Chromebook: The device that you've been waiting for
When choosing a laptop for your business, there is an overwhelming array of options for you to choose from. It's generally true to say that each device has a perk to it - whether it's the build quality, battery life, the software it runs or hardware features. But how do you choose which one is right for you and is there one laptop that shines above the rest...one laptop that you should definitely have on your radar?
Yes. In my opinion, you should be looking at Chromebooks. These lightweight devices combine all sorts of benefits that make them a very attractive solution - they're not going to be the right fit for everyone though, so I want to take this opportunity to address some of the advantages and highlights to help you decide whether you should be moving over to them.
You want a laptop that's super-fast, no lags, not one that takes three minutes to boot up or switch between apps. This is one of the areas that Chromebooks excel in because of its own simplicity. Chromebooks run Chrome OS (in the same way that a different laptop may run Microsoft Windows or Mac OSx), within this operating system, your Chromebook is essentially just running Google Chrome.
Without anything else to bloat it and slow it down, it is a smooth operator and nippy to boot. The requirement to run this one program doesn't have a huge demand on resources, so you see speed benefits at booting up and managing tasks.
What this all boils down to, is that the components don't need to be the latest generation, or all beefed up. These savings in hardware are passed onto you and the checkout and you end up with a laptop that presents exceptional value for money and to achieve comparable performance, the components needed make a Chromebook comparatively cheaper than its more traditional counterpart.
Safety and security are baked into Chrome OS from the ground up. Each instance of Chrome (each tab) runs in a ring-fenced environment from the others so if anything is detected as nasty in a tab of your browser, it can't spread to any other activity you're working on.
The same principle is additionally employed for stability, if a tab you're working in goes haywire, something that may have crashed your whole computer previously may be able to be contained within that one tab - it will still need to be 'killed', but the remainder of your tabs can continue unaffected.
Many of the newer Chromebooks are coming with USB type C as standard now - which in addition to being used to connect a whole host of cool stuff to your laptop, can also be used to power other devices and indeed power itself. If you look on the base of your phone right now, you've probably got a USB C port on the base, this is a standard device that we're seeing more and more devices are moving to create one consistent charging plug, cable and port. Even the new MacBooks from Apple are now USB type C (Apple previously choosing to favour its own proprietary MagSafe and Lightning ports for its laptops and phone/tablets respectively).
So if your phone or laptop is suffering from a low battery after a days hard slog, you can plug in a USB C cable and charge one from the other - how cool is that. It also means that some battery packs (the kind that you may have to keep your phone juiced up while travelling etc.) could now also extend the usability of your laptop as well.
Here are a couple of examples of the web apps that I've used on a Chromebook instead of downloadable/installable apps.
There are lots (most) of things that can be either enabled to work in offline (without an internet connection) or simply don’t need one anyway - so if connectivity is a concern, this is one you don’t have to worry about.
So considering which features best suit you makes sense, right? I've explained some of the benefits of a Chromebook - and if that works for you, then you should check them out. A great place to start is Google’s Chromebook section to see the range.
Google’s range of devices start from less than a couple of hundred and go through to over a thousand. Each one has perks that justify the price, so it’s worth taking a lot at all of them and choosing the right one for you - you’ll find the same features on any other laptop (including touchscreen, flipable screens etc.) so go have fun and choose your new Chromebook!
Yes. In my opinion, you should be looking at Chromebooks. These lightweight devices combine all sorts of benefits that make them a very attractive solution - they're not going to be the right fit for everyone though, so I want to take this opportunity to address some of the advantages and highlights to help you decide whether you should be moving over to them.
Speed
You want a laptop that's super-fast, no lags, not one that takes three minutes to boot up or switch between apps. This is one of the areas that Chromebooks excel in because of its own simplicity. Chromebooks run Chrome OS (in the same way that a different laptop may run Microsoft Windows or Mac OSx), within this operating system, your Chromebook is essentially just running Google Chrome.
Without anything else to bloat it and slow it down, it is a smooth operator and nippy to boot. The requirement to run this one program doesn't have a huge demand on resources, so you see speed benefits at booting up and managing tasks.
