Chromebook vs. Windows laptop: Which should you buy?

Should you buy a Chromebook or a Windows laptop? It’s a common question: Both devices can surf the web, access apps, and so on, at home, work, or school. But there are clear differences between their respective platforms, especially with regards to the recent push in AI.

We tackle the question from several perspectives, beginning with the basics and then diving deeper. In some ways, the two categories have moved closer together, as much of our work is performed on the web. But advances in the capabilities of local CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs also establish clear differences between what they can and cannot do. We’ll define the differences and then advise you on which device to purchase.

Who should buy a Windows laptop?

If you want the most power and flexibility available, buy a modern Windows laptop. See our roundup of the best laptops for a wide range of buying recommendations, and our daily laptop deals (updated almost every day) for the latest sales on top laptops.

A laptop PC powered by Microsoft Windows offers several advantages. Windows laptops can run just about any app, your choice of any browser, and options that include native games, utilities, apps, and antivirus programs. You can tweak and configure your PC as you choose.

The convenience of Windows demands more computing horsepower and often a higher price compared to most Chromebooks. On the other hand, if you need a powerful PC for gaming or video editing, Chromebooks can’t compete. While you can perform some of these functions via a web app, those won’t work without a persistent internet connection.

Who should buy a Chromebook?

Traditionally, basic Chromebooks have been the cheapest solution, basically offering not much more than a web browser and some optional Android apps. Numerous American classrooms have settled on Chromebooks for in-person and distance learning, and often make them available for loaning to students. More recently, however, Google has tried to make Chromebooks an instrument of AI, and you’ll see Google’s Gemini AI featured on its more premium Chromebook Plus devices, with more advanced specifications.

If you want to save money, and you work (and play) almost exclusively on the web, buy a Chromebook. See our roundup of the best Chromebooks for buying recommendations.

Essentially, Chromebooks are best for web work: browsing the web, working online on documents, and using web streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime inside a web browser. You can also download and use Android apps for gaming and entertainment, though they may not run the same as on your phone.

You’ll still see quite inexpensive ($100 to $300) Chromebooks peppered throughout Amazon’s list of “best-selling laptops,” but there are premium Chromebook Plus Chromebooks and Chromebooks for gaming now, too. Pay attention during the holidays or peak sales periods like Prime Day, when prices can drop really low—by around $100 or more. Just make sure you’re not buying a Chromebook that’s fallen out of the support window. (We’ll talk more about that, below.)

The efficiency of Chromebooks can work against them in certain situations, though. Does your printer use a specialized app? Chances are that your Chromebook will print to your printer, but an older printer might not work all that well with a Chromebook. Ditto for a specialized mouse app. It’s sometimes hard to know what will work, and what won’t, but Chromebooks will generally do all that you need them to.

What’s the difference between using a Chromebook and a laptop?

While it’s easy to focus on what you’re going to do with either a Chromebook or a Windows PC—web browsing! games!—it’s easy to lose sight of the little things.

Simplicity

One of the best features of a Chromebook is Google’s approach to updates and security. Everything takes place behind the scenes. Windows downloads updates for antivirus and other programs in the background, but others require a reboot. If you don’t have Windows properly configured, those reboots can even occur while you’re using the PC, which can be hugely annoying. While Chromebooks occasionally need to be rebooted to apply updates, the process is quicker and less intrusive, as Google reloads the pages you were on quite quickly. 

In fact, “quick” is one of the best features of a Chromebook. While they’re less full-featured than a Windows PC, booting, resuming, and just using a Chromebook generally feels more efficient than it does on Windows. Part of that is the simplicity: Google takes care of most of the mundane tasks of powering a PC, like security and driver updates. “Blue screens of death” occur on Windows; Chromebooks rarely crash.

Further reading: 9 reasons why you should buy a Chromebook

Apps

At this point, web apps allow you to work within Google’s Workspace environment or Microsoft’s 365 environment, regardless of whether you’re on a laptop or a Chromebook. That includes email, word processing, and more. That goes for entertainment and streaming apps like Netflix, too. Even productivity apps like Adobe Photoshop exist on both platforms.

