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Best speakers for Chromebooks and Chromeboxes in 2023
Find the best speakers to bring that Chrome-powered computer alive
Whichever Chromebook model you're using, there's one unfortunate trait shared by all of these laptops, and that's unexceptional sound. We’re not pointing fingers at certain brands or peripheral designs because it's tough to rise above the bare minimum when it comes to laptop sound. Then there's the Chromebox, which has no speakers whatsoever.
We all take photos and videos or download PDFs that we want to share with our other devices or those around us. Usually, you'd send an email or a text to share those items, but there's a better way. Google's AirDrop-like Nearby Share feature allows you to send any type of file to other people or your other devices cleanly and seamlessly. This works great for sharing items between phones but is better if you want to share an item with one of our favorite Chromebooks. This guide shows you everything you need to know about Nearby Share and how to use it with your Chromebook.
Everything we use these days is connected to the internet. Whether it's your fridge, clock, or smartphone, we are constantly online. However, sometimes we're in a situation where we don't have internet. This could be on a road trip, in the middle of nowhere, or visiting a building with intermittent service. Many devices would be useless without an internet connection, but many devices, such as Chromebooks, can do a lot when not connected to the internet.
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Simplicity is key when it comes to the best Chromebook laptops. There are a few options that are powerful enough to run modern games and stand up to notable gaming brands like Asus ROG, but generally, Chromebooks tend to serve a more practical purpose. The Linux-based ChromeOS operating system is designed to deliver a consumer-friendly workstation that balances cost and functionality. Still, much of what you get out of your Chromebook will depend on the accessories you pair with it. Among the first accessories every Chromebook owner should get is a mouse.
Steam is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS, and each operating system stores the downloads folder in a different place. Depending on your platform, you may have to dig deep into your computer’s files to view, modify, or delete files in your downloads folder. So, if you switched operating systems and can't find your Steam games, we're here to help.
Best Photoshop alternatives for Chromebooks in 2023
Don't let the lack of Photoshop keep you away from using ChromeOS; there are plenty of alternatives
It's not often that we see a web browser become a fully-fledged OS. And yet, that's exactly what happened with Google's Chrome. ChromeOS, Google's lightweight operating system, started out as little more than hubs for checking e-mail and watching YouTube, but times have changed.
I'm addicted to this $380 Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus deal
My new favorite Chromebook is already down to a great value, and Black Friday is still three weeks away
Lenovo's Flex 5 and Flex 5i Chromebooks have been among the most popular and dependable Chromebooks for the last three and a half years since the first one debuted at CES 2020. Balancing power and price, portability and productivity, the Flex 5i has been my go-to recommendation for new Chromebook buyers who aren't willing to dive into the deep end with the $700 Acer Chromebook Spin 714. The latest entry in this series is the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, a 14-inch 2-in-1 laptop with a 13th Gen Intel Core i3, upgraded webcam, ample RAM, and a small but sweet crop of new features exclusive to the new Chromebook Plus line — and only a month after it's launch, it's already over $100 off.
The best Chromebook photo and video editing apps
There are some great photo and video editing tools available on Chromebooks
For a long time, Chromebooks were seen as little more than a glorified web browser, but times have changed. Chromebooks can do many of the things a traditional Windows or Mac laptops can do, including resource-intensive tasks like photo and video editing. Whether you buy one of the best Chromebooks on the market, or you opt for a budget model, you'll have no problem finding photo and video editing apps.
Some of the best Chromebooks available today come from HP's stable, including the high-end Dragonfly Pro Chromebook and the new HP Chromebook Plus x360. The wide variety of laptops available makes it easier to get the proper Chromebook for your needs, and we've put together this collection with the absolute best of the best. Whether you're in search of something for general use, for business practices, for school and students, or even for gaming, there's an HP Chromebook for you.
Should you buy a Chromebook on Black Friday?
The season of savings is upon us, so deck the halls with Chrome OS
Time to throw out the pumpkins and break out the wreaths — okay, maybe a little early for Christmas decor — as we head into November and the first bumper crop of Black Friday deals. These superb sales will cover every gadget and gizmo you could think of, from the smallest Soundcore earbuds to the most tantalizing tablets, and that naturally includes Chromebooks.
