Are Chromebooks Good for Gaming?

Chromebooks are not ideal for running intensive AAA games like Red Dead Redemption 2 without cloud gaming. Simply put, they’re not strong enough to run demanding games on their own system.

But you can still enjoy your favorite games on a Chromebook through a cloud gaming platform like Stadia, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and Steam. 

Keep reading to learn if Chromebooks are good for gaming and whether you should buy one to play your favorite games.

What Is GeForce NOW and Why Should You Care?

GeForce NOW is a cloud gaming service offered by NVIDIA, the largest GPU manufacturer worldwide. 

You can play all the popular games on your Chromebook through GeForce NOW’s cloud gaming technology, including Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Destiny 2. 

GeForce NOW and other cloud gaming services are the only way to play most high-end games on a Chromebook. 

When using a cloud gaming service, you don’t have to store the game files on your Chromebook (yay, more storage space!). You also won’t have to wait ages to download or update a large game, say Call of Duty. 

As long as you have the Internet and GeForce NOW, you can play any game on your laptop. The game’s files will be loaded and processed on the cloud server, but the result will be displayed on your Chromebook in real-time.

It’s similar to using Instagram in your web browser rather than installing the native app on your laptop or phone. 

Just keep in mind that cloud gaming requires uninterrupted, high-speed Internet. At least 25Mbps for 1080p at 60 FPS. 

NVIDIA GeForce NOW: Your Friendly Neighborhood Cloud Gaming Service.

What Is the Difference Between a Chromebook and a Gaming Laptop?

Chromebooks are budget-friendly and low-power laptops that can only run the Chrome web browser and other Google services. In addition, they run on the Google Chrome operating system and support very few games natively. 

Everyday gaming laptops are generally Windows-based and pack powerful hardware to run any Windows game you like. 

Let’s explore the main benefits and disadvantages of Chromebooks below. 

Budget-Friendly Chromebooks | Source: pixabay.com

Benefits of a Chromebook for Gaming

The top benefits of Chromebooks for gaming are as follows:

Great display

The newer Chromebooks pack impressive IPS displays with wide viewing angles and high resolutions to go easy on your eyes. Their newest lineup also packs a whopping 120Hz refresh rate that’s optimized for cloud gaming.

If I’m to compare, I don’t see much difference in display quality between a good Chromebook and, say, Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Gaming.

Decent battery life

Gaming laptops typically offer 3-4 hours of battery backup at max because of their powerful — and power-hungry — hardware. On the other hand, an average Chromebook I tested lasts over 8-9 hours, meaning you can game for long hours. 

Lightweight 

Since Chromebooks don’t pack powerful hardware like gaming laptops, they’re much more portable. Weighing 2–2.5 pounds on average, Chromebooks are easy to carry. 

Comfortable keyboard

Chromebooks are well-praised for their efficient anti-ghosting keyboards that make way for nice gaming. The keys are quiet and comfortable, and there’s also decent backlighting. 

Cost-effective

Since Chromebooks run a lightweight ChromeOS, they don’t need high-end hardware. This is why they’re much cheaper than everyday laptops, let alone gaming machines. 

See our guide on best Chromebooks with stylus support for games that require precision. 

Drawbacks of a Chromebook for Gaming

Here’s an overview of the biggest drawbacks when using a Chromebook for gaming:

Limited game choices

ChromeOS only supports a few browser-based games and Android games, so you can’t run your favorite AAA titles on a Chromebook. You can do so through a cloud gaming platform, like GeForce NOW, but that means paying for the subscription.

Does it pay off? The standard subscription is $9.99/month, so if you don’t have the money to spare for a gaming beast, this could be a pretty cost-effective solution.

BONUS TIP: If you opt for a 6-month subscription, you could save more money.

Traditional gaming experience over cloud

Cloud gaming has its limitations and you can’t expect a traditional gaming experience. Imagine running your favorite games on 1080p resolution at 60 FPS only!

Though you can pick a higher-end subscription at GeForce NOW to enjoy a more advanced gaming experience, your Internet speed and distance from the server might still slow down the gameplay. 

Only recent versions are well-optimized for cloud gaming

Gaming has never been the focus of Chromebooks until recently — when Google announced its October 2022’s Chromebook lineup would be optimized for cloud gaming. 

Don’t get me wrong – you can still run cloud games on an older Chromebook. But you’ll need a newer one for the best cloud gaming experience. 

If you think you’re better off with a regular gaming laptop, see our guide on the best gaming laptops under $700 to help you find a great deal. 

FAQ

Conclusion

Chromebooks are not ideal for gaming enthusiasts who love the newer AAA titles. But they are still worth considering if you’re running low on budget and don’t need top-tier hardware on your laptop. 

Before buying a Chromebook, try cloud gaming to see if it satisfies your gaming needs. If it does, choose one of the latest Chromebooks, as they’re optimized for cloud gaming platforms, including Xbox, GeForce NOW, and Luna. 

Cloud-Based Gaming: Yay or Nay?

Deciding between a Chromebook and an everyday gaming laptop depends on your preferences. While Chromebooks are perfect for some users, gaming laptops are the best investment for most due to their power and versatility. 

And, believe it or not, not every solid gaming laptop has to be super-expensive.