Chromebooks are pretty popular these days, And we see some of the affordable Chromebooks in the market. But are they good in 2022? Are they better than Windows? Well, let's find out.
Firstly we have to understand how the Chrome OS works. Chrome OS mostly does all its work on the cloud, and it is an entirely different operating system than Windows and Mac. The main reason for choosing Chrome OS is you get to see security and faster booting and shutting down good battery life, and you can do all the essential work into it. That's why in the US, these types of things are pretty popular and widely being used for learning and educational purposes. Now, if we look into this from the perspective of India, then we might think twice before getting one, as here Chromebooks start from a very affordable price range, and it goes to a very premium range as well. But the thing is that with Chrome OS, some of its limitations come.
Windows vs. Chrome OS
Well, Chrome OS is not like windows because of which you will not get the support of the programs or the applications in the Chrome OS. If you want to test Chrome OS on your own, Google has introduced Chrome OS Flex, which can be installed on any computer launched in 10 years. You can check that how Chrome OS' performance will be and what experience you'll get to see from it, and it can be run on any computer, just the computer should have a minimum of 4GB RAM, 16GB storage, and if you get to see a 64bit processor then it can be run on it.
Limitations of Chrome OS
1. Chromebooks Build
Chrome OS comes in many different versions, and if you talk about the affordable category, then the build quality is sacrificed. But in the premium category, you get to see a premium quality build. But the majority of the Chromebooks come with the lower build quality. As they are selling these in the name of Chrome OS, they have to keep the cost as low as possible, so the cost-cutting is done here.
2. Chromebooks are not so fast
Here in the Chromebooks, the majority of the Chromebooks don't come with a super-fast processor. However, its performance will be like it will boot up and shut down fast, the battery will last longer, and the basic task can be down into it easily. But, if you want to do a high-performing task into it, its processor is not that powerful that it can execute it properly, especially in the budget and entry-level Chromebooks. So in simple words, if you want to do high-end video editing or you want to do High-end coding, or any other heavy tasks, which you think a windows computer can nicely do, then you should not go for a Chromebook.
3. Gaming & Multimedia
If you want to watch videos online, then Chromebook is perfect for you, but if you're going to do gaming into it, you can play games up to a limited level, but if you're going to do PC level gaming into it,, you can do it in it. And definitely, Chromebooks are not built for gaming purposes, if you want to do multimedia consumption or watch any video, then you can do it in this.
4. Popular Apps in Chromebooks
You don't get to see the support of many applications in Chromebook. Microsoft Office officially ended its support in 2021. But if you want to use any kind of application in Chromebook, you can use Google Sheets; you can use Google Docs for basic tasks. But if you're going to use full-fledged Microsoft office, it is not available. You cannot use high-end Adobe applications as well, you also can't run accounting software like Tally, and you cannot do any development work into it. So these are a few limitations which are there with a Chromebook, is that you don't get to see the applicational support with it. But you can use the cloud-based programs in a better way here. It's said that the backbone of Chrome OS is in the cloud.
5. Android App Support
Theoretically, Chrome OS supports Android apps, but there is a problem with android apps, it is of compatibility. Chromebooks are made for using it as a computer or using it with a keyboard and mouse, and android apps are made keeping in mind that it will be used on a touch screen, and the form factor remains different. This is not a practical solution that you can use everything into it, it will run but there will be a problem with the aspect ratio. Basically, you won't get a good experience with it.
6. Device Compatibility
The device compatibility you get with the Windows devices like you want to connect it with the printer or any other machine you can easily connect your Windows devices, but in the case of Chromebooks, there are many things that are incompatible if you want to connect different devices or there will be a problem with the drivers.
Some good things with Chromebooks
Obviously, the boot-up time is better than most of the entry-level windows laptops, better battery life, if your requirement is for learning and watching videos or doing some basic tasks then Chromebook is good for you, but as soon as you go for doing something else then it's limitations are started. One good thing about Chromebooks is its prices are low, you cannot find a good windows laptop in the price range of 25,000 - 30,000 but you can get a good Chromebook in that price range. Chromebooks are a good replacement in this price range as you don't get to see many laptops or tablets in this price range.
Well, Chromebooks are not yet ready in 2022 for going mainstream. Companies are still focused on Windows-based products. If you use Windows devices, you can access a wide variety of software and take advantage of compatibility. At the present time, almost everything runs in windows.
Stay tuned to CERadar.
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