Should You Be Getting a Chromebook as a Student Laptop?

Chromebooks are starting to grow in popularity, especially among companies and students. They were actually created with the educational sector in mind and have many characteristics that make them great laptops for students. They aren’t perfect, however, and they do have some limitations. It’s important that you know these limitations before you buy one so that you don’t end up disappointed. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of Chromebooks so you get a better idea of whether they’re a good choice for you.

Chromebooks are Cheap

One of the best things about Chromebooks is that they’re extremely cheap for what you’re getting. You can have a very capable machine for well under $500. This makes Chromebooks the perfect option for any student with a limited budget.

Chromebooks Have Advanced Features

Another great thing about Chromebooks is that even though they are cheap, they will often have advanced features you will only see on high-end models, like touchscreens, for instance. Many of them will have a 360° hinge that will allow you to use them in tablet mode as well. And, since they tend to be highly portable, you can use them just like a tablet and not have to spend on two pieces of equipment.

Chromebooks have Limited Capacities

One thing you will notice with Chromebooks, however, is that few of them have very powerful specs. And, if you want to do other things with your laptop like hardcore gaming, good luck finding this with a Chromebook. If you want to get some of the advanced features of Chromebooks but with the flexibility of a Windows laptop, you can always look at IdeaPads. Many Chromebooks are actually IdeaPads with minor modifications on them, which explains why these touch screen laptops for students are mostly IdeaPads. These machines can be used as tablets but will also allow you to do some advanced gaming and install regular programs so check them out if you don’t want to feel restrained.

Chromebooks Tend to Have Long Battery Lives

One of the things you will love with Chromebooks is that they tend to last longer on a single charge than Windows laptops. This is because of the lightness of Chrome OS. Chromebooks also tend to boot faster for that reason.

Chromebooks Aren’t Always the Best Quality

Since most Chromebooks are cheap, they tend to be cheaply built as well. Don’t expect to get the glossiest monitor or brushed aluminum on these machines. The keyboards also tend to be cheaper and very few Chromebooks have backlit keyboards. Shortcuts have to be taken to make these machines affordable, and they will usually be made on keyboards and displays. So be prepared for a subpar screen and typing experience.

Chromebooks can be a good option for some students, but they’re not for everybody, so be careful before picking one. We suggest that you learn about Chromebooks and Chrome OS in detail and ask for opinions from other people who own them.