Chromebook For Dummies

By Mark LaFay

Get the most out of your Google Chromebook

Are you the proud new owner of a Google Chromebook and a little—or a lot—intimidated by the technology? You've come to the right place! Chromebook For Dummies walks you through setting up the device, transitioning from traditional computers and working in the cloud, customizing Chromebook to suit your needs, navigating the apps and their uses, and applying advanced settings and features. Fear not: with the step-by-step guidance and helpful information inside, there's no reason to break a sweat.

Chromebooks are affordable, fast, and sleek—and with Google driving the initiative, they're impossible to ignore. So it's no wonder they're gaining popularity and enticing people from all walks of life to make the switch from a traditional PC or laptop. If you're one of those people and want to make the most of your experience, this book is a practical user's guide to all things Chromebook.

• Covers all Chromebooks on the market
• Provides coverage of all Chromebook features in an easy-to-follow manner
• Serves as the go-to reference for successfully using a Chromebook
• Includes step-by-step coverage of everything you'll encounter with your Chromebook

If you're a new or inexperienced user who wants to maximize the performance of your Google Chromebook, you'll turn to this friendly guide time and again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wiley
• Release date: Oct 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781118951279

Book preview

Getting Started with Chromebook

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webextras.eps Visit www.dummies.com for great For Dummies content online.

In this part …

Identifying the Chromebook that most closely matches your needs

Getting familiar with the Chromebook desktop and Shelf

Unleashing some of the Chrome’s advanced features to make you a Chromebook power user

Customizing keys, clicks, and swipes to maximize your Chromebook experience

Getting acquainted with powerful apps that make your Chromebook a dream machine

Chapter 1

Choosing and Setting Up Your Chromebook

In This Chapter

arrow Understanding what makes a Chromebook tick

arrow Selecting your very own Chromebook

arrow Using your Chromebook for the first time

arrow Transitioning to Chromebook from Windows or Mac

If you’ve been keeping up with the technology news lately, you’ve probably heard about how Google is making yet another splash in the hardware market with their Chromebook. In 2013, they captured one percent of the laptop market in the U.S., which equates to roughly 2.5 million units sold, a number expected to grow.

In this chapter, I go over what makes the Chromebook unique when compared to other personal computers on the market. I also take an in-depth look at how to set up your Chromebook and prepare you to transition to Chromebook from Windows or the Mac.

Checking Under the Hood of the Chromebook

But what is a Chromebook? In short, a Chromebook is a laptop computer running Google’s proprietary operating system, Chrome OS.

technicalstuff.eps The operating system (OS) is the software that manages and schedules the basic tasks and functions of your computer. You might have a little experience with other popular operating systems like Microsoft Windows or Apple’s Mac OS X.

Chrome OS is a new operating system developed by Google to work primarily with web-based software. Your experience using your Chromebook will be very similar to previous experiences you might have had surfing the web with the Chrome web browser. The Chrome web browser shares many similarities with other web browsers on the market like Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari. (See Figure 1-1.)

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Figure 1-1: The Google Chrome web browser.

With the exception of the Chromebook Pixel, Google isn’t manufacturing Chromebooks directly. Instead, Google has licensed a number of major laptop manufacturers to create them. Manufacturers such as ACER, HP, Lenovo, Dell, Toshiba, and Samsung are all making their own Chromebooks with their own technical specifications.

The software

Almost everything you do on your Chromebook happens in the Chrome web browser. This is because all the applications you will use on your Chromebook actually reside on the Internet. This is one of the things that sets Chromebook apart from other computers: You don’t install applications on a Chromebook; instead, you access them from the Internet. You find applications through the Chrome Web Store and add them to your App Launcher, which, in many cases, means nothing more than creating a bookmark for quick access through your Chrome web browser. This approach can be limiting in some cases, but these cases are rare. Thanks to the vast nature of Google’s ecosystem, thousands of great applications are at your fingertips.

remember.eps While some Chromebook applications offer offline features and functionality, you will need an Internet connection to be able to take advantage of everything your Chromebook has to offer.

The hardware

Unlike all other computers on the market that run Mac OS X or Windows, no software is installed on your Chromebook, which means that your Chromebook doesn’t need to have vast amounts of hard drive space, memory, or processing power. Most Chromebooks have less than 2 gigabytes (GB) of memory, less than 64GB of hard drive space, and a low-power processor.

The reduced technical features mean that Chromebooks use less power, which means longer battery life. It also means that Chromebooks come with a drastically lower price tag compared to other computers available today. This explains why Google is gaining such a large share of the laptop market.

