Updated on December 10, 2021
I’ve been a Chromebook user for about a year now. So far, the platform’s been a benefit for my casual computer usage. Additionally, Chrome OS devices have started to become popular in places such as schools.
Of course, there’s no absolute need for a guide, given the easy to use nature of Chrome OS. Anyone should be able to get up and running with a Chromebook in short order. However, some tips on how to do things are always appreciated, so here’s how I set things up on my Chromebook. For the curious, it’s a 2014 model Acer C720. Of course, the following guide applies to any Chrome OS device, such as Chromeboxes.
The actual setup
The actual setup is quite short. Merely plug in your Chromebook, turn it on, find your WiFi network (and enter its password, if needed), and then log in with your Gmail password. If you have two-step authentication turned on, you’ll be prompted to enter the code for that. Afterward, you’ll be taken to the default Chromebook desktop.
More details are available on Google’s own setup page.
How do I get a Caps Lock key?
Caps Lock can be restored by switching the function of the “Search” key to a Caps Lock function. To do this:
- Go to “Settings” (under the bottom right menu).
- Under “Settings,” look under “Device” and click “Keyboard Settings.”
- Under the “Search” drop-down menu, select “Caps Lock,” then select “OK” and close the window.
If you want search functionality, just click on the Google Search app or open Google in the browser window.
How do I get a Delete key?
While there’s no delete key on most Chromebook keyboards, the easiest way to use delete is to use the keyboard shortcut “Alt + Backspace.”
Which apps to use on a Chromebook?
While most Chrome OS “apps” are actually just links to a web-based service, there’s still a large variety to choose from. Google has a list of Chrome OS apps that serve as the equivalent of various familiar Windows/OS X apps. However, I thought I’d highlight major computer uses, based mostly on what I’d use.
| Function | Windows/OS X app | What to use on a Chromebook | Notes |
| Word processing | Microsoft Word | Google Docs
Office Online |
Google Docs, Google’s Word equivalent, is preinstalled and automatically saves files to your Google Drive account. While it doesn’t use Drive, Office Online is fully usable on a Chromebook if Microsoft’s word processor’s absolutely needed (Docs can import/export Word formatted files). |
| Spreadsheets | Microsoft Excel | Google Sheets
Office Online |
Google Sheets is Google Docs’ spreadsheet program/Excel equivalent, and functions similarly to Docs (automatic saving to Drive). |
| Note taking | Google Keep
Evernote OneNote |
Google Keep
Evernote OneNote |
Evernote has both a Chrome OS app (its web service) and support for running its Android equivalent, though the Chrome OS version works just fine. |
| Play music/streaming audio | Google Music
iTunes/Apple Music Spotify Pandora Amazon Music TuneIn |
Google Music
Spotify Pandora Amazon Music TuneIn |
Pretty much every music service except iTunes/Apple Music will work on a Chromebook. Apple relies on iTunes for functionality, and iTunes is only available for Windows or OS X. Meanwhile, every other music service offers web players, so they’re compatible with any computing device. For more on my choice of music services, see my blog post on the subject. |
| Play video files | iTunes
VLC |
Files app (built-in support) | While there’s no VLC equivalent for Chrome OS, the File app does have built-in video support for most common file formats (MP4, MKV, etc.). |
| Edit photos | Apple Photos
GIMP Photoshop |
Pixlr Editor
Files app (limited built-in support) |
While Photoshop’s now offering some support for Chrome OS, Pixlr Editor’s my main choice for a photo editor, offering a functionality level similar to GIMP’s. |
| Upload photos | Flickr
Google Photos |
Flickr
Google Photos |
|
| Outlook
Apple Mail |
Gmail or any other webmail service (Outlook.com, etc.) | While Gmail is installed by default, any webmail accessible service will work with Chrome OS. | |
| Calendar | Apple Calendar
Outlook |
Google Calendar | |
| Video chat | Skype
Google Hangouts Facetime |
Google Hangouts
Skype (limited support) |
Hangouts works excellently with Chromebooks. Unfortunately, for various reasons Skype’s video chat isn’t officially supported on Chrome OS, though a few other features (messaging, etc.) are available. |
| IRC | LimeChat (OS X) | Byrd | |
| Listen to podcasts | iTunes | Stitcher
Google Play Music |
I’ve been using Stitcher as a podcast service, though other web-based ones are available. |
| Watch streaming video | Netflix
Amazon Video Hulu Google Play Movies YouTube |
Netflix
Amazon Video Hulu Google Play Movies YouTube |
|
| Weather | Various | Various
Google search |
There’s various weather apps and weather related websites available. I’ve mainly just searched for “weather” in Google. |
| Read ebooks | Google Play Books
Kindle Calibre |
Google Play Books
Kindle |
I don’t have a standalone ebook reader to recommend, but Google’s own reader and Amazon’s Kindle have Chrome OS apps. |
| Read comics | Comixology
Simple Comic (OS X) |
Comixology | See my post on comic readers for more details. |
| Personal finances | Excel
Quicken Mint Your bank or credit union’s website |
Google Sheets
Office Online Mint Your bank or credit union’s website |
|
| Create a slideshow | Microsoft Powerpoint
Google Slides |
Google Slides
Office Online |
Google Slides is Google’s Powerpoint analog, though lighter on features. Like Docs and Sheets, it also automatically saves files to Drive. |
| Social media | Facebook
Tweetdeck Google+ |
Facebook
Tweetdeck Google+ |
|
| Password management | KeePass
LastPass 1Password |
LastPass | While there’s a few Chrome OS apps that’ll open (slowly/crudely) KeePass files, I switched to using LastPass, which has made things a lot easier across devices. |
| RSS feed readers | Feedly | Feedly | |
| Remote desktop management | Chrome Remote Desktop | Chrome Remote Desktop | Chrome Remote Desktop works pretty smoothly between computers, though audio won’t be transmitted from a Mac to a Chromebook. |
| Access media/files from a home server | Samba
Plex |
SMB/CIFS (for Samba support)
Plex |
|
| Cloud storage | Google Drive
iCloud OneDrive Dropbox Box |
Google Drive (default)
OneDrive Dropbox Box |
Conclusion
Overall, most basic computer functions are easily usable on a Chromebook/Chrome OS device. A few features could use more work, but Chromebooks are otherwise quite usable for typical users.
Power users will probably want to stick with Windows or OS X. Technically skilled power users might also consider a traditional Linux distribution, such as Linux Mint or Xubuntu.
Any questions, comments, or app suggestions? Please list them in the comments below.
“Chromebook” by Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine is marked with CC0 1.0
