Though Chromebooks are usually hated by the tech space for their limited compatibility and low-end hardware, they still hold quite the potential for educational institutions and students.
And there are many reasons why many educational institutions and students prefer to buy a Chromebook over a traditional Windows laptop or a Macbook.
Great battery life
The excellent battery backup is one of the many reasons why educational institutes decide to go with Chromebooks.
Chromebooks are designed to offer excellent battery life, crucial in a classroom where students must work on their devices for extended periods without access to power outlets.
Chromebooks can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, much longer than most traditional laptops.
This means that students and teachers can use Chromebooks throughout the school day without worrying about running out of battery and sticking to a corner of a room because of power outlets.
Chromebooks are affordable
Chromebooks are surprisingly cheap compared to Windows laptops, as they can easily run on low-end hardware. This is why you can get a decent Chromebook for around $250 that gets the job done.
This makes Chromebooks great for students and schools with a tight budget, allowing them to get a capable productivity machine without spending a fortune.
Cheaper Chromebooks mean that schools can purchase more devices for the same budget, which can help increase student access to technology.
Chrome OS is simple and easy to use
Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, a lightweight and user-friendly operating system that is easy to navigate, even for novice users.
Chrome OS is based on the Google Chrome web browser and is designed to be simple and intuitive. Students and teachers can focus on their work without worrying about complicated software or operating systems.
Chrome OS has a clean and easy-to-interact design, which looks similar to stock Android, making it easier to use and work with.
Furthermore, installing apps is much easier than installing Windows, where every app is available on the Play Store or the Chrome Web Store.
Chromebooks are more secure than Windows Laptops
Chromebooks are built to be more secure than traditional laptops, with features like automatic updates and built-in virus protection.
Chrome OS is designed to resist viruses and malware, and Chromebooks are automatically updated with the latest security patches. What also helps Chromebooks be secure is that it’s not easy for a casual user to install untrusted apps, as the system is much more locked down.
This, along with the relatively minor user base of Chromebooks, discourages hackers and malware from attacking Chromebooks.
This means that schools can have peace of mind knowing that their devices are secure and protected from cyber threats.
Better education apps on Chrome OS
Since the popularity of Chromebooks in the educational sector, there’s a wide range of educational apps available on Chromebooks which helps students and teachers in their workflow and getting stuff done.
Though some of these apps are also available on Windows, they would not be as intuitive, and they won’t work as seamlessly with Google Products as it does on Chrome OS.
Cloud-connected laptops
Chromebooks are designed to be connected to the cloud, meaning students and teachers can access their files and work from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection.
This makes it easier for students to collaborate on projects and access their work from different devices. It also means that schools can save money on expensive local storage solutions.
What makes Chromebooks unique is that all work can be synced to the cloud. This helps you back up data and keep everything in case something happens to the Chromebook.
Better integration with Google Workspace
Chromebooks are closely integrated with Google Workspace, which includes tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, making it easier for students and teachers to collaborate and work together.
Google Workspace is a cloud-based productivity suite with tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more.
Because Chromebooks are designed to work seamlessly with Google Workspace, students and teachers can work together on projects in real-time from anywhere.
And the best part about it is that all the Workspace apps are completely free, unlike the Microsoft alternatives that require a monthly subscription.
They are low-powered and fast.
Chromebooks are designed to be low-powered and fast, with quick boot-up times and minimal lag when running multiple applications. This means that students can get to work quickly and easily without wasting time waiting for their devices to boot up or applications to load.
It also means that Chromebooks are less likely to slow down or crash when running multiple applications, which can frustrate students and teachers.
And though this may seem like a weird point to make, considering modern Windows laptops are fast too.
But Chrome OS just gets right into the desktop without any hiccups caused by updates or unresponsive software, which is the last thing you want to see when you want to get work done.
Wait, are there disadvantages to using a Chromebook for School?
Chromebooks are definitely not perfect, and we have gone in detail about why they may not be perfect for everyone
Limited offline capabilities
While Chromebooks are designed to be cloud-connected, they require an internet connection to access many of their features.
This can be limiting in areas with poor connectivity, and it means that students may not be able to access their work or use certain applications when offline.
While some apps do have offline functionality, it is not as robust as traditional offline applications.
This can be frustrating for students who need to work on assignments during a long commute or in areas with poor connectivity.
Limited storage capacity
Chromebooks need to improve when it comes to upgrading storage. There are no SATA drive bays nor any M.2 Slots that could allow for easy storage upgrades. The most you can get from a Chromebook is an SD card slot, but those are slower than M.2 drives.
This can be an issue for students who need to save large files or multimedia projects, such as videos or high-resolution images.
And though you get some storage expandability via the SD Card, there’s nothing you can do about the RAM, as it’s soldered. If your workflow becomes intense in the future, you might just have to upgrade the entire Chromebook.
While Chromebooks are designed to work with cloud storage solutions like Google Drive, not all students can access reliable internet connections or need to work on their projects offline.
Also, since students primarily work on these documents online, a lack of proper internet connection means they lose access to them, possibly affecting their productivity.
Limited software compatibility
The limited software is one of the main reasons why tech communities hate Chromebooks. If your workflow requires you to use any apps outside of Google Workplace apps, then there are better options than Chromebooks for you.
This means that engineering or creative students are out of luck using software like Solidworks or Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
And the same could be said for teachers who need specific educational software.
While there are web-based alternatives for many applications, they may not be as robust as traditional software, which can limit the Chromebook’s functionality.
Additionally, certain exams or tests may require specific software incompatible with Chromebooks, which can be a limitation for schools that rely on these assessments.
Conclusion
Chromebooks are excellent for teachers and students in most cases. However, the limited software availability and the lack of upgradability make it harder to recommend to any high school and university student.
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