Chrome OS vs. Windows:
A Comparison of Operating Systems

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You probably considered the operating system on your laptop or device before you made the decision to purchase it. Many operating systems are in use today, from lightweight minimalist software packages, to heavy-duty resource-intensive software behemoths.

When going to shop for a laptop, you may have three common operating systems to choose from: Chrome OS, Mac OS, and Windows. While it may be a little easier to choose between Windows and Mac OS (it usually boils down to your budget), the Chrome vs Windows contest is never as easy. But first, you need to understand what an operating system entails.

What is an operating system?

An operating system manages all the hardware and software resources of a computer. It apportions CPU time to these resources to get a job done, and it's the reason your application software can communicate with the various hardware devices on your laptop.

Without the operating system, your screen would go blank, and you wouldn't be able to do anything on your computer. When you purchase a new computer, the first step is to install an operating system. Then you can proceed to add all your favorite utility software to make your new device more functional.

Depending on the nature of the tasks you want your computer to perform, you might want to choose a machine with a specific operating system. If you're looking for a budget laptop, you may have to choose between Chrome OS and Windows 10. You will need to put the Chrome OS vs Windows 10 contest into perspective.

Chrome OS vs. Windows

It's hard to find an operating system that meets the needs of everyone. Users have to choose what lives up to their expectations more than the rest. This is because some may want something light, almost web-based, while others need a device to handle mostly offline tasks, but can connect to the internet when need arises.

Let's look at how Chrome OS and Windows stack up against each other:

1. Windows

Windows is a proprietary graphical operating system owned and developed by Microsoft Corporation. You also know it as Microsoft Windows, and it includes Windows NT and Window IoT.

Pros

  • Works on PCs of all companies
  • Compatible with multiple devices, including PCs, media centers, tablets, and embedded systems
  • Supports many architectures such as x86-64, IA-32, MIPS, Alpha, ARM, and IA-64
  • Has a large community support base

Cons

  • Long installation time – you may need more than an hour to completely install Windows.
  • Security concerns – Has the largest user base, so it has become a great target for hackers
  • Malware problems – tons of viruses have been made on the Windows platform

2. Chrome OS

It's a Linux-based open-source operating system used to run Chrome Books. Chromebooks are similar to laptops, but have limited features. Google announced its unveiling in 2009, and partners with Android to expand its functionality.

Pros

  • Easy to use, just like an Android smartphone.
  • Chromebooks are light, so easy to handle and carry.
  • Requires minimal hardware support.
  • More secure than Windows because it has a built-in virus protection system.
  • Limited features mean improved battery life.

Cons

  • Cannot support heavy applications, such as full versions of Microsoft Office applications, and a majority of games.
  • Limited storage capacity – users forced to store almost everything on the cloud

Conclusion

The Chrome vs Windows contest is a close call because each is great in its own right. You may have to buy both of them, but it may be rather inconveniencing, having to switch one device to the other. If you would like to have both on a single device, consider using the Parallels Desktop software which will enable you to create a virtual environment for both operating systems on your device.