Chromebooks Explained 2020 Edition! Chromebooks Explained in Simple Language - Is it for you?

[@LonSeidman]

ERRATA: The Google Pixelbook Go I have in the video starts at $649 not $999 as stated.

[@ianwomack4198]

Hi Lon i own acer 15 chromebook had it 1week could you please explain how to get audible alerts for gmail notifications also popups from other sources regards Ian

[@douglassalley9117]

@@ianwomack4198 When you press subscribe on you tube, click the bell on the right. I get notified by email when a subscribed channel has a new posting. No I don't have an auto sound, but if I did, my dell chromebook would be ringing all the time. You tubers post around the clock because most of them still has a "real" job!

[@georgesmart239]

@@ianwomack4198 I love my Acer 15. The screen and sound are awesome for entertainment. My old eyes really like the screen size. Click the bell when subscribing and you will get email notifications. You can turn on notification sounds in preferences for your email. I have mine turned off for the reason Douglas gave below. Happy Chromebooking!!!

[@aysaladomohamed2747]

0616502408

[@aysaladomohamed2747]

aysaladomohamed

[@neilpatrick1556]

clear speech, no babbling, informative. all from a 92 yr old. this guy speaks to all ages. thanx LON

[@carmennooner2027]

I am a Chromebook owner and have been for some time now. I purchased the HP X360 last year during a great sale at Best Buy. I absolutely love using it and enjoy the fact that they have improved the Android experience with Chrome too. Thank you for the update. It was very informative, even to an owner!

[@santiagodelbono1]

What a fantastic idea compare a word document between Chrome and Windows. Great work Lon

[@saintluke2nd]

I agree. That was awesome that he did that!

[@jamesthompson3099]

Just a note. Google Docs, Sheets and Slides will read .doc, .xlsx and .ppt files. You will likely lose some minor formatting but I transfer files back and forth from my Mac to ChromeOS via Google Drive all the time. I can create a spreadsheet in Apple Numbers, export it as an .xlsx file to G-drive and access it on a Chromebook to work on on the road. I can then export it back to Sheets on the Mac when I get home. With Windows you can just directly export the file without changing formats. It is very handy.

[@BrittMFH]

Good point. I've used Chrome for years and that is very true.

[@jamesthompson3099]

@@michelbasilieres5620 I certainly appreciate that but I find Numbers integrates better with the Apple ecosystem. I also was mainly pointing out that Sheets is and excellent answer to folks who use Excel.

[@Me-wk3ix]

As a Chromebook user, this guy explains it really well. Good video!

[@ThriftyAV]

Office Depot has a Black Friday deal on the HP Chromebook 11. Pretty basic, but just $99.99. I am tempted to get it as a backup to my aging Acer Chromebook 14.

[@ShovonM]

I find your videos very informative, to the point also in-depth. I feel you deserve at least a million subscribers at this point. Thank you for what you do.

[@singletona082]

I was one of those people that got the Gen0 CR48 chromebook, and honestly? the modern chrome OS looks pretty sweet for what it is. I also like the look of that pixel.

[@awesomedez]

I have a cr-48 too, Chrome OS has evolved so much since then.

[@sj8648]

I love those two antique computers in the background.

[@tomorrow6]

I used to have two very like that a Mac plus and a Mac Iicx. Victims of moving house.

[@johnkashka803]

I love my Acer Chromebook. Under $200, and does everyday tasks perfectly!

[@MyWissam]

Is it usable for note taking, or like a whiteboard?

[@carolhartley4448]

Which acer did you get? I was looking at the 713 or the galaxy Samsung 4k, pricy, but nice and i have a galaxy s8 phone

[@johnkashka803]

I think it's like C10

[@Sonichronik]

How long have you had it for? Is it still working fine?

[@johnkashka803]

@@Sonichronik I have had mine for 3 years and I use it every day and love it! I have recommended to many friends and they all love them. I got one for my elderly father in law who is not at all tech savvy, and he loves it.

