Chromebooks have carved out a niche since their launch in 2011, primarily in education and budget-conscious segments. In 2024, global shipments reached about 18 million units, driven by school programs like Japan’s GIGA School initiative and U.S. district purchases. The market value stood at USD 6.09 billion in 2024, with projections for steady growth to USD 8.00 billion by 2032 at a 3.46% CAGR. Another estimate places it at USD 13.06 billion in 2024, expanding to USD 48.27 billion by 2035 at 12.62% CAGR, fueled by remote work and cloud adoption.
In India, Chromebooks appeal to students and small businesses due to prices starting at INR 15,000-25,000, lower than comparable Windows laptops. Brands like Acer, Lenovo, and HP dominate, with 60% of models featuring 13-17 inch screens. Strengths include quick boot times under 10 seconds, automatic updates for security, and integration with Google Workspace tools like Docs and Drive. Battery life often exceeds 10 hours, suitable for classroom use. However, shipments dipped 20.8% year-over-year in Q3 2023 to 3.5 million units, reflecting post-pandemic normalization. North America accounts for 53% of shipments, but emerging markets like India show potential with rising internet penetration at 60%.
However, even with these progressively impressive numbers, most people are still on the fence about Chromebooks, mostly because it is driven by Android at the very core, and this means, popular software that runs flawlessly on windows or mac, is not even on the list. Yes, you can run most to all of your Android apps, while the built in Chrome browser is capable enough to handle your online workload, but the platform itself needs to be ‘more’, and in this article, we are going to talk about what we think Google needs to do, to make Chromebooks a more compelling offering.
What are the key challenges that need to be addressed
Chromebooks struggle to attract consumers beyond education due to several persistent issues. Limited offline functionality tops the list. While Chrome OS supports some offline editing in Google apps, many tasks require connectivity, problematic in areas with unstable internet, common in rural India. This contrasts with Windows or macOS, where full offline operation is standard.
Software incompatibility remains a barrier. Chrome OS runs web apps, Android apps via Google Play, and Linux apps through Crostini, but not native Windows executables. Users needing Adobe suite, full Microsoft Office, or specialized tools like AutoCAD must use web versions or alternatives, which often lack features. In 2025, only 70% of Android apps run seamlessly on larger screens, per developer reports.
When it comes to the hardware side of things, most models use entry-level processors like Intel Celeron or MediaTek, with integrated graphics unsuitable for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming. Screens are typically 1080p TN panels, not the vibrant OLEDs in higher-end laptops. Ports are sparse, often limited to USB-C and HDMI, without SD card slots in budget variants.
Storage and customization options are constrained. Base models offer 32-64GB eMMC, slower than SSDs, filling quickly with local installs. Google encourages cloud storage, but this assumes reliable bandwidth. Customization is minimal; users cannot tweak system settings deeply or install unapproved drivers, unlike Linux distributions.
Printing and peripherals pose practical hurdles. Since Google Cloud Print ended in 2020, setup for non-network printers requires manual configuration, frustrating for home users. Gaming support is weak, with low GPU power blocking AAA titles; cloud streaming via GeForce Now helps but depends on internet stability.
Now, with the major problems highlighted, here’s what we think Google should do –
Table of Contents
Number 1. Start by addressing software compatibility
Google should prioritize deeper integration of desktop-like apps on Chrome OS. One approach is expanding native support for Linux applications beyond Crostini. Current setup virtualizes a Debian environment, but performance lags on low-end hardware, with 20-30% overhead in benchmarks. Optimizing this to run at near-native speeds, similar to Windows Subsystem for Linux, could attract developers and creative users.
Enhancing Android app optimization for laptop form factors is essential. In 2025, Google updated Chrome OS to better scale Play Store apps to 13-17 inch screens, but touch-optimized UIs still feel awkward with keyboard and trackpad. Requiring developers to provide resizable, mouse-friendly versions, as done with Material You design, would improve usability. Partnerships with app makers like Adobe for Chrome OS-specific builds could bring tools like Lightroom to parity with desktop versions.
