Chrome OS is built around the Chrome browser and Drive applications such as Docs and Sheets. Android, on the other hand, is a mobile operating system that has applications built specifically for tablets. Although Chromebooks can run some Android apps, these programs tend to lag when running on Chrome OS.
Chromebooks with Android app support in the Stable channel. Android apps on Chromebook instantly make these low-cost computers a lot more appealing.
Moreover, can Chromebooks run Android apps?
Chrome OS used to pretty much be a glorified browser, but things have changed in recent years. Chromebooks can now run Android apps, and some even support Linux applications.
Google Play Store and Android apps are available on many Chrome OS devices since launching in 2016. To learn more about what we launched in 2016, check out this blog post. The Chromebooks, Chromeboxes, and Chromebases that were launched before 2019 that are able to install Android apps are listed below.
Which Chromebooks can run Linux?
Google’s own Pixelbook was the first Chromebook to run Linux apps. More devices joined in on the fun back in September 2018 when the Chrome OS 69 update was released, bringing stable Linux app support to quite a few Chromebooks.
Can you use a Chromebook as a desktop?
For one, there’s a desktop environment similar to Windows, and you can also use a Chromebook offline. There are more than 200 web apps that work offline for Chrome OS, and many Chromebooks now run Android apps. You can find a full list of Chromebooks with Android app support here.
That means anything you can do in Chrome for Windows or Mac, you can do in Chrome OS. This may sound like a glorified browser, and it used to be, but things have changed in recent years. Chromebooks can now run Android apps, and some even support Linux applications. This makes Chrome OS laptops helpful for doing more than simply browsing the web.
One way to consider this is that means a Chromebook typically can’t handle 500 browser tabs and other intensive tasks. But if you have modest needs, they are great. Of course, more powerful options exist. If you really want Chrome. OS and the power to run Linux apps, Android apps, and more — the Google Pixelbook is probably what you’re looking for.