Products are independently selected by our editorial staff and we may earn a commission from purchases made from our links; the retailer may also obtain certain auditory data for accounting purposes.
A computer is one of the only gadgets that is absolutely necessary to do work at school and in the workplace. Until recently, you were the only ones to choose between a desktop and a laptop, if you wanted to get a Mac or a PC. Chromebooks – laptops that have an operating system based on Google’s Chrome browser – are a new, third option.
Traditional laptops and Chromebooks share much of the same DNA: they are portable computers, designed to access the Internet, consume media, and find work. That said, they differ in some fundamental ways, such as how they handle privacy, what apps they can run, how powerful their hardware is, and the tasks for which they are best suited.
There’s no “wrong” choice, but I have the main differences between traditional PCs (which use Windows; Macs are a complete beast) and Chromebooks below, and one of each is recommended if you have decided which one to use you fit the need best.
Both can handle normal tasks, but PCs are faster
Raw processing was once the easiest way to choose a computer, but that has not been the case for many years. Every computer can – regardless of make and model – process basic word processing, web browsing and streaming videos in HD.
On paper, traditional computers are winning the power war: they have faster processors, so they can run apps faster, they have more RAM (memory), so they can run more apps at the same time, and they have more storage, so you can keep more files. If your task involves capturing photos, videos, or music, or you always want to keep a lot of media files on your computer, this will make a big difference.
Chromebooks, on the other hand Fed up power to process the basic tasks I mentioned earlier. If your job is dependent on Microsoft Office, and you primarily spend your free time watching videos, posting on social media or browsing the web, you will not really notice the difference in performance. It’s nice to know that you have a lot of power under the hood of your computer, but it does not mean much if you do not use it.
The only technical spec I recommend viewing is storage. Chromebooks do not have that much, so you only need to consider one as you stream your movies and music, and keep your photo library backed up in the cloud. If you would like to keep a local movie, music and photo library, it is best to stick with a PC.
Chromebooks have fewer apps, but are less likely to get viruses
The biggest strength of the PC is the ability to run millions of different apps that you can get from anywhere on the internet. This is due in part to the use of Windows operating system PCs, which are easy to program for. Chromebooks have a much more limited app library, and you can only get software available in the Google Chrome Web Store, and Google’s Play Store.
Both platforms share some big name apps like Microsoft Office, but if you need a specific piece of software (we can say an audio converter that supports niche formats), you are in luck on a Chromebook. You’ll definitely find apps suitable for ordinary tasks (photo editing, video conferencing, general productivity), but apps you’re used to using on a PC may not be available if you go the Chromebook route.
Again, this limitation is probably not too bothersome for you if you rely on your computer for general tasks, and it comes with a big head start. Chromebooks run on the ChromeOS operating system, which is basically a refurbished Chrome tab with a basic file system underneath. Because ChromeOS is secure, and no software can download from anywhere on the web, you may be less vulnerable to viruses, spyware, or spam. Bad apps can still get in the Chrome Web Store and Google Play Store, but it’s much less likely, and those apps can be easily removed. This top site is huge if you are concerned about cyber security, and only need computers for basic tasks.
If you need to run specific software, it’s still worth getting a PC running Windows, but you should definitely get some extra computer security tools if you decide to go that route.
PC vs. Chromebook: Which is Best?
In many ways, Chromebooks are the computer of the future: you do not have to keep your files there, they are in the cloud; you do not need so much power, it is more than enough to get you through; all apps you need run well, and its operating system is much more secure than Windows.
If that view of the future does not match your current one, however, then a traditional PC laptop with Windows will let you run almost any app you want anywhere in the world. You do not have to worry about software compatibility or performance (unless you are doing really resource-intensive work), and can take simple precautions to prevent cyber threats.
There are hundreds of good choices, no matter what type of computer you get for school or work, so we have one of each recommended to help you.
Best PC: Lenovo IdeaPad 3
Amazon
If you need a PC laptop running Windows for school or work, then Lenovo’s IdeaPad 3 is the way to go.
The computer has a 14-inch 1080P (1920X1080) display, so you can see everything you see or read very clearly. It has 8GB (Gigabytes) of RAM, which is enough to run several apps simultaneously without a hit for performance, and a 256GB SSD that provides enough storage for your data. The extra standout of the computer is the AMD Vega 8 graphics chip that comes bundled with its 2.1Ghz dual-core processor.
This laptop has a built-in webcam for video calling, and a case that you can physically close for privacy. It supports Bluetooth 4.1 and WiFi 5, which are fairly new versions of those wireless standards, and has an array of ports so you can connect different accessories. There are three USB ports, one HDMI port, an SD card reader, and a headphone jack, which handles all the basics. Lenovo does not give exact figures about the battery life of this computer, but the amount you get will vary based on what apps you use, and how bright you keep the screen.
Lenovo’s IdeaPad 3 is more than powerful enough to handle all but the top apps, and even some light to moderate gaming, so it should serve your needs as a worker or student for many years to come.
Best Chromebook: HP 14a-na0010nr
Amazon
HP’s HP 14a-na0010nr is the perfect Chromebook for light to medium-sized computing tasks.
The computer has a 14-inch HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768. You may notice some hassle when reading text, but images and videos should look pretty sharp. It has 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a 1.1Ghz dual-core Intel Celeron processor, integrated Intel graphics, and a built-in webcam. These specs are great for writing papers, posting on social media, streaming videos, making presentations, and even some photo editing.
HP partnered with Bang & Olufsen on this Chromebook’s audio system, which uses a custom tuner to enhance your music and movies. On the port side, the 14a-na0010nr is much better than most Chromebooks. It has two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, a Micro-SD Card slot, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack.
You should have no trouble connecting all the accessories to this computer without finding an adapter. This Chromebook also supports both WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, so you have coverage if you want to use this computer with wireless peripherals. HP says that the 14a-na0010nr gets a maximum of 13.5 hours of battery life on a single charge (the apps you use and your screen brightness will affect this a lot). It also supports fast charging, so you can charge the battery to 50% in about 45 minutes.
If the work you do does not require Windows, and you want a computer with solid specs and an excellent battery life, HP’s 14a-na0010nr is the right choice.
