Pros and Cons of Using a Chromebook as Your Everyday Computer

Chromebooks have come a long way since their initial release in 2011, and the future promises more interesting devices with the upcoming Googlebooks, which aim to harmonize Android and ChromeOS into one package. If you’re considering switching from Windows or Mac to something more minimalist, a Chromebook can definitely be a good alternative. These machines have their quirks, however, and have sowed discord within tech communities over the years.

If you want a lightweight, efficient and secure machine and work primarily with office applications like email and spreadsheets, it’s definitely worth looking into a Chromebook. However, there are a few drawbacks to be aware of before getting started.

One of the best qualities of a Chromebook is its simplicity, both physical and digital. They are generally much lighter than a typical laptop, while being more durable. They also offer enviable battery life, with many models lasting over 10 hours on a single charge.

This autonomy is largely due to the simplicity of ChromeOS. Inspired by the Chrome browser, it’s an interface that most people are already familiar with, with much less learning required to use it effectively. This simplified approach also means Chromebooks boot up in seconds.

The operating system is by default much more secure than a typical PC, thanks to a few different approaches. On the one hand, it is a read-only operating system; Since you can only make changes to your own files and your cloud storage, it is much harder for malware to destroy system files. A verified boot system rechecks suspicious changes every time the Chromebook boots, automatically reverting to a previous version if it detects something is wrong. And a process called sandboxing, in which each web page and application runs in its own environment, ensures that problems that arise don’t contaminate other areas.

Chromebooks are not completely safe from security threats, as they can still fall prey to attacks like malicious extensions or Play Store apps. And no matter what device you’re using, you can still fall for a phishing email or have your weak password guessed. But in general, Chromebooks offer fewer attack points than a Windows machine.

If you want more control and don’t worry about losing most of these security features, you can enable developer mode on your Chromebook to gain full access to the system. This allows you to install Linux and access a full terminal.

Perhaps the biggest selling point of a Chromebook is its price. There are high-end models that come close to standard laptop prices, selling for over $700, but the average Chromebook is much cheaper. Woozad’s Chromebook pick for 2026, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, costs just $400 (depending on where you find it). Many other Chromebooks are in a similar price range.

Back when the Chromebook line was introduced, they were essentially useless when you didn’t have access to the internet. Fortunately, there have been several improvements in this area over the years: Much of Google Workspace (like Docs and Sheets) will work offline, as will Gmail. Other apps like Netflix and YouTube offer downloading videos for offline use. Although the offline situation is better now, a Chromebook is still a cloud-dependent device, so your options will be limited without Internet. Games are focused on streaming on ChromeOS, so unless you’re looking to play downloaded Android games, you’re out of luck.

This heavily streaming-focused gaming landscape, which relies largely on services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming to play non-Google Play Store games, is a symptom of a larger Chromebook problem: software incompatibility. Not only won’t programs like Steam work on ChromeOS, but myriad professional tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and existing enterprise software used in fields like healthcare won’t work either. If you need one of these programs to work, ChromeOS is not a solution. Speaking of compatibility, since Google Cloud Print was discontinued in 2020, not all printers work with ChromeOS. Although most modern Wi-Fi printers should work, checking Google’s page on Chromebook printers is a good idea.

Even the best equivalents of the missing software can struggle with heavier rendering and processing due to the weaker hardware of the typical Chromebook. Because the operating system is much simpler and cloud-dependent, Chromebooks typically offer much lower specs in key areas like RAM, CPU, and storage. There are always exceptions, but higher-end Chromebooks come at much higher prices. If you’re worried about the best specs for your money, you should probably buy one of the best standard laptops instead.