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Now that Chromebooks are almost over 10 years old, many of us are quite familiar with Chrome OS and all the details of Chromebook ownership. But for many, this path is just beginning, and while the learning curve is not steep with these computers, it does exist and there are things you need to know if you’re new to the Chromebook user community. There are more of us than ever and it looks like 2021 will only promote this trend, so we wanted to share our Top 10 things you need to know if you’re new to Chromebooks and Chrome OS.
As you can see in the video below, we’ve covered that before. We actually ran this video two years ago and it has been a useful source of information for new Chromebook users. We never really emphasized these points here on the site, however, we wanted to take a few minutes and do this here in late 2020, as we expect more new Chromebook users to be online today than any other Christmas in the past. Let’s go deeper.
1. Connect your Chromebook
Out of the box, your Chromebook won’t turn on. This is on purpose and preserves the battery while the Chromebook is on the shelf and waiting for you. When you open your device and expect the screen to come to life, don’t worry when it doesn’t. Simply take the included charger, plug it in for about 5 seconds, and then you should be up and running. I recommend charging it fully at this point, but many devices come with more than 50% of the battery, so once that is done, you can untie it if you wish and begin the setup process.
2. Create a Google account
Yes, I know that creating another account is probably the last thing you want to do, but it is very necessary if you plan to use a Chromebook for a long time. Of course, many of you already have an account with Google Gmail or Google Photos, but if not, you will need to create one.
The reason why a Google account is so crucial comes down simply to the nature of the cloud-based operating system. Chrome OS is very dependent on cloud computing and your Google account is the driving force behind much of it. With this account, you can sync web apps, favorites, system settings, Chromebook layouts and more to any device you choose to sign in to. I can take the Chromebook I’m using right now and throw it out the window and start working in a few minutes on another device, if necessary. This is a powerful and incredible feature of Chrome OS that just doesn’t happen without a Google account.
These accounts also allow Chrome OS’s unique and surprising ability to host multiple users completely independently of each other. You could have a single Chromebook with your whole family connected to it and never have to worry about settings, storage or content transferring from one account to another. In the meantime, switching between accounts is quick and simple, and again, it’s not possible without the previously set up Google accounts.
3. Use these ports
Chromebooks come with multiple ports. Sure, there are some that basically have only USB Type C, but there are many with HDMI ports, SD card slots, headphone / microphone connectors and USB Type A ports as well. These ports work with a wide variety of peripherals and that number only grows every day. Want to see if a random accessory works with your Chromebook? Just plug it in and see. You’ll probably be surprised at all the things that just work with out-of-the-box Chromebooks. We still haven’t found many peripherals that don’t work well, so if you have them, give it a try.
4. Navigate through these settings
Chrome OS is relatively simple when it comes to configurations, but there’s a lot to learn here. As time goes by, the settings become more and more complex, so it is worth knowing your basic way. For me, the easiest and most direct method of finding what I’m looking for is to simply search. Go to the clock area in your tray (bottom right), click on the settings gear, type what you’re looking for in the search and make your changes. It’s really simple and saves a lot of time instead of searching through the sidebar menu.
In addition, nowadays, you can press the Everything key (formerly the Search key) and simply start typing. Most of your settings will only appear in the search for the entire system and you can save even more time by simply going there first. In any case, use the settings search. Google is good at searching and they show off a little on that on Chromebooks.
5. Extend your screen
There are several ways to extend your screen, but the two main options will be via USB Type C or HDMI. For a while, Chromebooks seemed to be getting rid of the good old HDMI port, but it’s coming back a lot here in 2020 and I’m a fan. The Acer Spin 713 has it on board and I can attest that this port came in handy for me this year. Sure, USB C to HDMI adapters work and that’s what I use on my desk, but I love the flexibility that the independent port offers in random situations when you need to output to a larger monitor.
Once connected, you simply need to research the video settings and quickly organize the desktop to align the monitors so that moving the mouse cursor between the two makes more sense. If your built-in screen is to the left of the extended screen, for example, it would make sense to drag those screens to that layout so that you can move the cursor between the two easily. In addition, you can use this settings screen to adjust the screen resolution / scale and orientation as well.
