If you’re considering a new computer for traveling but are new to Chromebooks, one common question is, are Chromebooks good for travel? If you’re wondering the same, then this article is for you!
A Chromebook is a great choice for traveling because they’re portable, lightweight, encrypted and offer an affordable price tag. With its exceptional battery life, a Chromebook will keep you productive and entertained all day long on your trip.
In this article, I explore topics such as whether Chromebooks are good for traveling, the advantages and disadvantages of Chromebooks, what to consider before buying a new travel Chromebook, and much more.
Is A Chromebook Good For Traveling?
Chromebooks are great when it comes to traveling. They’re small, lightweight, and portable, not to mention they’re affordable, have long battery life, and offer many security features out of the box like data encryption if you were to misplace your device during a trip.
Most Chromebooks are light enough to be tossed into a backpack for traveling. And, when it comes to Chromebook durability, you can expect Chromebooks to hold their own against traditional laptops too.
Chromebooks have evolved incredibly since they were first released back in 2011. Now packed with features, you can do almost anything on a Chromebook. Whether you’re looking to work or play on your trip, you can find an app to help you along the way.
Editor’s Top Travel Pick
Google Pixelbook Go – Intel Core i5
- RAM: 8 GB
- Screen: 13.3 inches
- Display: Full HD display
- Storage: 128 GB
- Battery: 12 hours
Why you’ll love it for travel. The Google Pixelbook Go, what’s not to love about this Chromebook? This lightweight device comes with a spec that stacks up when it comes to performance. This on-the-go Chromebook is only 13 mm thin, includes ultra-quiet keys and a backlit keyboard, traveling with this Chromebook is a breeze.
Can I Use A Chromebook On An Airplane?
Quite simply yes. You can use a Chromebook on an airplane just like other laptops. However, you cannot use a Chromebook during takeoff or landing, but you are free to use them mid-flight.
I often hear the question, can I bring a Chromebook on a plane, and my answer is always the same, yes, you can! There is no reason why you can’t take a Chromebook on an airplane and use it. However, you do have to follow the rules during the security procedures, especially at takeoff and landing.
Chromebook apps offer users the ability to work offline, download and watch their favorite movies, or even listen to their latest music playlists. And if you want to connect to the airplane’s WiFi, then a Chromebook has you covered here too.
Editor’s Budget Travel Pick
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4 – Intel Celeron N4000
- RAM: 4 GB
- Screen: 11.6 inches
- Display: HD display
- Storage: 64 GB
- Battery: 12.5 hours
Why you’ll love it for travel. The budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4 is a slim, lightweight, durable Chromebook with fantastic battery life. Despite its low cost, this Chromebook still offers great performance. Built to meet eight military-grade standards including, transit drop, vibration, high temperature, temperature shocks, freezing, dust, humidity, and low pressure.
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Having A Chromebook?
There are many advantages to having a Chromebook, and of course, there are disadvantages too. Below I list the top Chromebook advantages and disadvantages.
5 Chromebook Advantages:
1. Chromebooks Are Less Expensive Than Regular Laptops:
When you compare a Chromebook against a traditional Windows or Apple 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 or Apple 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.
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.
5 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 Apple 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.
Things to Consider Before Buying A New Travel Chromebook
Choosing a Chromebook for travel 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 five 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 8 GB of RAM which will be well suited for most productivity tasks.
3. Display Size:
Chromebooks come in screen sizes ranging from 11.6 to 15.6 inches. Budget 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 64 GB. 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 andApple 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 travel. You may still have other questions surrounding Chromebooks. If you do, below, I have answered some popular frequently asked questions, or check out my other article on the differences between Chromebooks and laptops.
Do Chromebooks work offline?
Are Chromebooks powerful?
What is the Google Play store?
Final Thoughts On Are Chromebooks Good For Travel
So, in conclusion, are Chromebooks good for travel? Yes. A Chromebook is the perfect travel companion for your next trip. Chromebooks are lightweight, portable, secure, and affordable. Being able to work or watch the latest movie while traveling on a single battery charge is a great benefit for anyone during their trip.