• About Us
  • Announce
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact us
MasterTrend News
  • Home
    • BLOG
    • TECHNICAL SERVICE
    • STORE
  • Tutorials
  • Hardware
  • Gaming
  • Mobiles
  • Security
  • Windows
  • AI
  • Software
  • Networks
  • News
No result
See all results
  • Home
    • BLOG
    • TECHNICAL SERVICE
    • STORE
  • Tutorials
  • Hardware
  • Gaming
  • Mobiles
  • Security
  • Windows
  • AI
  • Software
  • Networks
  • News
No result
See all results
MasterTrend News
No result
See all results
Start Hardware

Hidden Costs of Owning a Chromebook: Don't Buy Before You Read This! ⚠️

MasterTrend Insights by MasterTrend Insights
May 16, 2025
in Hardware
Reading time:Lectura de 7 minutos
TO TO
0
Hidden Costs of Owning a Chromebook: Discover 7 Surprises
1
SHARED
2
Views
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Contents

  1. Hidden Costs of Owning a Chromebook: Discover 7 Surprises 💡
    1. Summary
  2. Google One
  3. YouTube Premium
  4. Audio and Video Equipment
  5. Game Streaming Services
  6. Google Play Apps
  7. Android devices
  8. Eventually Needing a More Powerful Computer
    1. Related Posts

Hidden Costs of Owning a Chromebook: Discover 7 Surprises 💡

Summary

  • Google One is essential for getting extra cloud storage on Chromebooks, starting at $19.99/year. ☁️
  • YouTube Premium offers more than just ad blocking, with a three-month free trial for Chromebook users. 🎥
  • Chromebooks may require external audio and video equipment for professional use. 🎤

The main attraction of Chromebooks is their affordability. 🤑 However, there are some additional purchases that aren't immediately obvious to get the full ChromeOS experience. Here are the key points you need to know before making a purchase. 🛒

Google One

The main feature that makes Chromebooks affordable is that they complement their low internal storage with cloud storage via Google One. 📦

Google One text logo.
Google

Every Google account automatically receives 15GB of free cloud storage via Google One, shared across Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail. New Chromebook users have the benefit of a 12-month trial of the “Basic” plan, which increases this storage capacity to 100GB for just $19.99/year. 🏷️ Even those who aren't heavy users will likely need this extra space, so consider this subscription a necessary part of owning a Chromebook.

Other Google One plans offer increased storage along with additional benefits, but also come at a significantly higher cost. For example, the next tier up is the “Premium” subscription at $99.99/year, which offers 2TB of cloud storage along with Google Workspace features like longer Meet calls and expanded Calendar functionality. In addition to more storage, higher tiers provide access to advanced Gemini AI features. 🤖

Since cloud storage is the foundation upon which Chromebooks are built, Google One is likely an essential service for you. Taking the time to determine which plan you need and whether it's worth the cost is the most important thing a prospective Chromebook owner can do.

YouTube Premium

YouTube logo in the center with 'Premium' written below.
Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek

For most, YouTube Premium is a monthly fee to remove YouTube ads. A Chrome ad blocker You can also perform this function, even in the standalone YouTube app, as long as you are comfortable using it. ❌

However, YouTube Premium offers more than just ad blocking. Additional features include the ability to watch videos offline and remove ads from the YouTube Music app. If you use YouTube on your phone, it also lets you continue playing videos in the background after you exit the app, although for the sole purpose of using a Chromebook, this feature isn't relevant. 📱

With your Chromebook, you get three months of YouTube Premium free, after which it'll cost $13.99/month. 💳

Audio and Video Equipment

Insta360 Link 2 webcam mounted on a computer monitor.
Insta360

Chromebooks often offer lower costs on the camera, microphone, and speakers. While they're generally acceptable for casual use, you'll want to opt for higher-quality alternatives for more demanding applications. 🎧

Obviously, the price range for all this equipment is vast, and you'll generally get what you pay for. The best investment I can recommend is a good pair of headphones to cover both your speaker and microphone needs. 🎤 You're covering two needs in one, and they'll remain relevant for virtually any device you use. Our headphone buying guide can help you navigate.

Webcams are a slightly more circumstantial proposition. If you're going to be making video calls in a professional setting, a better camera than what Chromebooks offer is often crucial. We've rounded up some of the best webcams, though I also suggest looking for a laptop with an internal camera that suits your needs. It's worth noting that some modern Chromebook Plus laptops They use artificial intelligence to improve the quality of the built-in camera. 🖥️

Game Streaming Services

Logos of cloud gaming platforms, including NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Google Stadia, and Amazon Luna.
NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Google Stadia and Amazon Luna

If you're looking to play video games, it's best to go with a Windows device. 🙁 There aren't many games with native support for ChromeOS, except for a few Android games. However, game streaming services offer a potential alternative.

