Google’s newest and most affordable Chromebook makes it easier than ever for readers to consume content on the move. Available for just £49, the device brings a 7-inch screen and all the storage and processing power of a traditional PC to the palm of your hand. That small price tag makes it incredibly attractive to early adopters and mobile content enthusiasts who want to try something different from the traditional Mac or Windows computer. Even if you don’t fit that description, the device’s sleek and stylish appearance will have you wanting to grab one.
While it might be tempting to write off Google’s newest Chromebook as a mere web browser with a few add-ons, the machine has so much more to offer. Not only does it boast an enviable security model and a solid battery life, but it also supports a large number of desktop applications on a browser-based platform. If you’re already a fast and frequent user of Google’s Cloud Platform, you can even run your existing Windows or macOS applications directly from your Chromebook. And, at the end of the day, all you need to do to get the most from this remarkable device is simply install a few small applications and create a shortcut to a few more.
If you’re looking to dive into the world of ebooks, you might want to consider checking out Google’s newest Chromebook as it’s pretty much set up for the task. Thanks to its lightweight nature and powerful CPU and GPU, you can be pretty sure that all your ebooks will load and display smoothly even on limited internet connections. That said, if you do opt to purchase a Chromebook, you’ll want to invest in a solid-state drive (SSD) to help eliminate reloads as your device utilizes a traditional hard drive (HDD). Additionally, you might want to consider picking up a Bluetooth keyboard to save you from having to type on the small on-screen keyboard.
Why Write An Ebook On a Chromebook
Google’s newest Chromebook is undoubtedly the simplest and one of the lightest tablets to ever hit the market, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in features. On the contrary, the device is pretty much a no-compromises solution when it comes to performance and capability.
From an aesthetic perspective, it might not be the most appealing option, as the device measures a meagre 7 inches in height, only 5.75 inches in width, and weighs a slender 1.3 kilograms. Even though it fits in the palm of your hand, the slimmest of slim laptops, or even a netbook, would still feel more comfortable in the same situation.
As for the performance side of things, even though the device is based on an ARM-built chipset, the hardware inside is actually quite powerful. In fact, it supports up to 64GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for an ebook reader, and has a dedicated fast storage drive. What’s more is, the device comes with a standard-size battery, capable of powering it for up to eight hours. Considering how lightweight it is, the battery life should not come as a great surprise.
What Are The Most Popular Ebook Formats?
Whether you’re a publishing giant such as Simon & Schuster or Hachette or a smaller independent publisher looking to carve a niche for yourself, there’s an ebook format suitable for you.
The most popular electronic book (eBook) formats are widely compatible which means that you don’t need to have all your eBooks stored in a specific format. For example, you could have a collection of PDFs stored on your computer, and simply convert them to the EPUB format to upload and read on the go. Better yet, you could have the entire set of ebooks available in multiple formats, so if you’ve got a physical copy, you can choose which one you’d like to read on your device.
If you’re already a big fan of any of the popular PDF formats, such as PDFX or PDF, you might consider moving to EPUB which is also supported by most ereader apps. If not, you could opt for the plain old HTML format which is also pretty easy to create and can be viewed on pretty much any device.
Is It Worth Learning How to Write An Ebook?
If you’re truly determined to write an e-book, whether for fun or for profit, there are a few different directions you could go in. Once you’ve mastered the art of writing an e-book, you could explore self-publishing platforms such as Amazon Kindle or Apple iBooks, or you could consider seeking traditional publishing for your work.
If you decide to pursue self-publishing, you’ll want to get your hands on a copy of Microsoft Word or Google Docs so that you can begin crafting your digital stories. If you don’t own either of those applications, there are dozens of similar alternatives which can be found for free online.
As for those who decide to go the traditional publishing route, the sky is the limit as to what you could do. There are plenty of options available if you’re looking for an agent or a publisher who can take care of the whole process for you.
How Do I Install Apps On My Chromebook?
If you’re an early adapter who likes experimenting with new tech and doesn’t mind spending a little bit of time setting up your device to work the way you want it to, you might want to consider checking out the Chrome Web Store. In addition to featuring a wealth of free applications, the Chrome Web Store also hosts a large number of premium apps which you can install on your Chromebook.
To get started, simply visit the Chrome Web Store and click the button which will open up the app gallery.
From there, you’ll want to head to the Chrome Apps section and look for an app which fits the bill. For example, you could find a PDF reader, a word processor, or a simple ebook viewer. After you’ve downloaded the app, double-click it to launch it and follow the onscreen instructions to set it up.
If you need a refresher as to how to use your Chromebook, simply follow the onscreen prompts to guide you through setup.
As for those who decide to go the Chrome App route, things are a little bit different. To begin with, you’ll want to visit the Chrome Web Store and click the button which will open up the app gallery. From there, you can either swipe left or right to view mobile-friendly apps or you can click the **Get** button to bring up a list of all the installed apps. From there, you can click the **More tools** icon which will reveal the app’s settings UI. Or, you can click the little **x** on the right side of the app’s browser chrome to close the settings UI and get back to the desktop view.
If you’ve never used Chrome before, you might wonder how to navigate the browser’s menus. To access the app’s menu, simply press the **Ctrl** (**CMD**) key while clicking on an app’s icon or title. Doing this will trigger the Chrome application’s menu, which you can then navigate like any other application’s menu. To close the app’s menu, press the **Ctrl** (**CMD**) key while clicking on an app’s icon or title once more.
What If I Need To Access My Email?
If you need to check your email, you can visit the Chrome Web Store and click on the **Gear** icon to reveal a drop-down menu. From there, you can select **Settings** to reveal the Chrome app’s settings page. On this page, you can configure the browser’s search engine, proxy settings, and choose whether or not to allow pop-ups.
To set your Chrome browser’s search engine to Google, simply type in the text box the web address of your choice (e.g. Google.com) and click the **Search** button. To change your Chrome settings via the CLI (command line), navigate to the **Settings** page and enter your password when prompted. From there, type in the textbox your choice (e.g. disable-popups) and press **Enter** to set the option. To re-enable pop-ups, type in the textbox the option (e.g. popup-blocker) and press **Enter**.