Chromebooks run Google’s specific operating system. They have less powerful processors, memory, and storage. Although some applications for them run offline, the main feature of Chromebooks is using web tools that backup all data. This means that even if your Chromebook is damaged or lost, your data is still stored online and recoverable. Chromebooks are often used in Education, and the Google Classroom software tool is used to manage this. Chromebooks are very rugged and designed to handle abuse. Students, especially younger ones would be careless with these devices, and they are designed to withstand that. Chromebooks are very inexpensive compared to other computers. Although they will not play higher-end games, Chromebooks are perfect devices for general computing at a much lower cost.
Consumer computers normally come with integrated graphics rather than a separate graphics card. As they are for home use have less powerful processors, less memory, and smaller storage than gaming or business computers. They are meant for light use such as web surfing, less intensive gaming, word processing, and other less demanding tasks. They are meant to last 2 to 3 years of normal use and are built less rugged than business computers.
Gaming computers usually come with high-end graphics cards and large amounts of memory. They are often used with specialized keyboards and mice that are optimized for gaming. They also usually have high-end processors for handling the intense demands placed by games. As well they are capable of multitasking to handle streaming the gameplay at the same. Gaming computers tend to use high-end components, they are often very expensive compared to consumer and even business products.
In contrast, business-grade computers tend to be much more rugged. For example, ports on a business computer are better reinforced to prevent damage from continuous use. As well business computers are designed to handle more expected business functions such as laptops that would be continuously transported to and from locations. Normally business computers have more memory, better processors, and larger storage than consumer computers. They are designed for handling multitasking, such as spreadsheets, word processing, and email, all at the same time. Whereas a home user would not need to perform all these tasks at once. They are designed to last longer than consumer computers and come with longer warranties that can often be extended. These warranties offer more options such as accidental damage protection, onsite service, and more. Business computers cost more to manufacture, so they are more expensive than consumer models. However, business computers often last 3 to 5 years if not more. These computers often have special features related to business such as geofencing – which means the laptop cannot be used outside of a specific area, to prevent data access and use when stolen. Also, they can also have tools that prevent malicious programs from attacking the BIOS (basic Input Output System) used to start-up up the computer. Manufactures also provide tools for managing multiple computers from a central system so that an IT department can be sure multiple computers are running properly.