Summary
- Are Chromebooks Any Good?
- “You Can Game On Chromebooks”
- A Decent Option For Some Students
- Initial Cost vs. Long-Term Value
- Performance, Upgradability, and Repair Costs
- How a High-End Laptop Saves You Money
It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in a more expensive laptop can actually save you money in the long run. Here’s why budget laptops might end up costing you more.
Are Chromebooks Any Good?
Chromebooks initially seem like a great deal. They are priced attractively low, with some models starting as low as $200. They are lightweight and boot up quickly. Browsing speeds are decent, and they are marketed for everyday tasks—at least that’s how they’re advertised.
However, what’s the catch with Chromebooks? They are designed specifically for web-based applications. This means they are primarily useful for that purpose alone. For students trying to run Microsoft Office, for example, it’s a challenge; Microsoft Office does not run natively on Chromebooks. You can, however, subscribe to Microsoft 365 starting at $99 per month, but that seems to contradict the idea of purchasing a budget laptop.
Chromebooks are great for browsing the internet, but that’s about it. We’ll explore why.
“You Can Game On Chromebooks”
As for gaming, PCWorld claims that you can run Cyberpunk 2077 on a Lenovo IdeaPad 5, which is on the higher end for Chromebooks. The straight answer, though, is no—you won’t have the “incredible experience” they claim. The device does not even meet the minimum specifications required to run the game. Unless your idea of gaming is limited to something like Minesweeper, the specs of a Chromebook are inadequate for any serious gaming. According to Steam, here are the recommended specs to run Cyberpunk 2077:
How did a Lenovo IdeaPad with an Intel Core i5 12th generation and 8GB of memory run the game? We assume it ran poorly. Do not buy a Chromebook for gaming, period.
A Decent Option For (Some) Students
Budget laptops are great for basic tasks such as browsing the internet or watching movies. Chromebooks are great for these types of tasks. They do not require a lot of processing power, and you don’t even need to have a robust OS. Not using Microsoft’s proprietary software helps computer manufacturers lower the cost of their computers. Chromebooks have been marketed as great for K-12 students. Still, we argue that this is only true if your kid’s computer use is a bare minimum, that is, not gaming, not video editing, and not heavy multitasking. Needless to say, Chromebooks are not a good choice for college students.
- Slow processing speeds
- Limited memory
- Poor graphics performance
- Frequent freezing and crashes
Initial Cost vs. Long-Term Value
Many people are drawn to the low initial cost of budget laptops, but these savings often come at the expense of quality and longevity.
Cheaper laptops often have lower-quality materials.
- Plastic casings that break easily
- Fragile hinges
- Keyboards that wear out quickly
Data collected from Gadget Salvation’s customers for the years 2020 – 2024 suggests that people trade in their Chromebooks only a year after their purchase. That’s an incredibly short turnaround time compared to the average 3 years for a Windows Laptop.
Source: Gadget Salvation’s Trade-in Database
Performance, Upgradability, and Repair Costs
Upgrading components on a budget laptop is usually very limited, or impossible, and it makes no financial sense. Why pay $200 to repair a $300 laptop?
When a budget laptop fails, repairs may be more expensive than the initial price or even impossible.
Based on a survey conducted on Gadget Salvation’s trade-in customers for the year 2024, the main reason why people traded in their Chromebooks was slow performance.
How a High-End Laptop Saves You Money
Purchasing a more expensive laptop can save you money in the long run by avoiding the issues mentioned above.
- Longevity: Higher quality components mean a longer lifespan.
- Performance: Handles demanding tasks with ease, saving you time.
- Durability: Robust build quality reduces the risk of damage.
- Upgradability: Some higher-end models allow for component upgrades.
- Software Updates: Supports the latest software for longer.
- Resale Value: Retains value better than budget models.
To illustrate the cost differences, consider the comparison below:
| Feature | Budget Laptop | High-End Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Average Lifespan | 2-3 years | 5-7+ years |
| Potential Repairs | High | Low |
| Performance Over Time | Decreases Significantly | Remains Consistent |
| Overall Long-Term Cost | Higher | Lower |
In conclusion, while the initial cost of a higher-end laptop may be daunting, the long-term savings in repair costs, increased productivity, and extended lifespan make it a more financially prudent decision.
Always keep in mind that you can sell your laptop, Chromebook, or MacBook to Gadget Salvation.
Product Manager at Gadget Salvation.
Technology enthusiast.
