Notebook vs Chromebook vs Laptop – Which is right for you?

Whether you’re searching for a notebook, Chromebook, or laptop, you’re searching for something distinct that works best for you. These three terms are alike and often used interchangeably, but they refer to distinct devices with unique features and purposes.

When you know those distinctions, especially when it comes to their respective purposes, it becomes easier to pinpoint what you want to work with. Given the wide range of options available, doing a bit of research beforehand is essential to better understand what you’re buying.

This guide will break down the key differences between these devices, why they matter, and where to expect the most value. Your needs and lifestyle may require something that wouldn’t fit what someone else has in mind, so it’s important to prioritize what matters most to you. By considering your lifestyle and requirements, you can see which type best matches the criteria.

Laptop vs. notebook: what’s the difference?

Is a laptop the same as a notebook or are they distinct from one another? The truth is a notebook is a laptop by definition simply because the form factor aligns. You open the lid and you have a screen with a keyboard and trackpad. Except you can’t consider all laptops to be notebooks when a laptop can vary so much in both size and functionality. For instance, a gaming laptop differs significantly from a productivity laptop.

A notebook, on the other hand, is largely limited by its very size. The term “notebook” is indeed a reference to how a laptop can match the portability and lighter weight associated with paper notebooks. Hence, the industry sometimes refers to models with 12-inch screens or less as notebooks. Highly portable and much easier to carry around, they usually compromise on specs and features to make them so.

This can also extend to the fact that a notebook will have fewer moving parts inside compared to a laptop. For example, many laptops have active cooling systems, be they cooling fans or some other physical form, whereas notebooks generally have passive systems. Since notebooks also often use less powerful CPUs, laptops come in a wider range of performance variables.

Moreover, laptops give you more options to upgrade components and more ports to connect other devices or peripherals. They may also include superior graphics cards (GPU) depending on the model and configuration. Notebooks certainly work as productivity devices, though rarely as bona fide tools for creatives and content creators.

Chromebook vs. laptop: what sets them apart?

The biggest thing separating a Chromebook from a laptop is the operating system itself. Chromebooks run on Google’s ChromeOS, whereas laptops, as we’ve long known them, run on either Windows PC or Apple’s macOS. A PC or Mac laptop relies more on locally installed programs and applications that can work offline. Think of Adobe Photoshop or even specialized software developed for either or both of those platforms.

Chromebooks, on the other hand, primarily use apps from the Google Play Store and browser-based applications. What’s considered a “desktop” application often won’t run the same way on a Chromebook, assuming it’s available on ChromeOS in some form. Chromebooks thrive when connected to the Internet and cloud-based services and applications.

To be clear, you don’t need to always be online to use a Chromebook, as some apps offer a form of offline compatibility. But it works best when you are online simply based on how you access apps and their features. By the same token, a laptop or notebook could also run online and web apps through a browser as well.

This cloud dependence also means Chromebooks can use relatively inexpensive CPUs and minimal storage, resulting in more affordable pricing. It also speeds up startup times because of the lower system load necessary to run them. And, since Android apps can run natively on Chromebooks, they feel closer to Android smartphones and tablets. Touchscreens are common on both laptops and Chromebooks, though not universal for Windows PCs, while Apple has never released a MacBook with a touch-sensitive display.

Demanding apps and Chromebook Plus

Chromebooks face unique challenges when it comes to certain software suites. Take Microsoft Office, for example, which runs on its own offline on a PC or Mac. On a Chromebook, you can’t install those apps the same way, so you’ll need to rely on Office 365 and correlating web apps instead. Similarly, there is no dedicated version of Photoshop.

Gaming is another area where Chromebooks can fall short. PC gaming demands the highest specs to meet the requirements for top-level titles. The strongest Chromebooks are effective with game streaming services and Android games, but they are no match for a true gaming PC.

However, the perception of Chromebooks as underpowered devices is slowly changing now that Google designates certain ones as “Chromebook Plus”. Devices falling under that classification meet certain spec requirements, like Intel Core i3 and AMD Ryzen 3 7000 processors or better, and at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Screens and webcams also have to be at least 1080p HD resolution to qualify.

Those specs are basic for your average PC or Mac laptop, so they will always hold a performative edge over the average Chromebook. Part of the reason is because they are catering to different needs and use cases. PCs and Macs are expected to be robust with speed and efficiency, while Chromebooks built a reputation for accessibility and affordability, particularly in education.

Comparing laptops vs. notebooks vs. Chromebooks

Which device is right for you?

For students

To compare a notebook vs. Chromebook vs. laptop, you have to consider what kind of schoolwork is involved. What a student in junior high might need would probably differ from one attending high school, college, or university. Then there are other matters of importance, like portability, battery life, and price.

It’s all about balance, which often depends on how students apply the device. For those in middle school to high school, a notebook or Chromebook may be good enough. Since they focus more on balancing performance with portability and battery life, they should satisfy what most students in that age range could work with.