[@tomclan7185]

I just love my 14" HP Chromebook, but a year ago I bought a used Dell Latitude E6440 for $200 on eBay and I put Linux Mint 19.3 onto it and then installed the Chromium browser onto it together with the Firefox browser Linux Mint comes with. I like the Chromebook but Mint is way better in almost every respect. Both are incredibly stable and virus-proof, but you can use add larger programs to Mint than the Linux-apps that you can install on a Chromebook. Plus with Linux Mint you have a menu bar at the bottom of the screen similar to that of Windows, something that is not available on a Chromebook. So if you want the stability and security of a Chromebook, but with the look and feel of a Windows machine, then try Linux Mint out instead as it is 100% free to download and use, all you need is an old computer to install it on. Just make sure that the computer you are going to install it on has a WiFi card that works with Linux Mint by testing out Mint on your computer first, and seeing if the WiFi still works. In 30% of computers, Mint won't work with the WiFi chips on those computers so for those computers you would be best to NOT install Mint.

[@aelaan12]

It is vital, and I am glad you brought up, that potential buyers look for newer processors. Do not fall in the trap of buying a 2-year-old Chromebook with a CPU that cannot run Linux for instance. Computer salespeople will not always be able to help you out here so do a deep dive on the Internet. There are good Chrome Unboxing sites where they do a nice review but also, on the website, have a list of more recent computers. Every Chromebook has a production date on the bottom, I would not buy anything before September 2018 (unless it is a pixelbook). There are also tablets that run ChromeOS and they do a nice job, but as Lon is mentioning you want a keyboard. Also, if you think you like the tablet better, maybe just pure Android is better. I ran my business off of the Chromebooks for 2 years as a test and it works flawlessly. If you have a printer that is Google Cloud Print compatible you can print from anywhere with an internet connection to your home base. There will be good deals to be had in the Holiday season, but do your research and make sure that ChromeOS is for you.

[@johnlimbaring4781]

Can i run Linux in Samsung Chromebook plus v2?

[@reeseinny]

This was extremely helpful but more importantly HONEST!!!

[@Jalexander61]

Just picked up my first chromebook and this was very helpful. Only issue is complicated printing setup!

[@przemysawhojowski6776]

Very clear and helpful video! When it comes to the "user-friendliness" category, ChromeOS defeats Win10. Sadly, in our Polish school all computers are Windows machines and we the teachers often are frustrated with Win10 updates. All the best to your Mom, Lon!

[@flyingninja1234]

Windows 10 updates are both annoying & frustrating. I feel your pain.

[@bill_r]

Major omission is that you can run Google Docs, Drive offline, and the offline activity syncs to the cloud when re-connected. Also that some low priced education models include touchscreen which means a really good deal for less than $200. I also like the fact that there is now a file manager.

[@kennethblackwell1137]

Well done. I use the Chromebook daily....along with my Linux machines for more serious stuff. One lives in the living room for casting KZbin, Netflix to the TV as well as web searching before, during, and after watching TV. I frequently search IMDB, Wikipedia, Google Maps, etc as I'm watching a movie to learn about the actors, geography, etc.

[@louanneanderson-campese9142]

great video thanks. You didnt get in to google photos though? I have bought a cromebook C330 , I cant figure out how to acess my google photos from facebook, email and other programs i want to post photos from. Is this possible?

[@wiltonmerritt9038]

Thanks Lon I now have a new video to refer to friends with Chromebook and Chrome OS questions

[@bobbyholmansr.365]

I bought a Dell Chromebook 11,and i bought a HP officejet 200 mobile printer but the printer was already set up thru the person i bought it from and they dont remember how the set it up , i really need your help

[@Wiscotac]

nice update. consistent production on this channel.

[@wiredawg2005]

Great vid, I'm just now thinking about getting a new type of travel laptop type device. And with so many new devices on the market it gets a bit cumbersome to keep up with what's fits me for what purpose. This vid even being from 2019 has helped me tremendously understand the ins and outs of a Chromebook, thanks.

[@hazelgriffith4515]

Can remote desktops like Netop run on a Chromebook

[@ono3869]

4:16 Yes, you CAN run MS Word and all other MS Office programs in a Chromebook. Office 365 is completely web based and works just like the regular Office program you download in Windows machines. You'll need to pay $5 a month for a license so it's not free, but Office for Windows is not free either.

