My Low End Chromebook Adventure
- I bought a low end Chromebook. See what it can do.
- A Chromebook can function as a workstation
- A Chromebook can be your TV's streaming device
- Beware of relying too much on internal storage
7 minute read
Introduction
You've decided to get a Chromebook. Now what?
There are numerous Chromebooks available each with its own set of specifications (specs). Fortunately, there are a number of websites that provide a lot of information about what Chromebooks are available and what capabilities that they have at what price.
This article will address my experience with the Flagship HP Chromebook I bought recently at Amazon for $135:
There are numerous Chromebooks available each with its own set of specifications (specs). Fortunately, there are a number of websites that provide a lot of information about what Chromebooks are available and what capabilities that they have at what price.
This article will address my experience with the Flagship HP Chromebook I bought recently at Amazon for $135:
This Chromebook is a low end machine. So before you spend more $$ than might be necessary, lets see what a low end 11.6" Chromebook provides.
Support
Before you buy a Chromebook, go to the Google's Auto Update policy page to see how long a particular Chromebook will be supported.
My machine will only have support until June 2024. This may be an important issue. An unsupported machine is usable indefinitely, but over time will become less secure.
My machine will only have support until June 2024. This may be an important issue. An unsupported machine is usable indefinitely, but over time will become less secure.
Size of the Chromebook Screen
My Chromebook has the standard low end 11.6" screen, measured across the diagonal. Most larger Chromebooks have 14" screens, with some having 15.6" screens. Chromebook screens usually have a width to height ratio of 16:9, which is the same as standard HD TV's. On my 11.6" screen, this 16:9 ratio translates to physical dimensions of 10.1" x 5.7" and it has 1366 x 768 pixels.
Larger screens have obvious advantages, but make for larger laptops. A larger laptop can become awkward to carry around and take up more room when packing. This may or may not be an issue. For me, the smaller size of the 11.6" screen helps it fit in my motorcycle storage.
Ideally, you would have the portability of a small screen laptop with a larger screen for home use. I have done this by using my Chromebook as a desktop workstation.
Ideally, you would have the portability of a small screen laptop with a larger screen for home use. I have done this by using my Chromebook as a desktop workstation.
As a Workstation
Shown below is my Chromebook workstation setup. The Chromebook is the screen on the left. On the right is a Windows PC. I hardly turn on the PC anymore.
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| Chromebook on left; PC on right |
Plugged into the Chromebook is a full sized keyboard, USB port expander, a USB-C to HDMI converter and a 19" monitor. I made my own monitor stand, but 'riser' stands are available:
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| Monitor Stand Riser, Chromebook goes Underneath |
So the lion's share of my Chromebook experience is using it as a workstation. When it's time to travel, or when I'm not at my workstation desk, the 11.6" screen is certainly usable.
If I didn't have the workstation screen, or I had to do a lot of work on the road, I would probably get a larger screen.
It should be noted that I cannot video conference on my 'workstation', but I could if I added a USB webcam. I use the laptop directly for ZOOM, or other video communication, using the built in camera.
If I didn't have the workstation screen, or I had to do a lot of work on the road, I would probably get a larger screen.
It should be noted that I cannot video conference on my 'workstation', but I could if I added a USB webcam. I use the laptop directly for ZOOM, or other video communication, using the built in camera.
Entertainment
I actually have two 11.6" Chromebooks. I keep my 'desktop' Chromebook plugged in, the other one serves as a portable laptop. My portable Chromebook also serves our TV's streaming device.
Most TV's have WIFI, but that doesn't mean that every streaming service will work well directly thru your TV. Amazon does not work on my TV, and the others are virtually unusable.
Most TV's also have a spare HDMI port. You can stream whatever service you may have on your Chromebook, and then plug it in to that HDMI port. Searching on your Chromebook will be via its standard keyboard, and not by the TV's one letter at-a-time henpecking.
If streaming a series, once you are set up, you can stay plugged in indefinitely and just wake it up with your mouse.
Please note that if your Chromebook does not have an HDMI port, you will need a USB-C to HDMI converter.
Most TV's have WIFI, but that doesn't mean that every streaming service will work well directly thru your TV. Amazon does not work on my TV, and the others are virtually unusable.
Most TV's also have a spare HDMI port. You can stream whatever service you may have on your Chromebook, and then plug it in to that HDMI port. Searching on your Chromebook will be via its standard keyboard, and not by the TV's one letter at-a-time henpecking.
If streaming a series, once you are set up, you can stay plugged in indefinitely and just wake it up with your mouse.
Please note that if your Chromebook does not have an HDMI port, you will need a USB-C to HDMI converter.
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| USB-C to HDMI Adapter |
Internal Screen Resolution
The Chromebook specs list the resolutions of the displays. The 11.6" screen has 1366 x 768 pixels, while the 14" screens tend to be 1920 x 1080 pixels. However, the internal hardware of my 11.6" laptop support higher resolutions.
My 19" monitor is 1280 x 1024 pixels, and appears fully supported. The TV reports that the Chromebook port is 1080 HD. So the internal video hardware definitely supports more than the 1366 x 768 pixel, 11.6" display.
My 19" monitor is 1280 x 1024 pixels, and appears fully supported. The TV reports that the Chromebook port is 1080 HD. So the internal video hardware definitely supports more than the 1366 x 768 pixel, 11.6" display.
Performance
There are a number of processor benchmarking sites, but I have found different results using different benchmark sites. There is also the issue of MediaTek ARM based processors vs the Intel processors. There is a comparison here. Please note that if you plan to install Linux, PC magazine advises to get one with an Intel processor.
The bottom line is that it is not easy to determine how much power and response a particular machine will have until you actually use it.
To see why a Chromebook is responding the way it is, it is best to install the free COG app from the Chrome Web Store. It gives a lot of vital information about your machine. For response, the issues will be about Central Processor Unit (CPU) Usage and Memory (RAM) usage. The Intel Celeron N3350 has 2 cores, or 2 CPU's:
The bottom line is that it is not easy to determine how much power and response a particular machine will have until you actually use it.
To see why a Chromebook is responding the way it is, it is best to install the free COG app from the Chrome Web Store. It gives a lot of vital information about your machine. For response, the issues will be about Central Processor Unit (CPU) Usage and Memory (RAM) usage. The Intel Celeron N3350 has 2 cores, or 2 CPU's:
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| COG Chromebook System Monitor |
This state is from have about 17 tabs open:
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| 17 tabs Active |
As can be seen in the COG output, RAM memory tends to be the performance bottleneck more often than the CPU's. Unfortunately, only higher end Chromebooks come with 8 GB of RAM, which would make a big difference in performance.
If the CPU's are maxed out, it is almost always from rogue web pages. Usually the problem is the bombardment of ads and videos that some pages have.
Rogue web pages can be identified by using COG to monitor CPU usage as tabs are closed one at a time. Once removed, the system returns to running normally. Identified rogue websites should be avoided.
If the CPU's are maxed out, it is almost always from rogue web pages. Usually the problem is the bombardment of ads and videos that some pages have.
Rogue web pages can be identified by using COG to monitor CPU usage as tabs are closed one at a time. Once removed, the system returns to running normally. Identified rogue websites should be avoided.
Chromebook Storage Memory
Chromebooks do not come a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), but with embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) storage, which is basically an internal flash thumbdrive. My Chromebook came with 32 GB of eMMC. Some lower end Chromebooks come with 64 GB eMMC.
Higher end Chromebooks can come with a non-removable Solid State Disk (SSD). An SSD is faster because it has multichannel access, vs the single access channel of eMMC. I am not familiar with Chromebook apps that need the bandwidth of an SSD drive, but it may be relevant if you plan to install Linux.
A comparison of eMMC and SSD can be found here.
Concerning the eMMC storage itself, I see little advantage to getting larger amounts of eMMC. Chromebooks come with a micro SD slot, which I recommend and use for permanent storage.
Higher end Chromebooks can come with a non-removable Solid State Disk (SSD). An SSD is faster because it has multichannel access, vs the single access channel of eMMC. I am not familiar with Chromebook apps that need the bandwidth of an SSD drive, but it may be relevant if you plan to install Linux.
A comparison of eMMC and SSD can be found here.
Concerning the eMMC storage itself, I see little advantage to getting larger amounts of eMMC. Chromebooks come with a micro SD slot, which I recommend and use for permanent storage.
I only use my eMMC for temporary storage.
If for any reason, your Chromebook dies, anything in eMMC storage is lost. If somehow the software gets messed up and you have to do a powerwash, anything in eMMC storage is lost.
A micro SD is removable. If your machine dies, except in rare cases, everything on the micro SD will be OK.
Disadvantages of the micro SD is that can be physically lost, and it is not secure. The eMMC is secure in the sense that it can only be accessed thru a particular google user. If you share a machine with another user, they will only see their eMMC storage, and no one else's. So it's a good idea not to travel with your machine logged in, unless you're using it.
The eMMC is also used to store the ChromeOS software, and anything else that software, extensions or apps need. So the total amount is not all available for personal use.
Google Drive
Each Google account comes with 15 GB of cloud storage, called the Google Drive. A Chromebook purchase comes with an additional 100 GB of free cloud storage for 12 months. After 12 months, it's $1.99 a month. This plan is called Google One.
Like eMMC storage, part of Google Drive is used automatically to store files from gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, or anything else needed by the ChromeOS. The rest of Google Drive is available for personal use.
Like eMMC storage, part of Google Drive is used automatically to store files from gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, or anything else needed by the ChromeOS. The rest of Google Drive is available for personal use.
In Conclusion
If one can easily afford it, why not get a higher end Chromebook?
Personally, I still hold on to a desktop Windows PC for power apps and software development. As mentioned, I'm not using it much anymore, but it's good to know I have it. I use my low end Chromebooks for what they're good at and leave the heavy lifting to PC or MAC (a PC in my case).
Nevertheless , a lower end Chromebook may just the ticket to suit your needs.
Personally, I still hold on to a desktop Windows PC for power apps and software development. As mentioned, I'm not using it much anymore, but it's good to know I have it. I use my low end Chromebooks for what they're good at and leave the heavy lifting to PC or MAC (a PC in my case).
Nevertheless , a lower end Chromebook may just the ticket to suit your needs.
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