By: Michael Roberts
The Mac and PC Advantage
There is no question that Macs and PCs have an advantage over Chromebooks with respect to their computing power and adaptability to diverse lab environments. When it comes to designing for manufacturing the industry standard programs are the most powerful and user-friendly programs. From the proprietary software like Adobe suite and Solidworks to opensource software like Inkscape and Blender, there is no question that PCS and Macs have an advantage over Chromebooks. So what would be the use of a Chromebook in the Fab Lab?
Availability
If you find yourself teaching students in schools with limited funding, the only technology you can count on your students having is a halfway charged Chromebook from three years ago. As of 2017, 25 million Chromebooks were being used in schools in the US. [1] This along with a price point of $149, Chromebooks may be the best option for introducing technology to low income schools and neighborhoods.
Question of Use
Yes, Chromebooks are low cost and widely available, but are they appropriate replacements for Macs and PCs in Fablabs? Yes, and no. A Chromebook will never replace the need for a designated computer to interface with the manufacturing device, (laser cutter, 3D printer, etc…) and they will never be as powerful as industry standard design platforms. However, using web-based design software, Chromebooks are very useful for teaching the basics of two and three dimensional design. Having created simple to intermediate designs on the Chromebook, students will be better equipped to use the more powerful design software available on the Macs and PCs. Chromebooks are less a replacement as they are a stepping stone towards the world of powerful design solutions.
Moving Forward
As an Engineering teacher, I feel it imperative to offer my students the opportunity to get trained on the powerful design technologies in my classroom in a way that empowers them instead of intimidating them. By using a technology that is familiar to students to teach the basics of computer aided design, we can provide a better stepping stone for further exploration into the complex world of design for those that think it will be too complicated for them.
I will be using Chromebooks in my classroom and hope you will join me. Here are links to how I am using them to use the Technologies in my classroom.
Stencil Making – Designing for laser cutters with web-based software
Phone Holder – Designing for 3D printers with web-based software
References:
1. Android Central. (2018). Chromebooks in education: Everything you need to know. [online] Available at: https://www.androidcentral.com/chromebooks-education-everything-you-need-know [Accessed 30 Sep. 2018].
MR ROBERTS MAKES 