[@LonSeidman]

This was covered in the video . It does not have the feature set of the windows version.

[@SteveWilner]

Great video Lon and sure which u can help this 67 y.o man that loves tech but struggles a lot

[@dinick78]

Nice that you want to learn. Proud of you.

[@phillipball4322]

Ty

[@TomUK7]

Great unbiased analysis! I used Chrome for years on a Windows PC without realising that tucked away in the top right corner were a treasure chest of Google apps that would cover my computing requirements. And even better the same apps were on my android phone! Calendar, docs, notes, photos etc...Very useful, quick and productive. Quite a revelation!

[@michaelhallett103]

Would like to see another update on chromebooks from you. 2022 update maybe?

[@debonweb]

Thanks so much for this. Really informative and useful in helping me decide which chromebook to go for. The part about the auto updates and to check for when they are due to expire was particularly good to know about.

[@TheGodzilla2201]

Im getting thr Acer 314 Spin 2/1 8gb ram 128gb storage. Ordered it today. Cant wait. I got it for $300 on sale from Amazon.

[@MB-yl8ij]

Great overview. I would only add the Text to speech and Speech to text tools on Chromeos. Speech to text and the "Select to Speak" is built in to ChromeOs. For an simple copy to clipboard solution, T2S. It is an android app that works in Chromeos too.

[@thesummerland6165]

ty for this info....owned two acer chromebooks which I loved but each died after just two years ...so I was out 600..looking for a better chromebook..with longer lifespan...better processor? medtek over intel celeron/ i5? I tried a windows laptop and returned

[@lingth]

my "Go To" channel for information on Chromebooks. simple to understand and straight to the point.

[@sedrarajjoub5096]

could anyone help me, my chromebook up and down lines that have websites on are not coming up, only when i take the mouse up or down to them

[@jits1]

Thank Lon. A excellent update and much relavent information. Bravo!

[@gnolan4281]

Thanks for this Lon. Really great depth in an easy to comprehend narrative.

[@dcunited710]

Is it good enough if we just need it for web browsing & Microsoft office word, excel and power point?

[@JeremyVincent7]

Great vid as usual Lon. Pixelbook Go starts at $649. Linux apps and games are getting better as well with Crostini and Debian.

[@adrianciuhu9523]

Hi.Im looking to buy a Chromebook for around 250 to use it for more deliberate media consumption by adding chrome extensions like Distraction Free KZbin, Kill, Empty New Tab and Facebook News Feed Could use such Extensions on a Chromebook? I've tried such extensions on library Windows PC s. But m not sure if could use them in Chrome Os

[@anniekiki]

Using a Chromebook and Zoom, can you screen share AND TAKE OVER the other screen?

[@TechNCinema]

Please do a walkthrough video for someone who wants to shift from Windows or Apple

[@robertmorin6495]

Very informative Lon. ..very well presented as well.

[@Infinitrium]

I picked up my first Chromebook on the weekend. Asus C423, 32gb storage, 4gb ram, Celeron N3350 and an acceptable 14 inch screen for $236 (Canadian) out the door. I checked Google's AUE listing and it says this will get automatic updates til June 2024.Since all I use this for is media consumption, it suits my needs quite well. My only complaint is the display. Accurate color reproduction is extremely dependant on getting the EXACT right screen tilt angle for your sitting position. I know at this price point I really have no right to complain but the screen angle/color accuracy thing reminds me of using low end laptops from 20+ years ago

[@junevendetti2850]

I bought an external DVD player; however, I downloaded VLC, but the DVD won't play! Please help!

[@shambhukantray1338]

Sir can I view images offline in a chromebook?

[@ronniediaz3119]

how come the keyboard is difficult to control

[@kasifaith713]

Why can't I save anything to my desktop? On my MAC I could have folders and icons and everything right there in front of me. Is there a way to make that an option on my chromebook? this whole "shelf" thing is stupid.

