Chromebooks have proven that a decent laptop doesn’t have to be expensive. For that you have to accept that the laptop is not running on Windows and you cannot use all the programs that you ran in the past. Fortunately, change is not always bad, because there are many apps and extensions that you can use and quite a few alternatives that are just as interesting.
Tip 01: VLC media player
VLC is without a doubt the most powerful and versatile media player there is, while the program itself does not demand that much from your system. That of course makes it an ideal candidate for your Chromebook. With VLC for Chrome OS, just like with the Windows version, you can play DVD images, as well as network streams, but also a huge amount of file types, such as mkv, mp4, avi, mov, ogg, flac and you name it, without it having to download additional codecs.
Tip 02: Polarr
When we talk about photo editing, we quickly think of Photoshop. That’s fine, but Photoshop is expensive and too heavy for most users to easily edit your photos. That’s why we skip Adobe for Chromebook tools and focus on a fantastic alternative: Polarr. For beginners, this app has handy tools that automatically apply effects. If you have more knowledge and want more control, you can do that too. Whether it is about working with layers, masks, curves, filters and so on, it is possible with Polarr!
No inferior laptop
It is still said that Chromebooks are inferior laptops because they are less powerful. The latter is (sometimes) true, but is largely compensated by the fact that Chrome OS, the operating system, also requires much less from the hardware, leaving more computing power for other apps. The apps in this article can be found under their name in the Chrome Web Store, unless otherwise indicated.
There is no better screenshot app for your Chromebook than Nimbus
Tip 03: Nimbus Screenshot
The built-in screenshot function of Chrome OS is somewhat limited. For that reason we advise you to Nimbus Screenshot to install if you just want a little more functionality. You can easily configure what kind of screenshot you want to take (full screen, window, etc.) and you can even capture an entire web page if it doesn’t fit completely on your desktop. Once captured, you can easily edit and save your screenshots.
Tip 04: Clipchamp
Not all Chromebooks are capable of editing videos, but editing is not always what you want to do. Sometimes you want to convert a video to another file type, sometimes you just want to compress them because they are too large to send, and sometimes you just want to capture something with your webcam. You can do all these things with Clipchamp (where the services partly run through the developer’s servers to relieve your Chromebook). So you can also edit on less powerful Chromebooks videos, as long as you don’t start editing, because that app can’t do that.
Tip 05: Office Online
Every Chromebook is automatically equipped with Google Docs. However, if you are homesick for Microsoft Office: you can use it on your Chromebook in the form of Office Online. Although that is not (completely) free, it does give you access to the Office programs that you may have been working with for years. You can of course also access Office Online through your browser, but installing the Chrome OS app (which is similar to how Google Docs works on your Chromebook) makes it just a little more efficient.
Tip 06: LastPass
When you are online (and that is what a Chromebook is designed for), it is essential that you use complex and difficult to crack passwords. But yes, you probably won’t remember that and writing it down is just as dangerous. A password manager like it for free LastPass is the solution. You install this app on your Chromebook and every time a website requires a password from you, this password is automatically entered. You can protect the safe with a master password; that is the only password that you have to remember.
A to-do list is indispensable on your Chromebook, especially if it also has Gmail integration
Tip 07: Any.do
An app that helps you create to-do lists is extremely useful and Any.do is one of the best apps in this area; it even has a separate Chromebook app. We don’t have to tell you how a to-do list app works, but the main thing about this app is the Gmail integration, which allows you to add emails directly as tasks. You can also add files, easily share tasks with others or share on social media.
Android on your Chromebook?
Most of the apps that we discuss in this article can be downloaded via the Chrome Web Store and are specially made for your Chromebook. All Chromebooks made in and after 2017 also have access to the Google Play Store. This means that you can use almost all apps that you use on your Android phone and tablet on your Chromebook. If you have a Chromebook that was made before 2017, this is not necessarily impossible, updates are still coming out for older models that offer access to the Google Play Store.
Tip 08: Pocket
When you are working, distraction is constantly lurking. Before you know it you are watching a nice video or reading an interesting article. With Pocket you can put articles, videos or other interesting content directly from your browser in your ‘digital pocket’. Do you have a break or are you not working? Then click on the Pocket icon on your desktop and everything you’ve saved will be waiting for you … even if you don’t have an internet connection!
Tip 09: Video stream
Whatever the size of your Chromebook screen, sometimes you don’t feel like watching a movie or series, or fun YouTube videos on your laptop and you just want to stream it to your television. Video stream is then the best app to download. This free app makes it possible to cast all video content on your Chromebook to your television (you need a Chromecast for that). If you also want subtitles and more control over the output, then a subscription is necessary, but that will not cost you a month and a half.
Tip 10: Sketchpad
If you have a Chromebook with a touch screen and a stylus, then you may this app absolutely not missing in your collection. We do not dare to claim that anyone can create a work of art with this app, but if you have a bit of drawing talent in your fingers, then you will find that this app makes it very easy for you.
Tip 11: Remote Desktop
Chromebooks are fantastic, but if you still need something from your PC, you can thanks to the Chrome extension Chrome Remote Desktop connect to that PC very easily (provided you have prepared that computer for that). This gives you the advantage of a Chromebook and the convenience of a PC within reach. You don’t have to worry that your Chromebook is not powerful enough, because in this case the PC controls the calculation.
Tip 12: CrossOver
If there is no PC to connect to and you still need a Windows program, then CrossOver a fantastic solution. CrossOver is an app that lets you run Windows programs on your Chromebook. This does not work for all Windows programs; you are limited to the catalog that this program offers, but that catalog is immensely large (although you will only find old versions of Office there). CrossOver is not found in the Chrome Web Store, but in the Google Play Store. So you do need a Chromebook that supports this app store (in short, a Chromebook that is no older than 2.5 years). Small disadvantage: CrossOver is not free and you pay 58 euros per year for it.
Tip 13: Spotify
Spotify is easy to install on your Chromebook. And we definitely recommend this app, because together with Netflix (see tip 15) this app turns your Chromebook into a super media player, without having to give up disk space. The latter is relevant, because disk space on Chromebooks is unfortunately still often very limited.
Tip 14: All-in-one messenger
The app that we now recommend is not only fantastic for your Chromebook, but actually for all computers in general. Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Skype, Slack – it is staggering how many communication apps you have to keep an eye on nowadays. All-in-one messenger combines all mentioned messengers (including many more) in one lightweight program. That means that you are alone All-in-one messenger need to open and answer the messages per tab. It does not become more efficient than this and moreover it requires less of your system than if you have all these services open separately.
Tip 15: Netflix
It might be an open door Netflix to mention in an article about apps that should not be missing on your Chromebook, yet we have a damn good reason for that. Netflix works well in Windows, but what you can’t do in Windows is download movies and series to watch them offline (at least, not in a way that allows Netflix). Chromebooks do have that option, because Netflix can be viewed via an app instead of the browser. Ideal to watch your films and series on the train or plane for example.
