Why You Should Consider a Chromebook

The evolution of Chromebooks has been significant and remarkable. When Google introduced the Chromebook concept a decade ago – a laptop computer not running Windows 10, Linux or Apple’s macOS, but instead an environment running on Google’s own Chrome browser – they were pitched as low-cost student computers, and built accordingly. They didn’t cost much, but there were compromises in the display, keyboard and battery life. What’s more, they were predicated on the idea of always-on WiFi and cloud-saving, which, at the time, made them tricky in an Australian context where broadband access in many places could be unpredictable.

These days, it’s a different story – there are plenty of benefits of a Chromebook, with a wide variety of models on offer. Yes, you can still buy very basic Google Chromebooks (which are, in fact, great workhorses for students), but now, there are also premium devices that can compete with the rest of the market. Here’s what you need to consider if you are thinking of buying a Chromebook.

Chromebooks can be a great choice over a laptop, especially for students.

Chromebooks: The Benefits

One of the benefits of a Chromebook is that it has few malware problems.

Few malware problems: Malware is the collective name for a number of malicious software problems, including viruses, ransomware and spyware. Because ChromeOS is a highly controlled environment, it’s less prone to malware issues.
Android app compatibility: ChromeOS used to be a closed environment, but it’s now open to running Android apps, so if you’ve also got an Android phone or tablet, you’ll have software ready to go.
Runs better on less hardware: Chromebooks tend to have to do less, and that means they can make do with less in terms of system resources.
Cloud-based backup: While you can get Chromebooks with expanded local storage, the primary storage concept here is to use Google Drive, which means that your documents are safely backed up online automatically.
Quick booting: Most Chromebooks are super speedy when it comes to starting up or shutting down.

Other Considerations

If you need a computer that’s mostly offline, a Chromebook could be a compromised choice.

App availability: This was an early drawback of Chromebook, but less of an issue now that many apps are web-based. Google’s Docs and Sheets are of course available, and so is Microsoft Office, either through a web browser or their Android apps, but be aware, some programs like Photoshop or InDesign are not compatible with Chromebooks.
Online is still key: You can use a Chromebook offline, but it’s not the way that most apps are configured, so if you need a computer that’s mostly offline, a Chromebook may not be your best solution.

Hot Tip: Whatever device you choose, check battery capacity and battery life. For economical laptops, it’s one area where manufacturers might cut costs. Some models buck that trend, so it’s worth checking carefully before you buy.