In order to conduct business or do work or research, you need to have a quality work setup. We live in the technology age, so there are more tools at your disposal than ever to help you to do just that.
With so many options, you may also face decision fatigue and just need a nudge in the right direction.
If you’re stuck between deciding to buy a Chromebook vs laptop vs tablet, the tips below will help offer you some clarity.
Chromebook vs Laptop vs Tablet: A Quick Breakdown
First things first, you need to get a basic understanding of each. A Chromebook is a lightweight laptop that lets you do typical processes, such as checking your e-mail, browsing the web, watching and listening to content, creating reports, and browsing social media pages.
A more substantial laptop will help you if you need to do all of the above, plus some more heavy-duty applications. Tablets allow you to take in lots of media on your terms, with a lightweight and convenient device in the palm of your hands.
Now that you have a clearer understanding of these devices, we can explore them all in greater detail.
The Ins and Outs of Owning a Chromebook
So what should you know about owning a Chromebook? Here are a few of the major points:
1. These Chromebooks are Great if You’re on a Budget
If you just need to get back on the web so you can do some work or keep up with your information, a Chromebook might be just what you did. The cost of entry is low for this device — you can find a Chromebook for about $300 or so.
There are some models as cheap as $150 or $200.
This cheap price point makes a Chromebook the ultimate backup computer. When you just need to get back up and running and need to know that you’re still using a high-quality computer, it doesn’t get better than the Chromebook.
2. They’re Speedy and Easy to Use
Ease of use is one of the strongest perks of the Chromebook. You can generally get up and running with these laptops just a few seconds after booting it up.
Once you get it loaded every application runs seamlessly and allows you to go from task to task without setbacks. Many travelers love Chromebooks because they can quickly use them during layovers without worrying about slowdown or poor performance.
3. You’ll Typically Get a Chromebook for Lightweight Activity
Make no mistake about it — the Chromebook isn’t what you want if you have heavy applications to run. They are built for streamlined work, rather than long-term, accumulation.
With that said, few laptops run as smoothly and efficiently as Chromebooks when you just need to browse the web, answer e-mail, and access a word processor. Get to know your needs up front and make sure that the Chromebook is helpful.
4. Chromebooks Don’t Have Large Hard Drives
Another major reason that Chromebooks aren’t built for heavy-duty use is that they don’t have large hard drives.
While laptops tend to have hard drives of 350 GB or so, your Chromebook is more likely to have a hard drive of 35 GB. Even downloading a single large file can take up a big chunk of your space.
As such, you shouldn’t plan to run big downloads and should keep your hard drive as clean as possible. The Chromebook is set up to sync with cloud-based storage services, so you can always get a Dropbox or premium Google Drive account if there are some large files you’d like to access.
5. Get Used to Not Having Some Favorite Applications
Chromebook is pretty new on the scene compared to some other brands, so you might not have access to applications that you are used to.
Most notably, Chromebooks are Google products, which means that they don’t have Microsoft products. Rather than being able to use Microsoft Word or Excel, you will have to use the Chromebook equivalents.
While these software packages are still sound, you’ll need to plan for a bit of a learning curve.
Figure Out What Kind of Laptop You Need
So what if the Chromebook doesn’t cut it? There are a variety of laptops you can look into. Here’s what you should know:
1. Think About the Purpose of the Laptop
If you’re going to purchase a laptop, start by figuring out how you’re going to use it most. This lets you know which laptop options to explore.
For instance, a college student will need a different laptop than a software programmer or a hardcore gamer.
2. Comb Through the Specs Until You’re Satisfied
There are some specifications that will tell you a lot about the laptop that you are getting.
Things like RAM, CPU, GPU, and battery life will all play a role in whatever laptop model you decide on. Getting to know these specs lets you know how quickly you can expect the laptop to run and what level of effectiveness you should expect.
Be particularly mindful of the hardware specs if there are certain needs you have. For instance, someone looking into getting a gaming computer will need a quality graphics card, display, and other specs.
Go point by point until you narrow down your laptop options.
3. Know Your Price Range
Think about your price range when you’d like to purchase a laptop. This investment can be as little as $300 and may cost you upward of $2,000 or so depending on the model that you need.
Since the possibilities are endless, you need to figure out a price range for yourself and make sure that you stick to it. From here you can start scoping out some stores to see who has the best prices.
It’s best to have a budget that you stick to since manufacturers have created stellar options for any price range.
4. Look for the Best Laptop Brands
It’s important that you look into the many different laptop brands available. Some of the best laptop brands that you may invest in include Apple Macbook, Samsung, Alienware, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and HP.
When choosing the laptop, it’s important to key in on which brand gives you the most bang for your buck.
5. Put Some Protections and Measures Into Place
Always get a warranty to go with your new laptop. Make sure that you also add a spyware scanner that will help you to prevent threats and liabilities.
The more you protect your laptop, the easier it’ll be to keep it for the long haul.
What You Should Know About Owning a Tablet
You should also get to know more about tablets and why they’re a fan favorite. Here are some points you should keep in mind:
1. Tablets Are Great for Casual Mobile Use
Whether you need to browse some information, play a game, or go on video chat, a tablet gives you one of the best experiences that you’ll find. You get the crystal clarity of a high-resolution monitor, with a piece of hardware that is lightweight and easily portable.
These are great multimedia tools that are seamless and easy to use.
2. Find a Quality Model for Any Applications That You Need
Without question, the iPad is one of the most attractive and popular tablet models you’ll find. However, the market is rich with options, so don’t just stop at Apple.
Key in on factors such as customer reviews, battery life, and other important matters that will help you decide.
3. Get to Know the Display, RAM and Storage Space
You’ll want a tablet that is lightweight and easy to use while outperforming other pieces of hardware in its class. This means comparing the display, camera, random access memory (RAM), hard drive storage, and other factors.
Comparing these specs will make it easy to narrow down your tablet options.
4. Choose a Tablet With an Operating System (OS) That Suits You
Get to know the different operating systems (OS) and figure out which you like the best. This will include different versions of iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Windows Mobile.
Play around with each and see what suits you so that you feel comfortable with your tablet choice.
5. Sync Your Apps and Processes
Finally, tablets are useful since you can sync your apps and processes across multiple devices. Whether you need to check your e-mail, manage your Disney+ account, access your company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools, or get on Facetime, having a tablet can help you.
Stock Up on the Tech That You Need
If you’re thinking about what to buy between Chromebook vs laptop vs tablet, the truth of the matter is that the answer depends entirely on what you need. There are great options on the market right now, and it’s easy to find a great deal — particularly when you shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Use us as a resource when you’d like to learn more about technology and business.