The real difference is that Chromebooks support Android apps, and Windows laptops support native Windows apps. Not all apps are coded for Android. Generally, Windows is the more flexible platform, but not by as much as it used to. The key difference is in games: Mobile games are more accessible to Chromebooks. Traditionally, Windows games have run best on laptops, but the rise of cloud gaming means that Chromebooks can access most of those without issue, too.

Working on multiple screens

A subtle difference between a Windows laptop and a Chromebook is the ability to support multiple screens. Most modern Windows laptops now support Thunderbolt or USB4, specifications that typically allow you to connect to two external, high-definition displays with ease. That can increase your productivity tremendously.

Chromebooks tend to use older USB-C connections, not just for charging but for external displays. That means you’ll probably be left with support for a single external display, possibly at an older 1080p resolution. You’ll notice the difference.

Printing

Some more mundane tasks can be irritating to Chromebook users, too, such as printing, file management, and utilities. This is where the differences between the two platforms can become abrasive, especially if you’re used to doing things in a certain way.

Take printing, for example. The world’s printers were designed from the ground up for Windows and Macs, and can print either over a wireless network or from a USB cable. Chromebooks, on the other hand, have struggled with direct printing or using the more advanced features of certain printers. Google Cloud Print was the company’s workaround, requiring a Wi-Fi enabled printer; however, this feature was phased out by the end of 2020. In general, though, a modern Chromebook will print just fine on a modern printer.

Accessing files

Accessing Chrome OS requires clicking the “home” circle in the lower-left corner, then either swiping or clicking the exposed up arrow to access the Chrome OS apps, some of which can be stored in the taskbar dock for easy access. My own personal preference is for the Windows Start menu, either in Windows 10 or Windows 11; it’s just easier to find the apps you’re looking for.

I’d also give the edge to Windows’ File Explorer in its ability to find files. Still, a Chromebook advantage is the ability to avoid hunting through every nook and cranny. Google shows you what files you’ll need, and hides the rest.

Alternative inputs and peripherals

While some Chromebooks allow for inking—you’ll generally need to supply your own stylus or use your finger—it just isn’t the priority that it is on some Windows devices, such as Microsoft Surface Pro tablets.

Windows makes it much easier to add peripherals, if you value the utility software that allows you to tweak and tune the settings of a webcam, for example. Peripherals attached to Chromebooks tend to deliver what they promise–a 1080p webcam will work, as will a wired mouse–but without the bells and whistles that same peripheral would offer on a Windows PC.

To be fair, Windows 11 looks a lot more like a Chromebook than it did before. The Windows 11 taskbar (for now) can only be oriented at the bottom of the screen, where apps pop up from a Start menu that looks somewhat like the Chrome OS launcher.

Our colleagues over at Computerworld include a Chromebook cheat sheet that you may find useful with more details on the ins and outs of Chromebooks.

Windows vs. Chrome OS: What’s the difference?

Windows PCs run Microsoft Windows 10 and Windows 11, the dominant operating system for traditional PCs for more than 25 years. Google Chromebooks run Chrome OS, optimized for both Google Chrome and Android apps.

Periodically, Microsoft forces a transition to a new version of the operating system. Windows 10 will end support in October 2025, for example, and there’s a sharp break from the Windows 10 aesthetic like the Start menu to the more functional Windows 11 desktop. Google now ends support for a given Chromebook 10 years after its date of manufacture, which may be before you bought it. But Google just keeps on rolling out new versions of Chrome OS–at press time, it’s on version 136–and any changes take place gradually over time.

Using Chrome OS feels like using a web browser, with the tabbed browser interface as the primary aesthetic. I usually launch (web) apps directly from the taskbar. Using Windows feels like shifting from app to app, launching native apps from the Start menu and directly from files.

Chrome OS can’t run Windows or Mac apps, natively, though you have been able to use an app like Parallels to do so. It can also run Google’s much more comprehensive library of Android apps, found on the Google Play Store. Windows laptops can run Windows apps, naturally, as well as web apps (web pages) stored to the PC.

Microsoft seems to be phasing out efforts to compete directly with Chromebooks through specialized versions of the Windows OS. For the last few years, Microsoft has marketed Windows 10 S and Windows 11 S (or Windows 10/11 Home in S Mode) as its operating system for schools and a direct competitor to Chromebooks. It was essentially a locked-down version of Windows 10, preventing the ability to run third-party apps. Windows 10/11 S and Windows 11 SE (a special edition for education) are essentially dead.

