What a Chromebook looks like in 2022 for studying: which one to buy and five recommended Chrome OS laptops for students

What a Chromebook looks like in 2022 for studying: which one to buy and five recommended Chrome OS laptops for students

  • 9 Min To Read
  • Thursday, Sep 15, 2022

    The Windows and macOS pairing in the computer sector seemed unbeatable until 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. The imperative need for work and study computers boosted sales of these laptops with Chrome OS, a system developed by Google, to the point where it became the second most used operating system worldwide. Why are Chromebooks so popular in the education sector? If you are a student and you are thinking of buying a laptop, in this article we analyze how Chromebooks are for this application and help you choose your ideal equipment.

    Chromebooks (that’s the name given to computers using Chrome OS) are not new; they have been around for more than a decade (the first one was launched in June 2011). However, outside the education sector they did not seem to catch on among users, perhaps due to lack of knowledge or “fear” of trying something new that did not work with Windows or macOS.

    Although their features do not make them valid options for everyone, they are a fantastic choice for students who do not require raw power to perform their tasks and want an economical laptop with good performance, two of the hallmarks of the Chromebook: “cheap” and efficient. What is it like to use a Chromebook to study in 2021?

    What is Chrome OS and its evolution

    Chrome OS is an operating system developed by Google whose core is based on Linux. It saw the light of day in 2009 with a user interface inherited from the Google Chrome web browser and made its debut on the first Chromebook computers in 2011. These computers, in their early days, relied on a near-permanent Internet connection to function when using web applications.

    When using web applications, Chromebooks do not require extensive features to provide adequate performance. This is why it is common to find models with Intel Celeron and similar processors with small amounts of RAM and little internal storage (take advantage of cloud services to save files), which translates into more affordable prices. If one were to attempt to use Windows with similar features the result would be quite unsatisfactory.

    However, in 2014 Chrome OS had one of its biggest changes to date: the installation of Android apps. Google Play is one of the most important app stores for mobile devices, with a wide range of programs of all kinds: from social networks to video editors.

    This update brought about a certain change of mentality as Chrome OS, since then, allows more options and uses without relying on Internet connection. Beyond Android apps, it is also possible to use the Linux console and apps developed for it, so the possibilities expand even more.

    Not all Chromebooks are compatible with Linux programs. A number of minimum requirements must be met: Chrome OS 69 or later and a suitable processor (the Intel Atom so popular in the first Chromebook or 32-bit ARM CPUs are left out). Google itself has a list of laptops and desktops (dubbed Chromebox) that are.

    Despite the fact that most Chromebook still go for a low price point and accessible to a wider range of pockets, there are laptops that are just as powerful as their Windows counterparts: Lenovo Yoga Chromebook, Acer Chromebook 714 and the ambitious Google Pixelbook, the hybrid Pixel Slate (discontinued) or the balanced and recent Pixelbook Go. Google’s creations are not available in Spain.

    Can only Chromebooks run Chrome OS? Chromium OS is the development version of Chrome OS open source and accessible to any interested user. If you have an old computer at home that due to its age and “outdated” hardware cannot run Windows correctly, with Chromium OS it is possible to give it a second life and revive it. At ToastyBits we have a step-by-step tutorial for a successful installation.

    Although it is somewhat far from what Apple has achieved, Google is gradually creating its own ecosystem for Android and Chrome OS devices to stay connected. From the Chromebook you can locate your phone (in case it gets lost), mute it, enable the Wi-Fi hotspot remotely, check battery status and cellular signal coverage, recent tabs in the Chrome web browser, unlock the Chromebook with your smartphone, send and receive text messages, and receive notifications.

    The possibilities for a student with a Chromebook and Chrome OS

    We already know what a Chromebook is and how Chrome OS has evolved, but what is it like to study with one of these devices? Aside from the tight price-performance ratio of many models, a good asset of Chromebooks is their ease of use. If a user is familiar with Google Chrome, one of the world’s most widely used web browsers, then they will be comfortable using a Chrome OS laptop.

    Unsurprisingly, Chromebooks are designed to encourage the use of Google services, and Google’s online office suite has three popular web applications - Docs (word processing), Sheets (spreadsheets) and Slides (presentations). With the Google account (Gmail) all documents created will be saved in our Google Drive cloud space to access them from any device.

    All Google accounts have 15 GB of storage for free, but with Google One (the name of the joint storage service of Google Drive and Google Photos) you can purchase more space.

    • Basic Plan: 100 GB for 1.99 euros per month or 19.99 euros per year.
    • Standard Plan: 200 GB for 2.99 euros per month or 29.99 euros per year.
    • Premium Plan: 2 TB for 9.99 euros per month or 99.99 euros per year. It includes VPN for Android devices.

