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Chromebook Basics

How to set up your Chromebook and get started using it!

Getting Into Your Peralta Portal

Your Chromebook uses Chrome as the browser.

  • Select the Chrome icon at the bottom of your screen. Note that if you hover your mouse over an icon, it will identify the link.

 

 

 

Getting Familiar With Your Chromebook

Your screen should look something like the picture below, with a shelf of icons on the bottom of the screen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A small dot is located on the left side of the shelf. This dot is the Search Launcher button. The middle of the shelf is filled with quick links to commonly used apps and will also show apps you may have open. Selecting the time in the bottom right corner of the screen will popup a window with quick links to various settings. Let's look at each of these options...

 

Searching:

Selection of the Search Launcher button on the bottom left corner of your screen pops up a window with available apps, including:

  • Google Docs: for word processing
  • Google Slides: for creating presentations
  • Google Sheets: for creating spreadsheets
  • Google Drive: holds all of your Google files
  • Files: to find and organize all of the files downloaded on your laptop
  • Gmail: to check your Google email
  • Google Play Store: to install more apps

The top of this search window includes a search bar for you to type in your search terms.

You may access this screen by pressing the magnifying glass on the left side of your keyboard to get the same result.

 

 

 

 

Settings & Notifications:

A quick link to notifications and commonly used settings may be found by clicking on the clock time in the bottom right of your screen shelf. 

Highlights of this popup window include the ability to:

  • adjust the volume
  • adjust the screen brightness
  • change the WiFi network
  • control Bluetooth
  • access the full computer settings cog button (Settings may also be accessed via the Search Launcher discussed previously)
  • change users
  • control the power (on/off)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pinning Commonly Used Apps to the Shelf:

Your Chromebook will likely come with a few apps already pinned to the center of the shelf at the bottom of your screen. You may change these apps, to something more useful to your needs.  You may hide or move your shelf location by "right-clicking" the shelf (touch the Chromebook touchpad with two fingers) and selecting the appropriate option from the menu.

 

For additional information, Google's Tour of Your Chromebook provides a great introduction to the laptop.

How Do I....?

Chromebook Tips

Chromebooks are similar to other laptops but have a few special tricks to their use. Google has put together a "how to" guide which will answer many of your questions.

Some commonly asked questions include: