If anyone knows how to get Chrome OS on an M1 Air I would love a guide! As you haven't listed your software need I suspect you don't know what your software need is or you are just typing what only superficially looks like a worthwhile question. Glad I don't have to consider a single system though. A PC laptop is the only way to ensure greater app compatibility when the software need is unknown. Chrome OS always gets a kicking for lack of compatibility with Microsoft apps or again niche app compatibility. Or pirating Adobe applications onto it which then crash! All the things it doesn't do well. Lack of compatibility with smaller applications.

If I had to have 1 system and wasn't sure which software I'd need. However currently I am using a PC desktop with M1 laptop because the hardware is just that good. Chrome OS can do the office, emails, research and RDP efficiently with some niche app compatibility within Android and Linux. If my tasks were more graphic design and art I'd look at M1 Air and iPad Air pairing. My tasks would lean to office, programming and gaming. I can complete most tasks efficiently with this pairing. My ideal system pairing for software would be a PC desktop and a Chrome OS laptop. I don't believe hammering CPU or GPU is appropriate for any small form factor. Software wise I always have a desktop PC I can RDP into for hammering CPU and GPU tasks. Turning on a Chromebook puts me in a slightly positive mood whereas Mac OS and Windows 10 doesn't. They all have quirks but I am fed up of Windows and Mac OS quirks.

After 40 years being into tech I really like Chrome OS. I hope Chrome OS hardware ups its game in the future because the c302 and Pixelbook were great hardware wise before the M1 came along (Marks down for the Pixelbook for repairability). I wouldn't want to pay more for a device that sometimes slips off my lap either. I'd consider nothing but the base Air above £500 even if it means finding an increased budget. I would only consider Chromebook hardware below £500 where Chrome OS hasn't got competition. I don't think anything comes close for hardware quality at the moment.

I've owned Asus c302, Pixelbook, Slate and M1 Air.

Google chrome macbook air m1