ChromeOS and Chromebooks have become increasingly popular and popular products over the past year. In this article we will try to introduce you to the world of these interesting products, in order to know their strengths and weaknesses and thus understand whether or not they are suitable for you for the use you will have to make of them.
What are Chromebooks?
Chromebooks are all laptops based on Google’s Chrome OS system. This operating system is based on Chrome browser and was designed to provide users with a solution reliable, super fast and safe.
ChromeOS is actually updated by Google, each hardware platform is supported for six and a half years from launch.
On Chrome OS today, there is no need to worry about viruses or issues.
The great success of Chromebooks can be found in certain specificities of these products:
- thanks to ChromeOS, Chromebooks they perform well even on mediocre hardware (therefore also very inexpensive);
- always offer a high starting speed and good reactivity;
- have considerable autonomy (often close to 10 hours);
- offer one great ease of use.
Chromebooks have quickly established themselves in all those areas where it is not the power that counts, but where you need a machine that is simple, economical, always ready to use and always reliable.
Who a Chromebook is recommended for
To date, Chromebooks are the devices we think we can recommend:
- who should buy a computer for studying or for the PAPA;
- for all those who use the PC preferably for surfing, checking e-mail, using word processing programs, doing office work and watching videos from streaming services;
- to those who they want to spend as little as possible and bring home a solution that always performs well.
Google’s operating system is becoming more and more complete, to date it supports applications written for Linux and the Play Store from which it is possible to download applications for Android without problems.. We have already devoted a popular article to the best apps for ChromeOS.
For those who don’t recommend a Chromebook
We don’t want to recommend a Chromebook instead:
- to those who intend to use the PC for difficult tasks, such as 3D modeling and multimedia editing (especially videos);
- to group of users who need specific programs writings for a specific platform (eg from a certain company program written for Windows);
- to those who want a portable to use for video games.
When it comes to games, Chromebooks really only support Android’s. Fortunately, full support for new streaming game services like Google Stadia and Xbox Game Pass is added to that.
How to choose a Chromebook?
Choosing a Chromebook is pretty straightforward, you just need to pay attention to a few details to find the model that best suits your needs.
In this article, we will only recommend low and mid-range Chromebooks overall because it is in this price range that Chrome OS gives the best.
On high-end laptops, which have more powerful hardware, Google’s system is unnecessarily restrictive (better to opt for Windows or a Linux distribution). While, on low-end laptops, Chrome OS is definitely a plus thanks to its lightness and performance.
Now let’s come to the features to consider when choosing a Chromebook:
Screen size
It may sound trite but screen size has a huge impact on how you use a laptop (and by extension a Chromebook). A large-screen laptop can be very pleasant to use for writing, or for enjoying multimedia content (such as videos, movies or TV shows). But on the other hand, a larger screen size results in larger dimensions and weight of the device and therefore less portability.
Here are some interesting Chromebook examples sorted by screen size:
- 10.1 ” FullHD display, 1920×1200 resolution, IPS, 400nits
- Processor: MediaTek P60T (8C, 4x A73 @ 2.0 GHz + 4x A53 @ 2.0 GHz)
- Integrated graphics card ARM Mali-G72 MP3 GPU
- Lightweight and Durable Design – Convenient laptop with a compact and slim design, ideal for carrying …
- Quick and easy connection – thanks to the USB Type-C port, the Samsung laptop can …
- Ergonomic keys – work longer and more efficiently with comfortable keys …
- 14 “HD screen with 1366×768 resolution and TN panel, 220nits, anti-glare; with this screen …
- Intel Celeron N4020 processor (2C / 2T, 1.1 / 2.8 GHz, 4 MB); with this processor you get …
- 64 GB eMMC 5.1 storage to have all the space you need to store your documents …
- THE FUTURE OF THE PROCESS: low energy consumption and speed of the software thanks to the process …
- BATTERY CHARGES ALL DAY: Chrome OS optimizes battery performance and lets you …
- CHROME OS: Fast, simple and secure operating system created by Google and designed for the way you …
Convertible or portable?
