With every passing iteration of technology more and more of the things we use most motility to the cloud. Google knows this, which is why it created products such as M Suite, which allow users to create, edit, and store documents online.

Chrome, Google'due south market-dominating spider web browser, has turned into an operating system that'due south unique to Google-powered laptops called Chromebooks. These budget devices run Chrome OS and are deject-powered bargains that tin assist anybody get piece of work done for a fraction of the cost of a MacBook or Windows laptop.

Chromebooks are very dissimilar from when they first appeared in 2011. If your business needs easily deployable, flexible, and secure laptops to issue to employees, Chromebooks are worth a second look, particularly if y'all oasis't used i in a while.

TechRepublic'due south cheat sheet nigh Chromebooks is a quick introduction to these laptops, as well as a "living" guide that will be updated periodically as new models and features are released.

Run into: Hardware purchasing task list (TechRepublic Premium)

Executive summary

  • What are Chromebooks? Chromebooks are laptops powered by Google'south Chrome OS, an operating system based on the Chrome browser. Chromebooks are very affordable and are built around G Suite, Google's online cloud services. Chromebooks are as well able to run Android apps, making cantankerous-platform work easier.
  • Why do Chromebooks thing? Inexpensive laptops running Chrome Bone can exist easily deployed to students or employees, making the machines very valuable to enterprises. Since most Chromebook piece of work is done in the cloud, the devices are a much lower security risk than typical laptops.
  • What enterprise features do Chromebooks offering, and how do Chromebooks compare to the new iPad? Chromebooks might be a good option for anyone who relies on the cloud or web apps for most of their work, likewise equally Android users looking for a laptop that's an extension of their ecosystem. Plus, Chromebooks are safe by default, cheers to Chrome OS having built-in security functions. Chrome Bone and Chromebook hardware designs make the devices an attractive alternative to an Apple iPad. Several hardware manufacturers take also launched enterprise Chromebook lines as well.
  • What changes take made Chromebooks more practical? Chrome OS has undergone a number of changes since it beginning launched, such as easier access to offline storage, Android app compatibility, and a number of quality-of-life changes to make them experience more like total-fledged laptops.
  • Where can I purchase a Chromebook? Chromebooks can be purchased directly from Google and at stores like BestBuy; enterprise solutions are also bachelor.
  • Which Chromebooks are ideal for business users? There are a number of different Chromebook models with a range of prices to choose from, each suited to different roles. TechRepublic's sister site CNET lists the best Chromebooks for 2019.

What are Chromebooks?

Chromebooks are any laptop that, nether license from Google, runs the Linux kernel-based Chrome OS. Chrome Os is incredibly lightweight, cartoon most all of its interface from the Chrome browser.

Chromebooks are manufactured by a variety of vendors, including Google, HP, Acer, Samsung, Dell, and others. They range in price from the mid $100 range to approximately $i,000 for the Google Pixelbook, or $649 for the new Pixelbook Go. Educational pricing is bachelor as well.

Android apps are now available for Chromebooks, only not all machines are capable of running them. If yous're curious whether a Chromebook model tin can access Google Play and run Android apps, check Google's Chromebook shop filtered for Google Play-accessible devices. The Chromium Projects website also has a full listing of Chromebooks that can run Android apps.

Additional resources

  • HP's first Chromebook detachable offers lightweight pick for business travelers (TechRepublic)
  • One of Acer'due south new Chromebooks has military-course durability and optional 4G LTE (TechRepublic)
  • ten tips to assistance you become a Google Chromebook ability user (TechRepublic)
  • Chromebooks: Tips and tricks to make offline utilise practical (TechRepublic)
  • ten apps that brand Chromebooks experience like a existent desktop (TechRepublic)
  • How to multitask with Google Keep in iOS, Android, and Chrome OS (TechRepublic)

Why do Chromebooks thing?

Chrome Bone is incredibly lightweight, and and so are the machines that run information technology. Those machines tin be updated easily, wiped with minimal try, and are inexpensive enough to be easily replaceable.