Addressing Microsoft compatibility directly would help business users. While web-based Office works, offline editing in Excel with macros is limited. Google could collaborate on a hybrid client that syncs with OneDrive, or license Wine for running select Windows apps. In education, where 80% of Chromebook use occurs, this ensures smoother transitions for students using mixed ecosystems.
Offline capabilities need bolstering. Current caching for Gmail and Drive covers basics, but expanding to full app states, like saving progressive web apps locally, would reduce dependency. Storage virtualization, pooling cloud and local space transparently, could mitigate 64GB limits without hardware changes.
Number 2. Bring in more Hardware OEMs to increase versatility and drive innovation
Hardware upgrades through OEM partnerships would make Chromebooks more versatile. Google should push for mid-range specs in sub-INR 30,000 models, like Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processors with 8GB RAM standard. Current Celeron setups handle web tasks but stutter in multitasking; benchmarks show i3 variants 40% faster in PCMark tests.
Display improvements are key for media consumption. Transitioning to IPS or OLED panels at 1080p resolution across lineups would match Windows ultrabooks. In 2025, only 30% of Chromebooks have high-color-accurate screens; mandating 100% sRGB coverage via certification could appeal to creators. Larger batteries, 50Wh minimum, ensure 12+ hours, addressing complaints in reviews where runtime dips below 8 hours under load.
Port selection needs expansion. Requiring USB-A alongside USB-C, plus SD slots in 50% of models, accommodates legacy peripherals like printers or cameras, common in Indian homes. Audio via 3.5mm jacks remains vital for wired headphones.
Google could standardize ARM-based Chromebooks with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, as seen in 2025 prototypes. These offer better battery efficiency than x86, with 20% longer life in tests, while supporting Android apps natively. Collaborations with Lenovo and Acer for 2-in-1 convertibles with stylus support would target note-taking students.
Pricing strategy should focus on value bundles. Offering 128GB SSDs and 4G LTE in education models under USD 300 keeps costs low while adding utility. Data from Q2 2025 shows LTE variants outsell Wi-Fi by 15% in remote areas.
Number 3. Bolster the Ecosystem
Ecosystem integration beyond Google services would draw in diverse users. Deeper ties with Microsoft, like pre-installing OneDrive and Teams with offline sync, could capture enterprise markets, where Chromebooks hold 5% share. In India, bundling with Jio or Airtel for subsidized data plans would boost consumer sales.
Gaming support requires attention. Optimizing Steam Link and cloud services like Xbox Cloud Gaming for low-latency play on Chrome OS would fill the gap. Hardware-wise, entry-level discrete GPUs in premium models, as in 2025 HP Chromebook x360, could run indie titles locally.
For creators, expanding the Play Store with pro apps and Linux container improvements would help. Adding native support for USB external drives as bootable storage extends functionality without rooting. Enterprise features like zero-touch enrollment already shine; extending to consumer with easier family sharing, similar to Apple Family Sharing, would aid households. In education, AI tools like Gemini integration for note summarization, rolled out in 2025, should extend to paid consumer versions.
Implementing these changes involves phased rollouts. Software updates via Chrome OS Flex, which installs on non-Chrome hardware, could test compatibility improvements on existing PCs. Google should allocate developer resources, as in the 2025 Android base shift, to unify codebases without disrupting education fleets.
OEM incentives, like co-funding for Snapdragon pilots, ensure hardware follows. User testing in markets like India, with 50 million potential education users, would refine features for local needs, such as Hindi UI and regional app stores.
Google is sitting on something that has high potential to disrupt the market, but they will have to back this product lineup and give it some much needed love. I have personally been using a Chromebook as my daily driver for the past 2 months, and while I do miss the wider software compatibility, it has not really hindered, my overall workflow, which has led me to believe that Google definitely has something good here.
