Chromebook Frequently Asked Questions (faq)

This Chromebook frequently asked questions guide provides everything you need to know about the Chromebook. Whether you're considering buying Chromebook for the first time or you already own one. You'll find answers to every question you can think of relating to the Chromebook.

WHAT IS A CHROMEBOOK?

A Chromebook is a laptop computer that was launched in 2011. Since then it has grown in popularity around the world and is suitable for all types of computer users.

The Chromebook is manufactured by many different manufacturers, so it's easy to find a Chromebook that is suitable to your needs. What makes it different from other types of computers is its operating system Chrome OS.

WHAT IS CHROME OS?

Chrome OS is the operating system installed on a Chromebook computer. All computers and mobile devices need an operating system to run correctly. The operating system is the main difference between computers that are currently available.

The main operating systems currently available are Microsoft Windows, Apple, Chrome OS and Linux. Chrome OS is based on Linux, which is considered the most secure and safest operating system in the world today. Most supercomputers around the world use a Linux based operating system.

The downside to Linux is that it's also the most difficult operating system to understand. This is why Chrome OS has grown in popularity. It offers the security and power of Linux but is extremely easy to use. This means you get access to the most powerful operating system without the difficulties of learning a Linux based operating system.

WHO CREATED CHROME OS?

The Chrome OS operating system was created by Google. Google has a huge team of developers who are continually working on developing Chrome OS. This means you get regular updates to Chrome OS, which keeps you safe and secure while working online.

The main competitors to Chrome OS are Microsoft Windows, which is created by Microsoft. The other is Apple iOS, which is created by Apple.

WHAT'S THE MAIN DIFFERENCE WITH CHROME OS?

Both Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS was created many years ago before the internet was as advanced as it is today. Although they are updated regularly, they are computers that have been designed to work without an internet connection.

This is different from Chrome OS, which has been created with the internet in mind. You can use Chrome OS without an internet connection but it works best when connected. Chrome OS is a cloud-based computer, which makes it a perfect choice because you do not need to worry about buying expensive individual software packages. Everything you need is available on the internet.

DO I NEED A GOOGLE ACCOUNT TO USE A CHROMEBOOK?

You do need a Google Account to use a Chromebook. When you first purchase a Chromebook it will ask you for your Google Account email address and password. If you do not have a Google Account you can easily create one at this stage.

The Google Account is free and comes with Gmail, which is Google's email service and is widely considered the best email service available in the world.

A Google Account also comes with many other features, which you'll likely become familiar with the more you use your Chromebook computer.

IS THE CHROMEBOOK SAFE?

As the Chromebook uses Chrome OS it's considered one of the safest computers that you can use. There are many reasons for this. The Chromebook receives regular Chrome OS updates, so any security floors are identified and removed much quicker than you would get with Microsoft or Apple iOS.

Also, Chrome OS is different from other operating systems when it comes to security. You do not install programs onto a Chromebook, so you do not need to worry about computer viruses. The safety record of Chrome OS is one of the main reasons why the Chromebook has grown in popularity over the years.

The internet is great and has changed how we interact with the world. However, the internet also has a dark side where viruses are waiting to steal your data and identity. Google has created Chrome OS with security in mind, so you are kept safe while surfing the internet.

DO YOU NEED ANTI-VIRUS PROTECTION SOFTWARE?

You do not need anti-virus software to keep safe when using a Chromebook. This is because Chrome OS has been specifically designed around security. This means you can get on with using your computer without having to worry about computer viruses.

It also means owning a Chromebook is a lot cheaper than owning a Microsoft or Apple MAC computer. Anti-Virus software can cost a lot of money when you consider the best anti-virus software comes with a yearly subscription cost.

Find out more about why Chrome OS makes the Chromebook one of the safest computers you can use. Have a read of this article if you want to know more about Chrome OS and Chromebook security features.

CAN A CHROMEBOOK REPLACE A MICROSOFT WINDOWS COMPUTER?

The Chromebook computer can replace a computer running Microsoft Windows or Apple MAC. In fact, many Chromebook users switched to the Chromebook after becoming frustrated with Microsoft Windows.

