But there are also plenty of people who do the vast majority of their work in a browser.

Not being able to install native software can be a dealbreaker if you’re, say, a video editor or software developer. Of course, the simplicity is also a major drawback for some users. There’s no bloatware or unwanted apps to uninstall like you often get on Windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you can completely reset to factory settings almost as quickly. If you didn’t know, it’s based on Google’s Chrome browser, which means most of the programs you can run are web based. For me, the simple and clean nature of Chrome OS is a big selling point. There are plenty of inexpensive Windows laptops on the market, so why bother with Chrome OS? Glad you asked. That’s probably the number one question about Chromebooks. So far the company is off to a great start, having launched the laptop with 11th-gen Intel processors in 2021 and followed through with mainboard upgrades for 12th-gen processors in 2022.What is Chrome OS, and why would I use it over Windows? But the Framework Laptop has hours less battery life than our top ultrabook pick, and the ability to upgrade and repair it down the line depends on the company continuing to exist and to supply parts. It’s sturdy and surprisingly thin and light for how modular its design is, and it has a reliable keyboard and trackpad plus a bright and spacious display. And the Framework Laptop is an excellent computer, too. You can add more memory and storage, but you can also replace the battery, upgrade the mainboard with a new processor, or repair anything else if it breaks-the display, the fingerprint reader, the keyboard, the hinge, you name it. Each part and screw is helpfully labeled, along with handy QR codes that direct you to step-by-step replacement guides that also contain links to the exact parts you’ll need.

Why we like this one: Every part of the Framework Laptop is super easy to repair and upgrade, and Framework makes all of its parts available to purchase on its website.

Ideapad flex 3 chromebook