Chromebook – Introduction
The following information applies to most Chromebook laptops.
A Chromebook is really just an enhanced web browser. In fact, the Chrome operating system, Chrome OS, like Android, is a stripped-down version of Linux, the free open-source operating system that comes in many free distributions.
An important webpage (link below) is the Auto Update policy.
Every Chrome device receives regular updates from Google until it reaches its Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date, subject to support from component manufacturers. When a device reaches AUE, automatic software updates from Google end.
The page provides the Google Approved Chrome Devices.
https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en
Some Chromebooks use smartphone components
If you look at the specifications of some Chromebooks, you should notice that some of the components are not made by the same manufacturers as laptops – Intel, AMD and Nvidia. The reason is that they are using the components made for smartphones and other mobile devices.
For example, the processor might be a MediaTek® P60T (8 Cores, 4x A73 @2.0GHz + 4x A53 @2.0GHz). The RAM memory might be LPDDR4X. A web-search for LPDDR4X finds that it is “Samsung’s breakthrough LPDDR4X is enabling the next evolution of ultra-slim mobile devices.” The storage drive might be of eMCP instead of the usual eMCC. Kingston: “eMCP integrates eMMC and low-power DRAM into a package with one small footprint. This solution simplifies system PCB design and speeds time to market. eMCP is an ideal combined storage and memory component for space-constrained systems such as smartphones, tablets, wearables and various IoT devices.”
Always read as many reviews made by the purchasers (Amazon purchaser reviews are often very useful) and by professional review sites before making a purchase.
Does a Chromebook provide an SD card slot for extra storage?
Most Chromebooks don’t provide much internal storage – 32 or 64GB. That is not much. If you don’t have sufficient cloud storage for your storage needs, make sure that any Chromebook you buy comes with a slot for an SD card. Note that not all Chromebooks come with an SD card slot. You should buy Class 10 SD card (also the best class for a smartphone) that provides the minimum data transfer rate of 10MB/s so that it matches the internal speed of the eMMC or SSD storage as closely as possible.
SD Card Speed Classes, Sizes and Capacities – All You Should Know –
https://www.minitool.com/news/sd-card-speed-classes-sizes-and-capacities.html
10 Best Chromebooks with SD Card Slot in 2022 –
https://www.popsmartphone.com/best-chromebooks-with-sd-card-slot/
Does your PC, Mac, smartphone or Chromebook support online banking?
Note that if you are using a desktop PC, most bank websites only support the Windows 10/11 and and Apple’s OS X operating systems. As such, they do not support Google’s Android or Chrome operating systems. An Android or Apple smartphone can only access a bank’s website if you use its Android or Apple app that you download from Apple’s App Store or Google Play respectively. Android and Apple cell phones provide access to their particular store.
Using a Chromebook for banking is just as safe as doing online banking on your Windows 10/11 PC or MacBook. Chrome OS is, more or less, just the Google Chrome web browser, which most people use on a Mac or PC anyhow. Therefore, if you’re going online in a Chromebook’s browser, it amounts to the same browsing activity.
Android apps run on a Chromebook
If you prefer using an app, you can run Android apps on a Chromebook. Just make sure that you keep them up-to-date in the Google Play store. If you search the Google Play Store, you’ll find plenty of apps, including games and all of the app that run on an Android smartphone.
An example of a Chromebook that can run Android apps is the ASUS Chromebook C423. See an image of it at the top of this page.. Visit the following link to find out what it can do.
https://www.asus.com/uk/Commercial-Laptops/ASUS-Chromebook-C423NA/
A Chromebook can run a full distribution of Linux
If you use a laptop mainly for going online or working online, a Chromebook is ideal. If you need to use applications and programs, a laptop using Windows 10/11, Apple’s OS X or a distribution of Linux is what you need. Note that it is possible to use a full distribution of Linux alongside the Chrome operating system on a Chromebook.
How to install Linux on a Chromebook using Crouton –
https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/operating-systems/1403773/…
Windows 11 won’t run on PCs with Intel and AMD processors earlier than 2019 models, making Chromebooks more desirable
Why worry with Windows 11 when you’ve got Chromebooks (and Chrome OS)? –
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3623350/…
Windows 11, officially released on October 5, 2021, won’t run properly and maybe not at all on a PC that uses an Intel or AMD processor that is earlier than a 2019 issue. For updated information on Windows 11, visit the following page on this website.
Will Windows 11 run on your current Win10 computer? –
https://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/blog/will-windows-11-run-on-your-current-win10-computer/
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on a Chromebook
Most VPN services have limitations. Such as only being allowed to connect a maximum number of devices at once. That means having to decide which systems in your home get VPN protection. The VPN’s client software often only installs on the most popular operating systems, such as Windows and Apple’s iOS and OS X, which makes it difficult or impossible to set up a VPN connection on a Chromebook, games console, etc.
