Buying a computer these days is more of an investment given the rising prices of computer. We will start with the highest priced and most popular unit out there: the highly regarded Apple Macintosh. They can go from the low $1000’s to the upper $2000. The same can be said for the prices of many Windows based computers. With a lot of different processors and set-ups, PC’s can go up prices even more expensive than Macs.

But do you really need all that power? Are you a designer, video editor or an in-demand programmer? If so, then yes, please get a Mac or a high powered PC. But if you’re a user who frequents Facebook, Twitter and other web sites, then you don’t need something that powerful. You may need something with a web browser. Enter Google’s entry into the computer market: The Chromebook. Though they don’t manufacture computer units like Apple does with its Mac, Google does provide the operating system which is based off their Chrome.

Are the Chromebooks just machines that help you surf the web? No, not quite. Much like smartphones and tablets, Chromebooks can download apps. These are apps are not just only games and social media application, the apps available for Chromebooks are more dynamic than that and they resemble full running programs. Image editors, file transfer protocol programs, word processing and spreadsheet managers are all available for download. They all work on the Chrome platform and are especially made for it. Can you install Photoshop or Final Cut on a Chromebook? No, you can’t but they do have app available that may serve the same purpose.

Are Chromebooks the most powerful and most impressive machines out there in production today? Not at all. But most users don’t need that power. Some of us just need an economy model to take us from website to website. And now Chrome and Android devices are becoming the most widely supported and developed platforms out there now. Knowing that, the quantity and the quality of apps on Chromebooks will increase exponentially. So if you’re looking for a powerful computer for the sole purpose of web surfing, the Chromebook is a solid choice. Add in the newly released Chromecast, you will have the ability to transfer a tab on Chrome onto your high definition television. What a plus that is. So the future is bright for this device, expect more to come from the Chromebook and from Google.

Image credit: Tech Target TestLab on Flickr