20+ Differences between Chromebook vs. Laptop (Explained)

Having trouble choosing between a Chromebook and a conventional laptop? There are a few key differences to be aware of, and which is better depends on your specific requirements.

When comparing Chromebooks vs. Laptops, it’s important to remember that laptops provide a much more traditional computing experience. Therefore, this article will compare and contrast Chromebooks and laptop computers.

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Key Differences between Chromebook and Laptop:

Chromebooks:

• Chromebooks are the new brand of laptops based on Chrome OS.
• Chromebooks run on Google’s web-based Chrome OS, primarily used when connected to the Internet.
• Chromebooks are designed only for online use.
• There are no disk drivers or solid-state drivers in the Chromebook.
• Because there are no disk drives in the Chromebook, the applications and programs are stored in the google cloud.
• Chromebooks load faster than laptops with a minimum waiting period.
• In Chromebooks, there is only one web browser, Google Chrome. No other web browser works on the Chromebook.
• In Chromebooks, virus protection is done automatically via Google.

Laptops:

• Laptops are smaller in size than desktop computers with all the facilities.
• Laptops run on Microsoft Windows or Mac OS.
• Laptops are used for both online and offline activities.
• Laptops have disk drives like hard disk drives (HDD) and Solid State Drives (SSD).
• The application files are saved in the disk drives and solid-state drivers.
• Laptops load a little bit slower than Chromebooks.
• All web browsers, like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc., work on laptops.
• For virus protection, you need to install antivirus software.

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The Comparison Between Chromebook and Laptop:

Parameters	Chromebook	Laptop
Operating System	The operating system in Chromebook is Google Chrome OS.	The operating system in a laptop is Windows, Mac OS
Web Browser	The only web browser on Chromebook is Google Chrome,	Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and other web browsers are used on laptops.
Disk Drivers	In Chromebook, disk drivers are not present.	Disk Drivers, and Solid State Drivers, are present in the laptops
Storage	All the files on Chromebook are stored in the google cloud.	All the files can be stored offline in the disk drivers, SSDs, and in clouds online.
Working Purpose	Chromebooks are only designed for online working purposes.	Laptops are used for both online and offline working purposes.
Processors	Chromebooks don’t need any powerful processors.	The laptop requires powerful processors for proper functioning.
Performance	Chromebooks are very fast, even with lower-end specs.	The Lower-ends laptops can be very slow. You need to pay for some better specs to see better performance improvements.
Gaming	Chromebooks, android games, and cloud gaming are available.	Higher-end laptops have a huge advantage in gaming support.
Weight	Generally, Chromebooks are light in weight.	Laptops are quite heavier than Chromebooks. Different models of laptops have different weights. Moreover, High-end laptops are quite lighter than others.
Internal Battery	Chromebooks work around 7-9 hours with an internal battery.	Typically has lower battery hours than Chromebooks. Different models have different battery hours.
Functioning	Chromebooks require only google applications to function.	Laptops require many programs and applications to function.
Antivirus	In Chromebooks, virus protection is done automatically by Google. You don’t have to buy other antivirus software.	For antivirus protection, you have to buy and install antivirus software.
Cost	Chromebooks are relatively inexpensive and budget-friendly than laptops.	Laptops are expensive. The price of the laptops varies per model.

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The Major Differences between Chromebook and Laptops:

What is a Chromebook?

A Chromebook is a laptop or tablet which runs the Linux-based operating system ChromeOS. They differ significantly from laptops running an entirely different OS, such as Android.

Chromebook is an online-only device that performs most of its work in the cloud; Chrome fulfills its basic functions and is essentially mobile.

Because of their simple design and use, Chromebooks are extremely well-liked in the education community. Chromebooks are well worth the money, even though they can’t replace your feature-rich laptops. In addition, it is considerably lighter than Mac OS and Windows. 

Pros:

1. The price of Chromebooks is lower.
2. The Chrome OS is swift and very stable.
3. Chromebooks’ batteries last longer.
4. Chromebooks are less likely to contract viruses.
5. A lot of Chromebooks are small and light.

