Chromebooks for College Students
The last few years have seen a huge increase in the use of Chromebooks in secondary and elementary schools. While schools certainly seem to appreciate Chromebooks for their security and simplicity, many are new students are asking “is a Chromebook good for college?”
If you’re a college student looking at Chromebooks as an alternative to expensive Macs or Windows 10 notebooks, you should be careful to check your university’s technology requirements. Some colleges require specific software for use in your studies, especially if you will be studying in a field that requires specialized software. If you plan to study graphic design, which usually requires the Adobe software suite or something like drafting which requires CAD software, you’ll want to stay away from Chromebooks for your main computer. Some universities also require Microsoft Office, and while you can use the online versions of Office apps for free, and soon will be able to use the Android versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on a Chromebook, it’s still not the same thing as having the full Windows or Mac versions of Microsoft Office.
If your university doesn’t require specific software, you can easily get by with a Chromebook for writing papers (with Google Docs or Word Online), keeping up on emails, and of course, watching Hulu and Netflix.
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Cons
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One of the best Chromebooks for students would be the ASUS Chromebook Flip. It makes a great computer to throw in a backpack for a quick trip to the library, and its metal body is built solidly enough to withstand the daily life of a student. The ASUS Chromebook Flip also can double as a tablet with a touchscreen and features the ability to install Android apps from the Google Play Store. Another popular option, with a slightly bigger screen and a bigger keyboard, is the Acer Chromebook R11.
If you’re looking to get more serious work done on your Chromebook, you should probably look at the Acer Chromebook 14. This is a Chromebook good for college students because it features a large high-quality screen and great keyboard built into an all aluminum case. The build quality of the Acer Chromebook 14 is significantly better than that of other similar devices like the Toshiba Chromebook 2, and should stand up to college life.
Are Chromebooks good for college? Well, I think they have their place for sure, even if you need applications not supported by Chrome OS. It’s great to have an inexpensive Chromebook in your backpack for surfing the web, watching online video, and communicating with friends.
Are you using a student using a Chromebook in college? Leave a comment below and let us know about your experiences. Would you recommend a Chromebook for college?
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