This is another important choice that can influence the price of the device. The difference between the two types of devices is that a convertible has a touchscreen and a hinge that allows the screen to be flipped over to use the device as a tablet, whereas a laptop does not. generally has no screen capable of reacting to touch. and maintains a more canonical usage paradigm.
There are advantages to choosing a convertible, the touchscreen goes particularly well with the many Android applications that can be easily downloaded from the Play Store. Also, it can help to have a great super tablet available. Finally, some convertibles are also equipped with a stylus and an active digitizer, which makes them very convenient for taking notes, writing or studying.
Here are some interesting convertible models:
- Operating system: Chrome OS; thanks to the many applications available in the Google Play Store, Chrome O …
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- Memory: 4 GB of RAM – 64 GB eMMC
- The IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook features a 360 ° rotating hinge that lets you use …
- 13.3 “full HD display with 1920×1080 resolution; Full HD resolution lets you enjoy …
- Intel Celeron 5205U processor (2C / 2T, 1.9GHz, 2MB) that lets you run smoothly …
Better an ARM or x86 Chromebook?
The processor that moves the laptop is important, when choosing a Chromebook, many wonder which processor to bet on. It can be said that even then it depends on your needs.
If you need the best possible compatibility with Android apps and are looking for battery life close to 16 hours, you should focus on ARM processors.. On Chromebooks, these are usually MTKs and Snapdragons, the latter outperforming the former.
Here are some cool Chromebook models to buy with an ARM processor:
- THE FUTURE OF THE PROCESS: low energy consumption and speed of the software thanks to the process …
- BATTERY CHARGES ALL DAY: Chrome OS optimizes battery performance and lets you …
- CHROME OS: Fast, simple and secure operating system created by Google and designed for the way you …
- THE FUTURE OF THE PROCESS: low energy consumption and speed of the software thanks to the process …
- BATTERY CHARGES ALL DAY: Chrome OS optimizes battery performance and lets you …
- CHROME OS: Fast, simple and secure operating system created by Google and designed for the way you …
If you are looking for better compatibility with Linux applications and a slightly higher power, even at the expense of autonomy, which generally falls to around 10 hours, so the choice should be directed towards x86 processors (Intel and AMD). If you plan to use a heavy Linux program, we recommend spending a little more on a quad-core processor model.
Here are some cool Chromebook models to buy with a quad-core Intel processor:
- THE FUTURE OF THE PROCESS: low energy consumption and speed of the software thanks to the process …
- BATTERY CHARGES ALL DAY: Chrome OS optimizes battery performance and lets you …
- CHROME OS: Fast, simple and secure operating system created by Google and designed for the way you …
- THE FUTURE OF THE PROCESS: low energy consumption and speed of the software thanks to the process …
- BATTERY CHARGES ALL DAY: Chrome OS optimizes battery performance and lets you …
- CHROME OS: Fast, simple and secure operating system created by Google and designed for the way you …
How many GB of RAM?
It is also a question that consumers are legitimately asking themselves in an increasingly crowded market.
Let’s start by reassuring you, Chromebook models with 4 GB of RAM are also suitable, they also make it possible to keep a certain number of Chrome tabs open, which we do not hesitate to describe as surprising.
As in the case of the processor, we recommend a model with 8 GB of RAM especially if you want a device that lasts a long time and if you plan to use Linux applications a lot.
Here are some interesting Chromebook models with lots of RAM:
- Operating system: chrome os, thanks to the many applications available in the google play store, chrome or …
- Processor: Intel Pentium Silver N5030
- Memory: 8 GB RAM – 128 GB eMMC
- Operating system: Chrome OS; thanks to the many applications available in the Google Play Store, Chrome O …
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3250C
- Memory: 8 GB RAM – 128 GB SSD