What is a Chromebook?

Chromebook™ One to One Program: What is a Chromebook™?

F.A.Q’s

Q. What is a Chromebook™?

A. “Chromebook™s are mobile devices designed specifically for people who  use the web. With a comfortable, full-sized keyboard, large display and clickable trackpad, all-day battery life, lightweight and built-in ability to connect to Wi-Fi, the Chromebook™ is ideal for anytime, anywhere access to the web. They provide a faster, safer, more secure online experience for people who use the web, without all the time-consuming, often confusing, high level of maintenance required by typical computers.” (“Google”)

Q. What kind of software does a Chromebook™ run?

A. “Chromebook™s run millions of web-based applications, or web apps, that open right in the browser. You can access web apps by typing their URL into the address bar or by installing them instantly from the Chrome Web Store.” (“Google”)

Q. How are these web-based applications managed?

A. Each Chromebook™ we provide to students is a under a three-year agreement with Google and during that time will be a managed device. St. Ignatius, Martyr Catholic School maintain devices through St. Ignatius, Martyr Catholic School’s Student Google Apps for Education account. As such, the school can pre-install web-applications as well as block specific web-applications from a centralized management console.

Q. What if I need to use traditional software applications?

A. St. Ignatius, Martyr Catholic School is presently working on plans to implement a Virtualized Desktop hosted here on campus that runs traditional software applications. Much like the Remote Desktop Service that students can access today this virtualized desktop solution would provide students with a traditional desktop which they can access from their Chromebook™ if they so choose. However, we do recommend students do their primary work in their St. Ignatius, Martyr Catholic School Student Google Apps for Education account.

Q. What devices can I connect to a Chromebook™?

A. Chromebook™s can connect to:

• USB storage, mice and keyboards (see supported file systems)

• SD cards

• External monitors and projectors

• Headsets, earsets, microphones

Q. Can the Chromebook™ be used anywhere at anytime?

A. Yes, as long as you have a WiFi signal to access the web.

Q. Do Chromebook™s come with Internet Filtering Software?

A. No. Chromebook™s do not come with internet filtering software. However, while on campus Chromebook™s will use the School’s WiFi to access the internet which is filtered. While at home, the Chromebook™s will be filtered based on the protection provided by your home WiFi system. St. Ignatius, Martyr Catholic School recommends OpenDNS as an excellent solution for filtering internet at home. For more information on using OpenDNS’ free service at home click here.

Q. Is there antivirus built into it?

A. It is not necessary to have antivirus software on Chromebook™s because there are no running programs for viruses to infect.

Q. How much do they weigh?

A. Chromebook™s weight 2.42 lbs compared to:

• an iPad2 weighing 1.33 lbs

• a Macbook Air weighing 2.96 lbs

• a Lenovo x220 Tablet weighing 3.9 lbs

• a Macbook Pro weighing 5.6 lbs

• the average weight of a textbook at 3.5 lbs

Q. Battery life?

A. Chromebook™s have a rated battery life of 6.5 hours. However, we do recommend that students charge them each evening to ensure maximum performance during the school day.

VIDEO EXPLANATION
 

Adapted from Google @ Ravenscroft Blog  http://blogs.ravenscroft.org/google/Chromebook™s-ravenscroft/Chromebook™/