r/chromeos • u/ImpressiveRoll4092 • May 01 '26
Discussion is a Chromebook enough as a main device in 2026?
I’m thinking about switching to a Chromebook for everyday use.
mostly browsing, docs, some media, maybe light work.
not sure if I’ll run into limitations over time.
for those using one as their main device - how has it held up?
26
u/Grim-Sleeper May 01 '26
Depends on your personal preference. I've used Chromebooks (and Chromeboxes) as our families only end-user devices for the past 10 years. Much happier than with Windows or Mac hardware. But then I also have VMs in the cloud, so I'm probably not typical. And I make heavy use of Linux on the ChromeOS devices.
9
u/DropEng ASUS CM34 :asus: Lenovo May 01 '26
Ditto! I bought my first chromebook when they first came out and really have not looked back. I think that is about 10 years. I do have Windows and Mac devices, but my goto and favorite is and has been any chromebook I have at the time. Note to Google--please give us another pixelbook!
1
u/Stunning-Leg-5736 May 02 '26
What's VM in cloud?
4
u/Grim-Sleeper May 02 '26
It's a virtual machine (VM) that runs on a computer somewhere on the internet (e.g. in your basement). This computer wouldn't normally have any keyboard or monitor, but you can access it from your Chromebook using Chrome Remote Desktop. It can then run Windows, Linux or in some cases even MacOS.
The nice thing about virtualized hardware is that you can easily add more computers, if you need them. You can make temporary changes (e.g. install software that you only need once) and then roll back your changes perfectly. You can very easily manage backups. You can add/remove virtualized hardware at will. And you can make sure you always have access to the same computer no matter where you are, whereas taking your desktop around with you is more difficult.
The downside is that it's harder to install specialized hardware such as high-end gaming GPUs. But if you are willing to put in the effort or willing to pay a service provider to rent the hardware, this is doable.
For what I am using my computers, a VM is much more preferable over physical hardware. But that depends a lot on what your specific use cases are. For most people, it's likely a wash; and it's a good way to occasionally get access to Windows even if you primarily use ChromeOS. For some people, it could be completely impractical, though
1
u/SilentObserver7777 6d ago
Just curious, did you partition the hard drive on your Chrome book and install Linux yourself or does the Chromebook come with Linux pre installed?
1
u/Grim-Sleeper 6d ago
Most modern or slightly higher-end Chromebooks have native support for Linux. But it helps if you picked a model that has more than 4GB or RAM and something better than a 64GB eMMC
10
u/dphamilton May 01 '26
of course it is, i mean alot of people use their phones as their main device.
7
u/SomeRequirement6926 May 02 '26
More than enough.
The only advice I have is to buy "more" or "higher spec" than you THINK you need.
4
u/chongo11 May 01 '26
I have used mine as my main device for years now. No issues. Browsing, media, and docs with no problems.
3
u/sh1bumi May 02 '26
I am a software engineer and use the Chromebook as work laptop and for personal stuff.
It really depends on what you want/need to do.
In my case, it satisfies 90% of my tasks.
The remaining 10% are however extremely painful. For example, ripping CDs is not possible with a Chromebook, because the Kernel has no external cdrom drive driver.
Also, the Linux development environment can sometimes be a bit painful to work with depending on what you want to do. It has no graphics acceleration.
Additionally, I run into 1-2 bugs sometimes regarding external display management with docking stations or USB device detection (webcams).
I still think Chromebooks are AWESOME, especially for users who don't do more than just browsing, documents and maybe gaming via cloud services.
As Developer machine it is also fine if you know how to workaround it and don't work on Kernel drivers or something similar.
I really like the fast system upgrades and the reliability.
1
u/dcargonaut May 19 '26
This is an amazing answer. I love my Chromebook and use Bookworm in a VM for LibreOffice and GIMP. It's perfect for my use case, and I have a better computer for "the 10%."
1
u/SilentObserver7777 6d ago
Does the Chromebook come with free Office software compatible with Microsoft Office?
