Chrome OS. Google's answer to Microsoft Windows and Apple's MacOS. Before I dive into my experience with it thus far, having owned three separate Chromebooks, allow me to explain just exactly what Chrome OS is.
Chrome OS: A Linux-based operating system
Despite popular opinion, Linux itself is not an operating system. It is a kernel. A kernel is the core of a computing system. It controls everything and allocates resources wherever necessary for the computer to function accordingly. Windows' kernel is Windows NT, and the kernel that runs MacOS is XNU.
There are a great many Linux-based operating systems, the most popular being Ubuntu and its "fork" (or derivation, to put it simply) Linux Mint. Chrome OS can count itself among them, though it's been modified a bit to suit Google's needs. What makes Chrome OS different, however, is its inherently minimalist approach: it is designed with the Internet in mind. It runs everything from web-based applications to the powerful extensions that we all hold so dear (or most of us, anyway). Unfortunately, because it is so minimalist and reliant upon the Internet to accomplish most of its tasks, specialized programs like Adobe Photoshop will not be able to boot on the operating system.
Yet it is because of this stripped-down philosophy that makes Chromebooks so enticing: at just 2 GB of RAM, my Acer Chromebook C720 performs faster than my wife's HP Windows laptop that holds 8 GB of RAM.
RAM = Random Access Memory, which can be likened to something like 'working' memory which allows the computer to do certain active tasks, like web browsing or using a program. Each time one of these is being used, it chips away at your RAM. The more RAM you have, the more you can multitask.
Chromebooks are especially unique in that while it uses the Chrome browser, the Chrome OS version allocates memory far more efficiently than its desktop counterpart (like the browser found on Windows computers or other Linux operating systems). It is, in fact, quite an accomplishment.
Why I've Grown to Love It
While Chrome OS is indeed designed for the Web, it can be used offline. For instance, if I'm typing in Google Docs and the Internet suddenly disconnects, it will save the file locally (meaning on the hard drive itself instead of the cloud) until it reconnects, syncing the local file to your Google Drive.
There are also emulators available for Chrome OS. I can play everything from the original Game Boy all the way up to the Game Boy Advance (which is a fairly extensive library). So my gaming needs are somewhat satisfied.
But where Chrome OS really shines is in the day-to-day use. It boots in only a few seconds (I can be logged in and browsing cat videos before my wife's computer even gets to the login screen). It runs phenomenally quick and doesn't slow down like Windows can over time.
Think of Windows' filesystem like a cabinet, where it stuffs all sorts of files into one drawer until it's completely full, and then moves on to the next drawer. A Linux filesystem has a drawer for every file, creating as much free space between them so the hard drive doesn't have to work nearly as much. Fragmentation of files occurs when the filesystem fills up and has trouble organizing everything. It's like having a frazzled intern trying to sort things versus an experienced, calm archivist who knows exactly where these things go. Hence why Windows slows down and Linux almost never does.
Chrome OS also does what I need without the hassle and without worrying as to whether or not I'll get viruses. While any Linux operating system is more secure than Windows, Chrome OS doubles down that security by restricting the user's access to particular areas of the computer. For instance, let's say you open a program on Windows. You know that box that pops up asking for your permission to open it as an administrator? That kind of access is restricted by default to a Chrome OS user, and it cannot be changed. This is what gives it that 'built-in' anti-virus Google harps about.
Because I'm a writer by trade, and my gaming habits are now limited to home consoles like the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation 4 (yes, I own both), Chrome OS is perfect for me. Even better, newer Chromebooks now have the ability to run Android applications, which garners the utility they were sorely lacking when they were first introduced.
I advise anyone who doesn't game on their computer (or need specialized programs) to give Chrome OS a shot. I was skeptical in the beginning, but they're perfect for the average consumer. Fast. Safe. No muss and no fuss. What more could one ask for?