Chrome OS vs Windows 10 S: All You Need to Know

Windows 10 S is a lightweight OS designed for teachers, students, and users who rely mainly on the core Windows features.

Now, if you’re unsure which OS to install on your budget computer, you’ve come to the right place. This article will list the main differences between Windows 10 S and Chrome OS. By the time you reach the end, you will have a clear answer about which OS to use.

Chrome OS vs Windows 10 S: A detailed comparison

App limitations

Microsoft clearly stated that Windows 10 S runs only apps from the Microsoft Store. The company decided to limit the apps running on Windows 10 S to enhance the operating system’s security.

It is worth mentioning that if you install an app from the Windows Store on another Windows 10 PC, you can also install it on your Windows 10 S laptop, as long as you sign in with the same Microsoft account that you used to buy the app in the first place.

The Chrome OS is designed for the general consumer and doesn’t feature any limitations on the types of apps that you can run. You can install any apps, games, or extensions available in the Chrome Store.

In order words, if you heavily rely on apps not currently available in the Windows Store, you should opt for the Chrome OS.

So, regarding app compatibility, Chrome OS has a slight advantage.

Browser limitations

Microsoft Edge is the default browser on Windows 10 S. Users can download another browser that might be available from the Windows Store, but Edge will remain the default browser. Also, Bing is the default search engine on Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer, and you can’t change it.

Microsoft Edge has improved, and chances are that you’ll like Edge. The transition should be pretty smooth if you’ve never used the Edge browser before, so give it a try.

The Chrome OS brings similar browser limitations. In order to offer users a smooth and fast experience, the best choice is to stick to Google Chrome, the default browser. Using other third-party tools to install various browsers on the Chrome OS may reduce your browsing speed.

So, in terms of browser compatibility, if we compare Windows 10 S vs Chrome OS, both pretty much come with the same cons.

Security

Microsoft set these app and browser limitations to enhance system security. By allowing users to run only apps from the Windows Store and setting Edge, one of the most secure browsers, as the default browser, Microsoft hopes to make Windows 10 S as secure as possible.

While Chrome, the default browser in Chrome OS, boasts enhanced security and better protection against online threats.

So, in all, both Windows 10 S and Chrome S perform equally well regarding security.

Boot time

Chromebooks boot up pretty fast, but Microsoft is sure that Windows 10 S will allow users to boot up their devices even faster.

The company proudly confirmed that Windows 10 S can boot up completely in 15 seconds. This is great news for class productivity, allowing teachers and students to log in on their devices quickly.

So when it comes to boot time and performance comparison between Windows 10 S and Chrome OS, both perform extremely well, and individual factors, like free disk space and software conflicts, at the user’s end tend to play a larger role here.

The price tag

If you’re looking for a budget laptop, Google’s Chromebook is a very good choice. For example, plenty of Chromebook models are available for less than $300 on Google’s official website. If you’ve got a few hundred dollars extra, you can actually buy a decent Chromebook for about $500-700.

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop can be yours for a price tag starting from $999.99. The good news is that hardware manufacturers will soon launch more Windows 10 S laptops, much cheaper than the Surface Laptop. However, we expect Windows 10 S laptops to cost, on average, more than Chromebooks. As a quick reminder, the cheapest Chromebook costs only $149.99.

So, price-wise, you will have to shell out more on Windows 10 S device than Chrome OS.

That’s it! Based on our assessment, both Windows 10 S and Chrome OS perform well, and the user’s requirement should be the deciding factor.

Also, read our comparison of Chrome OS and Windows 11, to identify the differences between the two, in case you have already upgraded.

What do you think about Windows 10 S? Are you planning to try it? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.