In this chapter, we will discuss the various types of Chromebooks available and consider how you can choose suitable Chromebooks for your school’s planned deployment. You will also learn about accessories you may find helpful for school settings, such as hardcase shells to protect the Chromebooks and carts in which to store and charge them.
Choosing Chromebooks
As you will know if you have browsed Chromebooks online, a wide variety of Chromebooks is available from various manufacturers. This is good news in that it means there are likely to be Chromebook models that meet the needs of your school and its students and teachers—but it is bad news in that it means you will likely need to do a lot of research to identify those models.
As usual when you are choosing a computer, you need to consider many different features when choosing Chromebooks—especially if you will be ordering many units. This section will discuss the main features you should consider when evaluating Chromebooks.
Which Hardware Features Do Chromebooks Have?
Processor: Many Chromebooks use Intel processors, such as the i3 processor family or the Celeron family. Other Chromebooks use ARM processors, the kind of processors used in most smartphones and tablets.
Storage: Most Chromebooks have solid-state devices (SSDs) for storage rather than a hard drive with rotating platters. Because Chrome OS is designed to store most data online, Chromebook models typically have much less local storage than regular laptops.
Screen: Each Chromebook has a built-in screen on which to display output. Most Chromebooks can also connect to an external monitor, using it either instead of the built-in screen or to extend the display.
Keyboard: Each Chromebook has a built-in keyboard.
Touchpad: Each Chromebook has a built-in trackpad for navigating the user interface and giving commands. You can connect a mouse or another external pointing device via USB or Bluetooth if necessary.
Webcam: Each Chromebook has a built-in webcam for video calling and self-portraits.
Battery and power supply: Each Chromebook has a built-in battery to provide power, plus an external power supply to provide power from a socket and to charge the battery.
Touchscreen: The Chromebook’s screen is a touchscreen that the user can manipulate using either a finger or a stylus.
Tablet mode: The Chromebook folds so that the screen is on top and the keyboard is underneath, enabling the user to use the device like a tablet computer. Tablet mode normally accompanies a touchscreen.
Stylus support: Some touchscreen Chromebooks support the use of a stylus , which enables the user to interact more precisely with the touchscreen. Styluses can be great for anything from handwriting practice to art, mathematics, and science. Some touchscreen Chromebook models include a stylus, but usually you will need to buy the stylus separately.
You will need to decide how much weight to give to each of these factors. The following sections will discuss the decisions that must be made, starting with the screen size, because this is likely to be the first decision for many people when choosing Chromebooks.
What Screen Size and Resolution Should You Get?
Chromebook screen sizes generally range from 10 inches to 15 inches. As you would likely expect, the sizes of the Chromebooks vary accordingly to accommodate the screens: a Chromebook with a 10-inch screen will likely be physically much smaller than a Chromebook with a 15-inch screen.
Caution
Some Chromebooks with 10-inch screens have keyboards that are smaller than full size. Such smaller keyboards can be good for young children but tend to be too small for comfortable use by older children and adults.
By contrast, screen resolutions for Chromebooks vary widely and are not necessarily closely related to screen size. You can get Chromebook models with small, high-resolution screens (for example, Samsung’s 2-in-1 Convertible Chromebook Plus models have 2400x1600-pixel resolution on a 12.3-inch screen) as well as Chromebook models with small, low-resolution screens. While Chromebooks with large screens might seem more likely candidates for high-resolution screens, some models have screens with modest resolutions, such as 1366x768 pixels, usually to keep costs down.
Getting screens that are large enough: Will students and teachers need to look at multiple windows at once, or will they normally work in a single window? For multiple windows, larger screens and higher resolutions (which we will consider later in this section) are helpful.
Getting screens that have suitable resolution: High-resolution screens can be great for those with perfect eyesight, especially as a higher resolution enables the screen to display more information at once. But to ensure all your school’s students and teachers can comfortably view the Chromebooks, you will normally want to get screens with moderate resolution.