That changes if you’re in college or university. What you study influences the device you need, which is why laptops are more often the better choice for post-secondary education. Whether you’re studying engineering, architecture, computer science, or something creative or artistic, a PC laptop or MacBook will almost certainly be able to run whatever programs you need. Moreover, they can just as easily adapt to online classes, making them versatile. If you’re considering a MacBook but unsure if it’s worth the investment, check out this detailed guide to help you decide.

For professionals

When you’re a working professional—whatever your field—you probably view a laptop as a tool, not a toy. Again, your line of work will largely determine what kind of device you need. Creative fields prioritize performance above all else because the system needs to handle the programs and processes necessary to get the job done. Someone working in more of an administrative role heavy on word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations may not need to use the latest and greatest GPU.

Notebooks and Chromebooks still have a place for professionals, though perhaps not as primary devices. It’s not unusual for a professional to utilize a notebook or Chromebook as a supplemental tool. It could be as a way to stay on track during off-hours or as a way to keep in touch with the workplace without lugging around a bigger and heavier laptop. It’s all relative.

Laptops hold an advantage here because they have faster processors, more RAM, (sometimes) plenty of storage and—in some cases—upgradeability. There are plenty of specialized desktop applications where developers focus more on supporting PC and Mac. Pay attention to requirements for the apps you need most to ensure they align with what you’re looking for.

For casual use

Casual users are the least demanding, and that widens the range of options if you see yourself as one. A notebook is perfectly fine for browsing, media consumption, and light tasks. As is a Chromebook, which is partly built on the idea of browsing and streaming content. They’re each capable of occasional work as well, so they don’t simply offer value as consumption devices.

Notebooks actually compete more with tablets in this regard because their screen sizes are closer to those commonly seen with tablets. And since tablets can work with keyboards, the lines blur a little more that way too. Chromebooks hold an edge over notebooks in that you can find larger screens, including touchscreens, more easily with a device running ChromeOS.

Laptops can be both productivity and consumption devices by the sheer fact they can run just about anything. If you need to work on something and then want to take a break catching up on a show, you can make that transition very easily.  

FAQ

Can a Chromebook do everything a laptop can?

The short answer is no. But context also matters. If you only need a laptop to cover the basics, Chromebooks are comparable to laptops sporting similar specs. Otherwise, they diverge if your needs are more substantial or specialized. Chromebooks don’t specialize in one particular aspect, whereas laptops have sub-categories that separate them. Hence, a gaming laptop won’t be the same as a more affordable productivity-focused one. A 2-in-1 laptop that can double as a tablet is very different from a standard laptop that doesn’t have a touchscreen, for instance.

Can Chromebooks be used for gaming?

Casual gaming, sure. Even streaming games from services like Xbox Game Pass should work fairly well, though performance hinges more on the speed of your Internet connection in that case. Otherwise, Chromebooks aren’t equipped to handle more serious games. For one, you can’t install games like that on ChromeOS, and for another, the specs may not be good enough to handle the game anyway. Casual games are great on Chromebooks, much like they are on an Android phone or tablet.

Do Chromebooks need to be connected to the internet? Which is better a notebook or a Chromebook?

Chromebooks don’t have to be connected 100% of the time, but they do their best when they are online. Mind you, ChromeOS is less dependent on staying online than before but web apps need the connection. In some cases, there are no offline versions, like Microsoft Office, for instance. For Word, Excel, OneNote, and PowerPoint, you need to use the web-based Office 365 suite. Basically the same as using Google’s office suite of apps through a browser.

Can I install Windows on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks don’t officially support Windows in any capacity. There are ways to make it happen, but they’ll require some know-how and a separate USB keyboard and mouse. The built-in keyboard and mouse won’t work during the installation, and you need to use an actual Windows PC to create an installer file on a USB drive to boot into it on your Chromebook. Try this at your own discretion but be aware that doing this may also void the warranty.

Deciding between a notebook, Chromebook, and laptop

It’s worth taking time to decide what will work best for you viewing a notebook vs. Chromebook vs. laptop. Hopefully, this guide helps clear up some of the differences between them, especially since a few lines blur here and there. Notebooks aren’t as common as they used to be—less so since Apple stopped making a smaller MacBook Air variant years ago. They are routinely PC models, though Chromebooks also come in smaller sizes to give you variety.

Laptops are always a good choice when your workload or passion needs the extra performance and broader support. PC and Mac laptops also hold a decided edge in peripheral compatibility, where you rarely run into any issues using accessories for lack of compatibility. In those cases, older models running outdated OS versions or drivers are usually the reason why.

The good news is there are so many different types of laptops, notebooks and Chromebooks between all the various manufacturers that you have very good odds in finding what you want or need.

Ready to find the perfect device for you? Head over to Best Buy and explore a wide selection of laptops, notebooks, and Chromebooks to suit your needs.