如今，计算机已成为课堂的一部分，因为它们使学习变得更轻松、更有趣。在线教育(Online schooling)也变得越来越流行，部分原因是大流行，因此孩子们需要使用电脑。在您购买昂贵的工具之前，您需要做出一个重要决定：Chromebook 还是笔记本电脑？
自 2011 年Chromebook(Chromebooks)上架以来，Chromebook与笔记本电脑的争论一直在进行。也就是说，您需要考虑这两种设备之间的重大差异。在本文中，我们将比较Chromebook(Chromebooks)和笔记本电脑，以帮助您确定最适合您孩子的设备。
什么是 Chromebook？
在以Windows(Windows)笔记本电脑和Mac(Macs)为主的世界中，Chromebook经常被忽视。有些人不公平地比较它，却没有意识到Chromebook有自己的作用。例如，如果您只关注硬件，您可以在这里停下来，因为传统笔记本电脑的优势在于游戏和软件开发(gaming and software development)的重型配置。Chromebook(Chromebooks)并不是要取代笔记本电脑。
Chromebook是在 Google 的(Chromebook)Chrome 操作系统(operating system)上运行的轻型计算机。主界面是Chrome浏览器(Chrome browser)。但是，您也可以安装各种应用程序，例如文字处理器，然后离线使用它们。
Chromebook主要用于浏览和轻松工作。这使得Chromebook 非常(Chromebook ideal)适合研究和学习，尤其是在预算有限的情况下。
哪种设备更实惠？
Chromebook(Chromebooks)在内部结构方面也很轻巧。本地存储与我们在智能手机和平板电脑中的存储相当，并且处理器比我们在传统笔记本电脑中发现的要弱得多。仅这一点就使得Chromebook(Chromebooks)比 Windows 和 macOS 笔记本电脑便宜得多。
由于孩子们通常不会好好照顾他们的设备，因此您应该尽可能少花钱。幸运的是，您可以找到价格在 150 美元到 300 美元之间的各种Chromebook(Chromebooks)，它们都足以用于学习和做功课。
您还可以找到预算友好的基于Windows的笔记本电脑，起价约为 400 美元，但它们的性能通常非常糟糕。Windows是一个强大的操作系统(operating system)，它需要比Chromebook更多的硬件能力。Chromebook(Chromebooks win)以实惠的价格取胜。这就是资金不足的学校为学生投资Chromebook的原因之一。(Chromebooks)
可移植性
笔记本电脑和Chromebook(Chromebooks)是便携式设备。这很明显。然而，Chromebook(Chromebooks)比大多数笔记本电脑更小更轻。孩子们(Kids)可以更轻松地随身携带Chromebook。
Chromebook 是轻薄设备，主要是因为硬件较少且屏幕较小。您可以将它们与MacBook Air进行比较，它们仍然更小更轻。 他们中的许多(Many)人还依赖被动冷却，所以他们没有内部风扇。这使它们比典型的笔记本电脑轻得多。
电池寿命
如果您的孩子参加在线课程，或者如果他们可以在课堂上使用电脑，那么您将需要一款电池电量(battery power)充足的设备。使用(Access)电源插座(power outlet)可能会受到限制，尤其是如果整个房间都有笔记本电脑的孩子。
典型的笔记本电脑有足够的电池电量可以使用几个小时，具体取决于任务的密集程度。但是，它可能不会持续到学校忙碌的一天或与朋友一起参加 Netflix 马拉松比赛。(Netflix marathon)另一方面，Chromebook(Chromebooks)以节能着称。
如前所述，Chromebook(Chromebooks)的硬件和处理能力低于 Windows 或 macOS 笔记本电脑。这对大多数孩子来说并不是一个缺点。拥有不那么强大的硬件意味着该设备需要的能量要少得多。许多Chromebook(Chromebooks)可以依靠电池供电(battery power)运行10 小时以上。
便于使用
一个用户友好的工具可以让孩子们专注于课堂、家庭作业或娱乐。对于即将收到他们的第一台计算机的幼儿来说尤其如此。
Windows 和macOS笔记本电脑相当复杂。有无数令人分心的程序、功能和自定义选项会让孩子们感到困惑。这也意味着如果弄乱了错误的设置或文件，很多事情都会出错。Chromebook(Chromebooks)并非如此。
Chrome 操作系统(Chrome OS)非常简单。Chromebook附带的应用和游戏并不多，因此孩子们不会轻易分心。该设备主要用于浏览、学习和文字处理(word processing)。这使孩子们可以立即熟悉虚拟环境，并将注意力集中在重要的事情上。
安全
孩子们倾向于点击任何吸引他们注意力的东西。他们很少关注恶意链接或可疑图像源，因此他们点击离开只是为了下载病毒和英国媒体报道。有时Windows Defender会保护笔记本电脑，但有时你必须清理系统。幸运的是，如果您的孩子使用的是Chromebook ，则不太可能发生这种情况。
首先(First)，Chrome OS非常安全，仅仅是因为它还不是流行的(YET)操作系统(operating system) 。病毒通常不会针对这个平台，因为这对黑客来说不值得。其次，由Google开发意味着您需要将Chromebook同步到您的Google 帐户(Google account)。因此，您的数据被加密，即使设备被感染也不会轻易被盗。
另一个有趣的安全功能(security feature)是沙盒。每个应用程序都被沙盒化，因此感染不会在程序之间传播。在此基础上添加(Add)常规操作系统安全(OS security)更新，您就拥有了几乎牢不可破的设备。
总的来说，Chromebook对孩子来说是最安全的设备，因为即使对他们来说，感染它也是一个挑战。
家长控制权
所有主要操作系统都带有家长控制功能。这包括所有传统笔记本电脑以及Chromebook(Chromebooks)。您可以决定您的孩子可以访问哪些网站，跟踪他们在网上花费了多少时间、他们做了什么等等。
