If you are considering a Chromebook, you might be interested in knowing whether Chromebooks offer any real advantages over traditional Windows Laptop computers or MacBooks.
After taking a look at advantages of Chromebooks as provided below, it is recommended that you also take a look at Disadvantages of Chromebooks; in order to get an overall picture of this breed of computers.
1. No Setup Required
In the case of Chromebook all the required software resides on Google’s Cloud Servers and practically nothing resides locally on a Chromebook. Hence, there is no need to install any software on Chromebook and practically no setup is required.
In the case of traditional Windows computers all the computing is done within the machine and hence all required software needs to be loaded and made available locally on the computer.
2. No Need to Buy Any Software
Windows computers come only with Windows operating system installed on them and you will be required to buy Microsoft Office and third-party antivirus software.
In the case of a Chromebook, Google takes care of providing security and malware protection for your device and it provides free access to Google Docs, Google Sheets and other Microsoft office like programs, which reside on Google’s cloud servers.
3. Auto Updates
In the case of traditional computers, you are often required to check for software updates and install them as they become available.
Chromebooks are set up to check for software and security updates, every time they are switched ON and automatically apply software updates and security patches; as soon as they become available.
This feature in Chromebook ensures that users are always up-to-date with the latest software updates and security features.
4. Never Lose Your Work
Unlike traditional laptops, Chromebooks do not store your work and settings locally on the hard disk. By default, All User Preferences, Apps, Files and other data is saved on Google Drive. This ensure that you do not lose your data and files, even if you end up losing or damaging your Chromebook.
If your Chromebook is lost, stolen or damaged, you can immediately get access to all your files and data by just logging in to your Google Account from another computer. You will find all your files intact and saved up to the last keyboard stroke.
In the case of a Windows computer or MacBook, you risk losing all your files, data and photos; in case your device is stolen, lost or suffers accidental damage.
5. Built-in Protection
Chromebooks are protected by Google’s built-in multi-layered protection, which includes automatic software and security updates, verified boot and localized data encryption.
Adding further protection, Chromebooks are designed to boot up in ROM mode and connect to Apps stored on Google’s Cloud Servers in a Sandboxed Mode. This makes it extremely difficult for ordinary hackers to get around this kind of security setup.
6. Multiple Users
Chromebooks are ideally suited for use in Schools and places of work; where multiple users can be allowed to use the same machine. Since, nothing gets stored locally on a Chromebook, there is no danger of user files getting mixed up or getting accessed by others.
Multiple users can safely make use of the same Chromebook and they will still find all their individual settings, files and work saved in the same condition as it was when they logged out of the Chromebook.
7. Parental Controls
Parents can set up supervised accounts to protect, track or limit online activity of underage children. The same Chromebook can be used by adults with different settings and more privileges.
There is no danger of Kids accessing the parental settings and files, they will be seeing and accessing their own files and settings; whenever they login to their supervised accounts.
8. Ready Access to Files
In case of traditional computers, you need to be in possession of your own personal computer; in order to access your files and data at a given point.
In the case of a Chromebook, all your data is stored on Google Drive and you can access to all your files and data from any computing device, as long as an active internet connection is available.
9. Free Google Drive Storage
When you buy a Chromebook, Google provides users with 100 GB of free storage on Google Drive for a period of two years. After expiry of 2 years, all your files, pictures and data will still remain on Google Drive, even if you do not subscribe to paid service.
You can always access, download, or share these files but you won’t be able to load additional files, unless you subscribe to paid storage service.
10. Light Weight
Chromebooks are lightweight compared to Windows Laptops. This is due to lack of big storage drives and other hardware in Chromebooks.
Traditional Windows laptops come with larger storage drives, processors and hardware to support on-device processing of software programs and data.
11. Battery Life
Chromebooks have a better battery life compared to regular Laptops. In general, you can expect up to seven hours or more battery life on an average Chromebook.
Traditional laptop computers provide an average of 4 hours in terms of battery life, with more expensive Laptops providing 7 hours of Battery Life.
12. Chromebooks are Inexpensive
In general, Chromebooks cost way less to buy and maintain, compared to traditional Windows Laptop computers and MacBooks.
To confirm, you can take a look at Best Selling Chromebooks at Amazon.