If you're heading off to university, you’ll need a good computer. If you’re thinking about a new laptop, what about a Chromebook? Think of them as a new breed of laptop - built around going online, and designed for speed, simplicity and security. Perfect for students.
We let content creator, influencer and author Jack Edwards try out one of our Chromebooks recently. Here’s what he had to say about the time he spent with it:
Why is a Chromebook so good for students?
Here are just a few of the main benefits you’ll get it if you go for a Chromebook to power through your new term.
It starts fast and stays fast.
Chromebooks start fast and stay fast.* They boot up in seconds, so that’s less time waiting and more time getting stuck into your studies.
And when you’re up and running, you’ll never slow down. Chromebooks handle multi-tasking no problem, with little or no lag when you open stuff or switch between these open apps. In fact, it’s as silky smooth as the best mobile devices out there. So you can watch a tutorial, design a logo and even work on MS office documents at the same time.
Built-in virus protection.
Unlike most laptops, your Chromebook comes with built-in malware and virus protection, plus automatic security updates. So you can stay protected at all times, without even having to think about it.
The ChromeOS operating system has been built in such a way that it’s virtually impossible to install anything that would harm your Chromebook. Any apps you do install go through Google Play's ‘Play Protect’ system, so you can be sure they’re safe.
And because you need to be signed in to access your data, nobody else can use a different account to get into your Chromebook. Just you.
*Based on internal testing of boot time and speedometer tests of representative Chromebook devices from October 2022 to June 2023.
It has a button for… everything.
The Everything button is unique to every Chromebook, and it does exactly what it says. If you need to get to an app, find a file or search for some online inspiration, you can do it all from this one nifty button. Simply press it, and you’ll find what you need in a flash. You can find things on your device, ask Google queries, or do simple maths. It’s great if you’re rushing from lecture to lecture, and you need to find what you’ve been working on fast.
Over a million apps to choose from.
ChromeOS is the only operating system that gives you access to over a million apps from Google Play. That’s the same app store used by Android phones. So anything you can get on your phone, you can get on your Chromebook too – games, books, movies and all the educational apps you need.
You’ve also got some great built-in apps like Google Docs – a great word processor that can handle tons of coursework. And if you want to stick with Word, that's not a problem either. Just download Office 365 from the Google Play store.
Perfectly portable design.
Chromebooks are slim, lightweight and super-portable. You can easily slip one into your bag and head off to the library without being weighed down. Perfect for rushing around campus!
All day battery life.
Don't worry if you turn up at a lecture with no charger. Chromebooks are famous for their long-lasting battery life, so you’ll be able to keep going all day long. It’s great for a full day, including that Netflix session when your studies are over.
Lots of storage. In-built and online.
Chromebooks have great hard drives, but you usually won't need it. Because with a Chromebook, files can also be saved online to Google Drive. This is Google’s secure online storage service, and you get a chunk of free space when you buy a Chromebook. Plus, your work is automatically saved as you type – so no more excuses for lost coursework.
You’ve also got the option of saving stuff on your laptop, and there’s plenty of space for your favourite videos, files and apps. So you can still crack on with work offline even when you don’t have access to Wi-Fi.
Great for entertainment.
Chromebooks can keep you entertained too. At the end of a hard day’s studying you can play games, watch movies and scroll through your social feeds on a large and bright Full HD display. With the Google Play Store, you can get all your favourite apps and streaming services right on your laptop, from Netflix to Disney+. Great to unwind after a long day in class.
The price is right.
Chromebooks are famous for being great value. They need a lot less memory and storage to work just as well as traditional laptops, as they’re fully integrated with cloud storage services and do a lot of processing in the cloud. This means that a Chromebook with similar specs will be much better value than a traditional laptop. So, you won’t have to break the bank to get a super-portable laptop for coursework, homework and studies.
Need more help?
If you’d like more help choosing a Chromebook, you can pop into one of our stores and chat to a colleague. Or if you prefer, you can make a ShopLive video call from the comfort of your couch!