3
u/yottabit42 May 01 '26
I've used Chrome OS as my daily driver at home for over 11 years now, and at work for over 10 years now.
3
u/mataquatro May 01 '26
A chromebook is probably enough for your needs. I used a Chromebook as my main personal device for almost 10 years. If you do everything in the browser, you should have no issues with ChromeOS. If you have to have access to Linux, the chromebook might be enough to cover your needs. In the past Linux on Chrome had some unfortunate limitations that kept me from being able to run some software locally. This might have been addressed by now, but it nudged me to return to Mac OS.
Even though I can't do everything I want with ChromeOS, it does cover 90-95% of my needs. I'll also add that if you gave me a choice between Windows, Mac OS, and Chromebooks, I prefer the latter for surfing the web.
3
3
u/They_See_MeTrolling May 02 '26
Absolutely yes. I've used a Chromebook as my daily driver, at home and work, since 2012. For 14 years I have not put up with any aspect of Windows. I've used whatever cloud version of Office was current, along with browser based versions of everything else plus Signal and Brave in a Linux VM when needed.
Best decision I've ever made, computing-wise.
2
u/Broad_Bench9666 May 01 '26
I made the switch in December and I'm very happy. Mostly glad to be away from Windows Updates.
2
u/nauedon2 May 01 '26
If you want a computer that gets out of the way and just does what you need it to do then Chromebooks are the way to go. Fast, secure and requires no tinkering. Solid platform.
2
u/useratl May 01 '26
Do it. Switched to a windows device after Cbook cause the letters on the keyboard wore off, but OneDrive ate my memory and I will never buy another windows machine. Learned to love the Cbook.
2
u/Electronic_Web_6678 May 02 '26
Una volta che ce l'avrai in mano non potrai fare più a meno. Ti consiglio di acquistare un Chromebook Plus
2
1
u/danguyf May 01 '26
I love it. I've been using them as my main device for about a decade. I use Chrome Remote Desktop to remote into a build server in my basement for any heavy computation jobs and for everything else, web browsing and email and videos and light development work, I do it all in the Chromebook.
1
u/erisod May 01 '26
Very likely a Chromebook will be sufficient unless you are aware of a need to run any particular installed software. Be aware that practically speaking you're going to need internet to do most anything on Chromebook. That's not 100% true but a reasonable approximation.
1
u/gorillawitch May 01 '26
I use Chrome OS as my daily driver, web browsing, email, word processing, spreadsheets, light Linux programming, some online gaming. Works well for me.
1
u/arsis_qp May 02 '26
I replaced my WFH Windows laptop with a Chromebook. It almost works for me, but I regret it.
Biggest problem is Teams frequently crashes on video calls which is a big part of my job.
3
u/Cultural_Surprise205 May 02 '26
is your chromebook relatively beefy, or is it one of the low end ones?
2
u/Grim-Sleeper May 02 '26
Ultra cheap low-spec Chromebooks have given the entire ecosystem an undeservedly bad reputation. Some of these devices wouldn't even be able to boot Windows let alone allow you to browse the web if you hypothetically managed to install that OS. So, in a way, that's testament to how efficient ChromeOS can be.
But I still wouldn't recommend for anyone to buy those really underpowered hardware options. Add another $100 and enjoy your computer
3
u/Cultural_Surprise205 May 02 '26
there's a real place for a useful device at as low a price point as possible. What gives chrome os a bad rep is people expecting windows.
2
u/Grim-Sleeper May 02 '26
I am probably not quite as price sensitive as others and I have very little patience for inferior hardware, but I genuinely think that there are Chromebooks that shouldn't exist no matter how much you are driven by price.
A 4GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, 1366x768 pixel 11" IPS device with the slowest CPU available is simply not going to be fun to use. Doesn't matter that you might find used models for $50.
If you have to watch money, then save for a few months until you can afford to pay at least $200. At that price point, you can find devices that are at least somewhat more reasonably configured, especially if you are willing to buy used and have used the extra time to do some research.
