It’s hard to believe, but 2021 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Chromebook’s initial release. That’s right- after only a decade on the market, this alternative to PC or Mac has surged in popularity to become the go-to computer choice for millions of people around the world.
As a more affordable alternative to traditional PCs (and a much more affordable alternative to Macs!) it’s not surprising that Chromebooks have gained the most traction over the past decade as a top choice for schools. Thanks to their low price point and easy operability, Chromebooks have become a staple among school districts nationwide.
Why Chromebooks?
Ever since their inception and release, schools have clamored to purchase Chromebooks for student use. With limited budgets and increasing enrollment numbers, public school districts found that Chromebooks were able to fill an unmet need for a computer that is as affordable as it is durable and easy to use. This Forbes article from way back in 2013, when Google first started making their own line of Chromebook computers, highlights how the economics of Chromebooks made it a clear favorite among educators right out of the gate.
This low price is due in large part to their smaller profile, lower storage capacity, and less processing power than a traditional Mac or PC laptop. However, for computing that is almost exclusively cloud-based, as educational software has increasingly become, Chromebooks are an ideal choice for student use.
Affordability is not the only consideration, however; school districts also enjoy the easy plug-and-play nature of Chromebooks, along with their user-friendly controls and minimal need for technical support or maintenance. Chromebooks operate on neither Windows nor Mac operating systems, instead employing Google’s own, far more lightweight, Chrome OS, which delivers on both longer-lasting battery life and enhanced virus protection. Additionally, thanks to the popularity of Chromebooks in schools, some manufacturers have begun to design rugged, durable cases that can withstand wear and tear from even the youngest students.
Chromebooks During COVID
While Chromebooks were already a popular tool for schools prior to 2020, the events of the COVID-19 pandemic kicked their traction among K-12 school districts into high gear, as teachers and administrators suddenly and unexpectedly had to prepare for a pivot to fully-remote learning.
Suddenly the need for an affordable solution to outfit every student in school with a computer was essential, not just a “nice-to-have” piece of technology equipment. Schools bought up classroom sets of Chromebooks in droves, issuing them to students who had no other access to a computer at home, in order for them to participate in online learning. Since Google Classroom quickly became the platform of choice for many educators to post assignments, supplemental reading, and more, Chromebooks were a natural choice for a seamless transition to remote learning.
As we approach the 2021-22 school year, the need for Chromebooks hasn’t lessened one bit regardless of our anticipated return to traditional in-person learning nationwide. Chromebooks and school headphones will still be highly necessary components of a student’s school day, whether in class or at home. The Chromebook isn’t going anywhere as a top choice for schools to provide students with computers for an enhanced learning experience.