Cons:

1. Minimal on-site storage
2. To print, Chromebooks must use Google Cloud Printing.
3. Offline, it is essentially useless.
4. There are no advanced gaming capabilities.
5. There will be no video editing or Photoshop.

What is a laptop?

A laptop, also known as a laptop computer or notebook computer, is a compact, portable personal computer (PC) with a screen and keyboard.

A laptop is a smaller-sized portable personal computer. Even though it is compact, it has all the features of a full-sized desktop computer. 

It is a tiny, battery-operated computer with an on-screen keyboard, trackpad, and trackball, which is technically a mouse. Laptops utilize Windows OS or Mac OS, as opposed to Chromebooks.

Since it has all of a personal computer’s features, it uses the same programs and applications. However, laptop prices are typically higher than desktop prices.

Pros:

1. Extremely portable
2. More work is completed
3. Current information
4. Reduced power usage
5. Long battery life 
6. Extremely versatile
7. Greater additional features

Cons: 

1. A higher cost of ownership
2. Challenges with customization
3. Keyboard and small working screen
4. Repairing is more challenging
5. It does not include a mouse.

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Chromebook vs. Laptops – All you need to know:

Chromebooks:

1. In Chromebooks, the operating system is developed by Google.
2. Integrated access to Google cloud services
3. Wi-Fi is constantly available, and using mobile data is common.
4. In Chromebooks, there is little RAM (4GB to 8GB is common) than in laptops
5. In Chromebooks, there is small storage (32GB to 128GB is common) than in laptops.
6. Chromebooks are relatively lower in price.
7. SSD and HDD are not available on Chromebook. All files are stored in the cloud.

Laptops:

1. Windows, macOS, and Linux are the operating system of laptops.
2. Various options for cloud services,
3. Wi-Fi is always accessible, while mobile data is uncommon.
4. A laptop has more RAM (8GB to 32GB is common)
5. It has more space (128GB to 1TB is common)
6. Laptops are expensive. The price ranges by the different models of laptops.
7. All laptop files are stored in HDD, SSD, and the cloud.

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The contrast between Chromebook and Laptops:

Operating System:

• Chromebooks: On the other hand, Chromebooks utilize Google’s Chrome OS, essentially a trimmed-down version of its Chrome web browser.

• Laptops: Microsoft Windows or Mac OS, two full-featured operating systems made for various devices, are typically used to power laptops.

Storage:

• Chromebooks: Documents, images, and videos are automatically saved to Google Drive when used on a Chromebook.
  
  A Chromebook frequently has a small amount of offline storage because Chrome OS is designed specifically for this. Because of this, you get 100GB of online storage for free when you purchase a Chromebook. 

• Laptops: Your files are physically stored on a hard drive or SSD in a laptop or Macbook. However, a Windows laptop or MacBook also enables you to store your files in the cloud online.
  
  You can save files online, for instance, on Google Drive, or select an alternative like Dropbox or OneDrive.

Antivirus Protection:

• Chromebooks: A Chromebook already has built-in virus protection, so one is unnecessary. Threats and viruses have little impact on the operating system and Chromebook because Google protects files stored online. You can be certain that a Chromebook is always secure in this way.

• Laptops: To protect yourself from viruses, malware, and spyware on a Windows laptop, you must use an antivirus program or virus scanner.
  
  Although MacBook models are less vulnerable to viruses, installing an antivirus program is still a good idea. Unfortunately, security features built into Apple products don’t always guard against this.

Battery life and capacity:

• Chromebooks: A Chromebook does not require a powerful processor, video card, hard drive, or SSD that consumes a lot of energy. The operating system is lightweight and requires little from the Chromebook, including the battery.

• Laptops: Windows laptops and MacBook models require more energy than Chromebooks due to their more powerful hardware and less energy-efficient operating systems. As a result, these laptop models must be recharged more frequently.

