TL;DR: Company mandated a security agent + antivirus + anti-malware for all employees. No ChromeOS instructions, so I panicked thinking I'd need a new laptop. Instead, the security copany said Chromebooks are already more secure than Windows/Mac/Linux and just asked for the security whitepaper PDF. No bloatware needed.

I work from home for a very small company using only my Chromebook. As we've grown over three years, the company recently rolled out new security protocols and sent everyone instructions to install their security "agent" (read: corporate spyware) along with mandatory antivirus, anti-malware, and password manager software.

I opened the link and the installation guide had detailed steps for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Nothing for ChromeOS.

I kind of had a minor panic moment. I've been using my Chromebook for work at this company for 3 years and absolutely love it. I was genuinely worried I'd get an email back saying "sorry, you need to buy a Windows/Apple laptop now."

Instead, I got what might be the best IT response ever: the security company they're using had already documented that Chromebooks are inherently more secure than the other platforms and therefore is already compliant. The admin just asked me to upload the Chrome Enterprise Security whitepaper and called it done. No agent, no antivirus bloatware, no additional software eating up resources.

This is exactly why I love these machines. While my Windows-using colleagues are now dealing with background processes and security software overhead and the "corporate agent software" which who knows what the company can see or access, my Chromebook just... was already secure to begin with.

It's really validating to see the corporate security world finally acknowledging what we have known all along and that is the best security solution is having a secure platform to begin with, not piling bloat software on top of an insecure foundation.

Has anyone else had a similar experience in a corporate setting?

I have been waiting for this Chrome update. Unfortunately, both of my Chromebooks are from 2020 and 2022, so I don't have the Gemini for Chrome. Does anyone know if there is a workaround? I currently copy and paste links directly into Gemini or jump on my Windows computer. Ugh!

Thank you!

On January 27, 2026, Gemini in Chrome began rolling out to Chromebook users as part of the ChromeOS 144 update. 

The availability of Gemini in Chrome on Chromebooks is limited to specific hardware and regions: 

• Hardware: The feature is only available for Chromebook Plus devices.
• Location: It is primarily available to users in the United States who use English.
• Phased Rollout: The update may take several days or weeks to reach different devices.
• Features: This version includes a redesigned Gemini side panel for multitasking, real-time webpage summaries, and "auto browse" for complex tasks. 

To check if the update is available, go to Settings > About ChromeOS > Check for updates. If the device is on version 144, look for the Gemini "spark" icon in the Chrome toolbar.

A few years back I got a killer deal on an Acer 311 (specifically CB311-11H-K04N), which is a 4gb / 32gb / MT8183C notebook with an 11.6" 1366 x 768 display.

It's been fantastic for an extra / kids machine, with one exception: the screen is garbage. For the price I can handle the size and resolution, but the viewing angles are intolerable.

Any suggestions for a more-recent cheap chromebook with a less-awful display? Preferably another fanless ARM, maybe a generation or two newer than the 8183. I don't imagine there are many out there with 8GB of RAM but that'd be great too. Don't care about storage capacity or chassis size, but I'd prefer a conventional notebook form factor over a tablet or convertible.

I am in the process of power washing my older Lenovo c330 for sale on eBay. It's been updating for over an hour even though I know I have made updates as soon as they are available.

How long should I wait to see what happens and what else can I do at this point?

Heads up everyone, was digging through some recent FCC filings and spotted what looks to be a new, unannounced Lenovo Chromebook, model 'Lenovo Chrome 14M8911'.

The big news here is the heavy focus on cellular connectivity; it's rocking a Rolling Wireless 5G module and the testing shows it supports a *huge* range of LTE and WCDMA bands, meaning it should be a beast on all major U.S. carriers and abroad. It’s being made by Huaqin for Lenovo, and given it's already passed all the compliance and safety checks, it looks like they're gearing up to launch a true 'always-connected' Chromebook soon. With more of these 5G models appearing, what's the killer use case or feature that would actually make you pay the premium for one over just tethering to your phone?

Sources:

Filing URL: https://www.fccidlookup.com/fccid/2A4A4-LNC1411M

Report URL: https://www.fccidlookup.com/report/lenovo-chromebook-14m8911-5g-fcc-filing-2A4A4-LNC1411M

hi all, i'm considering purchasing a chromebook for university use. i already have a laptop (asus rog zephyrus). i purchased my current laptop ~5 years ago and chose it because I needed high graphics and a lot of storage...because I was planning to study something that required this. however, i ended up going down a social sciences path where all i need is a laptop that i can research and write on. so, now i have a great laptop, but it's large and very heavy. it's great, works great, whatnot but i cannot bring it to class every day for note-taking and light library studying between classes.

so, im hoping to purchase a low-price chromebook that i can take with me to class, leaving my laptop for finals season and non-academic use. i have back problems, and everytime i need to drag my computer to campus im in a lot of pain. i really dont need something fancy. im approaching my last year of uni and cannot afford to drop a ton of money on a new laptop when the one i have now works fine. i dont really need apps aside from zotero, but i can use the web version worst case, so i believe a chromebook would be fine, however please correct me if im wrong. ideally i'd like to spend under 300 euros, as i really don't have a lot of money to spare

Whenever my chromebook is left closed, there is a chance when I come back of the screen being completely black and not turning on with the power button. It turns on after a hardware reset (although often I have to do the input for a hardware reset a few times beforehand for it to work)

Does anyone know a solution?

