Chromebooks and traditional laptops are two very different animals. Chromebooks are known for being lightweight, simple to use, and inexpensive computers since they run Google's Chrome operating system.


Laptops running Windows and MacOS are more costly and heavier than Chromebooks, but they provide greater flexibility. Here's all you need to know about Chromebooks and Windows laptops.


Chromebooks vs. regular laptops: What's the difference?

Chrome OS and Windows are computer, smartphone, tablet, and other device operating systems. Both employ applications to let you to do different things on your computer, such as send emails or play games, but they're not the same.


Chromebooks utilize the Chrome web browser as its primary interface and operate on Google's Chrome OS, which is based on Linux. Chromebooks were created by Google to be utilized mostly when connected to the internet. You may access most of your files through Google Drive if you have an internet connection.


Chrome OS is frequently seen on low-cost laptops targeted for students or people looking for a simple device to browse the internet or check email. It does, however, come in more costly versions, like as the Chromebook Pixel, which was created for power users who want a Chromebook that can manage higher workloads than most others.



Microsoft Corporation produced Windows, a popular computer operating system that is compatible with a variety of devices. Windows laptops can do more than simply browse the internet; they can also run thousands of programs from Microsoft's app store. Popular apps like iTunes, Spotify, and AutoCAD are among them.


Chromebooks compared. regular laptops: Cost

Because Chromebooks are simpler machines that don't require a lot of processing power or RAM, they're far less expensive than laptops running Windows 10 or macOS (random access memory). A brand new Chromebook may be purchased for as low as $300, but a laptop running Windows 10 or macOS would cost at least $600 – and often considerably more!


The storage space discrepancy

Chromebooks have limited storage space, with the majority of machines having just 16GB or 32GB. Chromebooks are designed to save the majority of their data on the cloud, therefore storage capacity is restricted. Laptops, on the other hand, have more storage capacity, with most models having at least 100GB of internal storage, while many models have considerably more.


If you need to save huge files like movies or audio recordings, laptops are preferable than Chromebooks.


Maintenance and Security

Security is one of the most significant distinctions between Chromebooks and regular PCs. Chromebooks have virus protection built in and are not vulnerable to malware. They may also be updated automatically with new features and security fixes without your intervention. This ensures that your device is constantly running the most recent version of Chrome OS, which is beneficial to productivity.



Many standard laptops are preloaded with bloatware from the manufacturer and require ongoing maintenance to maintain functioning smoothly. They are also more vulnerable to viruses, necessitating the installation of an antivirus application on your computer.


Extensions and apps

Because Chromebooks are web-centric devices, they don't come with the same applications and extensions as traditional laptops. Chromebooks use Chrome OS, a minimal operating system that solely runs web and Android applications. Traditional Windows and Mac software can't be installed on a Chromebook.


Windows 10 laptops, on the other hand, allow you to download and install any software from the Windows Store or anywhere else on the internet.


Performance of Chromebooks compared. Regular Laptops

Chromebooks are built to run Chrome OS quickly and efficiently, but they're not as powerful as a typical laptop running Windows 10 or macOS Sierra. That means they can't run resource-intensive programs like Photoshop or Adobe Premiere Pro CC without slowing or crashing.




Chromebooks have slower CPUs than traditional laptops. An Intel Celeron N3350 or Pentium N4200 CPU may be found in a mid-range Chromebook; both are low-power processors optimized for light workloads like browsing the web and viewing movies. They're adequate for basic productivity activities like Google Docs authoring, but not much more.


Faster CPUs are standard in both Windows and Mac laptops, with an Intel Core i3 or i5 processor in Windows and an Apple A11 Bionic chip in MacBooks (or even more powerful options if you get a high-end model). These CPUs can easily handle more demanding software such as video editing tools and 3D games.


To summarize, Chromebooks contain the majority of the functions of a traditional laptop, with a few exceptions. Chromebooks are laptops that run a browser-based operating system called Chrome OS and are meant to be used while connected to the internet.