Much of this is moot to most shoppers. All new Windows laptops are currently sold with Windows 11, of which the Windows 11 24H2 Update is the latest version. You can read our Windows 11 superguide for more. Chromebooks simply upgrade to whatever version of ChromeOS is current after you receive it.

Further reading: How to turn an old laptop into a Chromebook

Microsoft won’t support Windows PCs forever, but the company has typically provided free upgrades from one OS to the next. (Windows 11 broke that cycle, by enforcing certain hardware requirements.) After the Chrome OS support window expires, however, that’s it: Google will not provide new features or offer security patches. You’ll need to read reviews or consult your Chromebook documentation to find out when support expires, though Google’s trying to make that easier.

Which can be personalized more, a Chromebook or a PC?

Typically, Windows PCs have offered an enormous variety of options to allow you to tweak things as you like. Most of this is already built into Windows, though there are wallpaper theme packs and even a Bing Wallpaper app to allow further customization. Windows now includes a “Spotlight” feature that pulls from Microsoft’s extensive database of licensed nature photography, which can adjust your desktop wallpaper daily.

Chromebooks have generally not offered as much personalization capabilities. But Chromebooks now offer the ability to choose between many different wallpapers, or you can create your own using AI. Otherwise, the basic UI remains the same.

Can you run Windows apps on Chromebooks?

Not really. For years, Parallels for Chromebook allowed enterprise users with a Parallels license to essentially run Windows apps within a virtual machine on Chrome OS. In February 2025, Parallels said that Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS would end life in April 2026.

Now, the only way to run Windows apps on Chrome OS is with a Parallels product called DaaS (Desktop as a Service) which essentially streams a Windows desktop on to a Chromebook, like cloud gaming. Google also bought Cameyo in June 2024, a company with the same idea. Maybe some day Google will natively offer the ability to run Windows on Chrome OS via this Cameyo technology.

A better solution may be Windows 365, Microsoft’s program for running Windows via the cloud. Windows 365 is essentially the Windows equivalent of cloud gaming—Windows lives in the cloud, and is “streamed” down to the local PC. However, Microsoft designed Windows 365 for business users, so consumers don’t have access to this for now.

How are the specifications of a laptop and Chromebook different?

Inside, the only real differences are the processor. Windows PCs have a wide range of microprocessors powering them, usually chips from AMD and Intel, or more recently, a Qualcomm Snapdragon.

Chromebooks generally favor lower-performance Intel Atom chips (branded as Pentium or Celeron), Snapdragons, or lesser-known processors from the likes of Mediatek or Rockchip, that are suited to the lighter demands of Chrome OS. But AMD has made aggressive, recent moves to bring its powerful Ryzen chips into Chromebooks, and Intel’s Core chips (typically a Core i3) can appear in Chromebooks, too.

More recently we’ve seen pricier corporate and luxury Chromebooks include Intel Core CPUs—but the jury’s still out on who will pay upwards of $1,000 for a Chromebook. In October 2022, Google unveiled a line of gaming Chromebooks with high-end displays and processors designed for cloud gaming. Finally, in 2023, Google launched the Chromebook Plus specification, with at least an Intel Core i3, 8GB+ of memory, and at least 128GB of storage. That last classification continues to stick around.

Though you’ll find that many Chromebooks and inexpensive laptops feature a similar HD (1366×768) or Full HD (1920×1080) display, Windows usually requires more robust memory and storage. While a Chromebook can run acceptably on 4GB of memory, 16GB of memory has become the typical memory loadout for a “good” Windows laptop.

Laptops typically include more local storage for the Windows OS and associated apps: 128GB is barely acceptable, but 256GB has become the minimum. Chromebooks, meanwhile, don’t need much more than 32GB or so, assuming Google-oriented users are taking advantage of the Google Drive online storage, or stashing Android apps on an SD card. Less storage means less cost; many Chromebooks also use inexpensive eMMC flash storage to save even further. Both Chromebooks and Windows laptops allow external storage. 

You’ll typically find a higher-quality display on a laptop, with 1200p or 1440p displays becoming more common. Lovely OLED displays are also becoming more common on laptops, less so on Chromebooks.

How is AI handled in laptops and Chromebooks?

Since 2024, AI has become the topic of discussion within technology circles, and both Microsoft and Google are eager to establish themselves as a leader.

Microsoft embeds its Copilot AI assistant into the taskbar, where you can open it and ask questions of its cloud-based assistant. (Cortana, found on Windows 10, is essentially dead.) Otherwise, how Windows integrates AI is very scattershot. Certain functions, like Copilot and generative AI art functions in Paint, tap into the cloud. Others, such as Paint’s Cocreator and Microsoft’s controversial Recall function require a Copilot+ laptop, which includes what’s called an NPU capable of 40 TOPS. These NPUs are the only way certain local AI functions can be accessed–older laptops are out of luck.

Windows laptops also can tap into other Copilot functions in the Edge browser, such as summarizing a web page, or assistive tools in Microsoft 365. Those may require a Microsoft 365 subscription or other subscription, however. There are other AI functions scattered around Windows, too: Live Captions transcribe video you play back, Windows Studio Effects blur your background, and more.

Google’s approach to AI is more straightforward. It too puts the Gemini icon into the taskbar, and you can query the cloud-based AI. (Buying a Chromebook Plus also gives you a year’s worth–about $280–of a premium Gemini subscription, which gives you access to advanced Gemini functions.

But it, too, scatters AI features around the OS. When you log on, a “welcome recap” reminds you of what you were doing and what you have coming up. You can search your browser history using natural language queries. Gemini can summarize web pages. Chromebook Plus Chromebooks come with apps like Recorder, which can transcribe spoken words and identify the speaker. Like Windows, Chrome OS uses AI to blur your background during a Meet call and applies filters.

With all of the attention paid to AI, you can definitely expect AI to reshape both Windows and Chrome OS over the next few years.

Is a Chromebook or laptop better for office work?

Productivity apps—word processing, spreadsheets, and the like—represent the majority of the working day. Here, both Windows and Chromebook users have several choices, and both are honestly about equal. Chromebooks can run Microsoft’s Office apps as web apps or Android applications, while Windows PCs can run Google Workspace apps on the web. (Google Workspace was formerly named G Suite, and before that Google Apps.)

You might think that Office would be restricted to Windows, but that’s not true either: Office.com, also known as Office Online, runs in a web browser, and—assuming you have a subscription to Office 365 (now called Microsoft 365)—offers nearly all the functionality that the Office 365 suite does. In fact, Google asks you if you want to download the Microsoft 365 app during the Chromebook setup process, giving you a head start.

The Google Workspace suite also runs online. Though Workspace apps have a simpler interface, their focus on collaboration gives them a unique twist. Both Google Workspace and Office Online will run on either a plain Chromebook or Windows PC; however, if you need access to a local copy of Office, only a PC will suffice. 

The gist is that productivity is possible on either a Chromebook or Windows PC with a minimal amount of effort, though you may want to pay for a subscription for either Office or Google’s suite of apps to get maximum benefit and storage space. You may also find Windows PCs a bit more easy to configure for printing.

Can a Chromebook play games as well as a Windows PC?

With the vast history of classic PC games available to Windows machines, the PC is clearly dominant where gaming is concerned. However, there are also games that are “exclusive” to Chromebooks, thanks to 2016’s Chrome OS 53, and its ability to run Android apps and games. All Chromebooks made since 2019 (and some earlier models) have this capability. But the distinction is not quite as profound as it once was.

Put simply, Windows is the best gaming platform outside of a console. App stores like Epic and Steam run natively, and Windows allows you to run games locally as well as via cloud services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, which is still in preview three years after its release, or Nvidia’s GeForce Now.

While you won’t be playing the latest Battlefield game on a Chromebook as a native app, Chromebooks have two things going for them: First, they can run Android games via downloads from the Google Play Store. And if a game can run in the cloud, chances are that it can be played via a Chromebook, too. It’s a little iffy, as Valve’s Steam for Chrome OS is a little iffy (our tutorial on how to play Steam games on a Chromebook has more) but other cloud services run well.

If your Chromebook is one of the cheaper, less powerful variety, don’t despair. Cloud gaming services can come to your rescue—and running them is the next best thing to loading and playing them on the Chromebook itself. In addition to the older Parsec cloud gaming service, you now have Nvidia GeForce Now, the Blade Shadow service (hailing from Europe), and even Xbox games. We explain how Xbox cloud gaming runs on a Chromebook. Just make sure that you either have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription in place, or own an Xbox outright.

Google believes strongly in cloud gaming, and launched a wave of cloud gaming Chromebooks to take advantage of the trend. We’re still a little skeptical of whether these devices are worth the extra money, though the improved hardware can be used for gaming or productivity alike.

Windows PCs’ time with Android games has come and gone, though. Microsoft tried out the Windows Subsystem for Android, then killed it in March 2025 when no one really used it.

Which offers more apps, Chromebooks or Windows PCs?

Games certainly fall into the category of local apps, but so do the numerous apps and utilities that can make everyday tasks a little easier. Here, it’s also a mixed bag.

This is sort of a lopsided comparison, since Microsoft doesn’t reveal the number of apps inside the Microsoft Store. Even if it did, that number wouldn’t reveal anything about the quality of apps found within it. App stores are notorious for including “knockoff” apps or crapware, and Microsoft has been particularly vulnerable. Chrome OS doesn’t include the type of crapware Windows PCs also sometimes ship with, requiring apps like CCleaner to tidy up.

One of the strengths of Windows, though, is its historical archive of bits of code, utilities, and other apps that have collected in dusty old hard-drive folders, FTP sites, and elsewhere. Batch resizing apps for images, custom calendar apps, macro managers—everyone has their favorites, and Chrome OS simply can’t compete. Windows PCs are the platform to run virtually everything.

Chromebooks can run web apps, plus the Android apps that can run under Chrome OS: There were almost 3 million total in the Google Play app store as of June 2020. Not every Android app will run on a Chromebook. Chromebooks don’t include GPS chips, so location-specific apps won’t work. Ditto for those who rely on rear cameras that the Chromebook may or may not have—Pokemon Go, for instance.

Although we certainly don’t think this is for everyone, some Chromebooks can run Linux, but it will take some fiddling. Our friends over at Computerworld have an up-to-date guide on how to run Linux on a Chromebook.

Which lasts longer, a Chromebook or a PC?

The longevity of a PC is basically determined by how demanding Windows is, compared to the hardware powering it. The willingness of the PC maker and component makers to provide drivers also plays a role. Hardware failures will eventually occur. Every processor that Intel launches is accompanied by statements comparing the new chip to a 5-year-old PC, with performance improvements in the 30 to 40 percent range. Otherwise, a PC’s lifespan could go on for years, even decades, as long as the operating system is kept up to date.

Or we thought so, anyway. Windows 11 suddenly cut off millions of PCs from an upgrade to Windows 11, because of new hardware restrictions. Older PCs, even Surface devices made by Microsoft, were cut off. Could Microsoft do this again in the future? We don’t know.

Right now, Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 PCs in October 2025, which essentially means that those PCs risk suffering from vulnerabilities unless consumers pay for some additional support or simply upgrade to Windows 11, if Microsoft’s automated hardware checks allow it.

A Chromebook lasts as long as Google is willing to support it. In the beginning, it was just five years after the original production date for any Chromebook (keep this in mind if you’re buying an older Chromebook, or a used one). More recently, Google’s begun extending the time it supports Chromebooks, and now it’s extended that to 10 years, total.

If you already own a Chromebook, go to the Settings menu, then to About ChromeOS > Additional details and you should see an explicit statement telling you how long it has before it exits support.

Just to be clear: A Windows PC or Chromebook that has exited its support window means that it won’t receive feature and security patches. That can leave either platform vulnerable to previously undiscovered malware or other attacks, with a variety of consequences.

Which is more secure, a Chromebook or a Windows PC?

Security isn’t a question that can be answered absolutely, but Chromebooks and Windows PCs differ fundamentally here. The relative simplicity of a Chromebook offers a far smaller “attack surface” than a Windows PC does. The complexity of Windows PCs, including the software Windows supports, provides hackers many more opportunities to attack. 

Google developed Chromebooks with security as a priority, using everything from isolated, “sandboxed” processes to verified boot to help protect your system. (Our sister site, TechAdvisor, has a more detailed explanation.) For people who worry about websites that hijack your browser or download malware, a Chromebook’s defenses protect you without making you think about it much. 

