When people think of tablets, they usually think of iPads. However, there is a robust market of Android tablets such as the Pixel Tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tablets, and tablets from others like Lenovo and OnePlus. There is another option that most people don’t think of—Chromebook tablets.
For me, Chromebook tablets are the ideal tablet. Most people would never consider one, but I’m here to tell you why I think it’s the best tablet experience out there.
My Tablet Dilemma
I’ve always had a hard time with tablets. They were a big step in mobile computing, and some people swear by them. However, I’ve personally never really found a good use case for them. I most often hear people say that they like to use tablets to consume content or to use as a mobile computing device, but for me, that just doesn’t make sense.
At home, I have a TV that offers a much better viewing experience than a tablet. If I’m on the go, my phone is just easier and more convenient. While a tablet is larger than my phone, it’s hard to keep track of another device and ensure it’s charged so that I can use it when I need it. I’d love a larger screen when I need it, but the extra money and hassle just doesn’t feel worth it.
This is where a Chromebook tablet comes in. It’s a full Chromebook that I can use as a computer whenever I need it, but can also act as a tablet when convenient. This versatility is why a Chromebook is my ideal computer—it’s useful no matter where I am. In addition to being more useful to me personally, there are a few other specific reasons why I think Chromebook tablets provide the best tablet experience.
Chromebooks Have a Full Web Browser
A common complaint about tablets is that they don’t have a full web browser, which limits what you’re able to do with them. A mobile browser often shows simplified versions of websites and lacks the powerful tab management, customization, and extensions that many of us rely on. For a tablet to be a true mobile computing device, a full web browser is essential.
While there have been strides to add desktop features to mobile browsers, nothing replaces the real thing in terms of productivity. iPads and Android tablets don’t offer a full, desktop-class browser experience, but Chromebook tablets do. Since Chromebooks are based on ChromeOS, they come with the full Google Chrome browser. This makes a Chromebook tablet significantly more useful for productivity than the mobile browsers found on other devices.
Chromebooks Are Basically Android Tablets Too
Most people enjoy Android tablets and iPads because of their ease of use. This is largely due to the ability to easily download apps from the Google Play Store and App Store respectively. Some people find computers less user-friendly because it’s much harder to find apps, and they’re less user-friendly. Chromebooks are the best of both worlds.
Chromebooks have access to the Google Play Store, which gives them access to most Android apps. This means they can do pretty much everything an Android tablet can do. Do you want to watch Netflix? A Chromebook tablet can do it. Do you want to play a mobile game? A Chromebook tablet can do it. Almost everything someone would want to do on an Android tablet, a Chromebook tablet can do.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook
Untether the limits of your study space with an agile IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook. Featuring an FHD IPS display and long battery life, your options stay wide open for web-browsing, study, or work, no matter where you go. Open your Chromebook to boot up in seconds, touch the screen to select and drag, and stay focused uninterruptedly and even into the night with a long battery life.
Chromebooks Work Better With Keyboards
Android tablets and iPads work well with keyboard accessories, but the experience isn’t the same as a full computing device. The key difference is that with a Chromebook tablet, the keyboard isn’t just an accessory; it’s an integral part of the device’s identity.
Most Chromebook tablets are actually 2-in-1 devices, meaning they come with a detachable keyboard and a trackpad or fold from a laptop into a tablet. When you attach or flip around the keyboard, the entire operating system shifts into a desktop-like mode. This isn’t just a bigger version of the mobile OS; it’s a full-fledged computer experience designed to be used with a keyboard and trackpad.
This means you get a full-size trackpad with multi-finger gestures, a proper keyboard with dedicated function keys, built-inkeyboard shortcuts, and a user interface that’s designed to be navigated with both touch and a cursor. You can easily manage multiple windows, use keyboard shortcuts to get work done faster, and seamlessly switch between apps. The experience is essentially indistinguishable from using a traditional laptop, which is crucial for my productivity.
On an Android tablet or an iPad, even with a great keyboard attached, the operating system is still fundamentally built around a touch interface. The software keyboard might still pop up when you don’t want it, and the trackpad functionality can sometimes feel a bit clunky. While they are great for typing, they often fall short of providing a true “laptop replacement” experience for serious multitasking and productivity.
For me, this seamless transition from a touch-focused tablet to a full-featured laptop is a game-changer. It means I can use my device for quick content consumption in tablet mode, but the moment I need to sit down and write a long email or manage a spreadsheet, I have a fully functional computer ready to go. The Chromebook tablet is not just a tablet with a keyboard; it’s a full computer that can also be a tablet.
Chromebooks are More Secure
Digital security is more important than ever and Chromebooks are known as some of the most secure consumer devices on the market. Chromebooks use a so-called “sandboxing” architecture that isolates each individual app and tab to prevent malware from spreading around the system. Chromebooks also use a Verified Boot system that runs some checks each time the device starts up to make sure there are no security flaws. If there are, the device will attempt to fix it before starting up.
Android tablets and iPads do not offer the same level of security out of the box. While Android tablets and iPads have their own security features, they have a different architecture that is not as segregated. You can turn on the Linux Terminal or developer mode on a Chromebook, which removes some of the safeguards, but without tampering, Chromebooks are more secure.
Chromebooks Are Supported For Longer
One thing that I’m always concerned about when purchasing a device is how long the device will be supported. While some flagship tablets are supported for six or seven years, most tablets are supported for three to four years. All Chromebooks are supported for ten years, which is longer than any Android or iPadOS tablet. This means that I can use my device for longer without having to buy a new one.
In addition to software support, this means that the value proposition for Chromebook tablets is better. They are often on the cheaper side of the market and, since they last longer, you get better bang for your buck with Chromebook tablets than anything else.
Chromebook tablets are more than just a tablet; they’re a computer that can be used as a tablet. With better keyboard compatibility, a full web browser, access to Android apps, better security, and long software support, Chromebook tablets are what I will be putting in my bag moving forward.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 shows that Chromebooks have come a long way and are only continuing to improve. This 2-in-1 features ample memory and storage with all the cloud-powered convenience you’d expect.
