10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use A Chromebook

 

You are searching for Google or Bing for “cheap laptop” or “cheap computer” and you stumble across a thread that’s talking about the infamous Google Chromebook. Now, don’t get us wrong, there are plenty of people out there who would benefit from a Google Chromebook but they are few and far between. Let’s take a look at some of the reason why you SHOULD NOT purchase a Chromebook.

 

1. Goodbye Microsoft Office

 

That’s right. Unless you are using Google’s native programs like Docs or Spreadsheets, you virtually are unable to use Microsoft Office which is a requirement for most jobs in any industry. You can use the online version of MS Office but we all know how well that works…

Windows PCs and Macs both have the capabilities of running the world’s most popular office software.

 

2. No gaming

 

If you’re a gamer, stay away. Even if you like to play older games, stay away. There is absolutely no reason why anyone who is gaming should have a Chromebook. But if you’re happy playing Google’s games on their home page, then you will be just fine.

Cheaper laptops, on the other hand, are usually capable of Steam and light, older, gaming.

 

3. No multimedia projects

 

Chromebook simply aren’t powerful enough to deal with audio or video projects. So if you are a media or communications student, it’s probably not a great idea to grab a cheap Chromebook for school projects. You will have to wait until they are browser-based and hope that they work better than MS Office.

 

4. Software incompatibilities

 

The Chrome OS may not run the software that you need. If you are working from home, or are tackling a software-based project at school, it’s highly likely that your Chromebook will not be able to run it.

 

5. No CD/DVD drive

 

If you are looking for a computer that will be able to play CDs or DVDs then a Chromebook is not for you. The Optical Drive is missing from Google Chromebook.

 

6. Printing issues

 

If you are printing on a Chromebook, you are required to use Google Cloud Print which is, quite simply, a hassle for most users.

 

7. Reduced amount of apps

 

One of the features that most people want in a laptop is the ease of downloading nearly any application or program seamlessly. You can typically do this on a Mac or a Windows PC, but again, not a Chromebook.

 

8. Issues accessing .exe programs

 

Chromebook have been known to have problems accessing older .exe programs. So if any programs are not on the cloud, this could be a potential issue for you.

 

9. USB port

 

The C302 Chromebook model has only 1 USB C. Many users are having to get a dock to connect to their monitor and USB A.

 

10. Lack of customization

 

The only allowable customization on the Chromebook is the ability to change the wallpaper and theme for the Chrome web browser. This may not be a dealbreaker (hence why it is last on the list) but who doesn’t want to have some custom options on their laptop. Maybe it’s just us.

 

Concluding thoughts

 

For a small percentage of people, the Chromebook may work just fine. Just don’t expect to be on the cutting edge of technology when it comes to industry-standard applications, gaming, or even office work. As long as you don’t need those or storage space on your computer and you’re totally fine with working basically from a cloud, then go right ahead. Not all Chromebooks have Android or Linux support. So if you prefer working with those, be sure to do your research before making a purchase.

From diehard fans of ChromeOS, they say to view the Chromebook as a tablet and not as a laptop. Only then will you be happy.