Will a Chromebook make a good Christmas gift?

ASUS Chromebook C423NA

Episode 1643

Andy from Richmond, VA


Should I get a Chromebook?


Episode 1632

Mark from Pasadena, CA

Mark wants to get a Chromebook or a small, cheap laptop. Leo says that he's a big fan of Chromebooks, and for most users, it's a very good choice. Most people buy a computer that is too much for their needs. The beauty of ChromeOS is that it's very secure and inexpensive. But it always has to be connected to really do what users need to do. HP makes a really good Chromebook. Leo recommends only using Google Chrome on a computer for a week, and see if it is tolerable.

Can I turn an old laptop into a Chromebook?


Episode 1615

Dean from Hannibal, Missouri


Is a Chromebook secure?

HP Chromebook x2 - 12-f015nr

Episode 1596

Veronica from Irvine, CA

Veronica wants to know if her Chromebook works on a home network. Leo says if you have internet access, you will. Are they secure? Leo says absolutely. The thing is, a Chromebook uses ChromeOS, which uses a browser-based interface. This makes it far more secure. And if it does get infected you can simply use the "power wash" feature to start over. But it stores all your data in the cloud, which is far more secure than a hard drive on your laptop.

What computer should I get for my grandfather?

Asus Chromebox

Episode 1549

Cheryl from Palmdale, CA

Cheryl wants to get her grandfather a Chromebook. Could she connect it to a monitor? Leo says she can get a Chromebox, which is just a desktop version of the Chromebook. Then she can connect a screen, keyboard, and mouse. They are far more secure, and easier to use. Asus makes them starting at around $200. The Chromebox 3 will also support using two monitors. And they are small enough that they can be mounted on the back of the monitor, so it's almost like an iMac.

What computer has the best security?

Acer Chromebook 15 CB515-1HT

Episode 1455

Mary from Van Nuys, CA

Mary is a Luddite who hates the obsession with technology. She feels that she's being forced down the road of technology and she'd rather not, especially since she's been hacked twice in the last six weeks. Leo says that for what Mary uses a computer for, she doesn't need Windows at all. Mary would be better off with a Chromebook. It's far simpler and not hackable. It's a very simple and highly secure operating system that she can just directly connect via ethernet, and when she turns it on, it will go straight to the web browser.