As schools seek to equip their students, teachers, and staff with powerful, efficient, and secure devices, Chromebook Plus now emerges as a compelling choice. In this blog post, we'll compare and contrast the Chromebook Plus with traditional Windows and Mac devices, and explore why it's an ideal solution for schools.

What is the Cost Difference Between Chromebook Plus vs Windows and Macs?

One of the most significant advantages of Chromebook Plus is its affordability. Compared to Windows and Mac devices, Chromebooks typically offer a more budget-friendly option while delivering comparable enterprise-grade performance. This makes them accessible to schools with limited budgets, allowing them to invest in more devices for their teachers, staff, and advanced students.

CTL Chromebook Plus PX141G Series devices, for example, start at just $419. We hear from our customers that to outfit a teacher or staff member with a Windows or Mac device, typical costs range from $1,500 to $2,000 per device.

What is the Performance Difference Between Chromebook Plus, Windows, and Macs?

These days, very little. Chromebooks, including Chromebook Plus, typically run on lightweight Chrome OS, which is designed for efficiency and fast boot times. This translates to snappy performance for most tasks like browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and using online applications.

Today, Chromebook Plus offers a host of performance metrics that make it compelling for use by teachers, advanced students, and school professionals:

• Intel i3 processors or better
• 8/16 GB DDR5 RAM
• 128/256 GB eMMC storage
• Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast, smart, uncongested connectivity
• File Sync to use apps offline
• Support for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
• Full HD 1080p webcam coupled with AI-powered tools help you look your best on any virtual meeting app (such as Teams, Google Meet, Zoom) with enhanced clarity, lighting, and appearance options
• Webcam privacy shutter
• All-day battery life.

CTL recently saw this comment about Chromebook performance vs a Windows machine as posted on a public Reddit blog: “Not nearly as much bloat so RAM/CPU power is less abused.”

What are the Differences in Simplicity and Ease of Use for Chromebook Plus?

Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, a lightweight and intuitive operating system designed for simplicity. Unlike Windows and Mac, which can be complex to navigate for new users, Chromebooks offer a straightforward interface that is easy to learn and use. This is particularly beneficial for students and teachers who may not have extensive technical experience.

Most schools operate on Google Workspace, and moving teachers and staff to  Chromebook Plus can provide several benefits to help them align better with the student experience:

• Shared experience: teachers can better understand the challenges and opportunities students face when using the technology  
  
  
• Effective troubleshooting: teachers can provide more targeted assistance and troubleshoot issues more efficiently   
  
  
• Empathy and connection: By sharing the same digital experience, teachers can foster a stronger connection with students.

By switching out Windows PCs and Macs for Chromebook Plus, IT administrators can seamlessly manage all ChromeOS devices for all users with the power and simplicity of the Google Admin console. 

Think of it - all your devices centrally managed, with no more manual updates. Your IT team will save significant amounts of time by avoiding managing multiple device platforms with multiple programs.

Comparing Chromebook Plus, Windows, and Macs: Security and Updates

Security is a top priority in educational environments, and Chromebooks excel in this area. Chrome OS is built with security features from the ground up, including automatic updates, malware protection, and sandboxing technology. This helps to safeguard sensitive student and school data, reducing the risk of cyberattacks.

With Chromebook Plus, there is no need for a virus scanner, slowing things up. Updates take just minutes, without requiring machines left on overnight.

Recently on a public Reddit blog, some users reported these security and update advantages:

• “Easier to maintain. I need 3 days to set up a Windows PC. Mostly for updates. With Chrome OS it's done in one afternoon.”
• “I never had synchronization issues with Google Workspace or the free variants and Google Drive compared to MS Office 365, Teams, and OneDrive. Every week lost data when working with my colleagues. Use Chrome OS and Google Workspace, it just works.”

Chromebook Plus and AI

The Chromebook Plus is billed as the AI Laptop and rivals Microsoft’s Copilot PCs. Google has built out its Google AI suite, and seamlessly includes it in all Chromebook Plus devices. Users can spark productivity with the set of AI tools: Help Me Write, Magic Editor for Google Photos, and AI generative backgrounds. Easily access Gemini on the web, in the app, or in the OS for an AI-powered assistant that can help with any task at any point in a workflow.

Read the updates on how Google is using AI to support students and educators.

Who Can Use Chromebook Plus in Schools?

Chromebook Plus devices are designed to be used by teachers and other school staff members. These powerful laptops offer features specifically tailored for educational use, such as collaboration tools, intuitive lesson management, and robust security. They provide a reliable and efficient way for teachers to manage their classrooms, create engaging lessons, and collaborate with colleagues.

While Chromebook Plus devices are perfect for teachers, CTL has also been asked to provide Chromebook Plus devices for older students, CTE students, and staff members who require a more powerful device for tasks like video editing or graphic design. Schools can implement policies and restrictions to ensure that these devices are used appropriately and responsibly by all authorized users.

Why Choose Chromebook Plus for Schools?

Given the advantages outlined above, it's clear why Chromebook Plus devices are becoming increasingly popular in schools for teachers, staff, and advanced students. Here's why schools should consider switching from Windows PCs and Macs to Chromebook Plus:

• Cost-effective: Chromebook Plus is a more affordable option for schools with limited budgets
• Easy to use: Intuitive interface for students and teachers of all ages
• Teacher/student alignment: A shared computing environment smooths both teaching and learning 
• Secure: Robust security features to protect sensitive data
• Cloud-based integration: Seamless integration with Google Workspace for productivity and collaboration
• Robust AI tools: to make teaching and learning more efficient
• Ability to work offline: with File Sync, users can work with apps offline
• Reduced IT management: Simplified device management in a single ecosystem for schools.

By equipping their students, teachers, and staff with Chromebook Plus devices, schools can create a more efficient, secure, and collaborative learning environment. The combination of affordability, simplicity, security, and versatility makes Chromebook Plus an ideal choice for educational institutions.

Additional Considerations

Ultimately, the decision to switch to Chromebook Plus depends on the specific needs and goals of your school. By carefully evaluating the advantages and considering your unique requirements, you can determine if Chromebook Plus is the right choice for your educational institution.

Learn more about CTL Chromebook Plus PX141G Series devices.