Chromebooks in easy steps

Philip King

• Publisher: In Easy Steps Limited
• Year: 2022
• Topic: Computer Science
• eBook ISBN:
  9781840789706
• Subtopic: Hardware
• Index: Computer Science

Chromebooks in easy steps illustrates all the clever features of this versatile, budget-friendly alternative to a Windows laptop or MacBook. Covering all Chromebook models, it:

Demystifies what a Chromebook is and how it differs from other types of laptops and tablets.

Shows how to get your Chromebook up and running in no time.

Guides you through the Chrome web browser, Gmail and other key apps such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Reveals how to make video calls using a variety of services, to stay in touch with friends and family.

Shows how to connect your Chromebook to external devices including printers.

Demonstrates how to upload and organize your photos, videos, and documents in the Cloud.

Covers how to make documents available offline when you don't have an internet connection.

Guides you through how to watch TV and movies, and how to download and use Android apps and games.

Provides guidance on maintenance and troubleshooting.

Ideal for anyone new to the Chromebook, including Senior readers.

1

Introducing Chromebooks

Chromebooks are becoming ever more popular as low‑cost laptops, with some even able to double up as tablets. This chapter gives an overview of what a Chromebook is, its unique Chrome OS operating system, and how to choose which model to buy.

What is a Chromebook?

Choosing a Chromebook

About Chrome OS

What is a Chromebook?

A Chromebook is a laptop computer that runs the Chrome OS operating system – rather than Windows, macOS, or Linux. Chrome OS is made by Google and is based around its popular Chrome web browser.

The Chromebook format was first introduced by Google in 2011. While a few people were highly skeptical at the time, it has proven extremely successful. In 2020, over 30 million Chromebooks were sold worldwide – that’s more than the total sales of all Apple Mac computers in the same year. Due to the relatively low price of entry-level models, they are particularly popular in educational settings: by 2018, around 60% of all computers purchased by US schools were Chromebooks.

While Google itself now produces its own Pixelbook range (and, previously, the Chromebook Pixel), most Chromebooks are made by other manufacturers, including well-known companies such as Samsung, HP, Lenovo, Acer, and ASUS.

What are the advantages?

If you use your computer mainly for email, general web surfing, and social media platforms such as Facebook, then a Chromebook is an excellent choice. The primary advantages are:

•Price. For comparable processing power and performance, Chromebooks are notably cheaper than their Windows counterparts, while Apple MacBooks are considerably more expensive.

•Security. Chromebooks are defended from malware by multiple layers of protection. Each web page and application runs in a “sandboxed” environment to contain any threat and prevent it from accessing the rest of the computer. Data in the cloud (see below) and stored locally is also very well encrypted. In addition, by default, Chrome OS will receive regular updates automatically to counter any new threats that appear.

It can take a little time to get used to Chrome OS after using Windows or macOS.

•Speed. A Chromebook can start up and be ready to use in seconds. This is due to the lightweight nature of the Chrome OS operating system and the fast SSD (solid-state drive) storage that, unlike a hard drive, doesn’t have any moving parts.

•Battery. Typically, a Chromebook can be used for a full eight-hour working day (or even longer) without needing a recharge from the mains adaptor.

•Sync. The data from all your Google apps is synced in the cloud, so you can access it in a browser (when signed in to your account) on another device, or in the same apps on an Android smartphone.

•Android apps. Modern Chromebooks can also run the vast range of Android smartphone apps and games. While they are usable with the touchpad and keyboard, they work best with a touchscreen. Some Chromebooks can even be transformed into a touchscreen tablet device by flipping the screen around.

You’ll need a wireless connection to the internet via Wi-Fi to use your Chromebook online.

Cloud computing

Although it is possible to use many applications and access files offline, Chromebooks are designed to be used mainly online. This is known as “cloud computing”. After logging in with your Google account, you will have full access to your own personal cloud.

As well as containing your files in Google Drive (which can easily be shared with colleagues and others to collaborate on) and photos in Google Photos, your personal cloud is based around a range of core office and productivity applications. Accessed in the Chrome web browser, these include Gmail for sending and receiving email, Calendar for your appointments and reminders, Keep for your notes, and a trio of office applications: Google Docs (for word processing), Sheets (spreadsheets), and Slides (presentations). Read more about these in Chapter 8.

Your Chromebook saves your most recently opened office documents so that you can work on them offline.

Choosing a Chromebook

Just like Windows laptops, Chromebooks come in a variety of sizes and form factors, from numerous manufacturers.

While standard entry-level Chromebook models are comparatively inexpensive compared to similar Windows computers, there are also “Plus” and “Premium” range models that add extra features and processing power and can cost over $1,000/£1,000.

With that in mind, we’ll guide you through the major factors involved in choosing a Chromebook model to buy.

If you just want to browse the web and use Google office apps (Google Workspace apps), an entry-level Chromebook may well suffice.

Form factor

Chromebooks are available in three main form factors:

•Standard laptop. This is ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• 1 Introducing Chromebooks
• 2 Getting Up and Running
• 3 Navigating the Chrome OS Desktop
• 4 Keyboard and Touchpad
• 5 Using the Chrome Browser
• 6 Communicating with Gmail
• 7 Google Drive
• 8 Office and Productivity
• 9 Media and Entertainment
• 10 Adding and Managing Apps
• 11 Video Calling
• 12 Casting and Connecting
• 13 Maintenance and Troubleshooting
• Troubleshooting issues
• Back Cover