How to use a Chromebook

Chromebooks are incredible, lightweight devices, and I’ll show you how to use them

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Thebest Chromebooksare known as the most user-friendly devices on the market, making them easily some of thebest laptopsfor those seeking a simple yet efficient computing experience.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a casual user, navigating and utilizing the wealth of Chromebook features can significantly enhance your productivity and streamline your daily tasks.

One of the Chromebook’s most appealing features is its simplicity. Unlike traditional laptops and desktops, Chromebooks are designed to be easy to use, without a lot of the bloat that many other laptops come with.

Theoperating system, Chrome OS, is very lightweight and is based on the same technology that powers the Chrome web browser, making it intuitive and familiar to many users right out of the box.

Chromebooks also boot-up faster and have far fewer maintenance requirements than either Windows laptops or MacBooks.

In addition to its simplicity, Chromebooks are also known for their portability. These devices are typically lightweight and compact, making them especially appealing to anyone who needs a lightweight device for on-the-go work.

Still, if you’re used to thebest Windows laptopsorbest MacBooks, you might feel a bit lost when you first start up a Chromebook. But don’t worry, I’ve used Chromebooks for years and I’m here to help walk you through these increasingly popular devices.

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Key tips for using a Chromebook

Advanced Chromebook features

While the Chromebook is designed to be user-friendly, there are advanced features that can take your Chromebook experience even further.

Navigating the Chromebook interface

The Chromebook’s interface is designed to be intuitive, making it easy for all levels of experience to use.

The Shelf, located at the bottom of the screen, is ChromeOS’s version of macOS’s Dock orWindows 11’s Taskbar, displaying frequently used apps and shortcuts.

To access all installed applications, simply click on the App Launcher icon at the far left of the Shelf.

For quick and easy navigation, the Search Bar is a valuable tool. By typing keywords, you can search for apps, files, or web pages, streamlining your workflow and saving time.

Additionally, the System Tray, located in the bottom-right corner, provides access to essential settings like Wi-Fi, battery status, and user profiles.

Using native apps

One of the Chromebook’s greatest strengths lies in its app ecosystem.

Chromebooks were originally designed to rely on web-based applications, offering a seamless and efficient experience. Popular web apps likeGoogleDocs, Gmail, andYouTubeare optimized for Chromebooks, providing a wide range of productivity tools.

In recent years, however, more and more apps are becoming available offline, including the entirety of theGoogle Playapp store, expanding a Chromebook’s functionality significantly. You can download and use popular apps likeMicrosoftOffice, Spotify, and Netflix, just as you would on an Android smartphone or tablet.

For more advanced users, Chromebooks offer support for Linux applications. This feature is particularly valuable for developers or users who require access to powerful tools like Visual Studio Code or GIMP.

Setting up Linux on a Chromebookis relatively straightforward, allowing you to create a hybrid environment that caters to both casual and power users.

Efficient file management in the cloud

The Files app is your central hub for organizing and accessing both local and cloud-based files.

Google Drive, seamlessly integrated into the Files app, provides ample storage space for your documents, photos, and other data. By saving your files to Google Drive, you can access them from any device with an internet connection.

While Chromebooks used to offer limited local storage, that’s changed in recent years, with more premium Chromebooks featuring the same kind of storage options as more familiar Windows andApplelaptops.

For those needing even more storage, Chromebooks support external devices like USB drives, external hard drives, and SD cards. Simply plug in the device, and the Files app will automatically recognize it, allowing you to transfer files between your Chromebook and the external device.

Customize your Chromebook

To make your Chromebook truly your own, you can customize its appearance and settings. You can change the wallpaper, adjust the screen brightness, and even enable dark mode for a more visually comfortable experience.

Additionally, Chromebooks offer a variety of themes and extensions that can be installed to personalize your device further. With that, you’ll be able to make your Chromebook as personalized as you like, especially now that you know all the important tips to using your new Chromebook to its fullest.

John (He/Him) is the Components Editor here at TechRadar and he is also a programmer, gamer, activist, and Brooklyn College alum currently living in Brooklyn, NY.

Named by the CTA as a CES 2020 Media Trailblazer for his science and technology reporting, John specializes in all areas of computer science, including industry news, hardware reviews, PC gaming, as well as general science writing and the social impact of the tech industry.

You can find him online on Threads @johnloeffler.

Currently playing: Baldur’s Gate 3 (just like everyone else).

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