The two main options here are Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Nvidia's GeForce NOW, which offers three free months to Chromebook owners. My experience testing both on a Chromebook Plus was that 2D games ran surprisingly well, but most 3D games were quite laggy. Latency was high, though this varied depending on the game. Still, at $19.99/month, it's really only worth it if a Chromebook is your only gaming option. 🎮

Alternatively, if you have a gaming PC and want to use your Chromebook to stream games, Steam Link is a great free option for playing your Steam library on the go. This is strictly for streaming games from a device you already own, while other services provide devices to stream from, which incur an additional cost.

For any game streaming, you will need a solid internet connection, preferably via an Ethernet cable. Be sure to test before you buy to ensure it works with your setup. You can try streaming from other devices you own (such as phones and tablets) using free trials. 📶

Google Play Apps

The new Google Play Store logo, introduced on July 25, 2022.

Google
With ChromeOS, you have pre-installed apps that access Google's suite of services. Everything else you'll need to find in the Google Play Store. 📲

We recommend exploring Google Play and seeing what's available. In addition to native apps, Chromebooks can run some Android apps and games. Keep in mind that not all Android apps are compatible with ChromeOS, such as the Microsoft Office suite, which is a notable omission. although it can be accessed through the web.

Any Android app purchased through Google Play on other devices can also be downloaded to a Chromebook at no additional cost. So, this could end up being a money-saver for owning a Chromebook rather than an additional expense. 💡

Android devicesAndroid 15 logo with an illustration of a smartphone featuring the Bugdroid.

Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek | Google

Having an Android device is not a requirement to use a Chromebook, but considerably improves the user experience, beyond having a pre-existing library of applications. 🌈

The main feature here is the ability to link your phone to your Chromebook to use Google Messages. This allows you to send messages from your Chromebook as if they were from your Android phone. There are messaging alternatives if you're an iPhone user, but not through the preinstalled Google Messages app. 📱

Android phones can also be used as a hotspot and a way to unlock your Chromebook. Plus, your phone's data and notifications sync with your Chromebook, allowing it to function as a complete extension of your device. 🔄

Eventually Needing a More Powerful ComputerSystem 76 Pangolin with a person using editing software.

System76

While ChromeOS is a great choice for casual needs or as a second computer, its limitations quickly become apparent when you need to do more than Google services allow. 📉 Even downloading and accessing files can be cumbersome if that's part of your workflow, given the lack of a traditional desktop or file system. Basically, if your needs ever expand beyond browsing, video streaming, and word processing, you may need more than just a Chromebook. 💻

This is to say that to avoid a Chromebook becoming a sunk cost, consider your use case, especially if it's your only computer. 🧐


Ready for the next step in your purchase? You should explore whether a Chromebook or Chromebook Plus is the best option for you. 🚀

Share this:
FacebookLinkedInPinterestXRedditTumblrBlueskyThreadsShare

Related Posts

  • Top 9 SolidTorrents Alternatives in 2025
  • How to fix the error Something went wrong on Twitter
  • 🛡️ Sandbox Apps for Windows: Top 7 You Should Try! 🚀🔥
  • 🎶 FreeBeat AI: Turn your songs into viral videos in minutes!
  • Remasters and remakes: discover their advantages 🚀🎮
  • What's changing with Intel Alder Lake? We detail the technologies!
  • Create your first web app and master programming without stress 🚀💻
  • Download Music: Top 15 on Android for your playlist 🎧
Tags: Evergreen ContentTechNewsTechTips
Previous Post

Error 0x80070103 in Windows 11: Why does it happen and how to fix it? 🤯⚙️

Next publication

Nvidia's DLSS grows and dominates with 769 compatible games 🔥⚡

MasterTrend Insights

MasterTrend Insights

Our editorial team shares in-depth reviews, tutorials, and recommendations to help you get the most out of your digital devices and tools.

Next publication
Nvidia's DLSS surpasses 760 games! Discover the revolution!

Nvidia's DLSS grows and dominates with 769 compatible games 🔥⚡

5 2 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Access
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most voted
Online Comments
See all comments

Stay Connected

  • 976 Fans
  • 118 Followers
  • 1.4k Followers
  • 1.8k Subscribers
Subscription Form
  • Tendencies
  • Comments
  • Last
How to add a clock to the Windows 11 desktop: 3 surefire tricks!

