Saturday, July 31, 2021

Samsung Galaxy Book Go review: Crazy value at a crazy price

XDA Recommended Product in 2020 Award Badge
I can’t tell you how excited I was to write this review. When Qualcomm announced its Snapdragon 7c chipset back in December 2019, it really piqued my interest. It promised the traditional value propositions like integrated cellular connectivity, thinner and fanless designs, and better battery life, but at a price point that most certainly wasn’t traditional. The sub-$500 laptop market isn’t a good one, and has few products I can recommend, but the Samsung Galaxy Book Go offers things that others don’t.

When Snapdragon 7c devices first started shipping, they were in educational devices, and later, on Chromebooks like the Acer Chromebook Spin 513. Now, the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 is here in the Galaxy Book Go. Like the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2, the new chipset is only a clock speed bump over its predecessor.

The Samsung Galaxy Book Go, unfortunately, sheds integrated cellular connectivity in the base model, but the rest is there. It’s a fanless PC that weighs in at three pounds. Indeed, that’s not something you see on a laptop that only costs $349. There are 4G LTE and 5G tiers as well.

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Samsung Galaxy Book Go specs

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, 2.55GHz
Graphics Qualcomm Adreno
Body 12.75″x8.85″x0.59″, 3.04 pounds
Display 14 inches, 1,920×1,080, 220 nits, LED
RAM 4GB LPDDR4x
Storage 128GB eUFS
Battery 5,480mAh, 2-cell Li-ion
Ports (2) USB 3.1 Type-C
(1) USB 2.0 Type-A
(1) 3.5mm audio
MicroSD card reader
Audio 2 x 1.5W Dolby Atmos
Webcam 720p
Wireless Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11ac
Material Plastic
Color Silver
OS Windows 10 Home
Price $349.99

This model was provided to me by Qualcomm, and it’s the base model. There are going to be more variants, such as the 5G model with a Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2.

Design: The Samsung Galaxy Book Go looks and feels premium

As far as design goes, the Samsung Galaxy Book Go looks and feels like a premium device.

I’ve reviewed hundreds of laptops in my career, and many of them are meant to be entry-level. All of those have a common theme though. They’re a lot thicker and heavier than premium devices. Indeed, they often offer the same Core i5 or even the Core i7 that you’d get in an ultrabook, with a solid 8GB of RAM, but you make compromises in other ways.

As far as the design goes with the Samsung Galaxy Book Go, it looks and feels like a premium device. What I mean by that is if I put this on a shelf with a half-dozen premium ultrabooks and convertibles, you probably wouldn’t be able to guess which one costs $349. And when I say it feels premium, I have to say I was surprised when I saw it was made out of plastic. Just by the feel, I thought it was metal.

Rear view of Samsung Galaxy Book Go on wooden bench

The color it comes in is silver, so there’s nothing about it that really stands out. I still like the look a lot better than a gray laptop, like other Samsung laptops. The only marking on the lid is the shiny Samsung logo.

Side view of Samsung Galaxy Book Go

This is actually the first Windows on ARM device that I’ve seen with a USB Type-A port, which is cool. It’s USB 2.0 unfortunately, but you can still use it for connecting basic peripherals like a mouse.

Side view of Samsung Galaxy Book Go

You’ll also find two USB Type-C ports, one on each side. It’s always nice to be able to choose which side to plug a charger into. On the left side, there’s also a 3.5mm audio jack and a microSD card slot, so the ports really do check the right boxes.

Display: The 14-inch FHD screen

While it’s impressive that a PC at this price has an FHD resolution, the screen is where you’ll start to remember how much the Galaxy Book Go costs. Frankly, it’s just not good. There’s noticeable color distortion if you try to look at it from any angle, and it screams budget PC.

Front view of Samsung Galaxy Book Go display

As you can see from my testing, the color gamut isn’t impressive at all.

Screenshot of Samsung Galaxy Book Go display testing

There’s no touch, which is no surprise given this is a clamshell laptop instead of a convertible. The bezels are about what you’d expect, narrow on the sides and larger on top to make room for the webcam. Sadly, that webcam is 720p, although again that’s not surprising given the price.

Close up of Samsung Galaxy Book Go webcam

One thing that’s surprisingly good is audio quality. The two 1.5W speakers are placed on the bottom of the device and they support Dolby Atmos. Listening to music on this machine is a much better experience than I’d expect.

Keyboard: It’s a standard Chiclet-style keyboard

One of the biggest pain points of this machine is the display, but the rest of it is pretty good. The Chiclet-style keyboard obviously isn’t winning any awards – it’s not an HP EliteBook or a Lenovo ThinkPad – but it’s solid. For the price, it’s pretty good and I have no complaints.