Note
As well as making sure the resolution is not too high for comfortable viewing, check that the screens of the Chromebook models you are evaluating are bright enough to be easy to see. Some Chromebook screens are dim and disappointing, especially at the budget end of the market.
Getting Chromebooks that will withstand student handling: Generally speaking, the larger the screen on a tablet or portable computer, the more likely it is to get damaged. So, while Chromebooks with 14-inch or 15-inch screens might be great for the school’s productivity, you may need to stick with a smaller screen size to make sure the Chromebooks are robust enough for survival.
Do Your Students or Teachers Need Touchscreens and Tablet Mode?
Some Chromebook models have touchscreens, enabling students to interact with the Chrome OS interface by tapping objects on the screen, much like using an iPad or a tablet. Most touchscreen models have a 360-degree hinge that enables the screen to fold back flat against the bottom of the Chromebook, turning it into a tablet-like device with the keyboard on the bottom. Switching to tablet mode turns off keyboard input so that you don’t inadvertently type characters while holding the Chromebook; even so, pressing the keys while holding the Chromebook tends to feel odd.
Note
Touchscreen Chromebooks are usually not only more expensive than non-touchscreen models but also easier to damage.
Most touchscreen Chromebooks have a 360-degree hinge that enables you to prop the device up using the keyboard, as shown here, or to fold the Chromebook flat with the keyboard underneath it
Note
If you get touchscreen Chromebooks , you may also want to get pens or styluses to use with them. See the section “Deciding Whether to Get Styluses for Touchscreen Chromebooks?” later in this chapter for suggestions on how to make this decision.
What Processors Should You Get?
As of this writing, Chromebooks are available with a wide range of processors—and the range is only getting wider. This plethora of options, and the rate at which Intel and other processor manufacturers are releasing new processors, makes it impossible to give you a definitive answer to the question of which processors you should get in your Chromebooks. Instead, this section will explain the processor types that Chromebooks typically use, outlining both their strong points and weak points.
Note
Given how many different processor types are available, you should aim to test each Chromebook model under consideration in order to check its performance and see how satisfactory the screen, keyboard, and touchpad are in use. If testing each Chromebook model is not possible, look online for up-to-date reviews and performance benchmarks to help you decide.
Intel Celeron : Celeron is Intel’s low-cost and relatively low-power chip. It provides adequate if unexciting performance.
Intel Pentium: Pentium is one of Intel’s older lines of processors, but some Chromebooks still use Pentium processors. Pentiums are inexpensive but fairly slow compared to more modern processors.
Intel Core i3: Core i3 is Intel’s low-end line of full-power dual-core processors. Generally speaking, Core i3 processors are a good choice for Chromebooks because they deliver enough power to run Chrome OS quickly, are fully compatible with Chrome OS, and are fairly affordable.
Intel Core i5: Core i5 is Intel’s mid-range line of full-power processors. Core i5 processors are either dual-core with hyper-threading or quad-core without hyper-threading. Core i5 processors are more expensive than similar-vintage Core i3 processors, so manufacturers tend to equip only high-end Chromebooks with Core i5 processors.
Intel Core i7: Core i7 is Intel’s line of high-end processors. Core i7 processors are either dual-core with hyperthreading or quad-core with hyperthreading. Core i7 processors deliver great performance, but because they are substantially more expensive than similar-vintage Core i5 processors, manufacturers tend to put them in only premium Chromebooks.
Intel Core M: Core M is Intel’s family of power-efficient mobile processors. The Core M lines deliver lower performance than the corresponding Core I lines—the Core m3 delivers lower performance than the Core i3, the Core m5 delivers lower performance than the Core i5, and so on—but give longer battery life.
ARM: Various manufacturers, including Samsung and MediaTek, make processors using the ARM (Advanced RISC Machines ) architecture. (In turn, RISC is the acronym for Reduced Instruction Set Computing.) ARM processors have been widely used in smartphones and tablets for many years, but now manufacturers are using them in some Windows laptops and in Chromebooks as well. ARM processors are thrifty on power, deliver good performance, and should be good at running Android apps.