Does using a VPN protect privacy? –
https://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/blog/using-vpn-protect-privacy/
Running a full distribution of Linux alongside the Chrome operating system
A Chromebook is in a locked-down state for maximum security. However, by enabling its “developer mode”, it is possible install the free full Ubuntu distribution of Linux alongside the Chrome operating system and switch between Ubuntu and Chrome with just a keystroke. Then the user has access to one of the most powerful distributions of Linux that can run full Linux applications. It is also possible to replace the Chrome operating system with other Linux distributions.
Not less than 4GB of RAM memory and 32GB of storage space
Note well that from a performance point of view it is NOT a good idea to buy a Chromebook that has less than 4GB of RAM memory and 32GB of storage capacity. Of course, 64GB of storage is better. Most of the current machines come with 4GB of RAM memory. However, machines with 8GB are becoming available. Some people use their Chromebook with two monitors. If you open many tabs at the same time when online, then the more memory the better.
A Chromebook is designed primarily to access the web and as such uses the Chrome web-browser that Google has turned into a basic Linux-based operating system. Moreover, most of the software the Chrome operating system uses is online (is cloud-based). Therefore, 32GB is plenty of storage space. A laptop running Windows 10, applications and tools would use up most of 32GB of storage space.
eMMC vs. SSD: What’s The Difference and How to Replace eMMC with SSD –
https://www.easeus.com/partition-master/emmc-vs-ssd.html
A Chromebook uses a Google operating system and web browser (Chrome)
Also bear it constantly in mind that a Chromebook uses a Google operating system and web browser (both called Chrome) and requires the use of a Google account. In short, Google logs everything that you do on a Chromebook. Nothing is private unless you make use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which can be free or paid for.
Best Chromebook 2021: The top Chrome OS laptops from Dell, Acer and Google –
The article also provides information on how to convert an old laptop into a Chromebook and how to install and use Linux in a Chromebook to run full Linux applications.
https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/chromebooks/1404238/best-chromebook-uk-chrome-os
Best Chrome VPN extension 2019: Secure your browsing and access geo-blocked content –
https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/vpns/1409181/best-chrome-vpn
Which components of a Chromebook are upgradable?
If a Chromebook has a vacant memory slot (which means that the memory is not built into the motherboard) or it has one or more memory slots with RAM memory already installed in them that can accept SO-DIMM memory modules with higher capacities (e.g., 4GB modules instead of 2GB modules), you can upgrade the memory. If the available specifications don’t provide information about the memory upgradability, contact the manufacturer. The following YouTube video shows how to upgrade the RAM memory on a Chromebook made by Acer that has a spare memory slot.
How to Upgrade the RAM on Your Chromebook –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6cew55Eql4
The eMMC storage capacity is a component the is soldered to the motherboard, so you cannot upgrade it unless you can remove the existing chip and replace it with one that has a higher storage capacity.
You might be able to upgrade the RAM memory, SSD storage, battery
Depending on the model, batteries can be built-in or removable, If removable, they can be replaced. Likewise, RAM memory and SSD (storage) modules can be soldered to the motherboard. If so, only owners who have the necessary technical and soldering ability who can obtain higher-specification components can upgrade their machines. The processor is probably built into the motherboard. The cases can also prevent the user from opening them easily. Therefore, if upgradability is important to you, you must find out what you can upgrade before purchasing a particular make/model. If the manufacturer’s website and reviews of a particular model don’t provide that information, ask the manufacturer by email or by phone.
The minimal storage capacity for an SSD or eMMC on a current Chromebook should be 32GB. 16GB is too low, especially if there is no SD card slot.
Replacing the battery of a Chromebook
You can replace the battery on many of the Chromebooks made by the major laptop manufacturers. However, the battery can be soldered to the motherboard. If so, you require the technical ability to change the battery. You also need a source for a new battery, such as the machine’s manufacturer or elsewhere.
Replacing a battery is a relatively simple process. The following YouTube video shows how to replace the battery of an Acer Chromebook.11. Search YouTube for a video on battery replacement for your make/model of Chromebook.
How to Replace Your Acer Chromebook 11 Battery –
Using Gmail as a POP3/SMTP client
A Chromebook uses Google’s Gmail for email. Fortunately, Gmail can be used as the email client for any other email setup that uses the POP3/SMTP protocols to send and receive email.
POP, IMAP, and SMTP settings for Outlook.com [Microsoft’s free webmail] –
Note that POP3/SMTP is disabled by default on Outlook.com, but it can be enabled as shown in the following article.
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/POP-IMAP-and-SMTP-settings-for-Outlook-com…
YouTube videos on how to send and receive email to and from POP3/SMTP email accounts
Below are two YouTube videos on how to send and receive email to and from POP3/SMTP email accounts by using Gmail as the client.One video might clear up any confusion caused by the other.