[@chasefamily1957]

Love chrome OS and have several ChromeBoxes as MCPC around the house. We also have a chromebook for the kitchen/living room and a chromebit to travel. I can not see spending $1000 on one though, especially seeing how light-weight the apps are anyways. What can the pixelbook go do any better than a ~$200 chromebook?

[@MariusMerchiers]

11:11 Nice sound! I heard this through my headphones, it was like the printer was next to me

[@db9841]

He says the one he has starts at around $1,000. I have the $849 PixelBook Go variant, which is closer to the $1,000 price as he stated. Maybe his wording wasn’t correct, as you are correct that the entry level PixelBook Go starts at $649.

[@LonSeidman]

Check the pinned comment I incorrectly stated the starting price

[@lynnesunshine]

I have an HP chromebook bought 2019. I have a problem opening video attachments in my gmail. Can you help Lon.TV?

[@alinaqirizvi587]

how come you can see minecraft in the google play store? minecraft doesn't show up on the play store app and on the website it says that it is not compatible

[@LonSeidman]

It depends on the device. Some will be compatible while others will not be.

[@hermenegildoc3933]

13:15 You canput windows

[@christianhenry546]

I can't go on Facebook Live with the HP Chromebook. I have a camera extension but is still don't work. I can't even open the file that I downloaded to make it work. "The browser you're using doesn't support the camera feature in Live Producer. Update your browser and download the latest beta version of Chrome here or use Firefox to go live. As a reminder, Live Producer is not fully supported in Safari, Internet Explorer, or older versions of Edge." I updated my Chromebook still nothing

[@ganesang5537]

@5:10 text not reflowing around the bug, you say? Well, it's a bug, whaddya expect, Lon? 😁 Nice refresher video btw.

[@jamesattanah9699]

Lol...good one

[@iminlovewithMichael]

I was very extremely excited about my Chromebook received as a birthday/Christmas gift from my mother. I said WOW good job mom! The ONLY issue I’ve had since I’ve gotten it (2019) is “the Aw Snap” crashing 😢 is there anything I can do to resolve this? Is there a fix in the near future?

[@HughD]

Nice review, Lon, and it will be good for the channel, too!!! There is a whole category of computer users who have nice Windows or Mac laptops already but also have a Chromebooks for those times when they aren't heavily involved in the video/photo/etc work that you mentioned who appreciate the functionality of Chromebook for the rest of the time. A "nice" Chromebook will be very lightweight, have a great screen and have a long battery life. Those things are appreciated no matter what the platform. I've long felt that working inexpensive computers whether Windows or Chrome will generally not be a great experience. Just like folks have cars for different purposes, having computers for different purposes is a plus for many.

[@dshanw5187]

I agree, but Chrome books don't keep updating correctly?, especially when you receive a message confirming such?

[@rorin593]

Lon I have a EOL Google Support question: What I don't understand is I have an ASUS C202SA Chromebook the EOL for Chrome is June 2022. I understand that as I've had it a few years. But I see the same model Chromebook for sale today in 2020. Do these systems also have the same EOL as 2022. I cannot believe all these systems with the same model number were built back in 2016 and come to the same EOL How do I buy a model today that will last the full 5/6 years of Goolge support?

[@LonSeidman]

So the EOL is tied to the platform's manufacture date. If they rev'ed the hardware it's possible that a new one might be longer but you'll want to check the Google EOL page to be certain.

[@rorin593]

@@LonSeidman Understand what you said but the model I purchased in 2016 is the same model being sold today. Google's EOL page only has one entry for this model that says EOL is 2022. Plus this model is still an active model on ASUS page with links where to buy. Think we're missing something. A model can last over multiple years. If one made in 2016 has the same model number as one made in 2019 but there is only one entry in Google's EOL how do you really know?

[@rorin593]

reply from Asus Support Manufacturer says 2022 this model being sold now ·

[@andyamos3256]

Need an update on your thoughts for 2021 been lots of updates since this one

[@DrMoorehen]

Yes I agree with all you say. Got a new s340 lenovo in the UK, September time costing £300. By black Friday weekend it was £180, approx. Whilst a good enough device... I think the latter price reflects its worth... So anyone out there... Wait till sales time and even new chromebook will fall heavily in price.... At least its updates are good for 5 years....

