Should you’re not a frequent ChromeOS person, figuring out an in-hand Chromebook’s specs may be tough. Many Chromebook customers are happy simply utilizing the machines to surf the online and, thus, do not typically have a have to test on issues like processor mannequin or reminiscence utilization. In consequence, this data can appear a bit buried.
However generally you wish to understand how a lot RAM a Chromebook is utilizing, what CPU it has and whether or not it is maxing its cores, or how a lot storage stays. Whether or not you are troubleshooting a slower Chromebook, educating somebody about their ChromeOS machine, questioning if a Chromebook might assist Steam, or simply wish to get to know a Chromebook higher, listed below are the best methods to have a look at the essential {hardware} specs of a Chromebook.
The way to test Chromebook CPU utilization
If a Chromebook is working slowly, it may very well be useful to test CPU utilization to see how arduous the processor is working and which apps it is utilizing which might be probably the most taxing.
One of many best methods to do that contains going to the Diagnostics web page in Settings. You’ll be able to simply discover it by typing “Diagnostics” within the ChromeOS search bar and opening the settings part that comes up. As soon as there, you may see a stay graph depicting CPU utilization, in addition to temperature and present pace.
You can too test CPU utilization by heading to the ChromeOS Process Supervisor. To entry the Process Supervisor, hit Search + Esc.
Should you overlook that key mixture, you can even get to the Process Supervisor by way of Google Chrome by hitting the three dots within the upper-right nook after which going to Extra instruments -> Process Supervisor.
The Process Supervisor has a considerable amount of machine data, together with data coping with CPU utilization, in addition to reminiscence and community.
The way to activate Hyper-threading in a Chromebook
Not all Chromebooks have an intel CPU able to Hyper-threading, however even when yours does, there is a good likelihood the function’s disabled by default. Google began disabling Intel Hyper-threading on Chromebooks out of the field in 2019 out of concern for Microarchitectural Knowledge Sampling (MDS) vulnerabilities. “If Chrome processes are attacked, these delicate information might embody web site contents, in addition to passwords, bank card numbers, or cookies. The vulnerabilities may also be exploited to learn host reminiscence from inside a digital machine or for an Android App to learn privileged course of reminiscence (e.g. keymaster),” a Google Chromium web page states. As of Might 2019, Google stated it did not know of any energetic MDS exploits. You will discover Google’s full description of the safety threat right here.
Should you’ve decided it is definitely worth the related threat, (and, if the Chromebook is a piece machine, inside your IT division’s insurance policies), this is how one can activate Hyper-threading on a Chromebook’s supported Intel processor:
First, be sure you’re working Chrome OS 74 or later.
Subsequent, kind “chrome://flags#scheduler-configuration” into the Chromebook’s Chrome browser and hit Enter.
A window will provide you with “Scheduler Configurator” on the high. There, you’ll be able to allow or disable Hyper-threading or restore the default settings.
As soon as you modify the setting, you may should restart the Chromebook for it to take impact.
Google’s Chromium web page additionally says that IT executives can set a corporation’s Hyper-threading coverage through the use of the “SchedulerConfiguration” enterprise coverage.
The way to activate GPU rasterization on a Chromebook
Your Chromebook’s CPU possible has GPU rasterization, which strikes among the machine’s workload from the CPU to the GPU to unencumber CPU assets, disabled. In accordance with PC opinions and information web site Laptop computer, Google does this to protect battery life.
Should you’d desire to threat a shorter battery life for GPU rasterization, kind “chrome://flags” into the Chromebook’s Chrome browser, and hit Enter.
Discover “GPU rasterization” on the web page that comes up (you’ll be able to search within the bar on the highest of the web page).
As soon as there, you’ll be able to flip GPU rasterization on, off, or restore the function to its default settings.
What CPU does my Chromebook have?
Should you’re troubleshooting a ChromeOS machine for a much less technically superior member of the family or good friend and ask them concerning the machine’s processor, there is a good likelihood you may be met with a clean stare.
There are two choices we like to make use of for checking a Chromebook’s CPU. One of many best methods to do that contains going to the Diagnostics web page in Settings, which we mentioned earlier. Once more, the quickest option to get to the Diagnostics web page is to kind “Diagnostics” into the ChromeOS search bar and open the settings part that comes up.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to go to Settings -> About ChromeOS -> Diagnostics. You will then get a web page offering you with the Chromebook’s processor data, together with CPU mannequin title and thread depend.
One other option to get a Chromebook’s CPU title is to kind “chrome://system” into the Chrome browser’s tackle bar after which press Enter. You will see a web page that appears like this:
Scroll down alphabetically till you discover “cpuinfo.” As soon as there, hit the “Increase…” button. After this, you’ll see the Chromebook’s processor title and different data, like cache dimension.
The way to test Chromebook RAM utilization
You can too test present reminiscence utilization by visiting theTask Supervisor. Once more, the quickest option to carry this up is by hitting Search + Esc. The Process Supervisor enables you to view every course of’s reminiscence footprint, and there are alternatives to view different parts’ data, like GPU reminiscence.
On account of their browser-based nature, it is easy for tabs to stack up on Chromebooks. Should you’re troubleshooting for a Chromebook tab hoarder or are one your self, you’ll be able to think about a browser extension that manages Chrome tabs to preserve reminiscence, like OneTab, which is beneficial by Laptop computer, suspends browser tabs not in use, and gives an inventory of suspended pages for simple retrieval. There’s additionally The Nice Suspender, which we have seen beneficial by Ars readers and might droop tabs routinely after a set period of time. After all, make sure to vet apps completely earlier than putting in them on a machine.
How a lot RAM does my Chromebook have?
Our most popular option to test a Chromebook’s complete RAM (and the way a lot is remaining) is to go to the Diagnostics web page. The quickest means to do that is to kind “Diagnostics” in ChromeOS’ search bar, after which hit “Diagnostics” within the web page that comes up. As soon as there, on the backside, you may see RAM data.
What sort of storage does my Chromebook have?
Like with any laptop computer, Chromebook storage varies, and choices starting from a PCIe 4.0 SSD to eMMC storage are all frequent in trendy Chromebooks.
If you wish to get to know a Chromebook’s storage slightly extra personally, we advocate heading to the About System web page. Once more, to get to About System, simply kind “chrome://system/” into Chrome’s tackle bar, and press Enter.
As soon as the web page hundreds, scroll right down to “storage_info” and click on “Increase…”
Right here, you may discover different storage particulars, just like the storage mannequin title and max capability.
How a lot storage does my Chromebook have?
Whereas some Chromebook customers could primarily depend on Google Cloud for his or her recordsdata, there are additionally good causes to maintain paperwork, photographs, and different information on the machine, and you may additionally need storage data earlier than downloading that subsequent app.
Storage is among the simpler bits of data to seek out on a Chromebook, however in case you are having hassle, this is the best option to learn the way a lot storage a Chromebook in query has.
Hit the Chromebook’s search button to carry up the ChromeOS search bar after which kind “storage.” An choice referred to as “Storage Administration” will come up. Click on on that.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to go to Settings -> Machine -> Storage Administration.
When you’re within the Storage Administration part of ChromeOS’ Settings, you may see how a lot storage the Chromebook is utilizing and the way a lot stays. This web page additionally breaks down storage utilization by kind.
