget, it pays to do a little research on your end.
2. Quick Start
Many laptops take a while to boot up due to the sheer number of processes required for the laptop to run. For many people, this is a turnoff as it is inefficient and takes too much of their valuable time. Chromebooks meanwhile don’t have to deal with that problem.
With a click of a button, a Chromebook starts up in seconds without any fuss. The laptop contains tools for work that reflect its speed. Closing and opening programs and setting the device’s power mode is no problem.
It is also worth noting that the operating system starts are very smooth for a cheap laptop. Unlike laptops which use other operating systems, Chromebooks work well almost everywhere. This is since the system does not put as much strain on a cheap laptop’s hardware.
This results in speed which many laptop users are more than happy with. Any lag people feel when doing normal tasks is minimal at worst.
3. Save Your Battery Life
People buy laptops for moving and life on the go. This makes laptops prized devices that people gladly bring everywhere. Despite this, one major laptop element directly influences a laptop’s value: battery life.
If you think about it, many laptops last around 3to 4 hours at full charge. While this is infinitely better than a desktop, you still run the risk of battery death. This gets even worse for heavy-duty laptops which don’t last very long on the go.
A Chromebook however takes battery life to the extreme with its battery-saving capabilities. Running fewer background processes and apps puts less strain on the laptop’s energy. This makes for almost 11 whole hours of battery life on a full charge doing light work.
4. Perfect on the Go
The battery life that a laptop has impacts its mobility and effectiveness outside. You already know that Chromebooks have good batteries, but there’s more to it than that. Chromebooks have other factors that make them the perfect device on the go.
A Chromebook runs without as much hardware compared to other laptops. Its operating system does not need those pieces anyway. Instead, it needs a good internet connection which is present in most places.
This cutting down on hardware translates into a lighter laptop. Gone are the days of heavy laptop bags and brick chargers. A Chromebook is fast and optimized for a generation on the go.
5. Safe, Secure, Stylish
If there’s one thing that every device owner agrees about, it’s on safety and security. A virus at the wrong place and time is enough to destroy a device’s functionality. This leads to problems that escalate as it risks your data and safety.
Chromebooks handle viruses extremely well and ensure safe and stable file security. If the laptop goes online, its antivirus systems will update automatically. Frequent updating virus definitions download automatically into the laptop to get the best security.
Some Dubious Cons
While Chromebooks are the perfect fit for some people, it does have its faults. Not everyone wants a device that they can’t optimize. Meanwhile, others are apprehensive about a device that can’t handle intense projects
Chromebooks after all miss out on a lot of processes other laptops have. While the internet can make up for it, it doesn’t always guarantee the best experience.
1. Internet Dependent
If you are no longer connected to the internet while using your Chromebook, then you’re in trouble. The operating system cannot run higher processes without the internet. Even worse, you don’t have any versatility when it comes to applications needing net access.
While some apps have offline access, this not the best use of your time. Many apps have their features enabled only when online. You can expect this con to impact your Chromebook in almost all its features and traits.
If you need files, you will need to go online to access your drive or cloud data service. Many apps that Chromebooks use to offset their disadvantages are only available online. Without the net, your Chromebook is a shiny rock that might entertain you.
2. Lost Storage
As Chromebooks are lighter and have less hardware, they also happen to have less storage. Hard drives and memory hardware are conveniently cut off from Chromebooks. This is naturally offset by the presence of your Google drive and online data storage.
If for some reason you can’t access these services, expect your laptop to lag immensely. Filling your device with memory slows it down and further increases the need to go online.
3. Goodbye Gaming
Many people wonder, can you play games on a Chromebook? The answer is that it’s complicated. Many triple-A games are going to crash on a Chromebook if they manage to run at all. These games need good processors to manage everything going on at the same time.
This means that unless you can outfit your Chromebook with laptop hardware you aren’t going to play Cyberpunk 2077 anytime soon. Buying those items, however, decreases a Chromebook’s value as it ruins its price advantage. It means you are better off buying a traditional gaming laptop in the first place.
But what are the best games for Chromebooks, you ask? Well, if you are dead set on playing on your Chromebook, the Google store has an answer for you. The alternative is running browser games instead.
4. Google Only Software
Remember those applications you found convenient on your old desktop or laptop? Yeah, you won’t find them in your Chromebook. You can find replacements online, but Chromebooks require Google-approved apps.
It may not affect a lot of people, but those that do get affected may need time. A lot of Google apps have high learning curves for first-time users. Learning to transition is difficult and frustrates many people.
To make matters worse, apps such as video editing software or photo editing software don’t always run well. These apps require higher-end operating systems and will crash often on a Chromebook.
5. No Eye Candy for You
A final issue for those who love clear pictures and good displays is the Chromebook’s graphic quality. Like most of its hardware, compromises justify its price point, and graphics are no exception.
This poor graphic quality is another reason why Chromebooks don’t do well with games. If you need better resolutions or screen quality, go elsewhere.
Know Your Chromebook Pros and Cons!
Don’t spend your cash without thinking. Buying a Chromebook is a serious commitment, and you want to make the most out of it. Know your Chromebook pros and cons to make the right decision for your device!
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