The choice used to be easy. If you wanted a computer on the go, you got a laptop. Today though, those lines are blurred, with Chromebooks and tablets competing in the same space. Both can be cheaper than a traditional laptop, but which one should you opt for?
Whether you’re streaming Netflix, doing college coursework, or just looking for a device to use outside the office, a tablet or Chromebook could be perfect.
We take a look at the benefits of both devices so you can see which one is right for you. Let's begin by comparing some key models – below, we round up some of the best value Chromebooks and tablets you can choose between. If you're happy to spend more, keep on reading, as we also compare top-spec models in this guide.
| Screen Size Measured diagonally across. | Screen Resolution In pixels - the higher the number, the greater the screen detail. | Battery Life As claimed by the manufacturer – actual performance will vary depending on daily tasks. | Operating System | Touchscreen | Processor | Storage The built in storage space for files, programs, apps and the operating system | RAM More RAM tends to help a computer to run quickly and multitask | Price From | Amazon | Buy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | |||||
iPad 7th Gen | iPad Mini | Samsung 11.6″ Chromebook | Google Pixelbook Go | Microsoft Surface Go 2 | Acer Chromebook R 11 | Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1 | ASUS Chromebook 11.6 | HP Chromebook 15-inch | |||||
A solid iPad for everyday use, but eclipsed by the 8th Gen iPad's more powerful processor. | An excellent portable tablet, but it feels less essential in this age of extra-large smartphones – especially as it's pricier than the iPad 10.2 | An exceptionally cheap and portable Chromebook that's great value, provided you're happy with a small screen size. | A slick, stylish Chromebook, though less powerful than the older Pixelbook. Pick the i5 model for the best balance of power and cost | Microsoft's cheapest Surface model, and a perfectly decent tablet. But the keyboard is a necessary extra expense for the Windows experience. | A flexible, low-cost Chromebook with a touchscreen. Small enough to carry to work or school with ease. | Just one inch thick, with a neat 360-degree hinge touchscreen for tablet mode or watching videos | A small screen, adaptable Chromebook that can double as a tablet – with a great cheap price point | A large, detailed screen, quality finish and decent power make this an excellent laptop for work or play | |||||
10.2″ | 7.9″ | 11.6″ | 13.3″ | 10.5″ | 11.6″ | 11.6″ | 11.6″ | 15″ | |||||
2160 x 1620 | 2048 x 1536 | 1366 x 768 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1280 | 1366 x 768 | 1366 x 768 | 1366 x 768 | 1920 x 1080 | |||||
10 hrs | 10 hrs | 11 hrs | 13 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 13 hrs | |||||
iOS | iOS | Chrome OS | Chrome OS | Windows 10 | Chrome OS | Chrome OS | Chrome OS | Chrome OS | |||||
A10 | A12 | Intel Celeron Processor N3060 |
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| Intel Celeron Processor N3060 | MediaTek MT8173C | Intel Celeron N3060 | Intel Pentium gold 4417U | |||||
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| 32GB |
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| 32GB | 64GB | 32GB | 64GB | |||||
3GB | 3GB | 4GB |
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| 4GB | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB | |||||
$319 | $399 | $175 | $649 (M3) | $399 | $318 | $285 | $224 | $449 | |||||
Chromebook vs Tablet – Head to Head
| Chromebook | Tablet | |
| Operating System | Chrome OS | Android, Windows, iOS, Chrome OS |
| Typical price | Around $300 | Around $400 |
| Typical battery life | Expect 10+ hours | From 8+ hours |
| Screen size | 10 – 15 inches | 7 – 10 inches |
| Manufacturers | Almost everyone, except Apple | Samsung, Lenovo, Apple, Asus, Microsoft etc |
Which is best for schoolwork?
Either a tablet or Chromebook can be great for research – from delving into Wikipedia articles to streaming documentaries, both will do a fine job. For long essays though, you can’t beat a proper keyboard, so the Chromebook wins.
Can you run apps on a Chromebook?
Yes. In fact, most of the apps that you would expect to find on a tablet can be found on the Chromebook too. Some apps available on the Chrome Store might not be compatible with your specific Chromebook hardware, but that’s also the case for Android tablets.
Can you run Office on a Chromebook?
Yes. Microsoft has made Office fairly ubiquitous in recent years, making the smart move of selling it as a subscription rather than a one time purchase. It sells Office on many devices, including Chromebook. Only some older Chromebook models won’t be able to run it.
It’s also worth noting that Google has its own range of office apps (Google Docs etc.) that are compatible with Microsoft’s products.
Can you get a touchscreen Chromebook?
Yes. Not only that, but some models – such as the pricey Google Chromebook, or the more affordable Acer Chromebook Spin 11 – are also compatible with styli. The touch screen on a Chromebook features the same functionality you would expect from a tablet.
Can you get a keyboard for a tablet?
Yes. Even if the tablet doesn’t have a dedicated keyboard, there are many third party keyboards available that are compatible, typically connecting through Bluetooth. Be aware that some official keyboards can be pricey though, considerably increasing the cost of your tablet
The Lenovo 500e Chromebook
Pros
- 180 degree display
- All day battery life
- HD Webcam
Cons
- Not very powerful
- Small storage space
Buy on Amazon
Chromebook vs iPad
The Chromebook and iPad are very different prospects, running different operating systems (Chrome vs iOS), but there are plenty of similarities between the two.
Both can run a version of Microsoft Office (although it will depend on what Chromebook you have), and both can also run the Google suite of office apps.
Both also have excellent battery life. You can expect around ten hours between charges from an iPad, and even more than that from a decent Chromebook.
So which is best? It really depends on your own needs. If you’re after a more traditional laptop experience, then a Chromebook is right for you. While an iPad can arguably offer a similar experience with the addition of a keyboard, it doesn’t feel quite as natural as a Chromebook.
If space and portability are key considerations, then an iPad is worth a look. While Chromebooks are hardly monoliths, they are larger than a tablet, and won’t fit into a small bag quite as easily.
If you need a device with a good amount of power, the iPad range beats the Chromebooks for the most part. While there are devices out there like the Pixelbook, most Chromebooks operate using low powered mobile processors. These provide more than enough power to see out their daily tasks with ease, but try and run a demanding app and they could struggle to keep up. Apple’s tech, for the most part, is buttery smooth under pressure.
If you're considering an iPad, see our table below for an overview of the entire Apple range. For even more detail, head to our guide – Which iPad Should I Buy?
Keyboards are available for almost any tablet
| Screen Size Measured diagonally across. | Screen Resolution In pixels - the higher the number, the greater the screen detail. | Battery Life As claimed by the manufacturer – actual performance will vary depending on daily tasks. | Processor | Storage The built in storage space for files, programs, apps and the operating system | Face ID | Rear Camera | Front Camera | Apple Device Compatibility Which official Apple accessories the iPad pairs with | Price From | Amazon | Buy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | |   |   |   | ||||||||||
iPad 8th Gen | iPad Mini | iPad Pro 12.9 | iPad Pro 11 | iPad Air 4th Gen | ||||||||||
The best choice iPad for virtually everyone. The screen and super processor are perfect for day-to-day browsing and apps, and it's excellent value | An excellent portable tablet, but it feels less essential in this age of extra-large smartphones – especially as it's pricier than the iPad 10.2 | The absolute best iPad that money can buy, with a price tag to match. Pair it with the Magic Keyboard and it truly is a laptop alternative. | An exceptional tablet, and cheaper than the top-of-the-range 12.9 inch iPad Pro. The screen is glorious and there's plenty of processing power | A slim tablet with an unbeatable processor and great rear camera, but priced far above the excellent iPad 8th Gen. | ||||||||||
10.2″ | 7.9″ | 12.9″ | 11″ | 10.9″ | ||||||||||
2160 x 1620 | 2048 x 1536 | 2732 x 2048 | 2388 x 1668 | 2360 x 1640 | ||||||||||
10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | ||||||||||
A12 | A12 | A12Z | A12Z | A14 | ||||||||||
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8Mp | 8Mp | 12Mp + 10Mp | 12Mp + 10Mp | 12Mp | ||||||||||
1.2Mp | 7Mp | 7Mp | 7Mp | 7Mp | ||||||||||
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$329 | $399 | $999 | $799 | $599 | ||||||||||
Pros
- Compatible with Smart Keyboard
- 10.2-inch screen
Cons
- Underpowered for demanding users
How Much is a Chromebook?