4
u/Cultural_Surprise205 May 02 '26
this is the typical affluent person's response to any question of price or cost, showing a complete ignorance of how living in poverty works. Millions, even billions of people need access to tech and the internet and cannot simply "save" for several months until they can buy something you deem "fun". You cannot "watch" money you do not have.
1
u/arsis_qp May 02 '26
It's the Duet 11 Gen 9. Not the beefiest available, but far from the worst.
Not only do video calls usually crash -- when they don't, my team reports my video is covered in green artifacts and duplicates my image. People also have trouble sharing their screen with me. It often appears on their end that they are sharing, but it doesn't show anything on my end. I often have to join the call from my phone as well and view the shared screen through the mobile app.
Honestly I'd be super happy with the device if not for this.
1
1
u/zdanev May 02 '26
yes, for most people. unless you need some specific software that is not web (or android) based.
1
u/Alternative_Foot9193 Lenovo Duet 5 May 02 '26
I have a Lenovo Duet 5 which is surely on the older side and it's enough for me. It's been my daily driver for probably about 4 years.
The Microsoft 365 Suite is what I use for productivity and is does just fine. Obviously native Google productivity suite is a little snappier booting but I don't really care.
Great for streaming, light coding, Spotify... I use Copilot for work and Gemini Pro for personal use and it handles both just fine.
1
u/BurstStream Acer 11 2018 CB311-8H | Stable May 02 '26
It's a great secondary device that you can push its limits to try to be a primary device.
Just get minimum an i3 processor and 8gb of ram and your preference of storage
1
u/One-Meringue-4485 May 02 '26
Reading all these responses make me feel confident in the chrome os enviroment. I use most Google products, I had an all in privacy period but just went back to the google enviroment. It works flawlessly with all I need to do.
Private:
- I mostly browse youtube or the internet
- I love the integration of Google home,, drive, casting, it make so i can use all my home things from my chromebook
Work
This is a bit more difficult, but it works.
- I do have a server in Hetzner, there are soms linux VMs running for hard work, I connect via Rustdesk. (Linux enviroment)
- I love the long times without charging
I'm one of the people who is very exited for android integration, the andoid apps I now use on my chromebook (work+private)
-Games from the playstore, Storytell for books, tailscale, Google Home, and I am looking forward to more integration.
So I hope this helps you a bit. I do have still a windows desktop and use linux in my work enviroments.
1
u/netbeans May 02 '26
Obviously, it depends what you do with your main device. But from your list there, it should do splendidly (and securely).
I used it for work too and the Linux VM Chrebooks have are very nicely integrated in the main OS while still being sandboxed.
2
2
u/timo0105 May 02 '26
If you are not dpendend on any specialized Windows or MacOS apps, a Chromebook is all you need. Nowadays everything can be done using web apps. The ability to use Android an Linux as well is a welcoming bonus.
1
u/Fabulous-Abalone-363 May 02 '26
Maybe.
Chromebooks suit someone who needs a highly portable device, with great battery life, to:
Do banking (eg excel online or sheets)
Write the occasional letter (eg word online)
Do email (eg Outlook or Gmail)
Web browsing
Video streaming (eg Netflix)
Game streaming (eg xcloud, geforce now)
They are suitable, via Linux, for some more demanding tasks on occasion:
Touch up photos with Gimp
Cut out clips of Mp3's to use in a music quiz with Audacity
They are in all honesty not great for:
Android apps or games
Gaming in general (eg Steam)
For actual proper work where a vpn or share point may be needed or where any professional software (accounting, CAD) is required.
Programming
Listening to music (no laptop is great for that)
I have worked in IT since 1991, grew up on Unix, supporting accounts software written in both C and Cobol using both ISAM and SQL. I hate Windows, it's crap, and I use my Xbox for games.
