Introduction to ChromeOS

ChromeOS is an operating system developed and maintained by Google that has been gaining rapid popularity in recent times unlike other operating systems on the market, ChromeOS focuses on your content rather than the intricacies of the machine it is running on. Owners of ChromeOS devices do not have to worry as much about device security, viruses, spyware and other common issues that are common on MacOS and Windows. ChromeOS had humble beginnings as a basic operating system that only exposes the Chrome web browser to its users, however, has evolved in a way that offers many of the features of traditional operating systems.

At its heart, ChromeOS is still centered around the Chrome web browser however as the operating system evolved, it gained access to additional features such as the ability to run Android applications and even Linux applications. Even with all of these new features, ChromeOS has not lost its roots and still focuses on security and reliability. The fact that ChromeOS can run applications that target Android, Linux and the web also makes it a compelling solution for existing mobile application developers to be able to run their applications on a desktop interface without needing to learn any new languages.

ChromeOS comes installed on several laptops and desktops available on the market. ChromeOS devices have been available for several years and has been a popular choice for users who want a simple and reliable machine. ChromeOS devices are also commonly found in enterprises and are often used to power things such as workstations, thin clients and digital signage. ChromeOS has seen a surge in popularity in the educational space, with many schools issuing Chromebooks to their students and teachers.

The Benefits of ChromeOS

There are countless benefits of using ChromeOS, including:

Cloud-Centric Model

ChromeOS was built with deep integration with Google's Cloud service to allow for seamless synchronization of data and settings. Users can choose to use Google Drive as a primary storage location for files, allowing them to never have to worry about data loss again, even if their device is stolen or destroyed.

Offline Support

ChromeOS excels when it comes to using web applications, however many modern ChromeOS devices also have excellent support for offline applications via Android, Linux and Chrome SWA/PWA Applications.

Flexibility

ChromeOS offers a unique amount of flexibility that is not present in other operating systems. A ChromeOS device can be used by those with basic needs and also can be used by those with heavy needs such as software developers.

Designed With Security In Mind

ChromeOS was built from the ground up with security in mind, unlike some other operating systems that treat security as an afterthought or charge extra for security features such as full-disk encryption. The architecture of ChromeOS allows it to be resilient against most security threats such as viruses and other malware without the need to install any third-party security products. ChromeOS exemplifies the fact device security should be a standard feature and not an optional feature that users need to pay for additional security products to cover flaws in the operating system. ChromeOS also makes updates simple and painless, so even those who have never used a computer before will never be on an outdated version of the operating system as long as the {MODEL} has not reached its end of life with Google.

Near-Instant Startup Time

ChromeOS was built to be a near instant-on operating system with boot times being measured in a few seconds instead of minutes, even when performing a over the air system update, a process that can take hours on other commercial operating systems.

Google Play Store/Android Integration

ChromeOS devices manufactured after 2016 have access to the same Google Play Store that Android Phones have access to. This allows you to bring your favorite Android applications onto your ChromeOS device or leverage features that are not available on the web-based versions of your favorite services, such as the ability to download content from supported streaming media providers offline. Most of your free and purchased applications are available to install with a single click in the Google Play Store.

Cost Effective

ChromeOS devices are available at multiple price-points to allow them to fit into anyone's budget. Users with simple needs can often get an excellent Chromebook for under $250.00 and those who need higher end Chromebooks can often spend less than $800.00 for a high-end unit.

Powerful Parental Controls

ChromeOS has multiple parental controls built into each device to allow parents to manage the devices that their children use. Parents can control hardware features such as Webcam/Microphone access and control the websites that their children can and cannot visit. If your child also has an Android phone, the same parental controls can be used between devices. Parents can also set time limits on screen time and activities. Devices enrolled in the parental control system require parental approval to install new applications and make purchases in the play store.

Educational/Enterprise Endpoint Management

Google Workspace and Google Education Suite is a cost-effective solution for businesses and educational institutions to set up, manage and secure enrolled ChromeOS devices without the need to set up a complicated in-house infrastructure. Google Workspace allows a system administrator to set up policies in a simple and efficient web interface and push the policies to each device assigned to their account.

Rapid Evolution

ChromeOS is a relatively young operating system, with its initial release being in mid-2011. ChromeOS started as a basic web-centric operating system and over several years of development gained features that put it on par with other operating systems. ChromeOS continues to see new features being released with every major update, as well as refining existing features.

Developer Friendly

ChromeOS is one of the most developer friendly operating systems in development and will appeal to everyone from web designers to application developers. Many modern ChromeOS devices allow Linux applications to run, which opens up the possibility of running web servers, large IDEs and full development studios. The Linux environment can run most of the popular resources that developers rely on, including runtimes such as Python, NodeJS and Java.