Googlebooks Arrive, but Chromebooks Remain an Option Through 2034

The main difference is software. ChromeOS can run Android apps but emulates them, which can cause occasional poor performance and bugs, Engadget reported. Googlebooks run most Android apps natively at full performance and have full access to the Google Play Store, though some apps may run poorly on Intel-based Googlebooks. Google is pushing better hardware: Googlebooks start with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and the first models deliver around 14 hours of battery life, longer than most Chromebooks.

Because they use an Android-based system, Googlebooks integrate more closely with Android phones. Users can open phone apps on the laptop and access files without transferring them, and settings such as passwords and notifications can sync between devices. Engadget said the features require a phone running Android 17 or later and are not expected to work fully with an iPhone or an older Android device.

Like Chromebooks, Googlebooks are not a single laptop made only by Google. Google has worked with Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo on Googlebook-certified laptops. Those devices must follow guidelines including carbon-fiber chassis instead of cheap plastic, high-end processors from Intel or Snapdragon, and high-resolution screens. Gemini is built in at the system level.

Price is the main reason to choose a Chromebook over a Googlebook, according to Engadget. Chromebook Plus models, with at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, usually cost less than $500. Entry-level Chromebooks with 4GB of RAM cost less than $300. Googlebooks start at $899 and can reach $1,299, a significant difference.

Chromebooks suit light tasks such as browsing the web, streaming and editing documents because of their less powerful hardware. For video editing and casual games, a Googlebook is a better option. Engadget said buyers should consider what they need to do with the laptop.

Googlebooks are a new ecosystem and may have growing pains early on. Chromebooks have been around for more than a decade, and ChromeOS is a more mature platform. Longevity should not be a problem either way, because ChromeOS will still receive software updates and security patches through 2034; by then users will likely have replaced their laptops, and the devices will not stop working overnight.

Chromebooks have downsides. ChromeOS does not run most popular desktop software found on Windows or macOS, and very cheap Chromebooks have poor hardware, making them feel slow, with bad displays. Still, for users who need only a basic laptop, they may work, Engadget reported.