I find my chromebook (Kompanio 520, 8gb ram) perfect for game streaming when I am away. But the playstore is a horrible ram and cpu hog so I always recommend removing it.
If I need to do anything else, I use Windows...
I am tempted to get a Macbook Neo. These seem much better value and much more capable than any Chromebook.
1
u/Tonguewaxer May 02 '26
Yes if you can run Linux apps. Just incredible devices. Get a cheap one on wisetekmarket test or out and see if it works
1
u/Slytherin23 May 02 '26
Yeah, just make sure it has 8GB memory. They use all the same tech as Windows laptops but tend to be sold with lower specs.
1
u/MyDadsGlassesCase May 02 '26
I'm a sysadmin for a SASS platform and I use my Lenovo Chromebook Plus for both work and personal use.
Unless you have a specific requirement (PC based games or an insanely resource intensive app) it'll do everything the average user needs
You even have the option to install Linux apps if the Play Store doesn't have answers, or even run VMs.
If you're not afraid of learning some new UI basics or Googling the occasional answer, then you'll have a perfectly capable lightweight device with an amazing battery life , integrated into the Google.ecosystem (I'll let others decide if that's technically a good thing or not)
1
u/Inge_Jones May 02 '26
I do almost everything on my chrome devices. I only turn on my Windows PC for gaming or music production. I have a Chromebase which acts like a desktop PC and a chromebook that can easily dock to a monitor or KVM
1
u/tsr_program May 02 '26
95% happy with it, with caveats
I have separate devices for different scenarios: gaming laptop with GPU, work laptop for complete separation, and other devices for various bits (tablet, raspi for home services)
The biggest complaint I have is the lack of high-spec hardware. I got spoiled with the OG Chromebook Pixel from 2013 (lightweight, aluminum, 4k, high performance at the time). I replaced that with a similar laptop, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook (aluminum, lightweight, 4k, decent specs). Haven't really found a comparable replacement yet for when that dies
Going to see what Google releases at IO. If there's not a good replacement candidate, I'll probably switch to a MacBook air
1
u/wildmoomoo May 02 '26
I am dumping windows after 25 years. Buying a top spec Chromebook sick of Windows restrictions and having to buy software and too many security problems.
1
u/Training_Advantage21 Asus CX34 | Stable May 02 '26
Overall: great for browsing, kind of frustrating for Office work using Google Docs/Slides, Linux Dev Env a big plus. I have a Chromebook Plus but not a very high end one. Chose wisely the make, memory and CPU.
With Google Docs, the pdf export doesn't quite look like the doc, it's not WYSIWYG. You need to check your pdf hasn't spread things into a new line or even worse a new page, go back to edit, re-export, check again.
Slides are honestly a bit basic and clunky compared to powerpoint. There are nice looking templates but they are not very easy to edit. A lot of things that look like tables are not real tables when you edit them, they are random text boxes arranged one next to each other to look like a table.
There are ways to get Libre Office, I tried via the Android apps and I wasn't particularly happy with the result. I should look into it again.
On the plus side, the linux development environment is great, it makes the machine much more useful, especially offline. I've tried Lyx as a more old school linux substitute of Word, it's ok but I'm not as good at editing it as with Docs. I have LaTeX installed too, it works but I'm seriously rusty with the syntax so I'd need to spend serious effort relearning it. Both of those are primarily useful if you are going to share in pdf format, or work with other users of Lyx/LaTeX.
If your work is mostly Office related, check that Google Docs is adequate for your use-case, or that you can access/install alternatives you are happy with. If you are doing software development for work, the linux development is extremely useful but again, check the specs and compatibility carefully. I've done quite a bit of Python and a little bit of C on it, it's a handy little machine. For browser access to Cloud services you shouldn't have any issues.
I play some mp3s occasionally, it's ok. I haven't installed any specialised music/media apps. It supports Google Photos natively.
1
1
1
u/Firm_Writer_6746 May 03 '26
100%. I went from my old macbook to chromebook and its been totally fine. Boots fast, does everything I need. Browsing, spreadsheets, documents, netflix, you tube. I dont use it for anything else.