Top down view of Samsung Galaxy Book Go keyboard

As you can see from the image above, there’s nothing that stands out here. It’s your standard black keys on top of a silver deck. Above the keyboard is the power button, which sits flush with the deck; however, it’s not a fingerprint sensor. Indeed, any Windows Hello biometric authentication isn’t happening here. That’s a sacrifice made to get to the price, and a reasonable one.

Close up of Samsung Galaxy Book Go touchpad

The touchpad is nice and big, at least big enough given the amount of real estate. The whole input experience is pretty good, or at least there isn’t anything bad about it. I’ve had laptops that cost two or three times as much with keyboards that are awful. I’d call this a win.

Performance: The Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 doesn’t get help from 4GB RAM

Like the Snapdragon 8cx before it, the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 is a 150MHz improvement in clock speed over its predecessor. It’s designed for the entry-level, including Chromebooks and the educational market. Samsung is the first to put a Snapdragon 7c in a Windows-based consumer laptop.

It does feel sluggish in every day use, and for the most part, I use native apps. The bulk of my work is done in Microsoft’s Edge browser, which is native to ARM64. Other apps include Skype, OneNote, and Slack, the latter of which runs in emulation.

To be clear, Windows on ARM can run native ARM64 apps and emulated 32-bit x86 apps. There is x64 support coming with Windows 11, and in fact, I did install the Windows 11 preview about halfway through my testing process, just to see how much the experience improves. Indeed, Windows 11 does include various improvements for ARM PCs.

Samsung Galaxy Book Go closed on a bench

It doesn’t get much better with Windows 11, because there’s only so much you can ask for here. If you want to look across the board at the Intel Pentium Silver or Celeron processors that you’d expect at this price point, performance doesn’t really get any better. In fact, it’s probably worse.

What’s really the bottleneck here is that the Samsung Galaxy Book Go only has 4GB RAM. Windows PCs in 2021 need more than that. If you’ve got a lot of tabs open in the browser, you’re going to find that it has to reload pages from time to time.

On the other hand, Adobe Photoshop was surprisingly smooth. Of course, that’s another app that runs natively these days, along with Lightroom. Unfortunately, Adobe doesn’t offer 32-bit apps for emulation anymore, nor can you get the x64 apps through the Creative Cloud apps. In other words, your only options for Adobe apps are Photoshop and Lightroom.

Honestly, I think 8GB of RAM would completely change the experience for the Galaxy Book Go. There are supposed to be configurations for that, but right now this is the only one on Samsung’s website. In short, the chipset is pretty good for this price point, but 4GB RAM simply isn’t enough.

It’s worth remembering this is a really low price point. I say that because even people that buy inexpensive laptops might not realize how little you get for $350. This is normally a tier I wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

For benchmarks, I only used Geekbench, since that’s all that’s natively supported on ARM. Unfortunately, it doesn’t paint a full picture. Geekbench tests are for the CPU, but Qualcomm’s SoCs are a lot more than that, including the Adreno graphics and the DSP, which combine for the AI Engine.

Samsung Galaxy Book Go
Snapdragon 7c Gen 2
Microsoft Surface Go
Pentium Gold 4415Y
Huawei MateBook E
Snapdragon 850
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold
Core i5-L16G7
Samsung Galaxy Book S
Snapdragon 8cx
Geekbench 561 / 1,626 401 / 909 494 / 2,045 510 / 1,727 726 / 2,909

Battery life is fine, but it doesn’t live up to what I expect from Windows on ARM. After all, that’s supposed to be one of the key value props. I only got about six hours of real-world usage. Sometimes it was a bit better, but with a full-sized laptop, I expected more. For example, the Lenovo Flex 5G got over 12 hours for me.

Conclusion: Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Book Go?

The Samsung Galaxy Book Go would be my pick if you’re looking to spend $349.

Now for the big question. Should you buy it? The answer is, it depends. It all depends on how much you’re willing to spend on a laptop. When people ask me for laptop recommendations, my first question is what their budget is. Sometimes they say something crazy like $200. Others are more reasonable, and like I said earlier, I normally don’t recommend anything that costs under $500. But if $349 is what you’re looking to spend, the Samsung Galaxy Book Go would be my pick.

Front view of Samsung Galaxy Book Go on a bench

There’s just a lot of value here, and it feels so premium. When I first took it out of the box, I actually said “wow” out loud, because I totally didn’t expect what I got. The build feels great, and that’s made possible by the Snapdragon chip.

It’s not perfect, of course. The display isn’t great, but again, this price point doesn’t get you a great display. The bigger issue is it only has 4GB RAM. To put it simply, you’ll need more, but of course, that means paying more.

