I'll preface all of this with my "credentials" to lay some credence with my opinion - LOL. I've been working in the technology field for over 25 years. Much of that time, during my career, I have risen through the ranks at a large financial institution where technology has risen to the forefront of everything we do. The work is non-stop. That being said... I don't have a help desk for my family. I don't have teams of people dedicated to support my family with internet protection, office products, browsing, etc.
So, I'm a HUGE fan of the Chromebook! They are super simple. No 20 minute software downloads and updates every time you turn it on, no extra $oftware needed, etc. They are basically a piece of hardware with an embedded web browser (all the apps are web-based and on the more newer models you can use many of the same apps as you install on your phone). So the updates are few and far between. The reboot or power on cycle is SOOOOO FAST!
For my own sanity and to get time back in my life from helping others, I have gotten chromebooks for my mother-in-law, father, and my wife. Obviously I was tired of having to be the "support guy"... I started with getting one for my wife and it passed "the wife test" (meaning no complaining, nothing broken, etc.). She could print, open files, browse the web, and so on. Now, I have my family's user names and passwords and if they have trouble, I can just login on my Chromebook (I have one too) with their account see what's going on. The user experience is the same for each user on almost any device, so I can spot their problem and either fix it or show them how. My wife actually helps her mom that way; something I never would have expected.
Of course, you need a gmail account and you upload all of your documents to Google Drive (yeah - word, powerpoint, excel, etc. can all be opened in the web-based Google apps). Setup your printer and you're done.
As for devices, there aren't a lot of parts inside. You don't need a TON of RAM, hard drive space, etc. This makes them super cheap! And the battery charge lasts seemingly forever. It's actually the price that had me try it out because for a couple hundred if it didn't work for my wife, I would just keep it.
I have gotten them through Amazon (re-furbished) lately. While I am working from home and have been, my chromebook has become a mainstay on my desk. Sure, my 35" curved screen with all the bells and whistles and my $2000+ laptop docked to it are great. But when I just want to do something quick (personal stuff), I open the lid on my chromebook and just get things done.