Chromebooks simply use the Google Chrome operating system exclusively (no Internet Explorer, no Microsoft Edge, no Firefox, etc.) If you have Gmail or have used Google Drive before....Chrome is a "no brainer." They load very quickly at power on (due to the fact that they do not load Windows or some other operating system, but rather connect to a browser through Google on the internet). You can use a mouse; but also the touchpad/trackpad has some quick options such as two fingers scrolls, tap two fingers to right click, and swipe left or right with two fingers to swipe quickly between open tabs. The main advantage is that it is very difficult for Chromebooks to get a virus! I own 6 Chromebooks and have never had a problem in 8 years of using them. I store all of my files on Google drive but you can also use the Google Cloud storage. It is very easy to use and has Microsoft word, powerpoint, slides, spreadsheets and photo. You can use any of the Google apps or extensions, but you cannot download programs (such as Quickbooks or CD games) onto a Chromebook. There is no desktop as there is on a PCs to save to. If you are proficient at Windows, Chromebooks are simple and I think you would have a very easy transition. They don't run every "player" for example they don't run Shockwave (which some web pages use) but they do run Flash (which other web pages use). Personally I cannot use my Chromebook for online work I do with the Educational Testing Service in Princeton because they don't run their platform, but I use the Chromebook for online reading (TOTV) with ease and of course shopping!
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