Subj : Are Chromebooks good for students? To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Sep 16 2025 13:15:10 Are Chromebooks good for students? Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:05:52 +0000 Description: If youre gearing up before the new term starts, a Chromebook might well be on your wishlist but is it the right device for you? FULL STORY ====================================================================== You might not be thinking about heading off to start at a new school this year, but upgrading your current device in time for the new term may well be on your mind right now. For many students, a laptop is an essential tool for their education, used for getting work done and keeping entertained during downtime. But with so many models to choose from, which one is best for you? Chromebooks offer an alternative to Windows and Mac devices, and have certain advantages over these long-running staples. Theyre generally much cheaper for one thing, which is an especially pressing concern for younger buyers. For this and other reasons, theyve virtually become synonymous with student laptops. But are even the best Chromebooks cut out for your school work? Were here to answer this and other questions surrounding their suitability for education. Chromebook advantages As mentioned, perhaps the biggest draw of Chromebooks is their cost. Of course, prices vary from model to model, but in general, Chromebooks are much cheaper than their Windows and MacBook counterparts. Take the Asus Chromebook CM14 , for example. This costs $299 / 299 (about AU$473) and although its performance isnt in the same league as the best laptops , it still suffices for more basic tasking. It also features a tactile keyboard and great battery life both important considerations when taking notes in class. For this reason, we think its one of the best student Chromebooks around for those on a budget. Another advantage of Chromebooks is their form factors. Again, sizes are diverse in the sector, but there arent many other types of laptop devices that run below 13 inches in todays market, whereas youll find plenty of Chromebooks that do. Theyre also thin and light, which makes them even easier to ferry around between lectures. This small size makes them better suited for convertibility as well. There are many hybrid Chromebooks around, featuring touchscreens and 360-degree hinges for keyboard-free use. The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 exemplifies what a Chromebook should be, and it's much better value than a Windows laptop or MacBook, too. (Image credit: Future) While this functionality is welcome, in my experience, even the best 2-in-1 Chromebooks fail to achieve the same usability as the best tablets , owing to their relative bulk, which makes them awkward to hold. These models perform better when flipped upside down and tented on a desk, allowing you to use the touchscreen with both hands for a more tactile approach. On the other hand, tablets can be equipped with folio cases featuring a keyboard and trackpad to turn them into laptop-style devices. Tablets are often similarly priced to Chromebooks and that even includes some of the best iPads , which can also offer better performance. For these reasons, tablets are perhaps Chromebooks biggest competition. However, if youre already in the Google / Android ecosystem, a Chromebook might make more sense for integration purposes than an iPad. Whats more, if you like working on your sofa or bed, you might prefer the stable typing surface a solid Chromebook chassis gives you, rather than the somewhat flimsy tablet keyboards. Lacking power? One of the biggest drawbacks of Chromebooks is their relative lack of power compared to the best Windows and best MacBook offerings. You wont find powerhouse CPUs or dedicated GPUs in your typical Chromebook, and RAM figures dont usually exceed 8GB. This isnt a problem if your demands are limited to light browsing, document editing, and video streaming, but for more intensive workloads and multitasking, theyll struggle. But with the recent advent of the Chromebook Plus, the tables have started to turn. These beefier machines are much more capable, and some models can even be used for gaming, such as the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch I reviewed. Their performance wont come close to rivaling the best gaming laptops , but thats to be expected given how much more expensive those devices are. Chromebook Plus models also feature the handy Quick Insert key, which can help with various productivity tasks by revealing a pop-up menu to add links, open recent files, and get writing advice in an instant. Its perhaps the closest to an AI feature the platform currently has, and its certainly useful for speeding up those common actions. A Chromebook Plus is guaranteed to have a Full HD webcam great for remote learning, or video calls with family while you're away at college. (Image credit: Future) Despite the extra power of these machines, though, one problem still remains: the operating system. ChromeOS has improved over the years, but it still isnt in the same league as Windows or macOS. Its far more limited in scope, and power users wishing for more tweaks and access to the inner workings of their system will be disappointed with ChomeOS. Whats more, ChromeOS is further hampered by the lack of app support. High-end software isnt compatible with the platform, so if you require specialist apps for creative subjects, say, chances are there wont be a ChromeOS version. Even current Chrome Apps are being phased out, with end of life slated for October 2028 , as Android and ChromeOS are set to merge into one ecosystem. Many Android apps already work on Chromebooks, but the hope is that as the two environments merge, optimization will improve. As great as Chromebooks are, ChromeOS does have some limitations when it comes to software compatibility. (Image credit: Future) Closing thoughts In essence, then, whether you should get a Chromebook for your studies comes down to how much power and versatility you require. If you only need a device for note taking, word processing, doodling and light entertainment, they make for a good companion. They might not be able to compete with the best laptops in terms of power and versatility, but if you want a more budget-friendly device, a Chromebook might just see you through your studies. You might also like... 'I think you see the future first on Android' Google's Android leader Sameer Samat Chromebook vs Chromebook Plus: which is better for students? The best Chromebook deals in June 2025 ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/chromebooks/are-chromebooks-good-for-stude nts --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .