Android Police - Guides on Chromebooks

Can Chromebooks run Windows?

Cale Hunt — Mon, 29 May 2023 18:00:26 GMT

Chromebooks have been extremely popular in the world of casual computing for a long time, and they've now blossomed into powerful computers with relatively high-end specs that can accommodate the needs of professionals and more intensive users. Many of the best Chromebooks now have a build quality that rivals and, in some cases, surpasses that of Windows laptops, with strong Intel performance hardware and high-res displays to suit a wider audience.

Can you play Roblox on a Chromebook?

Cale Hunt — Thu, 25 May 2023 10:30:19 GMT

Roblox is an incredibly popular game, especially with a younger audience, that's been around since 2006. It's showing no signs of slowing down, with more than 500 million downloads on the Google Play Store alone and countless others across all the compatible platforms. It's a great place for children to express their creativity, and it gives them an outlet to create their own games within the game. Roblox can be enjoyed on an Android or Apple phone, Windows or Mac computer, some consoles, and even on the Amazon Fire OS. But can you play Roblox on a Chromebook? Let's take a look at how to get the smash hit running on ChromeOS.

Can Chromebooks get viruses?

Cale Hunt — Fri, 05 May 2023 10:30:16 GMT

Chromebooks, since their inception, have had a reputation as being particularly secure against viruses and malware. Quoting Google, the ChromeOS operating system uses "the principle of 'defense in depth' to provide multiple layers of protection" to keep systems safe. These layers include everything from frequent updates with guaranteed support for years to built-in encryption and restricted sandbox environments for web pages. There's a lot to unpack here, and though the answer to the classic virus infecting your Chromebook is "slim to no chance," there are other ways that bad actors might attempt to hijack your laptop.

ChromeOS: The AP guide to Google's desktop operating system

Tyler Lacoma — Tue, 02 May 2023 08:25:16 GMT

While Microsoft produces computers designed for Windows and Apple MacBooks are built for macOS, Google computers like Chromebooks have their unique operating system called ChromeOS. If you're thinking about making the switch to Google's bespoke OS, we're here to make a formal introduction.

What is a Chromebook?

Zach Traverso — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 08:45:18 GMT

There are four main computer operating systems: Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux. Many of these have been around since the invention of the computer, but ChromeOS is a relative newcomer. ChromeOS is the operating system that powers all Chromebooks, including the best available Chromebooks. Since Chromebooks are newer than Windows or macOS devices, many people are unsure what they do. This article looks at what a Chromebook is, what it can do, and its limitations.

How to unlock your Chromebook with Smart Lock for Android

Zach Traverso — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:03:16 GMT

Most people have several devices that they log in to in a number of ways. You may have a password on your laptop, a fingerprint on your phone, and a pin or pattern on your tablet. These differing login methods can be frustrating and tedious to remember. However, if you have an Android phone and one of our favorite Chromebooks, Google included a feature to unlock your Chromebook with your phone. This feature is called Smart Lock, and this guide details how to set up, use, and troubleshoot it.

How to find deleted files on ChromeOS

Zach Traverso — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:36:16 GMT

Chromebooks are the perfect device for many people due to their simple user interface and relatively low cost. If you're willing to spend a little more money, you'll find many of the top Chromebooks include premium features like fingerprint scanners, and 4K screens. ChromeOS, Google's custom operating system that's based on the Chrome browser, is more capable than many people think.

How to use split screen mode on your Chromebook and ChromeOS

Zach Traverso — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 10:15:17 GMT

When you use the same device for work, school, and play, it's hard to fit everything on the screen at once. You may be able to switch between windows with some keyboard shortcuts on one of our favorite Chromebooks, but it can get confusing. To make this easier for Chromebook users, Google includes some great multitasking features in ChromeOS. This guide details how to use the split screen mode on your Chromebook through a variety of methods.

How to use your Chromebook without an internet connection

Zach Traverso — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 10:19:16 GMT

Almost everything we do on a computer relies on an internet connection. Without it, our computers lose functionality, but they can still complete many tasks. Contrary to popular belief, this is also true for Chromebooks. Even though they run the ChromeOS operating system, which is based on Google Chrome, they can still complete several tasks offline. All Chromebooks, including the best Chromebooks, can sync documents for offline use and use Android apps when offline. This guide discusses how to get your Chromebook set up for offline use.

How to set up your new Chromebook

Zach Traverso — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 12:44:15 GMT

Chromebooks are great devices for most people due to their low cost and ease of use. The best Chromebooks have premium features, such as built-in fingerprint sensors or 4k displays. Before you can use these features, you must sign in and get your device going. Fortunately, you can complete the process in minutes.

How to set up and use a Chromebook with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse

Jon Gilbert — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 10:30:16 GMT

The best Chromebooks are simple yet capable computers that offer incredible versatility out of the box. However, attaching a peripheral device like a monitor, keyboard, or mouse may be tricky. Chromebooks don't have the same capability as Windows or Mac computers but don't let this dissuade you from connecting to one.

How to enable Chromebook parental controls

Zach Traverso — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 11:21:15 GMT

Chromebooks are inexpensive and easy-to-use devices that many people turned to during the pandemic. Some bought one of our favorite Chromebooks as a remote work device, and others purchased or were provided a more affordable and durable Chromebook for their child's remote learning. While these devices are useful for learning, there are some things that parents may not want their kids to see or have access to.

ChromeOS: How to switch between Stable, Beta, and Dev channels

Zach Traverso — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 14:01:14 GMT

Chromebooks are capable and easy-to-use devices that come with several useful features. The best Chromebooks combine excellent hardware with great features to create a truly fantastic computing experience. If you're an early adopter, Chromebooks allow you to try out the newest features while they're still being finalized by changing ChromeOS channels. Here are the channels available to Chromebook users and how to try them out.

How much RAM does your Chromebook need?

Abubakar Mohammed — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 09:24:15 GMT

Chromebooks are capable machines, and the best Chromebooks can be used for browsing, watching videos, and editing documents. You can also use Android and desktop apps via Linux. With its lightweight ChromeOS operating system, Chromebooks are power-efficient and don't need powerful processors and more RAM.