Processing power needed: Chrome OS is lightweight compared to full operating systems such as Windows and MacOS, so Chromebooks do not need as much computing power to run well. That said, it is a mistake to get underpowered Chromebooks, because laggy performance will color students’—and teachers’—experience of the lessons that use the computers. Be prepared to go to bat for processors that seem over specified today in order to get several years of productive use from the Chromebooks.
Caution
As when evaluating any computer, treat a Chromebook’s initial performance as the best performance it is likely to deliver. Even though Chrome OS avoids many of the factors that cause computers running operating systems such as Windows and MacOS to run more slowly over time, Chromebook performance is likely to degrade as Chrome OS becomes more complex and adds more capabilities.
Cost: The cost of the processor contributes substantially to the cost of the Chromebook, so inexpensive Chromebooks contain less-expensive processors. As of this writing, Intel Celeron processors and Intel Core i3 processors represent the best value for moderately-specified Chromebooks. Intel Core i5 processors and Core i7 processors tend to appear only in high-end Chromebooks, and most likely your school’s students and teachers will not need this much processing power.
Power draw: The more power the processor draws, the shorter the battery life will be, and the more heat the Chromebook will need to dissipate.
Compatibility: Verify that the processor type you are evaluating is fully compatible with all Chrome OS features, such as the capability to run Android apps.
How Much RAM Do Your Chromebooks Need?
Many Chromebook models come with 2 GB of RAM, but this is more because it helps the manufacturers to keep prices competitive than because 2 GB is enough to run Chrome OS well. If the Chromebook is performing undemanding tasks, such as web browsing and email, 2 GB can give adequate performance but is not enough for normal or heavy usage.
For normal usage, look for Chromebooks with 4 GB of RAM. The improvement in performance is usually well worth the modest extra cost.
For power users, get Chromebooks with 8 GB of RAM. Consider getting models with 16 GB of RAM if they are affordable. However, relatively few Chromebook models are available with 16 GB.
MAX OUT THE RAM AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE
Some Chromebook models provide easy access to the RAM slots, enabling you to increase the amount of RAM. It is worth checking whether the models you are considering have accessible RAM. But even if they do, it is usually better to max out the RAM when buying than to pay extra to add memory later, especially as adding memory often involves removing the currently installed memory.
How Much Storage Do the Chromebooks Need?
Most Chromebook models come with 16 GB to 64 GB of storage. These amounts are substantially less than those on most laptops because Chrome OS is designed to store most of its data online rather than locally. But even so, each user account will need some storage space for cached data and for downloaded documents. The more user accounts you expect to set up on a Chromebook, the more storage space you should allow.
16 GB of storage works well enough for a consumer Chromebook that is used lightly by a single user or a handful of users, but it is typically not enough for the heavier use that a Chromebook is likely to see in a school. Getting Chromebooks with 32 GB of storage helps ensure that users do not run out of space and that you do not have to regularly clear space on the devices.
Note
Storage on Chromebooks is typically fixed rather than upgradable. It is worth checking whether you can increase the storage on the Chromebook models you are evaluating. However, even if you choose Chromebook models with upgradable storage, you will normally do better to buy the Chromebooks with the appropriate amount of storage than to upgrade the storage later.
How Much Battery Runtime Will the Chromebooks Need?
Most Chromebooks offer better battery runtime than standard laptops because Chromebooks typically use less powerful processors and have less power-hungry hardware. Whereas many laptops deliver three to five hours of runtime on the battery, most Chromebooks get around nine hours.
Unless your Chromebooks will need substantially longer than this, you should be able to treat battery runtime as a less important factor when evaluating Chromebook models. For example, if the Chromebooks will live in the classrooms and either be used when connected to power or be plugged in to power between lessons, battery runtime may not be a concern.
Note
Lengthy battery runtime will be more important if your school is going to issue Chromebooks to students as personal devices. In this case, there may be substantial benefit to choosing Chromebook models that can last the entire school day—and perhaps for students’ journeys to and from school—without needing to be connected to power.
CHECKING THE EASE OF REPLACING THE BATTERY
When evaluating Chromebook models, see how difficult it is to replace the battery. Most Chromebook models have batteries that are built in rather than batteries that are accessible from the outside of the device, so replacing the battery typically involves opening the Chromebook’s case. If you plan to replace the batteries yourself as they wear out, determine whether they are easily accessible once you have opened the Chromebook, and also verify that the battery’s power supply involves a clip-together connector rather than being soldered in place.
What Resolution Should the Webcams Be?
Many Chromebooks have webcams with the 720p HD designation. 720p uses 1280x720-pixel resolution, which makes for 921,600-pixel frames. 720p HD is high-enough quality for communicating via video chat and shooting self-portraits to use as account photos, so it is normally a good choice.
Some Chromebooks have webcams with Full HD resolution—1920x1080-pixel resolution, which gives 2,073,600-pixel frames. This higher resolution may be a boon as long as you do not have to pay substantially more for it.
Caution
If your students will use video calling extensively, evaluate the impact that Full HD or other high-resolution webcams will have on the school’s network and Internet connection. Chromebook models with 720p webcams may be a better choice so as to avoid swamping the network and Internet connection.
Which Ports Will the Chromebooks Need?
When evaluating Chromebook models, you should make a list of the ports users will need the Chromebooks to have, such as USB ports for connectivity and video-output ports for connecting a monitor. Once you have created the list, make sure that the Chromebook models you are considering have all the ports required.
HDMI or micro HDMI: The HDMI or micro HDMI port enables you to connect an external monitor to the Chromebook. Either port works fine; you just need the right kind of cable, such as a micro HDMI–to-HDMI cable. Because the micro HDMI port is so compact, it is widely used on smaller Chromebook models.
USB: USB ports enable you to connect a wide range of devices to the Chromebook, such as an external keyboard or pointing device, a USB flash drive, or USB speakers. (Technically, these are USB-A ports—the kind with the flat rectangular connector.) When evaluating Chromebook models, make sure that the USB ports are USB 2.0 at a minimum, and preferably USB 3.0.
USB-C: Some Chromebooks have USB-C ports, which combine charging and connectivity. USB-C ports enable manufacturers to reduce the total number of ports on a device, which can help make devices smaller and keep down costs (if not prices).
Caution
USB-C ports are a good addition to a Chromebook, but make sure that the Chromebook models you get have USB-A ports as well. Otherwise, users may need to carry a dongle (for example, from a USB-C port to a USB-C port and USB-A ports) to be able to connect devices to the Chromebook.
Micro SD card : A micro SD card slot lets you add files from, or transfer files to, a micro SD card. For example, you might use a micro SD card to transfer files from a digital camera to the Chromebook and to your Google account.
Headphone port: The headphone port enables you to listen to audio via either analog speakers or headphones.
Microphone port: The microphone port enables you to connect an external microphone for recording audio.
Note
Some Chromebook models have a headphone/microphone combination port rather than a headphone port and a microphone por t.
CHECKING THAT THE CHROMEBOOKS HAVE ADEQUATE WI-FI CAPABILITIES
All Chromebooks have built-in Wi-Fi for connectivity, so in theory any Chromebook should be able to connect to your school’s Wi-Fi network without problems. But, in practice, some Chromebook models have much better Wi-Fi capabilities than others.
When evaluating Chromebooks, go online and look up professional reviews and user reviews of the models you are considering. Check to see if users consistently report problems establishing and maintaining Wi-Fi connections.
Do the Chromebooks Need to Be Able to Run Android Apps?
One of Google’s recent additions to Chrome OS is the capability to run apps built for Android phones and tablets. This capability vastly expands the number of apps available for Chrome OS—but, as of this writing, only some Chromebooks are fully compatible with Android apps.
