LAPTOPS

VS

CHROMEBOOKS

Chromebooks are becoming a popular choice in the education sector, due in part to their low entry price point, practicality and zero-cost software upgrades. Google offer schools unlimited Drive storage and a web-based management console that allows education administrators to manage up to 10,000 student Chromebooks remotely. However, Windows (including the Microsoft Office suite) is still the most widely-used operating system which people are familiar and comfortable with.

KEY FACTS Chromebook is now the top-selling educational device, outselling the iPad

One third of UK universities now use Google Apps

Chrome is the world’s most used browser

GAFE is predicted to reach over 100 million users by 2020

COSTS Laptop

Chromebook

Initial Device Purchase

£500

£220

Management License

£0

£19

Support Cost (3 Years) *

£60

£10

Virus Protection / Encryption Software

£20

£0

Total Cost Over 3 Years

£580

£249

Cost for 50 Devices (over 3 years) **

£29,000

£12,450

* Cost per hour is £15. ** These costs are calculated on current device prices and support required for laptops.

FEATURE COMPARISON We have compared the main features of both a Laptop running Windows 10 and a Chromebook running Chrome OS to see which one performed better for each category.

Laptop

Chromebook

Ability to collaborate (use of Google Apps) Speed (boot time / application speed) Ease of use Office tools Range of programs / apps Battery life File management Maintenance (support time & difficulty) Security (hacking / loss of data) Cost-efficiency

CHROMEBOOK PROS & CONS Speed Chromebooks are a very fast device to boot up and use, saving lots of teacher and student time.

Encourages collaboration Using the Chromebook encourages staff and students to use Google Apps which by their very nature enable a much greater degree of collaboration.

Security Chromebooks are designed with security in mind, so you’ll be safe from viruses and malware. Laptops often require you to buy and install security software separately. Built-in upgrades Chromebooks update themselves automatically, for free, so you always get the latest software and security updates. Laptops require you to purchase and install updates manually. Low maintenance With data stored in the cloud and settings being web-based, if your Chromebook were to break you can swap your device with no loss of data or time. Staff can simply pick up another device and continue working seamlessly.

Produced by Leigh Academies Trust

Conversion A move to Chromebook means a move to the full use of Google Apps. While the conversion tool between Google Apps and Microsoft office is generally pretty good, more complex documents or presentations often require some tweaking. This can take a small amount of time for each document. A move to Chromebook means staff will encounter some initial difficulties with the transition but this will only be an issue once. Interactive whiteboard software As you cannot install programs onto the Operating System unless the developer has created a Chrome version, there are only lite versions available of SMART and Promethean software. However, these are adequate for planning at home if teachers are able to use the PC-connected device to add any additional interactive IWB content. Heavily dependent on wi-fi Chromebooks are a web-focused device, so they are not as effective offline, however you are still able work effectively without the use of the internet as Google documents are still available, and we are increasingly connected to the web.

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk @LA_Trust