This is because Chrome OS offers a totally different experience when using a Chromebook. It's much safer and is an easier computer to use, which means you can spend more time doing what you want to do.

Most people use the majority of their time on the internet. The Chromebook was specifically created for the internet, so it's the perfect choice for internet surfers. It's also capable of much more than that and there is little you cannot do on a Chromebook that you can do on a computer running Microsoft Windows.

Find out more by reading can a Chromebook replace a Microsoft Windows computer.

CAN YOU INSTALL PROGRAMS ON A CHROMEBOOK?

This is one of the main differences with a Chromebook. You do not install programs like you would on a traditional type of computer. This has many benefits and one of these is not having to purchase software to install. Instead, you can access programs on the internet and many of these are free to use.

For example, Google has created its own Office Suite, which has been specifically made for cloud computing. Google Docs includes a word processor and a powerful spreadsheet program. These programs are accessed by simply visiting an internet web address in your Chrome browser.

Software developers are moving away from traditional programs that you install onto a computer. You'll notice most of the well-known software developers have now moved to create software that is accessible online.

However, you can install Android Apps onto a Chromebook.

WHAT ARE ANDROID APPS?

Android Apps are accessible from the Google Play store and were originally designed for Android mobile phones. Over the last few years, Google has made Android Apps available for the Chromebook. This has changed how Chromebooks work for the better.

There are hundreds of thousands of Android Apps and most of these are free to use. You'll find Android Apps to use for many different tasks, which makes the Chromebook much more versatile than it once was.

CAN I USE MICROSOFT OFFICE ON A CHROMEBOOK?

You can use Microsoft Office on a Chromebook. As you cannot install programs onto a Chromebook you'll need to access Microsoft Office by installing Microsoft Office Android Apps. These apps give you access to most of the programs that are available through Microsoft Office.

However, you do not need to download Android Apps to edit Microsoft Office files. Google Docs allows you to open/edit and save Microsoft Word Documents. This is the same as Google Sheets, which allows you to open/edit and save Microsoft Excel files.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHROMEBOOK?

All Chromebooks are different, so you would need to do a little research to find the one that is right for you. For example, some Chromebooks can only be used as a laptop while others can be used as a laptop or tablet and come with a touchscreen.

Also, the Chromebook is the most popular device that uses Chrome OS. However, the Chromebook is another word for laptop. There are other types of Chrome OS devices such as a Chromebox or Chromebase. A Chromebox is a desktop PC and a Chromebase is an all in one computer built into a display.

To consider whether you should buy a Chromebook or Chromebox. Have a read of Chromebook or Chromebox - which one is right for me. This article goes into further detail to help you make the right choice.

HOW FAST IS THE CHROMEBOOK?

One of the reasons why the Chromebook is successful is because it's extremely fast compared to computers running Microsoft Windows. Chrome OS has been coded with speed and security in mind. This means you can turn a Chromebook on and be asked for your login credentials in less than a couple of seconds. Once you've entered your login details you can open a browser and surf the internet within five seconds.

The Chromebook does not slow down over time, which is totally different from what you would get with Microsoft Windows. Whether your Chromebook is two months or two years old, you will get the same speed as when you originally bought your Chromebook computer.

Find out more about what makes the Chromebook so fast. This article explains further why the Chromebook is considered one of the fastest personal computers you can buy.

HOW GOOD IS THE CHROMEBOOK BATTERY LIFE?

One of the major issues with laptop computers is battery life. Chromebooks are well known for having great battery life. Depending on the type of Chromebook you purchase. You can expect a battery life from between 12 and 7 hours on a single charge.

This is much better than the typical battery life of a laptop running Microsoft Windows, which is about 4 hours. The main reason for this is because Chrome OS is a streamlined operating system, so it takes up a lot fewer resources to run than Microsoft Windows.

Another reason is that the hardware inside a Chromebook, in general, takes up a lot less power to run. Also, Chromebooks do not come with a hard disk with moving parts. All the Chromebooks currently available come with hard disks with no moving parts. This dramatically reduces the power needed to access data.

To find out more have a read of why the Chromebook has such good battery life. This article goes into greater detail on why the Chromebook battery lasts longer than traditional computers.

