Vssmonitoring.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Chromebooks, MacBooks, and Windows Laptops | What You Should Know Before Buying

If you've been looking to buy a new laptop, now might be the time. With so many options out there, it can be daunting to figure out which one is best for you. Chromebooks, MacBooks, and Windows laptops are all great options for different types of users. They each have their own unique features and benefits that may make them better suited for some people over others.

In this article, we'll go over what you should know before buying a Chromebook, MacBook, or Windows laptop so that you can make an informed decision about which one works best for your needs!

Key Takeaways

  • Some of the most important considerations when buying a new laptop are the operating system, battery life, weight, size, and design, as well as memory capacity, price, and user experience
  • Chromebooks are the best option for people who need a laptop for basic tasks and don't want to spend too much money.
  • The MacBook is a great laptop, and there are many reasons to choose it over other laptops. 
  • Windows laptops are the most popular type of laptop. They're incredibly versatile and can run most software packages, which makes them great for students and people who need to do a lot of work on the go.

What to Consider Before Buying a New Laptop

Some of the most important considerations when buying a new laptop are the operating system, battery life, weight, size, and design, as well as memory capacity, price, and user experience. Let’s take a look at these features in more detail.

A windows laptop on a table

Operation System

The operating system is the software that allows your computer to run. There are many operating systems available today and they all have different features. The two most popular options are Windows and Mac OS X. Windows works best with Microsoft Office and other programs created by them. Mac OS X is compatible with both Macs and PCs but it has fewer compatible programs than Windows. Chromebooks, in turn, run on Chrome OS. 

Battery Life

Battery life refers to how long your laptop will run on its battery before needing a charge or being plugged in again. Battery life can vary widely depending on the model of laptop you choose as well as what you use it for (gaming vs writing documents). Some laptops have better battery life than others so be sure to check reviews before deciding which one is right for you. 

Overhead view of woman working from home on a laptop

Weight, Size, and Design

Depending on what kind of laptop you want, you may want something that's light and easy to carry around. Or maybe you want something with a bigger screen so you can watch movies in bed or on your couch. Maybe you just want something that feels good in your hands. Whatever your preference is, it's important to think about the weight and design of the laptop before buying it so you know it will fit into your life. 

Screen Resolution

The screen resolution on a laptop refers to whether or not the screen will be able to display high-quality graphics and images without any distortion or pixelation. If you plan on using your laptop for work or school and need high-resolution images for editing documents, presentations, or other projects, then look for laptops with higher resolutions like 1920x1080p (Full HD) or even 2560x1440p (UHD).

Internal Memory Storage

This is one of the most important things to consider when buying a new laptop. How much space do you need? Do you want to store photos, videos, or music on your device? Will you be doing lots of work with large files? Before making a purchase, make sure that storage options are available in the model you choose that will meet your needs.

Close up of a man typing on a laptop

Brand and Price 

There are so many different brands out there, from Apple to HP to ASUS, and each one has its own pros and cons. It's important to do some research before making a final decision about which brand will be best for you. Sure, Apple stands out with its branded experience, ultimate power, awesome design, and easy integrations with other Apple devices. 

User Experience and Reviews

Not only should you read reviews from other users who have already purchased similar models, but also try out their devices for yourself. In-store demonstrations can help give you a better idea of what it might be like to own one of these machines before taking the plunge! Also, pay attention to the troubleshooting laptop issues the users share, plus keep in mind that you can always opt for professional help on Howly’s official website.
Close up of a black keyboard on a laptop

Top 3 Options to Choose From When Buying a New Laptop

Chromebooks, MacBooks, and Windows laptops are the most intuitive options to choose from when it comes to buying a new laptop. Let’s analyze their main pros and cons in more detail. 

Chromebooks

Chromebooks are the best option for people who need a laptop for basic tasks and don't want to spend too much money. Chromebooks are designed exclusively for Google's Chrome web browser, which means they can only run web apps—like Gmail and Google Docs—and they're not compatible with Windows programs. Chromebooks are also great for kids because they're designed to be durable, easy to use, and safe (they have automatic updates). 

Chromebook laptop in nature

Pros

  • The most affordable - Chromebooks are the most affordable option for getting a laptop, and they have some great features that make them ideal for students.
  • Stable and fast - They're designed to run smoothly even if your internet connection isn't perfect, and they can still do everything you need them to do in a pinch—no matter how long it's been since the last time you were online.
  • Long battery life - They also have long battery life, so you don't have to worry about having an outlet nearby all the time.

Cons

  • Very limited functionality - Chromebooks are only for browsing and word processing and do not have the ability to run all of the applications that you would find on a Windows or Mac computer. 
  • Minimal memory storage - Chromebooks have limited amounts of RAM and hard drive space, which means they can't store as much information as other computers. 

MacBooks

The MacBook is a great laptop, and there are many reasons to choose it over other laptops. 

A half open Macbook

Pros

  • Performance - The MacBook has a chip that is specifically designed for high performance, so you can rest assured that your laptop will be able to handle any task you throw at it.
  • Speed - The MacBook also has a lot of speed—it can run multiple programs at once without any problems, and it quickly opens files without lag time.
  • Design, size, and weight - Another feature of the MacBook is its design, size, and weight; this makes it easy to carry around with you wherever you go! It also looks really cool with its sleek black color (and sometimes white) exterior.
  • Great user experience - The best part about using a Macbook is the user experience—it's very intuitive and easy to use right out of the box! You'll feel like an expert after just a few minutes of playing around with your new Macbook.

Cons

  • Price - MacBooks are great devices, but they do have some downsides. The biggest is price. You'll pay more for a MacBook than you would for a comparable Windows laptop.
  • Switching from Windows can be challenging. If you're used to using Windows, switching over to Mac might take some getting used to—especially if you're used to using Microsoft Office products like Word and Excel.

Windows Laptops

Windows laptops are the most popular type of laptop. They're incredibly versatile and can run most software packages, which makes them great for students and people who need to do a lot of work on the go.

A windows laptop on a mans lap

Pros

  • Powerful, reliable, and stable - Windows laptops allow users to run programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without having to buy any additional software. Windows laptops are great for anyone who wants a computer that's easy to use and doesn't need any fancy features or extras - just a reliable machine that will do what they need it to do.
  • Great for both work and gaming - Windows laptops are also great for gaming, especially if you have an Xbox controller connected to them. If you're looking for something that's fast and powerful, a Windows laptop is probably going to be your best bet.

Cons

  • The price of advanced models can be high. Windows laptops are more expensive than Chromebooks or Macbooks because they offer more features (see above). If you don't need the extra features, you might want to consider buying a Chromebook or Macbook instead.

Conclusion

If you're in the market for a new laptop, you've probably got your eye on one of three options: Chromebooks, MacBooks, or Windows laptops. Each of these options has its own pros and cons that are better to discover and compare in advance. That said, if you're trying to decide between buying a Chromebook, MacBook, or Windows laptop, we've outlined some key differences between these products so that you can make an informed decision about which one might be right for you!

About Dusan Stanar

I'm the founder of VSS Monitoring. I have been both writing and working in technology in a number of roles for dozens of years and wanted to bring my experience online to make it publicly available. Visit https://www.vssmonitoring.com/about-us/ to read more about myself and the rest of the team.

Leave a Comment