All around, the Samsung Galaxy Book Go is a phenomenal value. It’s got a design that’s unheard of for the price, and the overall experience is pretty good.

    Samsung Galaxy Book Go
    Samsung's Galaxy Book Go is an entry-level laptop with a Qualcomm processor and a unique value proposition

      Features:

      Pros:

      Cons:

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The Ultimate Guide to AirDrop on iPhone and Mac: Everything you need to know about the super convenient file transfer solution

AirDrop is Apple’s file-sharing feature that allows you to easily transfer files among Apple devices. It’s arguably one of the most seamless offline file transfer methods around, and it removes the need to upload your files to the cloud and then download them onto another device. It works on all modern Apple iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

In this article, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about AirDrop, and how you can use it.

Navigate this guide:


What is AirDrop?

AirDrop UI

AirDrop is a proprietary file-sharing feature from Apple. It uses an ad-hoc Wi-Fi connection to transfer photos, videos, documents, websites, map locations, and a lot more to other Apple devices. Moreover, it doesn’t require any setup, and can automatically detect other Macs or iPhones that are using AirDrop. The feature works completely offline and doesn’t need any kind of internet connection.

History

AirDrop made its debut as a part of Mac OS X Lion back in 2011. But it didn’t arrive on iOS until 2013 when it was added to the iPhone operating system as a part of iOS 7. Even then, the macOS AirDrop protocol and iOS AirDrop protocol weren’t interoperable.

The AirDrop protocol present in Mac OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks only used Wi-Fi, whereas the iOS AirDrop protocol uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. So to make AirDrop interoperable on both its platforms, Apple added support for iOS AirDrop protocol to OS X Yosemite. However, the legacy Mac AirDrop protocol is still used to transfer files between a Mac running OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks and another Mac running macOS Mojave or an older version.

Apple finally removed the legacy AirDrop protocol in macOS Catalina. Now, the iOS AirDrop protocol is used to transfer files among all modern iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.

How does AirDrop work?

AirDrop in Finder

The iOS AirDrop protocol (which we’ll just refer to as AirDrop from now on) uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to identify nearby devices (within 30 feet) and transfer content. It employs Bluetooth to detect any compatible devices in the vicinity. When a compatible nearby device is selected for a file transfer, AirDrop creates a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection to complete the actual transfer.

Since it uses a peer-to-peer connection, the two devices don’t need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. You can be anywhere with or without internet, as long as you have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi working on both devices. There’s no file size limit either. So you can transfer files as large as you want, given there’s enough space on the recipient device. You can also share pretty much everything between devices.

For data security, AirDrop uses TLS encryption over the peer-to-peer network, so your data is secure as well as private. It also creates a firewall between devices, so no one can access your phone or computer over the connection.

Which devices work with AirDrop?

AirDrop can work with iPhones, iPod touch, iPads, and Macs. The iPhones and iPads need to be running on iOS 7 or newer. To use AirDrop on Mac, you must have the 2012 or newer model (except the 2012 Mac Pro). In the case of the Mac Pro, you should have the 2013 or newer model.

As explained earlier, the older Macs can use the legacy AirDrop, but only if they’re running on macOS Mojave or older, and are airdropping files to another Mac running Mac OS X Lion to Mavericks. Macs running any macOS version older than Lion don’t come with AirDrop, and the legacy AirDrop was dropped in macOS Catalina. So there are very few combinations where legacy AirDrop still works.

Moreover, AirDrop can only be used with Apple devices. There’s no support for Windows or Android. Android has its own AirDrop alternative called Nearby Share. We’ll talk about it later in the article.

How to use AirDrop

Turning it on or off on iPhone or iPad

iPhone control center iPhone control center - airdrop iPhone AirDrop options

You can enable the AirDrop feature for just your Contacts or Everyone on iPhone or iPad, or set it to Receiving Off to disable it.

  • To enable AirDrop, open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad. Depending on your iPhone model, Control Center can be opened by swiping up from the bottom edge or swiping down from the top right corner of your screen.
  • Once Control Center is open, long press on the Wi-Fi button or anywhere in the network settings card, and you’ll see a number of connections-related options, including AirDrop.
  • Tap on it to select from Receiving Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone. Everyone means any random person in your vicinity will be able to send files to you.

Turning it on or off on Mac

Airdrop in Finder AirDrop options in Finder

Similar to iPhone or iPad, you can set AirDrop to No one, Contacts Only, or Everyone on Mac.

  • Open Finder on your Mac.
  • Click on AirDrop in the left Navigation.
  • Under the Allow me to be discovered by dropdown, select No One, Contacts Only, or Everyone.

How to share files from iPhone or iPad

Photos app Share Sheet Contacts Share Sheet AirDrop option in Share Sheet Airdrop transfer done

You can send files using AirDrop from any iOS or iPadOS app that includes the Share Sheet.