CAN YOU PLAY GAMES ON A CHROMEBOOK?

You can play games on a Chromebook. There are plenty of Android App games available from the Google Play Store. Many of these games are free, which is another reason why the Chromebook costs a lot less through its lifetime.

However, you cannot play computer games like you can on a Windows-based PC. This is because these computer games need to run a program to install onto your computer. The Chromebook does not allow executable files, as everything you use is web-based.

This may change in the future because some Chromebooks also support Linux Apps. Linux Apps have the potential to be a lot more powerful than Android Apps. At present though, this is a project that is still in progress and you should not expect Linux Apps to be ready for the consumer any time soon.

You can find out more about whether Chromebooks can run computer games by reading can a Chromebook run steam games.

HOW MUCH MEMORY DOES A CHROMEBOOK NEED?

The amount of memory a Chromebook needs depends on what you will use the Chromebook for. If you're only looking for a device to surf the internet and not much else, then you can still get 2GB devices. This will be fine for basic tasks but will not be enough if you want more from your Chromebook.

To make the most of the Chromebook and that includes using Android Apps. Then the least amount of RAM you should look for is 4GB of RAM. This is enough RAM for video streaming, spreadsheet work and to use most Android Apps.

If you want a Chromebook that will still be usable in a few years from now and you want to use the latest Android Apps. Then you should look for a Chromebook with 8GB of RAM. This amount of RAM will guarantee your Chromebook can cope now and in the future as Android Apps advance.

To find out more read how much RAM you need for a Chromebook. This article goes into more detail about how RAM works and why it's important you choose the right amount of memory.

HOW MUCH STORAGE DOES A CHROMEBOOK NEED?

A Chromebook has been designed to work with cloud technology. This means you do not need as much storage as you would with a traditional computer such as Microsoft Windows. You can save files locally but the Chromebook can easily save files to the cloud, which can lower the amount of internal storage you need.

Since the launch of Android Apps on the Chromebook, you do need to have more storage than what was once acceptable. You should be looking for at least 32GB of storage if you want to install some Android Apps. However, you can find Chromebook with less storage than this, so ensure you make the right choice when choosing your Chromebook.

In the future Chromebooks will use more storage. This is because Android Apps will become more advanced and Linux Apps in the future will also need storage space. Therefore, if you want to be able to install plenty of Android App, you should be looking for at least 64GB as an absolute minimum.

If you are unsure on storage, have a read of how much storage do I need for a Chromebook. This article goes into further detail to help you choose the right amount of storage.

WHAT IS GOOGLE DRIVE?

Google Drive is owned and developed by Google and is a cloud storage service. Google Drive allows you to save your files in the cloud, so it takes up less local storage space on your Chromebook.

Saving in the cloud is a great idea because it means you can ensure your files are kept secure. If you lost your Chromebook all the files locally would also be gone for good. However, if you were using Google Drive the files would still be accessible via your Google account.

There are many cloud storage services available and you do not need to use Google Drive. However, it works flawlessly with Chrome OS because it's integrated into the operating system. You also get 15GB of storage free with every Google account. At present, if you buy a new Chromebook you can get an extra 100GB of storage for free for two years.

Find out more about how the Chromebook and Google Drive work seamlessly together. This article explains more about Google Drive and how it works with the Chromebook.

HOW DOES THE DOWNLOAD FOLDER WORK?

When you download files on a Chromebook they are automatically saved in the 'downloads' folder. The files saved in your downloads folder take up local storage space.

If you want to keep files that you've downloaded it's a good idea to move these files from this folder. This is because the files can be deleted without warning when your Chromebook storage becomes full.

You should treat the downloads folder as a temporary folder where none of the files are saved indefinitely. By doing this you'll get into the habit of managing your downloads.

You can find out more by reading how to manage your downloads on your Chromebook.

CAN YOU USE A CHROMEBOOK OFFLINE?

The Chromebook is a cloud computer, which means it has been made to work with an internet connection. Most of the tasks you do on a Chromebook needs an internet connection.

Most of the world is now connected whether you're in your home or on the move. However, there may be times when you do not have an internet connection.

