For those who don’t know yet what is a Chromebook, it is a relatively new type of a sleek and inexpensive laptop designed to help you get things done faster and easier. It runs on a Chrome OS operating system that has cloud storage, the best of Google built-in, and multiple layers of security.
Recently IDC reported that Chromebooks outsold Mac devices in the US during the first quarter of the year. This could be attributed mainly on their inexpensive prices. A decent Chromebook can cost somewhere between $200 and $300. Explore a variety here.
What makes Chromebooks unique and different from traditional laptops?
If you get work done with Microsoft Office, you should know that the Chromebooks come with free apps like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. These let you create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real-time with other people, and you don’t have to sweat losing any of your work since your files are automatically backed up online. You can also open and edit Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, or Excel files. From the beginning of June, you will also be able to install any of the 1.5 million Android apps on Chromebooks right from google Play Store.
If you watch movies & listen to music on iTunes, you should know that it is easy to stream movies online using apps like YouTube, Netflix, and sites like Hulu, just like you would on another computer. Listen to music using Google Play Music or apps like Spotify and Pandora, much like you would on any other computer.
If you chat with friends and family on Skype, the Chromebooks come with Google Hangouts built-in, so you can video chat with up to 9 people at once. If you are in the US or Canada, you can make phone calls. You can also use your Chromebook to instant message friends on Skype, Yahoo, AIM, MSN, and more.
If you store photos on a computer using iPhoto, the built-in Google+ Photos app makes it easy to edit, organize, and share your photos with friends on Google+ and the web. You’ll not only be able to view photos or slideshows, but also automatically upload your photos by connecting to camera or SD card. After your photos have been uploaded, you can edit and share them with friends and family. Chromebooks come with 100GB of free Google Drive storage for 2 years.
Finally, with the internal components being relatively similar, sometimes you just have to judge a book by its cover. Want to match your personality with a machine in colorful turquoise? Stately white? Sleek stainless steel? Whatever your preference, you may just find the Chromebook that screams “you.”