  • Open the app from which you’re trying to send something. For example, open the Photos app if you’re trying to share a photo or photos.
  • Select what you’re looking to send and tap on the Share icon.
  • Select the contact or device to which you’re trying to AirDrop the file.

Between iPhones and iPads, you can transfer all sorts of things, including photos, videos, contacts, Passbook passes, Voice Memos, websites, and Map locations.

How to share files from Mac

There are multiple ways to AirDrop files from a Mac. You can drag and drop them, share them using the context menu, or use the share sheet.

How to share files using the context menu

Finder Context Menu

  • Open Finder on your Mac.
  • Locate the file or folder you want to share.
  • Right-click on the file or folder and select AirDrop under the Share option.
  • You can now click on the device or contact to which you want to send the file.

How to share files using the Share button on Mac

Finder Share icon
Apart from the context menu, you can also share files using the Share button.

  • Open Finder on your Mac.
  • Locate and select the file you want to share.
  • Click on the Share button in the option on the top bar.
  • Select the device or contact to whom you want to send that file.

How to share files using drag and drop

Drag and Drop files in Finder

  • Open Finder on your Mac.
  • Locate the file you need to share.
  • Open a new Finder window and select AirDrop from the sidebar.
  • Now you can drag and drop files from the other Finder window to a contact or device in the AirDrop window.

From Macs, you can send documents, photos, videos, websites, map locations, and more to iPhones, iPads, other Macs, and iPod touch.

How to accept AirDrop transfer requests

AirDrop to iPhone and Mac

AirDrop to iPhone (left) and Mac

When someone shares something with you using AirDrop, you’ll see a notification on your Mac or iPhone. The notification will show a preview of what has been shared, and you can accept or decline it. If you accept it, the content will get transferred to your device.

But if you’re getting it on your iPhone, the content will appear in the app compatible with it. For example, the shared photo will show up in the Photos app. The files shared to Macs however get saved in the Downloads folder.

If you’re sharing something to yourself, such as from your iPhone to your Mac, you don’t need to accept the transfer. Everything will automatically get transferred, given you’re using the same Apple ID on both devices.

How to troubleshoot AirDrop problems

To make sure AirDrop works without a hitch, check that both devices fulfill the following conditions:

  • Both devices are unlocked and within 9 meters of each other.
  • Both have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.
  • The Personal Hotspot feature is turned off on each iPhone.
  • Each Mac was introduced in 2012 or later (except the 2012 Mac Pro) and runs on OS X Yosemite or newer. Some older Macs can use the legacy AirDrop — you can read about them in the “Which devices work with AirDrop” section.
  • The iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is running on iOS 7 or newer.
  • Both devices can receive AirDrop requests.
  • Block all incoming connections is not enabled in Mac > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall.
  • If AirDrop discoverability is limited to Contacts Only, make sure both of you are signed into iCloud and have each other in your contacts section with Apple ID email address and mobile number.
  • While sending files on an older Mac with legacy AirDrop, make sure the recipient has the AirDrop window open.
  • If you’re getting random AirDrop requests, change the option to Receiving off/ No one or Contacts Only on your iPhone or Mac.

Alternatives on iOS

Given AirDrop’s deep integration on Apple devices, all third-party AirDrop alternatives fall short on ease of use and overall functionality. But if you’re still somehow having trouble with AirDrop, or are looking to share something outside of Apple devices, the following are decent alternatives to AirDrop.

Xender

Xender is a cross-platform file transfer app that allows you to share photos, documents, music, videos, and other types of files. The app can be used on iOS, Android, and any device with a web browser, including Mac and PC. It uses peer-to-peer Wi-Fi to transfer files, so you don’t need internet access.

    Xender
    Xender is free to download and use.

AirDroid

AirDroid is similar to Xender in a lot of aspects but it packs far more features. You can transfer files both over peer-to-peer Wi-Fi and the internet. AirDroid is free to download and use, but there are some limitations in the free version.

    AirDroid
    AirDroid is a decent file sharing app that packs a lot of features.

Nearby Share: Android’s AirDrop alternative

Years after AirDrop was introduced on iOS, Google launched its own alternative in the form of Nearby Share in 2020. Nearby Share works on all phones running Android 6.0 or newer. Unlike Apple’s solution that only works offline, Nearby Share can share content both offline and online. It uses Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, WebRTC, and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi protocols to share content, and automatically chooses the best protocol when you’re sending something. Apart from Android, Nearby Share can also be used with Chromebooks.

Nearby Share can be accessed in the Share menu on Android phones, and you can use it like any other share option. It isn’t the only file transfer service on Android but it’s something that works across devices and manufacturers.

