If you’re considering a new computer for college but are new to Chromebooks, one common question is, are Chromebooks good for students? If you’re wondering the same, then this article is for you.
A Chromebook is good for students, because they’re fast, portable, easy to use, and secure. With its exceptional battery life, a Chromebook will keep students productive and entertained all day long on a single charge.
In this article, I explore topics such as the best Chromebooks for students, the advantages and disadvantages of Chromebooks, and much more.
Is A Chromebook Suitable For Students?
Chromebooks are well suited to students due to their portability, built-in security, ease of use, long battery life, and their affordable pricing.
Editor’s Choice
Why you’ll love it. Built to stand the test of time, the Google Pixelbook Go Chromebook has a battery life that will outlast most laptops on the market. Complete with a 13.3 inch full HD touchscreen, high-resolution camera, and weighing in at a shade over 2 pounds, this Chromebook is the ideal student computer.
Best 2-in-1 Chromebook
Acer Chromebook Spin 713
Why you’ll love it. The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a stunning 2-in-1 Chromebook that’s no slouch thanks to Intel’s Core i5 processor. The 360-degree flip-and-fold convertible design offers flexibility that students will enjoy. With a 2K touch screen, this Chromebook will power you through a full day at college and still have juice left for entertainment at night.
Best Budget Chromebook
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4
Why you’ll love it. The budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4 is a slim, lightweight, durable Chromebook with fantastic battery life on a single charge. Despite its low cost, this Chromebook still offers great performance for any student at college or university. Built to meet eight military-grade standards including, transit drop, vibration, high temperature, temperature shocks, freezing, dust, humidity, and low pressure.
Most Chromebooks are thin and lightweight and can easily be tossed into a backpack and lugged around all day, which is perfect for college students that are on the go. On the surface, Chromebooks and laptops look the same where design is concerned. However, there are some key differences between Chromebooks and laptops.
One point to note when it comes to is a Chromebook suitable for students is the vast array of apps for both work and play. You will find an app on a Chromebook for just about any task you’re trying to complete, everything from document editing in Microsoft Word or Google Docs to photo editing in Adobe Lightroom.
What Are The Advantages Of A Chromebook?
There are quite a few advantages to having a Chromebook as a student. Below I explore five of the top Chromebook advantages.
1. Chromebooks Are Less Expensive Than Regular Laptops
When you compare a Chromebook against a laptop, more often than not, a Chromebook will be less expensive. The reason a Chromebook is less costly comes down to a couple of things. First, a Chromebook tends to have less internal storage, and second, they also tend to have less memory than a laptop.
2. Chrome OS Is Fast
Chrome OS enables Chromebooks to boot up in seconds, unlike their Windows counterparts.
3. Chromebook Battery Life Is Awesome
You can expect a Chromebook’s battery to last upwards of eight hours on a single charge. Compare this to a traditional laptop that typically will only last half this time before needing to be charged.
4. Chrome OS Is Incredibly Secure
Security comes built-in with a Chromebook. Features like automatic virus protection, secure support for multiple users, security check-up on every boot, and a security chip to encrypt your most sensitive data are just a few of the many security features a Chromebook comes with out-of-the-box.
5. Chromebooks Are Easy To Use
The Chrome OS Everything Button makes it easy to find what you need fast, like files or online answers, all from one easy place. Chromebooks are easy to use, so if you can use a Google Chrome Browser, you can use a Chromebook.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Chromebook?
As great as Chromebooks are, they do have disadvantages too. And so, with this in mind below, I explore five Chromebook disadvantages.
1. Limited Local File Storage
Chromebooks use cloud-based storage, and so they tend to only come with limited local storage. For some students, cloud storage may be a complete change compared to what they’ve previously been used to.
2. You Need An Internet Connection
To get the best out of a Chromebook, you’ll need an internet connection. If your internet connection drops some apps do have offline modes that can re-sync. However, not all apps have an offline mode, so for them, the app is unusable until you can reconnect to the internet.
3. Limited Software Compatibility
Despite a large and ever-growing list of Android apps, Chromebooks will always have to play catch up in terms of software compatibility, especially when compared against a Windows or macOS laptop.
4. Limited Gaming Experience
For some, gaming won’t be an issue. However, those looking to play games should know that gaming on a Chromebook has improved over the years. The good news is that you can play games on a Chromebook without downloads or installs. The disadvantage to playing games on a Chromebook is that you will be limited to games on Stadia, GeForce NOW, or mobile games on Google Play.
5. No CD Or DVD Drive
Not having a CD or DVD drive won’t be an issue for students who stream, but for some who perhaps want to watch a movie on DVD or listen to a music CD, having neither might just be a step too far.
What Students Should Look For When Choosing A Chromebook
Choosing a Chromebook for college can be a tricky task if you’re not familiar with all the technical jargon. With this in mind, below, I’ve listed the top Chromebook features you should consider before making your Chromebook purchase.
1. CPU
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a Chromebook. Typically referred to in Gigahertz (GHz), a good rule of thumb, the higher the CPU’s GHz speed, the faster the Chromebook will process tasks.
2. RAM
Random-Access Memory (RAM) also relates to a Chromebook’s speed. Most Chromebooks come with between 4 and 8GB of RAM which will be well suited for most student productivity tasks.
3. Display Size
Chromebooks come in screen sizes ranging from 11.6 to 15.6 inches. Low-cost Chromebooks will typically come with a screen resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels (HD), whereas higher-end models will come with 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) or greater.
| Screen Display | Screen Pixels |
|---|---|
| 4K | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Quad HD | 2560 x 1440 pixels |
| Full HD | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| HD | 1366 x 768 pixels |
| Non HD | 1280 x 720 pixels |
4. Local Storage
Local storage is smaller on a Chromebook and therefore it will typically vary between 16 to 64GB. Higher-end premium Chromebooks do offer much larger internal storage if that’s something you must have. Alternatively, if you need more internal storage, this can be expanded by using a microSD card or a USB-style external solid-state drive (SSD).
5. Ports
Just like Windows and macOS laptops, Chromebooks come with various input and output ports, typically USB, USB-C, and HDMI ports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, I have answered all of your questions related to, are Chromebooks good for students. You may still have other questions surrounding Chromebooks. If you do, below, I have answered some popular Chromebook frequently asked questions.
Can I use Word on Chromebook?
Can I use a Chromebook for online college?
What is the best Chromebook for students.
Final Thoughts On Are Chromebooks Good For Students
So, in conclusion, are Chromebooks good for students? Yes, Chromebooks are an excellent worthwhile choice for students. Chromebooks are secure, fast, easy to use, easy to maintain, and won’t break the bank. Being able to work all day without needing to charge your battery is a huge benefit for any student on campus.