How to add a clock to your Windows 11 desktop: Get more done in minutes! ⏱️

May 1, 2025
12 Best Alternatives to Lucky Patcher for Android

Lucky Patcher Alternatives: 12 Better and Easy Apps! 🎮⚡

May 12, 2025
How to use AdGuard DNS on Android in 2024

How to use AdGuard DNS on Android in 2025

February 11, 2025
How to Store Items in Oblivion Remastered: 5 Tricks You Need to Know! 🗝️💼

How to store items in Oblivion Remastered without losing your loot 💎⚡

May 1, 2025
Gmail Features on Android: Save Time with 5 Tips

Gmail Features on Android: 5 Tricks You Didn't Know About! 📱✨

12
Motherboard repair - Repair Motherboards

Notebook Motherboard Repair

10
Install Windows 11 Home without Internet

Install Windows 11 Home without Internet

10
How to Back Up Drivers in Windows 11/10 in 4 Steps!

How to Back Up Drivers in Windows 11/10: Avoid Errors! 🚨💾

10
Steam Deck: Multiply your library with Heroic in 5 easy steps

Steam Deck: Multiply your library with Heroic in 5 easy steps 💥💻

June 25, 2025
HDMI 2.2 🚀: Double speed for 16K video and ultra-realistic gaming! 🎮✨

HDMI 2.2 🚀: Double speed for 16K video and ultra-realistic gaming! 🎮✨

June 25, 2025
Random Usernames Protect your account today

Random usernames: The key to avoiding mass hacks 🛡️🚫

June 25, 2025
Unlock Yasuke Discover the secret Kofun that will change your game!

Unlock Yasuke: Discover the secret Kofun that will make you dominate! 🥷💥

June 25, 2025

Recent News

Steam Deck: Multiply your library with Heroic in 5 easy steps

Steam Deck: Multiply your library with Heroic in 5 easy steps 💥💻

June 25, 2025
12
HDMI 2.2 🚀: Double speed for 16K video and ultra-realistic gaming! 🎮✨

HDMI 2.2 🚀: Double speed for 16K video and ultra-realistic gaming! 🎮✨

June 25, 2025
3
Random Usernames Protect your account today

Random usernames: The key to avoiding mass hacks 🛡️🚫

June 25, 2025
9
Unlock Yasuke Discover the secret Kofun that will change your game!

Unlock Yasuke: Discover the secret Kofun that will make you dominate! 🥷💥

June 25, 2025
12
MasterTrend News logo

MasterTrend Info is your go-to source for technology: discover news, tutorials, and analysis on hardware, software, gaming, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence. Subscribe to our newsletter and don't miss any trends.

Follow us

Browse by Category

  • Gaming
  • Hardware
  • AI
  • Mobiles
  • News
  • Networks
  • Security
  • Software
  • Tutorials
  • Windows

Recent News

Steam Deck: Multiply your library with Heroic in 5 easy steps

Steam Deck: Multiply your library with Heroic in 5 easy steps 💥💻

June 25, 2025
HDMI 2.2 🚀: Double speed for 16K video and ultra-realistic gaming! 🎮✨

HDMI 2.2 🚀: Double speed for 16K video and ultra-realistic gaming! 🎮✨

June 25, 2025
  • About Us
  • Announce
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact us

Copyright © 2025 https://mastertrend.info/ - All rights reserved. All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

es_ES Spanish
es_ES Spanish
en_US English
pt_BR Portuguese
fr_FR French
it_IT Italian
ru_RU Russian
de_DE German
zh_CN Chinese
ko_KR Korean
ja Japanese
th Thai
hi_IN Hindi
ar Arabic
tr_TR Turkish
pl_PL Polish
id_ID Indonesian
No result
See all results
  • Gaming
  • Hardware
  • AI
  • Mobiles
  • News
  • Networks
  • Security
  • Software
  • Tutorials
  • Windows

Copyright © 2025 https://mastertrend.info/ - All rights reserved. All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Comment Author Info
:wpds_smile::wpds_grin::wpds_wink::wpds_mrgreen::wpds_neutral::wpds_twisted::wpds_arrow::wpds_shock::wpds_unamused::wpds_cool::wpds_evil::wpds_oops::wpds_razz::wpds_roll::wpds_cry::wpds_eek::wpds_lol::wpds_mad::wpds_sad::wpds_exclamation::wpds_question::wpds_idea::wpds_hmm::wpds_beg::wpds_whew::wpds_chuckle::wpds_silly::wpds_envy::wpds_shutmouth:
wpDiscuz
RedditBlueskyXMastodonHacker News
Share this:
MastodonVKWhatsAppTelegramSMSHacker NewsLineMessenger
Your Mastodon Instance