Chromebook Getting Started Guide

Owned by Adam Dinnes
Last updated: Sept 23, 2019Version comment

Overview

LITS has several Chromebooks available for checkout through the LITS Support office in Morse Library.  A Chromebook is a small laptop that runs a web browser (Google Chrome) and cloud-based applications.  All applications and files are stored in the cloud and not on the Chromebook itself.


Contents



A few things to know about Chromebooks

  • You do all your work in a browser
    Send mail, schedule meetings, work on documents, edit graphics, use custom apps, and more—all in a Chrome web browser!
  • Access your stuff from anywhere
    Your apps, documents, and settings are all stored safely in the cloud and not on your Chromebook, so you can sign in with your Beloit account on any Chromebook and you’ll find your personal workspace exactly as you left it.
  • There’s no desktop!
    All you do is open and close browser windows—just as when browsing the web on other computers.
  • No updates or maintenance
    Unlike a traditional PC, your Chromebook stays fast and up-to-date on its own. Each time you turn it on, it updates itself with the latest apps, features, system updates, and antivirus software.

  • Fast boot, long battery life
    A Chromebook needs little processing power or local storage since all the heavy lifting happens in the cloud. As a result it boots super fast—in 8 seconds—and the battery can last up to eight hours!
  • Built-in security
    Each webpage and application you visit runs in a restricted environment. So visiting one page that’s been infected with something malicious can’t affect anything else on your computer.
  • You’re almost always online
    You can do a few things on a Chromebook without an Internet connection. But since you typically work on the web, you’ll need to be online to get most of your work done.


Using Google Apps

When you sign in to your Chromebook with your Beloit College account, you can access one or more of the following Google Apps. Some of these, such as Gmail, might already be on your New Tab page. Open others by clicking the App Launcher at the top-left of your Gmail window.

For help using Google Apps, visit learn.googleapps.com.



Adding apps from the Chrome Web Store

You can add more apps to your Chromebook from the Chrome Web Store. Here, you will find apps for doing pretty much anything you’re used to doing from a traditional computer; creating documents, editing photos, playing music, managing projects, and much more. Buyer beware - while many apps are free, some may have one-time or recurring subscription costs, or may have in-app purchases to unlock certain features.


To browse and install apps from the Chrome Web Store:

  1. Click the Chrome icon on a New Tab page or go to https://chrome.google.com/webstore/ to access the Chrome Web Store.
  2. Browse apps via the category filters on the left side of the page, or use the Search bar in the upper left corner to search for a specific app.
  3. Click on an app icon for additional information.
  4. To Install an app, click the + Add to Chrome icon to add it to your New Tab page.
  5. Review the permissions pop-up and then click Add Extension button to proceed with the installation.
  6. Some apps have settings that need to be configured during setup.  You will receive pop-up prompts to follow to complete any additional configuration or setup steps.
  7. Once the installation is complete, the app should be available to use from the New Tab page or the App Launcher.


Screenshot of Chrome Web Store

Screenshot of Chrome App page for Google Keep

Screenshot of Chrome App permissions pop-up for Google Keep


Projecting your Chromebook

LITS loaner Chromebooks have an HDMI or USB-C output for audio and video.  

To connect your Chromebook to an external display or projector, simply connect the HDMI output of the Chromebook to the HDMI input of the display.  If you have a Chromebook with USB-C output, you will need to request an adapter at the InfoDesk. 


When connected to a projector or external display the Chromebook will enter Extended Display mode by default.  To switch to Mirrored Display, click on the Control Panel in the lower right corner and click on the Extending screen to Projector notification, then choose Mirrored under the Options dropdown.



Printing from your Chromebook

LITS loaner Chromebooks are not setup with local printers.  To print from your Chromebook, please use the Mobility Print service.  For more information on how to setup and utilize Mobility Print on a Chromebook, please see our Mobile Printing on Chrome OS article for all of the details.  Once you have the app setup, you can then upload your document to a print queue and then go to one of the many Mobility Print release stations on campus to print the document.



File Retention

Be sure to save your documents and images to your Google Drive or external storage before returning a loaner Chromebook to LITS.  Once you return a Chromebook to LITS, it will be factory reset to protect your privacy and so that it is ready to go out to the next user.  The factory reset will delete all user accounts, apps, extensions, and locally stored files on the Chromebook.  This data will not be recoverable after the Chromebook has been reset.  The factory reset will not affect any files that you have stored in your personal Google Drive account.