Chromebook vs iPad - Which is best for you - Android

In this Chromebook vs iPad comparison we determine which mobile computing platform may be the 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?