8 useful Chromebook tricks you aren't using but should
If you’re a Chromebook fan, then you know the lightweight laptops that run Google’s Chrome OS are a bit different than a regular Windows or Mac notebook. They have their own set of secrets and tricks. Tap or click here for Kim’s guide to Chromebook pros and cons.
One big appeal of a Chromebook is the affordable price. They’re also a good fit for people who are big users of Google’s various app services, including Gmail, Google Drive and Google Calendar.
Whether you’ve been rocking a Chromebook for some time, or you’re new to them, we’ve got some handy tricks that will help take you to the next level with your ultra-portable machine.
1. See all with Overview mode
When you have a bunch of windows open, it’s hard to keep track of them all. Luckily, overview mode lets you see everything going on at once. It saves time by quickly switching between windows or programs.
It’s easy to access overview mode. If you have multiple monitors, you can pull windows from one display to another.
To access it, hit the overview key on your keyboard. It’s the one at the top of the keyboard that looks like a rectangle with lines coming off to the right. (You can also swipe three fingers up or down, depending on your trackpad setup.)
Overall, this mode is a great way to keep track of all the irons you have in the fire. You can snap windows to either side of the screen, too, which is an efficient way to get more work done quickly.
2. Zoom in on your screen
Chromebooks tend to be pretty compact and many of them come with screen sizes under 12 inches. Get to know how your Chromebook’s zoom functions work and you will soon be magnifying your display whenever you need to.
- To make everything you’re looking at bigger, press Ctrl + Shift and +.
- To make everything smaller, hit Ctrl + Shift and –.
- The combination of Ctrl + Shift + 0 resets your screen resolution.
You can also make just the current page you’re looking at bigger or smaller (while the rest of the display stays the same).
Tech tip: How to take a screenshot of an entire webpage on your iPhone
Taking a screenshot on a PC or Mac is fairly simple, as most browsers have the functionality built-in. Certain shortcuts on a keyboard will also make a copy of what is visible on the screen. It’s great when you want to share a snippet of a webpage or save text for later.
5 pro tips to get more out of your Mac
Apple’s Mac is a powerful machine that is more than capable of performing complex and resource-intensive actions. But underneath all that circuitry and chrome is a softer side that will allow you to change folder icons to pictures of puppies.
10 best features on your new Apple Watch
You have a world of possibilities on your wrist with your Apple Watch. Sure, you can use it to make calls or send texts, but it can do so, so much more. It’s a wearable computer that’s meant to help make your life easier, after all.
10 new iPhone tricks you’ll use all the time
Yes, your iPhone came with a user guide and there are a ton of how-to videos on Apple’s site and YouTube. But who has the time? You’ve come to the right place.
Did you know that you can record your iPhone’s screen? It’s better than a screenshot that only gives you a still photo. Tap or click here to find out how to record your screen.
Tech essential: How to take a screenshot on your iPhone
A lot of wonderful moments in our lives happen on our phone screens. We spot a perfect frame in a video, finally beat the hardest level of a favorite game, or get a heartwarming text message from a friend. This is when a screenshot comes in handy.
How to record your screen on iPhone and iPad
We’ve all been spending more time with our smartphones and tablets of late. You may have even taken the time to learn some pro tips while you were sheltering in place. When you discover a neat trick you might want to share it with someone by sending a screenshot.
How to take a screenshot on any Android phone
Some of life’s most spectacular moments happen on our cellphone screens. When we beat the final level on our favorite game, or when we get a heartfelt text from a friend, we want to make sure we can hold on to that memory. There is actually an easy and convenient way to save that screenshot and preserve the moment for as long as we want. I’ll show you how.