Chromebooks are known for being inexpensive, generally priced lower than the average laptop, and even the average tablet. You can expect to pick one up for around $200, although they can go lower if you can find one on clearance, or pick up an older model.
Of course, you can find tablets in a similar price range, although be aware that you’ll be making some compromises – these include a smaller screen, and the need to purchase a keyboard at extra cost.
However, some Chromebooks are priced as premium products. The Google Pixelbook, an admittedly brilliant piece of tech, bucks the cheap trend at a wallet-weeping $1,000. That’s the same price as an Apple MacBook Air.
If you're happy to spend a bit more, there are some fantastic devices to choose between. these include top-end Chromebooks (Google Pixelbook models), the iPad Pro range, and Microsoft's Surface tablets. We round up your options side-by-side, below:
The pricey Google Pixelbook Chromebook
| Screen Size Measured diagonally across. | Screen Resolution In pixels - the higher the number, the greater the screen detail. | Battery Life As claimed by the manufacturer – actual performance will vary depending on daily tasks. | Operating System | Touchscreen | Processor | Storage The built in storage space for files, programs, apps and the operating system | RAM More RAM tends to help a computer to run quickly and multitask | Price From | Amazon | Buy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |   |   | |   |   |   |   | |||||
iPad Pro 11 | iPad Pro 12.9 | Google Pixelbook i5 | Google Pixelbook i7 | Google Pixelbook Go | Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | Microsoft Surface Book 3 | Google Pixel Slate | Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 | |||||
An exceptional tablet, and cheaper than the top-of-the-range 12.9 inch iPad Pro. The screen is glorious and there's plenty of processing power | The absolute best iPad that money can buy, with a price tag to match. Pair it with the Magic Keyboard and it truly is a laptop alternative. | Chromebook functions with MacBook looks. It's cheaper than the i7 Pixelbook, but this is still a lot of (top quality) Chromebook for a lot of money | A true MacBook rival when it comes to looks and build quality. It's arguably overkill for a Chromebook though, especially at such a high price point. | A slick, stylish Chromebook, though less powerful than the older Pixelbook. Pick the i5 model for the best balance of power and cost | A tablet first and foremost, but a versatile one that isn't modest in its specs, even if the essential-feeling keyboard is an optional extra | A tablet and laptop in one, the removable screen on the Book 3 offers the full Windows experience. Not cheap, but at least the keyboard is included. | A powerful tablet from Google, running Chrome OS. To be a true business device, it still needs that extra keyboard purchase, however | One of the best Android tablets business users can choose, with a powerful processor, a great screen and an S Pen included | |||||
11″ | 12.9″ | 12.3″ | 12.3″ | 13.3″ | 12.3″ |
| 12.3″ | 10.5″ | |||||
2388 x 1668 | 2732 x 2048 | 2400 x 1600 | 2400 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | 2736 x 1824 | 3000 x 2000 | 3000 x 2000 | 2560 x 1600 | |||||
10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 13 hrs | 10.5 hrs | 15.5 hrs | 12 hrs | 15 hrs | |||||
iOS | iOS | Chrome OS | Chrome OS | Chrome OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 | Chrome OS | Android | |||||
A12Z | A12Z | Intel i7 7th-gen | Intel i5 7th-gen |
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| Octa-core | |||||
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| 128GB | 512GB |
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6GB | 6GB | 8GB | 16GB |
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$799 | $999 | $1,249 | $1,500 | $649 (M3) | $700 | $1,599 | $699 | $699 | |||||
Should you get a Chromebook or Android Tablet?
The Android tablet, as least as we know it, is pretty much dead. The two prominent operating systems in the tablet world today are iOS and Windows, and while there are still some Android based models out there – such as the Samsung Tab series, or Amazon’s Fire models (which actually uses a bespoke version of Android)– they represent a dying breed.
There has been a recent trend towards Chrome OS tablets, such as the Acer Chromebook Tab 10 and Google’s own Pixel Slate, and although they are still very much in their infancy, they are compelling devices. In essence, they are Chromebooks in tablet form (in fact, some even use the moniker Chromebook, rather confusingly).
Choosing between a Chromebook or a Chrome OS tablet is a simple choice of deciding between two form factors. Do you want a tablet, or a laptop-style device? The other functions of the two devices are more or less identical.
The Google Pixel Slate tablet
Pros
- Powerful specs
- 12-hour battery
Cons
- A bit chunky
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