If you look at the verified hardware list for ChromeOS Flex[0], you can get an idea of what ChromeOS devices are being deployed for. Apart from education and companies that use Google Workspace, there's a lot of ChromeOS devices deployed as kiosks and call center computers. This is reflected not only in obscure documentation, but also in the marketing material[1].
The "enterprise" managability and reduced attack surface is driving Google to jack up Chromebook prices. The "Chromebook Plus" models are nearing the same price as a midrange Dell Inspiron, HP OmniBook, or Lenovo IdeaPad. You may have also noticed M4 MacBook Airs can be bought for the price of an iPhone 17, and I suspect that's partially a response from Apple to the Chromebook price increases. Buying a $600 Chromebook might have been sane for someone tired of Microsoft and not interested in a $1000 Macbook Air, but in 2025, with the Macbook Air prices going down significantly[2], Chromebooks are not as appealing to regular consumers (different story for businesses).
The "enterprise" managability and reduced attack surface is driving Google to jack up Chromebook prices. The "Chromebook Plus" models are nearing the same price as a midrange Dell Inspiron, HP OmniBook, or Lenovo IdeaPad. You may have also noticed M4 MacBook Airs can be bought for the price of an iPhone 17, and I suspect that's partially a response from Apple to the Chromebook price increases. Buying a $600 Chromebook might have been sane for someone tired of Microsoft and not interested in a $1000 Macbook Air, but in 2025, with the Macbook Air prices going down significantly[2], Chromebooks are not as appealing to regular consumers (different story for businesses).
[0] https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11513094?sjid...
[1] https://chromeos.google/business-solutions/use-case/contact-...
[2] https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-m4-macbook-air-is-selling-...