Can Chromebooks run Microsoft Office?

Yes, in two ways. Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) runs as web apps through the browser, which works well for most tasks. The Android apps for Office are also available on Chromebooks through the Play Store. For occasional document editing and collaboration, this is entirely adequate. For power users who need local macro-heavy Excel or advanced Word features, a Windows laptop is still preferable.

How long do Chromebooks receive updates?

Google now guarantees 10 years of ChromeOS updates for Chromebooks sold after 2024. Older Chromebooks had Auto Update Expiry (AUE) dates as short as 6 years. When buying, verify the AUE date in the specs — a 2024 Chromebook should receive updates through 2034, making the investment worthwhile.

Are Chromebooks good for gaming?

For cloud gaming (Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce NOW, Amazon Luna), Chromebooks work well — the Acer 516 GE is specifically designed for this. For local gaming, most Chromebooks can run casual Android games from the Play Store. Traditional PC gaming via Steam or Epic Games is not supported on Chrome OS. If gaming is a priority, buy a Windows laptop.

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