Chromebook
a Chromebook is a laptop that uses a solid state drive (SSD) and runs Chrome OS, an operating system made by Google.

Google is a technology company and a search engine. Google makes the Chrome OS. Gmail your free online email service.

Chrome OS is the operating system. Chrome OS is browser-based and cloud-powered. The SSD boots up in seconds and connects to the internet almost instantaneously. Updates are managed automatically so Chromebooks actually become faster and more secure over time.
it's in the Cloud
Chromebook runs Cloud-based apps: Gmail for email, YouTube for watching interesting videos, Drive for cloud storage, Files to see things like your photos and videos, and you can listen to streaming music using Spotify, for example, and a Bluetooth speaker.
Chromebook uses your Google Account so have your login credentials ready: you@gmail.com, and password.
Chrome OS is made to run web services by Google. It is based on the Linux kernel and uses the Google Chrome web browser as its principal user interface. Think wifi. Chrome OS primarily supports web applications.
btw, you can make Google Chrome the default web browser on all your devices.
crosh
Chrome OS includes a shell environment known as Chrome shell, or crosh. Open crosh anywhere in Chrome OS by Ctrl + Alt + T and it opens in a new browser tab. Stop any command in crosh by Ctrl + C.
'ssh' is a built-in command to connect to SSH servers.
'top' command from Linux, to display all the low-level processes that might be using resources.
'sound' to record audio from your microphone, and then play it back later.
sound record 10
to record 10 seconds of audio
crosh howtogeek ssh, help, top, ping, sound.
both hands on the keyboard
Ctrl + Alt + / (or Ctrl + Alt + ?) for keyboard cmd 5 Chromebook tips Google
F1 F10 top row function keys assigned to certain tasks.
toggle the size of the active window to full screen
support Google
keyboard shortcuts and use your keyboard and use your touchpad
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Search and app launcher |
Alt + Tab | toggle between windows |
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F5 switch key to show all your open windows |
Move between apps | swipe with 2 fingers on the touchpad, either left or right |
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Create a shortcut |
Right-click | press or tap on the touchpad with 2 fingers (or press Alt, then click with 1 finger) |
Scroll | place 2 fingers on the touchpad and move them up and down to scroll vertically |
Ctrl + t | open a new tab |
Ctrl + w | close the current tab you're on |
Ctrl + l | jump to address bar (location) |
Space | scroll down the page |
Alt + ▲ | page up |
Alt + ▼ | page down |
Ctrl + r | reload your current page |
Ctrl + d | save current page as a bookmark |
Ctrl + Shift + b | show or hide the bookmarks bar |
Chromebook desktop
apps: apps are on the bottom left - Gmail, Chrome, YouTube, Files, Hangouts status: status is on the bottom right - Time, Wifi, Battery, and your Profile picture.
Apps and how to customize your desktop Google
Google Meet

Google Meet is a free video chat app available on Android and iOS. You can conference call with up to 8 people. Download the app on the Google Play store or the Apple store. Install the app, and then link the app to your Google account for enhanced features.
Google privacy
Google gives you control over your data. Google Cloud (which offers Meet) does not use customer data for advertising, and does not sell customer data to third parties. Customer data is encrypted in transit. Comes with end to end encryption, a standard security method that protects communications data. Google does not store video, audio, or chat data unless you record the Meet session.
YouTube

YouTube is a free video sharing platform owned by Google. Premium is $12/mo with no commercials. YouTube
language
- Translate language: select play, then pause the video
- select
Settings
- Subtitles/CC select the ▼
- Translate captions (maybe click on selection above to expose this option)
- Auto-translate select the ▼ and finally scroll down to select a language e.g. Japanese
YouTubeTV is a live TV streaming service, owned by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google. $65/mo. YouTubeTV
Google Files

Google Files is your folders and photos and docs.
open, save, delete files Google
Ctrl + e | Add a new folder |
Google Drive

Google Drive is your online storage.
Drive Google
Photos
Music
Google Play Music is your online music.
- select ☰ Menu top left
- select Browse stations
- select Genres: e.g. Jazz, and then select a subgenre: e.g. Mellow Jazz
- select the orange circle Play button
music track information and music controls are at the bottom of the screen. Select the orange circle Play/Pause, or Next track.
Wifi
your internet provider installs a router and provides the wireless network name and password. Record your login info and keep it safe and separate from your Chromebook.
if you go to a new location then you must make a new connection to the router at the new location. When you return home, you must make a connection to your home network. Your Chromebook will search for it automatically, and remember your settings, all you have to do is make the switch.
Settings, Internet connection, Wifi
from the desktop you will be using the status area to get to Settings, Internet connection, Wifi.
- click the status area: lower right of the screen with Time, Wifi, Battery, Profile picture
- a window will appear
- choose Settings
- under Internet connection choose Wifi network
- type the network password
- click Connect
connect to TV
How to mirror the screen to a larger screen: direct connect the Chromebook to any TV or monitor. First, close the Chromebook, and then use an HDMI cable to connect the Chromebook output to the TV input. Then open the Chromebook, and press and hold the Ctrl key while you hit the full screen key.
Ctrl + [full screen]
or try 1. click the Notification area in lower right corner. 2. click the Mirroring to xxxx TV 3. in the Manage Displays popup window choose Option: Start mirroring
Learn more about how to Connect your Chromebook to a TV
text editing
command | result |
---|---|
Shift + ▶ | select characters to the right |
Backspace | delete |
Alt + Backspace | forward delete the Chromebook does not have a Delete key |
Ctrl + c | copy text |
Ctrl + v | paste text |
Ctrl + a | select all |
Ctrl + x | cut |
Ctrl + s | save |