Keeping a Windows PC safe can be a much more complicated business. Security starts as soon as you begin setting up a new PC. Regular maintenance is required for both your antivirus software and the Windows operating system, though most happens automatically. Still, holes are constantly being discovered. You have to be vigilant, or at least not too lazy, to protect your Windows PC. Fortunately, Windows’ built-in Windows Security software is far better than it used to be, enough that Windows can basically take care of itself. 

Login security works about the same on both platforms. Logging into a Chromebook requires a Google account and its password. You can also use a phone to unlock a Chromebook. (One of the neat things about Chromebooks is that you can use your phone as a secondary device to help you set up a Chromebook and avoid entering Wi-Fi passwords and the like.)

Windows PCs also prefer a Microsoft account and password, though Microsoft is trying to phase out the password if you own an Android phone or other authenticated device.

On a PC or laptop, authentication options include Windows Hello (either via a fingerprint reader or depth camera, or else with a short PIN), which provides a casual level of security that also lets you resume work quickly and easily. It’s a cross between ease-of-access and security that Microsoft has invested in heavily, and it’s a convenience that most Windows users appreciate. 

Still, Chromebooks have improved here as well. Chrome OS now supports WebAuthn, a feature that allows you to log into a website using your fingerprint or PIN. (Your Chromebook needs to have a fingerprint reader for this to work.) In this case, your phone replaces your PIN as a means of two-factor authentication. I’ve never seen a Chromebook log you in via your face, however.

What Chromebook should I buy?

When buying a Chromebook, the main things to consider are the memory size—believe it or not, that’s more important than the processor. More RAM means more open, available tabs, and surfing the web is the most important job of the Chromebook. Screen size and resolution are the next priority: Cheap Chromebooks can have 11-inch, 768p screens. Buy a 13-inch or 14-inch Chromebook with a 1080p (1920×1080) screen if you can—your eyes will thank you for it.

Chromebooks can have a variety of low-end microprocessors to choose from, some of which you may have never heard of. PCWorld’s Alaina Yee recommends buying a Chromebook with a Pentium or Celeron processor—and that’s a good place to start if you don’t feel comfortable parsing Chromebook specifications. Anything more powerful than that, like an Intel Core chip, is just fine too.

Our recommendations for the best Chromebooks constantly change, so check our best picks for the best Chromebooks for the latest.

What laptop should I buy?

When buying a laptop, consider buying one of PCWorld’s recommended laptops. Buying a laptop is relatively easy: Simply look for an up-to-date AMD or Intel processor, and look for the lowest price.

Laptops with an Intel Core i3 or an AMD Ryzen 3 should be considered the minimum specification, with a Core i5 or Ryzen 5 preferred. Buy a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM inside and 256GB of storage. More RAM means more available tabs and a larger variety of applications; documents, video, and apps may require more storage space.

Buy a laptop with at least a 1080p screen, and a comfortable size. Remember, a larger laptop is typically heavier, too.

Gaming laptops should be avoided unless you intend to play games! Gaming laptops use a discrete GPU, and tend to be more expensive. But they’re fun! If you’re in the market for a gaming laptop, select from one of our top picks in gaming laptops.

What is better, a Chromebook or laptop?

While we can’t say for certain which platform you’ll prefer, here’s a suggestion: If you think that a Chromebook could be right for you, take a Windows PC, download the Google Chrome browser, and then work exclusively within it for a day. While both platforms now offer Android apps, Chrome OS still offers a broader, more popular range from the Google Play Store.

It’s fair to say that Windows offers a more comprehensive experience, but ChromeOS is usually a significantly simpler, cheaper alternative. The buying decision usually works out to something like: “I can do almost everything in Windows with a Chromebook, but…” It’s that last little bit—printing, file management, etc.—that will guide your decision. Good luck! 

Chromebook	Laptop
Affordable	Higher price tag
Long battery life	Better storage options
Easy setup	Snappier performance, can be used to play games or run video editing software
Android and Linux compatability	Runs more apps and browsers
Less vulnerable to attacks	Lightweight form factors

Updated on June 4, 2025, with more buying decisions, updates, and further details.