Cost
Building on from the same perks that you're enjoying in the speed category, Chromebooks don't need as much 'torque' under the hood - because the software is so much lighter, you don't need the latest processing power, massive amounts of RAM and a Chromebook's penchant for Cloud storage means that you don't even need a massive amount of permanent memory.What this all boils down to, is that the components don't need to be the latest generation, or all beefed up. These savings in hardware are passed onto you and the checkout and you end up with a laptop that presents exceptional value for money and to achieve comparable performance, the components needed make a Chromebook comparatively cheaper than its more traditional counterpart.
Safe & Stable
Safety and security are baked into Chrome OS from the ground up. Each instance of Chrome (each tab) runs in a ring-fenced environment from the others so if anything is detected as nasty in a tab of your browser, it can't spread to any other activity you're working on.
The same principle is additionally employed for stability, if a tab you're working in goes haywire, something that may have crashed your whole computer previously may be able to be contained within that one tab - it will still need to be 'killed', but the remainder of your tabs can continue unaffected.
Battery
Low powered hardware - in addition to general advances in battery technology - also means that you can enjoy significantly exciting battery length. You're no longer tethered to a power cable, but can instead go all day long on a single charge. Sure, it really depends what you're doing with it, but I've had genuinely exciting run time without the need for external power.Many of the newer Chromebooks are coming with USB type C as standard now - which in addition to being used to connect a whole host of cool stuff to your laptop, can also be used to power other devices and indeed power itself. If you look on the base of your phone right now, you've probably got a USB C port on the base, this is a standard device that we're seeing more and more devices are moving to create one consistent charging plug, cable and port. Even the new MacBooks from Apple are now USB type C (Apple previously choosing to favour its own proprietary MagSafe and Lightning ports for its laptops and phone/tablets respectively).
So if your phone or laptop is suffering from a low battery after a days hard slog, you can plug in a USB C cable and charge one from the other - how cool is that. It also means that some battery packs (the kind that you may have to keep your phone juiced up while travelling etc.) could now also extend the usability of your laptop as well.
Are there things that Chromebooks can’t do?
Yes and no. So, the whole point of this type of laptop is that it's predominantly a cloud focussed machine, so it's aimed at running everything within the Chrome web browser, so you wouldn't be able to install all the software that you may be able to on a Windows or Mac laptop. But this isn't an issue, I've found lots of alternatives, that are oftentimes even better than what I'd used in the past, but by needing to use it instead allowed me to find great alternatives.Here are a couple of examples of the web apps that I've used on a Chromebook instead of downloadable/installable apps.
Recording podcasts on a Chromebook
When recording the Talk Digital podcast, I've always previously recorded in Audacity (which I do love), when on a Chromebook or for just general use in the Chrome browser on a MacBook, I found an alternative in Soundtrap. I was surprised as to how powerful this service could be and it's now amongst my 'must-have' apps on any device.
Yes. I mean, for things that you could use other laptops for. So, if you were using G Suite for your email on a Chromebook then you may want to access your inbox, write emails or responses etc. while on a train (when maintaining a reliable and steady internet connection is like spotting a unicorn ice skating on a rainbow) - you can enable offline access to your GMail, your Google Drive and a whole range of other services too. Which means you can carry on, happy as larry and when you regain your connection, your work, emails and 'stuff' all syncs back in line and you're flying.
Graphic design on a Chromebook
I can’t describe how much I love Canva. It is surprisingly powerful for it's 'size' (and price for that matter), for creating stunning artwork without the need for heavy lifting (powerful hardware) for your blog, social media, website and much more - Canva has been an absolute must for me for years.
Can you use a Chromebook without an internet connection?
Yes. I mean, for things that you could use other laptops for. So, if you were using G Suite for your email on a Chromebook then you may want to access your inbox, write emails or responses etc. while on a train (when maintaining a reliable and steady internet connection is like spotting a unicorn ice skating on a rainbow) - you can enable offline access to your GMail, your Google Drive and a whole range of other services too. Which means you can carry on, happy as larry and when you regain your connection, your work, emails and 'stuff' all syncs back in line and you're flying.
There are lots (most) of things that can be either enabled to work in offline (without an internet connection) or simply don’t need one anyway - so if connectivity is a concern, this is one you don’t have to worry about.
Which laptop should I buy?
Google’s range of devices start from less than a couple of hundred and go through to over a thousand. Each one has perks that justify the price, so it’s worth taking a lot at all of them and choosing the right one for you - you’ll find the same features on any other laptop (including touchscreen, flipable screens etc.) so go have fun and choose your new Chromebook!
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