HP Chromebook

HP Chromebooks running ChromeOS were acquired by WMBE to be used at edit-a-thons by volunteers who do not have a laptop.

Other devices were acquired to lend to board members during their assignment.

Advantages

• Lightweight (1.5 kg)
• Easy to use
• No specific software required
  • Only a Google account, possibly Google Suite for initial configuration and maintenance
  • Participants not using a Google account can use a guest account
    • Nothing is saved in the guest account (privacy, security)
  • Self configuring, automatic updates
  • Data is stored in Google Suite/Drive, or OneDrive
• Long lasting battery (a whole day)

Hardware

• USB-C power supply (45 W); can be used for any device with an USB-C input
• Quadruple core (Intel Pentium silver)
• 14" full HD (1920x1080)
• 8 GB RAM
• 128 GB SSD
• 2 USB-C, 1 USB-A
• Micro-SD card slot
• High speed Wi-Fi

Software

• Standard: Google Docs, Google Presentations, Google Spreadsheets
• An optional Linux container
  • You can run e.g. OpenRefine, Pywikibot, or other Linux tools
• A subset of Android applications

Known problems

• No ethernet, but there exist ethernet USB adapters
• An USB-C adaptor is required to connect a HDMI screen
  • Duplication versus extension of screen (some applications only work with duplication)
  • Some adaptors might not work with certain monitors
  • A VGA adaptor can also be connected
• Problem activating USB ClickShare; use HDMI instead
• Problem activiating captive Wi-Fi or certain Wi-Fi hotspots; use USB thethering instead

External links

• Coolblue (December 2021, December 2023)
• Bol.com (May 2023)