As far as computers go, Chromebooks are shockingly low-maintenance. Google’s Chrome OS operating system updates itself silently and automatically — as do most of the core apps associated with the platform — and it doesn’t get gunked up and slowed down over time, as traditional operating systems do. You can make your Chromebook perform even better with these easy-to-follow annual steps:
Step 1: Uninstall unnecessary Chrome apps and extensions
Time required: 3 minutes–If there’s one factor that can slow a Chromebook down — not to mention open the door to unnecessary data sharing — it’s having the system overloaded with apps and extensions you don’t actually need. Such programs have the potential to run in the background, eating up system resources, and also to bog down the actual loading of web pages (when it comes to extensions associated with the browser itself).
Step 2: Uninstall or update Android and Linux apps
Time required: 3 minutes–Chrome OS isn’t just about web apps anymore; these days, Chromebooks are capable of running both Android apps and Linux apps as well as the regular ol’ web-centric items. If you’ve taken advantage of either of those possibilities, do the same thing we did in our last step and pore over your collection to see apps which you still use and which oughta be removed.
Step 3: Optimize your time-saving shortcuts
Time required: 4 minutes–Chrome OS is full of hidden shortcuts and time-saving possibilities — including some super-useful things that require just a few minutes of your time to set up once or revisit so they’ll work to your greatest advantage.
Step 4: Set yourself up for speedy universal voice input
Time required: 1 minute–It’s easy to get spoiled with the effectiveness of voice input on your phone — so why not bring that same speaking power to your Chromebook? Yes, indeedly: Chrome OS has a little-known option for system-wide dictation, and it works whether you’re using your device as a laptop or in a tablet-like state.
Step 5: Clean up and connect your cloud storage
Time required: 3 minutes–Chromebooks don’t tend to have a ton of local space, so take a minute to open your device’s Files app and clear out any clutter you no longer need. All set? Spectacular. This next part’s equally easy: We’re gonna connect your Chromebook’s Downloads folder to the cloud so that anything you download will automatically sync with your Google Drive storage and thus be available wherever you might need it.
Step 6: Set your eyes up for success
Time required: 1 minute–Last but not least, a quick bit of tune-up that’ll take some of the strain off your peepers so you can better focus — on Very Important work documents, Very Important Winger videos, or whatever other Very Important content you might be viewing. A relatively recent update to Chrome OS added an incredibly beneficial Android-born visibility feature, y’see, and it’s well worth your while to enable.
Source: The 20-Minute Chromebook Tune-Up by JR Raphael, published in Computer World
AGParts Worldwide is an industry leader in providing parts for Chromebook and laptop devices across all industries. We house a 350,000+ OEM new & reclaimed parts inventory and are an authorized reseller for most major Chromebook brands. Contact us to see how we can help your organization simplify your parts procurement process.