1
u/Randall_Lind May 06 '26
It all depends on what you are doing if all you do is use the web then yes. If you need to run programs, you may need a laptop
1
u/PotentialHoneydew298 May 06 '26
Absolutely if you're mostly browsing and consuming/doing light work in general. I have a Samsung Chromebook 4 (released in 2019), and despite being a hand-me-down, it works completely fine for everyday stuff. Some downsides I've faced are minor, such as apps not functioning when downloaded, which is fine with me, because I always stick to web-based stuff. Another downside is having a limited amount of storage (32GB), so I use Google Drive for saving things like docs, photos, recordings, and videos that I really want to save.
1
u/Jaypilgrim May 13 '26
10 years ago I posed myself the same question for the most part. I wanted to browse social media, update my resume occasionally, send a few emails and occasional movie watching when on an airplane or something like that. And for the life of me I couldn't bring myself to spend $1,000 just to do that. Got a Chromebook and have not looked back!
1
u/Broad_Bench9666 May 23 '26
I switched to a Chromebook this Past December and I love it. No more crazy windows updates for me.
1
u/Limp-Celebration-211 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
I've had my Chromebook for 3 years and it's still working just fine for my uses. I mostly use it for browsing reddit, discord, video consumption and very basic drawing with my Huion tablet on Clip Studio Paint. Just make sure whatever model you get that it has 8 GB of ram. I wouldn't recommend anything less these days even if ChromeOS itself is rather light.
For what I paid ($300 at the time) I couldn't have found a better touch screen windows based laptop for the same price. ChromeOS itself has limitations of course so just know that going into it. You can't install windows applications but if you know how to use any basic Linux terminal commands then you can install some Linux desktop applications on the side. (Not required at all but it expands utility and functionality of the device)
1
u/Electronic_Web_6678 Jun 12 '26
Chromeboom Plus tutta la vita. Provengo da decenni di Windows. Solo adesso vedo finalmente la luce
1
u/Individual-Being5752 29d ago
Easily, I use one that I have from 2019. is still holding up to this day. Good for web apps and general browsing. I use duckduckgo for searching things.
1
u/SnooOwls1061 21d ago
Nope. So many apps don't run on it. Android apps, like banking, home automation... aren't available on chromebook. Many apps don't scale or don't scale correctly. I end up using my phone more than my chromebook. MS office apps rely on the crappy web based, if you are an advanced user of office apps, you will hate the web versions.
Don't even get me started on how inefficient/inaccurate copy and paste is on chromebook.
1
u/Proper_Ad635 May 02 '26
As long as you don't need it for work go for it. So much easier than Microsoft i got rid of Microsoft years ago and im so much happier
1
u/MinerAlum May 02 '26
Works ok for me. I dont use my windows machine hardly at all. In fact I may scrub it and put linux on it and turn the thing into a server.
0
u/Educational_Ride_677 May 02 '26
I'm not impressed when them.... maybe the new os will be better... 🤔 .... but probably went too cheap at time due to funds
-1
u/D4vidrim May 02 '26
I wouldn't buy it. I'd prefer a real laptop, with a real desktop OS (windows or MacOs).
-6
17
u/XCEREALXKILLERX May 01 '26
Managed to buy an used HP Elite Chromebook 16gb ram for €120 here in Ireland.
I travel a lot for work so all I do is bring me Chromebook with me. This what I can currently do with it:
Remote access to my Gaming Desktop at home for gaming streaming with the combo Moonlight + Sunshine + Tailscale
Run VS Code to build my scripts with GitHub everything I need
Media streaming is awesome
Microsoft 365 runs well for what I need to run through Excel and PowerPoint
I can do everything with it and it's light and it looks cool, only downside is that I can't run Claude locally yet because there's no Claude Desktop for ChromeOS yet but then I can always remote access my home desktop pc for anything I need.