If you’re looking to transfer files between an Android device and a Windows computer, check out our guide on How to Transfer Files between Android and Windows PC.


This is everything you need to know about AirDrop. Do you know of any great alternatives to it? Let us know in the comments section. Meanwhile, if you’re in the market for a new laptop or a smartphone, our best phones and best laptops buying guides can help. Also, we have a great tutorial on how you can use split-screen on Mac.

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Friday, July 30, 2021

Get three Google Nest Mini smart speakers for just $65

Google finally replaced the original Nest Mini smart speaker (originally called the Google Home Mini) in late 2019, with the arrival of the 2nd-gen Nest Mini. The updated model looks almost identical, but it packs better sound, wall mounting support, and different manufacturing materials. It normally costs $30-35 (even though MSRP is $50), but you can now get three of them in a pack for just $64.99.

The Nest Mini is a smart speaker with Google Assistant, so you can use voice commands to stream music, ask questions, play news reports, set reminders and alarms, manage calendar events, and more. It also functions as a Chromecast target, so you can ‘cast’ audio to the speaker from supported apps on your local Wi-Fi network. For everything else, the Nest Mini can pair as a Bluetooth speaker.

    Google Nest Mini (3-Pack)
    Buydig is selling 3-packs of Nest Mini speakers through its eBay store for $64.40.

The new Nest Mini isn’t much of an upgrade over the older Google Home Mini, but if you need smart speakers in more rooms, or if you’re migrating an Alexa-dominated household over to Google Assistant, this is a much cheaper way to get multiple Nest Minis at once.

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This exploit lets you unlock the bootloader of the Google Chromecast with Google TV

The Google Chromecast with Google TV is one of the best media streaming dongles out there. The little piece of hardware not only unlocks 4K video streaming at 60fps for connected devices, but it also brings support for HDR content, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio. The device can even be considered a capable gaming console thanks to receiving official support for Google’s Stadia cloud gaming service. Now, developers have been able to successfully unlock its bootloader, opening up even more possibilities.

Unlike with the Pixel smartphone lineup, Google doesn’t offer an official bootloader unlock method for the Chromecast with Google TV. As a result, the modding community had to rely on security vulnerabilities to craft an unofficial bootloader unlock method. In a recent forum post, security researchers Nolen Johnson and Jan Altensen, AKA XDA Recognized Developers npjohnson and Stricted respectively, highlighted the exploit chain used to unlock the bootloader of the Google Chromecast with Google TV. The method, which makes use of a bootROM bug in the Amlogic SoC originally discovered by another security researcher by the name of Frederic Basse, requires you to boot the dongle to Amlogic’s USB burning mode and then boot a set of modified bootloader images.

To begin with, the target Chromecast with Google TV unit must be manufactured before December 2020 and the running firmware version needs to be below the February 2021 patch level. This is because newer units come with a bootROM password protection mechanism, and Google enabled a similar mitigation policy on older units in the February 2021 software update.

If your device is vulnerable, then you’ll have to unplug it from the HDMI port and trigger the Amlogic USB burning mode by holding down the button on the rear of the device while plugging the USB-C end of a USB-A to USB-C cable into the dongle. The unlocker script, which communicates with the target through the libusb-dev library, requires a 64-bit Linux environment.

In a nutshell, the process involves downloading the unlocker suite, connecting the Google Chromecast with Google TV to a PC running Linux with a USB cable, and running a shell script that executes the exploit chain. Booting the modded bootloader essentially modifies the contents of the /env partition and puts the device in a state where it’s capable of ignoring the anti-rollback check and the signature on the U-Boot in order to declare itself as bootloader-unlocked. For more details, you can read the full writeup from Nolen Johnson and Jan Altensen at the GitHub repo linked below.

sabrina-unlock: Bootloader unlock for the Chromecast with Google TV

An unlocked bootloader is key to boot an aftermarket operating system, and you won’t have to wait long before you can flash a custom ROM onto it. Johnson says that LineageOS builds are coming soon for the Chromecast with Google TV (Johnson is listed as a “trusted reviewer” and contributor to LineageOS). In case you want to try something else, then you’ll be happy to know that Frederic has already booted Ubuntu Linux from an external USB flash drive.

Since the process is a bit tricky and requires devices manufactured before a certain timeline, it’s safe to say that the exploit isn’t meant for beginners and will most definitely void the warranty. Nonetheless, it is possible re-lock the bootloader by flashing a stock firmware package crafted by the developers. As a precautionary measure against forced updates, you’re advised to block Google’s OTA servers via your router’s DNS settings, and if possible, get rid of the “SetupWraith” application from the stock firmware. Users are also advised to steer clear of Magisk for now, because patching the stock boot image with Magisk will soft-brick the system.