6. Keyboard shortcuts
The Chrome OS keyboard is slightly different from the keyboards you used in the past, probably. The function keys above the number keys are basically the same on all Chromebooks and the buttons up there do what you expect for the most part. There’s a full-screen button and a dedicated overview mode button that sits somewhere in the middle, but all the other keys do exactly what you expect them to look like.
But hidden in all those other simple-looking keys is a hymn of keyboard shortcuts that can save you a lot of time if you learn them. Can you memorize them all? Probably not, but you can add a handful to your repertoire very quickly and dramatically improve your workflow. New ones are added all the time that help us browse the new features on our Chromebooks, and you can sign up for our newsletter below if you’d like to know when these new ones happen.
But that doesn’t cover those shortcuts that already exist, does it? Luckily for you, there’s a great tool to help you out there too. Just click CTRL + ALT +? and you’ll have an on-screen guide to the entire keyboard shortcut library. Better yet, this guide comes equipped with a fantastic search so you can quickly find the shortcut you need.
7. Trackpad gestures save time
Trackpads on Chromebooks are great. There are plastic and glass ones, but in general, Chromebook trackpads perform much better than many of you are used to cheap and older Windows laptops. Google has gone to great lengths to solidify the trackpad experience with Chromebooks across the board, and while some trackpads are better than others, there are very few Chromebooks that come with terrible trackpads today.
With a single finger, you can move the mouse cursor on the screen and click once to select and drag items. This is not new to anyone and works as expected. However, multi-finger gestures are a little more complex. When you switch to two fingers, you can scroll through the content and click with the same two fingers to display your standard right-click features. AN slide three fingers and move it through its open tabs in a Chrome browser and passing upwards with those three fingers is a quick shortcut to the overview mode. Finally, 4-finger pitches take you from one virtual table to another, assuming you have activated them. That’s a lot, but know that after mastering the trackpad’s movements, you’ll basically speed up pretty much everything you do on a Chromebook.
8. Tablet mode is fun
If you have a convertible Chromebook (or tablet, obviously), this one is for you. Simply put, there’s a completely separate user interface for Chrome OS based on how you’re using your device. It’s not much different than what Windows 8 did with the move from the desktop to the tablet, but there are some notable differences. To start, your shelf disappears and is replaced by a floating version that can be removed. In addition, applications open in full screen by default, bypassing the operating system is done by gestures similar to those you will find on an iPad. We’ve put together an entire video about these new gestures and I suggest you take a look if you want to learn more about browsing things in tablet mode on a Chromebook.
9. Use Android and Linux apps
Chromebooks come with the ability to run not just web apps right now, but also Android and Linux apps. For most users, Android apps and the Play Store will be activated immediately. You do not need to take any additional steps to use them; just open the app drawer, access the Play Store and try out some apps you want. Although I’m a web application guy myself, there are some great Android apps on Chrome OS, so try out your favorites to see how they work on your new Chromebook.
Linux applications are not such a simple proposition. Turning on Linux in your settings will resolve itself very quickly, but what you do after that point depends mainly on how comfortable you are with a Linux terminal. If you don’t know what that is, it’s safe to say that you should just stay away from it for now. If you do and want to install some things, be aware that you may need to update and install some dependencies along the way and not all applications work perfectly. We have an entire section of the website (called the Command Line) dedicated to Linux applications on the website, so if you want to learn, that’s where you need to go.
10. Powerwash
In a fun nomenclature, the Chrome OS team has always referred to redefining a Chromebook as a Powerwash. It’s a simple task and all you need to do is search using the Everything key or in the settings for that feature, click on the reset button and in a few minutes your Chromebook will be updated from the factory. What’s beautiful is that with Chrome OS, you can do this if necessary and not fear that your information is gone. If you use our tip to keep all your downloads and local files in sync with your Google account, you can do Powerwash all you want and never think about it again.
In addition, there’s a keyboard shortcut for quick Powerwash, even if you’re not signed in. Just click CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + R on the lock screen when disconnected and you can wipe your device just as quickly. This is a great tool when giving your Chromebook to someone else or if you need to return it.
That’s it! While these ten items are far from everything you need to know about Chromebooks, they should be enough to keep you going in the right direction as a new Chromebook owner. And, if you’re new to Chrome Unboxed, we have tons of content that can help you along the way here on the site, on our YouTube channel and weekly via The Chrome Cast podcast. We’re happy to be part of the Chromebook community, and hopefully we’ll see you here again!