If your school’s Chromebooks will need to run Android apps, verify that the Chromebook models you are evaluating are capable of this. You should be able to find this information listed for each Chromebook model, but you may find it quicker to consult a list such as the one at Android Central ( https://www.androidcentral.com/these-are-chromebooks-can-run-android-apps ).
Should You Get Ruggedized Models?
Various manufacturers make ruggedized models of Chromebooks—models armored up with rubber bumpers, extra padding, and (where possible) tougher components. Ruggedized Chromebooks can be a good fit for schools (or other physically challenging environments), especially if students will have the Chromebooks as personal devices (taking them home) or carry them from class to class during the school day.
Tip
If you are considering ruggedized Chromebooks, look for models that have “modular construction”—ones that are built so that the components are easier to replace when they break.
High cost: Ruggedized models tend to be more expensive than similarly-specified regular Chromebooks.
Small screen size: Ruggedized models normally have relatively small screens—11.6-inch screens are typical—because small screens are easier to protect than larger screens. However, if ruggedized Chromebooks suit your students, this limitation may be easy to ignore.
The Asus Chromebook Flip C213 is a ruggedized Chromebook with rubber bumpers around the body and a thick bezel to protect the screen
If you find the selection of ruggedized Chromebooks is too limited, look next at Chromebook models designed to meet Google’s Chromebook for Work standard. These Chromebook models are also tougher than regular Chromebooks , but some of them come with larger screens; for example, the Acer Chromebook for Work line includes models with 14-inch screens.
Note
Instead of getting ruggedized Chromebooks, you may want to add hard shells to regular Chromebooks. See the section “Protecting a Chromebook with a Shell” later in this chapter for a discussion of the pros and cons of shells.
Do You Need Kensington Security Slots?
If you will need to be able to secure the Chromebooks physically with cables, make sure each model you’re considering includes a Kensington Security Slot. The Kensington Security Slot , sometimes referred to as a K-Slot or a Kensington lock slot, is a reinforced hole in the device’s frame to which you can connect a locking cable.
As of this writing, only some Chromebook models include a Kensington Security Slot; even some high-end models, such as Google’s Pixelbook, lack this means of physically securing the device. You can find other security devices online, such as security docks, but most work for only some devices and are not portable enough for regular use.
Evaluating Chromebooks for Ease and Cost of Repair
When evaluating Chromebooks, you should factor in the ease and cost of repairs for the models you are considering buying. Sooner or later (likely sooner), some of the Chromebooks will suffer damage and will need repair. By planning from the start how you will deal with damaged Chromebooks, and preferably including funds for some spare parts in your budget, you can keep your Chromebook fleet operational with minimal downtime.
Tip
To learn how to repair a particular Chromebook model, search for instructions online. You can find teardown videos and repair videos for most Chromebook models, so search by the specific model to get the most relevant information. Sites such as iFixit ( www.ifixit.com ) include a Difficulty rating for each repair procedure, which helps you get an overview of how hard a particular Chromebook model is to repair.
Screen: Usually the first victim of a device-open drop, the screen may also die from over-eager use of a pointing finger on a non-touchscreen Chromebook.
Keyboard and touchpad: The keyboard and touchpad are vulnerable to spills as well as to blunt-force trauma.
Body: The body may suffer damage if the Chromebook is dropped—whether open or closed—or if it is run into furniture, walls, doors, or other solid objects.
Ports: The ports on a Chromebook can easily get damaged. For example, USB-A ports frequently die from having connectors mashed into them the wrong way or from correctly-connected devices being wrenched free.
Note
Components of typical Chromebooks are usually pretty affordable, so it is often best to buy new replacement parts and turn to used parts only when new ones are no longer available. If any of your school’s Chromebooks gets damaged beyond repair, keep it as an organ donor for its siblings.