[@Sidhu-Aman-NSW]

Hi Lon, can't you run office 365 from the browser ?

[@19mitch54]

It’s ironic that you did this video in 2019, the last year of a standalone Microsoft Office. Office (now called 365) is a web application now, but I don’t run Microsoft 365 (a bit expensive for me), I run a free, somewhat bare-bones web version of Office that came out recently. I really don’t even NEED that much since I’m retired and don’t write anything serious anymore.

[@JuanaHernandez-nz3tp]

Is chromebooks efficient to be use in a realtor business? I'm new in the business and need help to choose the right computer for this profession, reinventing myself at 50 . Could you please help me with this question? thank you.

[@LonSeidman]

I think it really depends on what software you’re required to run. If everything is browser based a Chromebook is a good choice.

[@januarysaturdayone]

Clear. Concise. Two thumbs up!!

[@markvallaster]

Love your office -- a computer museum

[@GarySmith5150]

Yet they still won't add a function to sort the app drawer.

[@worstplayerxd5012]

I just got the hp chromebook 14 and its great for school!

[@daffy2u]

Good Laymans terms about Chromebook Lon TV. Anyways, I bought windows 8 All in One PC in 2016? or somewhere in between Microsoft automatically installed windows 10 onto my wife's PC 2 weeks after I bought it and she did not like it and blamed me. I use chrome website all the time and is there a website I can download Chromebook onto this PC and If I did would that start my 6 years of updates?

[@artstar5994]

can you add external hard drive and save videos/pictures and such?

[@RobertSpiller]

Got a question...I live in a senior apartment, and I;m wondering, do you know of any source that gives away free computers for and to senior apartments? I for one would love to learn Python...

[@eileendelany2346]

I need to learn how to save something from ACER Chrome book 11 laptop to a M/Stick. I have forgotten what to do.

[@katienelson6740]

Are chromebooks better for virus protection? Do you need virus protection on chromebooks? I'm debating on windows or chrome os.

[@LonSeidman]

No need for virus protection, Google will keep it safe with updates.

[@katienelson6740]

Thanks. I appreciate you taking the time to answer questions.

[@OscarGarcia-sk8px]

I have two Acer Chromebooks my biggest complaint is printing. I have spent hours trying to print documents and can't. I followed the instructions and found that some menu items in the instructions but do not appear on my computer.

[@douglassalley9117]

I have also never printed with my device and I've had different ones for years. I just take my device to the locale library, they sent the items I want to print to there computer or transfer my printing to a memory stic, plugs it into there printer and charges me 25 cents for B&W and 50 for color.

[@loonybynature9907]

Would you purchase an Acer Chromebook 15 CB3-532 to work remotely requiring a great deal of multitasking and an additional monitor?

[@techinyourhands5039]

Hey Lon why you don't make a video transforming the ChromeBox into Android TV box to beat the Nvidia shield!

[@stonent]

Many (at least my intel based Chromebook 720) work with displaylink external video. So I bought a USB3 based Lenovo docking station on Ebay for $10 with dual video outputs, and it works fine with my chromebook including video and the ethernet port.

[@isortofyoutube]

Thanks for the comprehensive video! I've been looking for a new laptop and have actually used a lot of stuff through my Google account already. Seems like a no brainer as I don't use anything that uses particularly high CPU.

[@jeffrobins7494]

what about Microsoft Office online?

[@welshroadrunner]

Regarding MS word etc, does the web based Office 365 work as normal on the chrome books?

[@JahidulIslam]

Use chrome browser and use office 365 there. You can also live boot cloudready OS (a chromium OS fork) and test there on your PC.

[@nc3826]

Nice review and since I didnt know about the 6 yr limit on OS updates it was very useful. BTW I didn't hear you mention, that many Android apps need GPS to be fully functional and Chromebooks have not had a GPS chips. So I need to check out the Chromebooks/Tablet to see if the have GPS (chip) functionality or not? And there have been Bluetooth keyboard for tablets, so I hope they make them work with Chromebooks/Tablets too. BTW it was a little miss leading to say Chromebooks are slow. Since they are faster and have longer batter life then equivalent configure laptops using a less efficient OS. And had problems getting versions of Linux OS to work properly on my Chromebooks in the past, so powerwashed it. But I think I will check your post on it to see the current options. So thx again for the post.