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Advantages: Chromebook vs. Laptops:

Chromebooks:-

1. Generally, a Chromebook will be less expensive, though each category has a wide range of price options.
2. Chromebooks generally boot up faster than laptops due to their Chrome OS.
3. A Chromebook is simpler to set up and use.
4. Chromebooks are lighter and thinner.
5. It is more convenient to save files to the cloud rather than to a hard drive and stream rather than download. Viruses are also less likely.

Laptops:-

1. A laptop will always be more flexible than a Chromebook, which has fewer ports, a more limited user interface, and relies on remote applications and services because it has an optical system, multiple slots, and a full PC operating system.

1. A laptop can run almost any software program. Spreadsheets, word processors, games, photo editing software, and other applications are all simple.

1. Laptops are generally faster than Chromebooks because they typically have the most recent processors and additional RAM.

1. Most experts recommend laptops for business, but a Chromebook is also a good option for users who need to be mobile frequently – especially if the cost is lower.

1. Even if you are out of range of your home or office wireless, you can still be productive if you use a laptop.

Web Browser

• Chromebooks: Google Chrome is the only web browser available on the Chromebook.

• Laptops: Web browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and others are used on laptops.

Drivers for hard drives

• Chromebooks: Disk drivers are not available on Chromebooks.

• Laptops: Laptops include Disk Drivers and Solid State Drivers.

Work Objective

• Chromebooks: Chromebooks are only intended to be used for online work.

• Laptops: On the other hand, laptops are intended for online and offline use.

Processors:

• Chromebooks: Chromebooks do not require high-performance processors.

• Laptops: For proper operation, the laptop requires powerful processors.

Performance:

• Chromebooks: Chromebooks, even with lower-end specs, are extremely fast.

• Laptops: Lower-end laptops, on the other hand, can be extremely slow. As a result, you must pay more for better specifications to see performance improvements.

Gaming

• Chromebooks: There are Chromebooks, Android games, and cloud gaming options.

• Laptops: Higher-end laptops have a significant advantage in terms of gaming support.

Weight

• Chromebooks: Chromebooks are typically light in weight.

• Laptops: Laptops are significantly heavier than Chromebooks. However, the weight of various laptop models varies. Furthermore, high-end laptops are significantly lighter than others.

Internal Power Source

• Chromebooks: Chromebooks have an internal battery that lasts about 7-9 hours.

• Laptops: Battery life is typically shorter than that of Chromebooks. The battery life of various models varies.

Functioning

• Chromebooks: Chromebooks are only capable of running Google applications.

• Laptops: On the other hand, laptops require numerous programs and applications to function.

Cost

• Chromebooks: Chromebooks are less expensive and more cost-effective than laptops.

• Laptops: Laptops are not cheap. The cost of the laptops varies depending on the model.

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Features:- Chromebook vs. Laptop

Chromebook:-

• The Everything Button is available on Chromebooks. It’s a single button that lets you quickly find what you’re looking for.
• Up to 12 hours of work and playtime on a single charge.
• Swipe, tap, and scroll as you please. There are numerous touchscreen-enabled Chromebooks available.
• Instant Tethering with Chromebook automatically connects you to your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot.
• Chromebooks are compatible with Microsoft Office.
• With Chromebook, picture-in-picture viewing is possible with the most widely used video apps.
• With Virtual Desks on Chromebook, you can better organize your workspace and multitask.
• LTE connectivity on your Chromebook allows you to maintain a connection to the Internet wherever you are.

Laptops:-

• The first and most important advantage of a laptop over a desktop computer is its mobility. The laptop’s lightweight, compact size and built-in battery allow it to be easily transported from one location to another.

• Without any additional devices, the laptop is simple to use. It has a keyboard, a built-in mouse (touchpad), speakers, and a microphone. Many laptops include a built-in camera, and some even have two built-in cameras on opposite sides of the laptop cover.

• You can connect to the Internet wirelessly through Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot in a laptop.

• The battery pack built into the laptop frequently fails because it is not eternal and must be operated according to strict guidelines.

• Most experts recommend laptops for business, but a Chromebook is also a good option for users who need to be mobile frequently – especially if the cost is lower.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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