A notebook that is as easy to use as a smartphone – that’s what many dream of. With a Chromebook, this dream comes true. We reveal what the new generation can do and why classic laptops could even be replaced in the future.
Chromebook: no computer like any other
Windows or macOS? This is usually the decisive question when buying a laptop. There is a third option though: Chrome OS . While the Google operating system initially tended to be a shadowy existence, the resulting device category – the Chromebook – has been enjoying increasing popularity for a number of years in the world of work as well as at home and in leisure time.
The reason for this lies not only in the significantly expanded range of functions since the Google Play Store and all of its apps have been integrated into Chrome OS. The embedded virus protection, the fluid, intuitive smartphone-style operation, the automatic updates and the battery life of up to twelve hours also speak clearly in favor of a Chromebook – so no problem if the charging cable is left at home.
Another selling point is the first-class price-performance ratio: Most Chromebooks are available for less than 400 euros and are therefore much cheaper than comparable classic notebooks – even the very well-equipped top models are below the 1,000-euro mark. A large selection of Chromebooks from the leading manufacturers Acer , Asus , HP and
All Chromebook advantages at a glance
Simple, safe, and fast: these three properties make the Chromebook an attractive alternative to Windows notebooks and MacBooks. Some models even replace the tablet, surfing and online shopping on the couch are much more convenient with a Chromebook. We summarize all the advantages again:
The acquisition costs of a Chromebook are relatively low. For example, you can get the Lenovo S345 Chromebook with a 14-inch full HD display, A6 processor, and 64 GB of storage space for just 219 euros.
Google has made sure to make the operation particularly user-friendly. Chrome OS does not require any special knowledge. Google services such as maps, tables, or calendars can be used directly. Countless other apps are available for download from the Google Play Store. How about, for example, Netflix or Instagram?
Never press “Save” again! Data you are working on is automatically backed up to Google Drive every six seconds. Images, texts, and the like cannot be lost. Incidentally, with Google Photos you can save any number of photos (up to 16 megapixels) and videos (up to 1080p / Full HD) free of charge.
When the notebook is started, Chromebooks show an amazing performance and boot up completely within a few seconds – significantly faster than conventional notebooks. Not to mention models without an SSD.
Also practical: unlike Windows, for example, updates to the Chromebook run completely unnoticed – it updates itself automatically in the background. A welcome relief to Windows start, where you have to wait a long time to be able to continue using the laptop.
Viruses don’t stand a chance with Chromebooks. You don’t even have to install extra antivirus software. Google has structured the system and provided security precautions in such a way that viruses and malware cannot harm your computer – the “sandboxing” technology isolates every tab in the browser and separates important functions from one another.
Equipped for all tasks
Every Chromebook can easily handle classic office tasks and multimedia applications. As with conventional notebooks, there are also different model variants and hardware specifications for more or less computationally intensive tasks. As a result, the better-equipped devices are even suitable for video editing, editing pictures, and playing graphically demanding games from the Google Play Store.
Ideal for creative minds: thanks to pen support, handwritten notes and drawings can also be created on the Chromebooks with touchscreen. This is of course particularly practical with models with a completely foldable screen, such as the HP Chromebook x360 for 379.99 euros or the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 for 399.99 euros.
Incidentally, the Spin series is available in different versions. There is also the Acer Chromebook Spin 513, which is 24 euros cheaper, with a 13.3 instead of 14-inch display, and Qualcomm instead of AMD processor. If the 11.6-inch screen diagonal is enough for you, you can also get the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 for just 299 euros. This in turn has a MediaTek processor.
YouTube Premium free
Enjoy videos and music from YouTube without commercial breaks – with a Chromebook you can do this for three months free of charge. Google is giving new subscribers YouTube Premium for this period. All you have to do is click the button on the promotion page on your (new) Chromebook. The offer is valid until October 26, 2021.
After the three free months, the subscription costs 11.99 euros per month, although it can be canceled at any time.
