Chromebook vs Notebook: Which one best fits your needs?

A Chromebook is often referred to as a notebook, and while it is not wrong, there are clear differences between a Chromebook and a notebook or a regular laptop. Depending on your needs, a Chromebook may or may not fit your needs, and thus it is important to know the difference. If you are in the market for a new computer and unable to understand the difference between a notebook and a Chromebook then you have come to the right place.

Chromebook: What is it?

A Chromebook is a type of portable computer running ChromeOS, a browser-based operating system designed by Google that underpins the core technology powering the search giant’s popular web browser. It is designed to work as a connected device as opposed to a standalone operating system like Microsoft Windows or Apple’s macOS.

ALSO READ: 5 reasons why Chromebooks are a student’s best friend

The Chromebooks available in the market share a lot of design traits with a traditional notebook, and hence the term is used interchangeably. But they are more akin to a netbook than a full-fledged notebook. A Chromebook usually relies on low-power hardware since the hardware is only there to support its cloud-based services.

What is the difference between a Chromebook and a notebook?

As mentioned earlier, a Chromebook is a cloud-native device that runs Google’s ChromeOS and often uses a low-power processor, less RAM, and a minimal amount of storage. They also require the device to be connected to the internet most of the time to support their core functions. While some high-end Chromebooks have begun hitting the market, they are not the norm.

A notebook, on the other hand, refers to a laptop running the most popular operating systems: Windows and macOS, or even Linux. These operating systems are designed to run native applications (locally stored on the device) and don’t rely heavily on cloud architecture or constant internet connectivity.

ALSO READ: Can Lightroom run on Chromebook?

When it comes to the difference between a Chromebook and a notebook, hardware is just one factor. The real difference between these two devices boils down to the differing ideology of operating systems powering them. For instance, a photographer can use a locally installed application like Adobe Photoshop on both Windows and Mac to edit photos but on Chromebook, you will need to get online and use a web-based application.

Chromebook vs Notebook: Which one best fits your needs?

A Chromebook can do most tasks that you are already doing on your laptop. Since it runs ChromeOS based on Google’s web browser, and Chrome has a market share of nearly 70 per cent, we are looking at a device that is capable of handling use cases such as browsing the web, social media, email, messaging, watching or listening to streaming media.

It can also be used for productivity tasks such as word processing or spreadsheets, video conferencing, or remote learning. A Chromebook is a preferred device for learning, and students are among the most common users of these devices. Even writers can use a Chromebook and might appreciate its always-connected design since it only simplifies research.

However, there are areas where a notebook has a clear upper hand and that is mainly because of design. If you are a photo or video editor working with a suite of Adobe applications or video editing tools like DaVinci Resolve, then a Windows notebook or a MacBook will be the right fit.

Gaming is another area where laptops are much better suited than a Chromebook. With your Windows laptop, you gain access to a huge library of AAA gaming titles that you cannot find on a Chromebook. These games are designed to take full advantage of your laptop hardware, and these systems also come with support for a number of accessories that aid your gaming experience. 

On Chromebooks, gaming is limited to mobile gaming or cloud-based gaming services. For mobile gaming, ChromeOS relies on Google Play Store, and these games work the way they do on a smartphone and are designed to be touched and not played with a keyboard or trackpad.

ALSO READ: What are the features to look for while buying a Chromebook?

Even with cloud-based gaming services like Nvidia’s GeForce Now or Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud gaming, the experience is often lacklustre and most games lack responsiveness seen on a notebook. While Chromebooks with better hardware have come to the market, gaming is not the strongest suit of this operating system. Click here to see a complete list of everything you can do with a Chromebook.

Thus, a Chromebook is best suited for students, office workers, and those who do their work on the web. A notebook, on the other hand, is suited for every user and is particularly useful for power users who need local applications, advanced software capabilities, and ability to play games on the go.