[@LonSeidman]

Most lack the GPS chips but Google uses more than GPS to determine location. Usually it can figure it out from your Wi-Fi or IP address.

[@nc3826]

@@LonSeidman Do you know of "any" that have a GPS chips? I have yet to find any after searching for years. Right after Android apps became available on my stable version of Chrome OS for my Chromebook... I tried to use a few navigation apps on a trip but they needed a GPS chip.... BTW I am aware... Wi-Fi and IP address also can establish your location but apps designed to be used on phones usually just use the more accurate GPS chip... so thats why I would like to find a ChromeBook that has GPS...

[@rkt2583]

hi, I recently bought a Dell Chromebook. I have trying to install google play store. I already changed to Beta mode, but no luck. I need the play store so badly because I need to download Microsoft Remote Desktop on it. please help.

[@LonSeidman]

It's possible the one you purchased doesn't support Google Play. There is a chrome extension that I believe supports RDP.

[@Chicago48]

What is the ram (4gb?) and is it fast? What ram would you recommend? If you save a document in the Chrome-Word, can you download it onto a flash drive and then open it in Windows 10?

[@donnamcgowan7691]

How do i get into my account it has been stolen i have a simple cromebook account it wont even boot up it is dead what can i do to override or ckean out infected cromebook

[@barusuuu]

wow, looked up my chromebook that i bought in 2014 just for the hell of it and its still receiving updates, wild imagine android phones had that support

[@sedarinperry6517]

Lon, Office online work exceptionally fine. Plus, files are stored online via onedrive.

[@cwcwilson]

It looks like you filmed this in the 80s.

[@katienelson6740]

So what exactly happens after the 6 and a half years? You just have old software? Can you buy updates or are you just done?

[@LonSeidman]

You can still use it but it won’t be updated. It is currently not possible to buy future support

[@katienelson6740]

@@LonSeidman ok. Thanks.

[@douglassalley9117]

@@LonSeidman Sir I have a dell Chromebook I bought on amazon with an "i3" processor I thought that should hold me for more then 6 1/2 years. How can I find out if I have an old, non-updateable device??

[@JahidulIslam]

@@douglassalley9117 search Auto update policy Chromebook.

[@lindahenry6639]

how can I see all my emails at the same time. getting use to the page size is hard,

[@doughart2987]

Can Chrome OS play DRM protected media. I can't on my laptop with UBUNTU Linux. So apps like ESPN won't show video.

[@arkdarkgaia]

Doug Hart Yes, you can.

[@bfoster417]

Thank you lon , I'm getting a CHROMEBOOK soon and I've just checked out the Google updates and use that to make my choice, very helpful . 👍🏿

[@amenaalnadhiri1987]

I have a Chromebook,, the only issue I have when I bough it,, is the right button in the mouse,,it doesn't do like the computer.

[@ReddThreee]

Press lower part of touchpad with 2 fingers together of either hand

[@lindajohnson7978]

This was so helpful and provided the info I needed to make my decision. Thanks so very much!!

[@davidhailstone7794]

Nice summary.

[@francismcclaughry3794]

crap I would just like to know how to store pictures. i took a computer course even before the net was in opreation. yes I'm an oldie. I studied enable yes and I had an androd tablet and it gave me all kinds of problems on chrome os.

[@b.tabalba8531]

YES! Thanks, Lon. ☺ Hope you're having a great Thanksgiving 👍

[@VincentScales]

My updates are good for 4 years (2024), but thanks for bring it to our attention! 👍👍

[@nickvermeire]

Can you do RDP from a chomebook to a Windows machine ?

[@seancosta5068]

Chrome Remote Desktop will work for this.

[@blanchedesmas]

Great job. Excellent revue!

[@fedrickabailey8692]

So helpful thank you

[@sue5357]

bought one today,,,,just found out it was made in 2016....so updates will stop in 2022. wish i had seen this vid first!!