Chromebook: What's the difference and which works better for you And if it isn't running quite right, you can reset it with Chrome's Powerwash feature and in a couple of minutes, the system is clean and fresh. It's more difficult for Chromebooks to get hit with viruses or other malware. Accounts for kids can be managed with Google Family Link. Everyone in the family can have separate Google accounts and signing in gives them access to only their stuff and not yours. Plus, the availability of apps for services like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify and, of course, YouTube and YouTube Music mean you've got plenty of entertainment options.Īlso, some of the same reasons Chromebooks are good for schools and businesses make them excellent family computers. And, again, you can play Android and browser-based games on them, too. Speaking of gaming, while you won't be able to play the latest PC games directly from a Chromebook, game-streaming services like Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now make gaming possible. You can connect a Bluetooth gaming controller to it and play Android games on it. With its USI pen support, you can draw and take notes on the screen. It's a two-in-one Chromebook with a detachable keyboard cover so it can be used as a tablet or a laptop. One of my favorite models from last year, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, sells for less than $300. While premium models start at around $500, you can find excellent options for everyday use for $200 to $300. Price is one of the big things that makes Chromebooks so attractive. Joshua Goldman/CNET What's good about Chromebooks? © Provided by CNET Lenovo's Chromebook Duet is part pen-enabled tablet, part laptop. What can be done with web, Linux and Android apps on Chromebooks are increasingly more than enough to get through your day-to-day tasks. This is generally true, but again, many people don't need to do more. But these Q&A sessions regularly end with them asking 'Should I buy one for myself?' And the stock answer is usually, 'It depends on your needs.' But after just a little digging, many people realize they simply don't need to do any more than what can be done on a Chromebook.Ī common argument against getting a Chromebook is that you can do so much more with a real computer, i.e., a laptop running on MacOS, Windows or a Linux distro. Most of my Chromebook conversations are with people buying them for kids. That's right: Chromebooks are now 10 years old and a lot has changed. It's likely because of this that I spent more time fielding questions about them from family and friends than I have since they first launched in 2011. A lot more people were introduced to the world of Chromebooks in the past year as they were snatched up for remote learning and at-home work during the pandemic.

The best mac cleaner c/net