You'll want to be sure all the tools you need are available online or in the apps before making the switch, though. There are progressive web app versions of Office software that look and behave just like the Office 365 mobile apps. What can I do with a Chromebook?Ī hurdle for some is the need to run Microsoft Office or some other native Windows or Mac software. Google maintains a list of AUE dates for all models and it's definitely worth checking before you buy a Chromebook, new or used. For models released in 2020, the date is roughly seven to eight years from the initial release of the device, but that's not always the case. Non-Google hardware is only supported for so long before it stops receiving Chrome OS and browser updates. Google Chrome devices have an Auto Update Expiration date. There is one thing to be aware of in regard to updates, though. Chrome's Phone Hub feature makes it easier than ever for the two devices to work together. And if you're an Android user, there's even more reason to pick up a Chromebook. Google regularly updates the OS for security and adding new features and installs are quick and painless. Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook 2 delivers a premium Chrome experience. Chromebook: What's the Difference and Which Works Best for You And if it isn't running quite right, you can reset it with Chrome's Powerwash feature and in a couple of minutes, the system is clean and fresh. It's nearly impossible for Chromebooks to be corrupted with viruses or other malware. Accounts for kids can be managed with Google Family Link. Everyone in the family can have separate Google accounts and signing in gives them access to only their stuff and not yours. Apps for services like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, YouTube and YouTube Music are also available so there are plenty of entertainment options.Īlso, some of the same reasons Chromebooks are good for schools and businesses make them excellent family computers. And, again, you can play Android and browser-based games on them, too. Also, Google and game-maker Valve have developed a way to install and play older PC games on Chromebooks via Valve's Steam game store. Speaking of gaming, while you won't be able to play the latest PC games directly from a Chromebook, game-streaming services like Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now make gaming possible. You can connect a Bluetooth gaming controller to it and play Android games on it. With its USI pen support, you can draw and take notes on the screen. It's a two-in-one Chromebook with a detachable keyboard cover so it can be used as a tablet or a laptop. One of my favorite inexpensive models, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, sells for less than $300. While premium models start at around $500, you can find excellent options for everyday use for $200 to $300. Price is one of the big things that makes Chromebooks so attractive. HP Chromebook x2 11 is part pen-enabled tablet, part laptop. It's basically this combination and some other key Chrome OS features (I'll get to those in a sec) that make Chromebooks an easier recommendation than they were even just a few years ago. If you can't find a web app to meet your needs, all modern Chromebooks can run Android apps, too, from the Google Play store. What can be done with web, Linux and Android apps on Chromebooks are increasingly more than enough to get through your day-to-day tasks. This is generally true, but again, many people don't need to do more. Most of my Chromebook conversations are with people buying them for kids, but these Q&A sessions regularly end with them asking "Should I buy one for myself?" And the stock answer is usually, "It depends on your needs." But after a little digging, many people realize they don't need to do any more than what can be done on a Chromebook.Ī common argument against getting a Chromebook is that you can do so much more with a real computer - i.e., a laptop running on MacOS, Windows or a Linux distro. It's likely because of this that I spent more time fielding questions about them from family and friends than I have since they first launched in 2011.Ĭhromebooks have been around for more than 10 years now and a lot has changed. This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.ĭue to the uptick in remote learning and working during the pandemic, a lot of people are now aware of the world of Chromebooks.
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