That said, a Windows laptop or MacBook can run the Chrome browser as well as other software supported by those operating systems. Take stock of everything you do on a daily basis and you may find there's nothing you can't accomplish with Chrome at its most basic level. 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.Įven if the Chrome OS never matured beyond that, the fact is quite a lot can be done entirely on the web these days. When Chrome OS launched it was essentially Google's Chrome web browser.

What can and can't I do with a Chromebook? (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.) The operating system turned 10 years old last year and today's Chromebooks, which come in both laptop and two-in-one designs, are far from where they started, but some things haven't changed, and you might not be willing to work with the limitations they do have. When Chromebooks first arrived in 2011 they were routinely derided - and rightfully so - for their limited functionality and reliance on a consistent internet connection. 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. If you're used to using Windows or MacOS, Google's minimalist Chrome operating system may not have all the functionality you need. The main difference, besides price, is the operating system. The main thing to keep in mind when comparing a laptop to a Chromebook is that it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. 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.

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