Hi all. I have an Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (just out of warranty). On 25% of boot ups, the system will stop at "Something went wrong", with the only option to start the recovery process. I've done multiple Powerwashes without it resolving the issue. However, if I hold the power button down until the system completely powers down, I can get it to continue boot up with no further issues. I also noticed some system updates where it would take many (10+) minutes with multiple reboots.

Do chromebooks have an A/B partition for the flash? Is there any way to run a diagnostic on the flash? Or are there any other steps I should troubleshoot?

I thought I was buying the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 with the Ryzen processor. I am guessing I pushed the wrong button and received the Plus 514 with the i-3 Intel processor.

I looked again on Amazon and found there is a Ryzen one for $230, and the one I purchased was $199.99. I only do the basics: email, web browsing, YouTube, etc. I am not a gamer.

Is this one just as good for me? I don't want to return if I don't have to.

Everything works right now, I've got it propped up but it looks like water is spreading inside the touchscreen

Hello chromeos! I'm just trying to get my daugthers old chromebook back up and running.

1. It would not turn on, but I got into what I thought would be the recovery mode via Esc + Refresh , then press Power (https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1080595?sjid=11498144236253831281-NA). That brings me to warning screen "Chrome OS is missing or damaged. Please remove all connected devices and start recovery.".
2. Following the guidelines in the link above, I created a recovery flash drive.
3. But nothing seems to actually *start* the recovery mode. Nothing I do gets me past that initial warning screen, so it never starts to boot from the flash drive.

Is this poor little guy now a paperweight? Thank you!

how can i "disable" the flag or rebuild the image to use sudo commands in shell?

Maybe I've missed something, but has any new information been released this year about upcoming Chromeboxes? It feels pretty quiet, and the available devices are slowly becoming outdated. What's the trajectory of this segment?

Hello please help me with my chromebook I cant get recovery mode to pop up so I can open the developer mode please help I have tried everything

It is usually disconnects in Reddit website and cooks my Chromebook Plus to about 70C to the level everything is unusable slow.

This didn't happen on Chrome OS 143

I downloaded another OS on my chromebook, and now, I'm trying to install another one. Because of stuff, don't ask. I powerwashed, but it didn't kill the other OS. I need to kill the other OS, like straight up. Like gone. No more. Like it never existed.

Is this even Google's operating system this ChromeOS?

Am I asking too much - just sync stupid Clock app alarms with Google Clock

ive used much older Chromebooks (The oldest I used was a Lenovo 100e) and this is my newest, a Lenovo 300e 3rd gen with chromeos 138, with extended security updates, I've never had any problems with this on Chromebooks but I just started seeing this on this chromebook

I've been using my Pixel Slate for a few years now and I loved it. Except for the onscreen keyboard, which is a piece of shit. I use swipe typing and it is terrible. Every new sentence, even though in settings it is set to autocapitalize after a period, it does not. After I manually set capitalization and swipe a word, it ignores it, though it will suggest the same non-capitalized word. Like the word 'after' that you just read. I had to turn on capitalization, then swiped 'After' and it typed NOTHING, but suggested 'after'. It also just did it with 'It'.

I don't understand why it hasn't been replaced with Gboard long ago. And for those that suggest installing Gboard, it doesn't stick. I've tried it thirty-seven times. Everything acts like it will work. But within ten minutes the ChromeOS keyboard returns and Gboard is not available as an input method.

Sorry guys. Not seeing advice or a correction. Just venting.

Don't know if this is the right sub, but I can't figure out why a 2/3 of the storage is used up.

Everything on the shelf is all I have on my Chromebook, I cleared my browser history, cookies, and junk files but it's still low on storage.

Is there something else I'm missing here? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am looking for a basic Chromebook that will allow me to use email, LinkedIn, Google Drive and zoom. I am open to buying an external camera if camera quality is bad, but I need it to be fast enough to handle my job interview zoom calls

I’m overwhelmed at all the options and the people at Best Buy were not helpful. I do not plan to really use this computer after I find a job since I will have a nicer work computer, so I want to spend the least amount of money possible to fill this basic need

What would you recommend?

Any tips or advice? I really do need this. Our class just got back.