Choosing a Chromebook

Given the nature of Chrome OS, Chromebooks do not require extremely high-powered hardware to provide an excellent user experience. Even so, the great variety of manufacturers and hardware specifications available can make choosing a Chromebook somewhat difficult.

Screen

These days, the options available for computer screens are almost endless. They include

High-definition screens: High-definition screens may be important if you use your computer to stream video. High definition will ensure the videos you stream look fantastic.

Touch screens: You may be a tactile person or just used to working on a tablet. For you, the touchscreen will be of great value because you can interface with your Chromebook in much the same way you would a tablet or smartphone.

Screen sizes ranging from 10 to 15 inches or greater: The most notable screen feature is its size. A larger screen may be ideal for you if you have a visual impairment or if you prefer having multiple windows open at once and simply need the extra screen real estate. On the other hand, maybe you travel quite a bit and dislike carrying a heavy, large-screen computer. In that case, a small-screen Chromebook is for you. Figure 1-2 shows several popular Chromebook models with different screen sizes.

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Figure 1-2: Chromebook screens come in many shapes and sizes.

Processor

There are several key hardware features that impact the overall performance of your computer. The first is your processor, which is the brain of the computer. The overall speed of your processor is determined by a few factors:

Processor speed, measured in gigahertz (GHz): This rating indicates how fast your processor can perform calculations. The higher the number, the faster the calculations.

Number of cores: Each core can perform one operation at a time. Multiple cores means multiple processes can happen at once. Hence, more cores = a faster processor.

Processor cache, measured in kilobytes (K) or megabytes (MB): Cache is ultra-fast memory. Whenever you ask your computer to do something, the instruction gets pulled from your computer memory and loaded into the processor cache. In essence, processor cache is like the on-deck batter in baseball.

These three components are key drivers in overall processor performance and more, in this case, is better.

tip.eps The faster the processor, the more expensive the processor. Chromebooks don’t need a lot of power, so the processor doesn’t need to be out-of-control fast!

Memory

Another key driver in computer performance is the quantity of memory present. Memory is high-speed, short-term storage. When you open a program, the program is loaded into memory so that it can be run. Naturally, the more memory you have, the more programs can be run simultaneously. Chromebooks, however, don’t load many programs into memory. The only real program that runs in memory is the Chrome web browser and the websites and applications that run within Chrome. Therefore, a large amount of memory is not necessary. Memory is measured in gigabytes (GB), and your Chromebook should have anywhere from 2GB to 4GB. Two gigabytes, however, will be adequate for the average user.

Hard drive

The hard drive is where all of your computer’s data is stored. Hard drives are referred to as non-volatile storage — meaning they do not require a constant electrical charge to remember what is stored on them. Accessing data on a hard drive is much slower than it is with memory. Hard drives, however, are capable of storing vast amounts of data. The speed at which your hard drive can serve up the data is the third key driver in computer performance.

With most computers, a large hard drive is necessary to store all of your files — music, videos, and so on. Because you don’t install software on a Chromebook, a large hard drive isn’t important. Google offers cloud storage with Google Drive, which means that all of your music, documents, videos, and other files are stored on remote servers accessible via the Internet. This means that when selecting a Chromebook, 32GB to 64GB of hard-drive storage will be more than adequate. You will, however, want to make sure that the Chromebook you are buying also includes free use of Google Drive.

Most Chromebooks come with 100GB of Google Drive storage free for three years. Given the nature of the Chromebook, 100GB will be an adequate amount of storage for the average user. If you are above average, you also have the option to increase your Google Drive size. More on Google Drive in Chapter 6.

Internet connection

To be fully useful, all Chromebooks require an Internet connection. The connection can come in two forms:

All Chromebooks have built-in Wi-Fi to connect to wireless networks.

Some Chromebook models have cellular options so that you can activate a wireless Internet data plan with a national provider like Verizon or AT&T.

tip.eps If you think you will not typically be in a place where there is accessible Wi-Fi, and you don’t have a mobile hotspot or a phone that can produce a mobile hotspot, then you should consider purchasing a Chromebook with the cellular option built in.

Battery

Battery life, which is usually a major issue with portable devices, is a key feature of the Chromebook. If you compare the specifications of different devices, you’ll find that the more powerful devices typically show a lower battery life. Although this is also the case with Chromebook, the Chromebook actually tends to have a longer battery life. This is because the Chromebook’s operating system is small and streamlined and doesn’t require ultra-powerful hardware.

Choosing a Chromebook with high battery life means you’ll be able to work on your Chromebook longer before you need to plug it in. Battery life that is over seven hours is ideal. Battery life over 8½ or 9 hours is excellent.

SD card slot

SD cards are small portable storage devices that are typically found in digital cameras. They are handy for storing and transferring photos, among other file types, between devices. Some Chromebooks come with an SD card slot. Having the ability to quickly add external storage with an SD card is valuable, especially if you have a large collection of photos or other files that you want to access quickly.

HDMI support

HDMI is a type of interface primarily used for high-definition video and audio. If you want to use a high-definition external monitor, you should make sure your Chromebook comes with an HDMI port. More on this in Chapter 17.

tip.eps HDMI ports make it possible to use your television as an external monitor. Connecting your Chromebook to your TV via HDMI turns your Chromebook into a portable media center!

USB ports

USB has become the standard for attaching devices to devices. It has also become the standard for digitally powering electronic devices. The question you need to ask yourself when selecting a Chromebook is not if there is a USB port, but how many USB ports it has. If you use a USB mouse and you need another port for a keyboard or external storage device, you should ensure that your Chromebook has more than one USB port.

Setting Up Your Chromebook

tip.eps You really should have a wireless Internet service available when you set up your Chromebook. (If you don’t know about the Internet service, it’s time to bring in the person who does.) If you’re using a stationary (home or public) wireless Internet network or a portable device with an Internet hotspot, you probably need to know

The network name (like Smith Family WiFi or ATT034)

The network password (usually a bunch of random letters and numbers)

If you don’t already have a Google Account, you’ll also need a phone handy to verify your new account while you set up your Chromebook.

Turning on your device

Regardless of the brand you choose, the Chromebook is built for speed — and you’ll notice this speed the first time you turn on your device! To turn on your device, you may simply need to plug in the power cord and open the laptop. If your Chromebook doesn’t turn on automatically, locate the Power button, which may be located on the top-right corner of the keyboard itself. (Figure 1-3 shows the Power button on the Acer C720P.)

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Figure 1-3: A Chromebook Power button.

When you turn on the device for the first time, a Chrome logo pops up on the screen, and within seconds, the computer powers on and displays the Welcome window.

Selecting a language

When the Welcome window appears, start by selecting your language. (I wish there was an option for Pirate English. Select your languaaaarge, matey!)

Once you’ve selected your language, make sure you select the keyboard layout. If you’re living in the U.S., you likely want to select the defaults here, which are English (United States) and US Keyboard.

Connecting to the Internet

Next, you need to select a network to connect to the Internet. If no network is available, I suggest holding off on attempting to set up your Chromebook until you can connect to an Internet source.

tip.eps If you’re using a mobile device that can generate an Internet hotspot, it’s time to turn on the hotspot.

Follow these steps to connect for the first time:

Click the Open the Network drop-down list and select your network name.

remember.eps Your Chromebook may detect several other nearby home or business networks. You can ignore them.

If your Chromebook requests it, enter your network password.

Once you select the network and enter a password, if applicable, the Wi-Fi bars onscreen fluctuate as your computer tries to connect. (Figure 1-5 shows the Wi-Fi signal icon.) After the connection is established, the Continue button at the bottom of the dialog window becomes active.

Click the Continue button.

Agreeing to the Terms of Service

If you’ve installed software or activated a device within the last 10 years, you’ve likely seen a terms-of-service agreement. You can accept it by following these steps:

Review the Terms of Service.

(Optional) When you’re satisfied that you understand and agree to the terms, select or deselect the check box that sends usage stats back to Google.

tip.eps I recommend that you leave this box checked. The data is useful for identifying and fixing bugs, creating new features, and otherwise making the Chromebook better for everyone! (The NSA has all of our information anyway, so why not?)

Click Accept and Continue to move to the next step.

Logging In for the First Time

To unlock all of the features that your Chromebook has to offer, you must first log in with a Google username and password. You can use your existing Google Account or create a new account at this time.

Logging in using an existing Google Account

You can log in by using your Google Account username and password:

Enter your Google Account username into the Username field.

Enter your Google Account password into the Password field.

Click Login.

The option to select a profile picture appears.

Select your profile picture.

Pick one of the default pictures, use your existing Google profile picture, or take a new picture.

Click OK.

This completes the initial login process.

Creating a new Google Account

You can create a Google Account by following these steps:

On the login screen, click the Create a Google Account Now option.

The Chrome web browser launches and takes you to a page where you can create your account.

Complete the form and click Next.

On this screen, Google wants to verify you are a real human being.

Enter your phone number and whether you’d rather be called or texted, and click Next.

Google will contact you in the manner you selected to provide you with a verification code.

Enter the verification code and click Continue.

Close the browser by clicking the X in the upper-right corner of the browser window.

tip.eps At this point, Google encourages you to set up a Google+ profile, but you don’t have to.

On the bottom-right of the screen, click the word Guest.

This reveals a pop-up menu with several options.

Select Exit Guest from the list.

Log in to your Chromebook with your new Google Account.

Using Chromebook as a guest

Logging in to your Google Account allows you to use all of Chromebook’s functionality, but you can still access many of these functions without logging in. Chromebook allows you to use the device as a guest by selecting the Browse as Guest option.

tip.eps If you select Create a Google Account and then close the browser, you will be logged in as a guest and free to use the device with guest privileges.

If you browse the device as a guest and then later decide to register or log in as a user, you first need to log out of the device. You can log out by clicking the word Guest on the bottom-right of your screen and then selecting Exit Guest from the top of the list. (See Figure 1-4.) This takes you back to the login screen.

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Figure 1-4: The Exit Guest button.

Transitioning to a Chromebook

Transitioning from a computer that uses Mac OS X or Windows will require a few different steps that are outlined below. All of the items are covered later in this book:

Get a Google Account. The section, "Creating a new Google Account," earlier in this chapter, shows you how to get a Google Account. Your Google Account will be the key to nearly everything you do on your Chromebook moving forward.

Move your files. In Chapter 6, you can find out how to access your Chromebook hard drive, external storage, and Google Drive (which is where the bulk of your files will reside once you make the leap to Chromebook).

Use your Chrome bookmarks. If you’ve signed in while using the Chrome web browser on other devices, then your bookmarks, apps, and extensions will come with you to your new Chromebook! I cover bookmarks in Chapter 3.

Find new apps. Your Chromebook comes with several applications in your App Launcher by default. You can, however, add new apps by navigating to the Chrome Web Store and adding them to your menu. In Chapter 5, you can look at some of the existing apps on your Chromebook, as well as discover ways to locate and add new apps that are useful to you.

Chapter 2

Working with the Desktop

In This Chapter

arrow Navigating the Chromebook shelf

arrow Adding and organizing apps

arrow Modifying Chromebook settings

arrow Getting a handle on Chromebook window controls

The Chromebook desktop is a visual interface that uses a system of windows to control, organize, and manage files, data, and applications. You can interact by using a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, or your voice. Lastly, your desktop has a launching point where you can manually navigate your computer’s file system. Other operating systems have similar launching points: Microsoft Windows uses the Start button or the taskbar, and Macintosh has the dock. On your Chromebook, this launching point is called the shelf.

In this chapter, you explore the Chromebook desktop and the shelf. You learn how to find, add, and organize apps, as well as how to modify basic Chromebook settings and navigate the Chromebook window system.

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The conquering desktop

With your desktop, you can create, edit, and otherwise manipulate files by dragging, dropping, and clicking filenames or icons. However, this wasn’t always the case. Did you know that the first desktop — the graphical user interface (GUI) kind of desktop, not the physical kind — was actually created back in 1970 by Xerox? This version of the desktop never really took off because the device and software were too expensive. Apple and Microsoft took note of the innovation, and in the ’80s and ’90s, both companies rolled out their own versions — Windows and Mac OS X.

The desktop was a revolutionary approach to interacting with a PC because it simplified things (for most people, anyway) by making things visual. These days, of course, the desktop is a staple of all major operating systems, but in the early days of computing, users could interface with computers only by typing obscure commands in a command line. (Remember DOS?) The desktop was a quantum leap in accessibility, and it made possible the digital future we’re all living in today.

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Accessing the Chromebook Shelf

The shelf is where all the magic happens on your Chromebook. Your shelf is customized specifically to you. In order to access it, however, you must first log in to your Chromebook with your Google username and password. (Refer to Chapter 1 for instructions on creating an account.)

remember.eps Signing in takes you out of Guest mode. When you’re in Guest mode, you can’t install apps or permanently customize your Chromebook, so it’s of limited use. However, Guest mode is a great way to give your friends and family access to your Chromebook without fear of them changing or manipulating your settings in any way.

Okay, now that you’re logged in, you find a row of icons lined up along the bottom of the screen. This is