You can still use your Chromebook without an internet connection. There are many applications that you can download, which allows you to read/edit and create files while not connected to the internet.

You can also read and send emails while your Chromebook is not connected to the world wide web. Once your Chromebook establishes an internet connection any files you've been working on will be saved. Also, emails you may have sent or replied to will be sent once an internet connection is found.

DO I NEED A TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY?

You don't need a touchscreen display to use a Chromebook. However, it all depends on what you're planning to use your Chromebook for. If you only intend to use the Chromebook as a laptop and not intending to use Android Apps. Then a Chromebook without a touchscreen is perfectly fine.

If you do intend to use Android Apps then a touchscreen is more important. Some Android Apps can work without a touchscreen but it's not ideal. Most Android Apps have been designed with a touchscreen in mind, so choosing a Chromebook with a touchscreen display is the best option.

WHAT IS A HYBRID CHROMEBOOK?

A Hybrid Chromebook has been designed to be used as either a laptop or tablet. Most of the latest Chromebooks are designed as a Hybrid computer. They are also known as a 2 in 1 Chromebook. Designs can differ but most of them come with a hinge that allows the display to rotate by 360 degrees.

This makes it easy to change a Chromebook from a laptop into a tablet. Buying a Hybrid Chromebook means you're getting both a laptop and tablet in one device, which could save you money compared to buying two separate devices.

Chrome OS has been improved dramatically to work with a tablet device, which makes using a Chromebook in tablet mode more desirable than it once was.

DO I PAY FOR CHROME OS UPDATES?

The Chromebooks operating system is Chrome OS. An operating system is needed for a computer to work. The operating system is what differentiates one type of computer to another. Other popular operating systems are Microsoft Windows and Apple IOS.

Unlike other operating systems you do not pay for updates of the Chrome OS operating system. This is another reason why Chromebooks are seen as good value for money.

The reason why Chrome OS and Chromebooks are considered one of the safest computers to use is because of the regular Chrome OS updates. You do not need to worry about thinking about whether you need to update Chrome OS. Once Chrome OS has been updated this will be installed onto your Chromebook computer.

HOW ARE CHROME OS UPDATES INSTALLED?

The operating system 'Chrome OS' receives regular updates to keep you safe and secure online. You do not need to check manually for Chrome OS updates. When Chrome OS updates are available they will be automatically installed on your Chromebook.

You may not even notice that updates have taken place. This is because Chrome OS updates are extremely quick compared to what you may be used to if you have used a Microsoft Windows computer.

Most of the time updates take place in the background and usually take place when you turn your Chromebook computer on. However, you may receive a notification while using your Chromebook that Chrome OS updates are available. If this happens you can click on the notification for the update to take place immediately.

HOW LONG CAN I EXPECT A CHROMEBOOK TO LAST?

The normal lifecycle of any laptop computer is five years. This means laptops have been designed to work for five years. The main reason for this is because a five-year-old laptop's hardware would not be able to keep up with the advances made in technology.

Operating systems are continually updated to provide the user with new functionality. Over time this functionality becomes more advanced until you get to a stage where your computer's hardware is no longer able to keep up with the changes made to the operating system.

A Chromebook lifecycle is 6.5 years, which is higher than you would get from a traditional laptop using Microsoft Windows. This is because Chromebooks have a lot less moving parts, which means they will most likely last longer than a laptop designed for Microsoft Windows.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY CHROMEBOOK AFTER 6.5 YEARS?

A new Chromebook gets guaranteed updates of Chrome OS for six and a half years. After this point updates may no longer be installed on your Chromebook computer.

However, this is not always going to be the case. Even if your Chromebook is older than 6.5 years it does not mean it will no longer receive updates. It all depends on whether the hardware in your computer is still going to function correctly with future Chrome OS updates.

If your Chromebook stops receiving updates you can still use your computer. However, you would need to consider whether you would feel safe surfing the internet without getting future updates to the operating system. Although this may be a concern for some. It's absolutely necessary for your Chromebook to only get guaranteed updates for 6.5 years.

To find out more about this read The Chromebook End Of Life Policy.