7 things every parent needs to know before buying a Chromebook

Chromebooks have come a long way since their inception as low-cost cloud notebooks, and the best Chromebooks available fit the bill as viable alternatives to Macbooks and Windows

laptops. Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system that can do just about anything these days. Combined with the often affordable price tag and compact design, Chromebooks make a

great option for children around the house or for students heading back to school. While kids might know what a Chromebook is and exactly what they want, parents often have a

harder time navigating the broad spectrum of devices. That's why we've put together this guide of seven things every parent needs to know before buying a Chromebook. ANDROIDPOLICE

VIDEO OF THE DAY 1. Chromebooks have an expiration date Every Chromebook comes with something called an Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date, after which time Google will stop

guaranteeing security (and other software) updates. While these Chromebooks won't suddenly stop working, they will not be as secure or as useful as newer devices receiving updates.

This fact is often obfuscated by retailers who want to unload old Chromebooks on unsuspecting shoppers. Google has a list of Chromebooks and their AUE dates that you can browse

through to see when the Chromebook you have your eye on will stop receiving updates. Even if you find a stellar deal somewhere, a close AUE date means you're essentially buying a

stopgap laptop instead of something that will last for years to come. Chromebook won't stop working when it hits its AUE date, and if someone does want to continue updating their

Chromebook beyond the AUE, there's something called LaCrOs (Linux and Chrome Operating System) that separates Chrome from Chrome OS, allowing the browser to receive updates after

Chrome OS is done receiving updates. LaCrOs is a way to keep using your Chromebook securely to some capacity. 2. Touch displays are a big deal on Chromebooks Part of the beauty of

Chrome OS is that it can handle running many of the best Android apps, giving the user a lot of extra software to play around with. These apps, which include everything from games

to educational aids, are designed to work with the touch display on your phone, and thus they make a great transition to a touch display on a Chromebook. And since many children

grow up using touchscreens on phones and tablets, the move to a touch-capable Chromebook is only natural. While older children and students no doubt get around well using a

touchpad and keyboard, having the extra touch functionality opens up a whole other level of versatility when using the laptop in school. Touch displays usually don't add much cost