Chromecast with Google TV Bootloader Unlock — XDA Discussion Thread

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Best Chromebook accessories for students: Docks, Webcams, and more

If you recently bought a Chromebook for school, you probably need a few things to go with it. Whether you’re using your Chromebook for virtual classes on Zoom or in the classroom, accessories just make the overall experience easier. Those learning online will certainly want a new high-quality webcam. For power users, a USB-C dock is key to leveraging everything your Chromebook can do.

In this guide we take a look at the best accessories to make the most of your new Chromebook in the classroom and at home.

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Best docking stations for Chromebooks

If you’re looking to use your Chromebook with an external monitor, you’ll likely want to add a docking station to increase the number of available ports. With a good docking solution, you can greatly expand your Chromebook’s versatility. You can use it to connect a mouse, a mechanical keyboard, external storage devices, multiple monitors, or all of them at once.

On top of that, with some docking stations, you can even keep your Chromebook charged as long as it has a compatible USB Type-C port or thunderbolt port. Docking stations are great for students as well as business users that dock their machine at the office.

    Tiergrade USB-C Docking Station

    Best overall

    The Tiergrade USB C Chromebook docking station is perfect for power users. It offers the widest selection of ports, including two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, two USB 3.0 Type-C ports, two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort port, an RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, 3.5mm headphone and mic jacks, a S/PDIF audio port and a USB 3.0 Type-C port with 60W power delivery. On top of that, the dock also includes a full-sized SD card reader and a microSD card reader.
    Baseus 16-in-1 Docking Station

    Best budget alternative for power users

    The Baseus 16-in-1 Chromebook docking station is a cheaper alternative to the Tiergrade dock with a slightly different port selection. It includes three USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, two USB 3.0 Type-C ports, a USB type-C port with pass-through charging support, an RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, a 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack, a microSD card slot, and an SD card slot. For display connectivity, it features a VGA port and an HDMI port. However, it only supports screen mirroring for dual external displays.
    NOVOO 8-in-1 USB-C Dock

    Best portable

    The NOVOO 8-in-1 USB C dock is the tiniest Chromebook Docking Station on this list, earning it the most portable title. Despite its tiny size, it packs 3 USB 3.0 Type-A ports, an Ethernet port, a USB Type-C port with up to 100W passthrough charging, an HDMI port, and an SD card reader. That's a lot of ports for something as tiny as this. Makes me wonder why some fruity OEMs can't offer more than two USB Type- C ports on their laptops.
    Anker PowerExpand+ 7-in-1 USB C Hub

    Best budget portable

    If you're not willing to spend $40 on a tiny USB C hub, then the Anker PowerExpand+ should be a better option. It's slightly larger than the NOVOO USB C dock, but features the same number of ports. This includes two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a USB Type-C port for data, a USB Type-C port with pass-through charging support at up to 100W, an HDMI port, and an SD card reader. It should get the job done if you have basic needs.
    Sabrent Universal Laptop Docking Station

    Best for Chrome OS tablets

    The Sabrent Chromebook docking station is a good choice for Chromebooks with a detachable keyboard as it features a stand that you can use to prop up your Chromebook when you're not using the included keyboard. In terms of ports, it offers two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, two USB Type-A 2.4A fast charging ports, an HDMI port, a DVI port, a USB 3.0 input, 3.5mm headphone and mic jacks, and a RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port.
    Targus USB-C Universal Docking Station

    Best with built-in stand

    The Targus Chromebook docking station is a good 2-in-1 option that not only offers a decent selection of ports but also doubles up as an ergonomic stand. It includes 4 USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two DisplayPort ports, 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, a USB Type-C port with 60W pass-through charging support, a headphone / mic combo jack, and a RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port.

Best mice for Chromebooks

When shopping for a new mouse to pair with your favorite Chromebook, comfort is king. In this list, we’ll prioritize the comfortable operation of each mouse over other advanced features. After considering day-to-day usage, we’ll look at battery life, price point, and of course integration with Chrome OS. Mice come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s worth viewing a large volume of options before reaching a final decision.

