Chrome OS VS Windows 11 - Detailed Comparison

Is there a way for Chrome OS to compete with Windows 11? Previously, this question would have been unfounded when comparing Chrome OS and Windows 10, but now it is starting a serious discussion because Google's operating system is constantly evolving, and it seems that the stages in its development are so fast that in less and less time its new features.

Microsoft with Windows sovereignly holds its large market share, and Windows 11 is slowly taking its position, and the number of its users is growing. But it will be interesting to see how much the continuous development of Chrome OS can affect this.

In the following, we will look at their differences by segment and try to find their advantages and disadvantages in a comparative analysis. 

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Windows 11 VS Chrome OS - Hardware Support

Hardware support is the first and possibly most noticeable difference between the two operating systems. Although everyone is known that Windows 11 has strict requirements, such as newer processor models and TPM 2.0, it can be argued that users have the freedom to choose their device, which is not the case with Chrome OS.

Windows 11 requires newer devices or additional financial investment in certain segments of hardware on an existing computer, but there is a large selection of devices from the last few years that support them. An additional alternative can be various models of their installation, bypassing the established specifications.

Chrome OS works differently. Once you buy a Chromebook - that's it. You have no freedom of choice, and you have to stay on it. If you still want to utilize Windows instead of Chrome OS, you'll need to buy a new Computer. There are always possibilities to remove Chrome OS and replace it with another operating system, but this is a difficult process for the typical user.

Both operating systems are in a similar position only when buying a new computer because there is a quality choice on both sides. The perception of the Chromebook as a hardware-modest device is slowly changing, and there are now laptops on offer with Intel and AMD chips and powerful performance.

The area where Chrome OS is limited is gaming. So far, there is no such thing as a "gaming Chromebook," and Windows has a great advantage here, which every gamer will always choose.

Windows 11 VS Chrome OS - Design and User Experience

Both operating systems have their own distinctive visual identity.

Chrome OS bases its visual identity on a combination of desktop experience and features that can be found on mobile devices. The taskbar on Chrome OS known as "Shelf" can be used to "hook" applications to it, and this feature is similar to using Windows. On the other hand, Chrome OS will not have anything like the "Start" menu on Windows but a standalone application tray that is especially useful when using the touch screen.

Chrome OS is great for work that doesn't require a lot of resources. The user interface is practical, and unlike Windows, there are no processes in the background that can't slow down work, and the consumption of working memory is well coordinated.

There has been a lot of discussion about the Windows 11 user interface in the context of the changes. Some of the features work differently than on Windows 10, and some elements seem to have no final version yet.

This was definitely because user feedback on some of the changes was negative, so further updates to Windows 11 are expected to complete the image of the visual interface.

Slightly clumsy expression in user interface synchronization in Windows 11 is still accompanied by some background processes that can affect performance. But the fact remains that this operating system can perform complex tasks and has the capacity for many advanced features.

Windows 11 VS Chrome OS - Android Apps

The Chrome OS trademark is now available on Windows 11, although in a slightly different version, but with the same result - Android applications on the computer desktop.

With Chrome OS, Android is built into the operating system, and with the available Google Play Store, the user has a really large number of apps available for download. Google wants to be thorough in this segment as well, so a growing number of apps have customizations for the Chromebook. It remains to be seen if the same will happen for Windows 11.

Windows 11 will use the Amazon App Store, and it is already clear at first glance that this may not be on the same level as the Google Play Store. The next time will show what are the capabilities of the Windows Subsystem for Android so, at this point, it may be better to wait for the first tests.

Both operating systems have support for tablets, but Chrome OS has a slight advantage because it is more "user-friendly" and customized. Windows 11 now has a tablet mode that retains part of the segments from the desktop version, thus it is believed that it will be more optimized with future upgrades.

Chrome OS is more than just a Web Browser

He often states that Chrome OS is just an extended version of the Google Chrome web browser does not stand at all.

In addition to Android support, Chrome OS has Linux customization and can execute Linux programs with its graphical interface.

Running Chrome OS with an active internet connection is recommended since its powerful integration with other Google services comes to the fore, and many will be surprised at how simple and fluid it can be when everything is hosted on Google's servers.

Chrome OS can serve developers well. It can’t be said that as a developer you have all the tools available from Windows, but you can run, for example, VSCode and some other coding applications. 

Chrome OS can run Windows in virtual form (with some restrictions) using the Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS feature, a great tool that allows users to use Windows applications like Microsoft Office.

Chrome OS is moving towards creating an operating system that everyone will be able to use.

It should not be forgotten that Chrome OS has support for Google Now in the same way as it does on smartphones. The comparison with Cortana is misplaced here because Microsoft's voice assistant is a bit out of use, and Google Assistant has incomparably better features and customizations.

Windows 11 Can Run Everything

The main advantage of Windows 11 over Chrome OS is that it can run literally anything. Windows is so widespread in the world that there are no restrictions for them in terms of using software or certain applications, and compatibility is their true advantage over Chrome OS.

Microsoft is working hard on the Microsoft Store, which has become home to a growing number of applications.

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser, but many will agree that its capabilities are becoming more advanced. The fact that Safari has practically surpassed market share and is dangerously close to Google Chrome in terms of innovation and user features speaks volumes.

Microsoft Edge is not the only option for a web browser on Windows 11, and users, with a little more effort, can easily use other web browsers. We know things don't work that way on Chrome OS, and switching to Google Chrome is unlikely to be a pleasant experience for users.

For Chrome OS, gaming is a weak point, but for Windows, it’s an area that gets great innovations year after year. Chrome OS can use cloud services like Xbox Game Pass and Google Stadio, there are also Android games, but here we are practically done with the story. There are no specialized devices with Chrome OS for gaming, and in this segment, it is simply not necessary to state the advantages of Windows 11.