    Basic Plan: 100 GB for 1.99 euros per month or 19.99 euros per year.

    Standard Plan: 200 GB for 2.99 euros per month or 29.99 euros per year.

    Premium Plan: 2 TB for 9.99 euros per month or 99.99 euros per year. It has VPN for Android devices.

    But Chromebooks do not live by Google services alone. It is also possible to use Microsoft Office, the office suite par excellence, through the web browser (Word, Excel and PowerPoint apps are available for download through the Play Store, but will be discontinued). Accessing the Internet giant’s app store provides collections of apps to get the most out of it: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Todoist, DocuSign, Squid, Kahoot, Simplenote, Zoom, Google Meet, Adobe Lightroom and many more.

    Not to mention convertible Chromebooks, which increase the possibilities; from a laptop they can be transformed into a tablet with a large touchscreen. There are some that are stylus compatible and offer a good writing experience, being able to do things similar to an iPad with Apple Pencil. This mode of use is especially useful for filling in documents, signing PDFs, sketching and drawing, etc.

    With the installation of apps for Linux, the options are endless. In principle, Chromebooks are designed for office tasks and depend on the web browser, especially because many proposals have limited hardware that works well for these tasks but if you demand a little more will end up suffering. So if you opt for a Chromebook and you are going to use Linux programs, make sure that the computer you choose has a processor and RAM powerful enough to run them.

    Before you dive headfirst into a Chromebook, it’s a good idea to check the curriculum to see what tools you’ll be using.

    Running software like Photoshop or AutoCAD on a Chromebook is not the best idea a priori. It is possible to virtualize Windows apps on Chrome OS using Parallels without having to reboot the computer to switch between operating systems, but the list of supported machines is very limited (Intel Core i5 or i7 processors with 16 GB of RAM and 128 GB of hard drive or SSD), and Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise is a $69.99 annual subscription per user per year.

    If the person who will be using the Chromebook is a child-teenager, mothers, fathers and guardians can set limitations through the Family Link app, available for both Android and iOS devices. This application allows you to manage the apps they can use and control their activity, view apps recommended by teachers, set screen time limits, lock the device and check the location and create a family group.

    One of the most affordable candidates you will find is this Asus Chromebook Cx1500cna (179 euros), a model whose main asset is a 15.6" FHD screen that is very comfortable to spend hours in front of it reading or exercising.

    However, it weighs 1.8 kg, so it is not the best option for daily backpacking. Simple design and hardware configuration sufficient for basic use that stands out for its RAM, its Achilles heel is its storage, only 64GB and eMMC type.

    With a more powerful processor, half the RAM and identical storage, the Acer Chromebook 314 CB-CB314-1H-C1SQ (329 euros) is a balanced option in terms of price-quality among low-cost models, but also in terms of mobility and ease of use.

    It weighs 1.5 kg and has a 14" screen, although with a low HD resolution that does not make it the most suitable for intensive use, but it is sufficient for occasional use.

    This ASUS Chromebook Flip C433TA (279 euros) has several aces up its sleeve to consider. The first is its convertible status, which allows you to fold it and use it with your fingers as if it were a tablet.

    Its screen has a comfortable size and resolution for working without neglecting lightness, as this device weighs only 1.45 kg. The icing on the cake is the solvency of its processor and RAM, so that it offers an agile and fluid experience in your day to day.

    One of the most interesting models if you are looking for power, lightness and careful design is this https://www.amazon.es/dp/B09JWRJ3SM (399 euros). Although it runs Chrome OS, optimized for basic hardware, you will appreciate its RAM, size and type of storage while you work. With 14" FHD screen and 1.46 kg of weight for you to take it to class every day.

    Straddling the line between laptop and tablet is the Lenovo Chromebook CT-X636F (279 euros), a Chromebook ideal for those looking for maximum lightness, as it weighs only 460g if you choose to take only the body.

    With a 10.1" FHD touch screen, it is a good candidate for watching videos or making video calls (2MP webcam), but it may be too small if you have to do typing work.

    From its hardware we highlight the size of its storage, 128GB. The icing on the cake is its up to 10 hours of battery life, according to the manufacturer.

    More offers

    If you become Amazon Prime, you have 30 days free trial (then 49.90 euros per year) to enjoy free fast shipping, priority access to offers, services such as Prime Video, Prime Music and unlimited photo storage. In addition, if you are a student, Prime Student is half the price and you have a 90-day trial. You can also try services like Kindle Unlimited or Audible for free for 30 days.

    You can stay up to date and at every moment informed of the main offers and news of ToastyBits Selección in our Telegram channel or in our profiles on Twitter, Facebook and Flipboard magazine.

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