    Seenda 2.4G wireless mouse

    Best budget mouse

    If you need a wireless mouse on a budget, Seenda has you covered. This mouse lacks some bells and whistles, but costs under $6 and has a comfortable design. Battery life is excellent on this device. For those who only use a mouse on occasion, this is the way to go.
    Logitech M355

    Best slim and flat design

    Some mice require you to choose whether you are left or right handed, but not the Logitech M355. This mouse has a slim and flat design, perfect for ambidextrous users. In addition, the slim profile and ultra-quiet clicks make this a great mouse to use at work.
    Jelly Comb dual mode mouse

    Best bluetooth and 2.4GHz combo

    The Jelly Comb dual mode mouse features both bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. With this, you can connect to two devices simultaneously. Jelly Comb has a number of great color options to choose from, with a price under $15.
    Logitech M570

    Best for trackball fans

    Logitech's M570 has a distinct and instantly recognizable form-factor. The giant teal trackball is easily spotted while the mouse is in use. If you do a lot of scrolling for work, and find a trackball comfortable, this is the best option by far. This is one of the most comfortable mice to use for long periods of time.
    Jelly Comb mouse and keyboard combo

    Best mouse and keyboard bundle

    Bundles are never a bad thing in terms of value. Jelly Comb packages an excellent wireless keyboard and mouse combo for under $25. Both devices feature excellent battery life, and an auto sleep mode when not in use.
    Geyes Silent Wireless Mouse

    Best noiseless mouse

    Keeping quiet while at work is sometimes important. If you're looking for a mouse that's virtually silent, Geyes has you covered. This lightweight mouse is also rechargeable and features a comfortable honeycomb design. Friends and family will surely notice the eye-catching design on your new mouse.
    Logitech MX Master 3

    Best for productivity

    The Logitech MX Master series is the industry standard for what a mouse should be. Ultra-fast mag speed scrolling, ergonomic design and app-specific customization make this an ultra-premium pick. With USB-C quick charging and the ability to work on glass surfaces, this is a mouse you can use anywhere.
    BENGOO Gaming Mouse

    Best for gaming on a budget

    The BENGOO gaming mouse provides an RGB light show to highlight your gaming atmosphere. A speed DPI switch allows four adjustable settings. This mouse is also great value, with an ergonomic design, flexible buttons, and a price tag below $10.
    Logitech M510

    Best battery life

    Logitech obviously has several options when it comes to mice. The M510 is a standout thanks to its consistent rating as a battery life champ. Users report a year or more average use on a single charge. With a comfortable design and a price under $25, this is an excellent option.
    NORMIA RITA Arc Mouse

    Best for Arc lovers on a budget

    There are many fans of Microsoft's Arc mouse design. Unfortunately, the official Microsoft Arc mouse does not play nice with Chromebooks. If you enjoy the design of Microsoft's mouse, the NORMIA RITA Arc mouse is a great substitute at less than half the price.
    Anker Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

    Best vertical mouse

    Another popular form factor is the vertical mouse design. This layout allows you to use the mouse in a grip-like orientation. Many users find this to be the most comfortable way to use a mouse for long periods of time. Anker also packs a fantastic feature set and battery life into this unique design.
    iClever Ergonomic Mouse

    Best curved vertical mouse

    If you find the Anker vertical mouse a bit too tall or rigid, iClever has another exciting option. This vertical mouse features a more dramatic curve that contours to the hand at a more shallow angle. At under $25, with whisper quiet keys, this mouse is great for home or work.

Best webcams for Chromebooks

Although not as essential as the mouse or keyboard, a new webcam can improve your video-conference experience. While most laptops come with built-in webcams, the quality is more often than not sub-par. It may get the job done occasionally, but it’s always advisable to have an external webcam for your Chromebook to achieve a more professional look in video meetings. If you have a Chromebox or you’ve hooked up your Chromebook with an external monitor, you’re likely on the lookout for webcams that will pair nicely with your Chrome OS device.

Here’s a list of some of the best webcams for a Chromebook or Chromebox you can buy across various price points and use-cases.

    Logitech C270

    Best for basic use

    This is one of the best webcams for Chromebook if it's going to be your first webcam. It can only output at 720p though which should be sufficient for the occasional video call with friends and family.
    IFROO FHD 1080P webcam

    Best budget

    If you don't want to spend too much on a webcam for your Chromebook but still want decent video quality, this is the one to pick. It has a wide-angle lens and can even be used for recording and streaming.
    NexiGo Webcam with ring light

    Best with ring light

    The ring light around the webcam with adjustable brightness helps improve video quality if the ambient lighting around you is insufficient. It also has a privacy cover, auto-focus, and dual microphones.
    Razer Kiyo 1080P Webcam

    Best for streamers

    If you're a streamer or are planning to stream on YouTube or Twitch, this is a great way to get started. It has a built-in ring light, advanced auto-focus, and supports 60fps at 720p or 30fps at 1080p.
    NexiGo 2K webcam

    Best for higher resolution

    This webcam has the highest resolution among the ones mentioned in this list. There's a 4MP sensor and you can digitally zoom in up to 3X. It has a 95-degree FoV, dual mics, and a privacy shutter as well.
    Logitech C920x HD Pro

    Best for professional meetings

    The Logitech C920x is one of the most popular webcams especially for office meetings. It has support for stereo audio which means everyone can hear you crystal clear. There's also support for HD light correction.