Chromebook 与(Chromebook vs). 儿童(Kids)笔记本电脑(Laptop)：如何做出正确的选择(Right Choice)
如果您想为孩子购买便宜的即插即用计算机， (plug-and-play computer)Chromebook似乎是最佳选择，而且在很多情况下都是如此。但是，您应该考虑一些与硬件、软件和功能没有直接关系的外部因素。
1. 年龄(1. Age)
您需要考虑的第一件事是年龄或年级。小学生的需求与高中生的需求完全不同。
Chromebook 缺乏(Chromebooks lack)复杂的功能，并且许多程序（如Photoshop）不可用。它们不适合照片编辑(photo editing)，但它们非常适合浏览和做简单的作业而不会分心。
将Chromebook作为第一台计算机或用于不需要高要求软件(t require demanding software)的一般功课。
2. 要求(2. Requirements)
无论您购买Chromebook还是笔记本电脑，您都需要考虑孩子的需求。他们是否需要设备来学习、撰写和分享作业以及观看视频？在这种情况下， Chromebook是理想的选择。
也就是说，如果您的孩子年龄较大并且已经开始编程、照片编辑(photo editing)或执行其他要求较高的任务，建议您使用笔记本电脑。
3. 预算(3. Budget)
如果您的预算非常有限，而且您根本买不起一台像样的笔记本电脑，那么只需购买 Chromebook，甚至无需考虑其他因素。与笔记本电脑相比，您可以在更低的价格范围内为Chromebook(Chromebooks)提供更好的选择。
那么，您决定什么是最适合您孩子的设备了吗？如果您仍然不确定，这里有适合儿童的最佳预算笔记本电脑和适合儿童(best budget laptops for kids)的最佳 Chromebook。
Chromebook vs. Laptop: What’s the Best Device for Kids?
Nowadays, computerѕ are part of the classroom because thеy make learning easier and more fun. Online schooling is also becoming more and more popular, partially thanks to the pandemic, so kids need access to a computer. Before you jump in to buy an expensive tool, you need to make an important decision: Chromebook or laptop?
The Chromebook vs. laptop debate has been ongoing since Chromebooks hit the shelves in 2011. That said, there are major differences between the two devices that you need to take into account. In this article, we’re going to compare Chromebooks to laptops to help you decide what’s best for your kids.
What Is a Chromebook?
In a world dominated by Windows laptops and Macs, the Chromebook is often overlooked. Some people compare it unfairly without realizing that the Chromebook has its own part to play. For example, if all you’re looking at is hardware, you can stop right here because traditional laptops are superior due to heavy-duty configurations for gaming and software development. Chromebooks aren’t meant to replace laptops.
A Chromebook is a lightweight computer that runs on Google’s Chrome operating system. The main interface is the Chrome browser. However, you can also install various apps, like word processors, and use them offline.
The Chromebook is primarily meant for browsing and light work. This makes the Chromebook ideal for researching and studying, especially while on a budget.
Which Device Is More Affordable?
Chromebooks are also on the light side when it comes to the internals. Local storage is comparable to what we have in smartphones and tablets and the processors are much weaker than what we find in traditional laptops. This alone makes Chromebooks considerably cheaper than Windows and macOS laptops.
