Are you at college or planning to go to college and curious to know, is a Chromebook good for a college student? If so, then this article is for you!
A Chromebook is good for a college student because they’re secure, fast, easy to use, and are a low-cost alternative to a laptop allowing students to work all day on a single charge.
In this article, I explore is a Chromebook good for university students, dig into topics such as can you use a Chromebook in college, the advantages and disadvantages of a Chromebook, and much more.
Can I Use A Chromebook In College?
Using A Chromebook in college is a fantastic choice for students. With a Chromebook, you don’t need to worry about keeping anti-virus up to date since updates happen automatically. Chromebooks are also perfect for a college student who needs a laptop for classwork, browsing the web, word processing, and streaming.
Chromebooks are much easier to use and maintain than a traditional Windows or Mac laptop simply because Chromebooks are built on Chrome OS. Everything you do on a Chromebook, outside of using third-party apps, happens in a Chrome browser. And so, Chromebooks are well suited to college and university students who typically do internet research, writing, and streaming.
To get the most out of a Chromebook at college, you’ll need to be connected to the internet. However, if your internet drops or you don’t have access to WiFi, you’ll still be able to work offline using Gmail, Google Sheets, and Google Docs, even Microsoft Office 365 offers the ability to work locally offline on a Chromebook.
Editor’s Choice
Google Pixelbook Go
Why you’ll love it. The Google Pixelbook Go is the best Chromebook for college students. This thin, lightweight, and durable Chromebook comes with some of the best Chromebook features available. Features like 12 hours of battery life, a brilliant 13.3 inch Full HD touchscreen display, a backlit keyboard, a 1080p duo cam, and all the benefits that come with Chrome OS.
What Are The Advantages Of A Chromebook?
There are quite a few advantages from having a Chromebook. Below I explore 5 of the top Chromebook advantages.
1. Chromebooks Are Less Expensive
When comparing Chromebooks against laptops, typically, Chromebooks are less expensive. The reason Chromebooks are less expensive comes down to a few things. Chromebooks tend to have less internal storage, and they also tend to have less memory than laptops.
2. Chrome OS Is Fast
Chrome OS enables Chromebooks to start up in a matter of seconds, which is hard to say for many other leading operating systems available today.
3. Chromebook Battery Life Is Outstanding
With a Chromebook, you can expect the battery to last upwards of eight hours on a single charge. Compare this to a traditional laptop that typically will only last half of this time before needing to be charged.
4. Chromebooks Are 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 has to offer.
5. Chrome OS Is Easy To Learn
Chromebooks offer an easy setup, you don’t need to be a tech geek. Just log into your Google Account and you’ll find all your Google files and preferences waiting for you. But that’s not all, the Chrome OS Everything Button makes it super easy to find what you need fast, like files and online answers all from one place. Finally, if you can use a Chrome Browser, you can use a Chromebook.
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.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Chromebook?
I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the disadvantages of a Chromebook too. And so with that, below I explore Chromebook disadvantages.
1. Limited Local Storage
Since Chromebooks rely heavily on cloud-based storage, they tend to only come with limited local storage. For some, cloud storage may be a complete paradigm shift compared to what they’ve been used to previously.
2. You Need An Internet Connection
To truly get the most out of a Chromebook you’re going to 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 feature, so for them, the app is unusable until you can reconnect to the internet.
3. Lack Of 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 when compared to Microsoft computers.
4. Limited Gaming Experience
Gaming on a Chromebook has improved hugely over the years. The good news for gamers is that you can play games on a Chromebook without downloads or installs. The downside to playing games on a Chromebook is that you’re limited to games on Stadia, GeForce NOW, or mobile games on Google Play.
5. There Is No CD Or DVD Drive
Let’s face it, for some this won’t be an issue, but for others who perhaps want to watch a movie on DVD or listen to music CD, having no CD or DVD drive might just be a step too far.
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.
5 Things To Consider Before Buying A Chromebook For A College Student
Choosing the best Chromebooks 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 key features you should consider before buying a Chromebook for a college student.
1. CPU
The Central Processing Unit or CPU is the brain of a Chromebook. Typically referred to in Gigahertz (GHz), the higher the CPU’s GHz speed, the faster the Chromebook will process tasks.
2. RAM
Random-Access Memory or RAM also relates to a Chromebook’s speed. Most Chromebooks come with between 4 and 8GB (Gigabytes) of RAM which will be well suited for most college student tasks.
3. Display Size
Chromebook tend to come in screen sizes of 11.6 inches, 13.3 inches, and 15.6 inches. Budget Chromebooks will 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.
4. Local Storage
Local hard disc storage will vary between 16 and 64GB. 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 other laptops, you can expect Chromebooks to 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, is a Chromebook good for a college student. However, you may still have other questions surrounding Chromebooks. If you do, below, I have answered some common frequently asked questions.
What is the best Chromebook for college students.
Can I use a Chromebook for online college?
Can I use Excel on Chromebook?
Final Thoughts On Is A Chromebook Good For A College Student
So, in conclusion, is a Chromebook good for a college student? Yes, Chromebooks are perfect for college and university students. Chromebooks are secure, fast, easy to use, and don’t break the bank. And being able to work all day without having to charge a battery is a huge plus for any student!