Chromebooks vs. Windows 10 Laptops: What Should You Buy?

Laptops with Microsoft’s Windows 10 will be in a heavyweight bout with Chromebooks for market dominance later this year, but no matter who wins, PC shipments will benefit from the clash. Chromebooks have quickly grown from a curiosity to a force to be reckoned with. Offering a simple and stripped-down experience, Google’s Chrome OS is extremely easy to use (if you can use a browser, you’re good), and it comes inside several affordable laptops that cost as little as $159. However, Microsoft isn’t taking this threat lightly.

With the launch of Windows 10, users can take advantage of a much-improved Start menu, along with the helpful Cortana assistant. Existing Windows-machine owners can upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Despite the new OS, Windows-device prices remain the same — you’ll find a number of Windows-powered laptops that cost less than $200 each, and many under $400 offer touch displays.

MORE: Tips Solution for Windows 10 Errors

So, which computing platform is truly the best? To answer that question, we put both Windows and Chrome OS to the test and compared them in 12 rounds of head-to-head competition.Interface

Compared to the two distinct environments of Windows 8.1, Windows 10 feels more integrated and seamless. Pressing the Start button reveals the new Start menu, filled with your most used programs and recently installed apps on the left (similar to on Windows 8). To the right is a wider panel, where you can pin tiles that are animated with updates. The taskbar has been updated to include a Cortana search bar next to the Start button and small icons that show which programs are open.

Hot Search: Windows 10 VS Windows 8 Comparison | Windows 10 Supported Video/Audio Formats | 5 Best Media Players for Windows 10

On the bottom right of the desktop, Windows 10 adds a notification icon that, when clicked, brings you to the new Action Center, where you can see alerts from apps that are both active and dormant. There are also quick settings in this notification menu in the form of tiles.

In the newest version of Chrome OS, the Start-like button sits on the bottom-left corner. When pressed, the Launcher pop-up features a Google search bar (and the most recent Google Doodle), with a list of your most recently opened apps. Scrolling down reveals Google Now info cards, which give you information like local weather, suggested articles based on your search activity, and calendar updates.

The taskbar in Chrome OS shows icons for currently active apps, as well as shortcuts to essential Google apps, such as Docs, Drive and YouTube. Basic settings, such as Wi-Fi and Time, are accessed on the bottom right. Chrome OS was built as a Web-first operating system, so apps usually run in a Chrome browser window. The same is true for apps that can run offline.

Both Windows 10 and Chrome are great for working in side-by-side windows. For each OS, all you need to do is drag a window to one side, where it snaps to half-screen mode. However, Windows lets you snap up to four windows, compared to two for Chrome OS.

Another thing to consider is touch-friendly devices. There are Windows 10 and Chrome OS laptops with touch screens, but Windows 10 makes the most out of those displays. The operating system has tablet mode, which removes your taskbar icons and puts all apps in full-screen mode, leaving you with a minimalist workspace that removes a lot of desktop distractions. And with the new universal apps in the Windows app store, you’ll be able to run most of your favorite programs in both desktop and tablet modes.

Winner: Chrome OS. Though it’s less versatile, Chrome OS offers a simpler and more straightforward interface than Windows 10.

Cortana vs. Google Now – Winner: Windows 10. Cortana is more versatile than Google Now.Apps and Software
Apps and Software – Winner: Windows 10. In this case, more is better.

Photo and Video Editing – Winner: Windows 10. Beginners and pros alike get the most options in a Windows 10 laptop. MORE: Best Photo Editing Software

Web Browsing – Winner: Windows 10. Chrome is good, but Windows 10 lets you use Chrome along with a hundred other Web browsers.Choice is king.

Winner: Chrome. Despite Edge’s special features, Chrome performs better and is easier to use.
File Management – Winner: Windows 10. Those who keep tons of photos, videos and other files will want the local storage space that Windows offers.

Productivity – Winner: Windows 10. If you’re not wedded to Google Drive for all your productivity needs, Windows is the way to go.

Gaming – Winner: Windows 10. You simply cannot run many of the games you might want to play on a Chromebook.

Media Playback – Winner: Windows 10. You’re unlikely to find a file you can’t play on Windows 10.
Security – Winner: Chrome OS. Assuming you can keep your Google password to yourself, you’re safer in Chrome.
Hardware Options –Winner: Windows 10. Microsoft’s ecosystem gives you more options, which means you’re more likely to find something you really like.

Value- Winner: Tie. Prices are about the same for each OS. Windows 10 machines offer a wider range of configurations, but Google’s free add-ons are hard to ignore.

Overall Winner: Windows 10

Microsoft’s Windows came out on top in this battle, winning 10 out of 12 rounds. It simply offers shoppers more — more apps, more photo- and video-editing options, more browser choices, more productivity programs, more games, more types of file support and more hardware options. You can also do more offline. Plus, now the cost of a Windows 10 PC can match the value of a Chromebook.

If you’re comfortable living in the cloud and you want to get stuff done in a secure yet simple environment, a Chromebook will suit you nicely. However, if you need power and versatility, Windows 10 reigns supreme.

Source:http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/chromebooks-vs-windows

Learn Other comparisions>>Mac OS X El Capitan VS Windows 10Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite VS Windows 10

Tips and Tricks and Top Software for Chromebooks and Windows 10 Users

Top 1- Get the Best Windows 10 Blu-ray Ripper

Pavtube BDMagic is a combination above factors. As the best Blu-ray ripper for Windows 10, it is especially designed for ripping copy-protected 2D/3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and ISO/IFO to MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, MPEG, FLV, etc on Windows 10 as well as Windows XP/Vista/7/8 in only few clicks. It simple profiles setting for all popular smartphones and tablets with a wealth of tweaking options. And it has picked and built in the best settings based on your destination device, you only need select you need format or device. This up-to-date Blu-ray ripper software has flawless compatibility to all Windows OS and all lastest new Blu-ray/Blu-ray discs. Another outstanding strength is its ideal Blu-ray backup solution which supports both Full Disc Backup and Directly Main Movie Copy. Refer to the steps guide.

Free download and install:

 

Other Download:

– Pavtube old official address: http://www.pavtube.cn/blu-ray-ripper/
– Cnet Download: http://download.cnet.com/Pavtube-BDMagic/3000-7970_4-75922877.html

Top 2- The Best DVD Ripper for Windows 10

Here, Pavtube DVDAid has upgraded to support Windows 10 well. It has the ability of ripping any DVDs, even the latest copy-protected or region-locked DVDs on Windows 10. It can output wide range of popular video and audio formats, like H.265, M3U8, MP4, AVI, MOV, M4V, WMV, FLAC, MP3, etc to computer, smart TV, smart phones, tablets and so on. And the most important thing is that it will be continuously updated with new decryption technologies for new released DVD.

You can free download and install its trial version but it will has watermark in the middle of output video. Or for better video without watermark, you can paid one. Refer to the steps guide.

Free download and install:

 

Other Download:
– Pavtube old official address: http://www.pavtube.cn/dvd_ripper/
– Cnet Download: http://download.cnet.com/Pavtube-DVDAid/3000-7970_4-76158510.html

Other Choice for Chromebooks and Windows 10 Users:

Top 3 Free Video Converter Review for Windows 10
Best Windows 10 Video Converter Review for Tablet/Phone
Convert VIDEO_TS to MPEG on Windows 10/Yosemite
To Audiophiles – Top Audio Converter for Windows 10

Read More:

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