A Chromebook suits work and school that happen in a web browser, in Google Workspace or in Microsoft 365 for the web. A Windows laptop suits you if you depend on desktop software, such as the installed Microsoft Office apps, or on a Windows-only program. The deciding question is not price or speed but whether every program you need runs on ChromeOS.
Who this is for and what you will have at the end
This guide is for students, parents, office staff and small businesses deciding between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop. By the end you will have a software checklist to test against ChromeOS, know what Microsoft and Google say about Office, Android apps and Linux on Chromebooks, and know how long updates last.
Prices and models change, so this article focuses on the lasting differences, which come from Microsoft's and Google's own support pages. Check retailers for current prices.
The core difference
ChromeOS is built around the Chrome browser. Most tasks happen in web apps, and files typically live in the cloud. Windows 11 runs installed desktop programs as well as web apps. The practical question is which programs you cannot do without.
| Need | Chromebook | Windows laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Web apps and Google Workspace | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 web apps | Yes, in the browser | Yes |
| Installed Microsoft Office desktop apps | No, per Microsoft | Yes, with an eligible license |
| Android apps | Some Chromebooks, via Google Play | Not covered here |
| Linux tools | Supported models only | Not covered here |
| Windows-only programs | Not natively | Yes |
Microsoft 365 on a Chromebook
Microsoft's support page says Chromebook users can access Microsoft 365 through the web. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive and Outlook run in the browser, and you sign in with a personal Microsoft account or a work or school account tied to a subscription. Microsoft states that you cannot install the Windows or Mac desktop versions of Microsoft 365 or Office 2016 on a Chromebook, and that the Android versions of Office, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive are not currently supported on Chromebooks.
Microsoft also says a free Microsoft account lets you view files and do basic editing, and a Microsoft 365 subscription unlocks more advanced editing features. If you use Gmail, Yahoo or AOL, you reach them through each provider's website.
What this means: if your workplace relies on complex Excel macros, desktop-only features or add-ins, test them in the web version first. If you mostly write documents, read spreadsheets and use email, the web apps may be enough. If you already work in Google Workspace, ChromeOS is the natural fit.
Android apps on a Chromebook
Google says the Play Store is available for only some Chromebooks. To install apps:
- Update ChromeOS.
- Open Settings, then Apps > Manage Google Play preferences, select More and follow the prompts to accept the Terms of Service.
- Open the Launcher and select the Play Store.
If you cannot find Manage Google Play preferences in Settings, your Chromebook does not support Android apps. Google lists several limits: work or school accounts may be blocked from adding the Play Store or downloading apps, phone apps do not carry over, some apps do not work on certain Chromebooks, and the Play Store and downloaded apps belong to the account that signed in first. Do not assume your phone apps will all be available.
Linux on a Chromebook
Google describes Linux as a feature that lets you develop software on your Chromebook. You set it up from Settings > About ChromeOS > Developers > Linux development environment. Setup can take 10 minutes or more. Your Chromebook must support Linux, and on work or school devices you may need your administrator's permission. Google notes that cameras, hardware acceleration, including GPU and video decoding, and Android emulators are not supported in Linux on Chromebook.
Developers should confirm their toolchain works within these limits. For general use, you can ignore Linux.
Updates and how long the laptop lasts
Google's policy page says ChromeOS devices get 10 years of automatic updates from the platform's release date, and devices released before 2021 may get extended updates, with some features or services possibly not supported. Find your model in the Google approved ChromeOS devices tables, where the Automatic updates until column lists the month and year updates end. Models marked with an asterisk must opt in to receive extended updates.
The clock starts at the platform release date, not the day you buy. A Chromebook sold late in a platform's life has fewer years left. Check the date before buying.
After the final update, Google says existing and future policies may stop working as intended, technical support is no longer provided, and the device still runs its startup self-check and typically repairs itself if it detects tampering or corruption.
For Windows laptops, check Microsoft's lifecycle page for the Windows version you will run, as this guide did not verify Windows support dates.
School use
Many schools manage Chromebooks centrally. Google notes that work or school accounts can limit the Play Store and Linux. Before buying a personal device for school, ask the school:
- Which devices and operating systems does it support?
- Do required apps, testing software or coursework tools run on ChromeOS?
- Are Microsoft Office desktop apps required, or are web apps accepted?
Small business use
A small business can choose a Chromebook for staff who work in a browser. Test these before you commit:
- The line-of-business apps your staff use, and whether they have a web version.
- Printer and peripheral support.
- Whether any staff need desktop Office features not in the web apps.
- How you will manage accounts and sign-ins on shared devices.
For specification questions on the Windows side, see choosing a business laptop: RAM, SSD and CPU.
A decision checklist
- List every program you use weekly.
- Mark each as web, Android, Linux or Windows-only.
- If any must-have program is Windows-only or needs desktop Office, choose Windows.
- If everything is web-based, a Chromebook is a strong option.
- For a Chromebook, check the Automatic updates until date for the exact model.
- If you plan to use Android apps, confirm the model supports Google Play preferences.
- Try the Microsoft 365 web apps with your own files before buying.
Troubleshooting a purchase decision
A needed app has no web version
Check whether it has an Android version that your model supports. If not, choose a Windows laptop.
The Office web apps lack a feature you use
Test your real files. Microsoft says a subscription unlocks more advanced editing, but the web apps are still not the desktop apps. If a desktop feature is essential, choose Windows.
The school or employer manages the device
Administrators control what Chromebooks can install, including the Play Store and Linux. Ask them.
References
- Microsoft Support, How to access Microsoft 365 on a Chromebook: https://support.microsoft.com/office/32f14a23-2c1a-4579-b973-d4b1d78561ad
- Google Chrome Enterprise Help, Auto Update policy: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366
- Google Play Help, Install Android apps on your Chromebook: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7021273
- Google Chromebook Help, Set up Linux on your Chromebook: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9145439
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