Standardizing on One Model or a Handful of Models
In a one-on-one deployment in which each student gets to choose a Chromebook for herself, you will likely find yourself needing to work with—and perhaps troubleshoot and support—a wide variety of Chromebook models. While having free choice is likely to make the students happy and vest them more deeply in their Chromebooks, it may well give you headaches.
But if you are planning a class-based or classroom-based deployment , you have the option of standardizing on a single Chromebook model or on a handful of models. For example, you might choose a ruggedized, small-screen Chromebook model for younger students; select a larger-screen model with a protective shell for older students doing more complex work in a lower-impact setting; and pick a powerful, high-resolution Chromebook for staff members who will need extra power and screen real estate for productivity.
Choosing Accessories for Chromebooks
In this section, we will quickly examine three types of accessories you may want to get to supplement your school’s Chromebooks: styluses for touchscreen Chromebooks, hard shells to protect non-ruggedized Chromebooks from damage, and storage carts and cabinets for Chromebooks kept in the school.
Deciding Whether to Get Styluses for Touchscreen Chromebooks
If you do decide to get some Chromebooks that have touchscreens, consider also whether the students and teachers who use those Chromebooks would benefit from styluses. A stylus gives more precise interaction with the touchscreen, enabling the user to draw, handwrite, annotate, and so on. If users will perform such activities, the purchase may be a no-brainer. On the other hand, a stylus can be not only a distraction for a user not prepared to use it, but also easy to lose unless the Chromebook has a stylus holster or clip.
Protecting a Chromebook with a Shell
If you decide not to get ruggedized Chromebook models, you may want to get hard shells to armor up conventional Chromebook models. A hard shell is typically made of plastic or polycarbonate, usually comes in two pieces that clip onto the top and bottom of the Chromebook, and provides a layer of protection to the Chromebook’s body.
A hard shell can not only protect a Chromebook from the rigors of school life, but also improve the typing angle of the keyboard and increase airflow to the device’s overheated parts
Note
Apart from protection, shells give you a way to individualize the Chromebooks. For example, by getting shells with different colors or designs, you can make the Chromebooks easier to recognize. If the school issues Chromebooks to the students, the students can personalize the shells without affecting the Chromebooks themselves.
Deciding How to Store Your School’s Chromebooks
If your Chromebooks will remain at school or in the classroom, you will need to choose a suitable storage location for them. Given how portable Chromebooks are, it is all too easy for someone to remove a Chromebook from the classroom undetected.
Closet: If the classroom has a lockable closet, placing the Chromebooks in it at the end of the lesson or the end of the school day may be adequate. If the closet contains power outlets, you can plug in power adapters to charge the Chromebooks so they are ready for their next assignment. If you need to charge many Chromebooks, you will probably want to have an electrician outfit the closet with extra power outlets that meet safety specifications rather than simply getting creative with extension sockets yourself.
Computer cart: You can find a wide variety of carts designed to secure laptops or large tablets, charge them, and convey them safely from one classroom to another. Figure 2-4 shows the Core M cart from Bretford ( www.bretford.com ), which comes as either a 24-device model or a 36-device model (shown).
Computer carts such as the Core M cart from Bretford are available
Computer charging and syncing cabinet: If the Chromebooks will remain in the same classroom, consider a charging and syncing cabinet rather than a cart. You can find various cabinets designed to hold laptops. For example, the Kensington AC12 Security Charging Cabinet shown in Figure 2-5 ($699.99, www.kensington.com ) can hold up to 12 devices with 14-inch screens, charging each with up to 90W of power.
The Kensington AC12 Security Charging Cabinet holds up to a dozen 14-inch devices
Summary
In this chapter, you have learned how to choose suitable Chromebooks for the classroom. We have discussed the hardware features of Chromebooks and explored how to make suitable choices from the wide range of options available for processors, memory, storage, screen size, screen resolution, and other features.
We have also looked at accessories you may want to consider adding to your Chromebook deployment. These accessories range from styluses for touchscreen Chromebooks to charging and security carts and cabinets for storing the Chromebooks safely in the school.