How to set parental controls on a Chromebook
Parental controls will help you steer your children away from the internet's many dark corners
Chromebooks are inexpensive and easy-to-use devices that many people turned to during the pandemic. Some bought one of our favorite Chromebooks as a remote work device, and others purchased or were provided a more affordable and durable Chromebook for their child's remote learning. While these devices are useful for learning, there are some things that parents may not want their kids to see or have access to.
How much RAM does your Chromebook need?
The days when 4GB RAM was more than sufficient are long gone
Chromebooks are capable machines that can be used for browsing, watching videos, and editing documents. You can also use Android and desktop apps via Linux. Its lightweight ChromeOS operating system makes Chromebooks power-efficient. These computers don't need powerful processors and RAM in double-digits.
What is the Chromebook Plus program?
Look for a Chromebook Plus moniker when you hunt for a new ChromeOS device
Chromebooks are often referred to as low-cost alternatives to Mac and Windows computers. Google has been toying with an idea to better distinguish between low-end and high-end Chromebooks. The search giant recently announced the Chromebook Plus program to set the ground rules for manufacturers to earn the premium tag and deliver a better experience to ChromeOS users.
How to open a Linux terminal on Chromebook
Give yourself even more freedom to do anything you want on your device
Chromebooks are popular because they are fast, easy to use, and affordable. You'll likely spend most of your time online using web-based apps, but there are some cases where you can use your Chromebook offline. For example, you can edit Google Docs files without an active internet connection and manage your downloaded files offline. You can also turn your budget Chromebook into a fully featured Linux computer where you can run a unique command line environment. In this guide, we cover how to get a Linux terminal up and running on your Chromebook.
While Google is transitioning from passwords to passkeys, you can't forget your login details just yet. Passwords are still popular and provide solid security for most people— especially if you use a password manager to create and store them — but they're also easy to forget and vulnerable to data breaches. Even the best Chromebooks, often with biometric login features, can have password issues. Fortunately, it's easy to update your password on devices that run Google's ChromeOS web-based operating system
Chromebooks are great devices for most people due to their low cost and ease of use. The best Chromebooks have premium features, such as built-in fingerprint sensors or 4k displays. Before you can use these features, you must sign in and get your device going. Fortunately, you can complete the process in minutes.
What is a Chromebook?
To truly understand what a Chromebook is, it helps to take a closer look at everything a Chromebook can (and can’t) do
There are four main computer operating systems: Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux. Many of these have been around since the invention of the computer, but ChromeOS is a relative newcomer. ChromeOS is the operating system that powers all Chromebooks, including the best Chromebooks. Since Chromebooks are newer than Windows or macOS devices, many people are unsure what they do. This article looks at what a Chromebook is, what it can do, and its limitations.
Windows is an operating system widely used for entertainment, work, school, and gaming. It has a worldwide appeal for offering a user experience tailored to your needs using premade or custom-built computers. At the same time, Windows is synonymous with viruses, malware, and other infections that plague its users daily. And constant Windows updates in the background often go ignored by many, causing more issues in the future. Some of the best Chromebooks on the market can be very appealing, and it's easy to see why some might want to switch to ChromeOS.
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Chromebooks run ChromeOS, a web-focused platform built around Google's cloud apps (Chrome, Gmail, and Docs, just to name a few). The best Chromebooks can do almost everything your regular Windows laptop can, including running Microsoft's productivity suite. The main difference is Windows and MacOS computers can download Microsoft Office (or Microsoft 365, as it's now called) apps, while Chromebook users are limited to Microsoft's web apps.
Best Buy knocks up to $200 off just-released Chromebook Plus series
Get a powerful Chromebook for as low as $270
Google recently announced the Chromebook Plus program, putting in motion its long-rumored plan to better distinguish between low-end and high-end ChromeOS laptops. Manufacturers wanting their Chromebooks to don the new branding and have access to exclusive Plus features will have to meet a number of hardware requirements including at least 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and 1080p webcam resolution.