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While Android apps can run on Chrome OS devices (all Chrome OS devices released since 2019 and many older ones), not all apps are supported. There are also several progressive web apps (PWA) to use on the platform. Google acknowledged this shortcoming and significantly improved the status of the app by adding support for Android and the ability to install a Linux development environment that allows users to install Linux apps. The limited app library in Chrome OS may annoy users because many apps are not compatible with Google’s platform. The Slack app is available for many operating systems, including Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux. The models highlighted below, listed in order of Overall Score, are plenty capable of tackling the everyday productivity tasks juggled by consumers.There is no Slack app Chrome OS, but users who want to use the app have a solution if they have a compatible device. There are more than 40 models in our Chromebook ratings, all of which are made by well-known companies like Google, HP, and Samsung.
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But a Chromebook could still be a good choice for consumers with more basic needs. Of course, you won’t be able to play the latest Mac or Windows games on a Chromebook, and serious photo and video editors will probably want the power and flexibility afforded by a Mac or PC. Those web apps are often just as capable as their desktop counterparts, too, so you’ll be able to take Zoom calls, participate in Slack chats, or trudge through your email in Outlook without skipping a beat.
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“Chromebooks will run word processing and spreadsheet programs, and you can use them to browse the web,” says Richard Fisco, who oversees electronics testing at Consumer Reports.Ĭhromebooks rely heavily on web apps like Gmail and Google Docs, which lessen the need for the sort of higher-end specs you’d find on a Mac or PC laptop. Consequently, Chromebooks can often be found for under $500, making them a good value for consumers who don’t need macOS or Windows. Chrome OS resembles Google’s Chrome web browser, so if you’ve spent any time using Chrome-and since it’s the most popular browser by far, there’s a good chance you’ve spent lots of time with it-you should feel right at home.Ĭhromebooks frequently have more modest specs than their Mac and Windows counterparts, so you’re not as likely to find very fast processors or super-spacious hard drives.
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If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to add another laptop to your household, a Chromebook may be the way to go.Ĭhromebooks are essentially laptops that use Chrome OS instead of macOS or Windows as their operating system.
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