Many schools and businesses are using Chromebooks because the devices are low maintenance. Businesses that utilize G Suite can become even more than use out of Chromebooks—integration is simple and users log in with the aforementioned Google account they use for work. Chromebooks also make doing work on an Android device and a laptop more than practical since many of these devices at present run Android apps capable of sharing information between both devices.

SEE: All of TechRepublic's cheat sheets and smart person'southward guides

Every bit Chrome Bone continues to evolve and be more practical for everyday use, Chromebooks will matter more and more. Chromebooks have the potential to be cloud-based thin customer laptops, potentially disrupting portable computing equally we know it.

The world continues to move on to spider web applications for many aspects of business: Health records are stored in the deject, banking is done online, and even hardware-intensive games can now be streamed to low-end devices. Chromebooks may have the market place cornered on the future of computing-every bit-a-service.

Additional resources

  • x reasons why Chromebooks make adept sense for concern (TechRepublic)
  • Special feature: Industry cloud (TechRepublic download)
  • Leaving Windows: How the Pixelbook replaced my Surface Pro 4, no regrets (ZDNet)
  • Android and Chromebooks: A one-two punch for business organization (TechRepublic)
  • Chromebooks are the new "it only works" platform (ZDNet)

What enterprise features do Chromebooks offer, and how do Chromebooks compare to the iPad?

Chromebooks overtook MacBooks in total sales in 2016, signaling a shift in computing priorities: The cloud is male monarch, and the machine is just a terminal. If you utilise your piece of work laptop primarily for word processing, responding to emails, working with spreadsheets, and performing other basic part tasks, in that location's no reason to spend $ii,000 on a MacBook when you tin accomplish the aforementioned tasks on a Chromebook that costs a fraction of the price.

Some of the features that business users interested in Chromebooks should know well-nigh include:

  • Automatic updating that prevents users from forgetting to install security patches;
  • User data is encrypted and can't be accessed from other accounts on the device;
  • Processes running on Chromebooks are all sandboxed, so hacking one won't grant access to another; and
  • Bootup is verified by read-simply code that checks writable code for malicious changes.

Apple tree has positioned its newest iPad as a straight competitor to Chromebooks, which raises the question of which one to buy. In sheer pricing terms, Chromebooks win out: Cheap models run around $300, whereas the new 9.7″ iPad that Apple is pushing as a Chromebook competitor starts at $329 without a keyboard.

If you lot're on the fence virtually a Chromebook or an iPad with a keyboard, think to consider the ecosystem; if yous already use Android and other Google products, you'll get more than use out of a Chromebook, whereas if yous are invested in Apple products similar Macs and iOS devices, you should probably go with the iPad.

If you want a tablet option, detachable Chromebooks like the HP Chromebook x2 can part simply like a keyboardless iPad, though at a slightly college price indicate of $600 compared to the iPad'southward $329.

Chromebooks take one more leg up on traditional laptops and fifty-fifty iOS devices: Security. Chromebooks are very secure—check out The Chromium Project's rundown of Chrome Os security features.

HP announced in Oct 2022 a new lineup of enterprise-focused Chromebooks and other Chrome OS devices, mirroring Dell's Latitude Chromebooks rolled out for business earlier in the year.

OEMs are starting to realize the enterprise-friendly nature of Chromebooks, and it might not take long for the trend to spread, especially as more and more piece of work (and recreation) is washed using web services and not apps locally installed on a desktop or laptop.

Additional resources

  • Chromebooks surpass Macs in U.S. sales for the first time (ZDNet)
  • Why your next laptop should be a Chromebook (ZDNet)
  • Turn an one-time PC or Mac into a 'Chromebook' (ZDNet)
  • Apple iPad (7th generation): A cheat sail (free PDF) (TechRepublic download)
  • How Chromebooks became the go-to laptops for security experts (CNET)
  • Windows PCs gain share in K-12 in the U.s.a., merely Chromebooks still dominate (ZDNet)
  • Chromebook + Android apps = Trouble for Windows PCs (ZDNet)

What changes have made Chromebooks more than practical?

