Chromebook vs Windows vs MacBook: which should you buy?
Before you compare a single laptop, it's worth deciding which of the three kinds you want. Get this right and the rest is easy; get it wrong and no amount of specs will fix it.
- Chromebook if it’s mainly for the internet, email, video calls and Google Docs, and you want it cheap, simple and low-maintenance.
- Windows if you need specific software, want to game, or want the widest choice of prices and sizes.
- MacBook if you already use an iPhone, want superb battery life and build quality, and your budget starts around £1,000 new.
Chromebooks: simple, quick and inexpensive
A Chromebook runs Google’s ChromeOS. Almost everything happens in the Chrome web browser, and you sign in with a Google account. That sounds limiting, but for a lot of people it’s exactly what they already do on a computer.
Good for
- Browsing, email, YouTube, Netflix, online shopping and banking
- Video calls (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp all work in the browser)
- Schoolwork, especially if the school uses Google Classroom
- People who don’t want to deal with antivirus software, updates or slowdowns
Watch out for
- No traditional Windows or Mac software. Microsoft Office works through the browser, but the full desktop versions of programs like Photoshop or many games won’t install.
- An update end date. Each Chromebook model gets security updates until a fixed date. Newer models get around ten years, but cheap older stock can be close to its end date, so check before buying.
- “Chromebook Plus” models have a better minimum spec (including at least 8GB of RAM). They’re worth the small extra cost.
Windows laptops: the most choice
Most laptops sold in the UK run Windows 11. They come from many brands — Lenovo, HP, Dell, Asus, Acer, Microsoft and more — at every price from a few hundred pounds to several thousand.
Good for
- Running any program you might need, including the full Microsoft Office and work software
- Gaming (Windows has by far the biggest game library)
- Getting exactly the screen size, weight and budget you want
- Anyone used to Windows at work who wants the same thing at home
Watch out for
- Very cheap Windows laptops with 4GB of RAM or “eMMC” storage. They’re frustratingly slow, and at that price a Chromebook is usually the better buy.
- Pre-installed extras (trial antivirus, games and pop-ups). Harmless, but worth removing when you set it up.
- Windows 10. Microsoft’s standard support ended in October 2025. Only buy a laptop with Windows 11.
MacBooks: polished, long-lasting and pricier
Apple makes the MacBook Air (thin, light, silent, and enough for most people) and the MacBook Pro (for heavier creative work). They run macOS, Apple’s own system.
Good for
- iPhone owners: messages, photos and passwords sync automatically
- All-day battery life, excellent screens, speakers and trackpads
- Photo, video and music editing
- Lasting a long time: Macs get software updates for many years and hold their resale value well
Watch out for
- The price. New MacBooks start around £1,000. Refurbished models from reputable sellers can be a good-value alternative.
- Upgrades are expensive. You can’t add memory or storage later, and Apple charges a lot for more at checkout. Choose carefully up front.
- Some games and specialist Windows-only programs won’t run.
Side by side
| Chromebook | Windows | MacBook | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price | £200–£600 | £300–£2,000+ | From about £1,000 |
| Ease of use | Easiest | Familiar | Easy, especially with an iPhone |
| Software | Web apps and Android apps | Almost everything | Most mainstream apps |
| Gaming | Very limited | Best | Limited |
| Maintenance | Almost none | Some | Little |
| Battery life | Good | Varies a lot | Excellent |
Three questions to decide
- Is there a specific program you must use? If it’s Windows-only (some work, school or accounting software), get Windows.
- Do you use an iPhone, and is your budget around £1,000? A MacBook will feel like home.
- Is it mostly for the internet? A good Chromebook will be cheaper, faster to start and less hassle than a Windows laptop at the same price.
Once you know which type you want, the next decision is usually memory — see how much RAM you need. Buying for someone else? Read choosing a laptop for an older parent.
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