Theres a lot to like about Chromebooks.
Theyre budget-friendly, have a lot of options, and are powerful enough to get things done.
If youre a student shopping for a laptop for school, they may be pretty attractive.
Lets see where you fall.
First, Understand What Youre Getting with Chrome OS
In most ways, Chromebooks are just laptops.
Chrome OS is, essentially, the Chrome online window in operating system form.
Most of the applications youll use are web-based, and almost all of them will store their data online.
Some may have high-end screens and keyboards, but theyll still have drawbacks over a traditional laptop.
Thepreviously mentionedChromebook Comparison sitecan help you navigate Chromebook specs, and see whats normal when compared to other laptops.
But, if thats okay with you, they can be great little machines.
Your data and changes are all saved and backed up automatically to your Google account.
Your Chromebook could keep you on task and productive when youre out and about.
When youre at home though, its a free-for-all.
More people fall into these categories than you might think.
Those students could get the same experience, or better, on a more affordable Chromebook.
Plus, they wouldnt have to worry as much about backups and security issues like malware or adware.
(Were not saying you dont have to worry at all, just less.)
Maybe you just need power, or maybe theres something specific you want from your laptop.
Instead, itll be an obstacle youll have to overcome.
Even high-end Chromebooks like thelatest Chromebook Pixelare good, butnot great.
Evenolder Chromebooks have a hard time justifying their price.
Students vested in Windows or OS X, and uncomfortable without them: Chrome OS isnt for everyone.
Dont get me wrong, its streamlined and well designed, but its still not for everyone.
Those same people will inevitably call their campus IT support line, hear oh, you have a Chromebook?
We cant really help you, and feel they wasted their money.
Theyll wonder why they cant download the same applications everyone else is using.
Theyll have smartphones they cant really connect to, and read about tons of new apps they cant install.
If any of those sound like you, maybea traditional ultrabook or Macbookis more your style.
People not concerned with resale value wont care whether theres an aftermarket for the Chromebook Pixel.
Doing that could, if you like what you see, even completely alleviate that last bullet point above.
At the end of the day though, these shouldnt hold you back if they dont sound like you.
Chromebooks are great options for more people than will likely consider them.
That doesnt, however, mean theyre for everyone.
Just be sure to include them when youre thinking about your next laptop purchase.
Title photo made usingtuulijumala(Shutterstock).
Additional photos byKevin JarrettandMatthew Cote.