Note that the Incoming Server (POP3) uses Port 110 for unsecured email accounts and Port 995 for secured (SSL) (encrypted) email accounts. The Outgoing Server (SMTP) uses Port 25 for unsecured email accounts and Port 465 for secured (SSL) accounts.
How to use Gmail as Email Client / Gmail as POP3 and SMTP Email Client –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsAPB6Q40ws
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDzG7iV6N08
Can you use a Chromebook for course work?
You can use Google docs/sheets – Google’s equivalent of MS Word or Excel. They work offline as well as online, so if you have no web access, you can save the files locally and they will synchronise with your Google account when you go online. You can also use the free versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote that a free Microsoft Outlook.com web email account provides.
Is it possible to use Microsoft Word, Excel, etc?
As mentioned, you can run Google Docs or Sheets as Google’s replacement for Microsoft’s Word or Excel. I have found Google’s offerings inferior to the Microsoft programs, so I run the free Microsoft Web Apps programs which can be obtained through the Google Play Store. Word – Excel – OneDrive – OneNote and Outlook are available to add as apps. You cannot run the full Office suite – Office 365 – on a Chromebook.
Running Microsoft Office on a Chromebook – How to install Online Word, Excel, and PowerPoint –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJTydAYtMYY
Ethernet wired network port?
There is no Ethernet connector on a Chromebook. Networking is wireless only, but you can use a USB Ethernet network adapter if you have to use a wired connection. Something like the “UGREEN USB 2.0 to 10/100 [Ethernet] Network Adapter, USB to RJ45 LAN Wired Adapter”, an image of which appears below.
I prefer using cable connections for everything, because wireless devices bathe a room in unhealthy microwave radiation constantly. I turn Wi-Fi and WPS off in my broadband router’s settings. Routers that support Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) are a serious security threat unless the feature is disabled.
Printing from a Chromebook
To print from a Chromebook requires installing an extension on the Chromebook that the printer manufacturer (HP, Dell, Brother, etc.) provides. Alternatively, set the printer up online on Google Cloud Print.
How to Print to HP Printers with Chromebook/Android with Google Cloud Print
“This video SAVED me! I was struggling with all of those HP directions, but your video was concise and the steps were easy. Thanks to you, I have my new HP Envy [printer, scanner, copier] connected to my Chromebook and it was easy.”
“In my opinion, using HPs Chrome app works better than Google Cloud Print if you are on the same network. Just type in the [printer’s] IP address, which it provides itself if it has touch-screen controls, name it and you are good to go. It is easily the most secret app on Chrome OS. Check it out on the Chrome web store [Google Play Store].”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4rdtyKRttw
Here is the information on printing to an HP printer from a Chromebook on the HP site:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04122530?jumpid=reg_r1002_uken_c-001_title_r0001
Chrome, like Android, is a Linux-based operating system
The Linux-based Chrome operating system runs little more than the Chrome web browser. Viruses and malware cannot infect a web browser as you are browsing the web and it is the same with the Chrome operating system. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a malware scanner. Moreover, Chrome performs an integrity check on startup. If the system is different from what it should be, it knows something is out of order and it can warn you or rebuild itself from the original software to get rid of what it considers is out of order.
There are also very few malicious apps for the Chrome operating system, The biggest security threat is downloading a malware app that is masquerading as a legitimate app or one that stages a false infection and then requires payment to get rid of it. Therefore, only use apps from the Google Play Store. Look at the information that is provided about the downloads of an app – number of downloads, ratings, etc. – in order to come to a conclusion about its validity.
Install Android apps on your Chromebook
“You can download and use Android apps on your Chromebook using the Google Play Store app.
“Currently, the Google Play Store is only available for some Chromebooks. Learn which Chromebooks support Android apps.”
https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/7021273?hl=en
Update your Chromebook’s operating system
“Your Chromebook automatically checks for and downloads updates when connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.”
https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/177889
Important Chromebook specifications
Note that not all Chromebooks come with an SD card that provides extra storage. If you don’t have sufficient cloud storage, make sure that any Chromebook that you want to buy provides a slot for am SD card with a capacity that covers your needs.
- – No fan. Therefore runs silently.
- – Bluetooth wireless connectivity? – Yes.
- – Use a USB port for a wired mouse/keyboard or Bluetooth for a wireless mouse/keyboard. Plug and play.
- – Uses the Google Chrome operating system. Plenty of videos on YouTube on how to use it.
- – Full High definition (HD) screen.
- – No wired Ethernet network port; only Wi-Fi connectivity. You can use an USB-to-Ethernet network cable adapter.
- – About 12 hours battery life.
- – A full SSD drive is better than eMMC storage.