Chromebooks take been on the market since 2011, but information technology's only in the past few years that they've gained momentum. School districts and enterprises are adopting them rapidly, and new features make them even more enticing.

Ane of the largest changes to Chromebooks since the devices launched is the addition of the Google Play store, which gives Chromebooks admission to Android apps and other media hosted on Google'due south mobile OS store.

Android apps on Chromebooks can be run offline, which greatly extends their usefulness. While some Chrome web apps can be used offline and documents tin be duplicated to local storage, Chrome OS hasn't made that a very practical option, simply Android apps practise.

Features such as Open up As A Window, local storage access, and window snapping also go a long mode toward making Chromebooks more than practical for business utilise.

Withal, Chromebooks even so aren't total-fledged computers, and replacing your main machine with one may non be the right selection if y'all would use information technology to do more than use web applications and mobile apps. Anyone who needs real processing power or wants a work calculator that doubles as a gaming car should wait elsewhere. For the average workday, though, Chromebooks can be a great fit.

Additional resource

  • Dell brings the Chromebooks to the enterprise (TechRepublic)
  • How to run Windows apps on your Chromebook (ZDNet)
  • Make your Chromebook experience even more efficient with these tips (TechRepublic)
  • The 5 stages of Chromebook acceptance (CNET)
  • The hereafter of computing has a name: Chromebook (TechRepublic)

Where can I buy Chromebooks?

Chromebooks are meant for people who already utilize Google'south suite of applications. While G Suite utilize isn't a prerequisite for owning a Chromebook, it makes getting upward and running much easier.

Chromebooks tin can exist purchased at retailers such equally Best Purchase, or online directly from Google. Don't dive into a Chromebook before doing your inquiry, though: The market is huge and features vary profoundly. Google has a guide for finding the right Chromebook, and it's worth looking at it to find the ane that will piece of work best for you.

Additional resource

  • Get the most out of your Chromebook battery (TechRepublic)
  • Chromebooks in school: How to pick the best laptop for any student (ZDNet)
  • Private school'south Chromebook plan explains why Google'due south laptops take captured nearly 20% of the educational market place (TechRepublic)
  • Chromebook Laptops Reviews (CNET)

Which Chromebooks are ideal for business organisation users?

With Chromebooks ranging from around $300 to nearly a thousand, it can be tough to figure out which i might be best for you or your company.

TechRepublic'southward sis site CNET has published a thorough list of the Best Chromebooks for 2019, and information technology covers nearly all possible users and applications. From the CNET reviews, hither are three Chromebook standouts for business users.

Google Pixelbook: Yes, it's expensive, but that doesn't mean Google's flagship Chromebook isn't worth the toll. Co-ordinate to CNET, the Pixelbook "has a more refined design than many lower-end Chromebooks, and makes for a great everyday work car."

Acer Chromebook fifteen: This Chromebook model is a few years old, but CNET still said information technology's a great bargain. Its screen size (15.half-dozen″) is huge compared withf some other Chromebooks, and it merely costs $224.99. In terms of how it works for business users, CNET said "as 1 of the biggest Chromebooks, the Acer laptop is perfectly priced for anyone interested in a big laptop for bones online use."

HP Chromebook x2: If a hybrid two-in-one is what yous'd adopt to utilise for work, the HP Chromebook x2 is one to check out. This car has a detachable keyboard and stylus, both of which are included with the machine at a cost of $475. "HP'due south Chromebook x2 raises the bar for the two-in-one category, combining constructive pattern, peppy performance and a fine display at a killer price," CNET said of the car.

Additional resources

  • Chromebooks and Function 365 together will challenge Windows laptops (ZDNet)
  • 10 tips to help you get a Google Chromebook ability user (TechRepublic)
  • Chromebooks still trounce the iPad in ane critical way (ZDNet)
  • A mysterious Chrome OS commit could hint at a Chromebook that dual boots Windows (TechRepublic)
  • Best 2-in-1 laptops, convertibles, and hybrid laptops for concern 2022 (ZDNet)
  • Cloud Computing on Flipboard (Flipboard)

Editor's annotation: The article was most recently updated in October 2019.


Image: James Martin/CNET