Since kids don’t usually take good care of their devices, you should probably spend as little money as possible. Fortunately, you can find a wide range of Chromebooks in the $150-$300 range and they’re all good enough for learning and doing schoolwork.
You can also find budget-friendly Windows-based laptops starting at around $400, but they’re usually really bad performance-wise. Windows is a robust operating system that requires more hardware power than a Chromebook. Chromebooks win by far when it comes to affordable prices. This is one of the reasons why schools that are low on funds invest in Chromebooks for their students.
Portability
Laptops and Chromebooks are portable devices. That much is obvious. However, Chromebooks are even smaller and lighter than most laptops. Kids would have a much easier time carrying a Chromebook everywhere.
Chromebooks are thin devices, mainly because of less hardware and smaller screens. You can compare them to a MacBook Air and they’re still a bit smaller and lighter. Many of them also rely on passive cooling, so they don’t have internal fans. This makes them a lot lighter than typical laptops.
Battery Life
If your kids take online classes or if they can use computers during class, you’ll want a device with a lot of battery power. Access to a power outlet can be limited, especially if there’s a whole room of kids with laptops.
A typical laptop has enough battery power for several hours, depending on how intensive the tasks are. However, it might not last through a busy day at school or a Netflix marathon with friends. On the other hand, Chromebooks are famously energy-efficient.
As mentioned earlier, Chromebooks have less hardware and processing power than Windows or macOS laptops. This isn’t a disadvantage for most kids. Having less powerful hardware means the device requires significantly less energy. Many Chromebooks can run on battery power for more than 10 hours.
Ease of Use
A user-friendly tool allows kids to focus on the class, homework, or entertainment. This is especially the case for young children who are about to receive their first computer.
Windows and macOS laptops are fairly complex. There are countless distracting programs, features, and customization options that will confuse kids. This also means that a lot of things can go wrong if messing with the wrong settings or files. This isn’t the case with Chromebooks.
The Chrome OS is incredibly simple. There aren’t many apps and games that come with a Chromebook, so kids can’t be easily distracted. The device is built primarily for browsing, learning, and word processing. This allows kids to familiarize themselves with the virtual environment in no time and focus their attention on things that matter.
Security
Kids tend to click on anything that attracts their attention. They rarely pay attention to malicious links or suspicious image sources, so they click away only to download viruses and bloatware. Sometimes Windows Defender will protect the laptop, but other times you’ll have to clean the system. Fortunately, this isn’t likely to happen if your kids are using a Chromebook.
First of all, Chrome OS is highly secure simply because it’s not a popular operating system YET. Viruses aren’t made to target this platform that often because it’s not worth it for the hacker. Secondly, being developed by Google means that you need to sync the Chromebook to your Google account. As a result, your data is encrypted and can’t be easily stolen even if the device is infected.
Another interesting security feature is sandboxing. Each app is sandboxed, so infections can’t spread from program to program. Add regular OS security updates on top of that and you have a nearly unbreakable device.
Overall, the Chromebook is the safest device for kids because getting it infected is a challenge even for them.
Parental Controls
All major operating systems come with parental control features. This includes all traditional laptops as well as Chromebooks. You can decide which websites your kids can access, keep track of how much time they spend online, what they do, and much more.
Chromebook vs. Laptop for Kids: How To Make the Right Choice
The Chromebook might seem like the best choice if you want a cheap plug-and-play computer for your kids, and it is in a lot of cases. However, you should consider a few external factors that aren’t directly connected to hardware, software, and features.
1. Age
The first thing you need to consider is the age or grade level. The needs of elementary school students are completely different from the needs of high school students.
Chromebooks lack complex features and many programs like Photoshop aren’t available. They’re not good for photo editing, but they’re great for browsing and doing simple homework without distractions.
Get a Chromebook as a first computer or for general schoolwork that doesn’t require demanding software.
2. Requirements
Whether you buy a Chromebook or a laptop, you need to think about your kids’ needs. Do they need a device to study, write and share assignments, and watch videos? A Chromebook is ideal in this case.
That said, if your kid is older and has already started programming, photo editing, or performing other demanding tasks, a laptop is recommended.
3. Budget
If you’re highly restricted by your budget and you simply can’t afford a decent laptop, just buy a Chromebook without even thinking about other factors. You have much better options for Chromebooks in the lower price ranges than for laptops.
So, did you decide what’s the best device for your kids? If you’re still not sure, here are the best budget laptops for kids and the best Chromebooks for kids.
