It's to each their own. The Chromebook makes sense as a natural evolution of the old business computer design, except that you're not using it as a business computer; if you're leaving the house and are going to be in a waiting room for a while, you can just grab your tablet on the way out, carry on with your websites/book/movie while you're waiting - you're not going to ferry a three pound laptop just to do some online perusal. The Chromebook also has the venerable "webcam" camera if you just want low-angle selfies, but tablets include the usual front and rear camera array, so if you'd like to take some pictures while you're out, get some video, show someone what you're talking about, the laptop isn't set up for that.
I'd be interested in hearing some recommendations, however, I'm leaning toward an inexpensive CB, because of the size, weight, keyboard, Chrome OS with ability to install apps from the Google Play Store, etc.
Chromebooks start at the 11" screen size, which makes the smallest models ~ 12"x"8x"1, weighing in at just under 3 pounds. A 7" tablet is ~ "7.5x"4.5x"0.5, weighing 0.66 lbs. Adding a keyboard folo adds roughly a quarter inch around with 1" thickness.
A good name-brand tablet will have its own well-stocked and reviewed app store with as many options as Google's store, most of the apps will be the same.
The rules don't allow me to recommend the name-brand tablet that would fit you best, but unless you're getting a Chromebook for $40, it's substantially cheaper than anything running Google..
An 11" laptop vs 7" tablet: