Chromebook Versatility Improvements

ChromeOS and the devices that use them have come a long way over the years. Performance improvements and usability make them strong contenders as a travel companion. This is a long overdue follow-up to Chromebook Checkboxes.

Performance improvements in increments

Performance has steadily increased over the years while keeping the efficiency and long-battery life Chromebooks are known for. Competition in the mobile space has also led to better processors. But as Chromebooks are still primarily targeted to budget-minded consumers, I think the overall performance hasn’t quite increased compared to other segments. Notably with Apple’s rolled out the M1 silicon with its performance and battery life.

Entry-level Chromebooks typically start with 4GB of RAM vs. the 2GB a few years ago. And the 8GB or more options are often readily available at retailers. If there is a need for more horsepower, there’s the Chromebook Plus options.

Expanded ecosystem

The initial rollout of Android Apps support for Chrome OS systems was a little on the slow side. Even today some devices like my old Acer Chromebook 11) have support in the planned status. Today I believe all Chromebooks released in the last few years have had Android app support out of box. General usage may be a mixed bag, but overall there are more options to support productivity on the go.

In addition, we’ve also had Linux on ChromeOS. This has expanded the ecosystem of apps and developer tools capable of running on a Chromebook. Overall setting up Linux may be a bit daunting for most users. But the motivation to run something on linux and a little technical know-how should be sufficient. And once it’s on there, Linux doesn’t stand in the way of regular ChromeOS use (as far as I’ve experience).

New form factors

Aside from the laptop/netbook form of the early Chromebooks, there are other form factors when shopping for a Chrome OS device. Tablet and hybrid come to mind. My main travel driver is a Lenovo Duet which is a tablet + detachable keyboard. For a shorter trip, maybe I’ll carry just the tablet. But having a physical keyboard even when it’s not ideal for lap use can save the day for that quick fix. And I’m much quicker going through a form to book the next accommodation with a keyboard.

Other contenders

Chromebooks continue to have offerings in the budget price point, and have had a few high-performance models to consider as well. As processing power becomes good enough, some older models start to come into the picture. An example is the M1 Macbook Air. It is still a very capable portable machine. And can be found used (sometimes new) for a price that comes close to mid-range Chromebook. The full capabilities of MacOS at this price makes it a tempting contender.

Hopefully this continues to drive the Chromebook market to move the needle further. Offering better performance and efficiency while providing budget computing options on the go. It would be nice to shake off the slow performing reputation.