Chromebook vs iPad: Which is best for you?
Not everyone needs a $3,000 gaming rig to meet their work and personal computing requirements. For many, a $1,000 to $2,000 Windows or Mac machine will get the job done with power to spare. For yet others, even these options are overkill. In the sub-$1,000 space, there’s a strong argument to be made for the Chromebook vs iPad to keep costs as low as possible.
But which do you choose? Is a Chromebook better than an iPad? Is an iPad cheaper than a Chromebook? How do you decide? Which is better for education? In our primer, we explore the Chromebook vs iPad dichotomy and give you the tools needed to make the right decision for you.
Chromebook vs iPad: Form is function
There are many aspects to consider when purchasing a laptop or tablet, though none is perhaps more important than the form factor itself. Ask yourself this question: How will you primarily use the device?
For the most part, Chromebooks are basically laptops. They run Chrome OS, Google’s lightweight operating system, and are best at browsing the web and running Google apps. Chromebooks come in several variants, including the traditional clamshell (think Google PixelBook Go) and the convertible (think Asus Flip C436). Where the former simply opens and closes, the latter features a 360-degree hinge so the screen bends around. This allows the flip and other convertibles to be used laptop- or tablet-style.
Conversely, iPads are slates first. They have no keyboard, unless you choose to shell out extra cash for one. Where Chromebooks are thicker and heavier, iPads are slimmer and lighter — and thus more portable. Slates area easier to handle in certain circumstances, such as when sitting on a bus or the couch, or standing.
This boils down to individual preference and how you intend to put the machine to work. If you absolutely need a keyboard, the Chromebook makes more sense. If you don’t see yourself typing all day, the iPad could be a better fit.
See also: Best Chromebooks | Best iPad deals
Who is it for?
Are you buying the device for yourself? Your kid? For work? For play? These all matter to some degree.
Perhaps the most important factor is the age of the intended user. For example, kids need something a bit more rugged. The Chromebooks for education my kids use are durable machines that take a beating day in and day out. An iPad would crack under such use. Children (even the careful ones) have a propensity for dropping stuff. If you plan on getting your young kid an iPad be sure you also get a tough case.
Another thing to consider: kids take to touch screens as if they were born to use them. Something finger friendly is a must. iPads are amongst the most finger-friendly devices on the market. Even so, plenty of Chromebooks have touch screens. They simply cost a bit more than the absolutely cheapest, non-touch machines.
See also: Best Chromebooks for kids | Best touchscreen Chromebooks
Don’t forget about apps
Other than the basic form factor, apps are what separate iPads and Chromebooks the most.
Chrome OS is not necessarily a full desktop operating system. Where Windows or MacOS machines can run hundreds of thousands of full applications, Chromebooks are limited to web-based apps and some Android apps. The full Google suite works, of course, including Gmail, Docs, and YouTube. If you’re worried about work software, Chrome-based versions of Microsoft Office and Outlook are available. If you’re wondering about entertainment, Netflix and Disney Plus are available, too. Games are most often available from the Play Store in Android form. Some will run on the full screen and some will be limited to phone-shaped windows.
iPads, on the other hand, run iPadOS and have access to more than one million dedicated apps in the iTunes App Store. Generally speaking, any app you could want or need is available to the iPad. That includes Google’s entire catalog, as well as Microsoft’s productivity tools, Adobe’s creative tools, and hardcore enterprise apps. The number of entertainment and gaming titles is unmatched in the industry.
If apps are important to you, the iPad is the way to go. If they aren’t and you’ll be happy with Android apps and the lightweight browser apps in Chrome OS, then perhaps the Chromebook will work (or play!)
See also: What’s the difference between a laptop and a Chromebook?
What about cost?
Both Chromebooks and iPads come in a wide range of prices. Don’t be surprised to find price tags as low as about $200 and as high as $1,400. It all depends on what you want or need from the device.
Right now, the cheapest Chromebooks are in the neighborhood of $199. For that, you’ll get a lower-resolution display, entry-level processor, and a pittance of RAM and storage. Don’t expect to see lots of ports or other extras. Moreover, machines in this price tier will be made of bulky plastic. By way of comparison, the cheapest iPad is the newer iPad (late 2019), which costs $329 when it’s not on sale. (It’s often on sale.) That’s a bit more, but you’re getting a thinner, lighter device that’s made of metal. The same storage limitation applies, but performance will be fantastic.
On the other end of the spectrum, Google’s Pixelbook Go can be kitted out for a price tag surpassing $1,300. The same goes for the highest-spec’d iPad Pro (2020), which tops $1,400 when fitted with extra storage and a cellular radio.
What I’m trying to say here is that you can basically spend however much you want on either the Chromebook or iPad. Want to keep it simple and affordable? You can do that with either, though the absolute cheapest Chromebooks will be a bit less expensive than iPads at the low end. If budget is the most important factor to you, Chromebooks win out.
See also: Best new Chromebooks you can find
Chromebook vs iPad: Which should you get?
As with many things, the final answer is: It depends. The various factors we raised here should help you narrow down your choice when deciding between the Chromebook vs iPad.
Always need a keyboard? Go for a Chromebook. Rarely need a keyboard? The iPad. Need something rugged for kids? Chromebooks are more durable. Prefer finger friendly? Apple’s slate. If apps are vital, the iPad wins hands down. But on the budget front, the cheapest machines will likely be entry-level Chromebooks.
Happy shopping!
from Android Authority https://ift.tt/3eTR0Hy
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