Chromebooks are a tempting option for the budget-conscious, especially if you're looking for a new computer that you can easily take on the go. The main thing to keep in mind when comparing a laptop to a Chromebook is that it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. The main difference, besides price, is the operating system. If you're used to using Windows or MacOS, Google's Chrome operating system may not have all the functionality you need. But then again, maybe it does, and with some Chromebooks even dipping below $300, maybe you stand to save a bundle of cash by nixing the features you don't use anyway.
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When Chromebooks first arrived in 2011, they were routinely derided -- and rightfully so -- for their limited functionality and reliance on a consistent internet connection. The operating system is now more than a decade old, and today's Chromebooks, which come in both laptop and two-in-one designs, are far from where they started. Still, some things haven't changed, and you might not be willing to work with the limitations they do have. (Also, if you don't feel like reading this and would just rather experience Chrome OS, here's how to temporarily run it on any laptop using an inexpensive USB flash drive you probably already have lying around.)
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What can and can't I do with a Chromebook?
When ChromeOS launched, it was essentially Google's Chrome web browser. For those used to an operating system like Windows and Mac, it made the average Chromebook seem like little more than a laptop that runs a web browser, and that's all.
Even if ChromeOS never matured beyond that, the fact is quite a lot can be done entirely on the web these days. Take stock of everything you do on a daily basis, and you may find there's nothing you can't accomplish with ChromeOS at its most basic level.
That said, a Windows laptop or MacBook can run the Chrome browser and other software supported by those operating systems. Even if you don't immediately need a particular piece of software, it's nice to have the option. Plus, if you're shopping for a Chromebook for remote learning with Google Classroom, a Mac or Windows PC will work as well.
Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook Plus is a great choice if you're looking for all the latest ChromeOS features and a big 15.6-inch display. Josh Goldman/CNET
Along those lines, Chromebooks are not natively compatible with Windows or Mac software. However, the Google Play Store has a whole world of Android apps, and many websites are available as progressive web apps (more info on those in a second). Also, if you're considering a Chromebook as a secondary device, you can use Windows or Mac software on a Chromebook by using Chrome's Remote Desktop feature, and it actually works really well.
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