Guest Expert: Sam Tatum, Tear Down Technician

Perusing the lengthy list of Chromebook models can feel like staring blankly at the menu of a classy French restaurant. Maybe you know what Moules Marinières, Pissaladière, or X360 G4EE translates to — but if you don't, it's probably best not to just point to something and hope for the best. Get the model that's right for you, with the ingredients features that will satisfy your Chromebook appetite. Below are some recommendations based on different types of use.

Guest Contributor: Jay Haugen, Account Executive

For many school IT Directors, a penny saved is a penny spent on Chromebook maintenance. But how do you maintain a fleet of devices when your budget doesn't make any cents? Managing the lifecycle of Chromebooks can be challenging under any circumstances, with reckless student destruction and model expiration dates, but there are a few ways to work around a low budget.

Guest Contributor: Jeff Lander, Hardware Technology Account Executive

Whether through general wear and tear or a barbarous student population, the need for Chromebook repairs has risen rapidly in the last few years. The sudden implementation of remote learning no doubt caught many off guard, with districts unprepared for the financial and staffing challenges of servicing and maintaining a fleet of these handy educational tools. So what does an IT Director (or Tech Teacher, or Librarian) and their small (or nonexistent) team do when faced with multiple cartloads of repairs? It may be time to start looking around for help.

Guest Contributor: Joanna Nelson, Assistant Sales Manager

Look, we get it: the bottom line when it comes to securing Chromebook parts or services is pretty much all about...the bottom line. Many schools are required to take multiple bids from suppliers and repair shops, and then required to opt for the lowest cost. Fair enough — at least until those shipping dates get pushed back or those knockoff batteries go kaput, and there's no one picking up the phone to explain why your students are going back to the Dark Ages for the next month or more. Let's face it — that is not the basis for a lasting relationship.

Guest Contributor: Joshua Ford, Territory Account Specialist

It's going to happen eventually — much like replicants, Chromebooks have a built-in lifecycle. The end of Google support means the end of security updates, and the possibility that websites will stop supporting your current browser version. For a school with upwards of 2000 of these devices, this can present something of a headache. Not to worry — whether due to those expiring auto updates, unsatisfactory performance, or just a desire to replace aging devices with a shiny, new fleet, schools can take advantage of Chromebook buyback policies. Here's how to make the process as smooth as possible.

Guest Contributor : Bryan Freisinger, Systems Analyst

Sure, our company might be called ChromebookParts.com, but do we really use these things? You bet we do. And along the way toward reaching our goal of going %100 Chrome, we’ve learned a trick or two about just what these adorable — and versatile — little machines can do. Want to make your Chrome life even easier? These three Chromebook features are some of our favorites.