Best sleeves for Chromebooks

Chromebooks are made to be portable.  To protect your investment when out and about, you can grab a sleeve or bag at a fairly low price. This is even more important if you have an LTE-capable Chromebook and travel often. Most of these options are on sale often, making the deal even sweeter. With so many options available, you can find something that fits your personal style and has functionality for daily work and play.

    Amazon Basics Executive Laptop Sleeve

    Best basic sleeve

    If you just want a basic sleeve with no frills, Amazon has you covered here. This sleeve's size ranges from 11.6 inches up to 15.6 inches, depending on the size of your Chromebook. With three color options to choose from and a low price, grab this if you just need to carry your Chromebook outside on occasion.
    Case Logic Carrying Case 13/14

    Best carrying case

    If you need extra protection for your Spectre x360 when carrying it around, the hard shell on this sleeve can do just that. Meanwhile, the inside is soft to absorb any impact from your laptop moving around.
    Nacuwa Hard Sleeve

    Best hard sleeve

    If you want top of the line protection, get this hard sleeve from Nacuwa. With a range of size options, this sleeve is suitable for any Chromebook. You also get protection from spills, and a few inner pockets to organize cables and your laptop charger.
    UNIKA Leather Sleeve

    Best leather sleeve

    For those that want an elegant sleeve, UNIKA has a nice selection of color options. This sleeve features an ultra-thin design and accommodates 13-15 inch Chromebooks.
    Lymmax shockproof sleeve

    Best shockproof sleeve

    Sometimes we all have a clumsy day or two. With the Lymmax shockproof sleeve your laptop will stay protected even if you drop it. This sleeve comes in a range of color options but is limited to 13-15 inch size compatibility.
    Nillkin laptop sleeve with stand

    Best sleeve with stand

    Would you like a laptop sleeve that doubles as a stand? Nillkin offers just that at a price under $30. With four color options to choose from you should be able to find one that matches your personal style.

Best stylus pens for Chromebooks

The Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) defines industry-wide standards for interoperable communication between an active stylus and touch-enabled devices, such as phones, tablets, and computing and entertainment platforms. Thus far, there are quite a few solid USI pens available on the market, but they’re a bit pricier than the old-school capacitive styli.

We recommend choosing one of the USI options below if it’s in your budget and your device supports USI, otherwise we provide a budget option that’ll do the job in a pinch.

    Penoval USI Stylus

    Best overall USI stylus

    This is the best overall stylus to take advantage of the USI compatibility on your Chromebook. Solid overall build quality with a nice heft in-hand make this stylus easy to write with. It's a shame it requires a AAAA battery to run, but the usability is still impressive.
    iPlume USI Stylus

    Best overall USI stylus

    Another excellent USI stylus with a nice-looking overall design. It's comfortable to hold and it doesn't have the useless eraser button other models do. iPlume also boasts impressive low latency on this model, making it easier to write and draw with precision.
    HP Rechargeable USI Stylus

    Best rechargeable stylus

    The main downside to many USI styli is the annoyance of dealing with batteries. Luckily, HP has a USI pen that's rechargeable via USB-C. The battery life on this pen is also excellent, averaging over 2 weeks of typical use.
    TiMOVO USI Stylus Pen

    Best budget USI stylus

    This USI stylus from TiMOVO features unique palm rejection features that effectively avoid your palm from disturbing your creation. Comes with a replacement tip and a tool, you can use the tool to pull out the nib, which is very easy to replace. This pen is also frequently on sale, making it a good option for those on a budget.
    Lenovo USI Pen

    Best OEM USI stylus

    Lenovo's USI stylus is well-built and has a nice feel in the hand. While it's not as easy to power as the HP, it should last months on a single battery before it needs replacing. It features a pen clip to help you secure the stylus in your backpack.
    Mixoo Capacitive Stylus Pen

    Best non-USI stylus

    Have you found all these USI pens too expensive? Then you might want to go old-school with the capacitive stylus from Mixoo. This pen is under $10 and comes in many colors. You should be able to accomplish basic note-taking tasks and do it in style.

That’s our roundup of the best Chromebook accessories for students. Hopefully you now have everything you need to use your Chromebook in class, at home, or on the go. Our ideal setup for college would be the Tiergrade USB-C Docking Station, Logitech MX Master 3 mouse, and the Penoval USI pen. Webcam and sleeve options are really all about personal preference and style.  If you try out some of our picks, let us know how they work for you in the comments section below.

The post Best Chromebook accessories for students: Docks, Webcams, and more appeared first on xda-developers.



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